ActiveRain Channels

This is the second in a series about the ActiveRain Channels.

Part One - ActiveRain Channels matter

To me the Channels on the right side of the ActiveRain dashboard look like a chest of drawers.  You put the content in the drawers based on what it is...You know lingerie drawer, sock drawer, sweaters, jeans, etc.

 

It's easier to find your undies in the undies drawer if you have an undies drawer than if all the drawers are a jumble of everything.

Enough of my chest of drawers analogy.

Channels - History of Channels

In Brad Andersohn's post introducing ActiveRain's Channel's:   How to use ActiveRain Channels there's a "Sample screen shot of the "New" ActiveRain.com"   Luckily the symbols on the grid have been changed.... ugly chest of drawers with $ signs on two of the drawers. 

I think I missed that post...  even though  Bob Stewart's post from September 2008 shortly after Channels and Topics were introduced mentions Brad's post.  Bob's post is a a bit "TECHNICAL" I think it was my introduction to Channels and Topics - ActiveRain-Using-no-index

The post that helped me straighten out my Categories on my Outside blogs was Brad's later post about  Raindexing    It helped me get my Topics organized which makes my Outside Blogs get found...

Channel Failure

Broker Bryant and Cindy Jones had interesting comments on the ActiveRain Channels matter post  which I kind of dismissed in my comments back.   Mea culpa!

Cindy wrote: "Unfortunately in some cases legitimate channels have been turned into a dumping ground for unrealted posts.  It is frustrating and I suspect a turnoff for any consumer who is looking for information that would be relevant under the channel header."

Broker Bryant said:  "Maureen, The channels get great Google juice too. I have been using them for quite awhile. The only negative is that there are many redundant channels. They should have been controled more closely."

They may have both read the Channels directions in the beginning.

Reading Brad's initial post maybe WE are mucking up channels... he wrote:

"Right now we only have one feature board on the main page of ActiveRain. This would be the "ActiveRain" Channel.  Now we have additional channels that will allow features in those channels too.  You will also be able to access the hottest "topics" within those channels in our new interface.  We need to build up content by placing posts in each of these channels."

Some of us because we did not read the directions. My hand is raised.  Other members because they are confused.  Maybe others because they are dumping (SPAMMING ) channels.  I missed the whole idea of the Channel pages  being a feature board by Channel / Topic. 

The good news is the Channels / Topics / Categories work on my Outside Blogs and my ActiveRain content as far as search engines are concerned, once I read Raindexing and fixed my Channels / Topics.

ActiveRain Channels housekeeping... 

Should we try to clean up Channels for consumers and for one another?   Or is it OK as long as using Channels / Topics work on your own blogs?

The Home Buyers Channel says:

"Home buying is often a daunting process that leaves would-be homeowners so confused that they do not even know where to begin!  Start here with your research; this is the best channel to get started in the journey that leads to your new front door."

Are you in the real estate industry and not a member of ActiveRain?  JOIN ActiveRain

Not a Rainmaker but want to use your ActiveRain blog and an Outside Blog to start talking to Consumers?  First Month only $5.00   Upgrading to a RainMaker account

Need help with how to get content up for consumers?  I can help you.   Rainmaker makes your content  Visibity: Public!

You can post publicly to consumer channels as a RainMaker.  Your content shows up on Localism and you can set up an Outside blog (in most but not all cases the Outside Blog would be to talk to consumers.)  Your blog, your choice.

Most importantly when you use the Consumer Channels on ActiveRain you are talking to consumers your content shows up in search engines for consumers.

Part 3 in the series - ActiveRain's Junk Drawer... is your face or content in the ActiveRain junk drawer?

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This post provided by Maureen McCabe of Real Living HER

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