I admit I know my number, at least I have a good idea of my running total of Active Rain points. But really, what can I do with all these points? This post is a milestone in terms of points, but it is not very important in terms of why I post.
I post to improve and grow my business. I post to educate and inform consumers. I post to market my listings. I post to provide customer service for the members of my database. I post to provide the community with neighborhood market reports. I post to brand myself as a real estate agent who delivers on promises and believes we must give before we receive. I post to build relationships and trust. 
I must also admit I think blogging is a great way to stay sane in the wild and wacky world of real estate madness. It is very therapeutic to share the successes, the challenges and the frustrations of another day in dealing with demands, disappointments and yes, even dreams.
Today, when I answered the phone I recognized the voice of a fifteen year plus client. He reported a death in the family, thanked me for supplying information on a sale to his accountant then played music in my ear with the following words, "I have a new real estate dream and I want you to help me."
My posts are for the people seeking real estate information and dreaming of condos, cottages, coastal villas, hillside mansions and horse property. The points, well they are just points, but my business is built by helping people realize their real estate dreams. That is the point of my posts.
Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800
PalosVerdesLifestyle - Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.
South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma
Homes In Palos Verdes - Palos Verdes Realtor Home
Palos Verdes Horse Property - Palos Verdes Realtor Blog
Boitano Palms Lots for Sale - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Palos Verdes Homes
Palos Verdes Photography - Palos Verdes Videos
Sell Smart, Buy Wise and Live Well
Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333
PalosVerdesLifestyle- Norma's award winning site as the best Palos Verdes homes and real estate blog since 2007. Selected by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Chosen by MovingCost.com as one of the best Los Angeles realty blogs. Awarded 5 out of 5 stars by Lender411 blog review. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.
South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Based on information from the Association of REALTORS®/Multiple Listing as of the initial date of this article/blog publication and /or other sources. Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.
Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma
Palos Verdes Homes Blog - Palos Verdes Houses
Palos Verdes Horse Property - Palos Verdes Realtor Agent
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Los Angeles Home Search
Photos of Palos Verdes - Palos Verdes Videos
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes - Beach Cities Homes
The google juice doesn't hurt either!
You are right, Norma,
It is about the content, not the points.
(OK, just 4 more comments tonight and I will have reached my maximum of 10)
Phil
Have to agree on the Google juice... But the content is extremely valuable.
I sat with Active Brad today and he always reminds me that it's not the points....It's the business you get from your posts.....that's it.....
I think at first you like the points but then there is so much to learn it doesnt matter.
Catherine - The juice plays an important role in branding and marketing.
The points are great because that just reminds you of how high you are getting your self on the search engines. But it is a great way to express your opinions, education, gossip, or just venting. I am not what you consider a great writer, and have never enjoyed it but I am starting to.
Phil - That daily quota--gotta love it!
Rob - I hope the quality of the content is not diluted by the quest for points.
Earl - Points are a side benefit and they also play into the competitive nature of most agents. I think it is important to make sure our blogs contain a body of work that builds our business and our own unique brand.
Norma: What can you do with your points ? I hear that Bob and Jon, the Big Dudes at Active Rain, have been negotiating with Nordstrom to allow us to redeem our points... one hundred points gets you one dollar.
I just checked your profile page, and you have slightly OVER 400,000 points. Congratulations, by the way !
So... that four hundred thousand points... converted into one dollar for every 100 points... should bring you a check/gift certificate from Active Rain and Nordstrom for about four thousand dollars. Cool huh ? So... when you get your check... write me an email so I can start looking for MY check in the mail.
Thanks so much ! <smile>
I think of my points as a great way to hold myself accountable to work at bettering myself and my business. But I think that is what you said already... Just think of all that we learn while gaining those points you are right it is about content!
Michael - The education aspect is amazing. We learn so much by reading other blogs and become better agents in the process.
Norma,
Congratulations on all your Active Rain success. (and the mile stone points)
Steve
What a cute photo to demonstrate your concept. Points are fun, but you're right they are not the final goal. Final goal is to fid clients.
You're right, blogging is all about making connections. The people who post 6-8 articles a day aren't doing themselves a favor.
Thanks for your post Norma. You are so right . The points are nice.........they are a reward, but the ultimate reward is the relationships we build with others in the profession and the wonderful clients we are able to serve.
Norma, we work in this business to be helpful to our clients in some fashion, and it just feels good. The more points we get, USUALLY means we are getting more google juice, which helps our web sites. Also, meeting the best agents and affliates across the country is wonderful. Hope your points help you at Nordstrom!
Karen Anne - Hmm, I suppose I shouldn't spend too much time waiting for that Nordstrom's gift certificate..wink, wink...but I did hear AR is cashing out a few of their start-up guys.
Norma: Is this your way of telling me that you think Active Rain is minimizing their staff... as they get ready to SELL the company ?
Karen Anne - are you starting a rumor? :)
Norma - I have learned so much here, about blogging of course, but the value of what I have learned about real estate is huge. THAT was an awkward sentence - I guess I haven't learned much about writing. :(
Virginia: It was NORMA who started the rumor. I am just an innocent bystander. Not me, no rumors here. I am just a Nice Catholic Girl from Cleveland. Why would I start rumors ? <smile>
Karen Anne - I'm innocent, really I am...My thought was IF they have extra cash I'm ready, willing and waiting for that Nordstrom shopping spree!!
Virginia - You are a "star" Active Rain student for sure!
Steve - Thanks for the kind words.
Susan - I thought the seedlings were a great example of blogging to grow your business--a post a day will bring business your way...
Joan - I'll let you know what I purchase with all those points... ;0
Byran - I've always preferred quality over quantity.
Melissa - I think the points should be a motivating factor but I do not believe quality should be sacrificed for the sake of points.
Elizabeth - I'm for keeping the content valuable and informative.