Cheryl Willis, MO Broker lists and sells in Mt Vernon, Monett, Aurora and Marionville, MO

I have a blog, I post when I get around to it, I read more than I write and if it weren't for my peers I would not be near as accomplished as I am (even if it is in my own mind). That all being said (or rambled, depending on how you read me) I want to give a shot out to my mentors in Active Rain. When I say Mentors, I really mean the 150 thousand + that take the time to educate, humor, encourage, befriend, hi-jack, comment ,inquire, pray, call, refer to, and the list goes on and on..... I love you all.

My clients/customers/friends/people on the street/anyone with in ear shot are aware that I am a fan of AR. (if you are a peer reading my post and not a member please consider this your invite)

I don't have an ambassador button yet, but one day when I get a little more experience and start doing more than just high-lighting and cut and paste- I am going to be there!

One of the Big Boys has tricked us (I mean me) into not only learning new stuff, but trying it and making it work. For the computer types out there, this is a no brain-er, your debates over whether to long-tail (hyper-local) or not have been fought and won. (Although I am not sure which side won- but for the sake of conversation, let's pretend it was the side you are on.)

I took the challenge and stayed up past my bed-time and wrote a post using 'neighborhood' words. Not my sandbox of greatest accomplishments but a start. Real Estate is a little different in rural areas, we are 15 miles between towns and neighborhoods as a marketing or target area just don't do it for me. There is always going to an agent that has lived there longer, went to school with a family member or played ball with a friend. I totally want my readers to work with those agents if you 'know' them from birth. There is something to be said about working with dad's golf buddy, no awkward pauses in conversation there when you get financially naked with them.

My buyers (and sellers- b/c I am a Broker and will work with either or both) are typically not the locals. I am a transplant (only been her 15 yrs- if you know small towns, you know you are not from here until you get ready to move away- just kidding) I am Crazy about Real Estate and my favorite deals are the ones that are worked with clients moving in to our lovely part of the state. (check out my website so you can preview properties before you get here- www.OzarkCastle.com)

There will always be someone who is a neighborhood expert- and that just may be the next big IN-THING to be labeled (we are about the branding aren't we) However, I am going to stick with what I know works for me: I don't want to know everyone or everything. I want to know the things I am suppose too. The things that are going to help me help you find what you are looking for.

I want to meet and work with people who want to work with me. Customers and Clients that are looking for homes. I love being a part of the process. I told a client the other day that it never matters to me IF they buy a house, what I want is for them to let me help find the home they tell me they want. I love the story, the quest, the hurdles, the laughs, the hurry up and wait, signing on the dotted line and the hug for a job well done.

The high-fives are OK too. This past year since I have been blogging, I have to say the referrals have been fantastic and every client is one I enjoy. (I wonder if people are behaving b/c they know I may write about them if they don't- lol) I know this is kinda long just to test the theory of being hyper-local, or long-tailing but you know what-- it works for me! If I don't get points for that, maybe there are a few points out there for being hyper-transparent!--

See ya in the RAIN. be good cheryl