Active Rain has changed so much since I first started in October of 2006. I remember the membership to be around 6,000 or so. Now it's up over 213,000 people. Many of you might not know who I am because my blogging has slowed down considerably in 2011 and so has my overall participation. Several reasons... I have been writing for 4 1/2 years. My first 2 years, I was writing like 30 blog posts a month. And as many of you know, it can be time consuming when writing, reading, and commenting.  Also, I love mortgages, helping those with questions, and to educate them. But mortgages in general are just boring. I just hit my 19 year anniversary 3 weeks ago. I love comments like the next one, but I have to be on here like 24/7, paying it forward, writing good stuff, and so much more. I just got burnt out.

Just the other day, I had a consumer call me from California who found me online and said, "you write some very good stuff. I have been reading your posts on The FHA Expert and a few on Active Rain." He then asks me a question and told me that 3 other lenders said it can't be done. I said that they are wrong, that it's allowed by HUD/FHA. Hey, I just always prided myself in putting good quality content out there that is easy to understand. But I just haven't done as well in recent years for several reasons.

 

Good news though.... I can take what I have learned in blogging, thanks partially to Active Rain and several of its members, and put it too good use. I have been working on a project for myself, a web site all About Philadelphia.

 

The general description :

At MyPhillyAlive, I want to share the excitement that the City of Philadelphia resonates. Sharing the passion within, from the people of Philadelphia. At MyPhillyAlive, I'll be talking about restaurants, fun bars & the city night life, the history of Philadelphia, Philly attractions & events, the arts, sports, and much more. I want people to add their experiences regarding Philadelphia, even if they are from out of town.

 

 

 

On top of it all, I will also be doing social media. Teaching those the basics, about blogging, the major social media platforms, how to engage, some tools, and reviewing the business's or individual's social media plan. I will also be doing this for my current company regarding mortgages. And I will still help regarding mortgages, but I am excited about keeping my passion going in blog posts when it comes to Philadelphia, especially the history of Philadelphia.

 

So...  this is where I have been, since I haven't been on Active Rain in the last 3 months or so. Here is a link to my facebook fan page : MyPhillyAlive - My web site will be live in about a week.You can also find me on Twitter @MyPhillyAlive .

Thanks, Jeff

 

I'll be honest here. I am not a devout baseball fan. I almost never watch baseball on television unless it's a playoff game or the world series and the Philadelphia Phillies are playing. Even then, there is usually some sort of party associated to the event of me sitting in front of the television. I do love the game in person. I love the noise, the food, the smells and the excitement of the fans. This week I am lucky to be going to Citizens Bank Park twice to see the game! Twice!

Tonight is a night out with my best girls and Thursday is RE/MAX Day at the Ballpark! If you've been down to the ball field, I'm sure you noticed that RE/MAX shines brightly on the digital scoreboard! Photo compliments of RE/MAX International.

 

 

RE/MAX is a proud partner of the Philadelphia Phillies!

I will be cheering from the stands tonight and Thursday!! Woo hoo!

 

Go!

 

If you know me, you know I love to read.  I've been reading everything I can get my hands on since the first grade!  I have so many books that I have run out of room to store them.  With on-line book buying made so easy, and a great "bring and take" area in my gym, I haven't had to go to the library in quite some time.  

Last week my best friend asked me if I felt like taking a ride to one of the nicest libraries in the area, The Chester County Library in Exton.  When we arrived I felt that old excitement; all these books and I could read whatever I wanted.  I took 3 books home and started right in.  I quickly discovered that one of the books was one I had already read so I moved on to the next one!  This is the beauty of the library.  I don't need to rely on my spaghetti strainer of a brain and if I accidentally take home a book I've read, no big deal!  I can take it right back and start over.  I also have the luxury of not finishing a book if I don't like it.  I can count on one hand how many times I didn't finish a book, but for me, a good life is having choices.  When you shell out $20 for a book, you'll finish it whether it's good or not.  With the free library, you can choose!

Today was a nice lazy day for me.  I had set it aside with no appointments because my son Max was in a soccer tournament and if he kept winning; I wanted to be at all of the games.  Sadly, for his team, they lost yesterday so here I am today, with time on my hands.  There's great stuff happening in the area like Super Sunday in West Chester and an Italian Food Festival at Rose Tree Park, but I am in the mood to get lost in a book, so I headed over to the library.

My eyes, as usual, were bigger than my arms and I came home with 7 books.  I can't adequately describe the feeling and if you are a reader, maybe I don't have to.  To know that I can take as many books as I want and keep them for 3 weeks is like a small miracle to me.  I feel like a little kid in a candy store at the library and I always have.  There are some things that are so special they never get old.  The library is one of them.  I use my son Michael's library card because I have no idea where my card is.  Mike's card is from when he was a small boy and is a little the worse for wear.  The librarian offered to replace it.  He printed his name on the back of it in his little boy printing and for me, it's irreplaceable.  Like the world of books.

There are many branches of the Chester County Library.  Click here to find one near you.  

I hope you enjoyed your Sunday as much as I did.

 

 

 

I'm working with a nice buyer who brought a friend along yesterday to look at houses with us.  While we were driving around and chatting, the friend asked us where we met.  We looked at each other and we both responded at once... "on the internet".   It sounds funny.  It sounds like computer dating.  In fact, it's very similar.

I often have clients reach out for the first time via email to inquire about looking at homes.  In this instance, and in the past, I always suggest we meet at the office to sit and talk.  I think this a great way to see if we are a good fit to work together.  At that time, I explain how things work, I explain agency and I take the time to figure out if I can, indeed, help the buyer. 

Some folks aren't interested in this arrangement.  They simply want to meet me at the listing, view it, and go on their way.  Realtor safety has become a hot topic and I try never to meet strangers at listings.  It's not safe and it's not doing the seller/client any favors either.  On the rare occasion that I break this rule, either because the home is just too far from my office, or because the buyer is very insistent, I request that the seller stay home for the showing.  

Looking to buy or sell in Chester County?  Check me out on the internet! I have a Facebook business page; I'm on twitter, realtor.com and many other places.  Google my name.  You'll find me!

And it will be a funny story we can tell the kids!

So, where did you two meet?  On the Internet!

 

 

 

 

 

HUGE game today... this is almost a must win for the Eagles, because after tonight, the Eagles play at the New York Giants, then at Philly against Minnesota, and then finish the season with the Cowgirls visiting Philadelphia. The Eagles are a 1/2 game up on the Giants with the same record, winning the tie breaker so far. The Giants have to go to the Green Bay Packers the following week and then end with Washington.

 

 

I always disliked the Cowboys coach, Wade Phillips. I just think he was barely average at times. I thought Dallas had a very talented team, many did, because many had picked the Cowboys to possibly get to the Super Bowl, which is being played in Dallas this year. What a shame that they won't have a chance. ;o) But seriously, the Cowboys new coach, Jason Garrett has done very well. He is 3-1 since taking over and was a late field goal away on Thanksgiving day from going 4-0.

Overall, it's nice that the Cowboys won't have Dez Bryant in their line up. An excellent and scary rookie who is a wide received and a punt returner. And Asante Samuels for the Eagles should be back in a secondary that has been hurting some. One of Dallas's big reason for playing better has been their running game.  And the Eagles have the 2nd best offense in the NFL, but their defense is just average, and very good at times. If the Eagles want to go far, their defense needs to be about 25 percent better.

 

Prediction : Yes, I am a die hard Eagles fan...

Philadelphia Eagles 24 - Dallas Cowgirls 23

 

 

Do you blog?  Do you like to network? RainCamp in Philadelphia is a great place to do both. Yes, I am listening, but also blogging.. I call this multi-tasking.

Here we have Bob Stewart and Ben Kinney talking about blogging tips, giving SEO tips, and so much more.

 

Are these types of events good?  Waste of time? I have been blogging for 4 + years now and as long as I can come away with 1 or 2 new tips and or ideas... and network with like-minded professionals, it's a WIN WIN.

 

 

 

 

 

Learning -

Some good info shared today.....

• Types of online advertising

CPM - cost per impressions such as banner ads

CPA - cost per action which would be paying per lead

PPC - pay per click such as Google Ad words, yahoo search marketing, and Microsoft ad center

• Contact Forms - free, yes, we all like free stuff. Sites to collect consumers information online.
  

www.wufoo.com

www.mailchimp.com

• Lead capture strategies

Baiter results - let the consumer view for free at first, but the 2nd or 3rd time they click on something, you make them register.

Open Search - Never forcing the consumer to sign up for anything.

• Key search terms and exploring the long tail. You will get less clicks on a longer specific long tail, but a better quality lead. Why? That person knows what they are looking for.
  

• Linking - You want people to link back to your site. You can link back to others, but google is starting to crack down on reciprocal back linking. I have heard different opinions on this, so look into it.

• SEO - Questions and Info

Key word density - your key words should be between 2 percent to 4 percent of your total post regarding your total words. Need a word counter?  Word Counter

Age & size of your domain name

Page title is important, using some key words

First sentence - you should have your key word in the first sentence.

Links - have a few links in your post pointing back to your main site. Example. Write a post on Active Rain and in your signature, have a few key words pointing back to your main outside site. 2 to 4 outgoing links is good.

• Facebook ads - two types - learn it and "Do it"
  

pay per click

cost for 1,000 impressions

• and more info
  

 

 

Networking -

 

 

Who doesn't like to network, to socialize.... and party. We held a meet up/gathering last night at The Swift Half Pub. We had a good turn out, about 25 people. Hannah Williams (PA), known as Helpful Hannah, posted about this last night. I only had the chance to take one picture, but there are several who took many. More posts should be appearing in the next 24 hours.

Philadelphia RainCamp Pre-Party Fun by HelpfulHannah

Our very own Sheldon Neal (NJ), aka the British Agent, wrote this post.

RAINCAMP PHILLY ! PRE-CAMP HAPPY HOUR(S) !!!!!

Pat Kennedy (DC), Kerri Greenhalgh (WA), & Kelly Clifford (WA)

 

 

 

At RainCamp - Dagny Eason (CT) & Erica Ramus (PA)

As you can see, a great time in networking with people from all over. Duing the breaks, I got to meet people that I have been talking to for a few years, and finally getting to put a face to the name and voice.

In 1 hour, AR will be having a happy hour at Plough and the Stars... a great Irish Pub & Restaurant in Olde City in Philadelphia, PA.

Jeff Belonger's simple advice... Blog..."Just do it" and do it on Active Rain, especially if just starting out. It works...

 

 

UPDATE : 12/1/10

 

Another Phabulous RainCamp - Phun and Phriendship in Philly phor a RainMaker  By : Irene Kennedy

 

Rain Camp Philly from Wilton CT   by Dagny Eason

 

RainCamp Made Me Uncomfortable  By : Joseph Michalski  

 

UPDATE : 12/2/10

 

Philadelphia Pa Real Estate Blog "video" RainCamp 2010 Pt 1  by Hannah Williams  Chris Somers in a video on the Panel.

RAINCAMP PHILLY - Highlights from my Notes  by : David Monsour   David mentioned some things that I didn't cover in my recap.

 

 

 

 

While the wee people argue over which hot wheel car to bring for our Localism photo-shoot, I figured I'd do a re-blog of Kerrie's post. It will be the first time the shorties meet several of my blogging buddies. I keep thinking the photo-op on this trip is going to be an amazing bit of eye candy. Can you say Facebook Nirvana? (insert silly lop-sided, cool aid grin here - LOL). ;-) 

 

 

 

 

Ever been to RainCamp?  Ever been to the city of Philadelphia?  Well, I have two very reliable sources that tell me that RainCamp will be coming to Philadelphia on November 30th, 2010. I attended RainCamp 2010 in NYC back in January. Not only is it a good time, and a great time to network, but I learned some good information and tips from the 1 day session.

Come meet Bob Stewart, Kerrie Greenhalgh, and possibly Jonathan Washburn. I have had the pleasure of meeting all 3 wonderful individuals. And I am sure there will be a few more from Active Rain.

 

 

 

So, here are some of the basics of RainCamp.... to give you a break down, here was RainCamp in New Orleans and the itinerary.

 

RainCamp is an all day event where the latest and greatest Social Media tools are shared.  Ben Kinney is a mega agent from Washington State and he opens the door to his success.  Ben was featured in the 2008 Realtor® Magazine "30 under 30" as well as the WCAR Realtor® of the Year and Quarter.

At RainCamp you'll learn:

• How to get your blog to rank on the first page of Google.
• Advanced strategies of Facebook's new advertising platform.
• How to use Twitter to position you as the source for real estate information in your community.
• How a high producing agent (150+ deals/year) uses his online presence to get the listing, almost every time!

 

At the end of the day, there will be a VIP party from 5-8 pm. Location is unknown at this time.

So, anyone that is going to go, let me know and maybe we can meet up early. Coming into town the night before, let me know and maybe we can put a quick gathering together the night before. Please leave your contact info in the comments below or e-mail me directly at jbelonger@ihmci.com

 

For more information or to register please go to:

Raincamp Philadelphia Info/Registration page

 

 

 

 

           Pictures from my friend John Powers

 

Just to show you how close you could be to RainCamp in Philadelphia.

Wilmington, DE - 45 minutes

New Castle, DE - 50 minutes

New York City - 1 hour 50 minutes

Baltimore, MD - 2 hours

Washington D.C. - 3 hours

Alexandria, VA - 3 hours

Hartford, CT - 3 hours 45 minutes

Richmond, VA - 4 hours 45 minutes

Pittsburgh, PA - 5 1/2 hours

Boston, MA - 5 1/2 hours

Charelston, WV - 8 hours

 

 

I wrote this series about Philadelphia in late 2006.

• The City of Brotherly Love: The Introduction of Philadelphia & what the city has to offer.....

• The City of Brotherly Love: Part 1 of 6 - Philadelphia Sports ...... A series of blogs

• The City of Brotherly Love: Part 2 of 6 - The Historic Sites & Famous People of Philadelphia......A series of Blogs

• The City of Brotherly Love: Part 3 of 6 -- The Museums, Parks, & The Arts of Philadelphia..... A series of Blogs

• The City of Brotherly Love: Part 4 of 6 -- Local Sites, Restaurants, & Pubs of Philadelphia..... A Series of Blogs

• The City of Brotherly Love: Part 5 of 6 - Philadelphia Colleges & Universities ...... A series of blogs

• The City of Brotherly Love: Part 6 of 6 - The Surrounding Areas of Philadelphia, Travel, & Transportation ...... A series of blogs