What ActiveRain Means To A Newbie Like Me! - By Aura Alex

By
Services for Real Estate Pros Retired

First, I want to thank Debe Maxwell, CRS, and Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400, for hosting this month's challenge. I appreciate the opportunity to share my experience with AR from a "newbie" perspective.

Second, I haven't been here long enough to meet any AR members in person, so I do not have pictures of anyone at meetups, snapshots, etc., to share. The main images of the collage represent "what AR means to me" in concept.

While I believe there is the traditional value we all share on ActiveRain, I want to highlight those that, in my mind, stand out. 

Networking

Every day we read and learn from gurus and experts and one another, and we repeatedly hear why sharing, learning, discovering, growing, and helping are the key to networking. And while networking is the key, it's not the goal, and it is an introduction to some exciting opportunities one might otherwise miss.

Networking contains all the essential ingredients that can create meaningful relationships.

Belonging and Growth

A good relationship creates trust, and trust fosters a sense of belonging. We gain self-expression and care from other AR members. It strengthens the emotional connection among us, which is that we want to be recognized and accepted by other ActiveRain members.  

Many ActiveRain members are like-minded professionals, and AR is the most significant "hub" for some of the most forward-thinking members I have ever met! I believe these characteristics attract more of the same, and it is one of the essential recipes for ActiveRain's continued success. I am proud to be here!

Blogging

I joined ActiveRain on October 4, 2021, and published my first post on the same day. Sixteen people provided comments and warm messages. I was overjoyed and thought, "hmmm..what do sixteen comments represent? never mind how many viewed the post."  I thought I would write more to find out.

Write more; I have!

To date, there are 43 blog posts, of which 12 posts (approx. 28%) were featured by AR (excluding Group Features). I am not a mass producer of blogged posts, and my goal is to write every post to ensure it offers "quality and meaningful" thoughts to share with real estate professionals; hence, I do not plan to produce more than two posts per week. 

Blogging enables me to develop my online presence and promote myself. I also use it as a marketing strategy to push traffic to my company's website. 

Inspiration

I find inspiration by following inspiring people, sharing inspiring stories, and reading others' inspiring quotes, ideas, comments, and posts. 

Inspiration creates emotions, and emotions bring people closer.

"Thank you to everyone who has helped, supported, encouraged, and inspired me on this journey, ActiveRain. I have met many "friends" in the short time I have been here, and I believe that there are NO strangers but "friends" I have not yet met! And I hope to meet you soon!" - Aura Alex

 

Posted by

I have wandered from a vibrant corner of the world
to the majestic Olympic Peninsula in Washington.
I am now retired after a successful career of 22 years as a real estate pro.

I am ready to pursue my lifelong passion for writing!
I invite you to follow my new journey via the posts on
my new writing website, "Written by Aura Alex."

So, don't forget to swing by my website as I continue to update it with fresh new content that I know you'll love.

— Aura Alex

 

Comments (84)

Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The right Charlotte REALTOR!

Oh, how I love this post, Aura! Thank you so much for sharing what ActiveRain means to you as a newbie! Funny but, I feel like you are such a wonderful part of the Rain that I hadn't realized you were NEW!

What a fantastic entry in this month's challenge. I agree wholeheartedly with your 'take' on the Rain and the fabulous community this is. Thank you so much for being a part of the Rain - and for accepting this month's challenge...and rocking it too!

Apr 13, 2022 10:31 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Debe Maxwell, CRS 

Thank you for inspiring and hosting this fun challenge. It feels like it was yesterday when I wrote my first post, and since then, it has been "a river of no return!" 

I am having fun and loving it! More, please! 🥰

Apr 13, 2022 11:15 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Congratulations on your successful approach and blogging outcomes on AR!   Obviously, you know how to write with intention and garner attention effectively on topics that are relevant.  Good for you!  Welcome to ActiveRain and congrats on so many featured posts in such a short time!   

Apr 13, 2022 04:00 PM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Thank you, Jan Green. I enjoy writing, and the best part is getting to know more members through their comments and posts. 

Apr 13, 2022 04:39 PM
Ed Silva
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

You have very accurately captured the essence of ActiveRain and at the very least you can think of each comment you get as a mini Meet-up

Apr 15, 2022 06:14 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Hi Alex, welcome aboard! Networking is really great but if you ever do get to do a meet up safely as long as Covid subsides, It could definitely be worth it I think

Apr 15, 2022 06:50 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thank you very much, Aura, for sharing some of your positive personal experience as an ActiveRain blogger.

Apr 15, 2022 07:45 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Laura Cerrano 

I agree the meetup will be worthwhile for many ActiveRain members. I look forward to meeting folks someday, and I will need to start a small group locally in WA. There are many AR friends locally and in my neighborhood!

Apr 15, 2022 07:46 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Ed Silva, I hear you. Comments are like a mini meetup, and it's a great way to meet people virtually. We have Zoom and I wonder if AR will have a "chat" feature someday. I would love to see that feature!

Apr 15, 2022 07:50 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Roy Kelley 

You're one of the most supportive people on my blog posts. And for others. I admire that, and I appreciate you very much! Happy Friday! 

Apr 15, 2022 07:56 AM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

You may not have been hear long enough to have pictures of anyone yet, it is apparent that you are a great addition to ActiveRain with your thoughtful posts.  I am glad you are here and know the next time we are challenged to add a collage, you will be able to fill it easily.

Apr 18, 2022 11:17 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

I hope to meet you someday, Raymond Henson, eXp Realty, and by then, you're right; I'll have so many pictures of those I will have met. And I also hope that when we have a meetup, you will wear your " purple" shirt or something purple, so I know how to spot you from the crowded AR friends! 👩‍👩‍👦‍👦 ☔💜

Apr 18, 2022 02:34 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Aura- I had to come back to comment because a senior moment kicked in and while I know that I read your post, I forgot to comment on it!!! You have found your voice here and it has been a welcomed one. Keep sharing your thoughts with us!!!!!

Apr 21, 2022 06:39 PM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Kathy Streib, I always enjoy your thoughtful comments and the support you have provided me. And I appreciate that very much. It's OK when we sometimes succumb to this contagious "senior moment."  😄  I am sure I am guilty once in a while! LOL!

Apr 21, 2022 09:13 PM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

Aura Alex we all were new at some point here, glad you joined! You joined on my son's 23rd birthday in fact! And my bride is from Seattle, so we have some common thread. I like your perspective that you shared:

I find inspiration by following inspiring people, sharing inspiring stories, and reading others' inspiring quotes, ideas, comments, and posts. 

Apr 27, 2022 04:54 PM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Hello, Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets, so; we share a common thread. Time is fleeting, and October feels like it was just last month! Now I see why AR folks have been here for years and years! 

I was not much a "social media" type, and then I found ActiveRain. After I had been for a few weeks, I quickly learned why I had quit other social media. I hope to meet AR members someday, especially on the West Coast. Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Thomas.

Apr 27, 2022 07:06 PM
Sharon Tara
Sharon Tara Transformations - Portsmouth, NH
Retired New Hampshire Home Stager

Well done on the challenge. Beautiful collage. Congrats on the feature too!

Apr 29, 2022 08:55 AM
Aura Alex
Seattle, WA
Retired Real Estate Pro

Hello, Sharon Tara 

Thank you for being here and for your compliment. It seems I wrote my post a long time ago, but yet April was fleeting! I wasn't expecting any more comments and finding you here. Sorry for the late response.

Apr 30, 2022 08:31 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I love the networking  and the free-flowing ideas. Love and light and all the best

Sep 07, 2022 10:35 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Love your collage and great words. Active Rain is a good place to be.

Jan 13, 2023 01:56 PM