I recently signed up for an outside blog. I was encouraged to do this by reading so many positive responses from fellow Active Rain members. With the economy being as it is, I was cautious to spend any additional money (For about 5 minutes) until I began to think about how 95% of people are now serching for their homes on the internet. It was a NO Brainer!! I have long known that snail mail and paper advertising have limited benefit.
When I host an open house, One question I always ask is "How did you hear about this open house?" Sometimes buyers have driven by the OPEN HOUSE sign, but most often, people state they saw it online.
If we want to stay in business (I DO!!!) then we need to keep up with the times, and that means social networking and blogging.
After making my decision, I signed right up for the Outside Blog. Sadly, I might have done this before thoroughly researching how to use the new blog. Guess what? I made some mistakes. I was frantic. How can I fix my blog site so consumers can find me?
I called Active Brad who returned my call the same day. Magically, he was able to fix all of my mistakes. I also E-mailed in with some questions and have had return E-mail answers. It's refreshing to see that a large company makes the effort to help each individual succeed.
I have named my outside blog http://www.metrowestareablog.com because I have lived and worked in MetroWest Area for over 20 years!! My familiarity with the area is key when working with Buyers and Sellers in Metro West. I have also added a new domain name to coincide with the blog called http://metrowestarearealestate.com My clients and consumers can reach me through this new domain and my original website domain of http://www.randisteckler.com
I am hopeful that these changes will bring the GoogleJuice I've been hearing about.
Thanks for all of your help Brad and Active Rain!!
Randi Steckler or RE/MAX Executive Realty is available to help Buyers and Sellers achieve all of their Real Estate goals. You can reach Randi by phone at 508-944-0090, or by E-Mail at randi@randisteckler.com
A Warm Home is a Sign of a Happy Heart! 
Randi - Your 1st link has a comma and not a dot so it is not working. The 2nd link is John Savignano's website. You may want to fix that too:)
Bill,
Thanks. There were some glitches that were difficult to fix, but all set now. John got some extra advertising!
You still have a comma so the link will not work for your blog.
Randi--I followed you here becaue you commented on my blog recently and I am glad. I learned a lot my reading your blog. I know I need to set up an outside blog, too. I will be back to learn more. Keep writing. I see that you are new to AR. I have been here just a few months, but have learned a lot from so many wonderful, helpful people. Have a great day. Mary
Bill,
It seems that if you delete just a few letters or commas the system does not change the link despite it looking correct. You need to delete the entire link and rewrite it. Strange. Anyway, thanks for the tip.
Mary,
It's wonderful to learn from each other!
Randi,
Good luck with your outside blog, I just started mine too.