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Ask An Ambassador: AR Support Isn't Responding, How Do I Get Help?

By
Real Estate Agent with Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com SAL.2002007747

Need a hand?I think it's apparent to most of the community that ActiveRain doesn't have the biggest support team in the world.  I couldn't tell you how many, or where they physically work, or if they're full time ActiveRain employees or a contracted service,  but there ARE some people out there to help. 

But there are a few things clear.

If you want to reach them, it's support@ActiveRain.com or fill out the community contact form. There is no direct phone number unless you want to call Bob Stewart.

Most problems DO get fixed, and fairly quickly, ONCE they know about the issue.

Hope you don't have a serious problem on the weekends or holidays :)

But here's the beauty of a social community like ActiveRain, there is a LOT of knowledge out there.  While we don't have direct access under the hood to go change code, send spammers straight to Hades, knock a balky server around with a big hammer or do any of the true tech stuff, there are things this community has learned over the years that helps make our daily lives easier.

First off, you need to ask for help, but be selective how and where.

If you're a new blogger, asking a question via your blog post is unfortunately probably not going to get you much of a response.  Later after you've gained a following, THEN that approach might work. But until that day you've got some better options:

1.  Go to the Q&A section and ask.  Chances are you'll get a bunch of answers.  Wade through the generic yes, no, I don't knows and look for the ones that actually answer your question.

2.  Find an ACTIVE ActiveRain Ambassador and ask them.  Unfortunately the roster is populated with folks that haven't been active here in years, so query the ones you see commenting, writing posts, etc.  They're your best shot in the Ambassador group.  If we don't know we'll shoot up a flare in the Ambassador Facebook group for help.  And the Ambassadors are unpaid volunteers, so don't get too antsy if you don't hear back quickly.  We're out helping people buy and sell just like you.

3.  Ask ANY ActiveRain member.  In general, everyone here is pretty helpful.  If they don't know, they're probably going to point you to Bob Stewart or another community member.

There are some things you can do that sometimes solve your own issue.  It's been my experience that over time our browsers can get a bit wonky trying to talk to ActiveRain, and that can lead to trouble.

Try switching browsers.  If that doesn't by itself help, try cleaning out your browser cookies & cache, log out and back in and see if that fixes it.

Try switching platforms.  Having trouble with mobile devices?  Get off your tablet or phone and try your laptop or desktop (if you still have one).  It may not "fix" the problem, but it can at least get you back to functional.

Photo upload issues?  A few top contributors to problems:  File size over 1 MB or the filename includes some special characters.  Resize your photo to a smaller size and/or rename it to something alphanumeric.  If that doesn't help, consider reusing a past photo in your current post.  And another option?  Use another site to host the photo (e.g. your Wordpress site or a 3rd party site assuming commerical use doesn't violate their TOS) and get the URL for the photo and put that in via the ActiveRain photo editor.

Now none of these may fix your issue, but if you've contacted support or an Ambassador has reached out to Bob or someone else on the AR staff, the problem may resolve fairly soon.  In the interim, you're a real estate agent and I'm betting you've got a To Do list about 1000 items long of other things you COULD be doing besides driving your blood pressure up over a tech issue.  Just have a cup of coffee,   pet the dog or cat and try again later.  Deep breaths Grasshopper, it's going to be okay.

 

Until next Tuesday, just Ask An Ambassador if you need help!

Bill of Liz and Bill aka BLiz

 

Posted by

Serving Warren County Ohio & Adjacent Areas

The Liz Spear Team of Transaction Alliance
Elizabeth Spear, ABR, Ohio License SAL.2002007747

William (Bill) Spear, Ohio License SAL.2004011109  Kentucky 77938
Ask for us by name if you visit the office!

EHO
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Liz Direct: 513-265-3004     
Fax: 866-302-8418

MailTo:  Liz@LizSpear.com

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Comments(26)

Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Sometimes, all you have to do is knock and the door is open for you when you least expect it and most need it.

Jun 12, 2018 10:39 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

It's a helpful community, we just have to let them know we need help.

Jun 13, 2018 12:54 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I love the term “working oneself into a lather” and I’m not sure if it’s a local term or just one I don’t know Chris Ann Cleland

Jun 12, 2018 10:42 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089

Laura Cerrano - pretty sure it comes from back in the day when we all used to rely on horses to get us around.  Horses get all sweaty after working hare, and their necks get that "lathered up" look.  lol

Jul 05, 2018 03:52 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

A lot of times if you post something asking for help from everybody including support, that works the best.

Jun 12, 2018 10:45 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Liz and Bill Spear,

Practical answers in blogging and dealing with Active Rain issues especially relying on ourselves or going over to Q & A section. We are in real estate and can find a thousands things we need to be doing if something isn't working right in AR.

Jun 13, 2018 04:42 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

I never lack for things to do.  I may lack for things I WANT to do however :)

Jun 13, 2018 12:55 PM
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

Where there is a will...there is a way. Ambassadors have that will & they share

Jun 13, 2018 05:33 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

I think the whole community will help, just some of us got a snazzy orange thingie :)

Jun 13, 2018 12:55 PM
James Grant
Asheville, NC

Good Morning, Liz and Bill, Yes, Indeed! I agree with you for those having AR Issue must ask Q & A section. Thanks for Sharing and Have a Nice Day!

Jun 13, 2018 05:41 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

That quick help is there in Q&A or the AR facebook groups.

Jun 13, 2018 12:56 PM
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I have been lucky that all my questions have been answered by AR users and quite quickly. 

Jun 13, 2018 05:48 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Always helpful people here, and USUALLY someone does know the answer or the workaround.

Jun 13, 2018 12:56 PM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

good post Liz and Bill Spear  q&a helps as does going to Facebook  where you can usually find the best answers faster . 

Have a great day

Jun 13, 2018 07:41 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

I'll use both places if there's something I can't personally figure out.

Jun 13, 2018 12:56 PM
Mott Marvin Kornicki
Waterway Realtors® • Notary Public & Apostille - Sunny Isles, FL
Miami Notary & Apostille 786-229-7999

Most things can be found by reading and hunting. I found the Q and A section very helpful for most all issues!

Jun 13, 2018 08:19 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

It's a shortcut to the answers.

Jun 13, 2018 12:57 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Excellent advice - and your tips generally work for me. Thanks Bliz for the logical solution. D 

Jun 13, 2018 08:31 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Well...engineers...it's what we do :)

Jun 13, 2018 12:57 PM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

It's sort of like the early days of Active Rain. There was no technical support and we had to learn for ourselves. If I saw another poster do something that I liked, I would write them and ask how they did it.

 

Jun 13, 2018 08:44 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

I've done that too, and had it done with me (e.g. the service location map in our blog signature).

Jun 13, 2018 12:57 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Bliz- good advice especially since we no longer have a direct way to contact customer service. Contacting someone here that is an Ambassador or has actively been here is often a speedier to get an answer. 

Jun 13, 2018 10:06 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Anyone that has been doing this routinely and stuck with it is probably going to know the "tricks" of operating here when things act up.

Jun 13, 2018 12:58 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Bliz my friend you've helped me with many work arounds over the years - and I appreciate that!  This community is full of folks that are willing to help out if asked.

Jun 13, 2018 02:05 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

I'm stubborn/persistent enough that if there's a workaround, I'll try to find it :)

Jun 13, 2018 04:04 PM
Carolyn Roland- In Delaware and S. Chester County PA
Independent architectural histor'n - Wilmington, DE
Carolyn Roland, GRI, CRS

Thanks BLiz. I agree that you have to be resourceful and not give up when AR gets nasty and won't let you write your blog or post the pictures you want. But it usually gets fixed. And no, it's not like the old days for sure!

Jun 13, 2018 08:34 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Much has changed, but the core of why we're here hasn't changed.  Great people in this community!

Jun 14, 2018 04:12 AM
Tim Ensley
ActiveRain - Seattle, WA
Director of Advertising

Thanks for the great Post Liz & Bill - I was worried when I read the title but see that like always this great community steps forward to help those in need. We are plugging away trying to improve AR performance as well as try and help everyones needs. Thanks for sticking with us everybody!! 

Jun 14, 2018 09:36 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Terry, We know you're out there, even if we don't always know the who!  Thanks for stopping by!  We've got faith in the staff and community!

Jun 14, 2018 08:41 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Great thoughts on getting answers to those who aren't sure how to get help.  They may not know of Ambassadors, the Q & A section, or how to make sure someone is still actively following. 

Jun 14, 2018 08:28 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Part of being a member of the community is learning the ropes.  Quite a bit to know, but lots of help with the learning.

Jun 14, 2018 09:01 PM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Deep breaths Grasshopper!  haha.

These are good tips for those with questions/issues. Thanks for sharing.

Jun 15, 2018 04:12 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

We learn things :)

Jun 26, 2018 04:24 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

The brain trust that exists here on AR is might impressive for all sorts of issues, AR related and not. Those with problems or questions just need to reach out and they will likely get an answer.

Jun 15, 2018 07:33 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

I've got a brain picking scheduled for later today :)

Jun 26, 2018 04:24 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Lather, rinse, repeat.  Lol.  Or just walk away and come back the next day.

Jul 05, 2018 03:54 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

I'm a bit on the stubborn side, so if something is standing between me and getting my blog post done, I'm going to give it my best shot at pushing through :)

Jul 05, 2018 05:11 PM
Mott Marvin Kornicki
Waterway Realtors® • Notary Public & Apostille - Sunny Isles, FL
Miami Notary & Apostille 786-229-7999

You'll ALWAYS get a few excellent results via The Q&A section, guaranteed.

Jul 12, 2018 08:14 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Have always loved how helpful this community is.

Jul 13, 2018 04:31 AM