Finally, three weeks after getting together with Karen Anne Stone during my trip to Texas, here is a photo of the occasion. We won't be winning any beauty pageant crowns with this photo, but what's REALLY important here is the camaraderie developed through ActiveRain and person-to-person connections all over this country.
When I found out I would be in the DFW area for over a week, I looked up Karen Anne's contact info at RE/MAX Associates Realty and invited her to meet me for dinner. She quickly accepted the invite and we met at Salt Lick, a steak house franchise in Arlington, not far from Dallas and Fort Worth.
Even though I have exchanged ActiveRain comments with a few other DFW area agents and meme'd two of them in the hopes of getting to know them... and even though I have sent referrals to two pre-ActiveRain agents in the area this year,... and even though there are countless DFW area agents with whom I've exchanged business cards at several RE/MAX Conventions... Karen Anne is the first and only person I thought to contact. Why? Because I know and like her, thanks to ActiveRain.
It seems like we've been exchanging comments for months, but then I looked it up. Her first ActiveRain post was August 24, and our dinner was less than a month later. So what's the difference between her and all those other agents... why did I "click" with Karen Anne online and want to meet her? The answer has to be quality of content in our exchange of comments and a consistent effort to keep in touch after our first exchange of comments. Our meeting was just as expected - warm and friendly, like two old friends getting together to talk about real estate and family.
So the next time a non-believer tells you that all this time spent on ActiveRain is a distraction and a waste, just tell them that you're building relationships that are important to your business - because you are - and important personally. I'm turning lemons into lemonade, replacing that lost synergy in my office (because everyone works at home now) with new friends around the country, like Karen Anne Stone.
You could call this a Match Made in Texas - or a Friend Made on ActiveRain- or just another ActiveRain Gathering.
P.S. Be sure to read Brian Block's post about Meeting Some of the Lovely Ladies of Blogging, another "match-up" of ActiveRain agents that I had the pleasure to join last month. My new goal? Meet one new ActiveRainer in person every month. (If you're in Pinehurst, N.C., I'll be there for Thanksgiving weekend, so give me a call.)
Check out my new "outside" blog: FocusOnCrofton.com
Copyright 2006-12. All rights reserved.
DISCLAIMER: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice.
__________________________________
Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
Direct: (301)346-2923 or click on EMAIL
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Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 2191 Defense Hwy., Crofton, MD 21114 (410) 721-1500
I still haven't met any rainers in person and I am dying to!! Sounds like you had a great dinner- how lovely!
No, Sally, no Hawaii in my future. But didn't you say something about visiting the East Coast?
Jason, I actually toyed with making the drive to Austin while I was there, but it's SO HOT in Texas!
Jeff, Maybe at the Inman Connect even on the East Coast
Brian, Did you get the photo I sent via email today? My battery only eaked out enough energy for that one.
Ginger, I didn't plan this get-together, but it seemed like a good idea, when I ended up in that area unexpectedly.
Hey, Mary, maybe we can meet when I'm in Vegas for the RE/MAX Convention.
Margaret...that is so cool. I look forward to a gathering or something...maybe a DC Area Luncheon or something would be nice.
Swim Sally Swim...come see us.
Carole - You're right - Karen Anne often remarked about the Lady Terps, so I finally had to ask about her interest in or connection with them, and she told me she was a fan of women's basketball (Lady Terps were national champs last year). It wasn't the non-commital "great post - lots of good information" that we get and give sometimes. It makes a difference.
Adam - 'Not sure if I'm gonna do that or go to the RE/MAX Convention...
Bill - It really surprised me to find that it had been only a few weeks - it felt like much longer.
Bob - I think that would be a great idea. I saw from your blog that you're going to be down here near BWI for a L&F event - but really, it's only about an hour for us to Frederick via Rt. 32 and 70. And it's such beautiful drive in the all. I might have to plan a visit to the Prime Outlets in Hagerstown... (and pass through Frederick at lunch time, or something.)
Karen, I don't know if you clicked through to the link at the bottom of this post, but I met up with 3 other ActiveRainers in Clarendon a few weeks ago. I'd love to get together sometime.
Patricia - We had a great time, and she was a fountain of information.
Thesa - It's a great experience, and I hope you get a chance to do that.
Hi Margaret: Yikes.. who is that "older woman" standing next to you ? Sheesh. I TOLD you Susan should have taken my picture with the BACK of my head facing the camera. Just what I need... my picture taken on a bad hair day... while wearing almost no make-up.
But... life goes on. LOL
Seriously, it was so great meeting you and your "spirit-filled" daughter Susan. I enjoyed the two of you immensely... and look forward to our next get-together. I just need to make sure I get my hair done before we meet next time. I am so embarrassed. By the way... I really like your new "outside blog"... Focus On Crofton. Gooo Tomatoes... ! Tomatoes Rule !
Karen Anne - Neither of us is looking very great, are we? You're right, Maybe WE should have taken a photo of Susan and had her stand in as our surrogate. (And we'll BOTH get our hair and make-up done next time!)
Thanks fo the compliment on my outside blog. I just started a free one on Wordpress for my garden club (still in progress), with the hope of creating some outside links to my own site. Pretty clever, huh?
You mentioned you were thinking of doing an outside blog, and the garden club site is a free one on Wordpress; and it's where I experimented with what I wanted for FocusOnCrofton.com before graduating to the Tomato. (And it's good training for the Tomato, since it is built on a Wordpress platform.)
Okay, yard work calls. No real estate today!
Margaret, This is a very nice commemorative to your new friend. AR is a good source of new friends for those of us who do work out of our homes.
thanks for sharing your experience. It encourages all of us.
Bill Roberts