Like minded professionals from all over, because of Active Rain & Networking…. not only networking, but a family.
Again, late to the party has seemed to be my theme for the last 2 months. LOL Just that I have had a lot on my plate and it's just not all business. But I did want to share with you not only my story, but so many other stories from other AR members, aka Rainers, that were in NYC for RainCamp a few days ago.
An excellent time in less than 24 hours….
Even though I have been blogging on Active Rain since October 2006, I still get something from these types of events. Thanks to Jonathan Washburn, Bob Stewart, Brad Andersohn, and several others of the AR staff for putting this together. (sorry for leaving some names out) Ben Kinney also gave his successful knowledge as a realtor who gave us many tips and advice.... so thanks Ben.
So what was one of the most important things that I learned from the 1 day session? Brad Kinney was talking about content & keywords - You want good/quality content and make sure that you show your keywords 2 to 4% of the time in your blog. And you want to keep your words at 300 to 500 words per blog.
Bob Stewart touched upon 5 things in order to have a successful blog and why you should blog. One main focal point of this was to successfully create links from your AR site to other sites. This helps generate traffic also. But keep in mind, Google won't usually recognize more than two outgoing links, so don't get link happy, thinking that this will work.
Secondly, Brad Andersohn shared many of his free links to many sites which I will leave you with a few.
- Retaggr.com - Aggregate all your online social profiles and contact details into a portable interactive profile rich with content.
- Freeconferencecall.com - I hope I don't need to explain this one.
- Walkscore.com - Walk Score helps home buyers and renters find houses and apartments in great neighborhoods. It also calculates the walkability of any address.
Lastly, the fun part about networking.... socializing with friends, good conversations, and some cocktails. You can see some of the pictures below. I only had my cell with me, so many of the pictures are from other members with their permission of course. Enjoy...
Just a good basic blog about blogging....
Blogging and Time Management by Brad Andersohn
Well, I thought Bob wouldn't do this to me, but I think he let one loose, hence my expression on my face. See how cool he plays it off.... lol Seriously, I wasn't expecting the bright double flash.
(Jeff Belonger & Bob Stewart)
PS... Bob... it's 2010, not two thousand and ten... lol
Now, don't mess with the girl on the right, because this is Bob Stewart's fiancee.
(Lauren and Christa Caulk, aka Missy Caulk's lovely daughter)
When I talk about Active Rain and family all in one. It's great when you follow people or people follow you for a year or two, and then you finally get to meet in person. Or you lost touch, meeting once before, yet a year later you meet again. These are the Active Members that I got to meet for the first time or a year later for a second time.
Mitchell Hall and I met for the first time in 2008. He introduced me to his associate, Adina Greenberg. We had lunch with Concetta Pepenella and her husband, Joseph as we ate at Sophia's restaurant in Manhattan. Also got to see Caroyln Tann-Starr again, always a pleasure. And our own Helpful Hannah, Hannah Williams, who works in Philadelphia, across the river from me. (that is one way on how you brand a name)
Others that I met mostly that night when AR held a cocktail party at Latitude Bar & Grill.
Lisa Hammerstein & Robert Hammerstein - First time meeting ever, after reading each others blogs and phone calls in the last 2 1/2 years. It was about time and way long overdue. Just sorry that we didn't have much time to talk.
(Lisa Hammerstein & Jeff Belonger) - Courtesy of Robert Hammersetein
I got to meet the daughter of our famnous AR member for Feng Shui, Carole Provenzale. Her name was Laura Cerrano.
I was then able to meet Salvatore Poliandro and J. Philip Faranda, who both mentioned that they follow my blogs. I have even read some of theirs from time to time throughout the years. It was finally good to meet Sal after a few years.
And one point into the evening, I was able to meet Patricia Mortara and Gail Robinson.... I also wish I had more time to spend with these two lovely ladies, since we have met on AR over a year ago. Time just went to quickly.
And to wrap this up, here a few more pictures, all courteous of our own Sheldon Neal. Thanks Sheldon and as always, it was great seeing my secret favorite British Agent... cheers.
(Steve Kappre & myself)
Here is someone that literally lives in my backyard, about 20 minutes away, who I first started talking to on AR about a year ago. Well, we are also both in the mortgage business, and we finally got to meet. An awesome guy and sorry that it took so long.
(Cindy Jones - Christopher Somers - Stephanie Somers - Patrica Kennedy)
I finally got to meet Cindy Jones, after networking with her on AR for 2 1/2 years and that she stood me up on our first Active Rain date. LOL Here is what took place when she couldn't make it. The FHA Expert on Capital Hill. My follow up - A VIDEO....
Then you have the Somers Team, Christopher & Stephanie Somers, who live across the river from me in Philadelphia, who I have met on several occasions. And then Pat Kennedy, who I have met now for the 5th time or so. PS. Pat, you owe me one from last time, when your keys were locked in the car.
Part of the AR gang.... and AR members...left to right..
(Bob Stewart, Patty Mortara, Christa Caulk, Sheldon Neal, and Brad Andersohn in the front, as always, grabbing attention)
Again, fun had by all…. Learning, friendships, & networking… the POWER of ACTIVE RAIN
Here are some more blogs by other Active Rain members for January 12th, 2010.
WHAT A DAY !!! RainCamp NYC was INCREDIBLE - PHOTO RECAP !!! by Sheldon Neal aka the British Agent
Are You A Realtor® Who Blogs Or A Blogger Who Sells Real Estate On The Side? by Patricia Kennedy
RainCamp NY 2010 - Pictures and Videos and a Little Insight by Steve Kappre
ActiveCamp in NYC, much more than the price of admission! by Tom Re
Where do I start? RainCamp New York 2010 Recap by Jon Sigler
Well Worth Trip from Boston--My New York Rain Camp Experience by Elliot Topkins
Rain Camp NYC | Part 1| Pictures Recap by Robert Hammerstein
Rain Camp NYC | Part 2 | Pictures Recap by Robert Hammerstein
RainCamp: Ben Is Up And His Lecture Is Awesome by Carolyn Tann-Star aka C Tann-Star
RainCamp: ActiveBob Has A Wonderful Sense Of Humor by Carolyn Tann-Star
RainCamp: ActiveBrad and ActiveBob Interview An Inpromptu RE Panel by Carolyn Tann-Star
Raincamp NYC I am late to the party by Jennifer Fivelsdal
What I Learned At Camp Could Fill A Book... by Paddy Pizappi
PS... if I missed anyone that met or any blogs, I apologize. Please let me know. The brain deteriorates as we get older.
RainCamp™ UpComing Tour Dates and Locations
January 12th - New York
January 27th - Orange County
February 2nd - Dallas
March 2-4 - Las Vegas (date to be confirmed)
March 18th - Chicago
March 22nd - Orlando
April 8th - San Diego
May 11th - Washington DC
We'll announce the locations of each event once venues are confirmed and secured.
RainCamp™ - "Because the way we do business has changed!" Find Out More at RainCamp.com
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For more information on FHA loans, please go to this link. The FHA Expert
For more information about the 2009 Tax Credit for First Time Homebuyers : 2009 Tax Credit
For important mortgage insight to watch for, please read : Consumers need to be aware of these Red Flags!
Copyright © 2010 by Jeff Belonger of Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc
