ActiveRain - The Official ActiveBlog

Back at the beginning of this month (June 2009) we announced the introduction of the ActiveRain Approved Business Builder Program. At the time, the pickings were pretty slim by way of Vendors and more importantly deals for our members (if your clients all want a deal, why shouldn't you get a deal).

Over the last two weeks our team has been working hard with lots of the companies out there to bring some great deals to the table for our members. The companies we are lining up to work with are being impressed upon that the culture here at ActiveRain is one where we lay all the chips out on the table and allow everyone and anyone to have an opinion.

In order for the Approved Business Builder program to really have an impact on the businesses of our members, we need your participation. If you have ever used the services of any of the Vendors in the program, we (and the other members on the site) need your feedback. Did you have a great experience? Let everyone know. Did your experience leave something to be desired? Leave constructive feedback so that the company can have a chance to grow from your experience and potentially rectify that portion of their business for the next person using their service.

Are you a bitter bitter person who has it out for everyone and everything that comes in your path that doesn't turn your $99 investment into $1,000,000? Think about how you can be constructive. The idea here is not to bash or beat these companies into submission. If you truly had a poor experience, be constructive in your feedback. We have decision makers at all of these companies following the feedback of our members. Your constructive feedback will get you so much further than a rambling rant. Hopefully our research into these companies has produced a crop of the top vendors in their field; none of them having ever had a dissatisfied customer. Of course that's a pipe dream!

If we can leverage where these companies have fallen short to help them raise the level of their service and their product, then we have something valuable for everyone involved.

We want you to become familiar with the ActiveRain Approved Business Builder Blog so that when you see it, you stop by to check out the special deals that are being announced. We also want you to use this as a tool to investigate products and services before you take the plunge into buying something. Of course, that depends on the feedback of our members. So if you've used the products or services being offered, take the time to leave your comments. You can find each of the companies on the home page of ActiveRain, on the right hand side under the 'ActiveRain Business Builder' title, directly under the featured members.

Hopefully everyone can see how the vetting process here could be very powerful. Not only can your peers see your experiences with particular companies, we also have an opportunity to help raise the level of service for these companies across the board.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be featuring a profile or an offer from each of these companies on the ActiveRain Approved Business Builder Blog. As these companies make additional special offers we will be featuring their posts so you can be made aware of it. Check the newsletter as we will be running special offers from these companies in there as well. The idea is that you are already buying these products and services in the course of your business. As a group, we have the potential to get a better deal, let's take advantage of it. (who doesn't love Costco or Sam's Club, right?......buying in bulk is the coolest).

Get familiar with this image:

When you see it on the feature board or in the blog roll, it means another company is ready to bring you a good deal. Right now below my post is an offer from the folks at Real Estate Lead Source. Take a minute to check them out. You'll see many more in the days to come.

Some of the links in the Business Builder area on the home page say 'coming soon XYZ Company'. You can head off and check out the companies website right now, their special offer and blog post to give feedback on is on it's way.

If you are interested in getting more infomation on becoming part of the ActiveRain Approved Business Builder Program, you can contact Chris Martin, ActiveRain Director of Sales.

At 12:00 Pacific Time on June 1, 2009 we will be introducing the 'ActiveRain Approved Business Builders' feature on the home page of ActiveRain.com. The 'ActiveRain Approved Business Builders' will be an area where we highlight some of the many tools available to help take your business to the next level.

On the Home page when you are logged in, you will simply see links for a series of different categories ranging from 'websites' and 'IDX providers' to 'signs' and 'print and mail'. We are starting with 14 different categories. You can see them here:

As we bring on approved business builders, the power of the network will take place behind the simple link. After clicking on any particular link, you will be able to see a list of vendors in that category. Looking deeper at any particular vendor will take you to their 'ActiveRain Approved Business Builders' blog post where they will be able to give a basic description of their product, tell about what sets their product apart, and potentially provide our members a discount on their service.

We will be strongly encouraging our approved business builders to offer best case pricing and in some cases will be able to get pricing at a better rate than ever before provided. Bulk discount pricing because we have such a thriving network is a great start, but being able to get immediate feedback on products from your peers may be even better.

In true social media fashion, the 'ActiveRain Approved Business Builders' will have their blog posts on the ActiveRain Approved Business Builder Blog and will be able to allow comments from users of their product. This healthy discussion allows members considering using the product to see the experience of other members. It also allows the vendor to get candid feedback from users of their product thereby helping them perfect their service. This is the essence of businesses participating in social media and we hope to bring some transparency to the multi-million dollar real estate vendor business. The great vendors deserve to have their praises sung by the people that use their products with success.

At launch today, things are going to be a little bare as we have a team of people and lots of interested vendors putting the finishing touches on some great product offers. As new vendors come on we will be featuring their posts on the home page so that you are aware of some of the great offers that will be available. However, make sure that the next time you get ready to purchase some kind of service that you take a look at the 'ActiveRain Approved Business Builders' area and make sure you are making a smart decision based on the experiences of others and that you are getting a great price.

Vendors: If you are interested in having your product represented, you can contact Chris Martin, head of advertising here with ActiveRain for details.