New GOOGLE Tools for Your BLOG - Customized Mapping
2007-10-05 20:30:20
hen I think of the old traditional maps, I still think of the ones in my glove compartment. You know the one, you unfold it six times to open it, stretch your arms across the entire front seat of the car to read it, and then you're never able to fold it back up the right way to get it back in the glove compartment again. LOL! I use to get those maps from AAA before going on road trips with my family, just 2 years ago. oday, there's GPS, Google Earth, Mapquest, Mapopolis, Yahoo maps, TREO's and other options to finding our way around the planet. So clean out your glove compartments! :-) In my research to find a marketing tool for a client today, I discovered a Blog that talked about customizing Google Maps! It's the Google Lat Long Blog. DETAILS>>> We are creating a map showing all her listings, and one for open houses Sunday. Customize your maps with icons, photos, images, graphics and more. Here are some links to some h
Read more: Tools
, Mapping
How To Use Your "My Settings" Page
2007-10-20 16:13:16
Here is some information on "How To" use your Active Rain "My Settings
" page. I have tried to make this as simple as possible, for you to get the most out of your Active Rain experience. To access your settings page, go to your "MY HOME" link at the top of the page next to the "Logout" option. Make sure you are logged into Active Rain before you try and modify your settings. Next, click on the "My Settings" link on the left hand side of the page just under the "My Ads" link. The rest is detailed below for your use. You might want to print these instructions so you won't have to go back and forth from this post and your "My Settings" page. This is your Blog's Title. Be sure to give this some thought, it is the theme of your entire Blog. This is what will appear when anyone clicks on the "Blogs" link at the Top of Active Rains main homepage. You&
Should You Have A Blog or a Website?
2007-10-17 10:48:06
This is a common question that I get asked by many who are considering starting up a Blog or a Website. I really don't know what the right answer is, but I think that Blogs are starting to have a real impact in our Industry. I also don't think that the websites (especially corporate ones) will ever go away. The Blog is always changing with new and fresh content, topics, and ideas. Comments from others also adds new and fresh text for the search engines to find! Websites are great because many of us already have them, and consumers are used to them. Will Blogs be short lived based on the owners ability to keep coming up with good content? Are Websites more permanent? Listen to what Inman News predicts. Are there really some significant reasons as to why you'd want one or the other...or both?What's on a Typical Real Estate Website or Blog? Listing InformationArea Statistics Demographic DataBuyer and Seller Report
Active Rain Settings & SEO Benefits - Very Powerful
2007-10-23 02:23:21
Did you know that you are missing out on some SEO
opportunities in your Active
Rain Profile and Settings
? Yesterday, I did a post regarding "How To Use Your "My Settings" Page" I received many comments and quite a few questions. The "My Settings" link in Active Rain clearly has some great value and benefits to you and your Blog. There is one particular question that came up by Roswell Ga Real Estate - Nancy Rivera who runs RoswellGaRealtor.GeorgiaMLS.com about an area on the "My Settings" page. She asked,"Brad - I have a question about #3, if you don't mind. I used to have something in this box but when looking at my Blog, I never saw what was written there so I removed it and added it to #2 instead. Is this something that I would see? If so, where? Or is this something that Google sees? Thanks for your time." MORE DETAILS>>> What Nancy was
Read more: Benefits
Active Rain Blogs - Finding What You Need - The Ultimate Search!
2007-10-28 19:13:56
Here's a "community tip" you may not be aware of regarding how to "SEARCH" Blogs
. Active
Rain is a huge wealth of members, knowledge and resources! There are so many Blog topics, ideas, instructions, do's and don'ts, opinions and posts of information, it really can be over-whelming. This post will show you how to maximize the "Search
" options that are available to you on Active Rain. When you click on the "SEARCH" feature from the menu bar above, you'll have 3 options and choices to search from. Profiles, Blogs, and Blog Comments. When you're searching Blogs, did you it ONLY searches for posts that contain the word or words somewhere within a post? It is NOT searching "keywords
Read more: Ultimate
Successful Blogging in the Real Estate Industry
2007-08-08 23:35:24
So now you are a Blogger on Active Rain! You create content, you write, you post, you read, you comment, but do you ever wonder...where does my Blogging
go from here? Is this as good as it gets? Should I have more than one Blog? My answer to you is yes! Every single person and panelists that I met in San Francisco at the Real Estate
Connect last week, ALL had a Blog or write for a Blog outside of Active Rain. Don't get me wrong, I think that Blogging in the rain is great, in fact I will always be an Active Rain Alumni, but eventually, you should consider a Blog out in the Blogosphere too. Have you noticed that many of the Active Rain writers and Bloggers all have their own personal Blogs too? The reason I keep coming back to Active Rain is for the SEO, the relationships and the comments, among many other reasons which I'll share with you in a moment. I have to say, writing 10 post
Your Active Rain Profile - Your Masterpiece!!
2007-11-02 01:09:57
Are you getting the most out of your Active
Rain Profile? Does it have the same information or content as your website? Is it a "Wall of Words, or a lack thereof? Here's an opportunity to make your AR Profile even BETTER! You really should put as much attention and love into your profile page as you do your posts, maybe more. Are you updating it with fresh content weekly, monthly or never at all? The truth is, the profile page is the first place we all start as "New" members! The problem is, when we are new, we don't really quite know or understand how to set it up, so that we get the most benefit. It's time to come full circle, back to where we started, and maximize an area we may have forgotten about. It's easy to get caught up in learning so much here, and trying to navigate our way around, I think we just simply forget about it. Your profile is YOU! It's where members and other visitors go to learn more about you. It should be Inter-Active and not just static
Read more: Masterpiece
Active Rain | A Referral Network & Business Goldmine
2007-10-11 17:18:14
Are you looking to do more business in a market that has obviously changed? Do you want to get more out of Active
Rain than just using the Blogging as social networking? Is Active Rain any different than the other groups or networks you're already a part of? Are you doing business with other Active Rain REALTORS®, Lenders, and Affiliates? Could Active Rain be the Goldmine
you're looking for? These are some questions you might find yourself asking. Click on "Your County" to see what other Active Rain members are in your area. These are the people who can relate and appreciate all that you are trying to do here. Don't compete with each other for points or for the featured spot. Who cares if you're featured if you're Blogging all the time and not doing any business. Just look at the list of all the other members in your area. What a "Powerhouse Resource!" Some Counties will have many members and some will have just a few. The more, the better! You might try the County n
Read more: Referral
, Business
Who's Reading Blogs Anyway... 3 Ways To Find Out
2007-11-10 04:35:27
When I first started on Active Rain earlier this year, I had no clue how much I would learn in such a short time. The first thing I remember noticing about Active Rain was that there was vast amounts of knowledge, and so many wonderful people here. I wanted to learn all about Blogging, the benefits, the value, and why anyone in our industry would want to consider Blogging. I needed to know so I could share with my clients if this were something they should invest their time in doing. I was spending hours just reading and learning from all the members here on Active Rain. As I started to get comfortable with navigating my way around, I decided to start inviting other Industry Professionals from my areas. Before I knew it, I was accumulating hundreds of points, and even started feeling confident that maybe it was time for me to start writing and posting myself. I tried a little bit of everything. Promoting my company, sharing marketing idea
Read more: Reading
, Blogs
, Anyway
The HOLIDAYS go VIRAL!
2007-11-16 01:07:01
To all our Family, Friends, Neighbors, Co-Workers, Active Rain Members, Subscribers, Readers and YOU! My three sons and I, all pitched in this year to give each of you a gift! However, you'll have to open it now! This is a very special gift, and you will never get another that will be exactly like it. It's a one of a kind! Please open it very carefully as it is fragile, and it contains a few things that you won't want to break! CLICK ON YOUR GIFT!! *A Christmas Tree - $100.00, A New Play Station III - $399.00, That New Jaguar - $76,000, but This Gift for YOU.... PRICELESS!!!To you and yours during this "Special Holiday Season!" The Andersohn Family 2007 The Subscribe Gift
Are You Grazing on the Feed?
2007-11-13 22:21:51
Better yet, are you allowing your clients and readers to? I'm talking about RSS Feeds. How do you link your Blogs to your Websites and visa versa? Would you rather people find your post one at a time (like they do now) or would you like them to be able to access "many" posts in one location? Here's one way. For those of you who understand RSS Feeds, this will make a lot of "sense." For those who don't, I'll try and make "cents" of it for you. :-) The Widget below allows your readers to access many of your posts from your Blog. You can also add other Sites and Blogs to your RSS Feed Reader. There are some feeds that will offer valuable information to your clients and other viewers. Try it! Best part about this RSS Feed Widget, is that clients and readers won't have to leave your Blog or Website to view all the great information you have to offer. Also, using the RSS Feeds from other "Value-Added" sites and Blogs, makes you the source, and therefore their bes
The American Dream – I Wanna Be Just Like You
2007-11-07 00:14:29
When Jason Crouch sent me an email from the "Family Ties" group, inviting me to the “Inspired By Song” group, and their contest, I got very excited about it, but didn't realize the affect my own post would actually have on me. LOL! Here's one I bet you didn't see coming, thought I'd change it up a bit from my usual style of post that many of you are getting used to. (or should I say sick of) LOL! When you think of the American
Dream
, what goes through your mind? The American Dream for me, may be different than for you, but it is still something we all relate to in our own unique and special way. Having grown up in a musical family for the better part of my years, music has played a more than significant role in my life. While I was considering what to submit in this post, The “American Dream” is what kept going through my mind. It is such a common and widely used term. What does it really mean? I guess that depends on who you ask. Can the q
Marketing and Farming Your Blog
2007-11-17 19:22:11
Isn't it great when you write a post on a topic you're passionate about, and you get a string of intelligent and informative comments? This creates an awesome platform to educate, and share your knowledge and experience with your clients and other consumers. Are you waiting for them to come find your great post using Google? Do you hope they just find your post by coincidence, or from a keyword search? If you want to be proactive, and get this information out to readers and clients everywhere, they'll need to know that it's there. Are you "Farming
Your Blog?Many Active Rain members subscribe to each others Blogs, so we know when there's a new post. Many of our comments are made by those members. In fact, the majority of comments are from other members, but the public is still finding and reading them as well. They are probably a little less likely to subscribe or even comment, as they are not AR members. It&
Read more: Marketing
Video and Your Blog - Featuring Future Technology
2007-11-27 04:31:30
Ok my friends, I'm back to my old self, and off on another Technology
and Marketing tangent! This is a three point post I think you'll really enjoy.1) A New Widget 2) Technology and Marketing 3) Video And Your Blog! This is the new YouTube Widget that allows you to host multiple Videos via a single player. I have chosen “Future
Technology” as the feature for this Widget. Watch the videos in this YouTube Widget and discover a new and exciting world of technology, NOT for our future, it's here now! To access your own YouTube Video Widget, you must have a YouTube Account. Sign up, It's Free! You can pull from any of their existing Videos, or you may upload and feature your own. This is a great tool for use in any business, especially in the Real Estate Industry. It works great on your personal or public Websites or Blogs. The Widget below is completely customizable. You can change the size, color, videos and more. Try the YouTube Widget, and be sure to
Active Rain - Motivating and Inspiring - Who'd a Thought...
2007-11-23 04:31:05
What an incredible year it has been. When I started on Active
Rain earlier this year, I had no idea what an exciting adventure this would turn into, and the impact it would have on my Blogging experience. I have spent so many early and late night hours learning all about Blogging, the People, and the Power of Active Rain. There is so much to learn here, and so many willing people that will share. Most of all, I have learned about "paying it forward" by "giving it back." I have met some of the most wonderful people on the planet here, and have shared memories, laughter, tears, and very special times with many of you. Most of my posts here, were inspired and motivated by all of YOU. In looking back at the year, I now realize the importance of my time here, and the significance this place has had for me personally and professionally. I used to think, "Where will it all eventually lead?" I'm here to tell ya,
Read more: Motivating
Do You Want Visitors Searching Your Blog?
2007-12-07 16:41:56
Last month I did a post regarding ways to search Active Rain using the built in "Search" option. I also shared how you can use the URL address bar above to search Tags or Keywords. Now you can have your very own search engine built into your Blog. Have you ever read a post by another member, book-marked it, then tried to find it in that list of the other 3000 posts you've book-marked? :-0 Here's a really cool tool that will allow you and your readers to search your Blog for any topic or keywords. NOT JUST TAGS either. This is great for your fellow AR members and for visitors to your Blog or Site. It's called BlogBar. NO, this is not a place where Bloggers gather to drink, agreed, the name is a bit deceiving. Sorry!! I know how much some of you like a good bar! LOL! It's a free search engine widget you can add to your own Blog or Website. I put this on my Blog a few weeks ago to see how
Read more: Visitors
The Holidays and Our Soldiers
2007-12-04 02:09:14
If you are by chance reading this post, then it really isn't by chance at all. You were meant to read this for a reason, just don't question it! While I am sitting here posting this, an American Soldier is fighting a war. While you are reading this, an American Soldier is somewhere hiding in a hole. While you are starting to think about what to write, an American Soldier is wanting to come home tonight. Maybe even if just for the Holidays
. Last month was the "Pink Ribbon Month" for Breast Cancer Awareness, in which many of us members participated by adding a pink ribbon to our Active Rain photos. With Christmas right around the corner, I'd like to propose this month as the Active Rain's "A
Read more: Soldiers
SPAM and PHISHING - Your Email
2007-12-14 21:39:56
I remember a time, not long ago, when I was told that technology and email would save me time and be a more efficient, inexpensive and effective way of communication. Well, part of that is true. However, it seems the more people I meet, the more email I am receiving and sending. I don't know about you, but for me, it's an all day and evening endeavor. Something I use to do a few times a day, I am now doing all day long. In searching for a solution to filter out the many emails I receive, I was really looking for a way to reduce the SPAM. I hate SPAM! Phishing is another thing that drives me crazy! If it takes me 3 passwords to get into my secured network laptop, why is it so easy for them to get in? Phishing is when you get an email from the Bank (appearing to be your own) and they ask you to click on a bunch of different links, then enter private and personal information. DON'T DO IT! JUST DON'
Read more: Email
The 12 Days of Christmas
2007-12-11 00:12:43
On the 1st day of Christmas
, my true love gave to me.... OK, so maybe I'm not your true love, but here is my "12 Days of Christmas" gift to all of you! These will be fun, and it may help you to get into the Christmas Spirit this year! You BIG kids will love some of this stuff too. The Christmas Eve Party at the end will be the BEST of all! But.....ONLY 1 DAY AT A TIME!! Here's my theory. You can't resist can you?!? :-O (LOL!!) You have to wait for the appropriate day to click on the details of that gift! I can tell, it's killing you already! C'mon, you have to be honest and fair. You can't stand it can you? NO CLICKING AHEAD! I'll know if you go ahead, and Santa agreed that if you do..... It's Coal for YOU! :-) So don't go ahead, and don't click on the "Graphics" if it's something you're not interested in! This is the BIG WILL POWER TEST! You can't do it can you!?! Those are the rules!! :-) Just Click on each of the animated graphics to jo
Active Rain - The Rain Maker - Really Makes It Rain!!
2007-11-23 04:31:05
What an incredible year it has been. When I started on Active
Rain earlier this year, I had no idea what an exciting adventure this would turn into, and the impact it would have on my Blogging experience. I have spent so many early and late night hours learning all about Blogging, the People, and the Power of Active Rain. There is so much to learn here, and so many willing people that will share. Most of all, I have learned about "paying it forward" by "giving it back." I have met some of the most wonderful people on the planet here, and have shared memories, laughter, tears, and very special times with many of you. Most of my posts here, were inspired and motivated by all of YOU. In looking back at the year, I now realize the importance of my time here, and the significance this place has had for me personally and professionally. I used to think, "Where will it all eventually lead?" I'm here to tell ya,
Information Security - Spyware | Protect Yourself
2007-12-22 01:09:23
What the Heck is Spyware
, Anyway? Is your computer slow? Trouble Connecting? Taking forever to load certain pages? (like mine) :-) Spyware is computer software that is installed on your computer to intercept and record your activity without your knowledge. These programs can collect various types of personal information, and can even control your Web-browsing experience by directing you to certain sites without your intent. While it is often used for advertising purposes, Spyware has also been exploited as a vehicle for privacy theft, such as the pilfering of credit card numbers, bank account credentials, and the like. Most Spyware is installed by piggybacking on other applications that often appear useful, such as Weatherbug or Kazaa. Machines infected with Spyware often have degradation in performance, difficulties when connecting to the Internet, accelerated CPU activity, and stability issues
Read more: Yourself
, Protect
5 Ways To Subscribe To Blogs
2008-03-07 09:52:26
Active Rain has many fantastic Blogs
and Writers. They have also provided you with some useful tools to help you keep track and follow some of your favorite Bloggers and posts. Here are 5 ways you can "Subscribe
" or "Track" your Favs. I will also cover how to "ADD" the subscribe link many of you have used to "Subscribe" to my Blog.The first way to subscribe to another members Blog is very simple. As you navigate through Active Rain and stumble upon posts and writers that have "value-added" content, or subject matter that you are particularly fond of, you can "Subscribe" to their Blog by scrolling to the top of your screen and clicking on the above their Active Rain Photo. This does not notify you whe
How To Set-Up Your Active Rain Profile
2008-03-03 11:07:29
Now that you were invited, or found and signed up on Active
Rain, here are the "STEP-by-STEP" instructions on how to set-up your Profile. This is the First Step in maximizing the value and benefits of your FREE membership here! STEP 1 - BEFORE YOU BEGIN:You'll always want to be sure to "LOGIN" to Active Rain before you do anything. If it's been a while since you've been here, you may have forgotten your password. If so, here's what to do: 1. Click "Login" at the top right of your monitor. If it says LOGOUT, then you are already logged in. 2. If you have forgotten your password or login, just click on the link "Forgot Your Password" and the screen below appears:3. Enter your user name or email address, then click on "Email Me" and your password will be sent to you. STEP 2 - SETTING UP or
How To Complete Your Active Rain Profile - Part II
2008-03-03 10:19:32
This tutorial is to help you complete your Profile Page. There are (3) three sections on your Profile Page that you'll want to utilize to maximize the value and benefits of your page. The areas are "About Us", "Areas of Expertise", and "Testimonials". It's good to have an idea of what you want your "Final" Profile page to look like when it's completed. I will breakdown the details of how all the tools and options work, but it will be up to you to be creative and decide how you want your final page to appear. Take a look at some of the samples provided in THIS POST! In my opinion, these sections are what can make your Profile Page your ULTIMATE MASTERPIECE!THE FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS APPLY TO ALL THREE AREAS ON YOUR PROFILE PAGE. EACH AREA HAS THE EXACT SAME FEATURES AND TOOLS TO
Read more: Active
Active Rain Re-Unites Lost Brothers After 40+ Years - An Unbelievable Story!
2008-03-02 14:43:15
Today my wife asked me to take a walk with her in the back roads of Green Valley, CA. Just a peaceful two mile stroll to let off some stress and have some time alone together in the Country. When we returned home, I went upstairs to my office to check my email. When I opened up my Yahoo email, this is what I saw: Now at first glance, I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary, but when I saw the name Rick Andersohn (spelled with an "H" ) I just about fell off my chair. I couldn't open it quick enough!! I have not seen or heard from my Brother in over 40 years! He is the only other Andersohn
Read more: Active
, Brothers
, Years
, Unbelievable
40 People Who Want More $$$$ for Your Listing Than Your Seller Does..
2008-02-27 02:59:57
When listing a sellers property, who do you think wants the home to sell for more than your seller does? Doesn't everyone always want to offer the least amount (low ball offer) and get the best deal? Is it remotely possible that there are people out there who actually want the home to sell for more than the owner desires or expects? I think yes!Whether you believe in this or not, there are most certainly at least 40 people I can think of that want your listing to sell for TOP DOLLAR! In fac
Read more: Seller
NEW MEMBERS - Start Here
2008-02-26 12:26:43
Welcome Active Rain New Members & Invited Guests - If you are looking to Active Rain as a place to get rich quick, or just score points, you're in the wrong spot. However, if you're looking to surround yourself with incredible knowledge, experienced professionals, worthy relationships, industry support, and marketing ideas to grow your business and better your Blogging skills, you've landed in the BEST spot on planet earth. For months now, I have been welcoming "New Members" by adding links in your comments, and a welcome message to your "Very First Post" here on Active Rain. Now, I still welcome you, and just include a link to this post. :-)As a new member to Active Rain, I'm inviting you to join me on a journey which will hopefull
Read more: Start
Your Blog - Is it Unwritten?
2008-02-17 13:53:58
I have heard in my online travels that writers, authors and even Bloggers can get writers block. I have also noticed that thousands of Bloggers have joined us here in the "Rain" and have not written their first post. Can I ask why you joined? Was it to try and gain knowledge about the industry? Was it because of a compulsive (must join) behavior you might have? Maybe you are just afraid of what people will think when you write, so you're holding back and keeping your Blog Unwritten
. Here's a video that addresses those writers and bloggers who either have a block, or are just afraid to write for fear of others opinions. I have included the words on this post. I wanted to see if I could inspire other writers to "dive into the rain" and get beyond their inhibitions or fears. There is
Active Rain Dinner - Ends In Marriage Proposal
2008-02-14 09:28:25
Tuesday night of this week, a few of us AR members got the chance to meet up with Active
Rains very own Jonathan Washburn and Bob Stewart as they were passing through San Francisco, California. We met at a place called Cafe Tirimisu for some really good food, fun, and Vino. It was really cool getting to meet a few of the folks who showed up to enjoy and partake in the evening with us. I finally got to meet Bob Stewart and Ginger Wilcox who I feel like I've already known forever. We've talked on the phone at times, even commented to each other on our Blogs, but meeting in person is really the coolest part of the whole Active Rain experience. There's something special about finally meeting another AR member that I just can't put into words.
Read more: Dinner
, Proposal
Active Rain Inspires Member's New Book
2008-02-02 22:23:49
When I first started on Active
Rain, I had just watched "The Secret" with my wife, sons, and co-workers. I had decided to start trying to implement the concepts, and begin visualizing my first book. I really wasn't sure which of the many ideas I was going to run with. A few days later, I discovered Active Rain, wondering if somehow, it might have had something to do with me being drawn here by the World's energy, forces and power. (WOW, That movie must have really had an impact on me) LOL! Little did I know that the first book I'd put into print would come from my own story of adversity, and that it would be about the help and support that came from other Active Rain Member
s, Associates, Clients and Friends.For those of you who don&
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