Special offer
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041, Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ  (ReMax Realtec Group)

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
2,390,560
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

#1) It's my social life outside of my family. Safe, no drinking, no chance of romance etc.

#2) Exposure to potential clients

 #3) Google juice

Mar 21, 2016 10:36 AM
Rainmaker
556,790
DEANNA C. SMITH CERTIFIED MOBILE NOTARY
Certified Mobile Notary Signing Agent - Smith Mountain Lake, VA
Highest Ranked Certified Mobile Notary in Virginia

OK , you're getting deep here but I liked your opening presentation.

After reading the answers that went before ME, I think this is an

"ALL OF THE ABOVE" proposition.   I am here for information, training, knowledge, mentoring, entertainment, and so many other reasons.

The reverse is also true.   I write my blog postings to be information, training, knowledge, mentoring, entertainment and so on for my readers.

There is one caveat though.   I pay ActiveRain for the service and they provide ME a platform for marketing; so it ends up being a WIN-WIN !

Mar 21, 2016 09:43 AM
Rainmaker
2,810,149
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Annette - We're blogging here because Google appreciates our efforts and rewards us with page 1 search results and good leads, in a friendly and nurturing environment filled with competent and sharing friends. What could be better?

Mar 21, 2016 09:18 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

I blog primarily for SEO ranking, and the establishment of friendly relationships with my peers.

I do find that a conceptual blog post does help me in fine tuning my thought process, so, Yes; I am my first reader and often, my feelings after writing are even stronger.

Mar 21, 2016 10:52 AM
Rainmaker
1,231,853
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

There are many clever comments before me mine so I will just say I was here because I love all my Rain friends

Mar 21, 2016 10:26 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,271
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Blogging for business ....

 

Mar 21, 2016 10:10 AM
Rainer
432,872
Virtual Realty Consultants
Virtual Realty Consultants LLC - Wellesley, MA
Making the American Dream a Reality

I try to leave things in a better state than when I found them - in any part of my life. I don't sweat the philosophical issues, life's too short, and I'm too young to have been of the generation that took the drugs in the 60s.

Mar 21, 2016 01:55 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Networking and marketing on the net

Mar 21, 2016 10:02 AM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

Writing about what is happening in your life? Drummim up business? Your life's journal?

Mar 21, 2016 09:18 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Business - Connections - Referrals (aka more business) 

I have something to say and blogging is a platform for my voice to be heard. 

Mar 22, 2016 01:20 AM
Rainmaker
440,656
Shirley Coomer
Keller Williams Realty Sonoran Living - Phoenix, AZ
Realtor, Keller Williams Realty, Phoenix Az

This is a great place to learn and ask questions of other agents.  Also a place to share experiences and gather opinions.  It is always interesting to see how many aspects of real estate are handled in other states.

Mar 22, 2016 12:31 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Very deep.  Too deep for me to wrap my head around.  I blog to convey knowledge/information in a manner that hopefully my audience will connect with.  I also do it for marketing.  Depends on the blog for the purpose of it.  Right now I'm 100% marketing.  No time for the other aspect.

Mar 21, 2016 02:22 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

You reminded me this one:

“Appearances to the mind are of four kinds. 

Things either are what they appear to be; 
or they neither are, nor appear to be; 
or they are, and do not appear to be; 
or they are not, and yet appear to be. 
Rightly to aim in all these cases is the wise man's task.”

 

― Epictetus

Mar 21, 2016 12:23 PM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I like the SEO benefits of AR, but I also use it as a creative release. I do like to write. 

Mar 21, 2016 11:16 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,196
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

It's a big wall to write graffiti on. And sometimes kindred taggers notice, and some other things happen, and money rains down on me. 3:)

Mar 21, 2016 11:09 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,323
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

To share information with one another 

Mar 21, 2016 10:40 AM
Rainmaker
628,764
Buzz Mackintosh
Mackintosh REALTORS - Frederick, MD
“Experience, reliable, leadership”

Why am I here , It's in my genes on both sides of the Family. Mackintosh = Real Estate / Ferguson = author / writer from my Grandfather T.W. Ferguson

The quote rings true w/ me!

Mar 21, 2016 09:45 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,153
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Wherever you are, or wherever you go, there be people our like kind. Whats not to like? Without mankind, everything we know about is worthless. Here, on AR or out there randomly, join in ....for life is but a vapor

Mar 21, 2016 09:39 AM
Rainmaker
1,661,936
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

For Google love and new client calls.

Mar 21, 2016 09:21 AM
Ambassador
6,393,154
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

I got pulled in for the seo, and reconnecting with writing was a side benefit, though I seldom take the time to write anythiing great.

Mar 22, 2016 01:44 AM
Rainmaker
724,065
MaryKay Shumway
The Kellstrom Ray Agency, Inc. (Est. 1948) - Sister Bay, WI
Door County Wisconsin's Real Estate Expert

I love what I learn.  The other day, I had someone comment on one of my links not being functional--and then she actually picked up the phone from 2,000 miles away and called me to help out.  Now THAT is a caring community.  The fact that the public actually calls off of my posts hasn't hurt, either....google juice.

Mar 22, 2016 01:39 AM
Rainmaker
7,835,407
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

The goals of bloggers are not all the same. 

Mar 21, 2016 11:50 PM
Rainmaker
2,241,011
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

We are the local cub reporter for our area events, the properties that populated it with our sign out front. The ones needing media treatment with images, video, plats, the works. So blogging on AR is for reach, frequency, a greater market than just a few blocks around the listing. Results is why. But don't be just blogging here. For fun the writing is on a Me In Maine platform.

Mar 21, 2016 10:23 PM
Rainmaker
4,572,117
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

I came here for the business opportunities.   

Everyday I learn something.

The people aspect of this forum has been a very nice surprise.  

Mar 21, 2016 08:46 PM
Rainmaker
2,538,633
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Annette. It all started out because I thought it was a way for me to be able to referral some of my clients to Realtors and mortgage brokers when they needed services in states I am not licensed, it became much more than that. I ended up making lots of friends.

Mar 21, 2016 07:00 PM
Rainmaker
883,565
Debra Leisek
Bay Realty,Inc Homer Alaska - Homer, AK

You cannot be a writer if you don't read..... there are some on Active rain who teach with their blogs, some preach and some reach out and share their knowledge and experience freely...  it is quite a group of people...  really quite remarkable.

Mar 21, 2016 05:54 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

When I first came to ActiveRain there were a couple other real estate blogging sites. It was the wild West and people were very rude. I didn't find that when I came back to the rain!!!!

Mar 21, 2016 03:00 PM
Rainmaker
1,683,912
Larry Johnston
Broker, Friends & Neighbors Real Estate and Elkhart County Subdivisions, LLC - Elkhart, IN
Broker,Friends & Neighbors Real Estate, Elkhart,IN

I don't know about you, but I am here to interact with other Real Estate professionals, gaining knowledge and learning what others do in certain circumstances.  It is a great learning place.   Showing of my writing skills is not a good reason to be on AR. I hope that I am able to improve myself as a Real Estate professional and hope to help others be the best they can be.

Mar 21, 2016 01:15 PM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I write and post for business first but like the interaction and networking with the people on ActiveRain.  We are bound together like in a special group that help and support one another.

Mar 21, 2016 12:36 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Annette,

We both enjoy writing, and for those who actually read our post welike hearing their perpectives.   Perhaps it is to fullfill the quote by CS Lewis, "We read to know we are not alone!" and we would also say, we write to know we are not alone. A

 

Mar 21, 2016 09:41 AM
Rainer
98,823
Becca Rasmussen
HomeSmart Cherry Creek - Highlands Ranch, CO

I'm here to pick brains and to, hopefully, leave a few useful breadcrumbs of my own along the way. (Mixed my metaphors there, but that's ok.) I also find that my opinions are getting refined, strengthened, and informed by what I see here. I don't always agree with what I read, and that often provides me more insight to my own opinions than when I do agree. :0)

Mar 24, 2016 07:30 AM
Rainmaker
5,868,472
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Blogging for SEO, intereacting with other real estate professionals.

Mar 22, 2016 11:38 PM
Rainmaker
2,194,668
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

I sit in a corner and talk to myself until somebody else comes along and joins in.

Mar 22, 2016 12:08 PM
Rainmaker
763,883
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

I just got lucky!  When I wanted to start a blog people gave me a list of blog sites.  For some reason Activerain stuck out as a good one for me and it has proven to be a great decision.  I originally started blogging because it was the new thing to do.  I then found out how enjoyable it was to put thoughts down in writing and that they may be read long after I'm gone.

Mar 22, 2016 07:27 AM
Rainer
225,526
Bob Betel
Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc. - Sweetwater, TN
President, Allstar Home Mortgage, Inc

I am here because you are here. Active Rain gives me the platform to have discussions with agents all across the country. By answering questions like this, it gives people insight on how I think and shows my experience and wiliness to help others. I don't use it for self promotion and to be on page 1 of Google. Since I'm just starting out blogging, my blogs are informational, and let others get to know me based on my morals, not as a Mortgage Broker looking for business.

Mar 22, 2016 06:39 AM
Ambassador
3,043,162
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

I started blogging on Activerain to pay it forward to real estate agents. I am a writer and love to use writing as my creative release and messaging. People work harder for praises than for raises and I certainly do. I like to feel appreciated and the best payment for me is when a member here tells me I have helped them change their business, thereby changing their life. 

I am also here for the google juice. Business blogging is not my favorite form or writing. I don't like market reports or blogging about listings but know the consumers like and want them. 

I would rather blog about my passions and have deep discussions and debates on a wide variety of topics but primarily around liberty and individual and property rights. 

I have also written about past personal experiences that actually save lives. The first time I saved a young girl from committing suicide because she found my post online... I never viewed my writing the same after that. Katerina 

Mar 22, 2016 06:35 AM
Rainmaker
900,128
Olga Simoncelli
Veritas Prime, LLC dba Veritas Prime Real Estate - New Fairfield, CT
CONSULTANT, Real Estate Services & Risk Management

I think most blog on AR because it's a proven platform, where we can be visible to the public. It's a plus for those who enjoy writing and are good at it.

Mar 22, 2016 04:18 AM
Rainmaker
195,566
Fred Sweezer Sr. CMI, LLC.
Hud Certified 203K Consultant - Long Beach, CA
HUD 203k Consultant

Letting people know my skills is at there best in written word is why I blog and be of encouragement to those that blog here. 

Mar 22, 2016 02:39 AM
Rainmaker
816,095
Paul McFadden
Responsive Pest Control - Seattle, WA
Pest Control, Seattle, WA.

I don't blog too much any more but still enjoy the community and the forum. Initially I was encouraged to join as it would promote my business. I found that to be true and encouraged others to join. Now that I have a different career I still enjoy participating and keeping in touch with friends far and wide. Thanks!

Mar 22, 2016 01:47 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

parked and reading

Mar 21, 2016 10:40 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I am here to learn, to teach, to be entertained and to interact with the great friends i have made here, 

Mar 21, 2016 10:30 PM
Rainmaker
977,386
Brigita McKelvie, Associate Broker
Cindy Stys Equestrian and Country Properties, Ltd. - Lehigh Valley, PA
The Broker with horse sense and no horsing around

I blog on Active Rain for various reasons.  First, I am one to educate others with my knowledge and expertise.  I also learn a lot from others' posts, which help in my own business.  

Networking with others in the field is another reason.  It is so nice to to be able to refer clients that are relocating to agents I already know and respect.

Last, but not least, it helps with my rankings on Google searches.  

As you can see, there are many adva ntages to being on AR.

Mar 21, 2016 10:24 PM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

Yes, Annette, I am the first reader - first audience - whenever I write. 

Mar 21, 2016 07:04 PM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 - I don't think I can really 'write'! I just color the true picture of market - in my blogs.

Mar 21, 2016 03:17 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Hi Annette

Not sure how you did it. Pretty neat spam log in.

I am merely blogging to continue my re blog from Trulia days from last year. The old model to blog by zip codes allows buyer/sellers to reach a realtor they feel is competent. If I want to write a book I will go elsewhere. I wrote the book Silicon Valley etc not by choice. I was asked by publisher....

Have a good nite.

Sam Shueh

Mar 21, 2016 01:01 PM
Ambassador
2,061,750
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

I don't really consider myself a writer... I'm having a 'written' conversation... I'm kinda talkin' outloud, and if I'm fortunate (very fortunate), every now and then, someone (other than myself) talks back to me.

sweeeeet.

Mar 21, 2016 12:59 PM
Rainmaker
61,716
Scott Thompson
Columbia Mortgage Plus - Blue Springs, MO
Commerical Finance - Blue Springs, MO

Yea it is just a little something I like to do when I am not too busy Just Being Rich.

Ok just kidding.

Make it a Great Day.

Mar 22, 2016 03:06 AM
Rainer
29,244
Kevin Morris
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodrick Realty - Danville, PA
Real Estate agent serving danville and surrounding

Annette, 

This is very well put. I can tell that you are a writer at heart and mind. 

I have decided to blog to share what is in my head in a safe environment. There is a lot to learn here so I read the blogs of others. 

Mar 23, 2016 04:16 AM
Rainmaker
183,505
James (Jim) Lawson, DBA
DomainRealty.com LLC - Bonita Springs, FL
Broker Associate, RSPS, BPOR, HI & PE

I learn something everytime I log on to the Rain. Hopefully others learn from my postings. Then there are the marketing payoffs. Simply said that's why I'm here...helping each other and myself to excel. 

Mar 23, 2016 02:34 AM