Video and Your Blog – Featuring Future Technology

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 watch these videos, they will blow you away! I promise, you won’t be disappointed!

3 Steps to creating your own Widget: 1. Sign up using the link above and then login. 2. Click on “My Account” in the upper right hand corner. 3. Scroll down to “Create Custome Player” on the left hand side about half way down. Now just follow the instructions to customize your player! Lastly, paste the HTML code into your AR settings, and that’s it!

Here are some thoughts to ponder regarding Video and your Blog:

Would you agree that some consumers like reading books, but others would rather watch the movie? If yes, then would you also agree that you could be missing a whole different type of audience by not providing some video education or information on your Blog? Some people are “Visual” and get a better grasp of the message when it’s presented in a Movie format as opposed to text, graphics and pictures. Others would just rather read the book, and create their own images in their mind. So what makes your Blog any different?

Why are we not using more Video in Blogging and in Real Estate? It’s simple. No one likes their own photo, none of us are satisfied with our recorded voice, so naturally, why would we ever want to be on, or consider Video? This is something you might want to take a serious look at and re-evaluate.

Text or Video? Let’s take this post as the classic example. I could have written out all the information about these videos in my own words, and maybe got the message across, but let’s be frank here, after seeing these videos, (be honest) which would have made more of an impact on you? My hand written perception of them, or the videos and the messages they revealed? Would you rather have read them, or watched them? Can you see where I’m going with this?

Now, think about your message and your audience, and what you’re trying to say through your Blog. What will work for “YOUR” readers? Do they read the paper or watch the news? Do they read the book, or prefer the movie? What do “THEY” prefer? It might benefit you to know….

Youtube is the Largest Leading Warehouse and Library of Videos provided on the Internet. Some of the Videos there have been viewed by literally “millions” from all over the world! So then it must be true, consumers love Video too! I think it may be time for us to consider believing that being in front of the Video camera might not be such a bad thing! hmmm… 🙂

All Content Copyright Protected © 2007 – Brad Andersohn

2007 Real Estate Market – National Headline News

HEADLINE NEWS TODAY: November 25th, 2007 – The Americans Dream

In World News today, the associated press announced that the 2007 Real Estate Market "shift" that affected millions of Americans across the Nation,  was nothing more than a hoax and a conspiracy.  World Financial leaders conspired with Local and National media, to create a frenzy and use scare tactics across the Nation, to try and crash the Real Estate market and the American economy.  Authorities announced today that 10 of the top World Financial Leaders had made "behind closed doors" arrangements with the News Media to make the Real Estate Market appear as though it was crashing.  

The reported agreement was said to have been made in September of 2006.  This conspiracy was created to allow the World Financial Leaders and the News Media to buy back the Nation at a reduced cost allowing them to gain a higher and more lucrative financial status.  News networks and Media were promised 10% of all profits gained from the Real Estate Market Conspiracy.  The intent was to get Real Estate values and the average median sales price of homes to drop more than 25% nationally.  News networks agreed to penetrate this false information to the American people through television, radio, newspapers, and the Internet.  

National and Local Real Estate Investors sniffed out this conspiracy through a leak at a summit conference held in a private and undisclosed location this past weekend.  Exposing these individuals to the public has now created what Federal Authorities are referring to as "The End Of The Real Estate Crash of 2007!"  It was announced this morning that 10 of the largest financial leaders have now been incarcerated, and that the News Media will have to make up for their malpractice and falsifications by providing "new and accurate" reports to the American Public!  The conspiracy and hoax has been exposed and is over, News Networks across the Country will have to provide the following information to the American People about the changes that are effective immediately regarding the "NEW Real Estate Market and Conditions!"

The Real Estate Market is Back and now Stronger Than Ever!

• Buyers Can Now Buy at 100% financing up to $1,000,000
• All Foreclosures are on hold pending further Investigation
• Home Values will Immediately go back to their Original Values from 2005
• Interest Rates will drop to a record 4% for a 30 year fixed loan
• New Rate will remain in affect for the entire year of 2008
• Loans will be made available to anyone who is employed
• There will be no property tax or capitol gains tax on new purchases and sales
• Unemployment will be no more.  The US will drop to 0% 
• All homes lost in Foreclosure or Short Sale will be given back to Original Owners
• The US debt and deficit will be payed back by funds obtained from conspiracy
• All job losses and Company closures will be reinstated and re-opened immediately
• Gas prices are being lowered to $1.50 per gallon for the entire year, in every City

 

Now that the American Economy is back on it's feet, and The Real Estate Market has regained it's value and stability, authorities are asking the American Public to do their part in keeping the Market alive and thriving.  Find a REALTOR® and a Lender in your area, and go buy not one, but two pieces of Real Estate before the end of the year.  If you close before December 31st, of 2007, you will be credited back a 10% refund at the time of close.  All profits and proceeds that were obtained from this Major Conspiracy and Hoax, will be used to build and provide homes and shelters for the homeless.  Real Estate in America is now finally back on track, and will be booming and thriving like never before, for years to come!  This is the Americans' Dream, and what happens when…

Suddenly, I awoke with a jolt, reached over to shut off my alarm clock and realized, "MAN, That was one crazy dream!!"  I Got out of bed, and thought…maybe, I'll just go back to sleep.   :-O

All Content Copyright Protected © 2007 – Brad Andersohn                                        

Active Rain – The Rain Maker – Really Makes It Rain!!

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, just follow the Yellow Brick Road!  Here's what my experience at Active Rain has helped me develop this past year!  These sites were inspired by my personal passions and hobbies, my industry and business experiences, and most IMPORTANTLY,  YOU!   So who do I have to blame for all this?  Hmmm…. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is all Active Rains fault! LOL!  Am I complaining?  No Way!  It has taken me most of this year to create, compile, design, develop, manage, and maintain these Sites and Blogs!  I am forever grateful for all I have learned here, for thos
e who I've met, and for the friendships and relationships that I've developed this past year. 

I am looking forward to growing even more next year.  I am excited about supporting my clients, other members, and making new clients and friends here too.  I want to thank each of you for your support this past year, and for your continued support in the years ahead.  Active Rain and the members here are very special, and they will always have a place in my heart. 

This is my Thanksforgiving Post!  November 23rd, 2007  Now you can also check me out and join me at RealEstate411.

All Content Copyright Protected © 2007 – Brad Andersohn                                      

Welcome To The "Real Rain" Network Group

                                                  

We are proud and honored to have you as a member of this group.  We hope you'll find value, support, and the opportunity to establish some great local relationships here.  This is a "private" group that will only be available to other members by invitation!  We are looking forward to our 2nd meeting being held at the Walnut Creek Security Pacific office on Monday, December 3rd, 2007 from 10:00am – 11:30am.  

Our next meeting will cover signing up and using this forum.  This will be a great platform to post ideas, suggestions, marketing, technology, and Blogging consulting and coaching.  We can use each others experience, knowledge and skills to bounce off one another. 

The next item on the agenda will be a 30 minute Q&A discussing Blogging questions and support. 

Lastly, we will discuss the format, location, and agenda for our next meeting in 2008.

The vision is to grow relationships and refer each other Business when the opportunities present themselves!  This is your group, your time, and your place!  I look forward to what the future holds, especially the "Real Rain" that will ultimately poor down on us all! 

Thanks for being a part of something bigger than just a Blog!!

                                                 

 

Real Rain Network Members Blogs: 

Linda Moss – Induction 12/3/07
Brad Andersohn
Catherine Myers
Terry Osburn
Steve Snyder
Bill Clemente
Pete Sabine
Wendy Cutrufelli
Susan Kingsley
Jason Wheeler
Simone Clare
Mike Mueller
Jill Cruey
Dave Marshburn

 

 

                                          

 

Marketing and Farming Your Blog

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’s a fact, they are reading your Blogs. 

So how do you get the word distributed outside of the Active Rain Blogosphere?  Here’s an idea: Get your individual posts or even your entire Blog out to all your clients first, before they try to find you, and maybe find someone else.  Use this tool as you would any other farming tool!  Farming with Newsletters, Recipes, Just Listed and Just Solds etc.  Let’s farm your Blog!  🙂

Every post on Active Rain has a tiny icon below it (especially yours) that offers you this opportunity!  Are you using this powerful little email tool? 

                       

When you use the internal email function here at Active rain, you have to select each individual, one at a time.  Here’s what that looks like when you prepare it for your client, friend or someone from your email database.

                                            

This is a great way to send your post to individuals you feel may be interested in your topic, idea, or discussion thread.  Now if you want to send your post to multiple individuals, that’s different!  Some large networks and companies see this as spam.  If you are sending your post to email addresses you have in your Outlook, Yahoo, or Google databases, then is this really spamming?  I don’t feel it is.  Government says you can’t call, now they have the “Do Not Mail Me” list, and at $3.50 per gallon for gas, who’s gonna drive and knock on doors? 🙂   I say EMAIL!!

 

Here’s a great way to send your post by email to everyone in your database.  Just create a cover message in your email, then BCC: a copy to everyone else in your database.  You’ll have to use an accurate link back to your post. IE (The Holiday Gift)  What better way to drive readers to your post, instead of waiting for them to maybe find you someday.  Not only will you be driving readers to your post, you’ll be driving more visitors to Active Rain and Localism.  Either way, ultimately, everybody wins.

Take it one final step further, why not email your entire Blog to your email database.  Instead of just sending a link to a particular post, send the link that contains all your posts, or your RSS Feed, or even your profile page.  Let them choose which topics and posts they’d like to read.  The point is, you are bringing it to them, and this is how to increase your readers, your business, and Active Rains continued growth and success. 

We can always put links on our business cards, our flyer’s and signs, but are we using our email to really market our Blogs?   Not just a link in the signature of a reply either, are you sending email to anybody about your posts or Blogs?  This one is easy and may payoff in “Big Dividends,” I’d try it.

What does your Blog have to say to the world about Real Estate, and how are you getting that word out there?  Is there any better way to compete and get results from all your hard work here?  As the media continues to get their Real Estate News into America’s homes by television, newspaper and radio, and the Internet, how are you doing it?  Or are you? 🙂 
All Content Copyright Protected © 2007      

The HOLIDAYS go VIRAL!

 

 

"JOIN US FOR THE 12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS!"

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 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!

Use caution, as this is an extremely "Viral" and contagious gift, it's the gift that keeps on giving…

 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 RSS Feed?

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 best resource. You can pull from any Site or Blog that has the RSS logo up in your Browsers address bar. It’s that easy! There’s nothing better than the price either. FREE

RSS Feed simply means to publish frequently updated content such as Blog entries, News Headlines, Podcasts or Videos etc. This RSS Feed Reader is by Grazr.com, and is just the tool you may need to keep readers at your site, reading through ALL your posts, with the ability to select the one’s that interest them most. Don’t wait for Google to help your clients find that single post, help them find your entire Blog!

You can use the “BIG” widget above, customized to any size, style or color. Or you can use the “small” image below, to have a more subtle effect. I think it’s pretty clear which one I like! LOL! Click on the image below, and watch what happens, it’s really very cool. Trust me, click on it!

See what I mean? I’m still here. I love that feature!
(This will make sense if you clicked on the image)

So if you’re looking for a way to link your website to your Blog, and your Blog to your website, this might just be a very useful tool for you. There are many ways to use a tool like this for your business, I thought this would be a good start to at least introduce you to the concept of RSS Feeds, and provide you a nifty little platform to utilize them. I am also using this on my Cre8buzz Profile page. Don’t let your eyes graze over, get grazing, it’s an “Amazing Graze!” 🙂

All Content Copyright Protected © 2007 – Brad Andersohn

3 Ways To Find Out Who's Reading Your Blog

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 ideas, exposing technology, sharing secrets to Internet strategies, writing “How-To” posts, and even sharing personal experiences with some motivational and inspirational tid-bits!  All this was in an attempt to discover who was my audience, what was my voice, and what worked best.  Posting was also helping me to better my writing and of course my typing skills. LOL!  

As I started connecting with other members, and building relationships, I realized that there was so much more to Blogging than just putting up some posts and replying to others comments.  Getting points and moving up the ranks was cool and even somewhat addicting, but getting to meet others, learning about them and their business really was becoming the addiction.

Sometime in May this year, I wondered how many members or consumers were actually reading my Blog.  I wanted a way to track who was reading my posts, and what topics I was writing about that created interest to readers inside and out of the rain.  I wanted to know where they were coming from, what posts they liked most, how they found me, what browser and computer were they using, and how many a day were actually visiting me, and for how long?

Here are a couple tools I have used to help guide me and give me information about my Blog, my topics, the readers and so much more.  They have really helped me learn what works and what doesn’t for my particular writing style.  I am in no way claiming to be an expert at this stuff, but having the right tools and the right people to help, makes all the difference in the world.

Starting with Google Analytics, this allowed me to see more graphs and charts about my Blog than I could ever imagine.  There are more pies than Marie Calendars there.  You can find out what browsers people use, what page they came in on and what page they left, numbers of hits and views, unique visitors vs repeat visitors, search engine referrals, bounce rates, even keyword searches that brought them to my Blog.  This was just the beginning…

Then I added a Site Meter, just to get a daily count of hits to compare to Google and see how accurate the numbers were.  Site meter will also give you statistics, daily hits and times people viewed specific pages, and it even gives the domain and ip address of each visitor.  This is a great little tool to add to your Blog or Website.

My favorite one has to be Clustermaps.  OMG – this little freebie shows you the map from where the servers are located of users from all over the world.  I thought that the only people reading my posts were the members here, and maybe an occasional lookie lou or consumer.  Well I have to tell you, I am currently averaging around 8000 hits per month with over 15,000 pages viewed from all over the world.  How can this be?  I guess just write and they will read!

Since March, I have converted/referred several listings to Agents in my areas, picked up a few investors that work with my REO Agents who specialize in those properties, and I have met numerous Agents in and out of my area that I am now working with.  I am also getting emails and phone calls on a regular basis from consumers who need  assistance with their Real Estate.  Who’s reading our Blogs anyway?  I just came to AR because I wanted to learn what this was all about!  I wanted to be able to help my clients and friends.  I had no idea it would ever be like this.

Don’t take for granted all the POWER that lies beneath the surface here in the rain.  Use whatever tools you need to get the most out of your Blogging experience.  I have tried to create posts that will be helpful to you.  I have a passion and desire to share in these successes.  Tracking is a key part of making your Blog the best it can be.  I just had someone from South Africa “poke” me today.  She found my profile here, and now I have made another friend far across the land.  South Africa?  I never would have thought….

Referring clients to other members is as good as it gets!  As I grow, learn and progress here, this is my way of giving back.  I still am not sure where I am going or what I am doing, but it sure has been fun and rewarding for me, and for those I’m able to refer business.  Keep writing, keep experimenting, keep trying, it takes time and most of all, it takes a commitment!  You will start seeing the rewards from your efforts here, but you will only get out of the rain, what you put into the rain.

Thanks for letting me be a part of this wonderful network, for sharing so generously your comments and ideas, and for letting me find my voice and my purpose here.  You can only learn by doing, and many times, only by failing!  The rewards in the end are worth all the time and challenges in the beginning!  Keep writing because someone is always going to be reading.  I love the Active Rain Network, it’s members, the readers, and the results! 🙂

All Content Copyright Protected © 2007 

The American Dream – I Wanna Be Just Like You

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 quest for the American Dream have alternate consequences? On the surface, I’d have to say no way, but after I saw this first video, it inspired me so much, I had to create the second video to go with it called, “I Wanna Be Just Like You.” The words in these songs are so powerful; they can gladly replace any text that I would have written in their place.

I am dedicating this post to YOU and to anyone that will take the time to watch these. I also dedicate this to my family and most of all, my kids. This changed my perspective on things in relation to working so hard for the American Dream. It was like these songs and videos were written just for me, but I know they are for you too. 🙂

I can’t watch these without them emotionally clobbering me upside the head, EVERY SINGLE TIME! Maybe it’s because I am just like you, a hard working person, who is doing my very best to provide for my family. But maybe I was missing something very important in the whole process. In writing this post, I realized, just how much it has changed my entire outlook and focus on the “American Dream” now!

Even though I can really relate to this, it may not have the same impact on you, but I hope it touches you, even if in some small way. Thanks Jason for inviting me, and for helping me realize through your contest, what is truly important in the pursuit of the “American Dream!” This was a great “Lesson In life” for me. :-))

“American Dream” was written and performed by: Casting Crowns.

“The American Dream”

“I Wanna Be Just Like You” was written by Dan Dean and Joy Becker
It is performed by Phillips , Craig and Dean
The Video was produced at home with photos by Brad Andersohn

“I Wanna Be Just Like You”

Am I “Inspired by Song?” Absolutely and Positively YES!

My son always tells me, “When I grow up Daddy, I wanna be just like you!”  We are all touched in so many different ways by music, and to each of us, it’s a personal and sometimes very emotional connection. These songs have had a huge impact on me and my life, I hope you’ll enjoy them too.

Music and Life will be forever entwined, I am so grateful for what it does in, to, and for our lives!

Your Active Rain Profile – Your Masterpiece!

Are you getting the most from your Active Rain Profile?   Does it have the same information or content as your website?  Did you cut and paste like many of us I know did?  Is it a “Wall Of Words?”  Here’s an opportunity to make your AR Profile even “BETTER” than your website.  You 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 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 up our profile’s to be in our best interests.  I know what you’re thinking, let’s see if I’m right…

It’s time to come around full circle, where we started, and maximize an area we may have all forgotten about.  We get caught up in learning so much here, and trying to navigate our way around, I think we just simply forget.  Your profile is YOU!  It should be Inter-Active and not just static like a website.  You should always be trying to put new and relative information there.  In order to help you create the “Ultimate Profile” on Active Rain, I have done some extensive research over the past 2 weeks.   Here are some ideas and tools you may be able to use for your profile page.

Take a look at some of these other profiles.   I have, and think you should too.  I suggest you don’t stop here.  Go See what others have done, and how they are using their profile page to maximize the value to their viewers and clients.  Is your page all that it can be?   Is it focused with rich and informative content about your area?  Do you have links, graphics, maps and interactive widgets?  What about MLS links, searches and Virtual Tours?  The list could go on and on.

Profiles from Other Members:

Karen George – AZ Home Loans 

Bryant Tutas, Broker-REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc 

Sarah Cooper, Realtor, Hurricane, WV 

Colleen Kulikowski Florida Realtor 

Kristal Kraft ~ Denver Real Estate 

Downtown Long Beach Condos Long Beach Real Estate, Laurie Manny 

Lenn Harley, Homefinders 

Renee Burrows – Las Vegas NV Real Estate 

Chris Elizabeth Griffith ~ Bonita Springs Fl Real Estate 

Craig Schiller (Real Estaging) 

Mariana Wagner ~ Colorado Springs REALTOR® 

Gilbert Arizona Real Estate – Candace Robinson 

Rick & Ines – Miami Shores Real Estate 

Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate 

Central Oregon Real Estate | Thesa Chambers 

Portsmouth NH Real Estate ~ Ann Cummings 

Nick M -Realtor®-Appraiser in West Palm- South Florida Real Estate Appraiser 

Midori Miller- Daytona Beach Florida Real Estate Training 

Maureen Henry – Rockland Home Staging 

and there are so many more…but some need some love and attention…LOL! 🙂

Once you go and update or modify your profile page, be sure to keep checking and back and updating it.  DON’T forget about it.  As your market changes and you change, so should your profile.  You want to keep it updated and fresh.  What kinds of things can you do to spice it up a bit?  Here’s just a couple things I noticed when looking at other profiles, and I looked at hundreds…   

Give it color, add photos, create useful links, the design and look are important and simple is the key.  Put some animation, but not too much.  Don’t be afraid to erase what you’ve done, it’s OK!  I think this might be a factor as to why we don’t update them more often.  Don’t just cut, copy and paste from your website. Why duplicate?  Be Creative and Realistic.  Don’t laugh, but Here’s my Profile, I have been working on it a bit, but it still has quite a ways to go!!         

PART ONE:

This part is simple to complete, however, I often get asked, can I select more than one “Primary Market?”  You only get one, but you can still sell Real Estate or do loans, or provide your services anywhere in the Country or World if you choose.  I also do not suggest setting up 2 or 3 profiles in multiple areas.  That has never worked for anyone on AR including myself.  I tried it in the beginning, and it was a nightmare!  TRUST ME, JUST DON’T DO IT!

PART TWO:

There are three of these sections below available on your profile page.  This is like having 3 Blogs on one page!  The hardest part for most members is the HTML section.  Here are 3 tips regarding HTML.  1. Learn It   2. Use it   3.  Love it!  I am no HTML expert, but I have learned a lot from other members.  If you want to see any page on the net in HTML format, here’s how.  Using Firefox: Go up to “View” and select “Page Source”.  Using Explorer: Go up to “Page” and select “View Source.”  HTML code can be copied from one place and pasted into another, the same as you would a widget or stat counter. 

1. What exactly is HTML  2. HTML School   3. HTML Goodies, the Ultimate HTML Resource  4. HTML Code Tutorial  I have learned so much from these sites, the first time I turned text “RED” I opened that bottle of saved Merlot to CELEBRATE!! LOL!  Don’t laugh, you will too!  There are even HTML Forums that will help you on-line and answer your questions for FREE!  (that is if I can’t)  These are some great sites to get you started!  Here’s a couple more if you want to create banners and buttons etc.

Finally, create time and have patience building your Profile on Active Rain.   See it through the eyes of your viewers, or customers.  Think of what they want to see, and what they will find to be of value.  Make your profile your “Best Blog” ever!  It’s always going to be a work in progress, so don’t give up or get frustrated.  Pay off comes in the long run, guaranteed!  We should always autograph our work with the best quality possible!  After all, this is YOUR “Profile!”  Shouldn’t it really be your Ultimate Masterpiece?  🙂

All Content Copyright Protected © 2007