I realized last night that I was making my 2,000th comment on Active Rain. It made me pause and think about what I've learned by making those 2,000 comments and what I've learned from my entire Active Rain experience.
I started reading the blogs and commenting to rack up points. (I know bad form, arguments for and against, etc.). The thing was that it didn't take me long to find out that there were much better reasons for reading the other blogs and commenting than just points. In fact, it turns out that points are only a very small part of the reward I've received for my 2,000 comments and the time I've spent reading and writing posts on Active Rain.
I've learned that:
1. There are a lot of Rainers who know a lot about many important subjects that are really useful to me and they are willing to share that knowledge. (Katerina Gassett is so knowledgeable about using the internet to garner business. I believe she has 50 listings that come from her knowledge and proper use of the internet.
Mitch Ribek and many other rainers have been kind enough to share their knowledge of converting website hits to leads as a result of my post I am Page One on Google - I Have 1000's of Visitors to my Site.
Brad Andersohn is always willing to help me with technical issues and was one of the first people I met here in the Rain who showed me what a wonderful and supportive network this is.)
2. It's polite to respond to comments on my posts by going to the commenter's blog and making a comment on one of their posts.
3. Reciprocal commenting is a great way to get to know people and start a dialog.
4. It's almost as much fun to make comments as it is to get them, and it often garners more knowledge as a result of the posts I read.
5. You can get lots of ideas for your own posts by reading other blogs.
6. There is so much positive energy here that it helps perk up my day if I need it.
7. Other people like hearing about my family almost as much as I enjoy writing about them. I've received more comments on posts about my family than just about anything else in stories like What We Learned from Our Lemonade Stand,
Why Do I Love Technology, A Four Year Old's Perspective in the Orange County Fair and My Sisters' Last Childless Birthday - or OMG -It's Really Time to Grow Up!
8. These stories are even more appreciated when I use them as a vehicle for teaching or learning as I did in What We Learned from Our Lemonade Stand.
9. Blogging and writing posts gives me a good excuse to get out and take pictures and turn them into marketing as in Biking and Hitting the Beach
and A Four Year Old's Perspective on the Orange County Fair.
10. I can use my blog to promote and help other businesses as in Lil' Lighthouse Preschool Shines the Light of Learning and Mama D's Italian Kitchen - Family Restaurant Delivers and Exceptional Experience.
11. Other people outside of the Rain actually read these posts and sometimes they even repost them as a local Visitors' Bureau did my posts Biking and Hitting the Beach and A Four Year Old's Perspective on the Orange County Fair.
12. Active Rain gives great Google juice. I am now consistently page one on Google for numerous keywords.
13. You can begin to know people through their posts, and they can begin to know you through theirs. (I wish Duane would come back. I still miss him.)
14. There is business to be found here in Active Rain. I have had several calls just in the last week as a result of posts here, but that is another story for a different post.
I guess the biggest thing that I have learned is that Active Rain has so much to offer if you just dig in and discover what is available.
What have you learned here in the Rain? What successes have you had as a result?
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About the author: Christine Donovan is a California Residential Real Estate Broker with experience in assisting clients buy and sell residential real estate.
Are you upside down in your home? Is it worth less than you owe? Are you concerned about making your mortgage payment? Contact me at christine@donovanblatt.com or 714-319-9751 to discuss your options.
Want to buy a home or to list your property for sale in Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach or Orange County? Contact me at christine@donovanblatt.com or 714-319-9751 to learn about her system which will make your buying and selling experience easier.
Click Orange County homes for sale to view all OC homes for sale. Copyright © 2008 by Christine Donovan, All Rights Reserved. 2,000 Comments Made & Over 800 Received - What Have I Learned During My Time in the Rain?
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About the author: Christine Donovan is a California Residential Real Estate Broker with experience in assisting clients buy and sell residential real estate.
Are you upside down in your home? Is it worth less than you owe? Are you concerned about making your mortgage payment? For more information see Options to Foreclosures, understanding short sales or contact me at christine@donovanblatt.com to discuss your options.
If you want to buy a home or to list your property for sale, please click Newport Beach homes, Costa Mesa homes, Huntington Beach homes or Orange County homes. Click the link if you are interested in buying a home at a courthouse auction sale.
Contact me at christine@donovanblatt.com or 714-319-9751 to learn about her system which will make your buying and selling experience easier.
Disclaimer: All information in this blog is deemed reliable but is subject to change at any time and is not guaranteed to be accurate nor are there any warantees either express or implied. This blog is not intended to offer any legal, tax or other advice.
Federal Government Disclaimer (MARS)
- You may stop doing business with us at any time. You may accept or reject the offer of mortgage assistance we obtain from your lender [or servicer]. If you reject or accept the offer, you do not have to pay us.
- Christine Donovan, DonovanBlatt and Donovan Group are not associated with the government, and our service is not approved by the government or your lender; and
- Even if you accept this offer and use our service, your lender may not agree to change your loan.
Click Orange County homes for sale to view all OC homes for sale.
