When I joined Active Rain, I never imagined where this would take me. I thought blogging was for kids.
When I logged on the first time, I did not think I would have much interest in it. After spending a little time on the site, I began to see the potential power of this forum. Man someone had a great idea here. So I built my profile and checked out some blog articles. There were not that many members back then. There were a few really good one though. Broker Bryant and TLW were among the first that, I latched on to learn about blogging. Mary McKnight was the technical expert that I learned how to make use of this forum from. In a matter of a couple of weeks the point system pulled me in. I can't help it, I am competitive. I probably have never admitted it in public before, but the point system pulled me in. Whoever thought this up was a genius. Sales professionals are competitive by nature and this point system plays is a natural to pull us in.
So here I am having fun, trading knowledge and making friends. The first few months that was what I got from it. Then one day it happened; I got a phone call from someone who asked if I was the VA expert. He read my posts about VA financing. YES!!! I got my first contact for business through Active Rain. A week or two later I got an e-mail from a buyer who was relocating. Than another buyer called who said he was reading my posts and would like to interview me. About 6 weeks later we closed escrow on his home. Since then I have gotten leads, referrals and new clients through Active Rain. My friends and existing clients follow my posts and speak to me regularly about various posts. Other REALTORS® and loan officers in the area tell me regularly they have read my posts. While attending a real estate seminar, three different agents approached me about my blog. Wow, that is powerful.
When I joined on 11/5/06, I never imagined writing 600 posts and collecting 400,000 points. Now that I have hit this milestone, I have only one thing left to do; that is set the next goal and keep on going. 500,000 points here I come!
Mahalo (Thank you in Hawaiian):
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- To everyone who was involved with creating Active Rain.
- To everyone responsible for keeping it running and improving.
- To all of the members on Active Rain who have made this the absolute best forum of it's kind.
- To all the great friends I have made here.
- Celeste "WooHoo Sally" Cheeseman who is a great blogger and my buddy in our office. She has made blogging a lot more fun since she joined our ranks.
- To everyone who has shared their wisdom and knowledge with me.
Good Luck and Good Blogging!!
I just read Libby Cousin's Post: Well, I am no Randy L. Prothero...
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Randy L. Prothero, REALTOR®, ABR, AHWD, CRS, e-PRO, GRI, SFR
Century 21 Liberty Homes
Randy Prothero is well established as an expert in working with military / VA clients and first time home buyers. His home seller's (listing) campaign is one of the most aggressive marketing programs in the area.
Based out of Mililani, Hawaii. Randy services the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and the Leeward Regional Chairman of the Honolulu Board of Realtors. To improve overall professionalism in his area Randy also offers classes for real estate agents.
www.HawaiiRandy.com * Oahu (Honolulu County) Property Search * Hawaii Military Relocations
Randy...
Congratulations on this amazing milestone.
Richard - Thank you!
Congratulations- it would appear to be a mutual benefit. Thanks for the quality offered, Randy- here's to 1000.
Man!! How long have you been doing this? I am really start enjoying Active Rain and all of the camaraderie!
Congratulations & keep up the good work!
Time flies when you are blogging. I'm about at 300,000 points and have been on here for exactly 1 year. Amazing
Sean Allen
Thank you! I am new this is my third week and so far I am having so much fun and learning daily. I am a loan officer in Tennessee. I see how this would be great for real estate agents but no so sure on the lending side. I will try just about anything and but once I started all the kindness from the AR community has gotten me hooked. WOW on 400,000! I look forward to reading more of your posts. Have a great day!
Thank you so much for the inspiration! I know what you mean about the point pull - and I'm just getting started!
Laurie - It has been a great benefit to me. I hope I have been helpful to others.
George - Since 11/5/06
Sean - That is faster than I climbed. Congratulations.
Brenda - Some of the top contributors here are loan officers.
Bobby - I can't help but be drawn by competition.
Randy,
Congratulations on reaching another milestone, Active Rain is the best forum there is for various reasons. I'm glad I joined when I did. We make friends, gain some knowledge while getting some business too along the way. Keep on blogging. I do enjoy your blogs.
Congrats on such a huge milestone!
Randy, Congrats!! That is a ton of points. I seem to be stuck in the 230,000 area. I'm sure I'm moving but it seems to be slow. You give me hope.
Rosalinda - Thank you for the kind words.
Donna - Thank you.
Marchel - They seem to sneak up on you.
Congratulations Randy! And you still have time to sell houses, right? I think I am getting quicker at reading & commenting. Posting blogs still very time consuming since I don't want to post fluff. I am in awe of what you have accomplished-----one more question. How much business can you attribute to AR after 400,000 points?
Pat - This is my best year for real estate. It is hard to put a number on it. Even friends and neighbors are reading them. Would I have gotten their business without it? Possibly
Randy, WOW....that is so amazing...400,000....can't imagine...yet I can. I been on AR just coming up on a year and I found it and engaged in a very similar way. I can't imagine my world without it now! Congratulations on that wonderful 400,000 number!
I am impressed. I try to read and write on the Active Rain Site daily. I cannot imagine, at this point, how long it will be until I get close to your number of points.
When I joined Active Rain, I never imagined where this would take me. I thought blogging was for kids.
Very interesting comment. I'm having a tough time convincing some agents that they need to be here. Anyway, congrats on a great achievement, Randy!
Randy - And here's the thing - your posts are great. So keep on going.
Randy, I have just one thing to say about your great milestone: AWESOME!
Jeanean - I have made so many connects here, I would feel a great loss if I didn't have Active Rain.
Sharon - It took me nearly 2 years
Not Licensed - I have not been successful getting too many. That is the same for getting a designation or working open houses or advertising. There is always a small percentage who will take advantage of an opportunity.
Steve - Thank you!
Brain - Thank you, I would never have guessed it when I joined.
Randy - Congratulations on your latest milestone. I am coming up on the 300k mark myself. Great job!
Randy, Congrats on your fantastic accomplishment. Continued success and good luck to you.
Jason - The next 100,000 seemed to come much faster.
Bob - Thank you, good luck with the rest of the year.
Whew! That's a lot of blogging....so how's the weather out there in Hawaii...My husband is Hawaiian, and I've never been there, you agents out there are very active here on AR..I keep telling my husband, I'd move there, and do real estate anytime he's ready to go back :) happy blogging
Randy you have been one of the positives here on ActiveRain, and I have enjoyed making you blogs part of my daily ready.
CONGRATULATIONS on reaching this milestone.
Konnie - Out of 6000 agents on Oahu only a few of us post much here.
George - Thank you for those kind words.
Randy,
MILESTONE. Trading knowledge and making new friends is what it's all about here on AR. And with that you'll enhance your Internet marketing presence and boost your business.
Well, you are a fool...okay, a blogging fool too. :) I didn't realize what direction my life would go when you invited me. Look at everything that's transpired because we've been here...you've been here two years come Nov. and I've been here since March 2007. Our lives have changed...we've met many wonderful people and we always learn something here. We give a lot too Randy.
400k and still pumping.
Congratulations on your hard work and effort and your quality content to the platform.
WoooHoooo Randy.
Now...it's almost Birthday time heheheheh.
Randy - Congratulations! that's a whole lot of blogging. I can say it had been a delight getting to know you through your writing. The next 400,000 should be a breeze...Lol
Randy- Well Congratulations......Yes I would say between you and Sally you pretty much have the Market for that area:) 600 Posts....a ton of listings, and sales..yep Randy...you're the King :)
Well Randy, congrats again and speed forward to the big 500K
Randy, I regularly read what you write. It is so valuable! Tonight, while clicking on your picture off the "subscribers" list, I noticed you had 400,856 and I thought, "I should point that out!" You already must have noticed it. Amazing accomplishment and contribution!!
Esko - AR has been a win win for me on all levels. I am sure most of you feel the same way.
Sally - You have helped keep me motivated here also. It is fun having someone in the office that enjoys this forum as much as I do.
Jennier - I am sure it won't be a breeze it will be fun though. I was positive that at 50 posts I would run out of things to write about. Here I am at 600.
Kathy - I do not know about King, but I am having a good time.
Debbie - Thank you. I am off to get the next 100,000 points.
Mark - I timed my posts to go over 400,000 on the previous post, then post this one. I wanted this to be the 600th post. I also had the 200th person add me as an Associate right after I posted this. The timing was just right.
Randy, Congrats on making it to the 400K club. As of today there's only 4 of us out of over 100,000 members!!!! So it really is quite the achievement. Not only id you make it here but you made it with style and grace. Good job!!!!
Woo hoo !!!!! Wow, that is awesome and amazing. That give us all "little A/R guys and gals" something to shoot for and strive for. Congrats on your blogging accomplishments and achievements. It is inspiring !
Philadelphia Real Estate
B.B. - You were one of a small handful of members that influenced me when I joined. I have not only enjoyed reading your entertaining posts, but have learned a lot from you and TLW. You two are definitely embassadors of Active Rain.
Christopher - Thank you, I never thought I would hit that level, let alone in less than two years.
Randy, Hello from Ct! Congratulations on making your mark, here on the rain. Thank you for continuing to post and comment. We all make it full of the good stuff to share and it is working!
It's a Good Life!
Fran
Randy! unbelievable numbers!!! It goes to show you that our little space on the world wide web is awfully addictive! :-) What's your new goal 1million!???LOL
Randy! Congratulations! This is an absolutely incredible milestone! Keep up the good work.
Simple put, You are the Man. Congrats!!!
Randy, I meant to post on here earlier but got caught up writing my blog! Thanks for the inspiration and the plug! :) I am VERY impressed!
Congrats Randy! As a newer Blogger I cant imagine to even hit 50,000 let alone 400,000 way to go!
Good God Randy - you are a blogger extraordinaire, or do I mean everywhere. Both descriptions will do just fine! I'd like to add my congrats and support for the next 100,000 points,. Here's a couple more to send you on your way :-)
Frances - Aloha from Sunny Hawaii. The members here have been more than generous.
Klarque - My next goal is 500,000. I keep my goals reachable and not too far out.
Sal - Thank you.
600 posts is a lot -- especially for a guy that didn't have a lot to say. You deserve an Olympic gold medal.
Marvin - Mahalo (thank you in Hawaiian)
Libby - Thank you for your post.
Aaron - I remember when I thought 10,000 was a mountain
Gail - Thank you
Kevin - I am just happy with the friends and clients I have met here.
Congrats, Randy. I knew you were going to turn that 400,000 soon and here you have made it.
Patrick - It was a long way and a lot of knowledge shared.
Congrats My No Ka Oi friend from the AR Ohana! You have been a huge contributer, I hope your successes are equally as rewarding. 400K and 600 posts, that's awesome!! Aloha Nui Loa, I Hope to meet you in person when I'm over there soon. Maybe I'll pop over with Bob when he comes. :-)
Randy... do you ever find that sometims this can become a black hole and that writers block keep you from moving on to other productive activities? That is the problem I seem to have most often.
Congrats on the points... it is fun to be competitive... isn't it?
Brad - I will be at NAR in Orlando, and CRS in San Francisco if you make it to them.
Ralph - If I have writers block, I just focus on other things and come back to it later.
I'll be at the NAR in Orlando, when is the CRS in SF going to be? I just spoke on a panel at their Monterey meeting last week. CRS is adding a Blog to their site. Let me know and I'll try to make it to SF depending on the date and time. Thanks Randy. :-)
Brad - I look forward to meeting you in Orlando. My brother Russ, a REALTOR from Missouri will be traveling down with me.
The CRS Sell-a-bration will be Feb. 5-7, 2009 at the San Francisco Hilton. I am already registered, so I will be there.
Randy - I just put it on the calendar. I'll try to make it since SF is just a hop skip and jump away. Maybe they'll give us an opportunity to speak about Blogging or AR? Might be a good time to tag on an AR Bootcamp. What ya think? :-) Happy Aloha Friday...I sure do miss those...
Brad - The this years CRS Sell-a-bration, Active Rain came up in several classes. The few days before Sharon Simms taught a luxury homes class and Active Rain came up big there also.
Randy, every time i open my active rain page i see your numbers climbing and think, geez, how does he do it? Consistancy is the key i guess. After 8 months on AR i feel quite humbled by having only 20k points compared to your gargantuan number. Keep up the good work. You are an inspiration to everyone in the state of Hawaii who values internet maketing and quality real estate. Tell me this one secret, how do you get to have sixty plus comments on a post? What AR groups or areas seem to get you the most juice? I write what i think are some pretty comprehensive posts, but really would like to see more comments than i currently receive. Your AR wisdom and tutelage will be most appreciated. You and Sally are blog-crazy. All the best from the garden island... Aloha, my friend
Congratulations on your fantastic milestone we newbies can only dream of acheiving!
Ronnie - By making associates and commenting on others blogs, you tend to build a network of friends who look for each others posts.
Lynn - When I joined the featured member in my state had 10,000 points. I thought that was a ton then.
Congratulations on your journey and success here, it is encouraging to us all !
Randy - I really enjoyed your story - the points pulled me in, too, then I kinda forgot about them. I have discovered a whole new world - I thought, like you, that blogging was a kids' hobby. I enjoy reading and commenting to people that I feel that I know a little. I can't believe how many friends I have that I have never actually met in person, or even spoken to.
Randy,wow 400,000 points. My goodness that's one heck of a lot of posts, guy. I've been called the prolific blogger but I don't come anywhere close to you. Congratulations!!!
Missy - Thank you
Virginia - I too, but the most fun has been actually meeting several of them when I travel or when they visit the islands.
Gena - You have definitely been one of the best here on Active Rain. Thank you for the kind words.
Congratulations, Randy. What a journey. Saw that you were getting close but have had a hard time keeping up with writing along with everything else. Where does the time go? Did you ever think that you would be this involved and write so much?
Jeff
Randy.... wow, a big congrats...... I didn't know that I started before you.... I started in 10/1/06.... you are a blogging fool. I am like 100k behind you and 100 posts behind you... lol
Seriously though.... that is an awesome milestone..... a BIG CONGRATS.... and it's been a pleasure getting to know you on here...
Jeff D. - I never thought I would pass 10,000 points when I joined.
Jeff B. - I have learned a tremendous amount from your blog posts.
Watch out, I'm catching up.... NOT. haha
Have a good weekend.
Congratulations on your milestone Randy. You always write great and interesting blogs. I enjoy reading them and I am looking forward to reading more great blogs from you. Great post.
Congratulations Randy, you are one of the familiar faces I know on AR since you blog sooooo much. Thanks for what you bring to the table.
Georgina - The points keep speeding up at you go.
Lanre - Thank you for the kind words.
Latonia - Thank you and you are welcome.
Randy,
I don't know how I missed this but now that I'm here .............CONGRATULATIONS, you are a cornerstone of the AR community.
Cynthia - Thank you, that is very kind of you.
Amazing, you got here before our Sally Cheeseman!!! Congratulations and keep on blogging!!!
Barbara-Jo & Bill - She sure has taken to blogging.