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I Rolled the Dice with Active Rain and I'm Winning

By Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Charlemagne International Properties BRE# 01147470

March 31, 2008 12:19 PM

Last week my real estate career reminded me of a trip to Vegas. It started out with much promise and anticipation that did not come to fruition on Friday, but my gambling habit at the Active Rain Casino is saving me big bucks, and it is more fun than any online game!

I'm working with several people from my Sphere of Influence, and their recent calls to me reminded me of the importance of working that dependable SOI. I even sent a letter to my clients last week thanking them for their business. I also tucked my blog address in and asked them to check in often for statistics and sales in their neighborhood. That will keep me posting relevant content on a regular basis. Thanks to all the Active Rain posts on the importance of content and working your SOI.

So far, not one single client has inquired about the snail mail newsletter I sent for years to 3,000 homes in Palos Verdes. I folded it after the most recent postage increase and no one seemed to notice. The return on investment was always negligible so it was time to say goodbye. My ego was slightly bruised; but my bank account is healthier! Most consumers get their information online and that's where mine needs to be too.

Another prospective buyer contacted me from this very blog and requested information on horse properties. Whee, this researching, writing, commenting and posting is finally finding the consumer I'm writing for. Thanks to all the Active Rain posts regarding finding your voice and your audience.

I find I'm incorporating Active Rain into my daily schedule and it is playing an increasing role in my marketing plan. Back in November when I was a Newbie posting away in the dark of the night, I wondered if this gamble would pay off. It is.

Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

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Kim Martinez

Advantage Homes - Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara Real Estate Specialist

I agree with Patrick! Keep in contact personally with past clients..mail, followed by phone calls, and a pop by or two! Then get the cyber stuff going!

I am encouraged by your post. I am new to active rain so I am learning to blog, don't have a clue as to how to add video (it's cool though). I love this site and am learning a lot!

Thanks for the encouragement!

Mar 31, 2008 12:46 PM

Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities

Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Steve - I mail to my SOI, just not as frequently as in the past. I still believe it pays to mix it up --a phone call, a note etc. However, my goal is to drive more people to my blog when they want to know about the local real estate market.

Mar 31, 2008 01:24 PM

Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities

Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

David -- Wonderful and congratulations!

Mar 31, 2008 01:25 PM

Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities

Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Patrick - I agree and I mail to my past clients too. Only the mass mailings were eliminated from my marketing plan.

Mar 31, 2008 01:27 PM

Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities

Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Teresa --Keep posting and commenting!

Mar 31, 2008 01:28 PM

Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities

Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Kim -- See above comment--do it!

Mar 31, 2008 01:29 PM

Debbie DiFonzo

Debbie DiFonzo - United Country VIP Realty, SW Missouri - Lebanon, MO

Lebanon MO and Buffalo Missouri Real Estate

Wonderful testimonial Norma. I also stopped my newsletter - and you're right, no one was all that upset! I was more disappointed to see it go than anyone.

Mar 31, 2008 01:30 PM

Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities

Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Debbie, the newsletter was a lot of work and money for very little return--it was hard to part with, but it outlived its usefulness.

Mar 31, 2008 01:43 PM

Colleen Fischesser Northwest Property Shop

NextHome Experience - Chelan, WA

A Tradition of Trust in the Pacific NW since 1990!

Norma, I'm with you on the making it a part of your day. Whereas I used to view it as self-indulgent fun, I now see it as proactive marketing. Much better than a snail-mail newsletter any day! I'm glad it's working for you, you're good at it....now where's your video??

Mar 31, 2008 02:15 PM

Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities

Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Colleen - I'm thinking I'll be the first to use a sexy spokesmodel, or hunky huckster to pedal my listings!

Mar 31, 2008 02:21 PM

Lola Audu

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Norma, Congratulations on your success with your blogging here on Active Rain. Blogging can be a very effective form of prospecting when done consistently.

Apr 01, 2008 04:41 AM

Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities

Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Lola - Yes, it takes time, but persistence and consistency, along with relevant content, will yield results.

Apr 01, 2008 05:27 AM

Esko Kiuru

Bethesda, MD

Norma,

Good to hear that AR membership is paying dividends for you. It's doing that for mortgage lenders, real estate agents and other members, too, so long as they stay nice and busy with blogging and participating.

Apr 01, 2008 05:56 AM

Norma Toering Broker for Palos Verdes and Beach Cities

Charlemagne International Properties - Rancho Palos Verdes, CA

Palos Verdes Luxury Homes in L.A.

Esko - It's true, you have to post and comment effectively to build up your readership. It takes time and effort but the rewards are there waiting for those make the commitment.

Apr 01, 2008 12:27 PM

Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

What a great idea! I have to start putting together some market reports. If they're well done, they do get noticed by the public!

Apr 02, 2008 02:11 AM

Nancy Kent

RE/MAX Hill & Valley - Granby, MA

RE/MAX Hill & Valley, Western Mass

Great job Norma! I love to hear stories of AR bringing in buyers!

Apr 03, 2008 07:26 AM

Annette Smith

Allen Real Estate Services, Inc. - Sarasota, FL

Sarasota Real Estate Agent

Norma, great post. I love all your energy -- hope it keeps rubbing off on me. I've set my standards to post regularly to but for the past few days I've been sidetracked. Will have to get going again. Thanks for reminding me that it will pay off.

Apr 03, 2008 07:29 AM

Debra Kukulski, Broker Associate

RE/MAX Suburban - Cary, IL

SRES;SFR,CDPE;GRI;ABR;e-PRO Realtor, Northern IL

Norma, I definitely think it is worth the time, too, and congrats on the new business!

Apr 05, 2008 11:07 AM

Kay Van Kampen

RE/MAX Broker, RE/MAX - Springfield, MO

Realtor®, Springfield Mo Real Estate

I received another lead from my Active Rain presence. This is the best way to do business. I've also referred many clients over the past year. Never thought blogging would bring so much business! Great blog Norma.

Apr 05, 2008 02:07 PM

Debra Kukulski, Broker Associate

RE/MAX Suburban - Cary, IL

SRES;SFR,CDPE;GRI;ABR;e-PRO Realtor, Northern IL

Norma, I came back to read this again. I have seen an increase in leads through blogging just over the past couple of weeks. I think the quality of the lead is much better when they either come to us by referral...so already have some faith and trust in us...and now I am finding out blogging is similar to those leads, because they come to us feeling like they already know us...so again, already have some faith and trust!

Apr 06, 2008 03:44 AM

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I am a California real estate Broker-owner. Tune in for Best Buys in Palos Verdes; Market Updates; Buy & Sell Signals; Advice to Buyers & Sellers and other real estate related topics of interest. Updates will be posted on all four cities on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, PV School District and other happenings on The Hill.

South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.

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