You "welcomed" the newbie to Active Rain. Have you checked on them since?

Craig, I'm still very much a newbie, but will make more of an effort to reach out to those even newer than me.  I know especially at first you just feel like you are more or less just talking to yourself!  Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

You're right Craig, I don't often go back. I too was quite fortunate, there were several members that reached out to help me in the beginning. (Actually I still need help, but I've gotten better) This is a really nice post. You brought it home that this is a community.

Good post....good points made here today.

Thanks for the post.

Patricia/Seacoast NH & ME

I am a newbie here on AR and though I have had many passing topics go through my head for blogging, I see so many great posts and I feel I need to just read and wait for awhile.  I do enjoy the expertise found here and will continue to hang out for a bit. 

Hi Craig. I subscribe to newer posters here and return to their blog to see if they have updated. 

As another newbie, I admit this feels very overwhelming.  It seems there is just so much to learn, again.  Any support you can give to those of use just getting into the ActiveRain community is much appreciated.  I lurk a bit as I try to learn the site, all I ask is that you are patient with us.

Craig, sometimes I do, but not often enough.  If I help someone, I usually go back and check on them.  Sometimes, I subscribe, but I have subscribed to so many..:(

You gave me an idea - I will create an associates group, add ones who need help, and make that my weekly pay it forward plan to call or email them.  Much easier to remember who might need help.

Thanks.

Hi Craig, I still consider myself a newbie and am slooowwly learning all Active Rain has to offer. Not even quite sure how to search for 'newbies' - just recently learned the importance of blogging and am trying to come up with a strategy, Note to self: take some AR classes and keep reading the featured posts.  50,000 points - wow, amazing!

I am always trying to expand the group of members that I follow closely on AR. Such wonderful people with great insight. I have invited a few agents that have signed up but gave up. Thanks for the reminder to light a fire under their butt :)

Hi Craig, you're right, a follow up to anything makes a hugh impact one way or another.  I'm a newbie to AR and blogging and I'm going to try and remember to follow up with those newer than I am.  Thanks for the great suggestion!

This is some great advice. Not only should we be following up with the newbies, but anyone we make quality conversation with.

Craig- I've barely been on Activerain a month. Didn't get a whole lot of welcomes to the "family" but regardless I feel like I learn so much from the people on here on a daily basis. I just keep my fingers crossed that I'm capitalizing as much as possible on my tags and links!

Margie Kopp

Craig - great reminder!  I got that same call from fellow Okie, Judi Barrett, and it felt so good to have a fellow Rainmaker check in on me to offer advice and answer questions. I just recruited a newbie in Tulsa, so will be checking in on her!

Craig, ActiveRain can be very overwhelming and intimidating to a new person. Great idea following up with a newbie. Thanks for the reminder.

great post! we often times forget that as a group we need to try and interact with as many newbies as possible, to keep them interested in making this site GREAT!

Craig: in a nice way, I hope, I'd like to disagree. The best way to build a readership and community is to comment back to every single comment. It takes time, but then relationships take time. Alan May, Lenn Harley, Jeff Belonger (old guard) and Barbara Tordaro, Tom Branch and even me (newer guard) -- and many other featured bloggers -- comment back on every single comment on every single post. Paul Slaybaugh told me to do this early on and I have been faithful to his advice. The relationships are formed in the threads, and the relationships are what a "newbie" (or any member) should be working for.

NO WAY that I can respond to each one individually.
~~~~~~~

Craig, I think if you pop over to my blog, you'll see that I religiously reply to each and every comment (sometimes including those of the "great post" nature).  So YES way that you can respond to each one, if you choose to.

I'm not saying that you must, but I do agree with Leslie that it does help build relationships with your readership, because oddly enough, here in the rain, we like to see our names in print, and we like to see that our comments are recognized and appreciated.