ActiveRain - The Official ActiveBlog

As I have shared over the past few weeks, I have been extremely busy with Webinars for our new members teaching them how to write posts effectively for search engines & also to be appealing to consumers.  In the classes I share how to write posts to rank well in the search engines as well as making your posts appealing to a consumer who comes to read what you have written. 

During the webinars, one of the questions that normally comes up is Why do I need to be a Rainmaker?  While there are thousands of reasons why everyone should be a rainmaker, I decided to just share 6 of the most important ones.

• Google Dominance-  This is a no-brainer.  If you write it properly, it will rank well in Google.  It doesn't take months and years to start ranking well in Google.  If you don't believe me, read about one of the members who became a Rainmaker in less than 10 hours of sending two posts public was #1 & #2 on Google!  If you take the training that ActiveRain offers our Rainmakers and put it to use for you, the same results can be yours. 

• Blog views get a steroid injection.  If you are trying to figure out how to get more traffic to your blog, then a Rainmaker is a great option.  Did you know that our Rainmakers Average 500 views per post?  Here are some really interesting stats from a member who recently became a rainmaker.

                   Before                                                                         After

These stats were taken immediately after becoming a Rainmaker and you can see the results.  In an instant their blog traffic increased 4 times what it was on posts before being a Rainmaker.  This happens instantly because when you become a Rainmaker you get to have your posts show up in the search engines and also be read by consumers. 

• Increase of Income- This is probably my favorite reason for becoming a Rainmaker.  Once you become a rainmaker, you can really increase your revenue.  I don't need to prove that a Rainmaker Membership can increase your income, many of our members already have:

Over the past week or two, I had two referrals from my friends here at ActiveRain, AND one of the biggest closings we've had in months.  The closing came from a consumer who found my blog months ago and became a "fan". -Jason Crouch

While almost 60% of the members who joined Active Rain at the same time I did, have not used  this amazing marketing tool, I have garnered close to sixty (YES, sixty!!!) new clients through my blogging on AR.  I literally credit ActiveRain with saving my business during these trying times. -Mirela Monte

• Posts show up on Localism.  "The World's Most Complete Neighborpedia"  When you are writing content about your local area this gives you a great secondary avenue to share your information & increase your Internet exposure by double instantly.
  

• ActiveBlogs- Think of the endless marketing opportunities by having your blog show up on it's own domain name.  For example, which would you prefer seeing on a business card? http://activerain.com/blogs/jeremy or http://activejeremy.com?  Just how Localism gives you another avenue to share your content exponentially, your ActiveBlog does the same thing by offering a third place to syndicate your content to.
  

• Top Notch Training- The training & knowledge you can obtain on ActiveRain is alone enough reason to become a Rainmaker.  Between the webinars offered by ActiveRain and also the great information shared by members you can learn enough to revolutionize your business and take it to the next level.

So if you are not yet a Rainmaker, what have you been waiting for?  Get started today for only $5.00 for the first month. Or, if you would some training on how a rainmaker can increase your business, feel free to sign up for my Blogging Basics 101 Webinar where I will teach you personally how to get the most out of your membership. 

What are you waiting for?  Let's take your blogging career to the next level today!

Last week I wrote a post on Effectively Posting Your Listings to Your Blog.  I shared a few tips on how to write blogs posts about your listings to appeal to both consumers & also search engines.  I also shared a few things that will hurt your chances of a consumer coming back repeatedly to your blog.

Many of you have seen the recent influx of points so generously being given away by Bob. The only logical thing for me to do was be more generous.  Unfortunately, since I am still the new guy in the community builder realm of ActiveRain, I have been put on a quota of points to award per month.  Unlike Bob & Brad who have been given the platinum cards with unlimited amounts, I've only been given the gold card which I found out quickly does have a maximum limit.

That being said, I decided that since I can't give everyone 10,000 points, I could at least host a contest!  Besides, who doesn't love contests?  The last one that Jason Crouch sponsored had over 80 entries! I wonder if this contest can break that?  So, without further ado,  here are the details:

• Contest starts today & runs through Midnight CST August 31st.
• All entries must be written after time of this post.
• All entries must be linked into the comment section of this post.  Entries that are not left in the comment section of this post will not be awarded any points.
• Posts that look like they have been copied & pasted from the MLS or any other Newsletter service will be disqualified from the contest & not receive any bonus points.
• You may enter as many times as you wish, but will only receive points for 1 entry.
• At the end of August 31st, a Panel of staff judges will chose the top 10 posts.  The top 10 posts will then be placed into a poll where the members of ActiveRain will chose First, Second, & Third Place winners.
  
• Points will be awarded as follows:
  • 1st Place: 10,000 points
  • 2nd Place:  5,000 points
    
  • 3rd Place:  2,500 points
    
  • Top 10 Finalists: 1,500 points
    
  • Just Entering Contest: 500 points
• The top 10 finalists & also winners of this contest will not be based upon the listing itself.  In other words, it doesn't matter if your post is about a 10 million dollar mansion, or a $10,000 piece of land.  The winners will be based upon the quality of the post, additional content about the surrounding areas, & use of extras like video & slideshows.  Creativity & content will out weigh design & layout.
  
• Lastly, your posts will be judged upon grammar & spelling, so make sure to use the spell checker & proofread your post. Posts containing several spelling errors or typos may be removed from the contest.

  Best of luck to everyone & I look forward to many awesome entries!

Today is an exciting day for ActiveRain as we release a great new feature. As of today, you now have the ability to add a signature line to all of your blog posts automatically!  Many of our members have the same tagline or image that they like to use on each & every blog post.  With this new feature, you are able to create your own custom signature line that will automatically appear on every post you write.

How It Works

You will write your signature/tagline/footer once & save it.  Then whenever you post something new to your blog, it will appear at the bottom of that post.  You can place all of your about me information as well as any other buttons, icons, or custom signature pictures that you may use into this block.  It will save you lots of time. 

Before, to add your custom signature, you would have to copy & paste the signature from an old post into the new one.  And if you used something containing HTML, the process was even more laborious.  All of that work has been simplified into one easy step now.

How to Set Up Your Signature

Start by logging into your account.  Then, click on the Settings tab along the left side.  You will then scroll down to the signature box that will look similar to this:

Fill in the signature box with whatever information you wish to have shown in your signature.  Remember, whatever information you place in this box will be shown on ALL of your posts.  So take that into consideration when placing the information in this box.  You do not want to put something like "for more information on this listing, contact me" because all your blog posts are not listings.  This box allows you to insert HTML codes, images, & links along with your content, so be sure to take full advantage of these.

On the other hand, DO NOT ABUSE THE SIGNATURE! If you place too many graphics & videos & paragraphs upon paragraphs of information with links, you will slow down the loading speed of your blog.  Also, if your signature lines are 3 times the length of your posts, then consumers will be turned off.  They visit your blog for information & quality content.  If instead of finding bunches of content they only find small bits followed by giant signatures, they will lose interest in your blog & move onto someone else.

Once you have filled in the signature box with the information, be sure to click the update button below.  If not, your new signature masterpiece will not be saved & will not show up when you visit your blog to preview.

The Final Result?

After clicking update, visit your blog & see your new work of art.  I hope that our members are as excited about this new feature as I am!  Please do me a favor, after setting up your own custom signature, stop back by this post & leave a comment witha  link to yours so we can all view the new masterpieces.

Here is mine:

Sharing Your Bookmarks Across Multiple Computers.

Over the past few weeks I have had many of our members here ask how they can save bookmarks on our network.  If you didn't know, ActiveRain offers you a really easy way to bookmark all of your favorite posts on the network & save them for future reading or referencing when you are working on an adding some awesome feature to your blog.  If you are anything like me, you use more than one computer on a fairly regular basis.  One of the awesome benefits of using the ActiveRain Bookmarks is that it allows you to access these bookmarked post from any computer that you sign into.  Right now I would guess I have around 75-100 different posts bookmarked on ActiveRain. If you are not familiar with ActiveRain's great bookmarking feature and how to use it, here is a post I wrote a long time ago on How to Bookmark Posts on ActiveRain.

This past weekend, I decided to take total advantage of South Carolina's Tax Free weekend & go out & finally replace my laptop.  My good old Dell Inspiron served me really well during my real estate selling days.  I took that thing with me everywhere.  But, from years of using & aging, the technology is starting to slow down, and a few of the keys are needing to be pushed just a little bit harder to type.  Plus, my father who is still selling real estate in Myrtle Beach needs it for work.  So, I made a trip to the local Best Buy & picked up a 15" Macbook Pro.

With the easy bookmarking feature of ActiveRain I had no concern of keeping my bookmarks on the network.  But what about my bookmarks that aren't on ActiveRain? So, I opened firefox & looked for an add-on.  That is when I came across Xmarks.  This free add-on has allowed me to seamlessly share every single bookmark I have saved on the desktop computer with the laptop.  Not only did it sync my bookmarks, it also brought over my bookmark toolbar.

So whether I am sitting at my desk, or out somewhere on my laptops, I have all my bookmarks on both computers in the exact same locations.  What is even cooler is that Xmarks can sync across different browsers.  This means I can not only sync from my desktop to my Laptop, but I could also transfer from Mac to PC if needed.  This add-on also works on Internet Explorer, Firefox & Safari web browsers. 

How it works.  Once you download & install the application onto your computer you are then asked to create a free online account with Xmarks.  Once you have your account set up, you will be prompted to automatically upload your bookmarks to their servers.  Then, go to another computer & repeat the process.  Then, whenever you make changes to your bookmarks, simply sync on each computer & and your lists are updated.

Here is where this add-on gets even cooler.  Have you ever had a computer crash & lose everything?  I know I have had that happen & was so beside of myself trying to remember everything that I had lost.  Because Xmarks keeps a master list of your bookmarks on their servers & not just on your computer, Xmarks works as a backup solution for your bookmarks.  No more worrying about losing your bookmarks or not being able to access a needed link because you bookmarked the site on another computer. 

You can also access your list if bookmarks directly on the server without having to download them to the computer.  Example:  You are over at a friends house & you want to share that awesome Barbecue Chicken Recipe Video that yours truly made. You don't have your computer with you so you have a few options:

1. You wait till you get home & try to remember to look it up in your bookmarks, but end up forgetting & only sharing 3 weeks later when your friend pesters you again for the recipe.
2. You open Google on your friends computer & start doing searches to find the recipe.  Because there are so many search results you spend 30 minutes searching for the correct one, because you KNOW from making it yourself that it is the BEST Barbecue Chicken Recipe.
3. You call your spouse who is at home & bug them to go to your computer, boot it up, search through your bookmarks & find the recipe.  Then, wait patiently as you have to spell letter by letter your friends email address for them to email you the link.  You & your friend sit waiting for 20 minutes and still no email comes through because your spouse had a typo in email address. 
   

While these are options you would normally do, the results can be very time consuming & frustrating.  If you have your account set up, you could simply visit Xmarks.com and pull up your own bookmarks right on their website.  In a matter seconds you can login, find the link in your online folder & share with your friend the link. Once you upload to the server, you can access from any computer at any moment.

So, check out Xmarks, it is the easiest way to share your bookmarks across multiple computers.

I  read a post earlier this morning from fellow staff member Joel Kruse on how within a three hour period he helped a new member, achieve page one results with her new ActiveRain Blog on Google.  If you missed the article, go read it here: New Rainmaker on the first page of Google in 3 hours the post is rather astonishing!

As I began reading the comments, one of the comments I saw by a few over & over was: "Lets be real, who cares if you are #1 for Manhattan Beach Events & Activities?  You need to be on page 1 for real estate terms in your area."   I wanted to take a few minutes to explain why writing about anything in addition to real estate can be an asset to your Real Estate business.

Adopting the Walmart Mentality to Your Blog

I don't know about anyone else, but I know that whenever my wife & I visit walmart we end up being there for a minimum of 30 minutes & spending close to $100.00 no matter what.  We go in to purchase a bag of potatoes & diapers & while inside realize that we needed paper towels, see an adorable outfit for Isabelle we can't pass up & need more shaving cream.  The reason that this happens is because Walmart has everything you could ever possibly need!  They are a smorgasbord of products. Also, you know that their prices are always going to either be better than the competition or very close.

This same principle is true to your writing on your blog.  While writing about community events & activities, or restaurants may not have anything to do with real estate, writing these posts bring consumers to your blog.  While they are there reading about a local restaurant, or an upcoming Marathon, they also notice you work in real estate & as they become comfortable with you as a local expert, they are also going to be telling others about your blog.  Also, they will check back regularly for more information & also connect with you.  Also, you never know who they may be telling about your site & the great info you shared about the local parade that is ready to buy a home now.

Here is an example to bring this into perspective:  A few years ago, I wrote about baseball & a major local tournament that was taking place here.  Shortly after writing that post, a gentleman contacted me one day.  He said, "Hi Jeremy, I read what you wrote about the upcoming baseball tournament.  My son is playing in it this year & I was wondering if you could help us find a place to rent for 10 days."  While I never ventured into the rental market & stuck strictly to real estate sales, I was kinda bummed he was looking to rent instead of purchasing.

I gave the man a the name of a nice condo development that did rentals & didn't think much of it anymore.  As the next year of the tournament rolled around, I received a call one day from this gentleman.  He said: "Hey Jeremy I have been following your blog for the past few months & it seems that the market in Myrtle Beach is really prime for us to purchase. When we come back down in a few weeks can we get together & look at property?"  I said most definitely!  So, we met up while they were here.  They ended up purchasing two properties from me as well as referred another 3 people to me.

That one small thing written about a baseball tournament resulted in over $30,000 in commissions because I wrote an article that appealed to this gentleman's needs, & also took a step beyond the call of duty to help him find a rental.  Also, he was able to relate to me because he knew I loved baseball enough to take time & write about it.  We had a common connection.  He didn't first come to me because buying a place here was on his mind. Just like when I visit Walmart I am not going in to purchase Isabelle a new dress, or my wife a new pair of shoes.   I am there for bag of potatoes.  But because the rest is available, I get that as well. 

If nothing else, write the post for the Juice!

Ok, so maybe you think this principle above is crazy & completely ridiculous.  If you do, that is perfectly fine and you don't need to believe it.  But, what about the SEO side of writing local content?  As you write these local content posts you are working on building a larger online presence.    Every time you write a post & submit it for the public to view, you are giving Google another page to index on your blog & increasing SEO. One of the things that Google loves is fresh new content.  The more content you can provide, the more it will love you. 

So, Have You Adopted the Walmart Mentality to Your Blog?

One of the things that we try to do here at ActiveRain is provide superior customer support to our members.  We have the Contact ActiveRain link located at the bottom of every single page on the network for you to submit any issues you may be experiencing.  We also have Bob, Brad, & Myself on staff full time as Community Builders to help our members with any questions they may have.  Also, just this past week we gave a warm Welcome to Our New ActiveRain Ambassadors to help our new members get jump started. 

However, there are many times you have a simple suggestion, or need just a quick answer to something but do not want to pester a Community Builder or Submit a ticket.  Also, many say they are not aware when there are updates being made to the network.  That is why we have joined the twitterverse with @activeraincorp help provide you our members an added level of customer service. 

This account will provide you with any major changes to the network, links to crucial posts, and anything else that involves ActiveRain.  Some of you may be asking yourself "Why Twitter?" Well, there is a long and short answer to that question.  First, the Long: 

Twitter has become one of the fastest growing social networks on the web.  The ability to access, update & communicate with your friends from just about anywhere as well as connect with others with similar interests has helped twitter grow to more than 150,000,000 visits per month & over 22 million unique visitors each month. The response rate & communication speed of twitter is faster than any other social network currently available. 

Now the short Answer: Ashton & Oprah use twitter, so we should too!

If you are on twitter, You should follow us @ActiveRainCorp here.

This morning as I was performing my regular duties here at ActiveRain, (answering trouble tickets) I came across a ticket that was obviously spam, but hey I had to still read to make sure it wasn't a member needing assistance with something.  Here is what the ticket said inside:

"We would like to get your website on first page of Google.  All of our processes use the most ethical "white hat" Search Engine Optimization techniques that will not get your website banned or penalized.  Please reply and I would be happy to send you a proposal."

Normally I just hit the delete button and keep moving along to answer all of the other needs that members have.  But this morning I thought to myself, "I wonder where ActiveRain ranks for the search term Real Estate Network"  I knew we would rank very well for the search term because we have so many awesome members who contribute awesome content to the network.  However, I didn't believe we would rank as well as we did for such a major search term.  ActiveRain ranked #1 out of 147,000,000!

This is an awesome accomplishment & makes me proud to work for such an amazing network.  This result could not be accomplished without all of the wonderful posts by you, the members of the network!  As a staff member here at ActiveRain, I want to say Thank You!

As for the person that spam contact that asked if we wanted to hire their company to get onto page one of google:  I do not think we will be needing your services any time soon.  AS long as we have the best members in the world continually sharing awesome content with consumers, I think we will remain safely on the top of search engines as the best Real Estate Network in the World!

Have you seen the newest theme released today for your Outside Blog?  It is called A Day at the Beach.  This exciting new theme features a pictures of a beach & waves along the side.  It also allows for a Header image for your blog.  Below is a screenshot of what it looks like, or you can always visit my outside blog to view it in real time.

Remember, changing your theme is a simple deal. All you have to do is head over to your outside blog after clicking on the link from the left hand side of your 'my home' page. Once on your outside blog, click the 'theme' link up at the top of the page and select the theme you want to use.

If you don't have a custom ActiveBlog on your own domain yet, Brad Andersohn takes you through the step by step of how to get it set up. If you have recently signed up for the Rainmaker upgrade, your ActiveBlog is included in your upgrade so make sure to get it set up.

For information on how to sign up for your own Outside Blog, click on the picture below.

To see other new themes visit:

New Theme Thursday - New Theme for your ActiveBlog! Our Business Casual Theme

New Theme Thursday - New Theme for your ActiveBlog! Our Easy Going Theme

21 Themes to Customize your Outside Blog

Over the evening we hit a new milestone of 150,000 members!  Thanks for helping us to be the best real estate network online!

It is time again for a new ActiveBlog Theme!  It is titled Blue Days and with this addition, there are now 21 themes available to customize your blog.  So take a moment to check out the new theme. If you want to see how this theme looks & feels, visit my outside blog, http://activejeremy.com.  There you can see how the links work, your picture loads & also all those fun Widgets! Below is a screenshot.  Click on the picture to see the live version.

The next theme that we will be rolling out is going to be HUGE! So make sure you check back here regularly to not miss it!

Remember, changing your theme is a simple deal. All you have to do is head over to your outside blog after clicking on the link from the left hand side of your 'my home' page. Once on your outside blog, click the 'theme' link up at the top of the page and select the theme you want to use.

If you don't have a custom ActiveBlog on your own domain yet, Brad Andersohn takes you through the step by step of how to get it set up. If you have recently signed up for the Rainmaker upgrade, your ActiveBlog is included in your upgrade so make sure to get it set up.

For information on how to sign up for your own Outside Blog, click on the picture below.

To see other new themes visit:

New Theme Thursday - New Theme for your ActiveBlog! Our Business Casual Theme

New Theme Thursday - New Theme for your ActiveBlog! Our Easy Going Theme