Actively Raining Thoughts-Room Service Home Staging

The Voice! No it’s Not a Reality Show...But You’ll Want to Find It!

One of the many pieces of advice I’ve learned while reading “How To” posts here by seasoned bloggers was to write in your own voice.  

Now.. what the heck does that mean?  For many here, it seems to come naturally.  You can read their post and come away with a feel for who they are.  

My BARFF Roger Mucci is one who does just that.  Read what he writes, and he’ll readily admit it’s often about nothing, and you feel as if you’ve just had a conversation with him.  And, having met Roger in person and spoken to him on the phone, I can tell you this...what you read is what he is.

We write these posts for people to read.  And, if we’re lucky, those who read what we write will like it well enough to follow us or subscribe to our blogs.  Otherwise... why go through all of this??

Writing in your own voice means be yourself.  “Speak” to us as if we were talking over a cup of coffee (or adult beverage).  If you tend to be more formal in your everyday speak then write that way.

If you tend to speak in a more casual or off the cuff manner, then write in that tone.  Obviously there will be times when a more formal tone is necessary or when you need to lighten it up a bit.  

Two things to remember regardless of your type of voice:

1. Casual, formal and all points in between..... grammar and spelling do count.  Your blog is a reflection of you, so be sure to proofread and check your spelling.

2.  Content matters.  What makes you continue to come back to someone’s blog?  Exactly.... you’re interested in what they have to say.

It’s Not Always What You Say,

But How You Say It.

So, come on...let’s hear from you!

 

 

 

 

 

Check out my about.me profile!

Room Service! Home Staging
Palm Beach County Home Stager

561-914-6224   Kathy@MrsHomeStaging.com
www.MrsHomeStaging.com

                     

                                   

 

 

 

I've Always Said I Learn Something New at ActiveRain Every Day and It's Time I Showed You.  April 29-- May 5, 2012

I learn something new every day at ActiveRain!  With this series I try to highlight one post per day that gave me that “lightbulb” moment.  It could be something techie, about Real Estate, about a place or person!

April  29: Mike Cooper-  Is Another Wave of REO’s Coming? Maybe
I keep hearing about more foreclosures coming and I also hear of how things are picking up.  Read what Mike has to say.


April  30: Richard Weisser- Before You Go On That Listing Presentation Make Certain That You Know Your Google Organic Search Results.
I’ve seen the Toggle switch and had a feeling this is what is meant.

May 1: Nancy Hankin - Planning a Summer Vacation...Beware!
In the past all we had to do was take alcohol wipes to wipe down the remote control in a hotel room. Nancy reminds us of another hidden problem.

May 2: Tammie White   How to Prove Gas Fireplace Logs Are In Good Working Condition?
I never would have thought to test this.  Believe it or not we do have fireplaces in some homes here in Florida.  


May 3: Tammy Emineth  Are Your Competitors Using Negative SEO Against You?  
With everything we put into our websites we need to be vigilant about Negative SEO.  Once again Tammy provides us with some clues on what to do.

May 4: Ashley Connolly  Mobility Awareness Month..Please Take a Moment to Read
Every once in a while you have to stop and do something for someone you don’t know.  This will cost you a minute of your time.

May 5: Sally & David Hanson   Have Fun to This..A Whole New Meaning to High Tech.

I love sites likes this.  I’m always amazed at how they come up with these things!

Thank you for letting me do what I love to do each day... learn something new!

 

 

 

 

 

Check out my about.me profile!

Room Service! Home Staging
Palm Beach County Home Stager

561-914-6224   Kathy@MrsHomeStaging.com
www.MrsHomeStaging.com

                     

                                   

 

 

 

I've Always Said I Learn Something New at ActiveRain Every Day and It's Time I Showed You.  April 22-- April 29, 2012

I learn something new every day at ActiveRain!  With this series I try to highlight one post per day that gave me that “lightbulb” moment.  It could be something techie, about Real Estate, about a place or person!

April 22:  Emmary Nicholson  Semi-Speechless Sunday: Bring Isabel Home.
This is a little different but Emmary posted this last week and as of last I checked, little Isabel is still missing.  Please read this post.


April 23: Marco Giancola   Not of This Earth Day.  
I’ve been boating in South Florida for about 25 years and have seen all types and sizes of boats, yachts, and ships but this one is really out of this world!

April 24: Sondra Meyer Parker  Thoughts on the Luxury of Simplicity: Can Simple Be Luxurious?
Most of us spend our early life accumulating things that make us feel as if we’re living in the lap of luxury.   I love Sondra’s phrase...the “luxury of simplicity”.

April 25: Carra Riley  Global Connections in India
I admit, I am the first person to really dislike call centers that seem to be where English is not the mother tongue.  It’s frustrating!  but please read Carra’s post.

April 26: Janis Borgueta  Optimize Your URL on Linked In
I’m on Linked In but admittedly don’t use it like I should.  The first thing I’m going to do is optimize my URL!

April 27: Phil Leng  You Don’t See This Every Day
Just for fun, you’ve got to take a look at this.  Claustrophobia comes to mind.

April 28: Myrl Jeffcoat  All That Glitters is Sometimes Gold
I love my glitter and bling and I guess that’s what opened up the west!  We’ve all heard of the gold rush but read Myrl’s interesting story.

Thank you for letting me do what I love to do each day... learn something new!

 

 

 

 

 

Check out my about.me profile!

Room Service! Home Staging
Palm Beach County Home Stager

561-914-6224   Kathy@MrsHomeStaging.com
www.MrsHomeStaging.com

                     

                                   

 

 

 

I've Always Said I Learn Something New at ActiveRain Every Day and It's Time I Showed You.  April 15 - April 21, 2012

I learn something new every day at ActiveRain!  With this series I try to highlight one post per day that gave me that “lightbulb” moment.  

April 15: Conrad Allen   Albino Alligators and Hole in Ones

You’ve seen my pics of alligators here at Green Cay but I’ve never seen an albino alligator!

April 16: Noemi Cardoso  The Fable of Fear and 3 Simple Steps to Conquer It.
You’re a better person than I if you’ve never had to confront fear....either in your professional or personal life.  Read Noemi’s post and bookmark it for that next time.  


April 17: Michelle Molinari    My  BEST Awkward Space Staging Tip
Michelle showed us an excellent way to show the possibilities of those awkward spaces that some homes have.  I’m definitely remembering this tip!

April 18: Al & Peggy Cunningham  Not an ActiveRain Meet Up But an ActiveRain PhoneUp
I’ve had the pleasure of speaking to several here at ActiveRain but I must confess not as many as I’d like to.  Sometimes it’s been a matter of just sending an email but there’s something always missing in that.  

April 19:  Ginny Gorman  Text Enhance -Invading ActiveRain..Are You Checking Your Blog Links?
Ginny had an issue with mysterious links to in her blog post but the answers also lie in the comments.  Be sure to read through them.

April 20: Amy Jones- Will Your Computer Connect to the Internet After July 9th?
If you’ve not read about this you might want to.  USA Today also carried an article on this.  And guess what...I googled “connecting to the Internet after July 9th” and Amy’s post on ActiveRain was in 3rd place.

April 21: Leslie Ebersole   What to Do When Things Go Pear Shaped.
Leslie wrote an interesting post on our blogging etiquette.   She makes a good point about keeping our disagreements on a professional level.

 

 

 

 

 

Check out my about.me profile!

Room Service! Home Staging
Palm Beach County Home Stager

561-914-6224   Kathy@MrsHomeStaging.com
www.MrsHomeStaging.com

                     

                                   

 

 

 

I've Always Said I Learn Something New at ActiveRain Every Day and It's Time I Showed You.  April 8 - April 14, 2012

I learn something new every day at ActiveRain!  With this series I try to highlight one post per day that gave me that “lightbulb” moment.  

April 8:  John McCormack  The Cross  Groom Texas
As a native born Texan I’m amazed I did not know of the amazing cross located in Groom Texas.  Please take a look.

April 9: Gabe Sanders New Lytro Camera Lets You Refocus Photos On Your Computer.
So much has been said on ActiveRain about taking our own photos as well as their quality.  Well...take a look at this new camera that Gabe has shown us.

April 10: Reuben Saltzman  Do You Know What Type of Smoke Alarms You Have? It’s Time for an Upgrade.
This was a true ah-ha moment for me and very close to home since my very good friends lost their home to a fire a year ago and are still not back in it.


April 11: Roy Kelley  Planning to Replace the Irreplaceable Parent
We hear much about planning for our own long term care but what if you’re the parent of a child with special needs?  Have you planned for their care after you are gone?  


April 12: Liz and Bill Spear- Tech Tip: Join.Me is the Next Best Thing to Being There.
This is a free program that you can download and hold online meetings. Take a look...you may want to just call a meeting!


April 13: Lou Ludwig   When You Make A Mistake Admit It and Move On
In the light of many high profile people who have been toppled primarily because they didn’t “fess up”, Lou’s always welcomed motivational posts reminds us that the best thing you can do if you make a mistake is to admit it... then make it right.


April 14: Jay Markanich   ‘Tis the Season for Poison Ivy
Yes it is the season and since my husband manages to get a case of it every year, I’m definitely showing him these pictures.

Thank you for letting me do what I love to do each day... learn something new!

 

 

 

 

 

Check out my about.me profile!

Room Service! Home Staging
Palm Beach County Home Stager

561-914-6224   Kathy@MrsHomeStaging.com
www.MrsHomeStaging.com

                     

                                   

 

 

 

I've Always Said I Learn Something New at ActiveRain Every Day and It's Time I Showed You.  April 1 - April 7, 2012

I learn something new every day at ActiveRain!  With this series I try to highlight one post per day that gave me that “lightbulb” moment.  


April 1 - Chris Hooks- At the Fruit Stand in New York City. What the heck is this?.
I had never heard of this fruit but it looked like a lychee nut on growth hormones.  Take a look at it.

April 2  -Richard Iarossi  - I Dodged a Copyright Bullet
Richard was Featured on this one but I think it bears repeating.  If you think no one will notice... guess what!

April 3  -Pat Kennedy -Are Virtual Tours a Substitute for Previewing?
I was a Realtor for 1 year about 26 years ago (I think I was about 18 hah!) and I remember being taken under the wing of an experienced agent.  We previewed listings at least 3 days a week.  Read Pat’s post if you think this is passe.

April 4: Cindy “In Indy” Marchant  Localism- Long-Tail BINGO
I’ve been writing localism posts since my first AR contest in 2009 and while I’m not a Realtor, I still need people to find me.  Cindy shows us something to help drive those inquiries to you.  

April 5- Joe Smith- Does Position Really Matter Once You Are on Page 1 in Google.
Give a big welcome to Joe Smith.  I was always happy just to be on Page 1 of Google but  I need to do some more work. Read his post to find out why.

April 6- Carol Zingone -Red Light Cameras-Does Your City Have Them?
We have many drivers here in Palm Beach County who not only run red lights but actually race ahead to go through them.  I’m not taking a political stance on this but according to Carol, those lights cost $3999 per month per camera.  That’s a lot!

April 7- Mike Cooper-  Did You Know There is Pet CPR? You Should!
-My last two dogs (Brittany’s) went blind suddenly and my husband and I became their caregivers.  I had to give Lady daily insulin injections for her diabetes.  We made homemade dog biscuits for Lucky.  But we never learned Pet CPR.  You can bet I’m learning it now.

Thank you for letting me do what I love to do each day... learn something new!

 

 

 

 

 

Check out my about.me profile!

Room Service! Home Staging
Palm Beach County Home Stager

561-914-6224   Kathy@MrsHomeStaging.com
www.MrsHomeStaging.com

                     

                                   

 

 

 

I've Always Said I Learn Something New at ActiveRain Every Day and It's Time I Showed You.  March 25-March 31, 2012

I learn something new every day at ActiveRain!  With this series I try to highlight one post per day that gave me that “lightbulb” moment.  

March 25 - Jay Markanich - Night Out.  In this  Twitter, Facebook, American Idol , and texting world I learned that some Dads and their Daughters still find time to create memories that will last forever. Are you setting aside time for this special date night with your child?

March 26 -Lenn Harley - Lenn “Hugged” a Listing Agent Yesterday. We’re ActiveRain Friends.   
When looking at what I learned for the week, it can be about anything and anyone.  So, when I saw this title I had to open the post.  Lenn Harley and “hugged” …..somehow I never thought I’d see those two in the same sentence.  I’m just kidding because I respect the heck out of this lady.  She’s no nonsense, smart and can shoot skeet!  She could have been from my home state of Texas.  If you’ve not followed Lenn, I suggest you do.  

March 27 -Cal Yoder  Do You Have a Reinspection After Repairs Are Made By the Seller?
While we’ve bought and sold several homes I haven’t given much thought to  having a property reinspected after the seller has made repairs.

March 28 - The Christiansen Team (Jared and Amanda)- Do You Have to Present the Offer for Your Buyer?
While I’m not a Realtor, I was curious what the answers would be, and like so many posts that are written here, what you can learn is not just in the post itself but in the comments.

March 29- Donald Hester- Honey I want a Microwave- Wenatchee and Moses Lake Home Inspection
I’ve always said it’s a wise man or woman who know when to call in the pros.  Unfortunately this homeowner did, but not sure what good it did.  I learned that it doesn’t hurt to know something about how things should be or work, even though you hire a professional to do the work.

March 30 -  Tom Arstingstall   Can You Help Me With a Soft Spot I Have?
We’re all concerned about mold or water damage in our homes.  Roof leaks, plumbing issues, who knows what?  But could you be the cause?

March 31 Connie Harvey  What Do Eggs and Bunnies Have to Do With Easter?

How timely!  I guess I’d forgotten that somehow Easter was tied in the past to paganism but didn’t know that the original Easter Bunny was not a bunny but a Hare! Learn more Easter facts at Connie’s post.

Thank you for letting me do what I love to do each day... learn something new!

 

 

 

 

 

Check out my about.me profile!

Room Service! Home Staging
Palm Beach County Home Stager

561-914-6224   Kathy@MrsHomeStaging.com
www.MrsHomeStaging.com

                     

                                   

 

 

 

How “with it” are you?  Can You Guess What this is?  

This is truly the first time I’ve experienced a total generation gap.  Larry and I were taking our morning walk at Delray Beach when he noticed these.  There was a gentleman there with a bike but he had no clue as to what they were either.

It took a young man who was jogging by to tell us.  Thank goodness because I was totally clueless.   After doing some good old Googling I found more information on them and it does make sense.  

See if you know the answer and I’ll be back.  I have a sad feeling that most of you out there are not suffering from the dreaded generation gap as I am.  

 

 

 

 

 

Check out my about.me profile!

Room Service! Home Staging
Palm Beach County Home Stager

561-914-6224   Kathy@MrsHomeStaging.com
www.MrsHomeStaging.com

                     

                                   

 

 

 

I've Always Said I Learn Something New at ActiveRain Every Day and It's Time I Showed You.  March 18-March 24, 2012

I learn something new every day at ActiveRain!  With this series I try to highlight one post per day that gave me that “lightbulb” moment.  
It may have been about something techie... about blogging and SEO.... anything having to do with Staging or Real Estate... about the world or even about the Blogger.  


March 18 - Jon Zolsky -E-Mail to Nowhere.  I hadn’t given this much thought but have you changed your email address since you joined Active Rain?  If you have did you notify ActiveRain?  You may be missing out!  

March 19 - Brad Andersohn- How to Promote Listings on ActiveRain
As always Brad is there to help us make the most of our time here.  And in this case, gives us valuable information on those listings you’ve been posting.  Could you be leaving stale information?

March 20 -Paula Hathaway- Emergency Question for ActiveRain Members
Paula posted a question she had on some property regarding a buried oil tank.  I learned 2 things: all you have to do is ask and ActiveRain members will be there! And, I learned a lot about underground leaks.

March 21- Tammy Lankford- If You Suspect Abuse, see abuse.. Don’t Look Away, Reach In.
Many of you may have read this but if you didn’t please head to her site.  I was reminded that abuse in many forms does not always look like what we think it should and that it is up to each of us to “reach in” if we suspect something.  I also learned that Tammy is every bit as strong as I thought she was. (note- I did email Tammy first for her ok on this)

March 22- Jay O’Brien-SEO Tips You Can Start Using Today.
Jay offers some tips that may be new to you, especially the “ALT” tag. SEO is what we're after so you'll want to take a look.

March 23- Bonnie Vaughan- Cat Owners- A Deadly Threat May Be Crawling in Your Back Yard.
I know that many on Active Rain have cats and some are outdoor cats as well.  Read Bonnie’s post to make sure you’re doing the best that you can for your favorite furry animal.

March 24:-Kristin Johnson- Try This Next Time Too
For you red meat lovers, I’d not heard of this rub or marinade.  And for the most part, you’ll always have it handy in your pantry!


Thank you for letting me do what I love to do each day... learn something new!

 

 

 

 

 

Check out my about.me profile!

Room Service! Home Staging
Palm Beach County Home Stager

561-914-6224   Kathy@MrsHomeStaging.com
www.MrsHomeStaging.com

                     

                                   

 

 

 

I've Always Said I Learn Something New at ActiveRain Every Day and It's Time I Showed You.  March 15-March 17, 2012

I learn something new every day at ActiveRain!  With this series I try to highlight one post per day that gave me that “lightbulb” moment.  
It may have been about something techie... about blogging and SEO.... anything having to do with Staging or Real Estate... about the world or even about the Blogger.  


March 11 - Roy Kelley  - Pros and Cons of Putting A Property in a LLC-Investor Alert.    Roy gives us a heads up if you’re an investor and decide to form an LLC to purchase an investment property.  Even if you aren’t but are a Realtor and might represent investors this is good information to know.

March 12 - Carra Riley- Danger Will Robinson! Think Before You Pin!  Yes, we’re talking Pinterest again.  Carra is active in Social Media and gives us more information on what you need to know should you use Pinterest.  I love Pinterest but I want to be clear on copyright infringement.

March 13  -Janis Bourgueta - In Case You Missed It, You Were Featured!  
Janis shows us how she takes her localism posts and maximizes their impact with a letter to the featured business owner.  What a great idea!

March 14-  Alan May- Mystery Solved.   Alan’s mystery of that one pesky non-growing circle of grass was solved.   Head to his post to find out what it was. I never would have guessed it.

March 15-Bill Lauler- Color Your Second Amendment Gone HR 347
I was not aware of this amendment but we all should be.  This seems to be the very antithesis of what our country was founded on.

March 16 - -Korrie Scales- 7 Steps to Creating a Successful Landing Page-  
We heard about landing pages... some have different ones for different purposes.  Whatever the case make sure they touch the 7 steps.

March 17- Mimi Foster- Free Photo Sites  
I know we should all get in the habit of carrying our camera with us wherever we go but sometimes you need that one special photo for your blog.  Mimi lists some free ones but also reminds us that some may say free but you’ll have to search for them because some require a payment.


Thank you for letting me do what I love to do each day... learn something new!

 

 

 

 

 

Check out my about.me profile!

Room Service! Home Staging
Palm Beach County Home Stager

561-914-6224   Kathy@MrsHomeStaging.com
www.MrsHomeStaging.com