Renae, I know this isn't the whole answer but the one thing I've noticed about the subscriptions is that when a consumer logs onto AR or lands on the main page, the most subscribed to bloggers are featured on that page. I'm sure there are other benefits, but I certainly haven't figured them out yet :-)

Renae,  I feel the same way! I've been on AR most of the day trying to figure out what groups are available, how you find them, how to use AR to bring in business....

I'm glad I'm not the only one struggling with this.  Don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful for a place such as this to hang out in and learn.  It's better than any site that I've ever seen.

Nan Johnston

Southern Staging & Redesign

Hi Renae - The Associates and Subsribers lists are really just ways to help you keep track of your favorite Rainers. A great feature in the Subscriber list is that whenever anyone on your list writes a post, they jump to the top of the list so you can easily find new content.

Howdy Renae

They both go hand in hand with networking with other folks on Active Rain. Not to enhance your profile page on Active Rain. I hope this helps you.

Have a good one

Dale

adding associates and subscriptions helps you participate in this community which will bring you buyers, sellers and referrals

Renae - it doesn't enhance your profile that I know of. Most of us have less time for reading blog posts than we'd like, so by adding someone whose posts we enjoy as "Subscribe" we can save going through hundreds of posts to find the treasures by clicking at the top BLOGS and then choosing the option SUBSCRIBED. We all use Active Rain differently, but I'll usually go in this route:

a) go to a post written by someone who has commented on one of my posts;

b) go to Subscribed posts;

c) go to Featured posts;

d) when I have time, if ever, go to the General or Most Recent posts.

Sometimes if I haven't read a post recently from someone whose writing I enjoy, I'll Search for that person, then click on their My Blog. 

Thanks for the comments.

I think I was confused because, when I added Associates or when I subscribed to other people's blogs, I couldn't figure out what happens next, so to speak.  Now I think I've got it.  They are just ways to keep up more easily with people who's writing styles you like, correct?

Thanks again!

~Renae

Market 4 Real!