Ten Ways to Really Use TCI Site to Your Advantage: SolutionsKid

Okay, so you found this website and you are now thinking you found the Holy Grail right? You've been reading, maybe a little posting, but before you go any further...do you really know how to use this site?

First: Forums

http://www.thecreativeinvestor.com/modules.php?name=Forum

If you haven't noticed, under the "Forum" tab you will find almost every type of topic regarding REI investing. With most sites that follow this forum type style you run into one continual


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problem...repetition. Meaning, people asking the same questions over and over again. Frankly, I don't care too much about it because I know I have done it sometimes myself often because you want a quick answer....but if you just take a few more seconds to use this quick tool you will get more than you bargained for.

When you enter into the forum section you will notice there is a "Forum Search" field. USE THIS FIELD LIKE NO TOMORROW, especially if you are new to the site or investing! If you spend the five seconds it takes to type in something that you are looking for, you are going to get more great posts than you can read. In fact, if you take the time to read the posts you found in your search, more than likely you will learn much more than you were wanting to learn about. For example, everybody wants to know about "flipping," so type in "flipping" and will get more than an hours worth of reading and understanding the whole concept. Basically, if you treat the forum search like a web search engine, you will be so pumped you could run for governor.

Second: Posting

Just because I said that above, don't be afraid to post and ask questions...after you made sure the topic hasn't already been covered by doing a search. If you need a greater explanation or updated thought process, then go crazy and ask the question. But no matter what, do not be afraid to ask questions and look like a moron...because it will happen. It's not like you see these people everyday, so don't be embarrassed cause you have to start somewhere. Oh yeah, and when you get up to 200 posts or so, it doesn't mean you know everything and can't ask anymore questions...just means you post a lot You will find that the more you post, the more people will help you out. The more you try to answer questions, the stronger your confidence will get and the more you can potentially learn.

Third: The Rules

http://www.thecreativeinvestor.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Forum&file=faq#rules

I have broken almost all of them partly because I didn't really read them and know where they were. If you look on the Forum page you will a small link to "Forum FAQS" and if you click on this you will find the rules. They are easy to follow and will make sense once you read them...and trust me, you don't want to get banned for any period of time because it sucks not being to post here especially when you need help!

Fourth: Articles

http://www.thecreativeinvestor.com/modules.php?name=News

Articles on this site are probably one of the ways to really learn about something, whether it involves flipping, taxes, or anything else. They are usually someone who has something meaningful and important to talk about that deserves to be heard by all...so take the time to look over those and of course ask questions at will. Also, when you get to that point that you think you have a neat idea or something to share, then submit and article. Not only is it kinda fun, but you will learn what others think and may even help you along.

Plus chicks dig guys who get published

Fifth: Forum Hall of Fame

http://www.thecreativeinvestor.com/modules.php?name=Top

On the Forums page you will notice over to the right, the "Forums Hall of Fame" link. This is actually a sweet, sweet link...kinda hidden treasure page because here you can find the most talked about topics, most downloaded products, most article submitters, top rated articles...it's all there. Take time to read through the most read articles or most read posts and you will again learn a ton.

Sixth: TCI Realty

http://www.thecreativeinvestor.com/modules.php?name=TCIRealty

Did you know that if you have a property you can list it free here...very, very easily? Well, it's true, if you go up to your "My TCI" tab you will come to your own TCI area, where you can check private messages, take classes, and yes, even list your own properties. You ever notice those properties listed on the right hand side of the site when you are reading posts, etc? Yep, those are people who have entered in their properties to show to other investors like yourself. You'd be surprised who will contact you because of the properties...so give it a shot, it's easy, free, and you have nothing to lose.

Seventh: Lenders Tab

http://www.thecreativeinvestor.com/modules.php?name=LenderFinder

Looking for a Lender, need some cashola? Well, after you have asked around the "mortgage" forum take some time and check out the lenders that have advertised on this site as able to help. Always proceed with caution and again, if you don't understand something...ask.

Eighth: Shopping

http://www.thecreativeinvestor.com/modules.php?name=Shopping_Cart

If you haven't noticed, there are actually products you can buy on this site under the "Shop" Tab. Once you hit this area, you will find tons of different avenues to chose from and products to buy. It can be overwhelming so take the time to look through them and check to see if they have any reviews. If they don't, then post a topic to see if anyone has had experience with the product and what they thought. Of course, if you want to see which products have sold the most of, you can go back the "Forum Hall of Fame" link and see for yourself.

Ninth: Freebies!

http://www.thecreativeinvestor.com/modules.php?name=Downloads

This is one of the coolest but not really known to all sections of the site. Click on the "Freebie" tab above and you will come to an area that literally has free downloads from great information to great software to great marketing tools. If you are a newbie or even a vet, you will probably find something you could use here and best of all...they're FREE!

Tenth: Private Messages

Private messaging is a simple way to talk to someone outside of a post to discuss whatever you want. IT is NOT a place to spam others about products or services you offer. If you see someone tell you to PM them, then they are asking you to go under their "profile" and Private Message them. If someone ever sends a message to you, you will see a spinning envelope up in the right hand corner of the site. To find someone's profile, if you are in a post...look at the person's post and then right below their post you will see "Profile of..." click that and it will take you to that person's profile where you can message them, email them, see their properties, or even see if they are online.

There probably is much more to the site I may not have covered, so spend time and really get to know this site and the people. I know Joel and the team are coming out with a great new version soon, but for now if you really want to get the most out of this site, use ten tools and you'll get much more than you'll ever need.

Good luck,

Christian "The Solutions Kid" Beebe

Note: Christian has created two cheap calculator spreadsheets that might help you in your investing REI career. Take a look at them here

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