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Answering Greg Brown’s Question

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Home Stager

Answering Greg Brown’s Question

The other day in the Q&A section of ActiveRain, Greg Brown, Sales Rep Toronto, Durham region asked a good question. He received some excellent answers but I wanted to expand on the subject. Here is a link to the question that Greg asked.

  • How did so many people achieve so many points without having posted for 8+ years?

The thing is not to put so much weight on points.  I don’t know if this is still applicable but if you reach 500,000 points you are eligible for a free account. That’s a good reason to focus on points. 

Some people use points as a measure of achievement...that’s ok too.

If a member hasn’t posted here for 8+ years how does it impact you? 

Something many of us realized early on is the typical consumer DOES NOT come to ActiveRain and search out the leaderboard to see what agent has the most points in a state. 

Without looking, do you know who the Top 10 are here?  I know I couldn’t. I could guess based on longevity but it’s not how I focus my day. 

 

2.How to build your ActiveRain blog for your local area…

Now, this is where you can actually make a difference by building and using your blog. Write posts that your target market will want to read...listing, market reports, and local events and local information. 

You won’t do it overnight but with consistent and informative posts, you can grow a local following. 

To help get you started, look at the posts by Nina Hollander, Kat Palmiotti, and Jeff Dowler.

3.The icing on the cake...don’t forget the members here!

This platform was also built to help form relationships, to educate each other, and hopefully prompt referrals to the other agents here.

But to do that other members need to know who you are and not just by the posts that you write.  Interact and participate are the two words that come to mind.

Respond to comments made on your posts. Comment on the posts of others.

 

One more thing...never hesitate to ask any of the members if you have a question or concern.  

Posted by

Kathy Streib
Retired Home Stager
and Interior Redesign

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Comments(45)

Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD thank you!  Even with the ActiveRain challenges, it's not about the points but about supporting the person hosting the challenge and having some fun. 

Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS you are so very sweet! Thank you. 

Jan 12, 2021 05:53 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Oh my gosh George Souto can you imagine what would happen!!!!!

Same here Chris Ann Cleland when I receive a notice that points were awarded for such and such, then that's how I know. I couldn't tell you other than that. And you're right...once the habit of blogging and the interaction here kicked in, who cares about the points. Thank you for the feature in your group. 

Jan 12, 2021 05:56 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Anna Banana Kruchten CRS CRB, Phoenix Broker if you open that point store, there will be a line at your door. 

Jan 12, 2021 05:58 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Kathy Streib always - for sure!!  Would you like to contribute a virtual staging?!

Jan 12, 2021 08:10 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Exactly Liz and Bill Spear I can remember when you began marketing to the patio home market and you grew it and succeeded!!! That's how it's done. 

Jan 12, 2021 06:00 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Jeff Dowler, CRS I do read many of the marketing and local posts here!!!! You do an excellent job!!!

Jan 12, 2021 06:03 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

There are a lot of options and there are more little loopholes with games and such or contests.

Jan 12, 2021 06:25 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Jeff Dowler, CRS I think you do an excellent job as well! Keep shining and keep moving forward, good sir!

Jan 12, 2021 06:26 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

I have said from the beginning, the value of ActiveRain is not in the points collection, it's the collective knowledge members share here.  And, also the camaraderie.

Jan 12, 2021 06:48 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Kathy, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Jan 12, 2021 06:49 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

Kathy Streib 
Wonderful post and wonderful comments. All about the relationships -- Lynn

Jan 12, 2021 07:33 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Great answer to Greg's question, Kathy! I hear a lot of people mention that they don't care about the points but, OH THEY DO! It's so sad! 

I actually lost a friend over that here - she was IRATE that someone was beating her on the leaderboard, "He's cheating!" The 'HE' lived in a totally different STATE so, I could not understand what she was talking about.

Finally, she explained the leaderboard...she demanded that I have his points removed and I may or may not have said something snarky! 

Don't know if you remember the story on the ZOOM call about the agent who tried to steal a referral from another member's PERSONAL FB page? Same member!

Jan 12, 2021 08:34 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist

I care about those POINTS (LOL) 


But, only because I put in the work and earned them 😜


These days, it is more about the engagement and fun connecting with the AR Peeps! 

Jan 13, 2021 10:46 AM
Jim Paulson

Negative points - now that's a concept!  If points are an incentive, penalty points might deter negative behavior.

Jan 16, 2021 09:47 AM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Morning Kathy.

When I first started I was shy to say the least. Now, no such animal, get out there, make comments, write blogs, they will come

Jan 13, 2021 12:24 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Hello Kathy,

I care about those POINTS (LOL) 

But, only because I put in the work and earned them 😜

These days, it is more about the engagement and fun connecting with the AR Peeps!  

For those who are paying for their account ... reaching the Free-dom account with 500,000 points matters financially 🤑

Jan 13, 2021 10:50 AM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Great topic Kathy Streib. I always love questions on points as they were important on getting me started. I did not know what to expect in the rain. It wasnt until i posted blogs and started to get comments that i realized i was onto something. Other agents from all over the country who were nice to me. Who left great tips how to blog better. SO i use dmy new tips and blogged again, annd then i got my first listing from someone who saw my blog. Then another and another. My points soared and so did my sales. Then i learned the biggest secret of the rain. I made friends from all over the country. Invaluable relationships. Learned new things, more tips, and then came the referrals. Better than any paid referral company. The points got me active and the people of AR keep me coming back. 

Jan 14, 2021 07:11 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I have also wondered about this but just let it be an AR mystery. 

Jan 14, 2021 07:50 AM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

I remember way way back when I never thought I could possibly see over 100,000 points. There was an agent in my area that was posting every day and had been here longer than I had and I knew no matter what I did I would never catch up to her. She had 300,000 I think. At some point she quit posting and it lit a fire under me. I was driven to get past her. What helped me most was there was another agent who was also driven to steal that spot and she and I kept alternating the lead. Back and forth....I finally took enough of a lead that she couldn't catch me. 

I have NO IDEA where I stand now on the leader board for my area. LOL

Jan 14, 2021 08:38 AM
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Hi Kathy Streib, the points may be a great motivation to blog for many ActiveRain members. I haven't checked the Leader Board for my area, I know some who were on top don't even participate in AR. Great topic!

Jan 14, 2021 12:34 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Excellent information for anyone  who isn't familiar with AR and a reminder for many on what's most important in AR - members and being visible! 

Jan 16, 2021 08:31 AM
Jim Paulson
Progressive Realty (Boise Idaho) www.Progressive-Realty.info - Boise, ID
Owner,Broker

I find it interesting to compare points vs features.  If you have one million points, but never said a word that was worthty of a "feature" your words are worthless. Value > Volume

Jan 16, 2021 09:49 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

When I first came here I thought it was fun to try to climb the leaderboard. Now I don't care. The last time I looked I was on top for Idaho, but so what? It just means other people who used to be active are no longer posting. And - who even looks at the leaderboard? It isn't exactly easy to find.

I do understand the quest for points in order to atain free membership. Back when I joined, it was free to all of us. (Yep, I've been here a while.)

Meanwhile, I encourage all the new agents I speak with to come and join - for what they can learn and the friendships they can create.

 

Jan 18, 2021 11:16 AM