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ActiveRain | Stand Out and Shine in the Rain!

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Retired Associate RE Broker

ActiveRain | Stand out and Shine in the Rain!

 

ActiveRain is best when members participate!  Lurking is nice, but it is the members being part of the process that makes ActiveRain Special.  Remember that you too can help ActiveRain keep things moving along!

  • When you find a cut and paste article, something that is inappropriate?, An ad or a post in the wrong category? - Flag it.  There is a slight back log, they are working on the process and taking care of them quickly.
  • Find a post that is absolutely wonderful -- RATE IT!, think it should be featured? Flag it and let ActiveRain know why. Many of the moderators look at the highest rated for the day to see if there is something that should be featured...  So Rate posts folks!
  • Write unique, well written articles and please use spell check.  Less is more...
  • Mentor a new member and help them learn the ropes!

I just went through several pages of posts and I am seeing  a few very interesting trends return here at ActiveRain.  One of which is the fact that there are so many boring posts.  I know that I have just said something that is going to anger a few but I think that there are a few really great posts out there that if they just polished them that they would be terrific. 

Trends come and go at ActiveRain, it is predictable:

ActiveRain | Stand OutCopycat articles!  Today as I write this there must be hundreds of iPhone posts.   Do your fellow professionals a favor -- if you want to post about a popular subject that you want to share with your readers - DON'T POST TO PROFESSIONAL category when you see a bunch already.  It is fun to watch as a moderator when we feature a new topic that we haven't seen in a very long time.  Within minutes and for days to follow members start posting on that subject.  Remember all those Open House posts?

ActiveRain | Stand Out

 Listings and Market Reports in the Professional Category!  When you put a listing on Active Rain and you click on Advertise a Listing -- don't put it in Professional.  Remember the moderators are volunteers and we spend a lot of time removing posts from the Professional Category...  If I got a point for every post in the Professional Category that I removed... We do this for you the readers so the few that you see are just the few that we miss.

 

ActiveRain | Stand OutPosts in Groups that do not belong.  Ok, read the rules of each group and post to them only if your post applies.  These groups were set up with specific goals in mind.  Be a good guest in the group!

 

 

 

ActiveRain | Stand OutThe all bold post!  Bold should be used sparingly!

I personally don't read them, I rate them a 1 and move on.  Imagine what the consumer does?

 

ActiveRain | Stand OutThe two sentence post!  Do I have to say anything else?  Two sentences with enough words to gain 200 points!

 

ActiveRain | Stand OutThe return of the Wall of Words!   This is where you have a post that is just words, no breaks which makes it impossible to read.  I try and read them, but if you don't give me room to breath and lead me through the post, I bail.  Just like the consumer! 

 

 

ActiveRain | Stand OutCut and Paste Posts!  This is where you copy an entire article in your post.  First off, that is illegal, secondly it is probably the third or fourth time people have seen it. 

A better way is to write a post referencing and linking to the original article.  This gives your audience a taste of how you are and presents you as an authority rather than a distribution source of information.

 

Are you a new member lost and not sure where to start?  

 

 


 

 


Colleen Kulikowski Real Estate Professional DeFrancoRealEstate.com 481 19th Street
Niagara Falls, NY, 14303
US

Work: 716-990-7384 Mobile: 407-288-0017  paradisereport@gmail.com http://www.buffaloniagararealestatehomesales.com/wnyrealtor

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Colleen Kulikowski is your Western New York Real Estate Expert focusing on Buffalo and Niagara Falls neighborhoods of Western New York.  If you are on Twitter, please follow me... If you enjoyed this post by your Buffalo & Niagara Falls Home Sales Expert, make sure you subscribe to our RSS feed!

Comments (107)

Harold Watts
Teles Properties - Palm Springs, CA
Palm Springs Real Estate Blog

Colleen,

As a newbie to ActiveRain, I still learning the ins & out of the community.  If I have done something wrong, I would want someone to tell me.  That is the only way I am going to learn.  Thanks for the great post!!

Jul 02, 2007 01:30 PM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation
This is worth repeating.  I would have found it helpful when I started, and I suspect that today's newbies will benefit too.
Jul 02, 2007 02:10 PM
David L. Britt
Platinum Realty, LLC - Olathe, KS
MBA
Colleen, great comments!  I give you a 5 rating!
Jul 02, 2007 02:52 PM
William Collins
ERA Queen City Realty - Scotch Plains, NJ
Property and Asset Management

Colleen,

Thanks for the post. After a brief hiatus, I see some thing never change. Let's breathe some fresh air into this joint!

Jul 02, 2007 04:05 PM
Ryan Hukill - Edmond
405home @ ERA Courtyard - Edmond, OK
Realtor, Team Lead
Colleen, as always a great post with information that we all need, new and old. I'll be passing this along to a friend I've just gotten hooked into the AR phenomenon. He's so excited and has so many questions and I know that many of them can be answered by the resources you've provided here. Thanks again!
Jul 02, 2007 04:57 PM
Joddie Roberts
Mountain Real Estate and Property Management - Spokane, WA
Your Spokane Realtor - Spokane, WA
Colleen....thanks for a great post!  Sometimes I get a little weary wading through all the posts, for the very reasons you mentioned.  With all the new members daily I'm sure there's no getting around AR 101 - it will always be necessary to educate people on the ins/outs of posting.
Jul 02, 2007 06:13 PM
Ben Kolkman
Minneapolis, MN
Real Estate Author & REALTOR, Southwest Minneapolis & Edina Minnesota
SO true!  What we need to think about now is etiquite.  Like checking back to read your comments and respond.  Bloging is interactive!
Jul 03, 2007 05:23 AM
Colleen Irwin
Retired - Irondequoit, NY
Creative Real Estate Solutions...

Irina & Alex -- Thanks

David P. -- So very true! 

Harold -- I am glad that I could assist you... 

Margaret --- this is an evolving place, and we are all learning all of the time!  Part of why this is such a wonderful place to be part of! 

David, William & Ryan -- You are welcome! 

Joddie  -- so true! 

Ben -- sometimes it takes time...

Jul 03, 2007 05:35 AM
Brad Snyder
Sierra Vista Realty - Sierra Vista, AZ

Wow! I am new to AR and blogging. I am trying to learn the ins and outs of AR and all the rules and proper etiquette. I am having a lot of fun on AR and thanks to posts like your, I am learning everyday!! Thanks a million for the great tips to help us rookies.

 

Jul 03, 2007 07:38 AM
S. Leanne Paynter ☼ Broward County, FL
United Realty Group, Inc. - Davie, FL
Davie, Plantation, Cooper City & Weston Specialist

Colleen, yesterday I actually saw a post come through with only two words... TWO WORDS and nothing else... no image, nothing!!!  At least they didn't receive 200 points for it.

I'm also really tired of seeing the copy/paste blog posts that look like the local phone directory or that is obviously information taken directly from the local online newspaper or chamber of commerce and no personal comments were added.  Can you say "only posting for the points"?!?!  Those should not be allowed to earn points or we should be rating them a "1".

Jul 03, 2007 08:37 AM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
Colleen - thanks for the reminders and especially for all the time you spend on Active Rain reading posts to feature. There should be not only a HOW TO section for new members but a section or list of REALLY GREAT BLOGS that new and old can use for examples. For example - Chris Elizabeth's wonderful posts on Naples area neighborhoods. Perhaps - for those who don't know their way around - there could be links on the main page and/or home page to both sections or lists.
Jul 04, 2007 01:59 AM
Colleen Irwin
Retired - Irondequoit, NY
Creative Real Estate Solutions...

Brad -- you are very welcome!

Leanne -- Rate them a 1 -- Flag them!  That way there are a couple of ways to bring it to the attention of those that can take care of the issue..

Sharon -- excellent idea!

Jul 04, 2007 02:43 AM
Scott Hoag
FBC Mortgage - Clearwater, FL
Preferred Lender / Mortgage Company
awesome info..thanks again for all your hard work
Jul 06, 2007 04:45 PM
Judy Cicalese
William Raveis Real Estate - New Canaan, CT
Market Knowledge-Social Media Savvy 203-638-7812
Perhaps a rating for "boring" posts?  Some people are just creative and interesting writers---some are just not. Is there any easy way to follow a post other than being notified of comments?  This is filling up my inbox.   
Jul 07, 2007 01:21 AM
Anthon Pang
iPro Realty Ltd., Brokerage - Toronto, ON
Broker

I agree except for the two sentence post.

A two sentence post isn't necessarily boring, or bad.  A two sentence post can be sufficient to summarize or provide a synopsis of another article, and provide the reader with a link for more information.  It sure beats the dreaded cut-and-paste.  On an average day, I'll see the same article posted *five* times ... in its entirety!  First on our board's member only site, another on the public site for our board, again on our national association site, a popular Toronto real estate blog, and another in a broadcast email from our broker of record.

 

Jul 07, 2007 02:14 AM
Colleen Irwin
Retired - Irondequoit, NY
Creative Real Estate Solutions...

Scott -- Thanks!

Judy -- Sorry other than bookmarking it and coming back to it this is the only way.

Anthon -- I have yet to see a two sentence post that doesn't look like the members attempt to get points.....

Jul 07, 2007 05:25 AM
Kristin Small
RE/MAX Southern Shores - Myrtle Beach, SC
REALTOR -GRI, Myrtle Beach Real Estate
Agreed.  Thanks for the interesting posts.  I especially agree with the wall of words for long posts.  Please, let us come up for air!  Also the all bold post...makes me think of someone starving for attention.
Jul 17, 2007 06:14 AM
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Keller Williams Realty - Ann Arbor, MI
Ann Arbor Area Real Estate
Everyone should read this when they join.  Very important and the spell check is even provided in the comment section.  How nice!
Sep 16, 2007 12:18 AM
Colleen Irwin
Retired - Irondequoit, NY
Creative Real Estate Solutions...

David & Kristin -- oops  I missed your comment!  So very true!

Karen -- Many miss using spell check, even I have forgotten in my haste to get something posted!

Sep 16, 2007 01:29 AM
Colleen Irwin
Retired - Irondequoit, NY
Creative Real Estate Solutions...

 

 

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Oct 10, 2007 07:01 AM