OK - hopefully that got your attention!

Now let me explain:

I'm not against Groups - I think they're great.  I've started a few myself and I've been lucky enough to have the Founders of several other Groups invite me to help Moderate their Groups' content.

I'm writing this post because I think it is very important for New Members to fully understand what's going on with the Groups before starting another one.

Currently there are 1252 different Groups here in ActiveRain.  Now if these were all UNIQUE and ACTIVE it would be great!

But that's not the case - the reality is actually pretty far from it.

If you look at all of the Groups, you will see that the whole list takes up about 51 pages giving an average of about 24.5 Groups per page.

Now, to totally underwhelm you with #'s, only the groups in the first 16 pages have 10 or more Subscribers  AND 81 of the Groups have ZERO Subscribers!

Repetition is also a problem.  The original MORTGAGE Group was created 11/28/06.  Since then another 30 or so Mortgage Groups have been started.  If a new Group is started to focus on a specific type of financing or is state-specific, that's a perfectly good reason for the new Group.  But if you were to look at all of the Mortgage Groups together, you would see that there is a ton of repetition.

Soooooooo - if you want to start up a new Group remember this:

  • First, check and see if that Group already exists - there is a good chance that it does - in that case, don't re-invent the wheel!
  • If you truly have a unique idea make sure that you have enough time to keep the Group maintained properly and also kick start the Group with a few great Posts of your own.

IMHO, it all boils down to that.

OK, I'm done with my rant for the day!

 

 

 
Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies

130 Comments on A New Newbie Tip: Want to start a new group? DON'T!!!!!!!!!

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

JUN
05
2007
165,418 Points 1 Featured Post Hit Router Attended Rain Camp
Start a group?? I can barely figure things out let alone think of something a whole new group would need to be started for?  :)
6:16pm • #111
JUN
06
2007
147,095 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Florin-

That's all it takes - I'm not saying NEVER start one, just think it out.  Smart!
5:49am • #112
147,095 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Good Morning Dawn-

There certainly is a ton of stuff to learn when you get here-

If you have any questions just email me.

Good Luck dan't don't stress!
5:51am • #113
Well, let me tell you my friend that I complete disagree on your point.... como on are you the only one capable of invent the wheel... PLease!!!!
7:50am • #114
147,095 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Good Morning Carlos-

I think you might have the wrong idea-

You said :"como on are you the only one capable of invent the wheel" - I'm sorry you feel that way - I'm not sure how you arrived at that.

I am NOT saying that members should NEVER start new Groups!

My point is that there are so many redundant and/or non-active Groups that Members need to make sure that they know what they're doing before just starting one out of nowhere.

 

 
8:02am • #115
245,817 Points 56 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Marcis absolutely correct. We have a tremendous amount of groups already that are not being utilized and many that are simply spin-offs of groups. I'll give you an example of one that is somewhat counter productive:

Listings by Address is a group where you can list a house but you have to use the address only in the Title.

Now, some folks didn't like that and wanted to have in their Tittle something more colorful such as, Lovely 4 Bedroom Home on the Lake For Sale...

Great, doensn't qualify for being placed in the group, Listings by Address but it does qualify to be placed in Localism, Advertise a Listing.

Now, why in the world would you start a group where you can list anything in the Title when there is already a venue in Localims for you? Seems counter productive, to me. And by the results of the group membership, I would say that I am right.

So, when thinking of a group, think about whether or not it is something that has not been thought of before, is innovative and unique...otherwise go find a group and start belonging to it.

Good post Marc. I congratulate you!
10:08am • #116
147,095 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Hi Gena-

Thanks - I always did like the way that you think!
3:54pm • #117
JUN
07
2007

Marc,

Any thoughts about opening a group to connect agents representing investment properties and agents representing investors/buyers?

Thanks, 
11:36am • #118
147,095 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Hi Florin-

It sounds like it could be a good idea - just be sure to check through the existing Groups to make sure it dosen't already exist.

If you start it just make sure to keep up with it and make the Rules and Regs easy to follow.

Good Luck!
1:11pm • #119
JUN
09
2007

Would anybody be interested in a group that talks about ballroom basics and dancing?  I meet so many people from our industry in the ballroom.  I think it is a hobby for many of our associates!
4:05pm • #120
JUN
10
2007
147,095 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Marie-

I haven't checked, but I would think that that would definitely be unique....

 
10:08am • #121
178,344 Points Outside Blog
I agree... we need to research a little more before starting new groups.
2:59pm • #122
JUN
11
2007
147,095 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Hi Ben-

Very true - and it's so simple!
7:28am • #123
JUL
27
2007
1 Featured Post Attended Rain Camp
Do you get points for starting a new Group?
7:23pm • #124
JUL
28
2007
147,095 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Good Morning Tim-

Please tell me you're kidding!

No - no points are given for forming a group - if that were true, the point hogs would find a way of ruining it for the serious Members.
5:41am • #125
AUG
07
2007
289,569 Points 27 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

well, I started a group Marc for our area real estate professionals and was looking for a tip on how to un-feature a post once it's featured without deleting it - and the search feature came up with this blog - it makes sense what you say here.  Our city did not have a specific group and it's a large enough area that hopefully we'll have more than the 5 members who've joined this week.  It's also good for localism features as well.

Back to my original search question.... do you know how to unfeature a post once featured in a group without deleting it all together? I can't seem to figure that one out...

on a side note - I'm a native Miami girl, transplanted to TX my husband worked for FPL (Juno Beach) before we left (over 15 years) I'm quite familiar with PBG area - have a very good friend who lives there still.

Thanks for any help you may offer
6:29pm • #126
145,419 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp
I had just been thinking the same thing as I was perusing the different groups. Some had interesting content and usefull too. But many of them did not and I found this disappointing and see how it could be a real bummer for others...Angelica Blatt
8:26pm • #127
AUG
08
2007
147,095 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Good Morning Karen-

If a post has been featured in any given Group, any of the Founders or Moderators should be able to un-feature it just by clicking on the gold star in the list of all the posts.

Don't worry - doing that will NOT delete the post.

BTW - I lived in Dallas for a few years, then got transferred to Miami - now I'm in PBG - I think I'll stay here for a while!

Good Luck!
4:48am • #128
147,095 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Angelica-

It's annoying, isn't it?
4:49am • #129
DEC
17
2009
153,983 Points Outside Blog

Hi Marc,

Wonderful post and best advice too.. Thanks for sharing with us. Merry Christhmas

 

Best - Sash
8:44pm • #130

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