Real Estate 2.0 Technology

Google offers Blogs, Yahoo offers Blogs, and now ActiveRain offers RE Blogs!!  I am so excited that I get to announce this!  ActiveRain is pulling all the stops and releasing the "BIG" storm today.  It's been a long time coming, and now it's finally here! STOP HERE!

UPDATE 4/10/2009 -  Please see this new post for details regarding the NEW OUTSIDE Blogs offerred on ActiveRain.  How to Create and Maximize your AR Outside Blogs  and  5 Tips For Your Outside Blogs.

ActiveRain "Outside Blogs" are launched today.  You're going to love the ability to create one post, and then with the check of a box, send it to your Outside Blog.  That's right, one post, syndicated in three locations.  You can choose to have your post on ActiveRain, Localism, and now your own personal "Outside Blog" too.

Here's just a few highlights of the "" Outside Blogs:

* Host your Blog on your own domain name.  (You must own name)  ie: BestHomes.com
* Customize the look and feel of your Outside Blog.
* Set up in 10-15 minutes max.
* Build your posts in ActiveRain, no need to learn a new Blogging platform.
* Publish your posts to AR, Localism, Outside Blog, or all three, it's your choice.
* Benefit from the SEO power of ActiveRain.
* Brand your own Blog and yet stay connected with the AR community.
* Comments are syndicated between your ActiveRain Blog and your Outside Blog.

This is only the beginning, as the community jumps on these, each individual's exposure doubles. 2X the POWER!  That's Exciting!!  Imagine the possiblities with these Blogs...

Here's how to setup YOUR Outside Blog.  The sample below is a screen shot of my Outside Blog. I'll demonstrate how I used ActiveRain to create it.

 

SETTING UP YOUR CUSTOM OUTSIDE BLOG:

1. To Start, click on the link "Outside Blogs" from "My Home" page.

2. On the next screen, give your Blog a "Title". It will already have the same name as your current ActiveRain Blog.  You can change it.

3. Meta Keywords are the next option, don't panic What's a Meta Tag?

4. Next, you can customize or modify your Blog description. This text will appear underneath your Blog Banner.

5. Now give your Blog an ActiveRain Subdomain:
ie:  ActiveBrad.ActiveRain.com

6. You can also use custom domain names. (advanced users only)
You must already own your own domain name. If not, you can see if the domain you like is available, click here.

 

Here's a screen shot of the options that are mentioned above:

7. Next, keep your current photo or add a new photo to your Blog. Your Outside Blog photo will NOT replace your existing AR photo.  Here's your chance to update that picture from 7 years ago. lol~

8. Select one of the Templates or Themes from the ActiveRain Library:  These can be customized. More templates will be available in the future.  This is just the launch period, expect enhancements for sure.

 

 

9. Setup the colors for your fonts and for different areas of your Blog page.  Here's a color chart.

10. Now, add custom created headers and images to your Blog.  There are multiple posts on how to create and edit images, you'll find them in the Help/FAQ group.  We have some very artistic and talented members who share valuable tools and resources there.

11. Under the Advanced options, you can display multiple Blog posts, up to 100 if you like.
(I suggest 20 posts max, or the page may load slowly, especially if you have video and large graphics)

Use the Syndication options to select which posts to pull, or add ALL from your primary ActiveRain Blog.  Members Only posts will not appear on your Outside Blog.  If you have concerns about Duplicate Content on your Blogs, read this post called "Duplicate Content and Outside Blogs."

 

12. The FINAL STEP, Click on Save Changes

YOU'RE DONE!
Go to the ActiveRain Subdomain URL you created
and there's your new outside Blog!

Here's A Sample Of Mine

*Note: When creating posts on ActiveRain, just check this box
to place them on your outside Blog.

 

If you do choose to use your own existing Domain name, please read the advanced information and instructions below. You'll need to know the following:  You can also find this information located HERE.

Here are the STEP-BY-STEP instructions for setting up an Outside Blog using your own domain name.
Also be sure to check out some of the other members outside domains as ActiveRain Blogs Evolve.

 

 

That's It!  We are finally launched!!.  WOOHOO!!  You will no longer have to search for a place to have an outside Blog.  You won't have to start from scratch to create your own, or cut and paste, or duplicate efforts, or try and manage your time running two or more Blogs.

I really am excited about this.   It's like watching the birth of a baby being born, and I feel somehow emotionally and personally attached to it.  ActiveRain is moving onward and upward, and everyday, becoming more of a powerful source in this great industry.  I'm honored to be the carrier pigeon of this exciting and community changing news.  As always, if you get stuck, don't get MAD, call Brad.

For Outside Blog status updates and known issues being addressed:  CLICK HERE!
  

What are the top reasons to be on ActiveRain? I was asked this question earlier, and thought I'd try to answer it here in this post. After combing through hundreds of posts, these are some of the TOP excuses that I have discovered and personally experienced. The links below are to posts from other ActiveRain Members who concur.

The Top 10 Excuses for Being on ActiveRain:

#1 - The Networking

Having access to nearly 100,000 Industry Professionals at your fingertips 24/7/365 makes ActiveRain one of the most powerful networks in the Web2.0 world. If you have been here for any length of time, you know exactly what I mean. ActiveRain is the Grand Central of Real Estate Networking and Sharing.

#2 - Better Internet Exposure

In just 90 days, my personal ActveRain Blog not only passed up my own website on Google, but it passed up my Corporate Employers Website too, and they are HUGE. I had no idea what I was doing and I still ranked higher on Google because of the Internet Exposure from my ActiveRain Blog. It has generated numerous leads from both consumers and other members. You will get exposed on ActiveRain.

#3 - Grow Your Business

You can convert leads from ActiveRain into live transactions. Since I am not a REALTOR®, I have been able to refer many buyers and sellers to other ActiveRain members from other areas. Growing business on AR is just one of the perks and privileges. Opportunities will just happen here, some large, some small, but you have to look for them, and you have to remain Active. Your content on ActiveRain and Localism are the key to growing your business.

#4 - Increased SEO

Google loves ActiveRain, and even though you don't hear much about it, so does Yahoo, MSN, and the other search engines. ActiveRain is also getting scrubbed by AOL, Good Morning America, CNN, Inman News and many other news networks. Where would you go as a reporter to find the latest real-time news from any place in the Country? The media knows this, and now many consumers are finding us too. Learn about SEO, it's why many are here.

#5 - Get Educated, Grow Resources

Learn anything, it's all on ActiveRain. Technology, Marketing, Listings, Groups, Tutorials, How to's, Experiences, etc. There is so much information shared and contributed, it's some of the Best in the Industry. Many ActiveRain members are willing to share and give freely of their resources. They also share successes and failures. It's a real world education in real time. The resources available here are mind Bloggling!

#6 - Build Referral Business

Blogging has proven to create opportunities to connect with other members and the public. As you build up your Associates around the community, and you subscribe to other members, you'll find that building a referral base is a sinch. Sellers have to relocate to all parts of the country. Buyers want to invest in the same way. ActiveRain members span the entire country, building your referral foundation here couldn't be smarter, or easier.

#7 - Experience and Knowledge

Combined, there are thousands of years experience on ActiveRain. If you can't find it on here, it probably doesn't exist. There is more data here than you could read in a lifetime. 100's of members join each day, and hundreds of posts go up each week. Thousands of comments each day! As the community grows, so does your knowledge base. Huge amounts of information are just a click away. Learn from the Top Bloggers here.

#8 - Connect with Consumers

Success stories are everywhere on ActiveRain. Click here for members who have shared how they connected with consumers using their ActiveRain Blogs and Profile's. Some members here are Blogging to their geographic and target market areas. It's a great way to connect with consumers and past clients. The public is also using the ActiveRain Q&A link to ask their Real Estate questions. A great connecting point between members and consumers. Then there's Localism, the next "Force To Be Reckonned with!"

#9 - Save Money, FREE Marketing

To join ActiveRain is FREE, yes, but there are still some costs involved. It's Your TIME! You have to invest some of it. The Pay Back on ActiveRain comes in such a wide variety of ways. Marketing yourself and business on Activerain is very powerful and also a bit different. Everyone wants to buy, but no one wants to be sold. Many of the members on ActiveRain market themselves the same way they'd want to be Marketed to.

#10 - Build RELATIONSHIPS!

The Thunder and Lightning of ActiveRain. As in any business, relationships are the key to growth and success. Building relationships on ActiveRain is nearly impossible NOT TO DO. If you're here for the right reasons, and doing the right things, ActiveRain will become just as important to your business as any of your other tools and services. The relationships you build here will be for life. There's nothing better than the friends and clients you'll make on ActiveRain.


ActiveRain is NOT just another social network, and here's 10 good excuses reasons to be here.

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