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Top 5 Reasons You Should Blog on Active Rain

By
Real Estate Technology with Imagine WOW! Digital Marketing Agency

why blog on active rain

I had the privilege of speaking at a Mortgage Technology Summit in Denver, CO last week about the power of Active Rain.  I spoke from my own experience and discussed the benefits that I feel are often overlooked. 

One of the biggest bonuses of your Active Rain account is an Outside Blog.  Now I understand that upgrading to a RainMaker account can feel like another way the industry nickel and dimes us to death.  Believe me; I too had the same hesitation in taking on another monthly fee.  However, the explosion I've seen within my business in the 6 short months since I've upgraded and become an active part of the community has rocked my world.

Since February 2011 I've been asked to write for Scotsman Guide, The Niche Report, My FHA Mortgage Blog (now Mortgage Daily) and several other industry blogs.  As you can imagine, being recognized for your work is a huge pat on the back to an aspiring writer!  Beyond that I've established new and amazing partner relationships, completed 10 new online loan applications and had my best production month of the year in May 2011. 

I attribute all of this to my new perspective, new found blogging mojo and the extraordinary Google juice Active Rain blogs bring to your content.

If you've been reluctant to blog or engage with this community, let me give you my Top 10 Reasons to Blog on Active Rain.  They are of course my personal takeaways from the last several months and were in no way coerced or encouraged by anyone within Active Rain. (Silly but an often required disclaimer)

1.  Roll Out Your Active Rain Blog in Minutes

Active Rain offers all of the tools you need to quickly and effortlessly get your blog up and running in a matter of minutes.  There is plenty of other customization and optimization you can do but if you want to start blogging asap without the fuss of Wordpress, Blogger or other platforms that require additional work - AR is the place to start!

If you haven't done it yet, read Getting Started on Active Rain.

2.  Active Rain is Blog SEO on Crack

If you're still skeptical about the so-called SEO benefits of an Active Rain blog, then you haven't been paying attention to the community success stories.

Active Rain is like an online shopping mall and your blog is the store.  AR drives the traffic to us and all we need to do is market & promote ourselves to that targeted audience.

3.  Build Your Brand & Your Niche

Your Active Rain blog and profile allow you the freedom to create and build the brand you want.  Are you still stuck in the "static" website rut?  Fresh and consistent content is key to prospective clients finding you on the web.  Don't think of blogging as a replacement to your current marketing efforts, but rather an extension of what you're already doing.  Blogging and social media give you the ability to extend your brand beyond the limits formally placed on business' through traditional marketing.  Think big and build the brand you've dreamed of!

4.  Connect with like-minded professionals  

Active Rain brings together like-minded professionals that freely offer their time, support, wisdom and knowledge on a daily basis.  Becoming active within the community gives you strength to push through the tough days and a cheerleading section when you're ready to celebrate a win.  The added bonus is the FREE education you receive through the Active Rain team and members.

5.  Become the Local Expert

Blogging about local community events is a great way to connect with buyers and sellers researching your particular area.  Blogging about frequently asked homebuyer questions or providing solutions to sellers positions you as the local expert within your field.

Your Active Rain blog gives you the opportunity to define your niche and spotlight your knowledge.  Blog about what you know and find unique ways to connect both online and offline with potential clients and businesses within your community.

I could go on and on about the power of Active Rain and the difference blogging can make in your career, but I won't.  I'll just leave you with this.

If you've been bashful, fearful, self-conscious, shy, timid or just plain scared to blog then my advice is the same as Nike:  Just DO IT.  Put away the excuses and pick up the pen.  Blogging will transform your business and Active Rain will give you the juice to succeed.

 

 

Top 5 Reasons You Should Blog on Active Rain was written by Rebekah Radice.

Comments(28)

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John Saari
Worcester, MA
"The Mortgage Buddy"

Great post Rebekah. Blogging just becomes habit after a while and helps to maintain industry knowledge and relevance.

Jun 13, 2011 07:59 AM
Cathy Criado
Criado Realty - San Antonio, TX
Making Real Estate Profitable

Nicely said.  As a newbie I am excited about making the most of this. I hear if you get to 100,000 pts you get a big discount so that's another motivation for use newbiews to blog more often.  I like the links you have at the bottom. Is there a shortcut to that?  Like a link that automatically inserts the months' archives?

 

Jun 13, 2011 09:06 AM
Hrisco & Associates
Hrisco & Associates - Roanoke, TX
Roanoke Homes for Sale - Roanoke Neighborhoods

Hi Rebekah, great article on the powers using Active Rain....worthy of a reblog, once I get my broker exam out of the way later this week.....be in touch.

Jun 14, 2011 08:29 AM
Rebekah Radice
Imagine WOW! Digital Marketing Agency - Burbank, CA
Social Media Marketing, Coaching & Training

I love your #6 Dick because it's so true!  The more you blog, the more fun it becomes.

Thank you thank you Mike - I really appreciate it!

Thank you John!  I love that as well and also the fact that we have such a larger reach than traditional marketing.  It's exciting to see the "fruits of our labor" pay off!

Cathy - As a "newbie", you are doing a GREAT job!  I don't know of any shortcut to add those links.  I wish I did!  As of now I'm doing the old "copy and paste."

Thank you so much John!  The broker exam definitely takes precedence over everything else. ;)

Jun 14, 2011 01:43 PM
Elizabeth Byrne
Keller Williams Realty - Arlington, VA
Arlington Virginia Real Estate

Active Rain seems to have lots of power. I am new to AR but hope to see the fruits of my labor soon. Thank you for great tips.

Jun 14, 2011 02:09 PM
Rebekah Radice
Imagine WOW! Digital Marketing Agency - Burbank, CA
Social Media Marketing, Coaching & Training

Keep at it Elizabeth and you will!  When you start to see the results, you'll get that extra encouragement to keep it up!

Jun 14, 2011 02:44 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Rebekah, I missed that Summit, luckily with more going on!     Business doe snot happen overnight, but with the proper SEO, it DOES make your phone ring.      I have had several public calls and emails from my blogs, and reconfirms what we are doing is working!

Jun 15, 2011 04:08 AM
Anonymous
Colorado

thanks for the post guys..

Jun 17, 2011 01:13 AM
#16
Ken and Leslye Huebsch
3x Individual Agent of the Year, Luxury Homes, First-Time Buyers, Residential Resales, New Construction - Harrisburg, PA
Realtors - Harrisburg Homes for Sale 717.514.1793

I like this one best, "Active Rain is Blog SEO on Crack", because if we are doing it properly you are so right!

Jul 08, 2011 02:42 AM
Anne M. Costello
Weidel Realtors - Yardley, PA

Rebekah: Missed this when you first posted it. Love the "SEO on Crack" analogy.  Will reblog, for newbies and others who may have missed it the first time.

Aug 17, 2011 10:45 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Hey Rebekah.  Thx again for another super post.  I've suggested.  this is a wonderful place to start blogging and a wonderful community.  I'm always learning things from others here.

Aug 17, 2011 11:25 PM
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Rebekah - This is a wonderful post on some of the excellent virtues of ActiveRain.

Aug 18, 2011 12:57 AM
Pam Hills
Innovative Artistry - Kendall, FL
ASP/IAHSP- Stager Miami, FL, Creative Minds Innovatively At Work

I was surprised that I could still hit the "suggest" button??  Well I just blogged "if" I could...so I did, as it is great & re-blogging it forward for you...well & everyone else!  Happy Weekend :)

Aug 20, 2011 05:53 PM
MichelleCherie Carr Crowe .Just Call. 408-252-8900
Get Results Team...Just Call (408) 252-8900! . DRE #00901962 . Licensed to Sell since 1985 . Altas Realty - San Jose, CA
Family Helping Families Buy & Sell Homes 40+ Years
Thanks for the good info and the encouragement.
Aug 20, 2011 07:40 PM
Elite Home Sales Team
Elite Home Sales Team OC - Corona del Mar, CA
A Tenacious and Skilled Real Estate Team

Thank you for the information and the reason to upgrade to outside blog.

Aug 20, 2011 07:52 PM
Anonymous
Rosa Almond

Thinking about being a rainmaker... This is helping me make my decision!   Thanks!!!!

 

Sep 09, 2011 03:22 PM
#24
Bryan Stephens
Renown Realty and Property Management - La Sierra, CA
Looking for Homes in the IE Call Today - Inland Em

I have been debating if its worth the money to be a rainmaker.  Your blog has pushed me a step forward toward making that investment.  Thank you.

Sep 28, 2011 05:42 PM
Amy Robinson
London Pierce Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Realtor, Scottsdale Arizona Homes For Sale

Hi Rebecca,  I enjoyed this blog as it is always a good reminder as to why I spend so much time one AR.  I have not seen any benefits of increasing my business yet but I am hoping with time  I will.

Nov 11, 2011 10:54 AM
GARY DIGIORGIO -Denver- Arvada -Westminster
THE DIGIORGIO GROUP /(303) 898 - GARY (4279) - Westminster, CO
REOptions LLC

Rebecca-- you give new meaning to a socialite !! Great info and encouragement- thanks

gary D

Jan 21, 2013 02:56 AM
Amy Gutschow
RE/MAX - Sheboygan, WI
Professional Real Estate

Your Blog will be discussed at our next meeting.  I think it is time to look into taking this all to the next level.  Great inspiration.

 

 

Oct 26, 2013 03:28 PM