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Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Fred,

We joined in order to understand this new fangled media, so that we could intelligently inform our clients.  I have recommended the site to our clients, however, the majority do not want to write blogs, and are so well connected in their communities that it is not the best strategy for everyone.  

We have met many members, have become great friends.  And, I(A) have learned so much from all of you.  A

Apr 23, 2018 09:40 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,343
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

A friend told me about it.  I had no expectations, but I have learned a lot and meet some great people.  Including you Fred Griffin 

Apr 23, 2018 09:05 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,806
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I kept hearing how important it was to blog and AR was offering a "deal" to join. I had no real expectations... and in fact, lurked for at least a year before I did anything here. I've made wonderful connections and friends here in the Rain. Do I recommend? No. I used to and got lots of positive nods, but no one did anything... no time to go sell AR.

Apr 23, 2018 09:29 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,848
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I joined because I had some questions about agent mailers and newsletter programs.

Probably 3 years ago now.

Achieved: Networking, friends, info.  Gained knowledge and skills and was able to help out friends in need out of the area.

Apr 23, 2018 09:26 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,010
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

That's a lot of questions Fred Griffin . I joined AR about 10 years ago (I've got the exact date written down at home) because I like to write and I like to learn. I have achieved many things, I'm better at writing than I used to be, I've learned a lot, I've increased my visibility both in real life as well as in the cyber world and more. I do recommend AR all the time to agents who do not live/work in my MLS.

Apr 23, 2018 08:51 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,502
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

As a Lead Gen Tool . Yes

Apr 23, 2018 09:21 AM
Ambassador
6,392,889
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

For SEO and a little writing practice.

and it has grown from there, to a ton of SEO, and a few relationships along the way.

Apr 23, 2018 04:42 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

I joined on sept 30 2009..... Bill Gassett is an agent in our Hopkinton office and he had a steady flow of business when everyone was tanking.... my broker/owner said he blogs on ActiveRain.... I asked what blogging was and he told me it's writing narratives....right up my alley!!!  so I joined and thankfully, Lenn Harley was the first one to communicate with me.... I was totally intimidated and didn't know where to start (also technology challenged... paid for the year TWICE when I joined!!) 

Lenn told me to write what I know.... great advice.

Apr 23, 2018 10:57 AM
Rainmaker
7,834,961
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I joined a long time ago hoping that it would help me in business. I have recommended the site to others.

Apr 23, 2018 09:54 AM
Rainer
5,215
Alex V
RE/MAX Premier Realty - Mission Viejo, CA
Real Estate Associate

It's just one of those names you keep hearing. Figured it was time to jump into it!

Apr 23, 2018 09:44 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I guess, I joined by accident. 

yes, now I recommend others to blog, but rarely anyone does, even if they accept the invitation. 

Apr 23, 2018 02:00 PM
Rainmaker
1,711,988
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

I heard of ActiveRain from another agent in my area, had no expectations, didn't comment or blog for months after I joined, best thing I did and recommend it to anyone I come in contact with. 

Apr 23, 2018 01:55 PM
Rainer
140,560
Richard L. McKinney P.A.
Atlantic Shores Realty Expertise - Port St Lucie, FL
For Results that MOVE you on the Treasure Coast!

Fred Griffin I joined at least 10 years ago.., isn't there a way to see when you joined? 

Apr 23, 2018 01:50 PM
Ambassador
3,344,906
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

It was recommended ... I've not looked back.

Apr 23, 2018 01:27 PM
Rainer
374,987
Libby Cousins
Extraordinary Processing - Spokane, WA
Contract Mortgage Processor, licensed in WA

I joined years ago when there were 45,000 members. I joined to gain knowledge, network and as a way to show up in Google searches (back then, everything showed up on Google).  I have recommended this site to many!

Apr 23, 2018 12:35 PM
Ambassador
3,169,377
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

I think someone on RealTalk posted a link.  We filled out a profile and promptly disappeared for 3 years.  And we got the occasional contact email via AR because people would find the profile.  We finally came back after the long absence and started figuring out what was what here.  We knew we needed to blog to improve our web presence, so we finally got going.  It took time, but it's making a huge difference in our business today.  And others in our office know we blog, but they don't seem interested in doing it themselves.

Apr 23, 2018 12:02 PM
Ambassador
3,164,119
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

It was sort of a fluke that I found it on a spam email I got from an agent in Atlanta.  But the timing was great.  Business was slow and I loved it from day one.  Learned so much here.  It was September 4, 2008

Apr 23, 2018 12:01 PM
Rainmaker
4,571,581
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

I was in a coaching session and learned of ActiveRain. I joined in march, 2010 and didn't participate until somewhat later. It is nice to be "found" by people who I know contact me because of ActiveRain even when they may never mention AR. 

Apr 23, 2018 11:25 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Someone told me I should so I checked it out and joined in October 2011. If has been much more than I ever dreamed. It's been good for business. I have had 3 calls today from it.

Apr 23, 2018 06:47 PM
Rainmaker
1,543,225
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

ONE OF OUR FIRST AR MILLIONAIRES (POINTS) RUSSEL RAY MADE ME JOIN. Russel was my inspector for 12 years. I still talk to him as recently as last week.

Education+Opportunity+Relationships+Referrals+Friendships+ETC

YES, achieved and still achieving.

 

Apr 23, 2018 05:47 PM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I used to get some business referrals but that has slowed...

Apr 23, 2018 05:39 PM
Ambassador
5,229,243
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Saul Klein recommended that I join. Having a passion for writing, I thought, why not? I joined and quickly made great connections across the US & Canada and found that writing here was more than just doing what I loved doing but, there were so many added benefits.

Some here will be lifelong friends, whether they're still active in the Rain or not. Others have been working together for years, learning everything from social media to building our own websites. 

I absolutely encourage others to join - it's just not for everyone. Most who are new to blogging don't have the patience to wait for the leads to come from their efforts - they expect instant gratification. It doesn't happen overnight and that is a hard pill to swallow for most. 

I have accomplished far more than I ever hoped to, here in the Rain. As someone mentioned the other day, 6 figures over the years from member referrals was the icing on the cake that I had no earthly idea would happen when I joined!

Apr 23, 2018 04:52 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I joined to network, and learn and have a larger presence on the net

Apr 23, 2018 03:59 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,372
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I was going through the e-Pro class and was recommended in 2007.   Hoped to have a better digital presense on the Internet, which worked.   Lots of great tech advice here.

Apr 26, 2018 09:05 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

I didn't know what to expect when I joined.  I'm glad I did and would and do recommend it to others.

Apr 24, 2018 05:22 AM
Rainmaker
2,240,922
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

I can't remember how I discovered AR in 2007. Information, networking, to develop a voice in the real estate industry happened though because of it. To reinvent the ever changing industry of real estate so we don't become dinosaurs extinct. Blogging and where to do it has changed though and the ROI is not the same on AR but you and I remain hopeful the platform can rise again. In the meantime, your private blog channel. Young Luke, the force is strong in your hunt, peck, post (repeat). Don't neglect your own home grown backyard live and local blogging platform using what you have learned with the AR light sword. (electrical buzzing of sabre)

Apr 24, 2018 03:49 AM
Rainmaker
4,319,419
Praful Thakkar
LAER Realty Partners - Andover, MA
Andover, MA: Andover Luxury Homes For Sale

Fred Griffin wish I could go through all the answers! 

It was initially, to learn how to blog (was good for SEO then and perhaps now, too.)

Now, it's for the people who I met here!

(Perhaps each of us can write thousand words blog post on this - easily.)

Apr 23, 2018 09:09 PM