Big Deal - So You've Reached 200,000 ActiveRain Points

Big Deal - So You've Reached 200,000 ActiveRain Points

Big deal. You're darn right it's a big deal! Grateful just isn't a big enough word for the Internet coach I was so fortunate to have met and hired in September '08. It was clear that we needed a shift to ensure that our business would survive and thrive in 2009 and beyond. After many months under her expert guidance and instruction ... we are here today!

Perhaps you can relate to my journey. Long before I met my coach, I knew in the back of my mind that I should be blogging, but I had no idea where to start. I began a few blogs on other sites but didn't get very far on my own. Then I remembered that a colleague of mine had invited me to join ActiveRain back in December 2006. Yes, 2006! Oh, how I wish I would have understood in 2006 how powerful ActiveRain is in building a sustainable real estate business.

The good news that is I now understand how powerful the ActiveRain community is - so please listen very carefully. Are you ready for perhaps one of the best pieces of advice you'll ever receive about growing your business? Seriously, please listen. As I give workshops on ActiveRain around the Phoenix Valley, I have the opportunity to chat with many agents. What surprises me the most is how many agents and affiliates fail to see the value of creating a blog, or participating in any kind of social media, for that matter. What they say is, "Yeah, yeah, yeah. It's too much work," or "I'm too busy," or whatever other excuse they have (and trust me, I made the same *!#? things as well). Thank goodness I woke up and came to my senses.

The bigger question is: Are you ready to learn how to build your business on ActiveRain? It's OK if you're brand new, or if you've had your account for years. The thing I learned is that it's NEVER too late to get started.

So let's get to the nuts and bolts of why YOU should begin your ActiveRain journey today

OR

Why YOU need to get off the sideline, get involved in the community, create blog posts, comment on other members' blogs, and start building your business. Stop hanging around the side of the pool. Jump in now!

1. First and foremost, the ActiveRain community is a very giving, helpful, and encouraging group of professionals.

At first, most people are a bit timid about getting started. Understandable, too, as it can be very overwhelming. During my first weeks, other 'Rainers' reached out to welcome me. They were so encouraging! They freely offered me tips and suggestions about how, why, and where to find information. And the staff - OMG! They had the patience of a saint with the likes of a fairly clueless person! You know the feeling - you keep asking the same question over and over, and they keep telling you what to do but it makes absolutely no sense.

Trust me - we will stick with you as you learn and grow. We are a community of giving, caring, and fun professional people.

2. Secondly - you will learn more on ActiveRain about social media, real estate issues, and business-building ideas than you ever thought possible.

This is no joke. I've been a broker since 1987, and this has been the most dynamic platform for learning I've experienced - ever. It's like a whole new world has opened up, and it just keeps growing and growing. You will experience fun and frustration learning the ins and outs of ActiveRain (yes, it can be a little overwhelming - OK, more than a little overwhelming). But, you see, here is the beauty: all you need to do is refer back to point #1, and your frustration will go away if you ask for help from fellow AR members.

Note to Seasoned Agents and Brokers: You need to pay attention to these points, more so than the other folks, or you'll be left behind and wish you hadn't been so *%&$!?.

Trust me - I know what I'm talking about here... I was very *%&$!? for 2 years!

3. Thirdly - would you like buyers and sellers to find you on the Internet and hire you to work for them?

Of course you would! To this date, we've been thrilled to have closed many transactions as a result of blogging and becoming part of the ActiveRain community. And we've got more referrals in the works. Sound good? IT IS. I won't fool you or lead you down a primrose path; it will take consistent effort and time to start seeing results, and more time to sustain those results. There is no such thing as a free lunch. I fully expect that as I continue to learn and grow, my results will only improve.

Trust me - take the ActiveRain plunge and learn how to be the Leader in Your Niche.

4. Finally - there is a lot of fun going on every day on ActiveRain!

In the middle of all this serious relationship-building, learning, and business development, you will have fun, too! There have been many days of long, long hours and serious issues to deal with at the office and then ... your Brain will say to you: "Why not just pop in on ActiveRain and find a post that makes you laugh so hard tears run down your eyes?" Who doesn't need that in our challenging business climate?

Trust me - you will learn, grow, develop amazing relationships, get leads, give leads, and have a little lot of fun and stress-relief along the ActiveRain journey...

Anna Banana

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