Today is a very special anniversary for me...
September 4, 2008 is the day I stumbled upon ActiveRain. It was just dumb luck. I got a spam email and was checking out her "ActiveRain profile" when I thought, okay, she's an idiot, but some of these people are smart. I should blog here. I had a blog already, but it was connected to my website, not "driving traffic to my website". In the past two years I've learned the power of SEO and the magic of driving traffic.
So if you are newer to ActiveRain, let me tell you a little bit about my journey here. First off, I jumped in with both feet and no life jacket. I wrote a blog my very first day. I commented my very first day. I learned stuff my very first day. (After all the second comment I wrote was on one of Lenn Harley's blogs) And very early on I learned the importance of reciprocating comments from TLW. There are some brilliant minds wandering among these pages of posts. If you are reading this, learn to take advantage of them by reading their material. Just about anything you are interested in work related or not you'll find a group for that.
Right after I got here, I quickly discovered only a few people from my local market knew about ActiveRain and little ole' me was determined to rise to the top of my city and county and I chased the front runner so hard that I left him in the dust over 300,000 points ago. AND after two years now, my local market that has 300 plus agents still only has half a dozen that blog at all, less that blog on ActiveRain, although a few have set up profiles. Some even wrote a blog or two. I got my first ActiveRain referral from a Texas agent, it didn't work out because that seller didn't have anywhere near a realistic price point view, but hey I got the call and I was prepared to do the job.
I've cried with people, some because they made me laugh so hard, others because of sadness. I've helped celebrate babies being born, and I've mourned with others over the sadness of loosing a loved one. I've prayed with those who were having surgery and I've felt comfortable enough to ask for prayers of my own. I've gotten staging tips, photography tips, car tips, advertising tips, and even some new recipes I've tried. And friends, true friends. Friends I wouldn't hesitate to get in my car and drive 12 hours to their house to help them if they asked me to do so friends. Friends who offer support and encouragement when needed and a good swift kick in the pants when that's what needed.
I've shared right here in these pages my grief over loosing my Grandmother last year, my pride in watching my daughter choose a path of service for her life, my putting down cigarettes (4 weeks and 1 day ago), my
love for my family and country and even my struggles in life and the love I found with my Donald. If you read my blog for a couple of weeks, you get to "know" me. Some might think I'm too personal with the message I share sometimes. But you know what, when people who want to see property get into my car by the end of the day, we always know a lot about each other. Maybe because I'm the type of person who shares, others feel free to do the same. They often do.
I've written 577 posts in two years. Left over 11,000 comments and been left over 9300 comments (I was really hoping for 10,000 by the end of the day, but it doesn't seem likely at this point now does it?) You are supposed to be laughing at me now. I've set myself little goals along the way. And currently am working on the 30 in 30 challenge. This is day 5 for me.
And because this community means so much to me, know that if you ever need a friendly listener at the other end of the line, just pick up the phone and call me. The outpouring of support I got 12 and half months ago when our son Colin who had just been diagnosis with schizophrenia and had run away and was missing in San Diego for 15 days was overwhelming. And it was about the same time in my life when my 91 year old Grandmother was ready to give up on this life and move on and my husband and I were torn as to where we had to be, me wanted to go and support him, him wanting to stay and support me. The agent who work for me and YOU, my ActiveRain family got me through that time. So even if you weren't a part of that and didn't know me until right now when you read this post, know that I'm here for you. I owe a lot to this community and I'll pay it forward as long as I am able.
706-485-9668
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Tammy Lankford, Broker/Owner
Broker License # 169695 Lane Realty License # H-11420
Call me today for all your Lake Sinclair real estate needs.
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Wow Tammy... congrats on completing 2 years and for your dedication to ActiveRain-- I know it pays off in many ways! You are truly an ActiveRain devotee! Cheers! Kathy
Warmest wishes and hearty congraulations to you, Tammy. You have shared a lot as well as received a lot. I am 6 weeks in and just loving it. You sure have been blogging! Great work!
Very cool, Tammy, I'm very glad to know you. I've only been here 7 months and I already know what you are talking about. Here's for kicking up more dust!
Congrats on your milestone and great achievement. You've been very busy in 2 years!
Kathy- pays off financially too
Barbara- blogging really came easy to me. Now I'm saying I'm good at it, but I do love it.
Cynthia- I'm glad to know you as well.
Lyn- thanks and I've just made it part of my day... every work day.
As someone who counts you as a friend here, I'd like to thank you for writing this. I got an instant message from a local agent today asking me if I got business out of Active Rain. I replied yes, but what I also got was friendship and connection. He said that wasn't the case for him. I told him you have to comment on other people's posts and you have to respond when folks comment on your posts. He said he didn't realize that. I told him we should talk about it more the next time we see each other. How can you expect to form relationships if you don't extend yourself? Thank you for always being there with a supportive comment and virtual hug. xxoo You are very special to me.
Tammy - Congrats on the milestone - YOU GO GIRL!!! I have really enjoyed getting to know you these past two years and have really loved reading your stories. You're a great storyteller and wonderful blogger. Keep on blogging Tammy.
Looks like we started around the same time (082508 for me) but I took a much slower approach to blogging and commenting. Definitely didn't jump in with both feet more like waded for weeks. Still didn't become a regular blogger until about a year ago. Once I started seeing the benefit of blogging and AR though I did start blogging regularly. Now, I'm addicted.
And you are very special to me too Susie. I smiled at your spring tree each day as winter passed last year and I know I'll be doing the same again this year. And when I look back and think of those... with those opposing political signs in your yard two falls ago... I giggle ever time. I would have never dreamed I would adore you SO MUCH. LOL But I have the sneaking suspicion that you reach back to anyone who reaches out to you. That local agent could take a few tips from you.
Donne- I've never been a wader, I can't stop myself from jumping right off the deep end. And I certainly am happy to know you too. I'm gonna have to get your cell or home number soon so I can give you a call back sometime.
Congratulations Tammy,
This is wonderful...love your posts and amazing 575 posts you have created..#1 in Eatonton!! That says it all!!
You are not afraid to put it out there, Tammy and you also give a lot. It has been a pleasure getting to know you. Congratulations on the anniversary. You and L.A.
Dorie- Thanks. It's a two way street Dorie and I always enjoy your posts too.
Hi Jane- well... LA's anniversary has a few years on me huh? LOL Thanks and you know I think you're fantastic too. And heaven knows I always know I'm in for a laugh when I see your name pop up in my inbox.
Tam ! Amazing what you have got from this place in two years huh :o) Having experienced many of those things you mentioned along with you, I know for sure the immeasurable value that this community provides, and you are certainly one of the pay-it-forward leaders here :o)
You know how much I value your friendship, and support, (along with my family :o) and you know I smile when I see that 706 or 478 pop up on my phone ;o)
Cheers and Happy 2 Year Anniversary Tam !
Thanks my sweet friend Sheldon. I'm a big fan of yours and your cute family. And I've just got to find a new area code. :)
Tammy you are such a caring, loving wonderful woman! I am thankful that we've had the chance to share this amazing journey on AR. CONGRATULATIONS! What you've created it so about relationships (as well as biz). Here's to the next 2 years!!
Thanks Anna- I've learned an awful lot about branding and certainly that it doesn't have to "corporate" or "stuffy" from you. And I look forward to more years here learning from you and others too.
Hi Tammy, What a great post for your 2 year anniversary. It's been such a pleasure getting to know you, crying and laughing with you too! I'm glad you are here and so fortunate that in this huge community I found you as one of my friends! Good Luck on the 30 in 30 Tammy and congrats on your anniversary!
Mary- I think I'm gonna need that luck... I feel this "running out of ideas" pressure. And I'm glad we happened on one another also. One of these days I'm gonna come visit those pretty mountains of yours.
Hey Tammy you are so right if one follows your blog then you know the Real Deal Tammy! The AR platform is a great place where you can find support, information and friendship. Congrats on your milestone my GA friend :~)
Thanks Cyn. And yes, great info, great support and wonderful friendships can be found among these pages. Are you settled yet? Photos of the new place anytime soon?
Hi Tammy, I've been on Activerain for 2-1/2 years and love it!!! I've learned so much and made many associates & friends and learned SEO techniques and how to be in the front of google searches. It's great to see others also getting a heads up with Activerain... ;>)))
Wow, Tammy. Congratulations on reaching this milestone. I've been on AR longer than you, and yet only have a fraction of your points! You've done a great job of maximizing the benefits of AR. (Thanks for commenting on my blog post, by the way).
Wow - good for you! What a journey!
I don't think I wrote a blog post my first day - that was brave of you! I think I lurked around for a week before I got started. And, like you, I blogged my butt off trying to pass a local blogger who had become inactive on AR.
It always feels good to spend some time here, although the amount of time I'm able to spend seems to be less and less. People keep reading my blog and calling me!! :=)
Thank you for sharing so much - that's what makes you fun!
Hi Tammy and what a busy two years it has been. Yes this network sure takes you through all sorts of emotions. Sorry I missed your post about your grandmother, I know what it feels like, I lost my dad just over a year ago.
And we so appreciate the contribution you have made to the community. Congratulations!
Ann-Marie- and yet there is always so much more to learn every day you look.
Jackie- I'm usually an "all in" kind of girl.
Lori- Yes, I kind of like when it's after hours before I have time to write a post for the day. Fortunately my husband works evenings so I can continue my work day and get my AR time in while he is working.
Jennifer- I'm sorry about your Dad. I can't imagine that pain. Thanks for congratulations and always having such nice things to say on my posts.
Michael- that it is.
Good work. I see a lot of these sorts of posts and each time it just inspires me to put a little more time in and push harder to get more posts, comments, etc. It'll take a while but I will get there!
Happy anniversary! That's a great and inspiring story. I've gotten off to a much slower start, but am working on it now.
Bryan- rest asured that many of these milestone posts inspired me over the past two years. And of course there were the ones with checks... that inspires hyper local content and listing posts.
Bill- I can only say for me, it's gets easier and easier.
I for one am glad you are here, and I'm proud to be a few of those 9300 comments. Big hugs from NY and 20 more years, please.
That's a nice little piece of history that you've shared with us. In retrospect__________________ (you've just filled in the blank).
Wow......congrats! this really is a milestone for sure.
Philip- I love that photo, thanks. And wow 20 more... wow. Hugs back to you and yours. You are one of those bloggers that I love to read so much because every now and again you sprinkle the business blog with family and let your readers get to know you more as a person, a husband and a father, and that personal touch is the kind of bloggers I love to read and the ones who I'd send any referral business to in an area.
Charita- There's a lot of history here.... this post, just the tip of the ice burg.
Tammy, first off - big congrats to you on the milestone and being so proactive. You are my kind of people and just subscribed to you blog.
Tammy,
I am glad that I was a tiny part of your journey. Thanks for sharing so much of you & for reaching out to me during my busy hiatus a few months ago.
Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will be back to comment again & again and I will stop for lunch next time I am in your state.
Patricia- thanks.
Carla- thank you and I hope you enjoy reading and I'll be over to visit your blog shortly
Mary- ah yes, some of those recipies were yours lady. And I miss you when you aren't blogging and I'm looking forward to some more of those tasty dishes this winter. :)
Tammy, congratulations on achieving so much in two short years!! :) Congrats, too, on giving up the cigarettes. I have a friend who is trying to do the same. Hang in there and you will be celebrating a year from now how good you feel!!
Congratulations on the milestone. Maybe one day i will pick up the phone and give you a hello from the great state of Michigan
Sonja- Thanks and I gotta tell ya, last time I stopped smoking for 7 years... I kept waiting to feel better... and I guess since I never felt bad... it just ain't gonna happen. But I am smart enough to know it's better if I don't smoke. So currently I'm NOT smoking. If I make it to 90 I might start back.
Robert- I've never been to Michigan. But just the other day I was mapping out the routes to my sister in laws house in Minot, ND so I might be there one of these days. And I'm sure we could chat for a while. Brother and Sister in Christ you know.
Happy 2 yr Anniversary my friend. You are a shining example all the goodness in the world and the world of AR. Enjoy your Labor Day.
Sharon- I'm so happy to have met you here. Your words have a way of bringing joy to others. Hope you are feeling much better these days and that your mom is doing well too.
Tami ~ This is a very heartfelt post celebrating your two year anniversary....you have really put the points on for sure....very impressive!
Lori- I so care about the this community and the people here. And congratulations for passing that 200k mark recently yourself.
Awesome to celebrate the day you found Active Rain. I have enjoyed Active Rain ever since I started to blog and network on here.
Through thick and thin, we'll be here for you. It's an amazing journey but I felt you were here much longer than that. Hugs.... with all you've been through. And I'm cheering you on your new journey!
Morgan- It's a great community.
Loreena- When I told my husband this post got featured and he said.. "what post" and I said "my two year ActiveRain anniversary post" he said... "it's only been two years." LOL. Thanks for the hugs and the support. And ha, through thick and thin.... wait for tomorrow's post about me starting a diet on Tuesday.
Tammy:
Congratulations on your anniversary. I also found Active Rain just through random chance and it has been great.
Tammy, you are an inspiration in many ways to all of us. .consistency and discipline makes the person and you prover that. . Happy Anniversary
Hi Tammy , you really have been very active to get this far in so short a time. I am like you and expesseed many similar sentiments in a blog i wrote recently. Hope all is going well in your area of our great state
Hey Tammy, thanks for sharing your rain journey. I too stumbled upon it one night in 2006. So happy as you are, changed my life.
Claudette- Funny how some accidents work so great huh?
Fernanado- that's a two way street. I've found inspiration on your blog too. :)
Charlie- I'll be over to see if I can find that.
Missy- Do you remember how many members there were? I was before 100,000 but I really don't remember the actual number.
Hello Tammy:
Congratulations on your anniversary and hope you have many more. For us short timers 2 years seem like a lifetime.
Hi Tammy~ I have to agree with you. I love activerain and just about everyone in here! Some of the greatest folks in the world hang out here , share and pay it forward.
Wow Tammy, all that in 2 years. You are awesome.
Tammy - Awesome Awesome Awesome !!!!!! Active Rain rocks ! What a great story ! The best is yet to come : )
Brian- trust me... it will be here before you know it.
Vickie- we are the cream of the crop aren't we? LOL
Tammie- ActiveRain is awesome
Stephanie and Christopher- that it does.