ActiveRain | Stand Out and Shine in the Rain!

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ActiveRain | Stand Out and Shine in the Rain!

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:

Copycat 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?

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.

Posts 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!

The 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 Out The two sentence post! Do I have to say anything else? Two sentences with enough words to gain 200 points!

The 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!

Cut 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!

Posted by Colleen Kulikowski on 06/30/2007 01:33 PM

Comments (106)

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106 Comments on ActiveRain | Stand Out and Shine in the Rain!

JUN

2007

Great Reminder Colleen!

I don't care if you hit a nerve with the boring post comment... it is SOO true!! I'm like, is this that person's real personality? NEXT!

Stephanie -- Thanks!

Donna -- I agree!

Colleen,

I like your first one... the Copy Cat posts. We could almost track back to the origins of AR using the copy cat posts... You mentioned the Open House. Let's see what else we had... Sub-prime market fallout. The Real estate bubble popping. The Option ARMs. Oh, and the popular Thank you AR phase. I could keep going with the phases. One would start to die out and boom the next trend starts in. :)

Thanks for putting this up to help remind people to be original in their posts.

Jason -- how about the Happy 4th of July posts that are starting to pop up under professional... Even after AR did Mother's Day, Memorial Day and Father's Day catch all posts... I got a kick out of the rash of Realtor Pin posts after I fetured a nice post about them awhile back...

If someone posts something that inspires you -- the least you could do is reference their post!

Thanks Colleen. Good reminder for veteran members, and great briefing for new members.

Even better when you creat nice looking informative posts not unlike what you have done here, but directed at your local market, where your new customers are.

Great info Colleen!!...sometimes everyone needs a good reminder.

Colleen - thanks for making a "no brainer" addition for the week in review ... great job!!

Tiffany -- let's see how many people take some of the advice...

James -- So very true!

Matthew -- but will those that really need to make changes really pay any attention to this?

Desiree -- Wow! Thanks! You are the lucky person doing WIR, hopefully you are finding some great stuff!

Good post. I agree with all the things you say. I haven't rushed to post simply with points in mind. I can wait until I have something that someone may want to read.

Thanks for the information. It's nice to read a blog that is actually informative and adds value to the community.

One additional after going to a couple of other posts (nobody above this post is guilty of it)... COMMENT SPAM. The practice of putting all your contact information or your logo in the comment section....

Mott -- Everyone makes mistakes, it is not making them again that is so important... I look forward to your email...

Darrel -- Don't let this stop you. There are times that you have to just start writing. Everyone starts somewhere...

Grant -- Thanks so much!

Colleen, Nice Fourth of July Blog Stars! Thanks for writing this and also thanks for routing us to Brad Andersohns amazing blog! Who has time to write? There's so much reading to do.

You know I have to do this but...

Great post...awesome post...congrats....love you post..love my post..rate my post.... lol!

Love..peace...I did not have any cut and pasting.

Colleen...not everyone reads and even if they read sometimes they still do not post it right.

I do not bother posting my listings on AR unless it goes in MLS online and that is it...then only localim as per region...the same for market reports...but only localism not on AR. I'm not looking for members to comment on my market reports...just consumers.

Karen -- Thanks for all you do for the new members! I know Brad's post is pretty amazing isn't. Great resource for old and new members alike!

Neal -- so true, write to the consumer, don't worry about the feedback, provide value! And thank you! I needed the cheers today!

Colleen-- thanks for the great insight into your job as a moderator. It puts things into perspective, and I will definitely start rating posts!

Colleen,

This is a great post! Helps keeps things into perspective, I will admit guilty of not remembering to rate a post, so I will start right now! :)

Colleen, Been a while since we talked ( typed ). Great reminders here.

I wonder, is there no way to get them to move the rating field down to the comment section. I am absolutely sure that it would get used much more than it is now.

Coleen, Good summary!

I hope this post gets seen by the folks who need it most. As for comment spam,( with Logos or website) I think the best way to handle that is to email the person, inform them of the rules and ask them to remove it. If they continue to do it on other posts after being informed, then the AR guys should hear about it.

Plagiarism.. there is too much of this going on..

Question: I see a little red X on some posts. I am assuming this means points have been removed because of copy and paste, either with or without original source credited. I don't understand why the post is not removed??? If the poster does not have permission to use.... by leaving it up we are allowing then to use the stolen material for self promoting I don't get it

Ginger

I know to some it might seem crazy to say this over and over. But it is a good indication that our group is growing. The newbies have to here and understand this too.

THANKS for taking the time to remind us.

Great reminders about the importance of quality as ActiveRain grows. Just by the sheer numbers you would expect it to be diluted, but with a few simple steps we can make some big improvements.

Colleen I have been trying to welcome a few people every week to Active Rain. This is a good post for me to refer them to when they have questions.

Colleen, could you direct me to a post about the importance of rating a blog and how the numbers work. I haven't been rating because I didn't know it was so important. I comment often, so I am obviously doing something wrong. Thanks for your help. Betty

These posts are so helpful. We have many new members that could really use the help and a few of us who have been around still probably do not have all the etiquette items down. I know I still get caught from time time to time, with an item I didn't understand.

Thanks for keeping everyone in line. It's good to have a refresher now and again.

Colleen, RIGHT ON!!! You know? I'm actually finding it more challenging these days to even comment. Seriously! I do, however, think that it does take awhile to get the "hang" of AR - it certainly took me a month or two. We just need to pay attention. I, too, don't like the entire contact information posted in a comment. So rude! As for one/two liners. Puleeze.......and then sometimes those two liners are even featured! Go figure! Thanks for keeping us focused. Rated a 5!

Sandi -- Thanks!

Suzanne -- Every vote helps!

Herb -- please email caleb at activerain.com with that excellent suggestion...

Ginger -- I just delete it, and then put a note in my comments --

Comment Spmmer's Name --- Thanks for your comment, putting personal contact information/logos is comment spam and I have deleted your comment.

Question: I see a little red X on some posts.-- Excellent question -- I don't know the answer. I will see if I can find out the answers...

Craig -- Funny as I wrote this I realized that it was important to write some of these things and bring it to attention.

John -- excellent point ! It just takes a little education!

Ashley -- That is great you might want to give these:

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

Betty -- How the numbers work -- there isn't a post that describes it. Basically they take the # of votes and then averages their scores. If there are two posts with the same score the # of votes is the next sort (Post a has 200 votes and Post B has 375 votes, Post B would be the highest rated).

Randy -- it happens!

John -- You snuck in there as I responded! Every once in ahwile I need to pull Miss Manners out..

Teri -- Thanks! It does take some getting used to and I can totally relate to how it can be at times difficult to comment. When this happens, I need to remember that it is time to start to call some of the people and see if I can encourage them a little bit in their writing... Perhaps some other members will start doing it?

Colleen, I really think that if there was an obvious tell-all about AR on the front page with flashing lights, bold, etc. that it might help. Otherwise, one has to weed through all of the comments, posts, etc. I, for one have spent myriad hours on AR since April and am just now getting the hang of AR!! I even posted an indepth post about 40 things I had learned. I am, of course, still learning.

You have to "call" people? Seriously? Wow, now that could take up even more of your day, huh?

Oops! I just did an I-phone post to the professional category. And as I read through all of today's posts, I didn't see any others! Yikes! and apologies to anyone I might have offended!

Colleen -

Thanks for the post. A good reminder for all of us! I'm not planning on an ipod phone anytime soon . . . but can see how this and other topics become the main theme on AR when brought up. And even though I've been here a while, I'm always learning something new or how to do something better. Good thing!

Colleen, Excellent post. I also think we need to be bolder about posting comments in the articles that are "violating" these guidelines. Many of the posters are clueless and might appreciate an friendly nudge.

Colleen,

Thanks for all the info. I am just starting out on AR and this post definitely helps get me pointed in the right direction. Do others feel as I: not knowing the rules of the game and trying to not step on the landmines? After some of your suggested reading, I'll be back!

Colleen, you are right on with this. When I see a Post that it is obvious that the person wrote it for just the sake of getting 200 points, I just move on. If you don't have something to say, then don't. By the way I get a kick out of those all bold Posts, how do you know what is important and what isn't? The other ones that get to me are the ones of people whining about their post not being featured or no one reading them, way too many of these sometimes.

It has always seemed a shame that a 5 line post earns the same 200 points that a well designed, well written post earns. For the 5-liner to go below the 200 points, it requires people actually rate it a 1 or 2. Since those people don't often get read, their points likely stay at 200. Meanwhile, the good post may get rated upward, but probably not enough to put a substantial difference to their points vs the bad post.

Not sure how this can be solved. In another post someone suggested starting at 5-10 points as a way to discourage those that are just posting for points. That might not be a bad idea since in order to make posting worthwhile (more points) the Rainer would have to write something worth reading, and thus, earn extra points.

Great information, Colleen, and a useful reminder for everyone. With all the new folks this is really helpful to guide them in the right direction. There clearly are people who have been posting for some time that can use some reminders - it has gotten much more complicated and there are more "requirements" than in the early days, so the occasional reminder is helpful.

Jeff

Teri -- I don't have to call, I call people that I want to work with to teach them how to clean up what they have to be feature worthy...

Patricia -- you didn't offend, it just is overwhelming when you see the same thing over and over again.

Cheryl -- you are doing a great job and you are so right about the group being a good place to Pratice!

Cynthia -- Thanks!

Carol -- Critize in private, praise in public. Drop violators an email off line or flag...

John -- I look forward to reading more from you!

George -- Had I mentioned the W posts there would be a rash of them again! If they read their posts they would understand why they don't get featured....

Elaine -- if people would just rate those posts the system takes care of it!

Jeff -- You have to help the new members...

I have to agree about the boring posts. Boring, boring boring! Way too many boring posts!

Oh! I have a question. When rating a post, I can't see a button highlighted. So I can't tell if it took, or if I forgot to rate. Are there any plans to fix that?

As always Colleen an excellent post and a very timely reminder! Thanks so much.

Lisa -- yes there seems to be a rash lately! As for the rating a post, sometimes depending on the load on the network it takes a little time for the vote to register... I will talk to Caleb about it.

Monika -- Thanks!

Hi Colleen - you listed some great points in this post, and there are others that came up in the comments, too. I know there are some that say spelling and grammar shouldn't count much, but I have to say I cringe when I see posts full of words spelled incorrectly and incorrect grammar. Spell-check was asked for in both posts and comments, and we got it and it seems few really use it.

The 'wall of words' really probably get very little eye-time from many people. It's too hard on the eyes to try to keep reading to see what the writer is really saying. The links you included are great posts for help on a lot of the points you've brought up. And you have many posts of your own that are very helpful to all of us here on AR - you spend a lot of time helping, and trying to help, others - very much appreciated.

There are WAY too many 2-3 sentence posts, WAY too many cut and paste posts, and WAY too many plagiarized posts - those who really should be reading your post about this probably will never see it, so it's up to all of us to flag them or something each time we see one of these types of posts. Thanks for the reminder on this.

For Betty Haney - for rating numbers, if you were asking which number is low and which is high, 1 is the lowest rating with 5 the highest. When I first started rating posts some time ago, I didn't realize what was low and what was high, and I was using them in the wrong order by mistake.

I think it would be most helpful to have the words (lowest) and (highest) beside the numbers for all those who don't know and those who forget. We do have new members coming on board all the time, and I'd bet they'd find that very helpful.

Colleen, I know that you are well intended. However, in order to reach the rarity of one good post, hundreds have to be written (for many people). Yes, it's dull. Yay, it can be stupid, and Absolutely the search for the treasure (at least two daily) is worth the effort. With a growing community, of course there are some mind numbing posts. If we permit contributors to learn to offer compelling posts (with their own timetable) then the end result will continue to be informative. If this forum assists anyone, along the way, to automatically hit SPELL CHECK, then I'll happily wade through the muck- some self imposed. But I'd hate to see anyone intimidated by the forum, because of well intended warning posts. A negotiable opinion.

Laurie Mindnich,

You stated "But I'd hate to see anyone intimidated by the forum, because of well intended warning posts."

I am curious, what part of this post do you find intimidating?

Laurie Manny

Laurie Manny- thanks- thought provoking. What I see as unintentionally intimidating is reigning in someone that feels that they have something to share, but is not feeling adept (having read this and others) as... a warning, somehow- an expectation. That's it- I'm all for just diving in.

I agree with everything you say but I'm not certain about not writing about a topic because someone has already written about it. What if someone didn't see it when it was written by someone else? I don't think there are many who read every post that is written every day.

I kind of have the vision of someone just reading my blog and no one else's. If I think something is important, I want it on my blog even if a number of others have similar posts. I don't think of my posts as adding to the total number of posts on ActiveRain. I look at my blog on ActiveRain as a stand alone collection of my thoughts and ideas that I find interesting. Do you think this is wrong?

I know you're not asking me, Tim- SORRY, COLLEEN- but I think it's essential.

Laurie Mindnich,

Have you seen some of the recent content? There are currently 3 days on the featured board, nothing to feature. Colleen wrote this post, at this time, because it needed to be said. While it is possible that some may be scared off after reading this post, it is also a necessary evil to inform and educate the newer members who are joining daily, or we would have complete chaos.

On the other hand, if you are writing a post about polishing a post and using spell check, it might be a good idea to use it on the post you are writing. Cut and Past Posts! Hmmmmmm

Laurie Manny

Colleen,

A little constructive criticism never hurt anyone, including me. I enjoyed your post and will apply it to my next endeavor here.

Hi, This is a great post and filled with wonderful things that we can do to make ActiveRain even better. Funny , I have been on the AR site for 13 weeks and some of these things are new to me. I am book marking the site and if it would be ok, when I meet people that need help, I'll send it. I never criticize but for suggesting something that might work better and you have on your post so much great information. This should be mandatory reading.

I noticed one person that was posting the really stupid stuff, 2 lines posts, jokes copied from Goggle, 3 or 4 posts in a row, all added at the same time. It was making me feel that no was was caring much what was posted , while most want to at least try and make valuable contributions and have the proper peer to peer recognition they deserve. A few spoil it. Now I know what to do about it. If it is deemed inappropriate, the AR gods will take care of it. I love humor but anecdotal. If I wanted to read Goggle jokes, I can get all I want from them.

Many thanks for the care and that skill at which you provided so much great information.

Sincerely,
William

Ann, thanks for the help on the numbers. I will pay closer attention now and rate all the blogs I comment on. Betty

Colleen, This is a really attractive post! The stars add to the look and make it very easy follow...and of course your links are always good. Thanks for all you do for others on the Rain.

Thanks for the reminders -- I have tried to learn from those blogs that are featured -- I am still learning about blogging and have a ways to go, however, I have had a few featured posts and I think I am getting better as time goes on. I do forget to rate the posts -- so I will try to make a point of doing that.

Colleen what a great post... I have seen the copycats articles and every one of the items you indentified about.... thanks for posting... hopefully this will make our rain experiences a little better

JUL

2007

Colleen - Thank You ! I learned a few things from you today. If we have something different to say about a previously posted blog then it would make sense to write another one, right? It also makes sense if one is expanding on a previous blog.

There has been a lot of conversation about copying and plagiarism. I noticed that a few copycats have either amended their work so that it is now an original. Great job!

I think the links for the guidelines on the bottom of suggestion posts such as these are great add ons...I know when I first started I had no clue and continuous postings may help one of the 100-200 members signing up every day...

Thanks for the reminder of the guidelines. Sometimes the lines blur as you run through a day of hectic schedules and then do a post. Great reminder

These words reign true. Well put Colleen! I hope to continually evolve in this industry & this forum from what I can learn from the ones who are so good and true to it.

Double Hmmm :)

Hi Collen,

Thanks for all your work it is appreciated.

You will probably be seeing several posts in the next few days about the fabulous AR party in New York last night. We all had a wonderful time. The place was spectacular and it was really great meeting everyone.

I didn't have my camera with me so I won't be posting but Caleb and Jonathan and Luke and others took lots of great pictures. Joe and Rudy had a video camera. So keep an eye out and have a great 4th of July.

Hi Colleen, as one of the moderators of the marketing group, all I can say on this Sunday morning is "Amen" and thank you!

I'm glad to see the AR gods featured this post, hopefully those who will benefit most from it's lessons will read it.

Well written and organized. I am still learning and posts like this help me become better.

This new member really appreciates the overview. Thank you!

Hi Colleen! I haven't had a chance to visit AR much this week. I always gravitate towards your BLOGS- I see Colleens pic and click! You are thoughtful and concerned about the AR community. Your guidance in helping us newb's, is very much appreciated! Thanks!

Terri

Ann -- Thanks! And thanks for helping Betty,

Laurie Mindnich -- I believe the number of responses here that people are grateful for the information speaks volumes for the number of members that do not have an idea how to function here...

Laurie Manny -- Thanks for your support!

Tim -- I am not saying not write about the topic, just don't post to the professional if you see a bunch already up...

Diane -- Thanks!

William - Wow!

Margaret -- Thanks! You are so kind!

Joan -- Glad that I can be of help!

Natallie -- Great seeing you in Atlanta the other day! And yes it helps to share our knowledge!

Marie -- Thanks! Sometimes you just have to educate a few people!

Sally -- so very true!

Gary -- you are welcome!

Jason - I sometimes forget that people have evolved with the system and they "Know" the ropes. But they don't. It is something that as we grow we have to review for the new members! And the occasional old timer!

TLW -- You always make new members feel so welcome!

Mitchell -- so looking forward to all the posts! Glad to hear everyone had a wonderful time!

Marti -- So glad that I could be of assistance to the group moderators! I sometimes cruise groups for features and shake my head of some of the items in the groups!

Endea -- I look forward to seeing more from you!

Tracy -- Thanks!

Terri -- It is the part of ActiveRain that I like the most -- giving back...

Colleen--You always offer such great advice. Noticed the subscribe to blog button...Think I will add to the bottom of my posts too! Good ideas for all in your post! Thanks!

Teri -- Have to thank Brad Andersohn for that one!

Colleen--Does Brad have a post explaining "HOW"? I played around for awhile and cant figure it out...Is there a secret?

Colleen: Thank you for this blog. I find cut and paste posts offensive. Doesn't the poster have an original thought? I appreciate that they want to share something interesting they have found, but we all learned in grade school that copying is bad. I always appreciate a link to the article & comments by the poster about what is good or bad about the article, what they got out of it, and what information they hope to disseminate by posting it.

Thank you for taking the time to explain and review some of this stuff for us. SInce you spend so much time removing listings from Professional would it be possible to make it impossible for somesone to post a listing to that category. Let the system stop it. Would save time, some wouldn't slip through, just a thought.

Howdy Colleen

Thank you and congrats on a very good and helpful post.

Teri -- take the graphics, then link to your profile and blog pages on those gaphics.

Michelle -- It is neat to see what people think about various topics!

Miriam -- You are welcome!

Dale -- Thanks!

Mott -- Yes we can. It just takes a little effort.

Thanks Colleen - FANTASTIC POST!!

I swear I didn't know anyone else posted on iPhone!! Wonder who was first? LOL :-)

Thanks for the "link love" and the kudos for the buttons, you display them nicely, great idea....
Is it copycat if I steal the idea back? :-O Love em!!

I'll be adding this post to my Active Rain "WELCOME" which is by the way...NOT SPAM, it is a comment
with links, to help new members get their feet "wet" in the "rain". (just for clarification for newbies)

Lastly and most importantly, I don't know what Active Rain and it's members would do without you!!!
You're a blessing to us members, to Active Rain, your readers, your community, and to me personally.
The words "Thank You" seem so small and insignificant for what I'm really trying to say here...but I think you get it!!

(Brad Smiles So Big, His Chapped Lips Crack!!!) OUCH!!

I am very active here in the rain but I must start rating posts. I must!!!

Thank you.

JUL

2007

AWESOME post Colleen! Thank you so much for sharing this information! You are such a wealth of knowledge...thank you!

Brad -- You are welcome!

Chris -- if we all take part it make the network stronger..

Christopher -- thanks for stopping by...

Leah -- Thanks!

This took a lot of time and thought to put together and it was well worth my time to read. What you said here is true and hopefully others will take your advice. I guess it's the growing pains of any new site, there are going to be those that follow it for the intended purpose, and those that don't. Just move on. Thanks again for your insight.

Colleen- Thank you for a very timely reminder, as well as all the work you put into Active Rain to make it better for all of us.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Karen -- You are very welcome..

Allison -- It is not just me that moderates, there are a bunch of people that moderate the system.

Gerry -- You are welcome!

Excellent pointers and pretty too!

Good post, Colleen....thanks for posting guidelines again...it does bear repeating.......

As the network grows by hundreds per day some new members just do not look at the road signs along the way.......

Having a bill board up once in a while helps....

the cut and paste posts are the worst... come on... you've been in the industry long enough - you have to have something unique to talk about

wall of words... like reading contractual fine print do we? NO

btw... spell check?

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!!

This is worth repeating. I would have found it helpful when I started, and I suspect that today's newbies will benefit too.

Colleen, great comments! I give you a 5 rating!

Colleen,

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

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

2007

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.

SO true! What we need to think about now is etiquite. Like checking back to read your comments and respond. Bloging is interactive!

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...

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.

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

2007

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.

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

2007

awesome info..thanks again for all your hard work

JUL

2007

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.

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.

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

2007

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.

SEP

2007

Everyone should read this when they join. Very important and the spell check is even provided in the comment section. How nice!

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!

OCT

2007

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Colleen Kulikowski

East Amherst, NY

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Turning Key Realty

Address: 4784 N. French Road, East Amherst, NY, 14051

Office Phone: (716) 650-0051

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