#1) It's my social life outside of my family. Safe, no drinking, no chance of romance etc.

#2) Exposure to potential clients

 #3) Google juice

OK , you're getting deep here but I liked your opening presentation.

After reading the answers that went before ME, I think this is an

"ALL OF THE ABOVE" proposition.   I am here for information, training, knowledge, mentoring, entertainment, and so many other reasons.

The reverse is also true.   I write my blog postings to be information, training, knowledge, mentoring, entertainment and so on for my readers.

There is one caveat though.   I pay ActiveRain for the service and they provide ME a platform for marketing; so it ends up being a WIN-WIN !

Hi Annette - We're blogging here because Google appreciates our efforts and rewards us with page 1 search results and good leads, in a friendly and nurturing environment filled with competent and sharing friends. What could be better?

I blog primarily for SEO ranking, and the establishment of friendly relationships with my peers.

I do find that a conceptual blog post does help me in fine tuning my thought process, so, Yes; I am my first reader and often, my feelings after writing are even stronger.

There are many clever comments before me mine so I will just say I was here because I love all my Rain friends

Blogging for business ....

I try to leave things in a better state than when I found them - in any part of my life. I don't sweat the philosophical issues, life's too short, and I'm too young to have been of the generation that took the drugs in the 60s.

Networking and marketing on the net

Writing about what is happening in your life? Drummim up business? Your life's journal?

Business - Connections - Referrals (aka more business) 

I have something to say and blogging is a platform for my voice to be heard. 

This is a great place to learn and ask questions of other agents.  Also a place to share experiences and gather opinions.  It is always interesting to see how many aspects of real estate are handled in other states.

Very deep.  Too deep for me to wrap my head around.  I blog to convey knowledge/information in a manner that hopefully my audience will connect with.  I also do it for marketing.  Depends on the blog for the purpose of it.  Right now I'm 100% marketing.  No time for the other aspect.

You reminded me this one:

“Appearances to the mind are of four kinds. 

Things either are what they appear to be; 
or they neither are, nor appear to be; 
or they are, and do not appear to be; 
or they are not, and yet appear to be. 
Rightly to aim in all these cases is the wise man's task.”

― Epictetus

I like the SEO benefits of AR, but I also use it as a creative release. I do like to write. 

It's a big wall to write graffiti on. And sometimes kindred taggers notice, and some other things happen, and money rains down on me. 3:)

To share information with one another 

Why am I here , It's in my genes on both sides of the Family. Mackintosh = Real Estate / Ferguson = author / writer from my Grandfather T.W. Ferguson

The quote rings true w/ me!

Wherever you are, or wherever you go, there be people our like kind. Whats not to like? Without mankind, everything we know about is worthless. Here, on AR or out there randomly, join in ....for life is but a vapor

For Google love and new client calls.

I got pulled in for the seo, and reconnecting with writing was a side benefit, though I seldom take the time to write anythiing great.

I love what I learn.  The other day, I had someone comment on one of my links not being functional--and then she actually picked up the phone from 2,000 miles away and called me to help out.  Now THAT is a caring community.  The fact that the public actually calls off of my posts hasn't hurt, either....google juice.

The goals of bloggers are not all the same. 

We are the local cub reporter for our area events, the properties that populated it with our sign out front. The ones needing media treatment with images, video, plats, the works. So blogging on AR is for reach, frequency, a greater market than just a few blocks around the listing. Results is why. But don't be just blogging here. For fun the writing is on a Me In Maine platform.

I came here for the business opportunities.   

Everyday I learn something.

The people aspect of this forum has been a very nice surprise.  

Good morning Annette. It all started out because I thought it was a way for me to be able to referral some of my clients to Realtors and mortgage brokers when they needed services in states I am not licensed, it became much more than that. I ended up making lots of friends.

You cannot be a writer if you don't read..... there are some on Active rain who teach with their blogs, some preach and some reach out and share their knowledge and experience freely...  it is quite a group of people...  really quite remarkable.

When I first came to ActiveRain there were a couple other real estate blogging sites. It was the wild West and people were very rude. I didn't find that when I came back to the rain!!!!

I don't know about you, but I am here to interact with other Real Estate professionals, gaining knowledge and learning what others do in certain circumstances.  It is a great learning place.   Showing of my writing skills is not a good reason to be on AR. I hope that I am able to improve myself as a Real Estate professional and hope to help others be the best they can be.

I write and post for business first but like the interaction and networking with the people on ActiveRain.  We are bound together like in a special group that help and support one another.

Annette,

We both enjoy writing, and for those who actually read our post welike hearing their perpectives.   Perhaps it is to fullfill the quote by CS Lewis, "We read to know we are not alone!" and we would also say, we write to know we are not alone. A

I'm here to pick brains and to, hopefully, leave a few useful breadcrumbs of my own along the way. (Mixed my metaphors there, but that's ok.) I also find that my opinions are getting refined, strengthened, and informed by what I see here. I don't always agree with what I read, and that often provides me more insight to my own opinions than when I do agree. :0)

Blogging for SEO, intereacting with other real estate professionals.

I sit in a corner and talk to myself until somebody else comes along and joins in.

I just got lucky!  When I wanted to start a blog people gave me a list of blog sites.  For some reason Activerain stuck out as a good one for me and it has proven to be a great decision.  I originally started blogging because it was the new thing to do.  I then found out how enjoyable it was to put thoughts down in writing and that they may be read long after I'm gone.

I am here because you are here. Active Rain gives me the platform to have discussions with agents all across the country. By answering questions like this, it gives people insight on how I think and shows my experience and wiliness to help others. I don't use it for self promotion and to be on page 1 of Google. Since I'm just starting out blogging, my blogs are informational, and let others get to know me based on my morals, not as a Mortgage Broker looking for business.

I started blogging on Activerain to pay it forward to real estate agents. I am a writer and love to use writing as my creative release and messaging. People work harder for praises than for raises and I certainly do. I like to feel appreciated and the best payment for me is when a member here tells me I have helped them change their business, thereby changing their life. 

I am also here for the google juice. Business blogging is not my favorite form or writing. I don't like market reports or blogging about listings but know the consumers like and want them. 

I would rather blog about my passions and have deep discussions and debates on a wide variety of topics but primarily around liberty and individual and property rights. 

I have also written about past personal experiences that actually save lives. The first time I saved a young girl from committing suicide because she found my post online... I never viewed my writing the same after that. Katerina 

I think most blog on AR because it's a proven platform, where we can be visible to the public. It's a plus for those who enjoy writing and are good at it.

Letting people know my skills is at there best in written word is why I blog and be of encouragement to those that blog here. 

I don't blog too much any more but still enjoy the community and the forum. Initially I was encouraged to join as it would promote my business. I found that to be true and encouraged others to join. Now that I have a different career I still enjoy participating and keeping in touch with friends far and wide. Thanks!

parked and reading

I am here to learn, to teach, to be entertained and to interact with the great friends i have made here, 

I blog on Active Rain for various reasons.  First, I am one to educate others with my knowledge and expertise.  I also learn a lot from others' posts, which help in my own business.  

Networking with others in the field is another reason.  It is so nice to to be able to refer clients that are relocating to agents I already know and respect.

Last, but not least, it helps with my rankings on Google searches.  

As you can see, there are many adva ntages to being on AR.

Yes, Annette, I am the first reader - first audience - whenever I write. 

Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041 - I don't think I can really 'write'! I just color the true picture of market - in my blogs.

Hi Annette

Not sure how you did it. Pretty neat spam log in.

I am merely blogging to continue my re blog from Trulia days from last year. The old model to blog by zip codes allows buyer/sellers to reach a realtor they feel is competent. If I want to write a book I will go elsewhere. I wrote the book Silicon Valley etc not by choice. I was asked by publisher....

Have a good nite.

Sam Shueh

I don't really consider myself a writer... I'm having a 'written' conversation... I'm kinda talkin' outloud, and if I'm fortunate (very fortunate), every now and then, someone (other than myself) talks back to me.

sweeeeet.

Yea it is just a little something I like to do when I am not too busy Just Being Rich.

Ok just kidding.

Make it a Great Day.

Annette, 

This is very well put. I can tell that you are a writer at heart and mind. 

I have decided to blog to share what is in my head in a safe environment. There is a lot to learn here so I read the blogs of others. 

I learn something everytime I log on to the Rain. Hopefully others learn from my postings. Then there are the marketing payoffs. Simply said that's why I'm here...helping each other and myself to excel.