I was just thinking why AR is offering this service FREE? I don’t see that much advertising and they don’t require a sign up fee, so why?
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy reading the blogs and it’s a great resource for new agents – like myself, but my concern is how long they will stay around offering this service for FREE! It also helps get me a great ranking in the search engine and creates a contact base for my prospects.
But why offer a service like this for free?
Any thoughts?
I asked the same thing a couple days ago and got varying responses. A few people liked the idea of the Point2 model wherein it is free for everybody but there is a fee if you want upgraded features. I suspect that could happen at some point.
As for would I pay? Probably as much as $5/mo. I don't want to mind you. But I would.
Some nights I get addicted to finding new info and better ways to do business. Even though I have yet to write my own blog, I woke up in the middle of the night and thought of active crackin'...kind of like the "crackberry" Blackberry!!
Addiction to Active Rain...ACTIVE CRACKIN' !
Shayne,
I talked with an Internet Marketing Executive. I asked him what is up with this type of blog website. He said what will most likely happen is....AR will wait till they get a real high number of members and get as many as possible "Addicted" (as many have already admitted to). Then they will go for the "kill" and reel in as many as possible and start charging a fee. Like Point2, there may be partial segments that are free, but if you want enhancements, that will cost you. These type of companies already have advertising backers waiting in the wings to start the advertising once the fee's start.
He was not real sure about AR, but this is what usually happens.
I belong to several mortgage only sites and many of them offer free listings and acess to the forums but have advanced services available to members. I have not subscribed to any of them. The sites I subscribe to are technical or marketing. I would subscribe to Activerain only if there was a substantial benefit. Ranking is beneficial...
Great question!!
Probably so we are all hooked on it....we'll be use to the system, know how to post easily, generate leads organically with their user interface, and they will become such a source of information for many of us (professional and non professional via localism) that we will all have no choice but to pay up!! The alternative for us??? -We'll have to start all over again with a brand new company that may not have the same name recognition as active rain! If any marketing is in place (bus cards, listing presentations etc) saying where our blog is located etc.....all would have to be overhauled!
Yes, we have it good but eventually..........
Given time, I would imagine also it having more things needing to be paid for. but they have been increasing their advertising in emails, on other pages within the site, etc. I don't mind the ads, and while I would not WANT to see it go from free to fee, it certainly would be worth it! There is so much great information here!
