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Description is Misleading

Description is Misleading by Bill Roberts

I've been thinking "just exactly what is ActiveRain?"

Trying to describe AR is like the parable of the three (or is it six?) blind men trying to describe an elephant.

The parable of the blind men trying to describe an elephant is variously ascribed to Chinese or Indian folklore. But no matter, the essence of the story is the same. These blind men thought they could describe an elephant by "feeling" it with their hands. The one who grabbed the tail was sure the beast was like a rope. The one who wrapped his arms around a thick leg was sure that it was very similar to a tree. The one who touched the trunk concluded that the animal was a snake.

I joined AR because I wanted Search Engine Results Page (SERP) improvement. I got that almost immediately. I was shocked, then pleased, and now satisfied. My AR experience paid off.

But I'm still here, and still participating. And I'm still trying to figure out what ActiveRain is all about. Here is some of what I have discovered:

It is about blogging for SERPs.

It is a vast resource of "How to" information about blogging and SEO.

It is a vast resource of real estate related and other-wise hard-to-find information.

It is a network of real estate professionals I can use to get and give referrals.

It is a place I can research real estate related issues and ask for help.

It is a source of limitless entertainment.

And it is a social network of people with common interests.

So please don't ask me how to describe this "elephant" because I wouldn't know where to start. I just know that I'm addicted to ActiveRain and I don't want to see it change or go away. There are things that could be "improved" and I'm sure that the owners are working on that. One area of improvement that I would like to see is better communication from and with the owners on what they want and expect of AR. Is that too much to ask?

Posted by Bill Roberts - "Baby Boomer" Retirement Planning on 09/28/2007 12:41 PM

Comments (19)

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19 Comments on Description is Misleading

SEP

2007

It's also a place to "hang out" while you're waiting for a buyer to call.

So true, Lenn. I recently took a four week sabbatical from ActiveRain and guess what happened to my business? Nothing. My conclusion is that ActiveRain is place to waste time.

Bill,

I describe A/R as the perfect avenue for getting information, sharing ideas and thoughts and of course networks with many professionals from many industries. I have learned a lot and have enjoyed getting feedback on my posts and suggestions.

Lenn, thank you for commenting. I appreciate seeing you here,

Bill Roberts

Todd, I'm sorry to hear that your experience hasn't been better.

Bill Roberts

Laura, thank you. I'm sure you will get all you want from AR.

Bill Roberts

I say we change the name to ActiveRain MasterMind.

It would be more consistent with its content and knowledge available.

Bill, so you have problems with desribing AR as well? Good. I don't want to be the only one.

Bill Roberts

SEP

2007

Bill great post! Very informative. I really like ht mastermind angle.

SEP

2007

BILL: I think that AR is what you make of it, just like anything else in life. For some of us, we use this forum to share and learn. Others do like to just hang out. Anyone that expects instant results from being here has unrealistic expectations. This is like farming. If you make your presence felt, others will think of you when they have a need in your market. Good post, Bill.

Jim, I appreciate your comments.

Adam, The layers of benefits to AR membership are many. There is immediate gratification and long term satisfaction and a lot of mid-term values as well. You are right of course that AR IS what we make of it.

Have you read my other post on this subject (or relateed anyway)? Are You Worth $60,000?

Bill Roberts

Yes, you are very correct, ActiveRain's value can not be boiled down to simply content. There are dozens of things that make ActiveRain what it is, and I'm sure almost all members are very aware of that. ActiveRain means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. For some it's a place to reach consumers, for some it's a forum to vent about what is going in the industry, for some just a place to hang out, for some it's a way to make business connections.

What would ActiveRain be without an active member base? If we stopped providing a true value to that member base, why would they stay? The key to a successful business is making sure that you and your customers interests are aligned and stay aligned.

Matt, As far as I can see you have nothing to worry about. Just keep us apprised of what is happening and we will understand. Thanks for commenting, it means a lot.

Bill Roberts

NOV

2007

ActiveRain: Entertaining and informative peer-to-peer communication that increases search engine visibility while satisfying social needs.

As for the points system, the irony for me is that earlier today one of my posts was chosen as a featured post by another group and I'm still getting ZERO points for it. Now I understand that only the first 10 posts per week get an AUTOMATIC 200 points, but aren't the rest supposed to be eligible for 200 points after human review? In fact, aren't all posts supposed to be subject to review? I don't want to name names, but I've seen bloggers who've gained more than a thousand points in a single day for tossing up nothing more than their monthly dose of podcast ads.

Frank, you can post your 10 posts anytime during the calendar week. AR makes no judgment on the quality of your post, except as to your "authorship." If you cut and paste you won't get points.

I've had an 11th post of the week "featured" and I received points for the feature and for the comments but not for the posting itself. No automatic 200 points.

It is now worth 53 points, so I will stop complaining. ;)

Frank, I don't post as much as I did in the beginning. Now most of my posts are aimed at my target market on Localism. I haven't run into this "more than 10 posts" problem in quite a while.

What I did do though back in the beginning was to delete my excessive post and repost it after the start of the new week.

Have fun and prosper in the 'Rain.

Bill Roberts

Bill, I'm going to adjust my pace a little to maximize my Gj efficiency. I'm glad to hear that you are posting more on the localism side because that is where brokers, agents, loan officers are going to generate leads. My clients are brokers and agents, so for me the AR side is ideal exposure. True, AR isn't local and at the moment my model is extremely local, but what I learn from people like you I can share with local agents who aren't taking full advantage of technology in their business plan.

Thanks again for offering me a seat on the porch!

Frank, Your welcome, and thank you.

Bill Roberts

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