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Bob Crane,  Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671 (Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified)

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Rainmaker
1,844,301
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I believe Bob that your phone is ringing because there isn't the same level competition as in my area. Z has every keyword in my area sewn up but that doesn't stop me.

SEO is way down & that's that. I try & supplement my posts putting them wherever I can.

I really do learn great things here & will continue to stay. You never know when that nugget of info will make you $ or help you with a deal.

Aug 02, 2019 04:44 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Sorry... I am one of those who cannot share any success stories that have added to my bottom line. With over 3 million points, at least one post daily on localism, market reports, etc. I don't think anyone would say that I put in minimal effort on this platform. I put in way less effort on my website blog and get leads. Still waiting for my very first lead from the Rain.

I don't believe in saying this, I'm a complainer. I'm simply stating the facts and the situation.

I don't minimize the relationships I've formed here... and appreciate them. But that has not been a source of income to my bottom line.

Aug 02, 2019 05:07 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I get the high DA backlinks, which are great.  Boosts my site's authority.  The phone rang once from a market report a year after I stopped doing them (and I still owned most of Page 1 for the search term).  I've gotten a few referals here and have given one as well which GREATLY helped out a friend of mine in San Diego.

 

Other than that, as an "office of one" this has been really helpful at networking and interacting with others.

Aug 02, 2019 07:44 AM
Rainmaker
2,781,173
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

I enjoy interaction & having history in cyberspace. As to $$$ its not cut & dry

Aug 02, 2019 06:48 AM
Rainmaker
1,726,096
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Great motivational post. Reading the success stories. For us, it is the friendly relationships with our peers.

Aug 02, 2019 06:23 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

There's no need to try too hard. Online community is about establishing a presence. Be visible, approachable and yourself. Take a stab at common sense and intelligence. And they will come.

Aug 02, 2019 04:54 AM
Rainmaker
5,217,073
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

I have made and received referrals over the years. The Rain is a way to be the source of the source. You never know when you are going to need the relationships!

Aug 02, 2019 04:17 AM
Ambassador
3,345,091
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Direct business from consumers ... that dried up a long time ago and why I don't spend much time posting here anymore. 

The real value for me is the connections, the friendships and the ability to make a referral confidently to someone I know and trust. 

Every market is different. I live in a City with 1 Million people. My niche Word Press site is working well for me. That is what brings business and gets my time and attention. 

All the best to you, Bob Crane 

Aug 02, 2019 09:20 AM
Rainmaker
1,196,798
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

AR is what you make of it. I've enjoyed interacting with other Realtors on AR.

Aug 02, 2019 08:27 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

No direct correlation but I do like to be around.

Aug 02, 2019 07:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,833
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

I'm enjoying the friends here, the writing of blogs keeps my chops up as a writer and I do learn a lot here. AR also lead me to a few referrals/closed escrows and a Podcast opportunity over the last 11 years. I agree the SEO is way down, but there are nuggets of gold in here regardless. 

Aug 01, 2019 09:58 PM
Ambassador
3,125,954
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Activerain has given me a voice and a solid, online presence with like-minded professionals. The relationships gained are special and I know where to go to ask questions, learn and to share pertinent information about the industry. I have received referrals all across the U.S. from agents who knew I'd be a great fit for their clients. They are watching!

Aug 02, 2019 05:41 AM
Rainmaker
2,390,630
Bob "RealMan" Timm
Ward County Notary Services - Minot, ND
Owner of Ward Co Notary Services retired RE Broker

I don't believe I've ever been in the camp of complainers Bob Crane as I've always appreciated this service.

AR has brought me business but it has brought more. It has helped me with my writing skills and it has been an excellent way to vent many emotions brought about during the couse of life. AR has also united me with my BARFF and electronc love of my life Nina Hollander .

Aug 02, 2019 05:06 AM
Ambassador
2,062,085
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

as with most things... you get out of it, what you put into it.

Aug 02, 2019 04:59 PM
Ambassador
2,178,703
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

I'm retired. Why would I even spend time on AR at all?  Blog after blog talks about real estate being a relationship business.  AR is a relationship platform for me.  There are many ways to receive benefits from a relationship. Money isn't always one of them.  For me, I enjoy the connections with people in an industry I enjoyed working in for 30 years. And, I like to share my opinions based on my experience and find ways to help others.

HOWEVER,  monetary benefits often do come at the most unexpected times in unexpected way. 

AR is a success for me!

Aug 02, 2019 08:38 AM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Bob,

There is this myth out in many professions that the leads will come from social media.  The truth is, they may come, but not in huge amounts that will support you or make a huge difference to one's bottom line.

Your market is different than any other market in the US.  I have seem different situation in the very same market.  The whole keyword system is sewn up by every lead generator on the planet. People and places are different there are micro climates, and micro areas...Your Forest Land Reports is a niche that works for you...A

PS.  Worshipping the Google gods in not the end all be all.  So what if you are seen on Google?  A

Aug 02, 2019 06:55 AM
Rainmaker
7,836,431
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I've had a lot of views over the years.

Aug 02, 2019 12:11 PM
Rainmaker
1,239,901
Sam Shueh
(408) 425-1601 - San Jose, CA
mba, cdpe, reopro, pe

Happy to see something good coming out. Keep up with the good work.

Aug 02, 2019 06:37 AM
Rainmaker
2,220,654
Anthony Acosta - ALLATLANTAcondos.com
Harry Norman, REALTORS® - Atlanta, GA
Associate Broker

It does not add any value to my business, just like the interaction with other agents around the country.

Aug 03, 2019 05:52 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

As with any ad or marketing, you place it but if you are waiting for people to find it on their own, they may never see it. For me I like to share my blog on Social media. It helps it be found and be read. The SEO is not what it once was BUT my blog is still found by those searching the key words i write in my blogs so i am found. I am happy to say that after referrals, My Active Rain blog is still a leading source of new clients,  One has to write blogs that people want to read, mix them up and for me, writing about my experiences is a good way to pass a lesson along that buyers and sellers like to read.

Aug 03, 2019 05:35 AM
Rainmaker
1,598,452
Valeria Mola
SIB Realty - Miami, Sunny Isles Beach - Sunny Isles Beach, FL
305-607-0709 SIB Realty Condos for Sale and Rent

Soon will write, summer is over, son will be tomorrow in school. 

:)

 

Aug 18, 2019 05:59 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,565
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I used to post everyday, and not non-real estate related posts.   The last two years have seen no business come from it.     The blog on my web site does a better job right now.

Aug 15, 2019 09:45 AM
Rainmaker
1,307,154
John G. Johnston
John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC - Westcliffe, CO
An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO

I enjoy the non-competitive atmosphere, sharing of experiences and great relationships I have developed over the years.  Although 99% of my blogs are weather reports it serves my clients as many only have 2nd or vacation homes here while some are looking to buy.  Daily, my sign shows our beautiful sky, mountains AND MY SIGN!  I cross-post to 3 Facebook pages and that is where my biggest benefit is realized.

Aug 14, 2019 05:35 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,716
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

It is great to learn in the rain everyday but I wish we would have more people in the rain that are active.

 

Aug 04, 2019 09:17 AM
Rainmaker
1,751,129
Mike Cooper, Broker VA,WV
Cornerstone Business Group Inc - Winchester, VA
Your Neighborhood Real Estate Sales Pro

Bob, most of my AR success stories come from referrals shared by me and received from other Rainers. That has been a good ongoing component of my business since my early days on AR. Most of my local posts go to my website and I will syndicate them to AR sometimes. 

Aug 03, 2019 10:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,311,397
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

I enjoy AR and the AR community. Having AR generate business would be a plus. Not leaving because it has not for me.

Aug 03, 2019 09:50 AM
Rainmaker
1,390,113
Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Originally, when we first joined, AR helped us with referrals and SEO. No more. Now we stay because of relationships and education.

Aug 03, 2019 07:02 AM
Rainmaker
556,536
Greg Cremia
Shore Realty of the Outer Banks - Nags Head, NC

When i post market updates here i get immediate activity on my site.

Aug 03, 2019 05:45 AM
Rainmaker
249,205
Denise Copeland
Home Sales Palm Beach - Jupiter, FL
Jupiter Abacoa Sales & Beach Front Luxury Homes

My blogs are driving organic leads to my real estate websites. 35-45 lead captures a month. Can’t complain about that level of success

Aug 03, 2019 03:06 AM
Ambassador
5,230,130
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

While we are in a business that is largely based on relationships, there are good leads that have come from my posts here. I've Closed millions of dollars in sales as a result of my posts here - not NEARLY as many calls now as 5-10 years ago though. 

I have received numerous referrals from those I have formed relationships here in the Rain - several are very busy agents in large cities and have sent more than one referral my way. Of course, I reciprocate when I can and have sent countless referrals to AR members from my end also.

That said, despite the current, relatively non-existent SEO here, it's the AR relationships that continue to bring me business - even in 2019.

Aug 02, 2019 10:39 PM