It's been a little while since I've written a Real Estate specific post, or even a non-industry related piece that has consisted of more than a caption under someone else's drawing. There are two primary reasons for my absence. One, fortunately, has everything to do with a dramatic rise in business. It seems that every Tom, Dick and Harry who has been waiting for the market to fully capitulate before wading back into the fray for a purchase has declared, "All clear!" The only thing burning faster than a gallon of gasoline in my protesting vehicle are the minutes on my angry cell phone.
Can you hear me now?
You bet.
Secondly, I have taken all of the time that I don't have and shaved off an hour or so of it every day for the last few weeks to work on my latest project. A project I never really expected to undertake.
I have been more than satisfied with my blogging experience here on the ActiveRain network. In addition to verifiable lead generation that has accounted for approximately 50% of my business to date in 2009, I have made real friends in this imaginary community. I have also built a stable of referral partners here to whom I would send business without so much as a second thought (as well as expunge a few select nasties to whom I wouldn't send a client if they had the only bomb shelter in a post-Apocalyptic world.) In short, ActiveRain has been berry, berry good to me.
But you can't stop Paul Slaybaugh, you can only hope to contain him.
I'm ready to try my hand at creating my own little space in the cyberworld where I am beholden to me and my whims alone. I wanted to craft a blogsite which fully integrates everything I want and nothing I don't. It's that simple. Oddly enough, I don't expect to go nuts creatively on the new one, as it will be specifically tailored to be a functional tool for my current and future clients. I'll keep the more adventurous stuff here at ActiveRain, where my catchall little blog has made its niche.
Unlike some wayward blogging souls who follow Carol Anne into the light and never return to their old stomping grounds, I am not abandoning AR for greener pastures. Rather, I am engaging in internet sharecropping. I till the more consumer specific Real Estate soils on one field while the other awaits the next crop of ... well ... whatever seeds I happen to find in the glove box.
So you can continue to catch my act live here on the evenings and weekends, while a different audience may be more inclined to trade in my AR cocktail party blog for the ongoing business casual soiree being thrown over at the new digs.
It's a work in progress that I suspect may never finish progressing, but without further ado, I present to you:
The Scottsdale Property Shop Blog
Your source for Scottsdale Real Estate since the dawn of time ... or thereabouts.
Launch your Scottsdale Home Search now!
Looking forward to new adventures Paul.
Inauspicious launch. Had to fix the link. LOL.
Paul, Kudos...there is sooooooooooo much to do and soooooooooooo little time when it comes to the web.......I'm constantly finding new adventures.....it's an amazing experience and I'm wishing you the very best!!
Hi Paul! New adventures are just that--an adventure and if you get bored, you can always return full-time to the tried and true AR where you're loved and appreciated!! (AND from where you get great business!) I'll stop in and see how you're doing!
Hi Paul! Congratualtions! The new digs look fantastic!
Attractive and consumer friendly site, Paul. Have a great 2009!
Thanks, John. Hope your 2009 is comparably great.
I appreciate it, Steve. Much of the credit goes to Jessica Horton's hubby, Jason. The guy is a whiz with Wordpress and got me all squared away on the theme, hosting setup and main nuts and bolts. Highly recommend his services to anyone looking for help launching a WP.
Debe, much obliged for you looking in on my new spot. It's a labor of love (and sometimes pure hate as I fight technology). I'll be here as much as there, so no one will have to go far to find me.
Amanda, isn't that the truth? So much to learn, so much to do. That's why I have fought the notion of committing the necessary time and effort into launching my own WP. It's a voracious eater of time and grey matter. I'm glad I finally bit the bullet, however. Just another arrow in my business quiver. Wow, two sentences ... two different projectile references. I must be on edge from all of the coding nightmares of the past few weeks ;)
And many more we shall have, Susan :)
"You built the development on an Indian graveyard! You moved the headstones but left the bodes!"
Go back into the light, Lenza.
Hi Paul ~ I really like the layout of your new blog - looks great! I've also got my own new blog up and running while simultaneously posting here. I'm worn down to a little nub! And business has started to boom on top of that. Yikes!
Liz
Like they say, Liz, it always happens in threes ;)
Blogging is one of the most bountiful tools a Realtor has in today's Internet market.
That it is, Sabrina.
I like it Paul. I may have to shave some non existant time off of my schedule to try to do something like this too. I have been feeling bad not getting a good Webpage up and running but this I might be able to get into. Great work and as always great idea. Thanks for sharing.
Paul, just checked back and the new blog is really cool. I love the format. Don't forget all work and no play makes Paul a dull boy so come back here often!!
Looks nice Paul. Did you design it?
I hang out on my little blog too.
I'm sure your literary garden will thrive. You have the requisite green thumb.
Paul ~ Well, I hope you're not going to institute a two drink minimum! I checked out your new blog and I love the lay-out. It looks like it will be easy to navigate too. Good luck with it!
Paul - love the format of it, with the little squares of content. One comment tho. Yhe font is too small on the posts once you open them up to easily read. I do wear glasses (OK flippin bifocals), but it was still a little bit of a strain, so I couldn't even MAKE myself read any of the content. Otherwise, kudos.
Sally - Thanks for the feedback. I'll see what I can do about beefing up the font for my more ocularly challenged readers ;)
Kathy - You mean you've been sneaking in here without paying the minimum all of these months? It's gonna have to be a three drink minimum for awhile now until I recoup all of that lost revenue.
Lenn - Many thanks. I'm excited about the new endeavor.
Missy - I put in the colors and most of the images, but Jason Horton (Mr. Jessica) helped me tremendously in not only laying out the original theme and widget selections, but in tutoring me in the ways of Wordpress. Any kudos should be divvied up about 75% him, 25% me. Thanks for the look.
Susan - You know I always find time to squeeze in the fun :)
Paddy - Thanks and good luck. I just wanted something that combined a blog platform with a website's functionality, but not laying out exactly like either.
Paul I think you need to put a disclaimer by your "chat with me" button. I mean do people really know what they are getting into?
Valid point, Melina.
I'm sure the new adventure will be just as good as the old my friend. Best of luck to you Paul.
It looks great Paul, good job! As long as you turn up to post your fab stories every now & then, I can handle you branching out. : )
Can I go on your blog and leave obnoxious comments? I like being argumentative...I could sign in as Lenza...
Paul,
Congrats on your successes in recent business volume. Like you, I have been highly absent from the AR scene due to busyness. I won't complain there. I will go check out your new blog to see it. Best wishes to you as you embark on another venture! :)
Thanks, JL. Looking forward to seeing what kind of hay I can make out in the big, bad internet field all by my lonesome. It will take some getting used to having posts fall on deaf ears and mute keyboards for awhile.
That reminds me, Chris, I still have one to finish, don't I?
Melina, you are asking permission to continue with the status quo? By all means ... the moderator with the itchy trigger finger awaits.
Glad to hear business has spiked for you as well, Sarah. Good to see you back around these parts.
Great layout of the new site Paul !
Very easy to follow for the reader.
Good luck with it mate !
Cheers !
Sheldon :o)
Thanks, Sheldon. And how is the enlarged Neal household getting on these days?
Hey Congrats on your new blog! It looks fantastic and is plagued with that brilliant sense of humor I SO admire! Hugs! :)
Paul - Great site. ! Soooooooooooo many options and the graphics are clean. I'm afraid of you ! :D
Thanks for the kudos, Laura, but no need to fear little old me.
Thanks, Shannon!