Join the ActiveRain Newbies Group...You should find that most helpful.

Paul, I'm eagerly awaiting valuable responses to your question.  I'm a newbie and still trying to figure out what the points are all about and if more point will equal more business, etc...

I don't know all the in's and out's, but I know why I like points.  It is the competition!  I have a friendly competition going with a couple of brokers both inside my office as well as with other offices.  I love to pull up the site and see that I have passed them or that they are falling far behind.  This may not be the answer you are looking for, but this site is also a great place to make connections with other agents.  It is also a great place to learn from others and "steal" ideas.  I just enjoy getting on and reading, but the competition is fun too!  Good luck.

Paul, you also get 25 points per comment (up to 10 comments per day).  By themselves, posting and commenting should enable you build relationships, educate yourself and your clients, and allow potential clients to find you.  These are the more critical elements to building your business.  Gaining points allows you to move up the ranks in you city, county, and state.  By being the 'featured' member (the one with the most points) you increase the likelihood that someone might find you first. 

Yes, there are strategies to game the system.  However, if you are posting junk to get points you have to live with the potential that customers may read it and skip over you because the content is poor.

The best strategy is simply to create quality posts, make relevent comments on posts that you like, and reciprocate comments from others.  Doing this over time will earn you plenty of points.  More importantly, it can improve your business.

Pam - I just scanned your blog and you have GREAT Localism content.  IMHO this will get you more business faster than gaining points.

Erik, what is IMHO? 

I also just took a quick peek at Pam's blogs and she does a fine job posting about interesting local topics.  I used to vacation in your neck of the woods and really miss the lake!

Another question...

Do you find it is most useful to post about industry topics like what the heck is going on with Freddie/Fannnie/FHA or more personal local topics like Pam does?

Thanks

Paul

Paul-- In My Humble Opinion.  I have played around with both, but have recently decided to focus on more local content.  This decision was partially driven by the new Localism, but also driven by my desire to rank higher in organic searches of my area.  I have a plan to build an infrastructure and then expand upon it with posts like the ones Pam produced.  My advice to you is to post whatever you feel comfortable with and passionate about.  If you like statistics, policies, etc, write about those.  Your readers (potential clents) will pick up on the difference between what you are writing because you want to and what you are writing because you think that you should.

Thanks Erik -- When I started the AR I had the Drew Carey approach, the points don't matter.  I still am not convinced that they are actually important other than the fact they get you off your butt to do something.  When I post I tend to post about the nuances of the business and what the zig and zag are doing today to impact our future.

I've not posted local bits because that just isnt my voice at the moment.

But, I have a really great story about the local 13-14 little league Juniors team that I coached to state last week.  Was that fun... and local...

Cheers,

Paul Dunn

P.S. - do the points matter?

ANd back to the points... do you get points commenting or responding on your own blog?

Hey Paul, you do not get points for commenting on your own blog.

Points are just a way of keeping track..  The more points you earn the higher your profile is listed in the pages.. also It is a way to see who on here is most active.. The more points I have been getting the more comments I am getting on my blogs..

What constitutes "OTHER" points?

That's a good question Pual, I was wondering the same thing?  Anyone?

I've been trying to figure out the point system and I think I've finally gotten it. LOL...it's a live and learn thing?  Best of luck! :-)...Janis Olson, Real Estate on Long Beach Island, NJ

Paul, My take on the points is the competition thing and to get you to do more positive things online. The more you blog focused to the public, topics that would interest them about real estate the more the public will be able to find you. The more this happens the more business you will get etc. etc. ( spoken by a king we knew etc. etc. ).

Doug Beaver

Serving the Corona Norco Homes in California

I've been learning the points also - just found out a couple of days ago that we could comment up to 10 times a day and that a comment is 25 points each. I wrote a blog (which was really a question about something I didn't know about) and it was less than 50 words, so it didn't give me 200 points. I didn't write it to get points but because there area a lot of really smart people on AR and I wanted to tap into their knowledge on that subject. But I must admit, it is fun to see my points climbing and now I am one of the Featured Agents in the Fleming Island, FL area - cool and a nice reward. It surprised me when I went on the local page- didn't know or think about it as a soon and coming event :) (At least until the others find out I've passed them :))

You can get 50 "other" points if go to your home page and then click to view your points summary.  I like to keep an eye on my statistics page, which will show how many times your blogs and profile have been viewed.  I've found a direct correlation between posting to my outside blog and localism to the number of times my profile has been viewed, which in turns increases the number of phone calls I've gotten through AR.

IMHO... I think the whole points system is to get ActiveRain.com more exposure on the web. Nothing more special... than having your own members create endless amounts of content for you... for free. Its actually a very genious way for free content manufacturing... in the same way of Myspace, FaceBook, Hi5.. etc...

Plus its beneficial for members as the more points you get the more you get noticed, and established in the community. It encourages people to write good blogs, post positive/construtive comments, and to build strong relationships. Just my $0.02.

The bottom line is what's in it for me -- post good content that your consumers to know about and answer their needs and the points take care of themselves.  Points are nice but you ultimately want quality posts that consumers will want to come back to your site or blog for further quality information.

I'm still new enough to have the same questions.  The answers were helpful, but what in the world did some people have to do to get 250,000 or 300,000  points????

Erik,

Help! I know I am going to sound like a real "Dumb Bunny" but here goes.....

You mentioned you looked at my Blog content and complemented me on it.  Thank you, I'm never quite sure if I'm doing it right, I really appreciated that encouragement.

Now for the "Dumb" question ...  You said that I need to IMHO my blog.......... 

Ok  what is IMHO?????  (hey, I can hear you laughing & groaning...)

In My Humble Opinion (IMHO)

Paul, Thanks.... I told you it would be "DUMB" question.... but I didn't expect it to be THAT dumb!!

Sorry & Thanks for the education.  Pam

Paul, When I started blogging here, the points gave you top billing on localism.  Now, you can pay for that on the new localism.  You can gain points by posting, commenting, inviting others to sign up and by linking your blog to other websites that you may have.

It's a good place for finding out the good stuff in real estate.  Newbies, oldies, regulars, etc.  Quite a mix of Realtors and service providers, which I believe, is what makes it a success.

It's a Good Life!

Fran

Thanks for the question....I found the answers very helpful!

When I started Jimmy McCall wrote a GREAT post that helped me A LOT!!!! http://activerain.com/blogsview/523413/Are-you-leaving-points

Hope that helps you!!!

Well, since this blog is about POINTS, I'd like to POINT OUT that if you don't comment with at least 10 words, you get ZERO points.  So be sure to Elaborate.

David, Oops! Didn't know that one!  Though, I usually have lots to say.  Jeepers, please don't tell my family or my Coach, that I said that!

It's a Good Life!

Fran

Inviting others to join gets you points when they accept the invitation.  This REALLY extends the network, and makes GOOD points.

The point system here is like the S.A.T, you get points for just filling it out correctly and spelling your name right (LOL), but on a serious note, some people are very point conscious, it basically is a way to reward people to read, post and learn.. getting involved and learning  about what is out there in the world of Real Estate; a place where a network of people can share knowledge of EVERYthing and ANYthing...

Thank you everyone for all the great insight, the info shared here is very helpful!

Interesting I got a message that a post was made to this "ancient" post dated way back in July of 2008.  LOL  Yeah, any post older than about 5 days is history...sort of like Dog Years of life...for every day that passes, 5 years has past.

However, back on point, Audrie is right about sharing everything and anything.  I've found the Rain to be a place that even if you didn't get points you get a lot of great knowledge.  I look at ActiveRain as a place where about 60,000 of the "Elite Realtors" in the county are gathered.  In other words, if you're not in the Rain, you are not a internet savvy, up-to-date Realtor.

Bottom line...the more blogs you post the more you're going to see yourself in a google search...on your name and on the keyword subject of the blog.  I use the address of the homes I list as the key words and after a week you can count on getting sometimes 10 of the top 10 positions on google searching that home, neighborhood, subdivision, etc. depending on how many blogs you did.  It's great and a seller is impressed

The following is a list of ways I know to earn AR points:

• Write a blog post - 200 points per with a 10 posts a week max
• Contribute via comments to others posts - 25 points per with a max of 10 comments per day.
• Send AR feedback - 100 points 1 time.
• Invite Others - 250 points when they sign up.
• Encourage your referred Realtors to be active - 10% of whatever points they get will be applied to your profile.
• Link to AR from your website. - 200 - 600 points.
• Write catchy posts (like this one) - Eventually you are assigned a point value for each comment recieved though i'm not sure where that starts at.
• Reblogging - If you write attractive articles that others find helpful they may end up reblogging.  You can earn up to 25 points for each reblog up to 500 points per post. (Reblogging Source)

As far as rather or not points are useful or not; I'd have to say yes.  Not only do they help you climb above your fellow real estate professionals on your state, county and city pages but I've read somewhere on Rain that your AR points also affect where your localism articles display on localism.com.  Further, when AR launched the Localism land rush they awarded priority registration to AR members with higher points. (Localism Landrush Source)

Points also indirectly help with passing Google Juice.  Jeff Dowler and Jeff Turner are constantly shown on AR's home page.  They are both featured on the California page and their perspective county and city pages.  Each display provides a link directly from those pages to their profiles.  Their profile pages have a link or multiple links directly to their web address.  Search engines follow links therefore their positioning due to the amount of points they have are of great value for them.

On the flip side though points shouldn't be your number one priority.  Because of the social aspect of Active Rain, if one should spam the hell out of the community they risk alienating themselves and that isn't good for business or networking.  Posts and comment contributions should be ensightful and helpful so that everyone wins from the feedback you provide.

David W. Bolick said that any post older than five days is history.  That is the one flaw I think AR has because sometimes posts deserve to be at the top much longer than they usually are.  However if you promote the post (shameless plug) then you should see a fairly significant and possibly on going source of readers to your posts.

Good luck to all regardless if you pay attention to points of if you do not.

That was a great question. So, condensed what was the best advice that you've gotten so far. AND, Dd you join that newby group?.. How many points have you got just from this blog alone?

I DO think it is a bit of a competitive thing that Active Rain threw out there to keep people doing activity. I just had to go look at my points to see if my comment had made a difference. Oh yeah and I'm fifth in my city and I think its cool when I've moved higher than folks I know or that are in my office. Fun.

No, I never figured it out...Just keep commenting, it works itself out

Well I am glad to finally learn what IMHO stands for, I was beginning to wonder and I am still trying to figure out all of the reason for points and the importance they have here. Thank you for asking the question!

I think the point system get's you to do more on AR so that is good for the AR community... Go for the localism posts because that will show you are the specialist in that area.

I think the point system get's you to do more on AR so that is good for the AR community... Go for the localism posts because that will show you are the specialist in that area.

I feel that the point system challenges new comers to get more involved in AR.  They read and comment on more blogs and therefore learn to create bloggs and better blogs for Localism and AR.  At least that is what it did for me.   I didn't like having those low points show.... so I got right in there and started learning and asking questions... all the while gaining points.  Each week I become a better Localism writer because of it.  So IMHO, AR points DO help you in your LOCALISM.

Thanks for posting this and for the great comments that have helped clarify the points system for me.

I don't know if they are useful as far as clients.

That being said I have learned so much I had to start an activerain notebook.

It gets more people involved and there is a certain level of competitiveness to it all.

Points rock. ActiveRain is gaining in popularity among buyers and sellers as a place to go for information. The more points you have, the higher (visibility) you have to people searching for information in your county/city.

So, not only do we learn a lot from each other, we also have a great opportunity for personal exposure, which (hopefully) will keep us in the consumers short term AND long term memory.

=oP

To me, the points represent how much time and effort you've put into your blogging and commenting here on Active Rain. If I'm planning to refer a client to another agent, I want to know they didn't just create a profile, then sit on their butts.

As for me personally, I want to be easily found, when someone searches for an agent in Florida. The more points I have, the higher my profile will be to the top.