5 Ways to...Oh, Screw It. Thanks to AR for my Inman Nomination

We've been working on some innovative ways to convey a better, more compelling value add to increase our Internet inquiry conversion. I'd like to share  the highlights of the trial and error we've gone through to make it happen. 

1. Make sure to ALWAYS-

Oh, screw it. 

OK, so the other night on Facebook a guy asked what the best thing was that ever happened to us in our real estate careers. The awesome Amanda Durbin Hall said "Active Rain. Hands down." 

I couldn't agree more, and while I have been quietly cobbling on my own self hosted blog the past year and change (and being insanely busy) AR has remained close to my heart for many, many reasons. The community, the learning, getting found by consumers, the media and agents looking for a referral partner, and just the overall enrichment has factored greatly in the survival and growth of my brokerage through the housing crash. 

Today, we recieved news that I was nominated as a finalist for Inman News' Most Innovative Agent for 2013. To be in the running with 6 other agents from around the USA is a huge honor, but I have to give enormous credit to Active Rain and my participation on this platform for the good news. 

Webster's defines innovation as 

1. the introduction of something new

2. a new idea, method, or device

I have done neither, technically. What I have done is take what I know and have learned and try to make it better. I started this company believing that a better online presence would win the long game. I believed that high tech would be a massive advantage so long as I didn't lose high personal touch. And I knew that while I would never build a better moustrap or game-changing tool, I truly believed that any tool I could get my hands on could be used better. And the think tank that is Active Rain assisted me in making every tool in my grasp better. Because of Active Rain, I was better informed, better acquainted with better professionals, and perhaps most importantly, fully engaged with my profession. 

Being fully engaged is a huge, crucial thing, because we are in life the material we read, the people we associate with, and things we focus on. 

• The material we read
• The people we associate with
• The things we focus on. 

That is a pretty accurate description of this community and platform. Since 2008, I have been reading and learning. I have been associating with awesome professionals. And my attention has been on moving forward when so many others were licking their wounds. 

I could write a book on the things I have learned here. I could write another on the great things that have happened because of my participation here. And I could write a long book about the wonderful people I have grown to know and love here, who have shared my ups, downs, insights, laughs and musings. It has all helped me build a better company and serve my clients better. 

I am unsure if any of my fellow nominees participate here the way I have over the years. I don't know if I will eventually win the honor of most innovate but I do appreciate all the help I have gotten from AR over the years. In this endeavor, like so many others, Active Rain has been a secret weapon. I believe that I am among those who are emblematic of the power of this platform. 

There are other 8 other categories, such as brokerages, MLSs, and apps. You can vote for one of each. But the real message I want to convey is this: If I know you from this community, thank you. And if you are new, jump in. AR is one of the most powerful tools you can leverage in your real estate career. And like Amanda, it is one of the very best things to happen to me. And that is saying a lot.