All Neighbors in Venice, FL
Top Neighbors: The magic behind the mirrors
You will never have to pay to be listed as a top neighbor. Period. That important detail clarified, let's discuss how we arrive at two "top neighbors" for a given region:
Localism is a bustling collection of hyper-local communities, and the top neighbors should reflect those members who are most active. When ranking users in a given region, several factors are considered. To get your foot in the proverbial door, you need to have posted at least one "Localism" article or photo for the region.
The very best way to quickly rise to #1 is to post high-quality local content. Keeping a steady strem of incoming posts and photos will massively tilt the scales in your favor.
What doesn't count toward the top neighbor ranking? ActiveRain points and community sponsorships. The top neighbor spots will always go to the most active members in a region. We want to create a level playing field that encourages the growth of communities — talent and dedication are required to win the day.
In this highly competitive market only the most dedicated agents become successful and stay in business. Those agents create a business plan, use it as a guide line, follow it and track their efforts. This allows you to stay focused on the what works, allows you to work smarter, not harder. 
I am not new to real estate but I am a new agent. Since joining Coldwell Banker in September of this year I can't tell you how many people, including my husband, told me that I was crazy for getting into this market at a time like this. At times I began to wonder if everyone was right but I keep plugging on. I felt this is a perfect time to become an agent. I have plenty of time to get the training I need, earn designations that will help me grow my business, involve myself with my community, and to get my name associated and recognized with real estate. Since joining Coldwell Banker in September I immediately enrolled in their training program and completed 70 hours of training within the first month and an additional one week training course to learn the new Mid Florida Regional MLS system as well as our local board's required classes. I was offered an additional 1 week training and finally I had to decline. I have had so much training I really felt it was time to start working. In the last month I have had one deal close and another is pending and I do have "future business" on my books for January and February. 
I wanted to share with everyone something I learned from a real estate agent a few months ago during a GRI class I attended in Sarasota, Florida. I noticed that one of my fellow classmates had one of those cool new paper thin Apple laptops with a small box the size of a deck of cards attached to it. I had to go over and check out this great new laptop. After speaking with her I learned that she had recently gone through what she explained to be nothing short of a nightmare; her business laptop had been stolen! Replacing the stolen laptop is easily done, but replacing your customer data base, history of customer communications, tasks lists, calendar, emails, documents, spreadsheets, pictures, etc. may not be replaceable. It took her months and countless hours to restore her lost information. My classmate then gave me some valuable information that I took to heart. Store all of your information on a portable external hard drive.
