Mouth 2 Mouth

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The Gift of Rain

Giving and receiving on The Rain.

The image “http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e325/socioecoboy/gifts.jpg?t=1166684827” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.You've seen it, I know you have, some of you have done it I'm sure.  In this industry there are a lot of you.

Your standing there in line minding your own business and someone comes up to you and says.  "Hey you look like a pretty smart guy ...."

And you're feeling really good about yourself (Yeah I am pretty smart. I wonder how he noticed.) until you find out that you received the complements because the person was interested in selling you on the latest multilevel marketing scheme.

Now I'm not trying to mock multilevel marketing per-se.  What I am mocking is the method.  When you are complimented like that it's great, but you then find a short time later that it was completely disingenuous.  That the persons only motive, or how it feels, is that it was to serve them.  This really hurts when you feel that you've been duped on that level.  You walk back through the interaction in your mind only to find that you've had that conversation before with another multilevel marketer and it sounded exactly the same.

Keeping that in mind, I'd like to talk about marketing on The ActiveRain Real Estate Network.

True interactions between people brewed with sincerity and The image “http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e325/socioecoboy/gift.jpg?t=1166684852” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.openness are the ways to forge good relationships and bonds.

ActiveRain Gives you the opportunity to establish just those relationships.  By listening to others and sharing your own experiences you are networking, by virtue of the fact that this is a real estate oriented community, you are marketing.

When you are doing business and you are utilizing the resources of The Rain, you must always keep in mind that it only really works well with openness, honesty and sincerity.

You win with ActiveRain with your contributions.  Yes you get more points.  But also what comes is credibility and awareness.

I know for some it is a difficult concept to see.  Marketing seems like it should be a "buy it now, save money, operators are standing by" approach.

But really the way to get your work done on ActiveRain is to be yourself.  Talk about what you do, who you are and the world around you.   Listen to others give them feed back and be a part of the community. 

Give genuine contributions to the community, and you will find that the rewards will come.

11 commentsCaleb Mardini • December 21 2006 01:13AM

Comments

I will agree, Caleb.  The ability to express ourselves in a voice that is educational allows us to showcase our experience, knowledge, and determination.  Are we here to create business opportunities ?...I hope so.  This is a "pull marketing' rather than a e-boiler room.

By the way...you DO seem like a pretty smart guy...

...have you ever considered... 

Posted by America's #1 Mortgage Broker/858-777-9751 over 2 years ago
Caleb, I appreciate greatly the ethics that you stress here - genuiness, openess, honesty, sincerity. These are all things we should strive to reflect in our lives and business.
Posted by Rich Jacobson Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Agent (Windermere West Sound, Inc.) over 2 years ago

Caleb-

I was recently approached by someone with a new MLM idea. It made me sick - same old BS, new spin!

Your comment about 'True Interactions' is what I like the most about ActiveRain - we ARE creating business opportunities, but it's being done without beating people over the head.

 Credibility and awareness both take time to achieve, but it's certainly worth the effort!

Posted by BallenIsles, Mirasol, Old Marsh, PGA Nat Marc Blasi (Waterfront Properties) over 2 years ago
Most people on ActiveRain do fall into your desired category, Caleb. Some people really stand out for how they treat their clients, and their colleagues. We learn how they think and how they do business. Then we can search them out, and don't have to be pursued. 
Posted by Sharon Simms St Pete FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS (ALVA International, Inc.) over 2 years ago
I've seen at least one person here who seems to be building a business successfully by being an exemplary  member of this community.  No bang 'em over the head sales approach.  I've met lots of people here who I will work with one day, sooner or later, because they do exactly what Caleb is saying.
Posted by Maureen Francis & Dmitry Koublitsky, SKBK Sotheby's - Metro Detroit (SKBK Sotheby's International Realty) over 2 years ago

I`ve been able to successfully incorporate A/R in our business. It`s been a tremendous help...I`ve met some great people here as well. It doesn`t get any better!

Posted by Florida List For Less Realty, Inc. Broker/Owner. over 2 years ago
Great post Caleb, AR in my opinion is all about building relationships. This is done by letting people "see" you in your writings. It's actually no different than Real Estate. If people like you and trust you then they will search you out to do business with you.
Posted by Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc over 2 years ago

Thank you Caleb!  I agree with your thought process on this subject!

I really think with technology infiltrating our sector, it is going to separate the snake oil from the educated and business-like

Posted by Renee Burrows - Las Vegas NV Valley - Homes For Sale - SRES - SRS - AHWD - ABR (Encore Realty Group -Realtor>Estate>Probate>REO>Short Sale) over 2 years ago
Caleb, I agree -it is great to be able to share ideas and learn more about people without having someone try to  sell  you something.
Posted by Brian Foxworth SC, GA, FL, & TN Mortgage Loans (Palmetto South Mortgage ) over 2 years ago
AR, CRS, StarPower, Sell-A-Bration, etc.  It is about meeting people in my business that share my same work ethics and insist on superior client care. I am still growing in this business and in this forum but I have learned so much from what I am reading and the people I am "meeting" online.  I look forward to building lasting relationships on AR and sharing many referalls in the future.  Thank you Caleb! and Thank you AR!
Posted by Virginia Halter Broker, ABR, CRS (RE/MAX Signature Properties) over 2 years ago

Hey you  really do look and sound like a pretty smart guy!  Caleb, you have proved that by the way you are running AR and encouraging the giving, sharing,openness and honesty that you and the othe rain gods are promoting. This is such a win win for all of us in Real Estate.

www.homerome.com

Baltimore.Md

Posted by Margaret Rome-- HomeRome Realty (Author:Real Estate the Rome Way) over 2 years ago

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