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Where Does The Time Go?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas

I have been here in the Rain, Active Rain that is, for 4 (four) years now. I cannot believe that it's been that long! It seems like yesterday that my husband said, "hey Deb, there's a cool blogging site for you to look at." My answer at the time was, "what's blogging?"  Seriously! I had no clue. After bringing up the site and discovering all the wealth of information, commeraderie, excitement and humor I just couldn't resist! Thus, my addiction. Active Rain.

I was scared half to death to post the first time. I had no clue what anyone wanted from me or what good it would do me or even why I was here! I have never been one to read "instructions".  I have always been the Bull In The China Shop that would rush right in even if something breaks. That's me.

All of a sudden, I wanted to know EVERYTHING that had to do with Active Rain. It was an immediate addiction even though I did not receive any comments~it just didn't seem to matter.  I wanted to learn, I wanted to write, I wanted to reach out to my clients and customers and tell them about all that was great in my area! I became caught up in all the friendships I was forming. I laughed, I even cried at times and I was so grateful to have found a home.

I immediately placed with my "blog", "post" in Google. I was shocked, amazed, and my business immediately began to increase. My first Active Rain phone call came only three (3) weeks after I began posting and placing. A nice lady at the other end of the phone said, "I would like to talk to you about listing my home". I asked the first and most critical question of the day, "where did you learn about me?" and guess what her answer was!  Yes!  "It's a site called Active Rain, she said. I was wondering if you could sell my home?"  

And, I did. Her home had been listed with another Realtor® for an entire year. Of course, I told her I could help. I listed and sold her home withing 45 days and received a check for over $6,000.00. What I am telling you here is that the first three months of posting on Active Rain paid me a lot of money! I had fun, created friendships, got my Marketing on Full Steam Ahead and life was good. I have been receiving calls and checks from more than just my posting since then. Referrals become a large part of our business and "posting practices".

I understand that Active Rain is about to Celebrate their 5 Year Anniversary and I want to say, "Thank You Active Rain" for being my Best Friend!

I so wish I could be in Seattle to help celebrate!


"Active Rain, You are the Best"


And, all my friends. YOU ARE AWESOME! And, yes, I am screaming. It's been five years? I don't get it?

Where does the time go?

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Show All Comments Sort:
Melissa Zavala
Broadpoint Properties - Escondido, CA
Broker, Escondido Real Estate, San Diego County

This is a great story. I've been posting successfully for over two years. It's amazing.

Jun 13, 2011 02:41 AM
Richard Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Deb...."dancing with Real Estate" Brooks...am I the only one that is enjoying your Real Estate pic...?

Jun 13, 2011 03:00 AM
Tamara Inzunza
Realty One Group Capital - Alexandria, VA
Close-In Alexandria and Arlington Living

Woohoo, congrats on the feature and love your image of the rain!

Jun 13, 2011 03:36 AM
John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

Congrats on a nice four year run, Deb. You've brought a lot of great content to the Rain.

Jun 13, 2011 03:49 AM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Cal~thank you! This place brings out the personalities no matter what we write about. It makes it so easy to get to know others just through their writings!

Fernando, Transparency is one of the ways to really show one's self to others. I think I should be a little more guarded at times but that's just me! Thank you for coming by and reading.

It means a great deal to me to have my friends stop by! Thank you all.

Gita, I think the rain in the picture said it all. I imagined I was in Seattle celebrating too!

Ellen, nothing? No way! It's so very much and you should celebrate too! I, personally, am truly glad you are with us. I enjoy reading your comments and seeing your smiling face!

Ed, your primary focus is right on! Learn all you can and use it! It works!

 

Jun 13, 2011 06:14 AM
David A. Weaver
None - Buckeye, AZ
Retired

Deb,  Thank you for the encouragement and for sharing your story.  As a newbie to AR it's great to see what can happen if you work.  Hum, seems like I've said that to my LO's before....work the plan.  What a concept!!!!!

Jun 13, 2011 07:03 AM
Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED
RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

Basking in the rain . . . how COOL.  And your hubbie introduced you . . . that's even better. 

Jun 13, 2011 07:17 AM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

Just 3 weeks??? Hmmm, I  guess I'm owed a refund.... LOL

Jun 13, 2011 07:25 AM
Cory Barbee
San Diego, CA
Broker (760) 563-4022

Great post...I love to read other people's success with Active Rain...I wish you even more success over the next 4 years !

Jun 13, 2011 08:29 AM
Rebecca McArdle
Stunning Staging & Redesign, LLC - Fort Wayne, IN

I'm fairly new to ActiveRain, so this is great to hear!  I need to start blogging again ASAP ;-)  Thanks for the post Deb!

Jun 13, 2011 09:00 AM
Linda K. Mayer
License # 01767321 - La Verne, CA
Realtor, SRES, SoCAL, A REALTOR YOU CAN TRUST

WTG!  Wow, four years is incredible.... happy anniversary!  

Jun 13, 2011 11:28 AM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Deb! Wayy cool and you know you were here when I stumbled in and was also one of the people who encouraged many of us to dive in! I believe you also sponsored some blogging contests that certainly kept me here! Thank you and i wish you many more years of success in the "RAIN" ;-)

Jun 13, 2011 12:20 PM
Deb Brooks
Brooks Prime Properties Wichita Falls Texas - Wichita Falls, TX

Loreena, I enjoyed meeting you and your husband! I wish we had more time together. Never enough time...

Mike, I'm so glad for you! WTG~I hope it works for you. Will you blog about it? Do it~

Dave, You mean, my nervousness, insecurity, feelings of inadequacy and so forth? lol...

Chuck, I am certainly addicted my friend!

 

Richard! Congrats and Happy Anniversary to you too! There are just so many reasons to celebrate.

Barbara-Jo! Your score certainly reflects that! Congrats to you!

Michael, Time flies when your having fun. You just spoke a mouthful!

 

Jun 13, 2011 01:43 PM
Ray Waisler
Finance of America - Atlanta, GA
NMLS #6621 - Specializing in Jumbo FHA & VA

Deb, I've been in the Rain for 3 months and got so addicted that I wrote a post about my addiction.

Jun 13, 2011 01:49 PM
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Every time I see that picture of you I think "Miss Sassy Pants." :)  You're right . . . takes one to know one . . . .

Jun 13, 2011 02:32 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Deb - It's obvious your time here has been well spent as it has been for many of us.

Jun 13, 2011 04:28 PM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Deb...Thank you for being here when I joined.  I'll be celebrating my 4th in September.  Isn't it amazing how quickly we all beaome comfortable with one another as we post and read each others offerings.  It's a super, great place with super, great members like you.

Kate

Jun 13, 2011 05:12 PM
David Burrows
Classic Realty - Fairfax, VA
No Pressure, Just Seriously Devoted to Real Estate

I truly enjoy Active Rain. It is a place to grow, be encouraged, give to others and most important, I love reading the blogs, just like this one and then posting a comment.

Jun 14, 2011 12:40 AM
Carolyn Nelson
Realty One Carolina, LLC - Burlington, NC
Your Triangle to Triad Real Estate Expert!

I joined Active Rain in August 2006. It was very addictive for the first couple of years then I backed off becuase it became a priority. I posted less and focused on my business more. it has been almost 5 years and I have seen many faces come and go. I invited many but only a few joined. Some are now top posters and have built a successful business through Active Rain.

Congratulations!!!!!

Jun 14, 2011 12:45 AM
Sarasota & Manatee Counties FL
SaraMana Properties - QuickFreeMLS.com - Bradenton, FL
QuickFreeMLS.com - Listings In Paradise

That's a great post and I thank you for sharing it with us!

Jun 14, 2011 06:31 PM