All Neighbors in Lee County, AL
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.
The weight and feel of old coins in one’s hand is, to me, similar to that of a rare, out-of-print book--- you touch history and imagine the hands and hearts that held the stories. Local electrician, 
he purchased the home, built in 1996, there had always been some problem with the gas fireplace not being able to operate. Someone had given the previous owners a “major price” for its repair, so when my friend purchased the home, it was bought with the fireplace in “as is” condition. Through his diligent questioning and consulting with experts, my friend learned that there was an air bubble in the gas line that kept it from operating correctly. He had it repaired for $179.00! Yesterday, I stopped by and saw it working for the first time. It’s really a brand new fireplace because it’s never been used. What a difference it makes, adding functional warmth and improving the focal point in the main living area of his home. This Seller turned the “as is” defect into a very attractive selling feature! If you use your wood-burning fireplace, chimney cleaning and regular maintenance shouldn’t be overlooked in your home investment. This is relatively inexpensive, and can save you thousands in damages that could result from a chimney fire. (
Close friends and family know how much I love cows. They’ve always brought me some “magical” feeling, perhaps inspired from the vivid memory of a 
The legend of Groundhog Day stems from this Scottish verse. In the late 1800's a man named Phil, in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, began predicting whether or not the winter was going to be long, or if spring would arrive early. This was all calculated on the actions of a groundhog emerging from his burrow on the second day of February, and looking for his shadow. If a shadow is seen, it means another six weeks of winter. If there isn't a shadow, it's agreed that spring will arrive soon. Residents of Punxsutawney, PA contend to the accuracy of these predictions, year after year. I've read that this sighting and "official" prediction was mainly a more secretive affair, until 1966, when the actual, groundhog observation event became a more publicized phenomenon and thus an American institution. In the 1980's, this event gathered a crowd of 1000 - 2000 people. By 1997, 35,000 people were recorded as having witnessed this event. And in 2002, the number rose even higher to 38,000 (and it was a chilly 19 degrees Farenheit!). BRRR! I think thos e temps have returned for 2009!
of the time. 
Any way you slice it, BROADCASTING via Social Media and Marketing is ON THE RISE. For the Real Estate agent, the applications and methods create neighborhood networking on a global scale. Systems like Twitter, Facebook and Friendfeed can deliver a steady stream of relevant information to consumers, be it a new listing, an open house, or "just in" market news from the financial world. These applications utilize what some refer to as "micro blogging"---an efficient way to generate real-time information with only a few words (140 maximum on Twitter). As a member of the ActiveRain community, a primary network for Real Estate, I find that these byte-sized bits of broadcasting know-how, sandwiched between me and my networks, is feeding a steady stream of information & resources, opportunities, and professional relationships,all of which have added the greatest value to my business and my personal outlook for business, since becoming an ActiveRain member over a year ago.
mine, and something I used to do quite often when computers were non-existent. It was a way to connect to a center of rhythmic remembrance and movement beyond my immediate world, kneading thoughtful content, clarity, hope, patience, and the simple joy of sharing a slice of life with those around me. Similarly, BLOGmaking organizes some basic ingredients and works them up into something tasteful that can feed a targeted market (which for me is Real Estate, happy homes and familes that live in them).
NEW IDEAS are sometimes hard to digest, let alone swallow. I remember the invention of the bread machine in the late 80's. NO WAY! I declared it defeated my purpose, and never invested in one. Thankfully, that attitude is not a rule for my thinking. It's worthwhile to explore new ideas and see if any part of it can apply to you or improve something in your life, like your business. I knew what I loved about making bread and the machine wasn't going to improve that. SOCIAL Media and Marketing, however, sandwiched between you and your services and product, is changing the way we can do business, and every little bit of understanding goes virtually everywhere (like RAIN!) And the best news of all is that the newest bread-making methods are being buzzed about, offered and shared, with an outlook and enthusiasm, emerging from a center of integrity and transparency---on a grand scale...BECAUSE WE CAN...because the scientific instrumentation IS HERE and technology is altering our use of time---and for the first time ever, our SPACE. It's not about THE SELF as much as it's about the self in relation to THE WHOLE and the richness and vitality of all of us together...as a SOCIAL SPECIES, developing relationships. Discover the daily bread of broadcasting that is stirring Social Media and Marketing. Learn how different applications leaven layers of experience and expertise that can invite and sustain business relationships. Get introduced to social sites and learn how they can function best to build your business relationships. With a little help (and with little or no cost!) from friends at places like ActiveRain and DomusConsultingGroup, you can learn how to use the tools and stack up the ingredients that will layer your online networking for growth and success. And, you'll have a good taste of new friends and associates along the way! Like being associated with a radio station, a broadcasting network is an alliance. But there is so much more you can do when you begin broadcasting over multiple channels and develop a poweful, online hub of networking. 
best sources of daily bread for bloggers. Established as Blogs-R-Us models of endless tutorials, insights, education, precision, enthusiasm and encouragement for ActiveRainers, assisting big-time in the hands-on integration of tools and applications for the blogosphere and beyond! 
