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.
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'Looking forward to checking this out and seeing who offers what, Bob.
ActiveRain truely has something for everyone. I wonder how you guys think of all this stuff.
This sounds like a great service for those of us using Active Rain.
Great to see improvement.
What a great idea Brad. It will become a very useful service for sure!
Bob, what a great idea. Now I won't have to search the internet for product and vendor reviews any more. I like the transparency and just hope that vendors won't delete negative comments about their services but rather try to respons to queries and problems in a constructive manner.
Brian,
I couldn't agree more. I think it behoves them to address issues head on and we will certainly encourage them to do so. If they do delete negative comments as you suggested then you can easily see members taking their reviews to their own blog (which many are doing anyways). A search using the 'search' function on ActiveRain is still going to pull those reviews up.
Thanks for your comment!
How do you think this would match up with what users actually use to build business as opposed with who spends the most advertising dollars?
Obviously this is a good opportunity for businesses like ours, but in "true social media fashion" wouldn't it also make sense to allow for a list to be created organically by the agents, brokers and VA's so that there is some sort of way to keep the system "honest" or perhaps more aptly, to reflect the user community's sentiment about the available vendors?
Guy Kawasaki was talking about twitter specifically but his words apply to social media marketing in general. Note: In this context, "nobodies" is not used as an epithet, but descriptive of the general population who are not necessarily "influential" to a wider audience than a small circle of friends:
Reliance on influentials is flawed because the Internet has flattened and democratized information. Influentials don’t have as much special access, special knowledge, and distribution as you might think because of the growth of websites, blogs, and, of course, Twitter.
This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t care about influentials—if nothing else they can help you get to what some consider “nobodies.” But mark my words: (a) Nobodies are the new somebodies, and (b) it’s better to have army of committed nobodies and than a few drive-by somebodies. The most somebodies can usually do for you is a one day bump in traffic. One more point: if enough nobodies like what you do, the somebodies will have no choice but to write about you. In this way, the buzz of nobodies begets the attention of somebodies and not vice versa.
Bob: I still find adding Widgets to my Outside Blog a pain in the wazoo. Other than than, I won't complain about anything else...today. :)
So will the ar members have the opportunity to suggest the partners? I like the idea of having resources in one easy to find place.
Rick,
You bring up some very valid points:
"How do you think this would match up with what users actually use to build business as opposed with who spends the most advertising dollars?"
I think that ActiveRain already possess a very valid format through which businesses (vendors) can 'build' their presence in our community. You can look at guys like Jeff Turner (albeit probably an anomoly) to see the perfect road map for how to build the presence of a business. He did it with what he calls 'YEO' (you engaging others). Jeff took the approach of writing content that was anything but self serving. He was a constant contributor to the community in a manner that let people know that he was someone that could be trusted and that he was there to assist members in buidling their business, far beyond the product (Realestateshows.com) that he offered.
As with everything that we have done in our (approaching) three year history, the feedback of our members is vital in the success of our offerings. I think that allowing members to suggest vendors with which they have had experience would be very valuable and we will certainly look at how to make that happen as things develop.
Thank you!
Anna,
Out of the gates we will be tracking down vendors. However, if you have some that you would like to see represented, please feel free to send me an email and we will do our best to get in contact with them and gauge their interest.
How cool. I can not wait until all the links are filled with info.
Bettina
This is an interesting idea. looking forward to seeing how it works out. I will immediately inform someone I have in mind for staging.
Bob, I like Rick's suggestion too. I think there is room for both. Just curious, when you have catagories like "Blog" and "Brokerages" are these about blog designers or actual real estate blogs and are these brokerages actually real estate firms or lenders or...? It could get a bit dicy if they are actually real estate blog sites...I can see 100,000 of us trying to be number one:)
Adds a whole new meaning to making sure customer satisfaction is at it's finest, nice Bob, when were you going to tell me? lol~
Bob,
It sounds like a great thing for all RainMakers. I also hope it will be a great thing for the AR business model!
Looking forward to exploring.
Very cool idea, I like it. I have to agree with what bob says it's very easy for someone to delete negative comments which doesnt give a true representation of a vendor.
This is a GREAT idea. Now when we are asked to recommend a vendor they can actually see what others have to say about them and not just take my word for it! Great addition!
Howdy there Bob
I do believe once the word gets out about this, to all the AR members. And as more vendors come on board with their service's. The fine AR members will be sure to check out the Business Buliders area out, on a regular bases.
Are Y'all going to be actively contacting vendors to come on board, or look more at word of mouth, or both?
I'll ride over and check the area out in a bit. To see what is being offered to us at this time.
Diane,
You asked:
"Just curious, when you have catagories like "Blog" and "Brokerages" are these about blog designers or actual real estate blogs and are these brokerages actually real estate firms or lenders or...?"
Blogs will be for services around blogging. For instance, the Real Estate Tomato, which offers very detailed custom blogging solutions could be an option for someone that could become an approved business builder under blogs......the guys at Dakno are another great blogging solution that comes to mind. At the same time, I could see graphic designers offering their services up in the 'blog' business builder section (although that may fall under Marketing and Branding as well)
Brokerages is for real estate firms, although it could evolve into an area where Mortgage Companies are represented.......although it would seem prudent to create a category out of that on it's own.
Heather,
The blog will actually be hosted by us here at ActiveRain. Deleting comments from a post will have to come through us here at ActiveRain. We are going to strongly encourage vendors to deal with every comment head on as that is the way to truly have a transparent dialogue with your customers.
Bob, So far, looks like the AR members LOVE this great idea. We are standing by for the launch....and I know it will be extra special.
Bob, it's always getting more and more interesting around this place! I have to check these out!
Hi Bob - What are the criteria for inclusion and retention in the ActiveRain Approved Business Builders? Are there performance/satisfaction requirements, or is this more of a B2B directory?
HOwzit Bob, sounds like a good evolutionary step to centralize the vast amount of resources that plug-in to the world of AR.Happy June...
This sounds very interesting... now, people can stop blogging about "Has anyone tried this company or that company, blah blah blah".
Bob - Looks like some very interesting information and I will bookmark this blog and look it over more when I get some free time!
Vegas Bob
Wow, this is beyond awesome! I'm SO glad I decided to devote $29.95 a month to Active Rain membership! You guys ROCK! Thanks for everything!
Bob,
Another nice feature for all of us. Thank you and all of the staff.
I love feedback and think ebay and yelp are two good examples of feedback helping to keep vendors honest. Yelp suffers from anonymity which lets people bitch too much, but the idea of a two way dialog, especially including complaints, is a great one. Good luck with the rollout.
Are SEO specialists going to be in marketing?
My concern would be that he who spends the most will get the better placement ( and then there are those who pay for testimonials) and then those that may be very good at what they do but are just starting out will be shut out of the starting gate. I think that in the end though, whether a vendor is there or not, will not determine their success but rather just as you said the way they build their business like Jeff Turner does.
Let's take Carole the Feng Shui Expert as an example. She is above the rest in Feng Shui. She knows her stuff. She is very well respected. But I also think that in this economy she may be struggling just a tad being that her clients may be cutting back on expenses. She may not have the budget to place herself on the active rain approved vendor list. But her nemesis, Mr Feng Fake finds out about AR, joins, then buys himself a place on the vendor list. Carole who has been instrumental on AR for over 2 years is then out marketed financially by Mr. Feng Fake. If there were created some time of an opportunity level of entry perhaps that is based on merits not just financials may create a better output and results.
Katerina
This is BRILLANTE Bob! It will make is so much easier to navigate through the ever-growing options here on AR. You guys are truly amazing!
Maria
I am definitely looking forward to the list to see who is offering what products. Thanks for sharing this Bob. Great post.
Hi Bob,
Sounds like this will be very helpful and useful, will be checking it out soon.
Hi Bob. This looks like a great new feature. ActiveRain just keeps getting better and better.
I look forward to seeing how this new feature works since it doesn't seem that there are any vendors right now. For "brokerages", you cannot assume that people know that it is only for real estate brokerages. In Ontario, the term "brokerage" can legally refer to a mortgage brokerage or a real estate brokerage. A brokerage often could mean a stock brokerage.
John,
You asked:
"What are the criteria for inclusion and retention in the ActiveRain Approved Business Builders? Are there performance/satisfaction requirements, or is this more of a B2B directory?"
We are working through exactly what they will be. It will be more than a companies ability to stroke a check. We have some great guidance on this from some people who have done this at a large national level previously and will work with that. In the end, if a vendor is continuously getting poor reviews then it doesn't really do anyone any good to keep them on board.
Dave,
You wrote:
"Are SEO specialists going to be in marketing?"
I would guess that's where they will fall, but who knows, some may want to be filed under 'websites' as that is what they primarily work with and on.
Katerina,
Thank you for your feedback. Placement will be based on a first come first serve basis initially but we really want to figure out how to incorporate some kind of rating system into the equation but only allow users who have actually used the service to rate it. This will be a challenge but something we want to figure out.
Sometimes if businesses don't have resources to allocate toward marketing then they have to be creative and rely on marketing efforts that get them outside the box. It's entirely possible to leverage ActiveRain in that regard. You and I both mentioned Jeff Turner but others have done the same thing. However, some businesses are just getting comfortable in the social media arena. The ActiveRain Approved Business Builders section gives them an opportunity to get great exposure while at the same time learning how to participate in social media where they can have conversations with users of their product and potential users of their product.
Could they do this without participating? Of course they can. Could it take them longer to establish a presence? It may, yes.
Is paying to get placement taboo these days? I'll defer to Google on that one.
Marc,
Thanks for the across the border insight. We may need to go back and add 'Real Estate Brokerage' or something to that effect to keep things clear.
This sounds like a new section that will be helpful and hopefully a new revenue source for Active Rain also.
Bob, It just keeps getting better and better around here. Thanks for the update.
This will be great for newbies and us old folks alike. Great idea and a good reenue builder for you too!
Bob - I like the idea of a rating system that you mentioned in your response to Katerina. I'd hate to see the person with the most $$ being on the list for that reason alone.
Sounds like a pretty good idea to me Bob. Best of luck implementing the plan.
What a great way to be able to evaluate the products we all use. I'll be looking forward to the process.
Looking forward to yhe new additions to Activerain.
Interesting. I like Rick's idea above. It would be interesting to see what the members think of particular businesses...
This should be an interesting new twist - I look forward to seeing how it shapes up.
Parked to watch how this develops. Sounds like a great idea, but too many issues have been raised by heads wiser than mine for me to just jump on the bandwagon all gung-ho.
Bob, it just gets better around here doesn't it? What a great idea to have different vendors in one place - time is money!
I am looking forward to seeing how the venders handle our comments.
Looks interesting. It will be great to get the skinny on these companies.
I am looking forward to seeing how this unfolds. I love the idea of discounts to AR members. We do have a great real estate base for vendors... and it will be interesting to get the opinions of others in the network and at the same time work to get quality products that add value to the real estate experience.
Bob - What kind of criteria does a vendor have to meet inorder to be "approved". Or is anyone included if they pay the money. Then you can't really say that they are approved.
This seems like a fairly brilliant idea. There seem to be some blogs that have a niche that is not represented as well as it could be.
Bob, interesting, I will check this out in the morning, but I can already see some good uses for it.
This is a good idea for you and for your clients. It will help me keep track of AR Vendors that I use from time to time.
Bob -
Great idea, man! Thanks for the advocacy, and your vetting and checking out prospective vendors for we hard working RE practitioners.
You guys never fail to amaze me - you're always thinking, always sharpening that saw!
DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
Looks like a great group of resources. I look forward to seing what will be offered!
Hi Bob: I have to go and take a look at this!
:)
Sounds interesting! I can't wait to see what vendors will be available.
Bob,
I join the others with great appreciation for all the innovative ideas that the AR Team courageously puts into place. I am sure there will be lots of opinion and debate, but over all I know you guys can be trusted to make the hard decisions to do what is best for the Community!
Thank you!
Thank you Bob,
I like the idea of Approved business builder. They know they are going to be tested on this network and they have to offer what they have promise.
This is interesting. I look forward to seeing how it evolves here at AR.
Hi Bob, This new product placing may be good for Rainers as well as your bottom line. It's nice to get the inside scoop on a vendor from your peers.
Great way to making searching for new ideas easier. Once again thinking ahead of the rest of us.
Bob: This is great ! Active Rain is always looking for ways to build the network to help users.. Thank You Bob and Active Rain
Great News and yes I can't wait to xsee what will be offered. Another great step for Active Rain.
Bob: That's awesome and I look forward to following... Does that include AR contributors that aren't realtors?
Thanks Bob. I am looking forward to seeing the new features. Thanks for the help.
The constant evolution that is A|R
I would like to personally thank all of you for making this community so special!
- Harrison Painter
What a great idea- this is great! Sure beats getting annoying cold calls!
Truly a worthwhile endeavor. Finding solutions like lead management (CRM's) that are add ons to Outlook, as an example, would be incredibly helpful. There are so many out there that are limited, to say the least.
Thanks.
Bob, it sounds like you all have thought this through well. By not letting them delete comments they don't like, hopefully they "will meet them head on" like you say. Katarina made some good points. You'll just have to see how things fall into place.
One stop shopping works for me. It will be wonderful to have a go-to first stop for my business building needs.
WidowMaker (Bob)...
I only have one thing to say: SaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaWeet :)
TLW...ROAR!
Bob,
This is a great idea, and a great resourse tool for knowing a product prior to spending money. I am looking forward to seeing how it flows, and really hope the AR community gives their 2cents (or more!) on all of the products. I like the idea a lot and look forward to it.
I agree with Rick that organic is best, but knowing AR members, it will be full of opinions and reviews as soon as venders come into play on the list.
Great idea!
Jerri McCombs
Keller Williams Realty
Hendersonville NC
Nice.....Transparancy, word of mouth, and one stop shopping. I'm interested to see where this leads.
funny there is only one businness in it
Katerina has a good point.
Great idea-We should be supporting each other whenever possible!
It's good to see AR moving forward with new ideas and enhancements to the site. I look forward to see how this will help the many members of AR.
Hi Bob...a Special Thanks to the AR Guys and Gals you are always doing something all the time to help us :O)
Cheers, have a great day!
As the "rain" turns. It's great to see these open discussions, and for those who read the comments, it appears this concept is already working in that I have seen Jeff Turner's name come up a couple times, have personally used his product, I endorse it fully, so, what will someone else think about Jeff and his product when they read this comment? Looks like we already have somewhat of a rating system right here Bob. :-))
great idea...
Bob - nice to continue to see the forward movement with AR and look forward to reading about the approved business builders.
Hi Bob, Very well thought out business plan. I hope all the AR folks share their feedback on the vendor blogs and remember to shop with those who support us.
Can I sell my FAMOUS cookies here? Every house should have cookies in the cupboard! :-)
Thanks, Bob!
This sounds like it will be a great compilation of resources that will help us navigate thru our challenging, hectic, ever-changing world of real estate!
I look forward to checking it out!
Edith Schreiber - Dallas, Texas
Bob, I think this is a great idea - nice way to highlight some of the great products out there! Thanks for the info!
I think this is great especially if they're willing to allow comments so we can see what others think of the products.
I agree with Doborah wilson. How do you keep coming up with these great ideas. Thank you,Thank you. Susan Gough Hometowne Real Estate(Realtor) 301-904-1708.
Bob,
You guys are one step away from becoming your own nationwide brokerage. You already have most of the top producers for each area.
Bring it on. Would love to have the AR community talk about what is working and giving honest feedback. Because we are VERY honest.
Now this is a good monetization strategy, come on show me a good IDX solution.
Hmmm - a delicate balance, this. Good luck implementing it:-)
Parked to see how it unfolds. I, too, think Katerina's point is a valid one and something to keep in mind.
I guess we'll just see how it goes. For me, who can't afford much advertising for my web design business, it doesn't sound very good as it is determined by $ and not by quality of service.
Thank you for your comments everyone. There have been more than a few people who have voiced a similar concern to Chris Fisher regarding things being determined by money and not by quality of service.
This is where the community gets to help assess each vendor and let your voice be heard on quality of service. Once things start to unfold, you will no doubt be able to read other member's feedback on each vendor.
Yes, the vendor will pay to be in the area. However, the feedback our members are able to give on certain products or companies will be invaluable for subsequent people who are assessing whether or not to use the service. In many ways, the feedback of our members on their experiences with each vendor is going to determine which vendors are the most successful and stay on board.
Bob,
One of the major benefits here is that members can comment on the business builders regarding their products and service. That ought keep them in best behavior.
Bob, we're an outspoken bunch :-) We'll give good assessments of products and services and those companies that rise to the top will be advocated. Those that don't...well, we know what happens.
Hi Bob,
I think it's a good concept. But we had to decline our offer from Active Rain to participate. I realize that, as you said, 'the community gets to help assess each vendor.' We would love that. We would love to go head-to-head with our competitors. Unfortunately, we're just not in a position to pay the ante until that assessment would happen.
Plus, with a service like ours, the cost is inherently so low that it would take a whole lot of people, and a very long time, to build the necessary momentum.
So, I guess I fall into the same camp as Chris Fisher, Inna, Katrina, and others who see the obvious conflicts of interest. But I'll keep my eye on things.
: )
I'll keep my eye on things as well...great comments already posted...so I'll just go with "what they said" and leave it at that.
Every time I think Active Rain cannot get more creative you do! What will you think of next.
Bob - Too much to read tonight gotta bookmark this one for later.
Bob. This will be a great resource for all of us. Thank you.
Thanks, this looks like interesting and worthwhile stuff!
What a terrific adventure. I am sure it will be a smashing success.
Boy you guys are good. Are the pages going to be yellow. I think that would be a good thing.
Bob, this is truly a great idea and should benefit the AR community.
I really was intrigued by this idea at first. After some consideration I realized it is about who has the biggest budget, not about who is the most reputable or who has the most to offer as far as service and reliability. After having a rally nice conversation with Kerrieat the AR office to get the scoop, I realized they were accepting anyone who can pay. Does that really make them a business of choice?? How is that an approved business. I think it would really be great if the businesses promoted were the best of the best, not just the best of the check writing.
I rrealize AR is a not, not for profit, just as my company is, I just wish they would call this program advertising not approved businesses. After all paying for space is advertising, isn't it?? I for one will make sure to do my due diligence as I always do before using any of the services promoted. After all I owe it to myself to make sure they are all they advertise to be!!
Happy Thursday!!
Lori
Lori,
It's not about who has the biggest budget but it is a paid component of our site. So to that degree, you do have to have a budget for it. But having a bigger budget has no bearing on anything.
The approval process happens as our members provide feeback on the services and products being offered by each company. Also, Kerrie may have been a little broad in saying that we will accept 'anyone'. Our team has knocked off lots of companies that we have dealt with in the past and had less than desirable results.
You said "I for one will make sure to do my due diligence as I always do before using any of the services promoted"
and I couldn't agree more!! We also hope that if you do use any of the services being offered that you go in and offer a candid review of the company so that others can learn from your experience. If all of our members do the same thing, as a community we start to give our own approvals and help each other work with companies that help our businesses thrive.