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I'm guilty of being more social on Active Rain since I've been building my outside blog.  I just think I'm bored here. www.popcap.com for better games than solitaire>  :)

I hang out here because I learn so much about real estate. I do not care that you have 8 new puppies or a fabulous meatloaf recipe. There are drawbacks to having a point system.

Productive hands down. I can't tell you how much I've learned just from reading the posts on AR.

 

Definitely getting information to the consumer.  I plan to gear more towards Localism this year.  I know getting the listings this year and getting those listings to the public is my main goal.  My stress reliever is Active Rain.

Jim, at first I thought you must be joking. After looking at your profile, I wonder why you refer to yourself in the 3rd person as if you had passed away. AR is about the present moment and connection. With the points you have, I guess you are only here for the consumer. That's cool. Good for you. But are you missing some incredible benefit that I see. Learning, business development, knowledge cooperative, industry standards are some of the reasons I am here. I am also here on a personal basis to celebrate my work, the spirit with which I do business and my commitment to the consumer to provide the highest level of customer service and knowledge-based services I can conceive of. Agonizing reappraisal.....is there a need?

Jim, I have learned so much here. But, I find myself more drawn to the personal stuff that is tied to real estate. Just launched my outside blog a few weeks ago and am busy trying to learn WP plugins, etc. I think we are all here for a multitude of reasons. I am definately NOT waisting time.

Jim - My blog is all business period. I am here for other things though like learning new technology, search engines tips, ect as well as networking and sharing with others.  I wont be sharing my best hamburger helper recipe or blogging about how I made it across the street this morning though. Like you, I plan on having a blog that doesn't lose it's relevance in the search engines.

Jim:

You know that I admire and respect you but your posts answers your own question.

You used the words, "I", "Me" and "My" like 12 or 13 times in what looks like less than 300 words.  That really is what it boils down to: How each person wants to spend their time. 

Localism will be seeing lots more posts from me but picking up business by being a goofball is possible here!  Trust me!

Hey, I use it for production and to learn from guys like you who pose questions and thoughts about how real estate will be done next year. I have picked up great ideas for my websites and have started my onw blog all about local things. Blogs let me use my camera and knowledge of history to pass on tid bits of New Orleans to the locals as well as newcomers. Its an on line magazine made of many sections. There is the interaction among your fellow active rainers that makes this concept of blogging the new idea of at least the near future. I even play cards to see if I can win!

IMHO, AR is what we make it.  It can be pro or personal or it can be professional advice from individuals we respect or even people who make us laugh.  At the end of the day, this place has so much value for each individual as it is customizable!  I don't need a new meatloaf recipe, but my next task is to learn more about short sales.  I won't go to Google; I'll simply hit the search button at the top of my AR page!  Then, I will study blog after blog and comments as well and at the end of the day, I bet I'll learn a bit about a couple of people and even add them as an associate as the SS expert!  That's where the personal comes in that I love.  Great topic to bring up, Jim. 

As for solitaire - I vote for Spider Solitaire over regular any day! 

Chris Elizabeth Griffith ~ Bonita Springs Fl Real Estate  The point is we are all guilty!  Sometimes in real estate it is back to basics that saves our butts!  This last weekend I decided to not blog, but to re-build several outdated websites.  I did 3 sites in 3days!  Then I blogged about each site for SEO

1. http://www.decaturgahomesforsale.com/
2. www.alpharettagahomesforsale.com
3. www.roswellgahomes.com

Portland Oregon Real Estate >> Wayne B. Pruner, GRI but are your website screaming for web position?  If you are already # 1 it does not matter.

Monika McGillicuddy~ N.H. Real Estate Broker & Trainer  OK, but what about hands on SEO and placement to your website?

I am learning a lot there, the social aaspect is fun too, but I know what you are saying, thank goodness we can designate some posts as members only.

Kay Van Kampen Springfield Missouri Real Estate Localism is the key!  We are listing a home tomorrow from AR.

Jeanean Gendron ~ Shasta County Specialist to me there are a lot of fringe benefits!  I sold my home directly from active rain!  I closed several deals from AR this year!  It is about productivity and not accepting mediocrity.  It is about raising the bench marks ans striving to be more productive.

It is like the old saying that implies that the mediocre are always satisfied with maintaining the status quo.  I am not.

Missy Caulk Ann Arbor Real Estate  The question can only be asked and answered by the individual. I feel it is about personal responsibilitiy and accountability.  Go back and read the titles of all the featured blogs and current postings!  It is more personal than real estate related in content.  I am just making an observation.

Bill Gassett Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate Bill you are the Man!  This is a tool to you, and will add greatly to your productivity and networking!

Griffin Georgia Real Estate - Jessica Horton  Jessica, could targeted marketing be achieved here also?  Since it applies to the web "First time buyer" or "million dollar estates" can both be achieved.  Since million dollar estates may only need 2 sales, and first time buyer may need 25 closed units which would a person choose?  I like to believe that working smarter not harder is actually a smarter way to do business.

Eric Bouler  Thanks for your reply Eric!  I agree with you and your observations!  However, I also believe there is also more than one game that can be played with a deck of cards.  85% of my business is Internet, and I am constantly trying to achieve a greater market saturation.  Real estate will change dramatically in the next few years, I want to be able to earn more than in the best of years!  ActiveRain is a tremendous opportunity that many participate, and very few understand the power.

Natalie Langford, QSC, Frederick County Realtor  Thanks!  I agree.  It really boils down to personal accountability, production levels, and performance.

I know agents in the business from many years.  They are always successful.  They close about 3 or 4 deals a year every year.  There are no bad years for them.  Real estate to them is as good as it gets.

Staging & Interior Redesign ~Seattle to Tacoma~ Julianna Hind, IRIS, RESA  I agree.  ActiveRain.com has something for everyone on every level.  Some persons may take offense at my post because it hits home.  I mentioned in one of my first responses that I am just as guilty of social blogging as anyone else, but I feel that I have to focus on business.  Next year is going to be a real make or break year in the business.  I am a survivor!

I try to keep the personal stuff to a minimum, but the reality is, people do want to know a little bit about us on a personal level. It helps build trust.

Jim, I guess we won't have a meeting of the minds. I don't see where your response to my comment addresses my points. Hey, it's cool! I believe that the last thing you should come away with in my comment is mediocre and maintaining the status quo. NOT! What part of "raising the bar" do you not understand? Social networking....yes....sometimes. Generosity and knowledge sharing on a constant level.....yes....mostly! I'll just have to settle for agreeing to disagree. I don't think you get the point or the real benefit of this forum and the opportunity it affords each and every one of us in business development and PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT! Happy Holidays! To each their own and happy blogging for the consumer. Go for it! You don't have to participate in the social networking aspect, now do you?

Jim, Jim, Jim --  bah humbug.   Not really.  You raise a question a lot of folks raise, but in truth professionals in all professions use their blogs for chit chat and business depending on their bent.  My husband, Dr. John, wrote about the different Rain Forest personalities in two blogs, Rain Forest Characters and its follow-up post.  Then over a period of a couple months he wrote Character Analyses for each of these.  Honestly, I can't recall if you hit on any of them, but the two posts above and this one here might be of use to you when you're in a social mood.

Lisa Hill (Daytona Beach REALTOR®)  I look at it this way.  You are correct for networking!  However there is a fine line between productivity and obsessive compulsive.  Like I mentioned only we can answer the question ourselves! Personal accountability!

Jeanean Gendron ~ Shasta County Specialist  I never made this personal towards anyone.  I want to make that clear!  These are my observations about ActiveRain.Com.  My intent is personal accountability.  It starts with myself, and an evaluation of my time.  I am blogging for real estate value, and substance.  Best wishes.

Terry Rasner-Yacenda, ABR, GRI  Tery thanks so much I will check them out.

Jim, I am not taking this personal. I just disagree with your perspective. I like diversity and opinionated exchange. You certainly have a right to voice your personal opinion and perspective. I just don't agree and I believe you are missing some of the key value aspects of this forum. I blog for business also. I am keenly committed to blogging for the consumer and business development. I get 60% of my business from the web. I don't take it lightly. I also value the level of contribution to knowledge and "raising the bar" for the industry as a whole that occurs with the generosity and knowledge sharing of the members. We (you and I) directly benefit from this generosity and the rather amazing self-organizing system that allows for evolution across the board. Best wishes to you, as well. Provocative post and good discussion! Thanks!

Jim,  While I cannot speak for others, the customers I've attracted from my AR blog were not looking for real estate information. Good topic for thought though.

Jeanean Gendron ~ Shasta County Specialist  I thank you for your opinion.  That is why I posted this.  The post title ends with a "?"

What bothers me most is that the responses have not answered the question in the Blog!

"There are still buyers and sellers out there that have a need.  What will they be looking for on the Internet?  Will they be looking for local sports, tennis, arts and entertainment, local events, home values, market reports, local festivals, local restaurants, information on your local community or your your pet peeve? "

Rather there is a defensive position!  The titles are in the Blog are being read, but the exchange has no depth!  If it did, the respnse would move towards the rest of the blog and answer the entire aspect.  No one really has.

Take care.

Gary Smith, Realtor®  Gary but what information exactly  did they look for?  Was it local area information, was it a pastime, a hobby, local arts or what in general?

I'm guilty! I do not target clients here on AR... I prefer to read other Realtors Blogs and YES even their personal experiences in the form of a blog.

If and when I feel I have information to share with the public I post in localism...

Occasionally I post in other areas when I am hoping for discussion. In many cases I don't get much discussion... just very strong opinions on the subject matter.

However since most everyday, many topics are discussed over and over... I simply comment, unless the same comment(s) have been posted over and over.

I like reading non-Real Estate related blogs, posts geared toward taking us on anothers journey through their career. I like them all and I love the variety!

Jim, I guess you can see what my pet peeve is on AR and that is not understanding what is offered to each and every member and paying it forward. I am not defensive but provoked. Actually, that would be a good thing. Provocative posts that cause people to express how they feel and why are an element that brings opportunity for change and improvement. So I am not being defensive and I am not taking this personal.

As to the consumer, they are going to want know about everything from the local to the global....duh!

Productive or just passing time, is the aspect of the post that I commented on. We are given a lot from the members within the forum and there is some "personal accountability" to write relevant content and to share expertise back to the members. To take the benefits and blog for the consumer is less fulfilling for me than engaging in full connection. We should let it go now and agree to disagree. I apologize if I have jacked the comment stream. I felt my comments were relevant and that you are missing some cool value in the RAIN. Thanks for the post.

Sara Lee Edwards - Nobody Sells It Like Sara Lee! Alaska  Thanks for sharing.  There are loads of times I read and do not comment.  I enjoy a lot of the genius that is found here.

I guess we need to find a balance between the two.  As for me, I always find time to squeeze in a couple hands of solitaire on Pogo. 

Jeanean Gendron ~ Shasta County Specialist  You're welcome.  I do not feel like I am missing anything in AcrtiveRain.com.  I do feel that others are missing out big time.  An example... I am referring to obsessive compulsive blogging vs. productive.

Diane Bell Hilton Head Real Estate, Bluffton  LOL!  Thank you so much Desiree!  How are thinkgs in Hilton Head?

Jim - Excellent food for thought. Over the last couple months this has been on my mind (and a lot of other things) I appreciate the post. Best of luck to you in 2008!

Your friend in Charlottesville!

Jim, I got that point in the post and my entire comment effort has been to make the point that AR is so much more than that statement. I give up at this point and I wish you could see it differently. It has to do with passion, connection and the celebration of our work. It has to do with evolving a standard of customer service and knowledge-based services at the highest level for the consumer. It is based on LEARNING and CONNECTION! It is also based on having some fun and engaging in spirit.  I think we call it BALANCE! Have a happy and I promise to not come back!

Uhmmmmm "obsessive compulsive blogging vs. productive". This oxymoron is so inadequate to describe my experience in the RAIN! Dialog and conversation are the basis for a sustainable model for our business and for this forum. It makes life rewarding and fun. Connection is the key to evolution and by that I mean....business development and personal development.

Charles McDonald / Your Trusted Buyers Agent in Charlottesville, Virginia  I believe AR is a learning and personal process.  I have given up on points and have not been posting as much, and now that I have some other items taken care of...I am now concentrating on webs, SEO and future business.

Jeanean Gendron ~ Shasta County Specialist  Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

I did not manage to get through all the posts before I had to make a comment:

Obviously, some people on AR get benefit from having someone to debate with!!!

Personally, if I disagree with someone I will state my position and be done with it.  You will not likely ever see "back and forth banter" involvment from me.  I find it non-productive and it would not serve anyone.  In my life, I have rarely seen anyone change their mind from debate.

I am just beginning my experience with AR, but I am glad that it is such an open forum for discussion.  I'm certain to learn much from all of you.

Kathi Frank  Thanks so much for stopping by!  I wish you al the best on www.ActiveRain.com  It is a totally positive rewarding experience!  I guess tools are what you make them.  My business is almost totally web based, so I am very keen on maximizing my Internet blogging to enhance my web efforts.  It is working very well!

You are going to love www.ActiveRain.com

To each his own.

Kelly Sibilsky ~ Lake Zurich, IL RE/MAX Real Estate Agent  Thank you Kelly!  For me it is about bloggiing, and hearing the phones ring.  The more possible leads, the better the chances of survival.  That is how bad it is in Atlanta, I do not have time for items that are unproductive.

If it works keep doing it, if it doesn't then stop.  Couldn't be any simpler than that.  If I have time for social activities I think I'll do them with live folks!  Heck then we can play war or crazy eights instead of solitaire :)

Bethesda Real Estate Sales ~ Josette Skilling  I could not agree more.  I am in the business to make money.  Networking is part of by business also...so Blogging can assist that.  However, I judge success by eventual closed deals.  I do not like to think of www.activerain.com as adult daycare for Real estate professionals, or a real estate my space!  It is about driving traffic to my Atlanta real estate site.

Personally I like freecell. But actually I have learned a lot by reading on Active Rain. I havent blogged much but will do so mainly for placement on search in The CHILLIWACK REAL ESTATE  market.

Clark Hitchcock Fraser Valley Realtor  Free cell is my favorite also!  Times a wasting!  There is a cumulative boost to your site via anchor text.  Atlanta real estate

Jim - and there in lies the dillema for me. The social is fun but not as productive - I am assessing and deciding how to balance - my outisde blog of 3 months gets 10 times the traffic this blog does but the posts rank better here for now. I've gone from being a self proclaimed Active Rain addict to a lurker and leraner - trying to see if there's a happy medium.

I've almost decided - because I'm so easily drawn in to the social I can only come AFTER I've posted and done my outside blog stuff - Are you sorry you asked (lol)  

Jim - I blog for business.  My posts may not all look like it, but they each have a purpose.  I try and let people see the real me with a few of my posts.  Yes, I put a recipe on my blog - but I've probably had 100 people ask for my peanut brittle recipe over the years and I make a pound for each and every client, friend, lender, etc for up to five years after closing.  So yeah, I'm an expert on peanut brittle.  I feature the occasional outstanding athlete in my community because it means a lot to the families.  The kids absolutely love it, it gets emailed all over, and people ask me about those posts in the grocery store.  It's increased my recognition in the community, and people know I'm not just here for the money.  Everyone has to find their own balance.

Clearwater Florida Real Estate | Tampa Beach Real Estate from Cyndee Haydon  Cyndee, there in lies the dilemma for me also!  LOL!  I must balance a need for future productivity with the work I do today.  Real estate is all about leads generation!  I believe I have to do my homework first before I watch tv!  LOL!

Debbie White, RE/MAX of Juneau, Alaska  Debbie, Happy New Year!  No you are right on the money as far as localism posts! It is all about community, and getting that information out there! I love your blogs because you do such a better job than myself!