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I've Had A Great Week In The Rain!!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Cornerstone Business Group Inc 0225086119

This has been a great week, and I am truly singing in the Rain!  It started out with a note from another Rainer with listing opportunities.  Shortly after that, I received a call and email from Bankrate.com asking if I'd be willing to be interviewed for their online newsletter.  They found me through my Active Rain blog.  The interview will be released in a couple weeks.

As the week progressed, I received an email from a potential client who has a property to sell in a neighboring community and needs to buy one in my community.  Our contact came about by a blog which led to my website.  My hope is to pass the sale of her property on to another Rainer for a referral fee.  It's nice to share the love!

Today, another Rainer called to let me know she took the advice from one of my blogs and it increased her calls by 5-7 per day.  Her income shot up along with the calls.  She promised to blog about her experience at a later date.   My blog had a series of things Realtors could do to generate income beyond commissions.  That blog, "Commissions are not the only source of income for Realtors" sparked a lot of great ideas from the commenting Rainers.  This particular Rainer decided she would take the seven ideas one at a time and try them out.  The first one she tried hit pay dirt for her.  She promised to keep me up to date on her experience as she goes through the other six.  I'm looking forward to those calls. 

Yesterday, I spent my morning visiting with a local mortgage broker who is interested in blogging.  He came to my office to chat and have a cup of coffee.  During our time, I was able to show him how Active Rain is changing my business.  Just one idea from another Rainer caused me to control the
first 8 pages of a Google search on my name.

I used pointers from other Rainers to get my LinkedIn search status to number 1.  Another call came in today from a woman seeking a broker in the Winchester, VA area.  Every time she did a web search, I came up first.  Why?  Because of tricks I learned from other Rainers.  So, friends, I say let rain drops continue to fall!

Comments(114)

Thomas Haught
The Russell Realty Group - Saugus, MA

Thomas Haught

Great Job Mike!  As a newbie to the Rain, and a newbie to real estate I have learned immensly just from all the blogs posted here on AR.  I'm looking forward to following some of your blogs!

Jul 31, 2011 12:43 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Thanks, Mike.  For all of us Mikes out here the name Michael means "One like God".  Now that's something hard to live up to!!  Thanks for stopping by, and thanks for the kudos.

Thomas, there a lot of great brainiacs on AR.  I'd suggest Mimi Foster and Rebekah Radice as two really solid bloggers who can help with business and SEO and Social media issues.  Gwen Banta is a blast if you want a really big belly laugh.  J. P. Faranda for just great info, and David Shamansky for encouragement.  Lenn Harely offers reams of experience, and there are about a thousand more.  The best to you in the Rain!!

Jul 31, 2011 01:33 PM
Ruby Lee Sweeting
Darville Wong Associates Realty Bahamas
Your Bahamas Agent for Relocations & Second Homes

Hi Mike; Congratulations on your great week! Just reading about your week's activities is an encouragement to stay involved with AR.  Thanks for your always great Blogs.

Jul 31, 2011 01:45 PM
Justin Dibbs
Fairway Independent Mortgage - Ashburn, VA
Mortgage Advisor

Impressive post Mike!  I may have to drive out to Winchester and take you out for coffee/lunch and pick your brain.

Jul 31, 2011 02:02 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Thank you, Ruby.  Great to see your smiling face show up!

Come on out, Justin.  You might decide to stay on this side of the mountain!!

Jul 31, 2011 03:08 PM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Mike, I have blogged about it over time. I first came to Active Rain when I missed a $500,000 buyer - a former buyer had tried to contact me on Active Rain, but it was months before I saw the message. We probably close at least $1,000,000 every year due to blogging. People say, "I was on your website and I liked it," or "I was on your website and you seem to really know alot about Eagle Harbor..." When they say that, I know it's Active Rain.

Sharon

Jul 31, 2011 04:54 PM
Gerard Gilbers
Higher Authority Markeing - Asheboro, NC
Your Marketing Master

You laid a great foundation with your blogs and website and you are now reaping the rewards. Congratulations on the Bankrate interview.

Jul 31, 2011 05:29 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

That's awesome, Sharon.  Thanks for sharing!!

I am, Gerard, and it's exciting.  My goal the first half of this year was to build a web presence and it's finally showing some fruit.  Thanks for stopping by!!

Jul 31, 2011 09:29 PM
Ann Steinemann
Russell Real Estate Services-Sandusky - Sandusky, OH
REALTOR, GRI, PPS

Mike, thanks so much for your timely post. My business of selling houses as my only source of income,  booming up until two weeks ago, suddenly slowed way down. I woke up this morning feeling like I needed a compass. Your post provided me with one. 

Aug 01, 2011 02:50 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Thank you, Ann.  So glad that happened!!

Aug 01, 2011 02:59 AM
Shelley Englert
All-Americanproperties.com - Saratoga Springs, NY

Mike,

Thank you for you post.  The theme of your blog is great.  Classic Gene Kelly.  

 

 

Aug 01, 2011 03:34 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Thanks, Shelly.  Have a great day!!

Aug 01, 2011 03:37 AM
Elisa Uribe Realtor #01427070
Golden Gate Sotheby's International - Berkeley, CA
Opening the Doors to California Homes -East Bay

Love the post! Good for you. Looks like biz is good in VA!

Aug 01, 2011 08:19 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

It's getting better, Elisa.  Hopefully a wave will spread from coast to coast!!

Aug 01, 2011 12:53 PM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Active Rain is my top source of business and marketing.  I want to hear the idea that gives you the first 8 pages.

Aug 02, 2011 09:11 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Thanks for dropping by, Gene.  Take a look at the blogging for seo group and their posts.  There are a ton of great ideas there for front page searches. 

Aug 02, 2011 09:33 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Did you mean Blogging and SEO?  I just signed up.

Aug 02, 2011 11:14 AM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Oh, oops.  Right, Gene.

Aug 02, 2011 11:57 AM
Cari Dandy
Russ Lyon Sotheby’s International Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Homes for Sale - Scottsdale AZ

Mike, I finally checked back in on the comments and love hearing that the contacts are now coming your way! I figured this is going to take some time, but I've been taking the AR web classes and getting as much info as I can about SEO, etc. It's fun, new and definitely challenging, but I have confidence it will pay off! Thanks for your help!

Aug 07, 2011 01:21 PM
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Absolutely, Cari.  It will pay off.  Thanks for dropping by!!

Aug 07, 2011 01:32 PM