Is ACTIVERAIN the NEW EBAY?
In the New York State Lotto, they say it takes a dollar...and a dream. I wonder what the founders of Activerain thought?
When I joined Activerain in October, 2006, it had about 6,000 members. Wow, I thought, that's a lot. NEVER did I imagine it would grow to the heights and status it has today with over 136,118 members and a site so loved by Google http://www.Google.com it is crawled every 15 minutes or so!
I also remember the early days of EBAY. They started with not much more then a dollar...and a dream. Just two people and a world full of possibilities has Ebay now as one of the most visited sites on the Internet.
Ebay, it is said, grew by "trial and error." As with any site, as it grew they aquired more staff, made changes and listened to their members. They began to add listing fees to help support their site....and they, too, continue to grow every day. Starting to sound FAMILIAR?
I LOVE the EBAY stories of success. I LOVE the ACTIVERAIN STORIES OF SUCCESS even more! I've had my share of my own success stories and many of you have as well. These success stories continue to grow. For Realtors, Home Stagers, Feng Shui Consultants, Home Inspectors, Decorators...ANTHING PERTAINING TO REAL ESTATE, THIS IS THE PLACE TO BE!
I also know how the old Localism Beta worked for me, personally. At one time I was getting more contacts from my BLOG then I was from my Website. There have been questions made recently about the benefits of paying for a service like this.
I calculated my own costs. I currently pay $175.00 to be listed on a site and in several searches, MY site often comes up HIGHER. Another one costs $150.00. To date I have had exactly ONE PERSON advise me they've found me from either one of those sites. Countless have told me they've found me from my blogs...both the Activerain Blog and Localism.
For me, personally, all it takes is ONE client to cover my costs for the new outside blog. ONE. For many of you it would be considerably less.
Watching this incredible site grow, getting contacts and making REAL friends is PRICELESS. So are the wonderful and innovative work that's always being done on Activerain. Haven't signed up, yet? It's a no brainer!
*This is a non-paid endorsement from one VERY happy Activerainer : )
Please visit my New York Feng Shui Blogs right here!
**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island & New York. On Site Feng Shui Consultations provided for New York City (Manhattan) and all of Long Island for Homes, Apartments, Businesses, Corporations, Renovations and New Construction. Workshops and lectures are also provided for small and large groups and companies. Distance Consultations are also available.
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Certified New York Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and Founder of Feng Shui Long Island & NY providing Consultations for Homes & Offices in Manhattan, Queens and Long Island.
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Carole - No kidding ! It is a no-brainer for sure. Same with us. The cost is soooooooooo minimial in comparison to the rewards it brings in terms of future clients for us - both sellers and buyers. There is also a great intangible value it brings as well in terms of credibility. We love the Rain ! We are proud to be a part of this great network and have tremendous gratitude for the likes of yourself who have been around basically from the beginning ! Awesome ! ~ Chris
I feel the same. ActiveRain has been nothing but help, info and business....(everything I learned here I transferred to my website as well so it's getting hits) as well as making plenty of friends. I love this place. :)
Carole- I too feel the same. AR is an invaluable resource full of ideas, tips, and most of all friends. Cost? What cost? It is pennies on the dollar for all you get. BTW love your new photo :)
Carole- I feel the same way too. Active Rain success stories are so awesome too! I love success stories and I love sharing them as well because it helps others to believe that it will happen for them also.
Hi Carole, this is the kind of feedback that I was looking for when I make my post on the value added proposition of upgrading. I too love Active Rain and have gained incredible benefits from being a member.
I been a member since 2006 and have watched the growth and experienced the changes. My observation is very simple, I want to upgrade, but I don't want to upgrade just to spend money. For new members coming in it's a no brainer, upgrade to the blog option.
It's been a fun journey. My post was not about not wanting to upgrade, it was about wanting to upgrade to a product that made sense for a non agent. I was hoping to get feedback on how the specific upgrades increased exposure, leads or business. I didn't get that. Not sure why so I'm still struggling with the question
Interestingly, all three people who have commented here so far are Real Estate Agents.
I think that it can go unsaid that we all love Active Rain and we all want to support it. At the same time money spent has to bring measurable results (that's the media and debt person in me talking - lol)
Carole - Absolutely I agree with you. Active Rain is a great place to be. Even though I am still a newbie compare to all the veterans here, I have already felt the power of AR!!!
*This is a non-paid endorsement from one VERY happy Activerainer : )
LOL !!!
Hi Carole !!! -- Of course I agree entirely with your post, and what excites me is where the future is heading !!!
The ones that have seen the growth to this point like you have great stories of how it started, but with the technology moving so fast, and the AR Gods constantly moving, we are only destined for even greater things !
Love this post - I am flagging it to be featured !
Cheers Carole !
Sheldon :o)
Carol - Well said! Thanks for the great post.
I aven't been around quite so long but I have seen tremendous growth and wonderful innovation!
I Love AR! This group has been a real source of inspiration and education and I'm very thankful to be a part of it!
Wonderful post Carole. I have to tell you your new backround is awesome. Marti did such a great job with the color. It is soooo warm and inviting.
Absolutely lovely. What a great comparison. Love your post, sweetie and it is soooo true. I love the responses I get from blog my AR posts. :-)
Carole - I just hope that Active Rain doesn't become like Ebay has and bite the hand of those that made it what it is. But, if what is being implemented is any indication, they are not.
They are going to make a fortune if they finally do decide to sell. Jonathan is one smart cookie!
Carole - we agree completely, we love ActiveRain and our new outside blog. What an amazing resource!
Bill, they could make a bigger fortune if they don't. It basically boils down to do you want the money now or do you want the money later (LOL). I like to think of it as the people who hit Lotto and have to decide do they want the 20 year payment plan or the lump sum check. The people with the CPA always tell them to take the payment plan because it's less taxes and a steady income. The ones without always say pay me now, then are horrified when they take half in taxes. Those are the ones we read about who spend it all in less than five years.
What ever the AR Corp decides to do, I wish them well. I love it here and want them to do what is best for them. :-)
Chris, I love this place, too. Buesiness, friendships--a reporter! I can't believe all the peole who read us!
Sally, I already know you do :) Your Localism posts are always just gorgeous and I never realized how little I actually knew about Hawaii!
Martha, I have learned SO much here--about real estate of course but also about the Country....places I never even knew existed. It's a wonderful place to be and I can't wait to see what it will become.
Katerina, That's so true, it people keep at it they will have success stories from here to share as well! I too love reading them and writing them :)
Kate, Do Localism posts. I've been trying to get around to them. I think one of the keys with AR is consistently writing and commenting which isn't always possible. I've been more out then in the rain lately but I do try to set aside time to do what I can. I see that many of my Localism posts...with the right header and tags bring me up high in Google.
Morgan, This place grows every single day. I look at the numbers and am in awe. You've got an incredible market and you do it so well! I love seeing all the gorgeous places in Manhattan to live--some day I just might :)
Sheldon, Thank you! I know the technology changes every day and so did it on EBAY....and look at it now :) I am astounded by how fast this site has already grown and I can't imagine the future with all the innovative ideas our wonderful team is always implementing! Cheers!
Lisa, You came to the right place...for work, education, FRIENDS and just plain fun! Blogging on here never seems like work to me as it does on some other sites. One of the very things I love, that we can write about whatever we'd like.
Paddy, Marti did a phenominal job and put in everything I wanted! I couldn't be happier with the way it came out.
Carolyn, If I had 1/2 or even 1/4 of your tech skills I'd be all over the place...wait a minute, you ARE, aren't you? LOL I love your photos and blogs and look at Club Chaos!
Mike, I know that AR leaders truly care about their members. I think they want to grow this place into something that none of us ever dreamed of. They've been doing it all along. It had 6,000 members in 2006 and look at it today!
Bill, I believe Caleb was the original owner--so it's already been sold once. He was phenominal and turned it over to those who had the same vision. (And please someone correct me if I'm wrong)
Kevin and Monica...It is! I am waiting to see how the NEW Localism goes.........
Carolyn, I think the owners now love it heart and soul--I don't think they have any intention of selling it (just my own personal opinion).
If it only takes a dollar and a dream, then, yes, Activerain is the new Ebay! Great perspective Carole!
Thanks for the affirmation. As I am struggling to set up a web site, I often wonder if it will truly be worth it. I have had more exposure since joining Active Rain than I ever did before. This is an amazing site and the longer I am a member, the more I love it. You have confirmed much of what I was already thinking. Thanks!
Hi Carole! I'm with Sally--a great big ditto to what she said! I LOVE it here!
I would also like to let you know that your new photo is beautiful--you are a very classy lady Miss Carole!
Good morning, Carole. I couldn't agree with you more. This is an AWESOME site. It is well worth the time and small amount of money investment. It really pays off. I wish you continued success.
what a great comparison, I have never thought of the comparison, best part of AR versus ebay is the cost of advertising (free!!)
Oh please what a great analogy i was an ebay addict at one time.. Now i am addicted to the rain and singing its praises.............
Well I have a dollar and I have a dream, but it's going to take more than that for me I'm afraid. I do think Active Rain is worth every dime and I couldn't believe it was free when I joined 2 years ago. I greatly appreciate how they have considered their older members and still made it free for new members by giving them a choice.
It is great to hear about dreams that become reality - and even beyond one's expectations. This is a great success story and it is a sustainable adventure.
Carole - I've contemplated getting the outside blog but I wanted to see how it panned out before shelling out the money. I'm starting to read more and more success stories like yours about the outside blogs.
I'll have to take another look at getting one.
Thanks for the insight.
Carole, I am kind of with Kate in that it makes total sense for Realtors and for some of those in the real estate business. There are fewer benefits for some others. If I wasn't considered a founding member, I thing I would pay to be able to blog to the public but I am not sure. I am still checking out the changes (as it seems that they are occurring daily) and getting a feel for if I should upgrade or not.
Carole, I agree with you. I have learned so much from AR. It has helped my google ranking and also increased hits on my web site.
I love the header on your blog here Carole. It looks inviting , exciting and elegant...I'm with you all the way with your AR kudos. I hold them responsible for sustaining the soul of real estate in 2008. It's ultimately where the heart is---very much AT HOME!
Very well said Carole! When you add up the cost then add up the value and add up the income - WOW! Some seem to focus on cost and forget the other two pieces.
Tracy, The beginnings of Ebay remind me very much of the beginnings of Activerain. I wonder how far and how big this place is going to grow but I'm betting HUGE.
Debe, Thank you so much! Humble roots for both these sites I believe...and getting bigger all the time :)
Jason, Thank you, I only see this place getting bigger and bigger. We've all had so many successes from here and I wish you and everyone else many more to come!
James, I used to be addicted to Ebay....this is SO much better :)!
Hannah, So was I....I even wrote about it once :) This is the place to invest time and energy (and I'm saving a bundle)!
Donna, Knowing what I know about AR, if I were a new member I'd join in a heartbeat and pay for it. I see my posts in Localism and Google and can hardly believe it still.
Joan, I am finding this place priceless. Even when people find me initially from my website, when they do on to read my posts it's often something that I've written about that will convince them they want to work with me.
Craig, I have no tech skills whatsoever. I can tell you since Marti updated my outside blog it's been coming up--that's success :)
Libby, I had my outside blog but it wasn't coming up anywhere....I didn't see it in alerts or on the web. Whatever Marti did, it has started coming up and I'm thrilled. Activerain is always changing but only because they just keep making it better.
Gita, It's done the same for me. Not to mention all those people turn into clients.
Mara, Very true. One of the things I love most about AR is that we can write about what we'd like...work for sure but also personal things. We are all in this together and it feels like a huge family here--with some very precious people.
Debbie, I've got my one outside blog up and going and am going to do the other as well...when time permits a bit more. I can already see a difference and it's amazing to watch this place grow!
Carole- my very first "sales job" was putting things on Ebay in 2000. I watched it grow tremendously, adding categories, features, and some fees of course. But now it's easier than ever.
Active Rain keeps getting easier and better too.
This is the best source of advertising I have right now. Not only am I able, as a Virtual Assistant, to market to my primary, target audience of real estate professionals, but I am found by so many other agents who are NOT members of AR. I have made some wonderful friends here as well as cemented old friends. You can't get any better than this!
~Renae