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ActiveRain Associate vs Subscribe to Blog

I am trying to understand the difference between an ActiveRain Associate vs Subscribe to Blog.

I've read about members having 150 subscribers up to and over 1000 subscribers. I've subscribed to other people's blog because I liked what they wrote about, or their style, or their humor, the helpful tips or something. I even have a some subscribers. But what does a subscription do for you? Once I subscribed I was expecting to get an email when the "subscribee" submitted a post. That didn't happen.

I didn't get email notifications... so Why?

I'm not sure if:

I've been "black balled" (probably not the case)
That was never the intent (possibly)
I forgot to check some box somewhere (maybe)
The subscribe to blog feature only for non-members (hmmm ... not)

Correction - see below...

I know where to look up my subscribers - My Home - Statistics - Subscribers tab at the top of the page.
I go here periodically and check on the posts of the subscribers. Is that what it is to be used for?
ActiveRain Statistics menu

When subscribing didn't produce the expected results - I started adding members as Associates. Here I see the tangible results of my action. They show up on the right hand side of the blog roll. The list reorders itself with the most recent blogger being at the top of the list. I get this. It makes sense. I then check on my Associates latest posts and comment, learn stuff and bookmark great ideas to access them easily later.

So am I missing something here?

I am probably gonna feel pretty stupid when you tell me how this works. There is so much to learn in ActiveRain that this hasn't been a priority, but it certainly has been a burning question in the back of my mind.

AND I know the answer is out there. The answer resides somewhere in the brains of ActiveRain bloggers, I just have to come out and ask.

Help!
Can you tell me what a Subscriber/Subscription is and why and how I would use them?
Can you tell me why I would want to add someone as an Associate and how I would use the Associate feature?

Correction -- Subscribers show up on right side column of the main page/blog roll page - NOT Associates.
And the question remains why add someone as an Associate vs. Subscriber and vice versa?

Kathryn Gorham | Green Key Properties | Emerald Isle North Carolina
2010 President Women's Council of REALTORS® Crystal Coast Chapter
252.646.4656 cell · 252.354.7007 office
Southern Outer Banks NC | Crystal Coast NC | Coastal Carolina
ActiveRain an Online Referral Network
Women's Council of REALTORS® a National Referral Network

Copyright © 2009 by Kathryn Gorham, All Rights Reserved. Permission granted to re-blog or re-print with the stipulations that you do not alter the original content and that you provide a link back to this article in the re-blog or re-print. *ActiveRain Associate vs Subscribe to Blog*

Posted by Kathryn Gorham Emerald Isle NC Crystal Coast on 10/28/2009 11:58 AM

Comments (10)

Questions in the ActiveRain Channel

activerain, associate, subscribe to blog, blog subscription, posts, blogging

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10 Comments on ActiveRain Associate vs Subscribe to Blog

OCT

As far as I know, when I subscribe to someone's blog, I see a list of them down the right hand side of the dashboard and the most current blog is at the top. It also tells me the date of their most recent blog.

I am glad you asked the questions that I have been wondering! Will check back to find the answers and I agree with Susan that when I subscribe there is a list on the right side and tells me the dates of the latest posts of the ones I added. Nice feature!

Ask Brad. Those are good questions and many of us newer AR bloggers have the same questions.......we're just to shy to ask ; )))

Susan, so where I see Associates that is where your subscribers show up too. I think that is what you are saying. Hmmm. I'll have to test that.

Susan, I'll see if I can get clarity for you me and others.

Douglas, ok shy one - I'll take it to the chief

Good question Kathryn. I will watch for the answer. I agree with Douglas. Ask Brad. I'm finding the Active Rain staff to be very helpful and forthcoming. In fact, I'll be incommunicado tomorrow from 11:00 until noon because I'll be attending an on-line training.

I'll stop back here to see if you get the answer we all need. (Of course, we could ask Amy. I'll bet she knows.)

OCT

I am anxious to know the answer to that question also. I will do both with you to make sure I don't miss the answer.

Thanks Paula

NOV

Hi Kathryn - let me see if I can explain:

Subscribe - when you subscribe to another members Blog, this will show up on your "Subscribed" Blog roll, there is no notifications that will be sent to you. If you click on the "Blogs" link in the toolbar at the top of any AR page, you will see all those that you subscribe to on the right hand side column, they are listed showing the most recent posts of those you subscribe to. http://activerain.com/bloghome

The Blogs you'll see on the left side are from ALL members of the community and can be sorted however you choose. The tab you refer to in your post "Subscribers" allows you to see all those that subscribe to you. Why Subscribe to another member? Because it's easier to sort through all the posts on AR to get to those you like to read most. You can subscribe back to your subscribers if you like their Blog content. Often when you subscribe to others, they check YOU out and will subscribe back.

Associates - When you add an associate, they can be categorized any way you like. This is a great way to keep track of those you connect with and are building relationships with. Why add associates? It helps you keep an organized list of those you might consider for referrals, asking questions, etc. It helps them when you leave them a nice comment, it's much like being endorsed on LinkedIn. I use mine to break down each area and associate by State.

Associations - This is the list of those that have added YOU as an associate. Members can and will add you as an associate and can also leave a comment as to why they added you or what they like about you or your Blog. This is a great tool as it gives 3rd party endorsements about you as an associate and can also be used as a reference page. If you have 10 people who add you as an associate and put in a nice comment, you could use that page as a reference tool. If you want to find out about a member, go look at their associations page and see what others have said. Here's a post I wrote a while back about it.

I hope this helps a little. Sorry for taking up so much space in your comments with this mini-blog post. :-))

NOV

Brad,

Thanks this explanation helped! I went back and read your 2007 post on Associates. Now you've got me wondering why this isn't used more in AR and how I can make better use of it.

I don't think I've ever left an Associate Comment like a linked in recommendation.

Kathryn - I think there are just too many valuable and powerful tools here in the rain. Once folks like yourself discover them (as you have) believe me, they start using them. Those comments make a HUGE difference when adding someone or when you're being added.

Enjoy your journey, it'll be hard not to. :-))

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