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.
I recently attended a DotNetNuke convention in Tampa, Florida. The convention was held at Microsoft and promised to provide valuable information on new technology and techniques. I invited Dick Betts to come along and see first hand how dynamic and robust this platform is. Dick is a National Speaker and teaches classes for Realtors. I manage his Web Services Division and provide internet technology for him and his many clients. (I honestly could not tell you which one of us was "Oscar" and which one was "Felix" but, we were definitely the "Odd Couple")
As soon as we arrived in Tampa, we met up with some friends at PF Changs for a late dinner. Three of them are from Canada and focus their talents on the real estate industry there. It was interesting to hear the state of the real estate market in Canada and soon dinner turned in to beers back at the hotel. (Yeah, Geeks drink too!) We arrived at the Grand Hyatt, not your typical "Geek Pad", as you have to pay for the wireless connection. But, the beer was cold and it was nice catching up with friends that you only get to see once a year.
The next morning we got up and started preparing for our day of learning. I was so excited that I nearly forgot my "pocket protector" and where the hell did my "Spock ears" go? I searched everywhere for them, even the Moss Covered Three Handled Family Credenza. If Dick Betts thought he could steal my prized possession, he had another thing coming. I would not be upstaged by his trickery and decided on the "X-Ray vision glasses" that I purchased from the back of one of my Spiderman comics. "To Infinity And..." well, you get the picture.
We got there right as the Keynote Speaker was finishing up and I grabbed a cup of coffee. (Were you expecting Jolt or Vault?) I sat in on "Building Online Communities with DotNetNuke 5" and looked at Dick through my X-Ray Glasses. I still couldn't see the Spock ears but, I could read his thoughts through the amazing glasses..."I need more coffee"..."Where are the doughnuts?"..."I hope someone brought some breadcrumbs, because I am so lost." It was without a doubt the best $2.50 I have ever spent. They Worked!
When we were in the Search Engine Optimization class, I looked over and saw that Dick had started a game of "Tic Tac Toe" with one of the ladies from Canada. (Maybe he was going to fit in after all, I mean Tic Tac Toe is to Geeks what SuperBowl Sunday is to jocks.) I tried my best to study his technique, as I listened to the speaker explain new information and tips on making your web site search engine friendly. I secretly hoped that they would start playing "Hangman." I wanted to try out my new "Micro Thesaurus Casio G-Shock." No such luck.
We broke for lunch and I was a little disappointed that Dick was not willing to trade his Skittles for my chicken salad wrap. Oh well, it was time to see the Dynamic Registration Module. This module allows you to do many things but, creating and managing a database was by far the feature that I wanted to see. I have a lot of friends who are Realtors and I can definitely see the value of them having access to customers who come to their site. This module will allow you to stay in constant contact with your web site's visitors.
By the way Dick, I have heard the joke, "What do you get when you put 150 Geeks at an open bar?" I don't remember the punch line but, "Two More Hours Of Geek Talk" could use some work. How about, "You had to take away my calculator, because friends dont let friends DERIVE drunk." or "You had to explain to us that we can't set a laser printer to stun?" Now that would have been funnier.
The internet has changed the way that real estate is conducted in this country and promises to bring value to what Realtors do on a daily basis. "Geeks" can help you get your message out to arenas that were out of your reach until now. So, be nice to the "Geeks," we can be instrumental in helping you find your next buyer or seller. And remember, "computers can never replace human stupidity."
The Nation's Oldest City starts it's Birthday Party Celebration TODAY!
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There is something to do for everyone this weekend in St. AugustineDo you like music and the arts? How about history? Want to paddle about the marshes? Do you like to see things blow up? Take a look and see how we are celebrating the 233rd birthday of the United States! Read More Here
Marjorie Taylor, Watson Realty Corp. is a licensed Real Estate Broker and community leader representing Homes in St. Augustine. She holds the professional designations of CRS, CSP, e-PRO, GRI, TRC and is passionate about helping clients buy and sell Homes in St. Augustine and Homes in St. Augustine Beach, Florida.
Marjorie Taylor, Watson Realty Corp. is a licensed Real Estate Broker and community leader representing Homes in St. Augustine. She holds the professional designations of CRS, CSP, e-PRO, GRI, TRC and is passionate about helping clients buy and sell Homes in St. Augustine and Homes in St. Augustine Beach, Florida.
Yes, this is the biggest weekend activity in Porpoise Point and Vilano Beach. It seems the entire northeast Florida area comes to Porpoise Point to enjoy the 4th of July weekend on the beach and then watch the fireworks over our nation's oldest city. The entire neighborhood is one big party. It is one of my favorite weekends and makes me happy to live in Porpoise Point so I don't have to fight the traffic to get home!
This year our local community association, North Shores Improvement Association along with Vilano Beach Main Street , is make the experience even better if you can imagine that!
With funds raised from the Sunday Market, we are able to have The Falling Bones provide a pre-fireworks entertainment experience (aka concert). Band members Rick Levy, John "Long John" Higginbotham, Rob Piazza and Angello Olivieri will provide an intimate performance of classic cover tunes from the 1960's on. The Falling Bones will perform from 7pm until the simulcast of the St. Augustine July 4th Fireworks on local AM1240 WFOY. Simulcast of the fireworks soundtrack will also be presented at the Vilano Beach Pier Park. The venue is open to the public and free of charge. Viewing locations and parking are on a first come first serve basis so come early, enjoy the beach, a stroll along Vilano Beach Main Street and enjoy the show! And don't forget to come back on July 5th for our Sunday Market from noon - 4 p.m. See you at the Pier, the Vilano Pier!
Barbara Jenness is a Licensed Real Estate Broker serving northeast Florida from Jacksonville to Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine, specializing in waterfront properties (ocean, river, and Intracoastal) and foreclosures. She is an active community volunteer and has been involved with redeveloping Vilano Beach since 1998. She is the current President of Friends of A1A and the Vice-President of North Shores Improvement Association, the governing board of Vilano Beach Main Street.
Now you can read all about the Vilano Beach area via North Shores News. This monthly community newspaper is distributed by the St. Augustine Record, our local newspaper, to properties in the Vilano Beach (North Shores) area. The area distributed includes Porpoise Point to the last house on the ocean just before the The Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve and to Camachee Island on the west. This includes Vilano Beach, Surfside and North Beach and parts of South Ponte Vedra Beach. Some of the communities in this area are: Porpoise Point, South Beach, Serenata, Ocean Grande, Beachwalk, Turtle Shores, Tide's Edge, Mariner's Watch, Seaside of Vilano, and Villages of Vilano.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
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