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Referral Exchange

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors

As soon as I saw the Referral Exchange link I was excited!!  With more than 40,000 members on Active Rain it looked like a wonderful opportunity to come together in one place to take our networking to the next level.  Unfortunately, my excitement was short lived because it's become a SPAM fest. 

Really, it's not that complicated!  There are 4 steps in the process:

  1. If you HAVE a REFERRAL, you post the details about YOUR CLIENT'S needs.
  2. If you are looking for referrals YOU BROWSE THE REFERRAL CLIENTS.  If you find a match you can submit a proposal to receive the referral.
  3. When a good match is found the referring member will accept your proposal.
  4. After the referral is made, you can leave feedback.

Nowhere does it say that all 41,152 member of active rain should post a message that they are looking for referral.  Seriously, we know you are looking for networking opportunities...we all are!  Isn't that why we're here?  Why ruin it for everyone else?

I have a proposal for the Active Rain Gurus.  I propose that anyone who SPAMS the Referral Exchange, in a clear attemt to solict referrals rather than make a contribution, should lose 5,000 active rain points for not being able to follow directions.  :) 

Comments(7)

Susan Trombley
Trombley Real Estate - Wake Forest, NC
Broker/Realtor, Raleigh, Cary, Wake Forest, Youngs
ONly Active Rainer will help and it is a wonderful place to be.
Aug 02, 2007 02:11 PM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County
I am beginning to agree with your position. I see referrals wanted but very few actual referrals. Makes me want to skip the button....
Aug 02, 2007 02:14 PM
Leigh Bates
Atlantic & Pacific Real Estate - Flower Mound, TX
The Trinity Group
OBVIOUSLY we all want referrals... isn't that part of the reason that we are all here, to network? I think it's a great tool and I can't wait to see it used more (the right way!)
Aug 02, 2007 02:17 PM
Tracey Thomas
BrokerInTrust Real Estate - Calabasas, CA
CA Real Estate Broker
Great idea and I agree completely. 
Aug 02, 2007 02:32 PM
Chris Tesch
RE/MAX Bryan-College Station - College Station, TX
College Station, Texas Real Estate
Rebecca, it really isn't a difficult concept...how can they get it SO wrong?
Aug 02, 2007 02:33 PM
Rebecca Quinones
Coldwell Banker Heritage Realtors - Dayton, OH

Susan, Gary, Leigh, Tracey & Chris - Hopefully AR will sort out the bad apples and ensure that the Referral Exchange used as it was meant to be.  It has the potential to be a great tool!  Until then, I guess I'll just keep an eye on it. 

One thing I can promise you:  I wouldn't be sending of my valued clients to someone that can't follow SIMPLE instructions!

Aug 03, 2007 02:03 PM
Keith Cook
RE/MAX Whatcom County, Inc. - Bellingham, WA

 

 

I just joined AR. With all of the quality agents in the industry finding a good agent isn't that rough. I like to interview 3 agents and pick the one that I think will work best with the customer.

Oct 22, 2007 07:42 PM