We’ve Come a Long Long Way in a Year
Over the past year we’ve grown at lightning speed, watched the real estate industry evolve, and captured and covered it together. We’ve brought thousands to social media, helped thousands to wrap their offline businesses around social media, covered new technology and issues that impact the individual agent and brokers alike, and made a lot of new friends along the way.
We’ve teamed up with a few of those friends to bring the Agent Genius contributors a great big Merry Christmas and gigantic thank you for all that you do in the real estate space. Your leadership, insights, coaching, mentoring, and selfless giving has brightly impacted the real estate community and us personally. All of you have become a part of our family, including those that contribute through feedback, comments, and input, both on and offline. (Special note: 8 sponsors were collected to honor our Jewish writers and readers to celebrate the 8 days of light for Hanukkah.)
So let’s unwrap some gifts, shall we?
Diverse Solutions
– has wrapped a red bow around it’s dsSearchAgent IDX solution for our contributors for the next 6 months, and is issuing a 6 month credit to those that are currently paying to receive the product! Not available in your area yet? That’s okay because you’re getting a raincheck! Valued at $24,800.
MyMarketWare
– the sweet single property website solution is offering a one year discount on every single property website through to December 31, 2009 making each site only $25! This gift’s minimum value is $400, but we imagine it will be much higher by years end!
RealSeekr
– the socially empowered real estate search portal is giving 1 year of its Premium Membership through 2009, and those that already have it will be extended through the end of 2009! Valued at over $7,700.
RealEstateShows
– has kicked in a one year subscription of the fabulous RES. RES is a powerful suite of tools designed to create a professional show from still pictures and allows you easily syndicate your properties online. If you’ve already paid on the year, you can expect a one year add on! Valued at over $3,875.
MadMimi
– the deliciously simple bulk email solution is an incredible tool at any price, but for our contributors Mimi is sliding down the chimney with the $24 email starter package to help you reach your goals in 2009. Valued at over $8,900.
Bring the Blog
– we all need a little inspiration or even a ghost writer from time to time, and Bring the Blog provides both. Incredible insight into the economy, lending, and the markets written in a language every day consumers can understand- subscribers can chop it up and use the facts within each post to conceive a new post, or use the post as it comes! Valued at over $8,800.
Dwellicious
– the online real estate property bookmarking site is offering six months of their pro account for six months at no charge to all of our contributors. Dwellicious is the next big thing in real estate and contributors get a chance to try it on for size at no cost! Valued at over $7,200.
MLBroadcast
– is offering a 30 day free trial of MLBroadcast where writers and all AG readers and commentators can sign up to establish a web broadcast channel and create a free web show by using your still photos and data. You’ll even get a free initial consultation from the President of MLBroadcast! Valued at over $2,418.
The total estimated value is $64,093.00!
And Presents for One Special Commentator:
Now, I bet you’re wondering if we thought of those that contribute through comments here on Agent Genius… It just so happens that we have! But we’re going to let the contributors decide who gets this same AG spread of swag! That’s right! For the next 24 hours we’re taking private nominations from our contributors via email on whom they believe has offered the most inspiring and insightful community involvement- so contributors, get to nominating and watch your email on December 26th for an email on how to go about redeeming these exceptional services.
The last order of business…
Now, there is one last order of business here on Ag we’ve yet to address, and that would be Lani Rosales. She’s not an agent, but her dedication to the real estate community is well documented, she takes phone calls from contributors, mainstream media, our partners, and even our community commentators virtually 24 hours a day. She brilliantly connects people on a daily basis and happens to have assisted many many partnerships both inside and outside of the real estate space using social media. She’s recognized around the world for her tireless efforts, and she should be recognized here as well.
Jeff Turner, President of Real Estate Shows knew that Lani would have virtually no use for any of the above mentioned gifts and has graciously filled the gap with a beautiful new Samsung NV24HD camera, pictured below! Lani had just received a new camera prior to Inman SF this year, and had it stolen on the trip! Ag and I both send out a huge thank you to Jeff Turner at RES!
So from us to you, we wish you all a very
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Mike Mueller
December 24, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Total and complete awesomeness as always!
Mack
December 24, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Memo to Benn, Lani and Everyone that participates on AG: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy New Year…. Oh well, you get the picture!
Maureen Francis
December 24, 2008 at 2:48 pm
How totally cool. Great gifts for great contributors.
Making me extra sad I am no longer a Genius.
But seriously, enjoy all and Happy Holidays!
Mariana
December 24, 2008 at 2:51 pm
WOW! You guys Rock. Thank you, and Happy, Happy Holidays!!!!
Ines
December 24, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Wow!!! I never expected gifts….being a part of AG is gift enough (REALLY). All I have to say is may 2009 bring only good things to everyone and may we all continue to grow and open doors do greatness.
You guys ROCK!!
Benn Rosales
December 24, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Don’t forget to nominate your personal choice for commentator of the year! (by email of course!) =]
Matt Stigliano
December 24, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Benn (and Lani too) – Um….wow. As if being a part of AG isn’t enough, look at what you go and do for us anyway. You two treat us all to so much just by having this here for us to kick around ideas, clear up confusion, and learn even the basics. Even when I’m not commenting or posting, I’m still reading. This site has been a big part of me, so I thank you for taking the time (lots of it!) to do all that you do. Benn, you’ve got your own business to run and I know you’re probably tired somedays, yet I still know you work more hours just to complete something like this. Lani, the paragraphs about your new gift says it all. I don’t know when I’ve messaged you, called you, or emailed you that I didn’t get something back. And you send more of those than I do. You tip me off to just about everything. Where you two find the time, I’ll never know.
I promise a trip to Austin in 2009, as my wife needs to meet the people I blab about all the time (as do I). Hope you both have a great holiday and relax a bit before you force yourselves back to the computer screens.
As for the other writers – I’ve said my piece in my email, but no need to hide it. Thanks. I’m having a blast here and can’t wait to do more.
And to the people that read and comment – keep hanging around and doing it. The more you do it, the more you’ll get out of it.
And to Jeff Turner – awesome gift to Lani, I’m sure she loves it! I can’t wait to see some photos from it.
See you all soon.
Jim Duncan
December 24, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Outstanding. Better tools, more work … 🙂 thank you guys – Benn, Lani and everybody offering the gifts.
Thank you sincerely.
Jay Thompson
December 24, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Well how cool is that?
I’m going to go back over a few posts looking for the comment gems. That’ll be a tough call as there are some really good commentators here!
Matthew Rathbun
December 24, 2008 at 4:23 pm
You guys rock… I know that you get that a lot, but it can’t be said enough! I hope that everyone has a Happy Holiday and fantastic New Year!!!
Ginger Wilcox
December 24, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Oh my goodness. I am so surprised, I agree with Ines, being a contributor is enough, but WOW. Thank you, thank you. It is such an honor to be a contributor. I wish everyone a very happy holidays and a huge thank you to Benn & Lani for all the hard work you do on Agent Genius.
Missy Caulk
December 24, 2008 at 4:50 pm
…WOW, this will be the best gift ever!!!
I thought I got an early gift, which is a total blessing in being ask to contribute here in Sept.
Thanks to all the sponsors for your gracious generosity!! My mind is totally already thinking how to use these awesome products.
Merry, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!!!
Monika
December 24, 2008 at 5:01 pm
How cool… good luck everyone and Merry Christmas.
Ricardo Bueno
December 24, 2008 at 5:19 pm
AG crew, you ROCK!
Merry Christmas everyone!
Ken Brand
December 24, 2008 at 5:33 pm
An embarrassment free, embarrassment of riches.
Thanks Benn & Lani for the genius behind Agent Genius.
Writers, contributors, readers and commenters, thank you for sharing at AG everyday reads likes Christmas.
All the Big-Bang best in 09′
Heather Elias
December 24, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Benn, Lani..
Thank you, thank you, thank you. It’s an honor to write here with the fantastic group you have assembled, and contribute to what you have built. I am absolutely floored and tickled pink from this…holy cow!
Happy holidays with love,
Heather
Russell Shaw
December 24, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I am not offended. Unless I don’t win, then I am damn offended! LOL.
Bill Lublin
December 24, 2008 at 6:58 pm
You guys are so sweet – even though our friendship is the gift I value most, these treats are super –
Russell – just send me anything in the swag pack that is chocolate related and no one gets hurt (though I will have to split it with Ginger)
Happy Holidays to the best vrtual family on the planet!
Christian Nossum
December 25, 2008 at 2:08 am
I have been reading and learning from all of the contributors and commentators on AG for the past 3 months or so, and all I can say is “Thank You!” You have all helped push me along the path to becoming a better agent with all of the new ideas, tools, and methods that you share. All of the the knowledge and insight that is talked about at AG is top notch, and I look forward to being a larger part of this amazing community in the up coming year. Thank you again to each and everyone of you for all you have done, and I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a healthy, happy, and prosperous New Year!
Melina Tomson
December 25, 2008 at 10:02 am
This is fabulous. I know as an agent I appreciate the many diverse topics on here. I know I wouldn’t have the time to write as much as the contributors do so I appreciate them giving their time to help me.
Congrats to the contributors and thanks for all you do!
Kim Wood
December 26, 2008 at 9:34 am
Wowwweee Thank you, thank you! What a great surprise 🙂
Thank you so much – thank you for inviting me to be a part of such an awesome group of people.
I appreciate you Benn & Lani 🙂 Happy and Prosperous New Year wishes for 2009 !!! And BIG TIMES for AgentGenius !
Kim
Christina Ethridge - North Idaho Real Estate
December 26, 2008 at 4:40 pm
All I have to say is that a recent post from another blog about this Christmas Gift to your contributors has disengaged me from that blog, permanently. It was simply the last straw (from a haystack of insipid, smug straws that I no longer wish to see).
Congratulations to all of the AG contributors. I commend you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to contribute to AG… I honestly don’t know how you do it all! I’m so busy I can barely keep consistent posts up on my own blog!
Joseph Ferrara.sellsius
December 27, 2008 at 11:37 am
@Christina “All animals are created equal but some animals are more equal than others.” (Animal Farm, George Orwell).
IMO, Agent Genius is changing the face of the group blog. It is taking risks, trying new methods and pushing the envelope. This is how progress is made. I applaud Benn and Lani for their in assembling a cast of interesting, knowledgeable and clever writers here. They have raised AG above the fray to become a must-read blog (in my book, to the dismay, no doubt, of other regimes.
The desire to compensate contributors in some way should be celebrated. It is long overdue– for is it not the contributors who build the traffic and the brand, to the benefit of the blog owner? Indeed.
Bribery? The accusation is an actionable insult, absent proof of the act. It is a prejudgment of character, borne of an ignorant or vindictive mind, which serves to corrupt public perception and obscure the truth. “The greatest friend of Truth is time, her greatest enemy is Prejudice” (Charles Colton).
If blogs that compensate their writers using advertisers’ money are bribers, then the blogs taking contributors’ content without paying them are thieves.
Bob
December 27, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Dead on Joe.
A lawyer friend and I were discussing the actionable insult concept yesterday. He wished he was a contributor just so he could see how much fight was in the dog, or if this was just a mutt whose bark was worse than its bite.
Jay Thompson
December 27, 2008 at 1:35 pm
Joe may win the prize for best comment EVER.
In fact the last three comments here are some of my all-time favorites. And I’ve read a lot of comments….
Jim Duncan
December 27, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Out-freaking-standing comment, Joe.
Christine Rich
December 29, 2008 at 3:21 pm
A much belated thanks for this wonderful stocking full of gifts. Even as a blog entry, it’s fantastic to have the rundown of tools that you’ve highlighted over the year. I read this blog all the time, and the real gift has been to be able to learn about this industry from a bunch of people who really care about it. Far more productive and fun than going to the weekly meeting at the office!
Amy Chorew
January 1, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Thanks great stuff, really appreciate it.