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The Activerain Featured Dashboard is Not Enough....

Currently there are 67,888 members and 1621 and by the time I post this...the numbers will have changed...there can only be 16 featured posts on the dashboard on any given time.

One of the things that I have noticed....as time progressed...and more people joined...and the network got bigger...the writing on the rain got better and better. In my mind that is where the groups play a very important role.

Now the beautiful thing about groups...they have group founders and moderators...not different from the Hot Tamale's that run this network but the difference is the Hot Tamale's have many more blog posts to read.

In groups...you have the benefit of the dashboard...the dashboard of a smaller network...I think just about every group features posts.

If you group is public...you will reap the benefits similar of a featured post on the dashboard but once again on a smaller scale.

In May 05, 2007 I joined The Blogger's Choice Group, I thought the idea was spectacular and with Lola Audu as the group founder it had to be good!

Wouldn't you know it I was right and she asked me to do the First Ever "Blogger's Choice Spotlight ." Another Ah ha moment for me on the rain. I was really flattered.

I felt flattered...imagine how I felt a few days ago when she asked me to be a moderator.

You could say this is a grand re-opening for The Blogger's Choice Group and in my mind...all the groups....get your chance to be on the dashboard..on a group dashboard. Create your own opportunities.

A few Group FAQ's

What is the Purpose of the Blogger's Choice Group?

Blogger's Choice Selections has been formed to highlight Blog Posts that are NOT Featured on the Active Rain Network Blog dashboard but which You feel are Significant, Important, Interesting, Well Written & an Example of A Good Blog Post.

As the Active Rain Network experiences continued phenomenal growth, the task of evaluating all the posts is expanding. We recognize & applaud the hard work of the Active Rain Moderators in reading hundreds of posts each day & having to determine which posts to select.

They do a phenomenal job! However, the reality is that a number of Excellent Posts may not get the attention they deserve as the Network expands.

So, This is Your Opportunity as a Blog Author to Let the Community Know about Your Personal Favorites!

We ask the Question...If you were to Select a Few of Your Own Blog Posts each week that You felt were Special....What Would they Be?

What Benefit is there to Posting on this Forum?

This is an "Open Source" Group. We are still developing the best format & your suggestions are welcome. Groups on Active Rain are often indexed in search engine results.

Blogger's Choice has the potential to enhance your search engine rankings if the posts on this forum are worthy of reading & commenting on.

It's up to us! Also, membership in a group like this will expose you to great posts which you may otherwise miss as the Network of Active Rain continues to grow.

What is the Blogger's Choice Spotlight?

The Blogger's Choice Spotlight is an opportunity for a Member Volunteer to choose 5-10 Favorite Blog Posts to highlight. Volunteers are encouraged to contact the Group Moderator.

You will be notified by e-mail about your opportunity to host the Blogger's Spotlight. Blogger's Spotlight choices will be highlighted on the Group's home page.

We would love for you to join the group! Get Featured Soon!

NOTE: *This post started 6:42 pm yesterday... see how many more members joined...that is why the groups are so important!

update....update....update...update...update- Read Lola's Re-Grand Opening Post

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by The Activerain Network and it's members and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of Midori Miller and CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty. Midori Miller and CENTURY21 Sundance Realty are not responsible for the accuracy or content provided by The Community.

Posted by Florida Real Estate Trainer | Daytona Beach After School Training | Midori on 01/26/2008 03:01 PM

Comments (52)

bloggers choice selections, featured in groups, group dashboards, maximum google juice, lola audu, midori, bloggers choice selections group

Post is included in group: Bloggers Choice Selections
Post is included in group: Active Rain Block Party

52 Comments on The Activerain Featured Dashboard is Not Enough....

JAN

2008

Midori -- This is a great idea. I think the community has grown so large, that it is impossible to keep up with all of the quality posts. The groups certainly help to keep up with those things one is most interested in. This group will be great because he will help good posts from slipping through the cracks.

Midori, this is a great idea to get exposure for some of those bloggers and posts that were overlooked in the featured post dashboard. Thanks also for the link to the Active Rain Block Party group. Much appreciated.

Midori, this is great! I've been out of the office for a significant portion of the day, but I'll be linking to you as well. There are so many great posts on this network...it's a wonderful gift.

Excellent idea Midori. With so much stuff being posted by so many members(new & old), it's easy to get lost in the crowd. Your idea is a great 2nd chance to find stuff that might have got lost in the shuffle of things.

Midori... this is a great idea, especially when you do think that a blog or two has been missed... and don't even get me started on that one... ;o) Thanks for sharing this.

I joined this is a great idea and the other moderators that are very active always seem to find a post that I missed. Thanks for doing this.

Great idea. We need all the eyes we can get. The dashboard moves so quickly now, if you don't get featured, you're in oblivioun in minutes.

Thanks goodness for subscribers.

This will help too. Thanks.

This seems like a great idea. I've been tied up with other things so I'm hopelessly out of the loop right now and trying to get back in.

Hi - I'm curious about the blogger's choice spotlight. Do you just select posts that are included in the Blogger's choice group, or does the writer choose any posts that were not featured?

Joan-the best part is the member spotlight...determines what they like...its pretty easy....the only criteria....Join the group and post your blogs there....

Brian-you're welcome...one of the things I am doing is constantly re-evaluting what I am doing...last year I pulled out of some groups...and maybe I made a hasty decision...I really see the additional benefits in groups...be ready....Alecia Barnes and I are about to unveil something....I am just very honored to be teaming up with Lola!

Lola-I just left your post...will edit mine and add yours at the bottom!

Midori - we are excited to have you moderating at Bloggers Choice! I moderate 3 groups and it is fun to stick those litte gold stars on deserving posts!

Groups are a great thing that tend to be either under utilized or abused! Some people don't post to groups or interact with them. I have been watching someone in an area near me and he post fairly often, but not to groups and only once to localism....needless to say - he has not gotten any comments (equaling validation, especially to a new blogger). He's on my list to call next week. He is my direct competition in one market but I'm feeling really sorry for him, so I'm going to work it in to the conversation somehow that he would get more activity if he did things a little differently.

I just joined and look forward to following the posts that get featured!

Midori -

This is a FANTASTIC idea, that will become even more important as AR grows.

Please advise as to GUIDELINES for posting to this group. Does Lola personally pick posts to feature - or who?

Thanks for the info, once again!

DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO

Midori, I'm looking forward to seeing how this works out. You're right about the featured posts.......they stay on sometimes for days. I can't imagine how tough and time consuming it is to moderate large groups.

Great idea, you will be a great moderator. I spent time this week visiting all the groups I had joined, wow I missed so much and was able to good posts.

Hi Midori...Thanks for the link. Just to give a brief history of the Group. When the Group was initially started, every Founding Member got a Featured post.

Then the Blogger's Choice Spotlight was launched after about 2 months which allowed the Spotlight Moderator to Feature posts. Because we have not had a Spotlight post for awhile, Lola has Featured material from time to time.

With Midori playing a more prominent role as a Moderator, we would like to relaunch the idea of the Spotlight and encourage New Members joining by Featuring at least one of their selections when they join and post. I hope this helps to answer some of the questions thus far. As stated earlier...we're an Open Source Group, so we're always open to suggestions to make this a better experience for the members.

I guess Lola has a knack for picking talent. This is an excellent post.

Hey CONGRATS on your Gold Star ! This is an excellent post !

Excellent post. I need to do more but thankfully business picked up and it's tough to get to everything.

Well, business planning for the year is almost done and already need to readjust to plan for more time on ActiveRain each week.

Can't wait to read more of your posts.

Midori - some time ago we talked about 2 different feartured sections: one about real estate only that should be branded and syndicated via AR, and another featured section for everything else.

One thing I am sure of is we really like Don Rich being there now. Thanks for your thoughts here, much appreciated.

best

Hi Midori - I'm glad to see Blogger's Choice get some featured attention. It's an excellent solution to recognizing all of the great content on the Rain, with the added benefit of really getting the members involved.

JAN

2008

Hi Marti-yes....I think in order to get the exposure we want groups...would be the way to go! I love your group and I can tell you how honored I feel when I get a mention or even a little star...while so many say it does not matter...deep down...we know it does...I blog for points...I blog for features..I write what I think my community members want...

Jeff-my pleasure...that is what I am saying....but again...there are only 16 featured spots...so what do you do? Join a group or start one...

Linda-it won't be me making the selections...unless...I get the priveledge of doing a members spotlight again...I hope there are many volunteers...I do think its very important. Some of my favorite bloggers are in our group!

Joan-I missed ya girl! Yes...I think this group is great...and there are many others that I love as well.

Lenn-I had to laugh...I posted a couple of days ago...by the time I posted...it was gone...and not on the dashboard at all...to me it was crazy...I thought how the heck can we be found with all the posts popping up and the network growing...GROUPS...GROUPS...GROUPS....

Subscriptions help...yes! Glad we have that option...

Angie-yes you must be a member...but you can always read the FAQ's....also you are right...not featured!

Josette-I wondered where you have been? I hope its been because you are so busy in real estate. Yes, I have to agree...a few days off the rain...It's a challenge to get into the swing.

Hi Michelle-I have to check out your groups...I have been joining groups once again...It seems I have to learn to be a little more flexible in my thinking...in regards to blogging...it seems when I have it the way I want it...either it's not working...or outdated once again...

Alecia Barnes and I will be starting a new group...a private group...but one worth joining...

I always like the idea of the Bloggers Choice....and I hope we have a member doing the spotlight soon!

Diane-I imagine we will see a many of yours featured in the group....I have to admit...I am a fan! Love the updated photo....

Dean-for now we will select featured until we get a member to do so...the faq's are above....there is a link...also just like Lola said we are open to many ideas....

Teri-one thing...if ever you get the chance to do a week in review...you may understand why...so many posts...such a big network...and I have to say...that the writing here has improved...

Missy-yes...I too have been revisiting groups...I pulled out of a few last year to end up rejoining again...I just hope they take me back! :)

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmorning Midori... re "your group and I can tell you how honored I feel when I get a mention or even a little star"...

You deserve every mention, feature, etc... that you get on AR. You post consistent quality stuff, it's that simple. I'm a BIG fan of yours and just think, a few months ago we didn't even know each other. Isn't social networking wonderful!

This is a great idea and congrats on your gold star ! I just wrote a post about Hidden Gems in the rain yesterday....do you think she would mind if I also put a link in my blog to her group ?

Midori - Sounds like a really great concept. Good luck in your new position. One of my biggest pet peeves of AR is seeing all the same "names" getting featured posts. There are some really good bloggers that don't get the feature when they should. I mean really how many times does a post about "agency" need to be featured. What is left to discuss about a topic like that. Just one example :)

Midori, I will join your group. This is one of my "hot buttons" anyway. I have three groups and I "feature" good posts on each.

One of my groups, Front Porch Majority will announce a challenge (contest) tomorrow for "features." I just have to work out the details with Bob and Rich.

We all need to help each other in this endeavor.

Bill Roberts

Another great idea. There are sooo many people now. And it's great. I love being able to read and learn from people all over.

JAN

2008

Midori Congratulations and good luck on your new adventure! You made a very good point abut the dashboard.

Midori- I couldn't think of a better choice for moderator than you, and an awesome group to moderate for! Congratulations girl!

Hi Midori,
What a wonderful idea--we have gotten so big. I know and just hate that I miss sooo many great posts. I'm going to check this group out.

Thanks! I never knew this info, but maybe it will help me use my precious time more wisely, by reading posts others feel are important.

Thanks, this should be done. I think we would learn and appreciate Active Rain more and more as we expand the features.

Excellent post! This is agreat idea

Wayne-thank you and she is a class act!

Hi Melissa-I hope you will join us...thanks I love when I see that gold star! :)

Jamie-Activerain is part of my daily life. I love the interractions...the information that is shared...and the friendships that I have made. But Jamie be careful...you will get hooked...addicted..so make sure and have balance. I try....very very hard. :)

Hi Gary-nice of you to stop by. Yes I do remember some conversation about 2 dashboards...and yes you are right...things are happening here and it's good to see extra hands helping the hot tamales!

Hi Midori ... great post and look forward to your next one. I think you have a great concept.

APR

Hi Midori!

Thank you so much for all the valuable tips. We have just joined Bloggers Choice, it seems to be what we have been looking for! We are excited to have people who will critique our work rather "going out there" blind!

Congratulations on your appointment to moderator, you look like an excellent choice!

Al and Peggy Cunningham

Brampton Ontario Canada

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