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How to fail on Active Rain in 5 easy steps (or 1 really hard one)

By
Real Estate Agent with Jameson Sotheby's International Realty

Active Rain is a community of real estate professionals.  Realtors, Inspectors, Loan Officers, Stagers and everyone else directly and indirectly related to real estate.

It can be a little complicated to get started... so let me offer 5 easy steps to screwing up on Active Rain.

Don't read any posts.  They're just too long, too complicated, besides... you've got plenty of other stuff to do, right?

Don't comment on anyone else's posts.  Commenting on posts can lead to members noticing you and then they'll read & write comments on your posts.  It can be the beginning of an online back and forth.  Ya know...a digital relationship. Don't do that.

Don't write any posts.  You can't possibly write as well as some of the posts on here... why should you try?  It's just too daunting... just too hard.  Why bother, after all... it could only lead to success and points... and who wants that? Writing is soo haaaaaaard.

Advertise your services in the comment stream of other writers.  I know that it's just too hard to build your own community of readers and followers.  Why should you?  There's a goldmine of readers on other people's posts, with built-in followers.  Just put your website and pitch in the comments of someone else's post.

Argue with everyone. You clearly know better than any of the writers here on Active Rain... argue with them, and display your brilliance to all the readership on Active Rain.  Surely, they'll recognize your intelligence. Be the fly in everyone's ointment.

If you follow those 5 simple steps... we can look forward to not seeing you here on Active Rain.

Posted by

 ALAN MAY, Realtor®   
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate

Jameson Sotheby's International Realty, 2934 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
Office: 847.869.7300      Cell: 847.924.3313      Email: Almay@aol.com

Evanston Real Estate & North Shore Real Estate
Licensed in Illinois

   

Comments(48)

Wayne Zuhl
Remax First Realty II - Cranford, NJ
The Last Name You'll Ever Need in Real Estate

Love this - although lately I've been guilty of a few of these!

Jul 03, 2019 05:34 PM
Alan May

(I think we all have, at one point or another).

Jul 03, 2019 06:21 PM
Laura S. Baker
First Weber Inc - Lake Mills, WI
Realtor (920) 728-4118, First Weber Inc

It really can be a little complicated getting started, or in my case, getting back into the habit of blogging & commenting regularly. Your post is a great help! 

So,..... does this mean poor grammar isn't a deal breaker? 

Wishing you a wonderful 4th of July Alan May!

Jul 03, 2019 05:44 PM
Alan May

It is daunting, jumping into the pool, isn't it?

Jul 03, 2019 06:22 PM
s u
Adak, AK

Hey Alan,

Okay, I'm in. Just getting started in real estate and newish to Active Rain. I have read a bunch of posts, might have commented once... but this got me to act. Not sure what kind of posts anyone would want to read from a newbie, but I will start with more comments, maybe a Q&A on what to write. Thanks for the inspiration!

Seely

Jul 03, 2019 06:27 PM
Kris Collis, Associate Broker

Seely, welcome.  Agree with Alan.


One word, reciprocity.  Build your RE presence here and online by: commenting on blogs, q&a, like, follow.  The more you do that, the more members will notice you and reciprocate.  


Alan's clever humorous take is all about what you don't do,  here's another by Kathy Streib, So You Want to Know Why No One Reads Your Posts

Sep 21, 2019 10:07 PM
Alan May

If you go back and read some of my very early posts, you'll see that there is no skill required.  People are pretty forgiving... just go ahead and do it.

C'mon in the water's fine.

Jul 03, 2019 07:53 PM
Rochelle Loper
Madison Allied LLC - Palm Beach, FL
Real Estate Agent- S. Palm Beach & N. Broward

Alan,

Great article. Thanks.

Jul 03, 2019 07:46 PM
Alan May

I'm glad you liked it.

Jul 03, 2019 07:53 PM
Lise Howe
Keller Williams Capital Properties - Washington, DC
Assoc. Broker in DC, MD, VA and attorney in DC

Great set of suggestions - and congratulations on a well deserved feature! 

Happy Fourth of July from Washington DC!  May the Fourth Be With You!

 

Jul 04, 2019 05:13 AM
Alan May

Why, thank you very much.

Jul 04, 2019 05:15 AM
Greg Mona
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Professional Real Estate Representation for YOU!

Great, entertaining post, Alan May, with a lot of truth mixed in. I have enjoyed reading hundreds of posts over the years and have certainly learned from many of them. It is one of the very few places left online where you can go and not be immediately bombarded with political or social rants. From what I have seen, most folks here in The Rain are all in it together, which is one of the many appealing things about participating in this great online community. 

Happy 4th of July, everybody!

Jul 04, 2019 07:29 AM
Alan May

There are lots of opportunities to learn.

Jul 04, 2019 02:32 PM
Sandi Gerrard
Toronto, ON

Now that's some great advice! I used to blog quite regularly when I had my staging business and am just getting back into the swing of things. Whole heartedly agree with Greg Mona too - no one needs those political or social rants.

Jul 04, 2019 11:50 AM
Alan May

C'mon back...

Jul 04, 2019 02:34 PM
John G. Johnston
John G. Johnston & Associates, LLC - Westcliffe, CO
An Exclusive Buyer's Agent ~ Westcliffe, CO

I guess I'm just too cynical to appreciate your wisdom!  :)

(just kiddin')

Jul 04, 2019 03:52 PM
Alan May

You would know you better than I.

Jul 04, 2019 03:59 PM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

Yes, that pretty much sums it up, Alan. As always from you, a fun post with a purpose. 

Jul 05, 2019 07:41 AM
Alan May

If it ain't fun, it ain't worth it.

Jul 05, 2019 10:12 AM
Susan McCall - - Compass Realty Solutions
Compass Realty Solutions - Portland, OR
Listing and Buyer's Agent

Is this kind of humor called sarcasm?  I have to be careful with retorts to people that don't know me.

Jul 05, 2019 04:27 PM
Alan May

I guess it would be considered sarcasm, or tongue-in-cheek ... but I like to think of it more as "reverse psychology".

Jul 07, 2019 08:35 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

OMG, you are a trip, Alan! I totally agree with your post and will admit guilt to not commenting enough. I do about 20-40 comments a day but, I try to be a good ambassador by commenting to newbies and congratulating new listings, sales, etc. I always feel like those posts are shared and if I can help the agent/member procure more business, that's key. I may never hit that member again though! 

Regardless...I'm guilty as charged! 

Jul 06, 2019 08:11 AM
Kris Collis, Associate Broker

Debe, more like genuine, authentic as charged  


I appreciated your comments on my early posts and q&a.

Sep 21, 2019 10:10 PM
Alan May

You are sooooo not the target for this post.


I don't comment, nearly as much as I used to.  But I do try to maintain a presence outside of my own blog.

Jul 07, 2019 08:36 AM
Paula Hathaway, REALTOR, LBA
Douglas Elliman Real Estate - Southampton, NY
...A Local Expert in all The Hamptons

Hi Alan: This post was on FB and I rarely go on there anymore---I read it, laughed and read some more...You have hit on all the right things to make sure that we don't sluff off here on AR! I like that you did it with humor; that way a newbie will certainly feel more at home here in this wonderful place called Activerain!

Jul 07, 2019 04:13 PM
Alan May

well... if I've made Facebook, now I've hit the bigtime, haven't I?

Jul 07, 2019 06:01 PM
Ricardo Mello
Manhattan Miami Real Estate - Manhattan, NY
Manhattan & Miami Real Estate Agent

Great post Alan...;)

Jul 09, 2019 10:15 AM
Alan May

Thank you, Ricardo.

Jul 10, 2019 10:26 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Great list of ways to fall off the Rain wagon!  Thanks for the chuckle!

Jul 09, 2019 01:05 PM
Alan May

I like the mental image of the RainWagon.

Jul 10, 2019 10:27 AM
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Back to the basics . . . with Alan May humor. Great post, my friend. I'm ready to start blogging again on AR. It's been way too long, but they keep getting "lost." I'll be more diligent at making it happen.

Thanks for the chuckle.

Jul 11, 2019 08:00 PM
Alan May

It has been way too long... happy to see your smiling face.

Aug 02, 2019 12:57 PM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

Looks like you've lit a fire under some of us in the most innocuous, and humorous way possible.

Jul 31, 2019 02:46 PM
Alan May

I try, Jill... I try.

Aug 02, 2019 12:57 PM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Nice to see this reached a fair amount of new-timers, and hopefully helped them out.

Aug 01, 2019 08:13 PM
Alan May

I'm sure that those who need to see this, won't recognize themselves.

Aug 02, 2019 12:57 PM
Kris Collis, Associate Broker
Smart Way America Realty - East Stroudsburg, PA
Professional Results you Expect 570-801-5525

Alan, fun to laugh about a serious topic. Posts like yours do help a lot because there's so much more than meets the newbie eye in this community.  It's one thing to blog, quite another to interact with the best in the business.  Where else can you do this where it's both gracious and challenging without the stuff you don't want as Greg Mona points out.

Sep 21, 2019 10:15 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Those are all excellent suggestions contained in those five steps.

Jun 28, 2020 02:52 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat

Why thank you, kindly, ma'am.

Jun 28, 2020 06:52 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good evening Alan May ,

I'm so gald that Anna Banana Kruchten Arizona's Top Banana! re-blooged this post from last year. It's hysterical and was just what I needed today!

Jun 28, 2020 06:24 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX

I wondered why I was suddenly getting all this attention.

Jun 28, 2020 06:52 PM