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Dennis Swartz, MBA, GRI...experience counts! (Full Circle Property Management)

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Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

ARs not dead. It's just really really stoned lately.

Jun 23, 2019 04:26 AM
Rainmaker
1,844,291
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

No AR is killing AR. There is a boatload loss of SEO over the last few years so people have gone elsewhere to see if they can get better traction.

FB is not about blogging at all. I can't seem to get anyone to read anything on FB that's more than 3 sentences.

I'm going to give AR a compliment even though others seem to think otherwise. We have a brain here or at least most of us do. It seems that being able (or not able) to write weeds out the fluff. FB is nothing more than puff pastry.

Pastry is my favorite but after awhile we all need more 'steak' from those we interact with. 

Jun 23, 2019 06:36 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Things change/evolve.  I actually think there might be social media backlash of sorts that goes beyond any one particular source.  

Jun 23, 2019 04:57 AM
Ambassador
5,229,951
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I have been curious about that myself, Dennis. As much as I love AR, I get quadruple the business from FB that I get from here - even with the referrals and the small bit of SEO that we are still getting from here.

With those numbers growing (FB over AR), what is wrong with me that I still visit AR before going to FB?!!

Jun 23, 2019 06:35 AM
Ambassador
2,061,792
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

I think the reports of Active Rain's death are highly exaggerated.

Jun 23, 2019 05:38 AM
Ambassador
3,169,508
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

For me AR serves several different functions:
Blogging primarily
Learn from other agents

Build referral network
Social interaction

For the most part, Facebook only offers the last because it tends to be more immediate and lends itself to direct conversations.

As far as building a referral network, Facebook doesn't do that as much for me.  If anything, it's more likely to fill up my "don't refer" list because some agents on Facebook show no opinion discretion and play so poorly in the sandbox.

So I keep blogging daily on AR because it works for me.  As far as comments, those are way down because I don't have the same free time for reading/commenting that I did years ago.  Bill

Jun 23, 2019 06:52 AM
Rainmaker
4,882,355
Richard Weeks
Dallas, TX
REALTOR®, Broker

I  still go to AR before I go to Facebook.

Jun 23, 2019 05:03 AM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

many of the "old regulars" are long gone....  I have my facebook business and personal page plus 2 other private groups that I visit often.... but I spend more time on ActiveRain than anywhere.....  I continue to enjoy it....and learn from it....

Jun 23, 2019 06:58 AM
Rainmaker
1,196,798
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

What do you mean "less than it was was 3-years ago"

Jun 23, 2019 04:54 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I'm not sure one has much to do with the other... a bit like comparing apples and oranges. Facebook doesn't provide any SEO value, which AR continues to do. The reasons I'm on AR are very different from why I might be on Facebook (which I'm not on a whole lot).

Jun 23, 2019 06:29 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

AR's demise is directly related to NEGLECT.

Jun 23, 2019 05:09 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Everything has worth...However not everything is worthy or profitable

Jun 23, 2019 06:25 AM
Ambassador
3,164,294
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

no, AR is killing AR

Jun 23, 2019 07:48 PM
Rainmaker
2,390,620
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I think AR is killing AR Dennis Swartz by not keeping up with updates and widening their bandwidth (why people are airing out).

Jun 23, 2019 11:46 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Like Richard Weeks wrote, AR is my first stop in the am even before Farcebook

Jun 23, 2019 07:38 AM
Rainer
427,257
J.R. Schloemer
Kentucky Select Properties - Louisville, KY

Less used, maybe, but only due to the fact that laziness has allowed mediocrity to proliferate. I think professionals would like to use AR for professional development and not to teach people what to do. Since the attrition rate in RE is high enough, then you take a niche site like this, and those that can are going to leave to do, and those that can't are finding other careers.

The only reason for my FB groups, in my opinion, is because the groups can control access and limit the nonlicensees allowed into the group. Hopefully, giving higher quality content to the group members.

Jun 23, 2019 06:35 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

No, AR needs no help. Thanks for the blog idea.

Jun 23, 2019 06:28 AM
Rainmaker
1,513,143
Raymond E. Camp
Ontario, NY

Hah, AR may have SPAM but FB has far more!

 

Jun 23, 2019 05:27 AM
Rainmaker
758,035
Peter Testa
Nationwide Homes - Danbury, CT
PETER TESTA

I think it's a good idea to use both. 

Jun 24, 2019 05:54 AM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I would not blame only FB.

Jun 23, 2019 11:21 PM
Ambassador
6,393,179
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Totally different platforms

Jun 23, 2019 12:12 PM
Rainmaker
4,160,412
John Pusa
Glendale, CA

Dennis Swartz I don't think AR is dead, perhaps needs to offer more referrals, and latest real estate news.

Jun 23, 2019 11:20 AM
Ambassador
2,178,603
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Facebook and AR are two different things.  It's like comparing apples to oranges.  I like them both for different reasons.

Jun 23, 2019 10:07 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Like the old man in that great documentary about the quest of Arthur, King of the Brittans, and his search for The Holy Grail... it's not quite dead yet.

 

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find.... A SHRUBBERY!!

Jun 23, 2019 09:48 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

For many reasons, members have chosen to spend their time on other platforms.  I still log in to AR and spend more time here than I do FB. 

Jun 23, 2019 09:05 AM
Rainmaker
901,535
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

I think the relationships keep people coming to AR. Once those are gone or depleted, AR will be different. FB is different than AR. I get more business out of FB but, it can be taken away at anytime. FB does what FB wants.

Jun 23, 2019 06:42 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

It’s still a great tool for our listings

Jun 23, 2019 05:46 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Alan May and I are on the same page! Are we correct?

Jun 23, 2019 05:40 AM
Rainer
213,263
Dennis Swartz
Full Circle Property Management - Columbus, OH
MBA, GRI...experience counts!

THEre seems to be less people active today than 3 years ago. 

Jun 23, 2019 05:39 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Facebook is not killing Active Rain, It is Active rain killing itself. No one minding the shop. A lack of anything personal. Many times a lack of replies and no personal feel with challenges and contests.  THEN the spam, the massive amounts of it they wont give any regular user the power to remove for them. 

Jun 24, 2019 11:43 AM
Rainmaker
1,090,637
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

AR is much different than it was three years ago but that is in part due to change of ownership. I still get inquiries and business from blogs that I've written on AR and love the interaction with others here.

I am not a big fan of FB...I use it and don't see it replacing a dedicated site like AR. They each serve different purposes.

Jun 23, 2019 08:08 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

lack of SEO. I doubt they spend much if anything these days. Kenny got other things cooking.

Jun 23, 2019 12:06 PM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

There is only so much time in each day. If you choose to spend more time on Facebook you have less time for other stuff. Your choice!

Jun 23, 2019 11:31 AM
Ambassador
5,828,832
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

When I joined the market was down. Agents had more time for social media. Also using Facebook for business was getting off its feet. Then came Pinterest. Each platform serves and offers something different. I love the interaction and community that is at ActiveRain. Facebook is something totally different. As long as members are active here, then ActiveRain is viable. 

Jun 23, 2019 10:52 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Dennis,

FB is busy killing itself...and the US Government is doing the rest.  A

Jun 23, 2019 09:12 AM
Ambassador
1,026,993
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

My wish for AR is that they would re-hire Kerrie LaGuardia and put some heart back in it. 

Jun 23, 2019 08:22 AM
Rainmaker
2,071,025
Evelina Tsigelnitskaya
SIB Realty - Sunny Isles Beach, FL

I remember 2007. 

Jun 23, 2019 07:22 AM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

No, FB does not.

Jun 23, 2019 06:55 AM
Rainmaker
2,241,053
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Active AR bloggers still are... but on their own channels for the SEO on the local level. Not just FB but all the other round robin platforms to plant, water, feed, weed. You Tube is huge to getting results quick and easy. 

Jun 23, 2019 06:33 AM
Rainmaker
660,906
Steffy Hristova
HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ
Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

I still visit AR regularly, for different reasons than FB. AR is more thought-provoking and makes me think, reflect, do something. I wish I have more time to write more often.

Jun 24, 2019 08:42 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I have much more responsive activity on Facebook but ActiveRain can only be killed by poor management.

Jun 24, 2019 03:58 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,538
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Ar is killing AR.    No one cares behind the scenes anymore, and it shows.   The platform is way too slow, SEO not the same, and better to blog elsewhere.

Jul 17, 2019 08:09 AM
Ambassador
3,125,819
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Activerain is the better forum by far. Less drama, fewer ads in your face and more relationship building.

Jun 26, 2019 06:15 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 it's lack of attention from management - they are on to different things.

Jun 25, 2019 09:42 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,677
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

I think you may be on to something.  

Jun 25, 2019 09:25 AM
Rainmaker
102,485
Ray Stockwell
ZipperAgent - Boston, MA
Director of Marketing

I have to agree with Bill Spear.  Activerain serves many uses and some of them are still very vital.

It does not appear to have as robust a flavor as it did in the past.  To me it seems to coincide with Ben Kinney's ownership

Jun 25, 2019 09:00 AM