Reaching 50,000 points is a lot like celebrating a birthday. The points, like years, just add up, and before you know it... there you are celebrating a milestone with the people who helped you get there.
Apathy marked my early days on ActiveRain. I don't even remember accepting Carolyn Nelson's invitation to join, but apparently I did on August 29 of last year. I have no recollection of why or how I re-discovered ActiveRain more than six months later, or what motivated me to post my first market report in mid-March. But I would not be writing this today if it weren't for Carolyn - so a big thank you!
Talk about doing this ActiveRain thing ALL WRONG! In the next 30 days after that, I posted six blogs, made a total of 9 comments, and invited 3 people who accepted my invitation. Then a consumer contacted me directly through ActiveRain to list her house... Who knew I might actually generate business through this new "hobby" of blogging! That was probably my lightbulb moment, and Jackie Boock was the seller who triggered it. Thank you, Jackie! My life has not been the same since then.
In April, I set a goal of getting to Page One for Maryland agents by reading and commenting, learning and posting, and inviting other people to join ActiveRain. I found myself consistently drawn to blogs by the same people, whose content was rich with information and personality. Pretty soon, we seemed to develop a mutual admiration society as I commented on their blogs and they commented on mine...
- Jim Crawford, for example, in the RE/MAX ActiveRain Bloggers, - a Group that I regularly post to and read.
- Pat Kennedy, a D.C. licensee - someone I NEED for D.C. referrals, who inspired me to create BuyCrofton.com with her outside blog, Housepat.com.
- Lenn Harley, a Maryland/Virginia agent who sold one of my listings about 10 years ago. We renewed our acquaintance and I felt honored to receive her invitation to the Homefinders.com Group.
- Nestor and Katerina Gasset, a Florida team who commented on some of my localism posts, I reciprocated, and now barely a day goes by when we don't read and comment on each other's blogs. In fact, we're planning a joint marketing effort that we'll tell you about as it gets closer.
- Sally Cheeseman, an Hawaii agent who invited me to join her Positive Attitude for the Weary Soul Group, one of my favorites. Sally inspired me to participate in my first contest, and my Legacy post for that contest didn't even place but it was featured in another group and named in the Week in Review. I think this helped me to appreciate the value of belonging to different Groups, with different constituents.
- Karen Hurst, a Rhode Island agent who founded the Real Estate Rookie Group and invited me to join. I confess that this Group has been one of my greatest joys. I treasure the opportunity to help new agents, and so many have contacted me directly after reading one of my blogs.
The list goes on and on... I could not possibly mention all the people that have enhanced my ActiveRain experience. You know who you are. Thank you!
If you're reading this, and you kinda "blew it" with ActiveRain like I did in the beginning, you can see that a late start is okay. Who knows... you, too, might reach this milestone and others. All you have to do is get started.
Will there be another 50,000 points for me? Well, maybe so, if the birthday analogy holds true. Those years just keep adding up, and I suspect I'll keep blogging and commenting. ActiveRain has become part of my daily routine, and one of the highlights of each day.
Copyright 2007. Margaret Woda. All rights reserved.
CROFTON MD REAL ESTATE: For referrals to Crofton MD or anywhere in the D.C.-Baltimore-Annapolis triangle, contact Margaret Woda at RE/MAX Vision in Crofton MD. (410) 451-1900.
Copyright 2006-12. All rights reserved.
DISCLAIMER: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice.
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Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL
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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500
CONGRATULATIONS, AND I AGREE THE RAIN IS WHERE ITS AT. I REALLY FEEL LIKE IVE MADE A CONNECTION. THANKS
Leslie, it's nice to meet you! Yes, I agree - with so many agents working at home these days, it's hard to get that connection in the office. ActiveRain really helps fill that void.
Mary, congratulations! I agree, what a waste for all those weeks and months...
Chrissy, they are the greatest! And I'm sure there are hundreds, if not thousands more, here on ActiveRain.
Hope, you're adding up those points fast! I think I counted 4 points since 8/16. Very good... It's not going to take you 12 months to reach 50,000 points.
Donna - I've had so much fun getting to know you and your area! Vacation was great, and I'm in no mood to see it end.
Paula - We have barely met, but I was truly impressed with your profile page - such great use of photos! I'm sure we'll cross paths again.
WOW Margaret!
You have been blogging away. I'm glad you opted to join and received a seller from your posts on Active Rain. Congratulations! You will reach 100k by Christmas if not sooner.
Carolyn Nelson, NAR Certified REPA | Carolyn@OnlineREPA.com | www.OnlineREPA.com | Bus: 877.717.4491 | Fax: 866.590.2269
Hey, Brian - 30,000 posts... did you ever think it possible to accumulate numbers like this? Thanks for the compliment - I know YOU know that you're one of the people "who has enhanced my ActiveRain experience" - THANK YOU!
Carolyn - Thanks again!
Patricia - Aw shucks! You're too kind!
Margaret,
Congrats and I am glad you joined the club and added your accomplishments here.
Margaret- THANK YOU!
For the wonderful mention about us in your post and for hitting your 50,000 post!
We love working with you and becoming friends. Active Rain is great for building relationships.
HAPPY 50,000 points! IT IS A GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT!
Congratulations on your milestone!
You are a big contributor with your writing!
Sandi, thank you, it looks like you recently passed this milestone yourself! Hey, I enjoyed reading your profile - it is so consumer-directed!
Sally - Thanks for saying that - it means a lot, coming from you. And I like your blinking stars.
Nestor and Katerina - 'Can't wait to start planning our joint effort. It's been so much fun getting to know you! And your little smiley face is awesome!
Thank you, Neal! Cool idea for you to start this club and the others. I am sure it is a lot of work, so thank you for that, too.
First American Capital Properties - 'Wish I could thank you by name for your good wishes, but I guess this will have to do. I appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Congratulations on your milestone. We look forward to reading your blog on the way to 100,000!
Margaret,
Congratulations on your AR achievement. I am extremely happy that you chose to do what you are doing in the Real Estate Rookie group. "You" are what I envisioned when I started it. I had this idea that it could be a place for Real Estate rookies to ask questions and get ideas from professionals like yourself. While the group has been around for awhile, a true leader had not yet appeared. Welcome to that post!
I'm glad you "came back" and realized you had joined Active Rain. Let's hope that happens to others as well. It's a strange journey we all take and who knows where each turn will lead? Glad you're having a good time.
David and Kristin - Thank you, I look forward to checking out your blogs. How's Myrtle Beach?
Karen - I'm very glad you contacted me - The Rookies have become one of the highlights of my ActiveRain experience. And thanks for the compliment!
Margaret, Congratulations on the milestone and for sharing all the information along the way.
Rick and Lynn - 20,000 points is awesome! All I ever wanted to do was make it to Page 1 for Maryland, and now I find myself at 4. If you keep reading, you can't help commenting, and then your points just add up.
Gita, Congratulations on your own milestone of 50,000 points!
Joan - Thank you! Hey, I accidentally deleted you from my Associates today and I had to add you again, so don't get confused. Thanks for your good wishes.
Congratulations and now on to the Silver group. I just received the invitation last evening and am working on my 50,000 point post. It's a challenging post to write, isn't it? You did it well.