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I Think There Is Some Real Good "Crap" Raining In ActiveRain Today

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with KD Realty - 408.972.1822 CA DRE#01366594

I Think There Is Some Real Good "Crap" Raining In ActiveRain Today

This morning I wrote a post asking the AR community what 3 changes they would make to ActiveRain-Trulia is they were the Chief Change Officer.  That post may be found here.

While I was reading posts and commenting this morning I clicked on Richard's post: It’s NOT a blog. It’s ad copy!  I read it and did not leave a comment.  I did not know what to say. The post was later Featured. 

Later today I noticed that Richard updated his post with Part II to his original post. After reading the comment on all three blogs, I now had something to say. I typed my comment and realized I had written a blog. Rather than leaving a blog a comment I am writing this blog.

The following is my comment to Part II of Richard's post.

Richard,  I have the utmost respect for you. I really embrace how you don't hold back and tell us how you feel based upon your reality.  We all have our own individual reality.

At the end of the day there is no way any community or platform will please all of the people all of the time. I freely state that I can be one of the biggest pains in the back side and a real hot head at times.  I do work to contain that because it is not how I want to "be" in this world. I fall short every day.  I digress.

While I do not like some of the recent changes and I adamantly disagree with how lenient AR handles plagiarism ... I have no reason to believe that Kerrie, Bob, or any other AR staff member have a hidden agenda or are puppets on a Trulia string. If they are, even they don't know it. 

I would not want their jobs. I see it like Kindergarten Cop with over 200,000 kids to supervise and manage. While I don't like many of the changes, I am still here. As I spend more time on Facebook these days I see a bunch of stuff/crap there that I don't like either.

At the end of the day we all find what works and feels right for us. 

Corporations are for profit ... and lots of it. The more the better. I do agree that ..."they are incapable of placing any monetary value on community or the deep ties that bond many of the members together."  Few, if any corporations can. It is not their charter. Profit is their charter.

I firmly believe that Kerrie and Bob are the glue that continues to put the value on "community" and "bonding" of members in the Rain. 

steam engine I believe much good may come from all the recent changes and the sounding off by the community to get their voice heard. Some proof of that is my post was Featured today. AR wants to hear from us.  I believe they are listening.  I believe that even when I personally don't feel heard. 

There is power in the Rain. We, the bloggers, are the steam that makes the engine run. Think about that. Like it or not, ActiveRain/Trulia has to listen or they will lose their steam and the little engine that could ...will soon die because it couldn't.  [end comment]

 

There are some great discussions on all of the posts referenced here. If you have the time, I recommend you read them.  These discussion are what I call "good crap" because it feels like purposeful, meaningful discussions from the Community.  As I mentioned, I think they are listening. Our voices are being heard.

 

 

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Comments (25)

Bill Reddington
Re/max By The Sea - Destin, FL
Destin Florida Real Estate

I hope you are right in reference to the Trulia situation. Seems to be lots of different views somewhat getting away from the point of Active Rain.

Jul 21, 2014 03:10 PM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster
Maricopa Real Estate Co - Maricopa, AZ
A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa

I was actually one of the first to comment on his blog and have since followed the comments. (some how I must have sensed it would go crazy..lol)  While I am not an "original" I do see everyone's point. I do agree with you, changes, bring changes but I also feel the folks in charge of "us crazies in the assylum" have a passion for what Activerain means and will continue to work on preserving it. 

 

But all things evolve. Activerain is no exception. However, with everyone sharing their thoughts, expressing their desires, I believe we have a much say than we realize. Will they be able to please everyone? Nah, no one can. But as long as they keep listening and we can keep sharing, then I know everything will be ok. 

 

Thanks for sharing your thoughts as well! 

Jul 21, 2014 03:28 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Kathleen, I wrote a book here as a comment and just as I was finishing, it simply disappeared. Well, I love the new photo and the hair style. :-)

Jul 21, 2014 03:53 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Kathleen -- isn't it great when a comment is the genesis of a blog post?  There are so many things in life I can't control -- I don't even try.  Everyday, I just try to do the best I can -- some of those days are better than others.  And some days, crap happens...and that's okay. 

Jul 21, 2014 05:31 PM
Joe Petrowsky
Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709 - Manchester, CT
Your Mortgage Consultant for Life

Good morning Kathleen. Just wanted you to know, love your photo.

I really don't have a reference that many speak about the good old days, as it has been three years for me, so this is the reality today. There is no point in worrying about what, my focus will be what is.

Always enjoy reading your post!

Jul 21, 2014 07:14 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

I so agree w/ Kathleen on all points here.  I did not agree w/ Richard's conclusions and I commented yesterday saying that.

I love your new picture.  Way to go and nice job to Tom's sister.

Jul 21, 2014 08:42 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

I'm taking the fifth on this one.....the fifth of Dewars.  

Jul 21, 2014 09:07 PM
Tom White
Franklin Homes Realty LLC (615) 495-0752 or www.FranklinHomesRealty.com - Franklin, TN
Franklin Homes Realty LLC, Franklin TN

Kathleen, I've only been on AR for a little over a year, so I can't even comment on the "good old days". My simple question goes to motive. Why do people get on AR in the first place? Most times it's for increased business. They join for free and then realize after the fact that there is no public exposure. While figuring that out, many find the multitude of other benefits here! They learn from others. They develop relationships. They find they have a place to vent, yes, we all need that place. OK, this is turning into a blog...Anyway, change happens in every organization. Some changes we like, some not. Sorry, I don't see a big conspiracy.

 

Jul 22, 2014 12:33 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Thanks everyone for your comments.  I appreciate the discussion here on the topic. I do not candy-coat the fact that I do not personally like some of the recent changes ... but over time the heat and sting fades and I get re-focused on why I choose to stay active in the Rain.... it's the amazing people, connections, and yup, I learn a bunch of good crap here

Jul 22, 2014 12:50 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Kathleen yet more crap from you! Ok you know I'm kidding ya!  I for one accept that change happens and always will continue to happen.  Why anybody thinks things will stay the same is beyond my comprehension.....and honestly that seems so boring to me. Do I like all the changes -  no but I can adapt and I know there are fixes for the bugs on the way soon. ActiveRain is about community, about relationships and building our businesses. Just this month I've had 4 referrals from ActiveRain and another phone call from a new client yesterday.  It works if we work - and play!! And that means a little FUN along the way! We've got TUDE and TUDES stick together.

BTW love your new picture - awesome!

 

Featured in BananaTude

 

Jul 22, 2014 01:16 AM
Janice Ankrett
Burlington, ON
Staging Professional

Kathleen, your post has led me to some interesting reading this morning. Thanks

It was 'good crap'! I think we use AR as a business tool and a community of friends. We don't have to please everyone. 

Jul 22, 2014 01:21 AM
Jeff Fritzson: Frisco Real Estate Pro
Jeff Fritzson Real Estate, Ebby Halliday Realtors - Frisco, TX
Your Success is My Focus!

Hi Kathleen - I had to rewrite my comment. Before I hit post I decided to rewrite. The bottom line is like any change it can be difficult to accept. The key is to figure out how to leverage it to your advantage. Whether that is by creating more and better relationships, writing better blogs or going to a different platform. We are all professionals and this is just another aspect of our business.

Jul 22, 2014 01:21 AM
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

Kathleen: I'm amazed that, overall, it is still the same community. It has grown obviously, and when that happens, the new ARs need to be incorporated. It was probably much easier to get features etc. in the good old days of less members, so we need to work harder to write good blogs. By the way, those who have lasted from those good old days and are now the "millionnaires" in blog points here, are doing a fabulous job to be role models for new members. Oh, and without this AR growth, AR would not have this big a voice on the Internet. And Kerrie and Bob are doing a super job. Hey, they respond when you have a problem which is rare with large entities!

PS. That was my favorite photo!! Glad you chose it.

Jul 22, 2014 03:01 AM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Kathleen,

I just think that one needs to focus on writing good content and try and catch the long tail.

The points have absolutely no value other than:

1.  reducing the monthly AR bill

2.  perhaps finding an AR member for a referral by seeing their profile at the top of a community and then checking on their material

Go to the Trulia homepage and try and find Active Rain.  Before the Trulia merger AR was not even in the top 20 with ListHub on internet searches by consumers. 

AR is a great place to share information, launch a blog if one doesn't have a Word Press site and develop friendships.  Other than that I don't get ruffled one way or the other as long as it is easy to create a post!

Thanks for always being willing to let it fly, Kathleen!!!!

Jul 22, 2014 07:27 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

Kathleen, I missed this series of posts too but now I am curious. I have to go see what all the discussion is all about

Jul 22, 2014 10:42 PM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

So glad I went over and read the posts. He is very passionate about the Rain and I like that. To say there is nothing to worth reading is hogwash as I find many posts worth reading including some of his. But there are a lot that do not get my attention and I just move on.

Jul 22, 2014 10:51 PM
Juli Vosmik
Dominion Fine Properties - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale/Cave Creek, AZ real estate 480-710-0739

Going to check this out.  Interesting for sure. 

Jul 23, 2014 09:46 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

There are just some people that keep getting featured that have really bad attitudes about everything (I find his writing hogwash). I personally have stopped reading his posts & will continue to do so. Thanks for your opposite perspective.

Jul 27, 2014 10:38 PM
The Villages Realty
The Villages Realty - San Jose, CA
"Our Performance Will Move You!"

Hi Kathleen Daniels, another well written post worthy of a comment.  We always seem to enjoy what you write about!

Jan 28, 2017 04:49 AM
Eagle Ridge Realty
Eagle Ridge Realty - Gilroy, CA
"Our Performance Will Move You!"

Hi Kathleen.  Just dropped by to see what your latest writings were about.  Good luck.

Jan 30, 2017 06:38 AM