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Referrals in the Rain - Why ActiveRain Works

By
Real Estate Agent with Fathom Realty West Sound WA State 52404

Referrals in the Rain - Why ActiveRain Works

Let's face it, in today's highly crowded virtual space, there are tons of networks and platforms for you to choose from, places where you can invest your hard earned money, and expend precious time/energy, all with the hopes of generating potential leads and capturing more business.

Many times it's difficult to know which online venues are really worth the expense and effort. Most over promise and under deliver. You end up wasting a lot of time chasing highly unqualified leads that rarely result in closed transactions.

And so you ask, what social media engagements offer the biggest bang for your buck? Which ones actually result in added business and money in the bank?Making Money from Referrals on ActiveRain

As a licensed professional real estate broker here in Kitsap County WA, one of the best business decisions I ever made was to join and participate here on ActiveRain.

Membership on the ActiveRain Network offers a number of viable revenue-generation streams. But perhaps one of the most obvious is the huge potential to pass and receive referrals.

With over 320,000 members throughout the US and Canada, ActiveRain affords you the opportunity to efficiently connect and foster meaningful relationships with literally hundreds and thousands of like-minded referral partners across the North American continent.

Even though many of us are affiliated with a national or international brokerage, all too many times we are simply referring in the blind. We are entrusting our valued clients to people we really know very little about other than a picture and some designations.

Through consistent involvement on the ActiveRain Network, you become intimately engaged with other members. Relationships are forged through sharing information and commenting on each other's blogs. Many of the most deep and valued friendships I have with others in our industry have been the direct result of my time spent on ActiveRain.

 How to Begin Building/Choosing Referrals

While identifying the Top Point Scorer in a respective market as a potential referral partner is a viable first step, balance that with the quality of their blog content. Read a few of their most recent articles. Are they publishing quality, locally-relevant, consumer-centric content? Do they clearly possess a solid understanding of their local market dynamics and conditions?

What does your blog archive look like? Does your writing clearly establish you as the local real estate expert? Do your articles help to convey the 3 P's - Personality, Perspective, and Passion? When people read your posts, do they get a sense of your work ethic and motivations? Based solely on your blog content, would you refer someone to you?

Are they are key market areas where Buyers/Sellers are coming from or moving to? Reach out and connect with ActiveRain members in those areas, and earn the right to become their 'Go-To" referral partner for your market area.

Build a solid archive of 'content-rich' blog articles that are specific to your local niche market, thereby enhancing and increasing your Find-A-Bility factor with consumer clients and potential referral partners.

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Referrals in the RainRich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional with Keller Williams West Sound, providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SoundBiteBlog, Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail: kitsapagent@gmail.com

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Rich Jacobson is a REALTOR® and licensed Broker with Fathom Realty. He's a Crab Hunter, Clam Digger, and Oyster Shucker, skilffuly vanquishing anything in a shell! He is the Social Media Evangelist for Life on the Kitsap Peninsula & The Western Puget Sound in scenic WA State.

Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Rich, excellent post.  We were asked just yesterday if we get referrals or leads.  We have a few, but reply it is hard to know how many AR leads get funneled into our website.

Nov 30, 2012 10:03 PM
Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA
Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

This is my network and despite being  a small brokerage,  the pool of people I can refer to is many. .thanks to AR

Nov 30, 2012 10:12 PM
Daniel J. Brudnok, REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Fox & Roach, REALTORS - Exton - PA License #RS-225179-L / Delaware License #RS-0025038 - Downingtown, PA
SRES, e-PRO,ABR,GREEN,CSP

Hi Richard,

Referrals played the biggest part in my business this year than ever....and AR can make that part even bigger.

Nov 30, 2012 10:19 PM
Elite Home Sales Team
Elite Home Sales Team OC - Corona del Mar, CA
A Tenacious and Skilled Real Estate Team

Rich

Refferals are important to all of our businesses.  Thanks for the post.

Dec 01, 2012 12:33 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Hi Richard,

Referrals play a big part in my business although i deal with many businesses.  I have found that the bloggers on Active rain have been great with helping me and I am sure that referrals from Active Rain will follow.  Meanwhile I also look for how I can help the members.  Givers gain for those of you in BNI.

Dec 01, 2012 12:37 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Grant - it's all about making meaningful connections, and focusing more on giving than taking!

Mark/Tim - I have a good friend there in Mission Viejo. Nice area! Are you going to Reunion?

Dan - Keep posting good, hyper-local content to your blog here on AR and the referrals will follow!

Fernando - nice to see some familiar faces pop up here. You are the perfect example. Many don't have the advantage of a national brokerage. And even when we do, we are still referring to someone we don't know personally. AR allows us to refer more intelligently, to people we know and trust!

Bob - The more you participate and publish good, hyper-local content here on AR, the more you will see solid, viable results in the way of leads and referrals....

Karen - So nice to see your face here! And thanks for the feature! I sooooo agree. Personality is HUGE for me as well!

Barb - Same here. We're twins!

 

 

Dec 01, 2012 12:45 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Sally & David: Exactly my point here! Love your area, it used to be part of my sales territory back in a former life. My account was American Lifting Systems in Waukesha. Will you guys be at Reunion?

Dec 01, 2012 12:47 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Rich,  YOu are so right, there are many ways but playing in the RAIN is paying off.

Dec 01, 2012 12:48 AM
Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan
Samson Properties - Bowie, MD
I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES

Rich Active Rain makes it very easy for us to refer out leads in areas that we dont cover. And you are right,you can know a real estate professionals by how many blogs that write covering their local real estate market. SUGGESTING THIS ONE FOR A FEATURE.

Dec 01, 2012 01:41 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Ah, the ever elusive Golden Star! Thank you, ActiveRain Moderators, who ever you are!....

 

Dec 01, 2012 06:40 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

The best luck I have ever had has been with active rain people.  Easy to check them out.

Dec 01, 2012 07:36 AM
Cynthia Larsen
Cotati, CA
Independent Broker In Sonoma County, CA

Well said Rich. I go to Active Rain for all referrals. It is the only way to really know who you are dealing with.

Dec 01, 2012 08:43 AM
Kim & Kristine Halverson
Sotheby's & Knipe ERA - Bend, OR
Sisters, Realtors

I do use Active Rain for referrals!  Kristine

Dec 01, 2012 09:30 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

This is a great post and I try to look for folks on Active Rain when I have referrals.  I look at their post, their bio. and then I interview them... and I find it is a great resource.

Dec 01, 2012 12:07 PM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Rich, I always use ActiveRain for referrals first and definitely check out the content of the blog first. If only Postlets listings are what they publish, forget it. They just went to the back of the pack. I also interview them to be sure they are a good fit.

Sharon

Dec 01, 2012 02:00 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Rich - There are many great things about playing in the Rain.  Having a huge network of trusted people to whom to refer is a big part of it for me.

Dec 01, 2012 02:28 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Yes to this post and comments...There is something to the "comfort level" found here on AR and the people who frequent it

Dec 01, 2012 10:12 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279
I too look for my AR family to refer to. A great network for sure.
Dec 02, 2012 03:21 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

This is the best community I have found for connecting with other like minded Realtors, and I'm very glad I joined up.

Dec 10, 2012 04:44 AM
Rosemary Brooks
BMC Real Estate - 209-910-3706 - Stockton, CA
The Mother & Daughter Realty Team

Great post Rich. Some of the best referrals I received have been from the top of the line AR members in my area.  ActiveRain is the place to be and the folks to know.  Happy New Year.

Jan 02, 2013 04:50 PM