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Your Active Rain Profile - Your Masterpiece!

By
Education & Training with Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp Non-Licensed

Are you getting the most from your Active Rain Profile?   Does it have the same information or content as your website?  Did you cut and paste like many of us I know did?  Is it a "Wall Of Words?"  Here's an opportunity to make your AR Profile even "BETTER" than your website.  You should put as much attention and love into your profile page as you do your posts, maybe more.  Are you updating it with fresh content weekly, monthly or never at all?  The truth is, the profile is the first place we all start as "New" members!  The problem is, when we are new, we don't really quite know or understand how to set up our profile's to be in our best interests.  I know what you're thinking, let's see if I'm right...

It's time to come around full circle, where we started, and maximize an area we may have all forgotten about.  We get caught up in learning so much here, and trying to navigate our way around, I think we just simply forget.  Your profile is YOU!  It should be Inter-Active and not just static like a website.  You should always be trying to put new and relative information there.  In order to help you create the "Ultimate Profile" on Active Rain, I have done some extensive research over the past 2 weeks.   Here are some ideas and tools you may be able to use for your profile page.

Take a look at some of these other profiles.   I have, and think you should too.  I suggest you don't stop here.  Go See what others have done, and how they are using their profile page to maximize the value to their viewers and clients.  Is your page all that it can be?   Is it focused with rich and informative content about your area?  Do you have links, graphics, maps and interactive widgets?  What about MLS links, searches and Virtual Tours?  The list could go on and on.

Profiles from Other Members:

Karen George - AZ Home Loans 

Bryant Tutas, Broker-REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc 

Sarah Cooper, Realtor, Hurricane, WV 

Colleen Kulikowski Florida Realtor 

Kristal Kraft ~ Denver Real Estate 

Downtown Long Beach Condos Long Beach Real Estate, Laurie Manny 

Lenn Harley, Homefinders 

Renee Burrows - Las Vegas NV Real Estate 

Chris Elizabeth Griffith ~ Bonita Springs Fl Real Estate 

Craig Schiller (Real Estaging) 

Mariana Wagner ~ Colorado Springs REALTOR® 

Gilbert Arizona Real Estate - Candace Robinson 

Rick & Ines - Miami Shores Real Estate 

Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate 

Central Oregon Real Estate | Thesa Chambers 

Portsmouth NH Real Estate ~ Ann Cummings 

Nick M -Realtor®-Appraiser in West Palm- South Florida Real Estate Appraiser 

Midori Miller- Daytona Beach Florida Real Estate Training 

Maureen Henry - Rockland Home Staging 

and there are so many more...but some need some love and attention...LOL! :-)


Once you go and update or modify your profile page, be sure to keep checking and back and updating it.
  DON'T forget about it.  As your market changes and you change, so should your profile.  You want to keep it updated and fresh.  What kinds of things can you do to spice it up a bit?  Here's just a couple things I noticed when looking at other profiles, and I looked at hundreds...   

Give it color, add photos, create useful links, the design and look are important and simple is the key.  Put some animation, but not too much.  Don't be afraid to erase what you've done, it's OK!  I think this might be a factor as to why we don't update them more often.  Don't just cut, copy and paste from your website. Why duplicate?  Be Creative and Realistic.  Don't laugh, but Here's my Profile, I have been working on it a bit, but it still has quite a ways to go!!         

PART ONE:

This part is simple to complete, however, I often get asked, can I select more than one "Primary Market?"  You only get one, but you can still sell Real Estate or do loans, or provide your services anywhere in the Country or World if you choose.  I also do not suggest setting up 2 or 3 profiles in multiple areas.  That has never worked for anyone on AR including myself.  I tried it in the beginning, and it was a nightmare!  TRUST ME, JUST DON'T DO IT!


PART TWO:

There are three of these sections below available on your profile page.  This is like having 3 Blogs on one page!  The hardest part for most members is the HTML section.  Here are 3 tips regarding HTML.  1. Learn It   2. Use it   3.  Love it!  I am no HTML expert, but I have learned a lot from other members.  If you want to see any page on the net in HTML format, here's how.  Using Firefox: Go up to "View" and select "Page Source".  Using Explorer: Go up to "Page" and select "View Source."  HTML code can be copied from one place and pasted into another, the same as you would a widget or stat counter. 




1. What exactly is HTML  2. HTML School   3. HTML Goodies, the Ultimate HTML Resource  4. HTML Code Tutorial  I have learned so much from these sites, the first time I turned text "RED" I opened that bottle of saved Merlot to CELEBRATE!! LOL!  Don't laugh, you will too!  There are even HTML Forums that will help you on-line and answer your questions for FREE!  (that is if I can't)  These are some great sites to get you started!  Here's a couple more if you want to create banners and buttons etc.


Finally, create time and have patience building your Profile on Active Rain.
  See it through the eyes of your viewers, or customers.  Think of what they want to see, and what they will find to be of value.  Make your profile your "Best Blog" ever!  It's always going to be a work in progress, so don't give up or get frustrated.  Pay off comes in the long run, guaranteed!  We should always autograph our work with the best quality possible!  After all, this is YOUR "Profile!"  Shouldn't it really be your Ultimate Masterpiece?  :-)

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Comments(238)

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Susan Zanzonico
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services - Morristown, NJ
Sellers/Buyers Agent, Morristown NJ Real Estate

Another learning experience with Brad.  I've recently received a few leads from active rain, so am trying to pay more attention and fine tune my profile, etc.  Brad, you have alot of great informative posts to help us improve our presence.  Thanks!

Aug 06, 2008 02:53 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Sue - thanks for checking out my Blog and different posts, I recommend adding your name to your signature on your profile, it will generate even more than you're getting now. It' more personal to people's names than just companies, it is the one thing people will remember you by.  Thanks for your kind words and comment, I look forward to your continued contributions and successes in the rain. We're happy to have you here. :-)

Aug 07, 2008 04:30 AM
Carla Carberry
Herman Group REal Estate - Colorado Springs, CO
GRI

Brad,

I found this blog by going to AR Newbies. I'm trying to figure out how to spice up my profile page. I know we can add pictures by looking at some other profiles but I can't figure out how!  My profile page is boring but I'm very good at figuring out how to spice it up.  I thought starting with some pictures might be a good idea.  Can you help or tell me where to find help?  Thanks!

Aug 15, 2008 04:04 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Carla - help is right here.  If you look at the tool bar above where you make comments, you will see a row of images and tools.  The one that looks like a little tree in the grass it the import picture tool.  On your profile page, while in the edit mode, you will see this same tool bar.  Use this as your way to import photos to different areas on your profile page.  Call or email me if you need additional help ok?  :-)

Aug 17, 2008 03:48 AM
Florida Private Golf Communities
Golf Life Properties, LLC - Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Finding Home Never Felt Better!

Whenever I'm searching for help, I come across one of your great detailed posts.  I'm subscribed to your blog---I need to just start my search there.

Aug 28, 2008 03:06 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Nishika - lol~  You're welcomed here anytime, thanks for the sweet comment.  :-))

Aug 28, 2008 06:11 PM
Marian Gregor-Ann
Keller Williams - Ann Arbor, MI
Arbor area Real Estate

Hi Brad. OK. Now that I've read this cool post & ALL, yes all, of the comments I'm ready to work on my profile part II. I may have to come up for air a few times.  Thanks!

Sep 15, 2008 01:05 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Marian - here to help if you need it.  Did you get to see the getting started post?  That will be helpful too. :-)

Sep 16, 2008 02:52 PM
Corey Armistead
BWMA - Houston, TX
Mortgage Reduction Specialist

Wow, what a helpful post! Thanks Brad, you are the man! I have a YouTube clip on autoplay on my profile. What do you think about that? Again, thanks!

Oct 03, 2008 03:16 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Corey - I think autoplay is not the best idea.  Let readers and visitors select play if they want to watch it.  Sometimes it can scare someone when it starts automatically, especially if they are a night time visitor and all the rest of the family is sleeping, and they have their speakers turned up REAL LOUD!  Otherwise having video on your profile is a great idea, I have 4 on mine.  Really, just click my name below and see.  :-)

Oct 05, 2008 06:11 AM
Debbie Hutchins
Birmingham, AL

So that is how some blogs have typeset in color!  That looks like learning HTML is very time consuming.

Maybe I should work on my profile in other ways and then come back to that later.

Thanks Brad

Debbie

Nov 16, 2008 07:59 AM
MARYANN SUMARAGA
Vandyk Mortgage Company - Groveland, CA

Thanks for the info...it looks like I gotta get busy.

Jan 07, 2009 08:12 AM
Jim Cheney
Saint Francis Property Santa Rosa, CA - Santa Rosa, CA
Rincon Valley Realtor 707.494.1055

In a few years we'll laugh at HTML code like we do with DOS

Mar 30, 2009 04:08 PM
Shoshana Shay
St. Pete Realty - Treasure Island, FL

Just a small note: the links don't all match what they go to?  For example, "Colleen Kulikowski Florida Realtor" is actually in Buffalo NY now (maybe she moved since you posted this?).  Just wondering... and it's really helpful to look at various profiles!

May 09, 2009 03:44 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Yes - this post was written in Nov. of 2007, there have certainly been some changes in the rain since then.

Welcome to Activerain Shoshana.

May 09, 2009 04:46 PM
An Marshall
Berkshire Hathaway - St. Augustine - Saint Augustine, FL
Your St Augustine Real Estate Consultant

Oh my God, I have so much work to do!  I will have to remember to break things up into small manageable bites and chip away each day.

May 24, 2009 03:25 AM
Margaret Ann Innis
Decorate To Sell - Merrimack Valley Real Estate Staging - Andover, MA
Real Estate Staging - MA & NH

Brad - you have the gift of giving.  Great tips - so much to do - so little time!  Love the journey!  

May 30, 2009 10:35 PM
Dale Taylor
Re/Max 10 New Lenox Illinois http://dtaylor.remax.com - Frankfort, IL
Realtor = Chicago Illinois Homes Townhomes Condos

I will have to take some more tutorials!  I appreciate you helping me to improve my profile!

Aug 04, 2011 08:58 PM
Brad Andersohn
Retired Executive Director of Education at eXp - Boulder Creek, CA
ActiveBrad - 707.646.1876

Hi An - it's an ongoing process, it will never be finished, just getting better all the time.

Margaret - Enjoying the journey is what it's all about, thanks.

Thanks Dale - Happy to help any way I can.  Best of luck to you here in the rain!  :-)

Aug 05, 2011 07:56 AM
Scott Whitwam, APREP, ABR, SFR, ASD,CDPD ,Designated Broker Mesa AZ
Allison James Estates & Homes - Mesa, AZ

Ok. I thought this would be the quick and easy... no such luck, sounds like i should spend a little time working on my profile.

 

Thanks

Dec 20, 2011 02:00 PM