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How To Use ActiveRain Channels

What are ActiveRain Channels, and how should you use them? This new feature was added to the network last week on Wednesday. Many have been asking "what are they, and how do they work?" Here's a recorded podcast that touches on the Channels concept. To really get how all this works, you have to understand that there's a "New Face-Lift" coming to ActiveRain in the days ahead. Seeing a portion of the New ActiveRain.com Index page will help make understanding Channels a bit easier.

Sample screen shot of the "New" ActiveRain.com

The best way I can explain this is by example. Right now we only have one feature board on the main page of ActiveRain. This would be the "ActiveRain" Channel. Now we have additional channels that will allow features in those channels too. You will also be able to access the hottest "topics" within those channels in our new interface. We need to build up content by placing posts in each of these channels. You have probably noticed the additional 25 points members are getting for doing this.

Create/Edit a new post, and you'll see these options:

Each Channel will offer three "Topic" links to the side, these are the most popular topics in that channel. Keep Topic title's short. There will soon be a text auto-fill displayed as you begin to type in topics. Any previously entered topic will begin to display as you type, just as tags do now. The "Topics" most written about will be the ones displayed on these links.

Selecting Channels and using Topics, will make finding your posts easier and more efficient. No longer will your 6th post just show up on page 35 of your Blog. They will appear as "BIG fish" in a smaller pond channel. Now you will be able to find posts that are directly related to "Topics" you and others are interested in. Technology, Marketing etc. Posts will be "channeled" instead of lost on one BIG site with tons of info.

Quick Q&A

Will this affect the placement of my Localism posts? NO, these are just for ActiveRain Channels.

Should I Channel my previous posts? Yes, at least the ones you want to show up in specific Channels.

Can I post to Multiple Channels? No, You can only select "one" under either Professional or Consumer.

When will the "New" Channels face-lift go live? In the next couple of weeks, maybe sooner. :-)

How do I know which Channel I should use for my post? Here's a breakdown of what the separate channels will look like. These definitions may change slightly, but for now, this should help give you an idea of what each channel will represent. This will help "organize" all the great content on ActiveRain.

Professional Channels:

ActiveRain - The ActiveRain Channel is the channel for all things ActiveRain, including the use and tutorials for the site, announcements, reminders and deployment of the next big thing.

Mortgage - The Mortgage Channel is the channel made specifically for those on the Mortgage side of the real estate industry, where professionals can discuss, research and read up on the mortgage sector nationwide.

Networking - The Networking Channel is the channel for expanding your professional sphere and linking with contacts in the real estate business.

Offline Marketing - The Offline Marketing channel is the place to discuss the affects of offline marketing on the real estate business, learn how to reach your consumers, and share strategies and insights that will help create effective marketing strategies.

On-line Marketing - The On-line Marketing Channel is the place to discuss the affects of on-line marketing on the real estate business, learn about how to reach your consumers, and create effective marketing strategies while gleaning knowledge and insight from other professionals in the real estate sector.

Sale / Brokerage / Industry - The Industry Channel is the channel for news about the real estate industry at large, market reports, and economic insight and info.

Technology - The Technology Channel is the place to discuss, research, and review how technology, both new and old, affects the real estate market, selling and buying homes, and leveraging know-how to better the real estate business.

Training - The training Channel is the location for training, seminars, webinars, video and podcasts that have to do with learning and education.

Consumer Channels:

Finance / Mortgage - In a time where some banks are on uncertain foundation and home prices are dropping, how do you know where and when to get your loan? This channel was created to help you, the consumer, find your footing in an otherwise unstable industry.

Home Buying - Home buying is often a daunting process that leaves would-be homeowners so confused that they do not even know where to begin! Start here with your research; this is the best channel to get started in the journey that leads to your new front door.

Home Improvement - Uh oh! Another crack in the ceiling! When are you going to build that deck, again? You could use new windows. Whichever home improvement quandary you face, this is the place to start the research necessary to plan your budget, decide what improvements will improve the value of your home, and give you the information necessary to get going.

Home Ownership - Have you ever wanted to own a home? Do you own one now? This is the channel to discuss the ins and outs and home-ownership, from repairs to HOA dues.

Home Selling - How does one sell a home? What happens if you're upside down on your mortgage? How long does the escrow process take? The answers to these questions and more lie on this channel, created specifically to address those hard-to-answer questions that home sellers have.

Real Estate Investing / Foreclosures - Looking for the most relevant information available on investing and foreclosures brought to you by the experts on ActiveRain? This channel demonstrates your expertise to consumers through relevant and informative Blogs focused on these always popular real estate topics.

Regional (Localism) - Need information on a specific neighborhood in a specific city in a specific state? You've come to the right place! The Regional channel was created to help you gather the information that you need NOW.

Relocation / Moving - Moving is a huge commitment to your time, energy and family. Use this channel to do the research necessary to make sure that your move is smooth and easy.

Time to Channel our energy and posts into Channels on ActiveRain.

I know you'll have some comments and questions, and they are welcomed, but WAIT!! Remember this is still new, and its success, as always, depends on our members. Be gentle, I'm just the piano player. This too will evolve as do ALL things on our Network. Thanks in advance for all the love and support. :-)

Tutorials | Training | Mobile | Widgets

"May this blog be just one more planted seed of wisdom that helps you or your business blossom today!"

Posted by Brad Andersohn on 09/09/2008 01:54 PM

Comments (228)

Channels in the ActiveRain Channel

activerain, channels, how to, faq

Originally posted at: The Official ActiveRain Guide: How To Use ActiveRain Channels

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Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies
Post is included in group: HELP/FAQ (Read 'Purpose Statement' Carefully!)
Post is included in group: Real Estate Technology
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You

228 Comments on How To Use ActiveRain Channels

SEP

2008

Everybody should be excited about this one. This is going to be one of the biggest and best changes to the ActiveRain.com site in some time.

It looks interesting. At first I didnt understand what was going on.. but for obvious reasons suddenly I get it!!

Where does the fun stuff go???

VERY impressive! The fact that you guys continue to improve and tweak this site in such user friendly / seo rich ways is what makes this community so powerful. Once again, my hat is off to the entire AR crew..

Great information! Thanks for sharing it with us.

Hi Brad,

Thank you for the great information as always! I now understand the Channel thing a lot better and will make adjustments to how I'm posting - made a few mistakes but this has cleared it up! ~ Anne Marie

Brad ~ Okay, this does look new and I am going to have to look into it. Thanks for the heads up Brad.

BTW: Your 49er are coming to town this Sunday.

I like the concept; this should make it a lot easier to find specific content. Are Channels replacing Categories, or are they an additional level of classification above Categories?

Well against my better judgement I will comment and ask to be notified of new comments. Of course, if I walk away from my computer for more than 5 minutes my inbox will be assaulted by Brad's post (as is always the case). However, this one is just too important not to keep up to speed on thoughts as they come in.

Hopefully Brad's post was straight forward enough but there are sure to be questions, so I'm on standby for you Brad :-)

We are really excited by this next step. The shear volume of content on ActiveRain can sometimes be deafening. Can you ever have too much of a good thing? Well if it's coming at you haphazardly and from all directions, maybe. The channels concept really helps bring things into focus.

John,

Categories will be phased out in the coming weeks. We have some internal components in our code that doesn't allow us to wipe them out right away. If I were posting to AR, I would be more focused on getting things in the correct channel versus the categories. Use both while they are there, but expect the categories to fade away.

@Bob ~ I am listening to your interview on R.A.I.N. Radio as I work right now. You sound pretty excited about the new channels.

Brad,

This is a very helpful and informative post. And I thank you for going to all this trouble

John March

I can't keep up with all the changes but I appreciate them!

Question: Do you foresee an impact on Groups?

THANK YOU! Now I've got to go back andfix what I've done!

At one point, we are asked to type in a word....not like a tag. I've been winging it, but not sure what I should be putting in there.

Brad.. Thanks for clarifying this. There were a few of us, that just didn't realize how it worked or it's purpose. I'm looking forward to this change and others forthcoming.

Another thing to learn, just when I really thought I had this figured out. It's a quite professional piece. But I do hope the fun stuff stays, we really need to unwind. I am sure it will have it's place too on Active Rain.

Brad, Bob, Matt, and anyone else at activerain, keep up the good work. It's very challenging sometimes to stay on top of the changes so that we can maximize the time we have on the system. I believe that it would be in your best interest (and ours) to write an instruction manual soon. This thing is becoming very complex, and I'm sure that i don't use half of the systems capabilities.

Hello Brad! Thanks for this post! I just inquired about a post on this topic a few days ago and Rich told me it would be coming soon...and here it is. Thanks so much because I was confused, not that I am not anymore! BTW I noticed you are from Fairfield...Isn't the Jelly Belly Factory in Fairfield?

Thank you Brad! I thought I got it right when I posted there, but this helps clarify this feature!

Thanks for explaining this. It gets hard to keep all of the features on all of the different sites straight anymore!

It is a great concept and thank you for explaining it. Looks like it will be a great benefit.

Will groups be segmented in a similar way? This sounds really cool, I'm excited to see the new look!

Brad - Thanks for the explanation! You answered a lot of questions that I had...! :)

Oh my, do you guys not ever sleep? Seriously, this does seem like it will create a more organized front-end interface. Looking forward to seeing it in action.

This is a very helpful and informative post

This should really help people find the information that they want. Thanks for the new improvement.

But where's the politics channel or maybe the jokes channel? Where should people post their articles about all the milestones they have achieved on ActiveRain? I want to make sure I don't miss it when someone breaks 13,000 points or has posted their 25th article. :)

Hey thanks for all the great Info :)

Brad,

Thanks for the full explanation. I do think it would be good to add the topics to the outside blog and localism so those blogs could also be sorted and grouped.

Customers might like to see related topics and the tags are difficult to work with for that purpose.

Thanks,

Richard

Hi Brad! Wow!! I am speechless. This is very, very cool. I can't wait. :)

Brad - thanks for the great information and tutorial.

Brad will not be answering your comments while he is having Italian cuisine with Janet Guilbault in Walnut Creek California and filling me in on the latest and greatest stuff.

Ha ha

Ahhh that makes it much easier to understand. Thanks!!

Thanks for clearing this up, Brad. We've been posting to these channels without really knowing if what we were doing was correct.

Looking forward to the "new" Active Rain, this should make finding a pertinent post much easier.

Thanks for the info. Will bookmark and come back and read more carefully when have a few extra minutes.

Wow!! I took a 2-week hiatus (except for a few comments) from AR, to get ready for my grandson's Bar Mitzvah, and I come back to find Rainers are channelling. Is that a metaphysical thing?

Seriously, it's an interesting idea. Just wondering if you need a "catch-all" channel, for those posts that don't seem to fit anywhere. You know, like the square pegs in the round holes. If we don't go back and "channel" our old posts, where will they end up when categories are phased out?

super cool Brad ...

Brad - It looks like another great improvement to the site. Thanks for the heads-up and for your explanation!

Ok you guys are really AWESOME! This is so much better than the split dashboard we've been asking for since before I was a member. Way to stay ahead of the curve! I cannot even figure out how to express how excited I am! :)

I did look at this the other day and WOW! Can't wait to be able to utilize it! Thanks from this very grateful member:)

It's a Good Life!

Fran

Excellent as usual, Bradley ;)

Thanks for the information. Thanks for sharing.

I'm so glad you wrote this post. I really needed an explanation. (NON-TECHIE GIRL RIGHT HERE!) What would we do without you, Brad??

GBU, Brad!!

Oh I so totally agree with Elizabeth ~ Where would be without Brad to explain the new stuff to us! Great job explaining. It makes sense now. I tired to figure it out on my own. I knew yo would come along and save the day!

Thank you for explaining this. I'll have to check this out over the weekend.

Thank for making the AR real estate network even beter. Can't wait to use the new channels for more targeted blogs.

I was wondering what those options were...thanks for the breakdown!

I am going back to check my "channels" - I can see in your explanation where market reports go - what about listings - that wasn't as clear to me - but haven't tried it yet. This is really great - I cannot even imagine the wealth of information for the consumer - google + Activerain.

Thank you for the explanation. This will help me alot

I thought you were the guitar player.........thanks.....

I liked the "radio" experiance, good show.

Thanks, I have been wondering what this channel stuff was all about.

Brad,

It's great the network keeps on coming up with new ways to do things, but sometimes the pace seems a bit hectic. This channel feature is starting to sink in now with your tutorial.

Is the Mortgage channel exclusively for blogs by mortgage professionals or can sales agents blog there to?

Cold beers all around! I have been waiting for this! Great explanation and I LOVE IT! You guys never cease to amaze me. You don't always make me happy but you ALWAYS amaze me! Cheers!

Brad, To the point, wow. Love this new channels and have been taking advantage of them (hopefully correctly) in the past week.

Brad - "Piano Player"??? I thought you were a guitarist....lol Anyways looks cool. I am looking forward to looking into this neat new feature from you A/R guys and gals. It's always good to be organized. Thanks again for updating us all. Bob H

Thank you for the clarification!

I am soooooo confused! This is too much stuff to think about...Maybe I should put being a successful Realtor on the side and go back to school to learn how to BLOG on AR!!!

Gina

A couple of questions ... 1) What content would you expect to see on the Consumer Mortgage channel vs. the Professional Mortgage channel? 2) Within each channel, how will the Topic lists be maintained? For example, topics like 'Home Sales', 'Neighborhood Sales', 'Market Activity' and 'Recent Closings' are all forms of Market Reports. It would be easier to navigate if there was one broad topic instead of several synonymous topics.

Brad - This sounds like a good plan to be able to find topics more easily.

Wow...looks like it will make finding blogs that interest each individual easier. I can't wait to test it out.

Janet Guilbault kidnapped Bloggernapped ActiveBrad! :-)

I'm finally back from a visit with my friend Janet who forced me to have Italian Cuisine, and opened the "Channels" (hehe) for us to vent, share, dine, explore, and discuss many things today. WOW, thanks Janet for stealing me away for a few, I totally enjoyed it and want to say "Thank You!" Rocco's in Walnut Creek folks is the BOMB! Janet will have a Localism post coming out soon, I'm sure.

~O~O~O~O~O~O~O~

This is one of those posts I was hoping would only get the infamous "Great post, thanks for sharing" comments, as we all know the unpredictable events that can occur from one of my posts! haha. Whew!!

(Thanks Bob for stepping in while I was out eating lunch...) I just love that guy!!

~O~O~O~O~O~O~

The channels you see in the graphic of this post are NOT SET in stone. I'm sure we'll have a "Catch-all" channel, as Marilyn put it, and others too. This is just a pre-launch post so you could understand more about the channel selection, why it's now available, and how to use it. It helps to see the big picture sometimes.

Where would we be if there were no "Fun" or "Entertainment" channels? Don't worry, this too will evolve. Some of your questions here actually become suggestions, which end up becoming ideas for the team to evaluate and implement.

Thanks so much, I'm really feeling the love here, and so does the rest of your AR Team. Thank you.

Maybe instead of a TV Guide, we'll have to develop an "AR Guide." haha

I'll Be back in a few, right now, I have to go through all your questions for this Thursdays broadcast, now that's going to be some fun you won't want to miss. Come join us, Blog about it, then add it to the "ActiveRain Fun Channel" :-)

John Novak,

1) What content would you expect to see on the Consumer Mortgage channel vs. the Professional Mortgage channel?

I would expect to see things on the Professional mortgage channel that related to the business of being a loan officer. Obviously anything that is written as members only pertaining to mortgage would end up in that channel. Any topics that solicit advice and feedback from other mortgage professionals would fall in the professional mortgage channel.

The consumer mortgage channel would be a place for posting content that is relevant to a consumer making an informed decision when selecting a mortgage. The topics is there are going to be vast: FHA Mortgage, Option ARM's (do they still have these) Adjustable rate Mortgages, Preparing to apply for a loan........again, the topics will be wide ranging.

2) Within each channel, how will the Topic lists be maintained? For example, topics like 'Home Sales', 'Neighborhood Sales', 'Market Activity' and 'Recent Closings' are all forms of Market Reports. It would be easier to navigate if there was one broad topic instead of several synonymous topics.

Topics will certainly be wide ranging. The 3 most popular topics in any channel are going to show up on the index page of ActiveRain (as in Brad's image). Then on each channel page, you will get to see more of the most popular topics. In your example, if Market reports becomes one of the more popular topics, then it may behove those who have tagged with 'market activity' to change their topic to 'market reports' so that they are posting to a topic that is getting more exposure.

This will be a work in progress. I would expect that we will find some way to further break up the topics. Let's say you have the topic of FHA Mortgage. There may be an area on that topic page that says 'view similar topics' and has links to 'FHA Appraisals' 'FHA Downpayment Assistance' 'FHA Loan Limits' or whatever related topics there are.

I hope those answers helped a little. I tried to call you on your cell phone as talking about this stuff often leads to great ideas for us and a better understanding for you.

Brad,

This is very interesting I can't wait to try using the new system. I like that you have made a channel for both online marketing & offline marketing. Tracey

I'm on board and can't wait to play with the new system! Brilliant!

Fantastic. Way to put it together.

Evening Brad, As usual you bring a lot of info and understanding to the rest of us. Big thanks !

Hi Brad - curious which channel you would put a listing or sale post under? My guess is consumer under localism and not under home selling or home buying?

Brad - thanks for the detailed explanation. And about the 25 points. Hmm, did someone announce this stuff or did it just happen? :)

Jeff

Cool. I was wondering how that was going to show up. Now I (kind of) know. Thanks.

So where does Staging fit in? Home Improvement? Home Selling? Online marketing - it can be all about the pix, after all! Please let us know! XOXOXO Julie

Brad - Thank You! You definitely have my love and support. I am so thankful to read this explanation. I have been so afraid to post something in the wrong place or unknowingly do something "wrong." This explanation helps a lot! Thanks again for taking the time to write it and share it with us.

Geeze, just when I was able to navigate around, the rules change again.

AR 200 for me, I just think I passed AR 100...LOLOL!

And for the longer member's this is probably AR 500.

Almost like college is my point, you are always educating us and challenging us to learn!

Great job Brad.

I'm sure I will need to call you. Thanks for always improving!

:-)

Oh and I forgot to ask...do we type in key words from our point of view or use the ones you have listed above?

Howdy Brad and Bob

Y'all are really working hard to make the Active Rain community, even better for all the members. For the folk's that come to the community to find the help they need for their home buying needs.

I have to ask these two questions.

Looking at the Channels, way don't they show Home Inspections on them ?

Brad - I know in a comment above by you, that you stated the channels are NOT SET in stone.

On the Active Rain Home page, we are only listed as Inspectors. Why not list us as Home Inspectors on it ?

I know there is only 2,083 Home Inspectors as members in the community. There was a lot fewer of us when I joined last year.

Baker Home Inspection and Consulting

Wow! More great upgrades, I spent 15 minutes going over the list before I realized that I will have to bookmark this post for reference! Thanks!

As always Brad, you guys at ActiveRain do a great job!

Thank you for all your time, effort and patience.

Without you guys this site would be just another web site that fades into oblivion.

Your blogs are always so helpful! Here is a question....I got a call from someone that is trying to subscribe to my blog. They are not in the business. How do they sign up?

As always... Great information! I can't wait to see the new changes coming!

This looks like a great change. I have only been in the Rain for a couple of months, so I still feel like there is a million things to learn. Seems like I just figure out how something works, and it changes! Thanks for your dedication, Brad.

Thanks, I've been wondering what it was and was waiting on an explanation. Now to absorb it all and get it right.

Do ya'll realize how many new things have been released lately?

Outside blogs............localism............land rush........video channel........now this.

Gee, I'm a type A but having a hard time keeping up. Oh well, it is getting to be cold in Michigan so I will have lots of time. :)

We will try to keep up with the changes but I think I will need help Thanks

Thanks Brad! AS always very informative and well written...They need to give you a raise! Tell them I said so....lol

Rick Goates

Once again Brad thanks for the great information.

Wow! Lots of information and very detailed! I think you pretty much covered it all for that subject! Now the rest is up to us to put it to good use. Thanks for great blog!

Brad, thanks for clarifying---when this thing goes into full swing I can see where it will be really useful in allowing us all to focus our interests easier. With so much info----it is really kind of unmanagable the way it currently is. Great way to sort out the clutter!

Very Cool!! I was wondering what the channels meant and have not tried using them, so now I know and I'm ready to go! Thanks Brad, your blogs are so helpful.

SEP

2008

I wasn't clear on the categories either, whether to use one or two words but if they are going away I won't worry about them. Being from a techie background I feel Active Rain is getting the proverbial feature creep, which is almost like too many features. Maybe it will turn like into TopProducer where you will need training classes just to run the darn thing some day. I wish they would get rid of the HTML editor tab. That is so cludgey to me. Even changing the font sizes and colors they could EASILY put that in the tool bar, but it is still not there after many years. The put the Video insert, but nothing there for something as simple as text. Afterall, aren't we mostly about writing (text).

Brad~Coming back from a bit of an absence, I'm impressed to see so many positive changes and the added channels are going to make such a positive impact as well. Thank you for providing so much clarity on the subject.

Brad,

Thank you for the clarification. I had checked your blog a couple of times to see if there was an explanation figuring you would soon have one for us, and here it is : )

Brad seems like active rain is continually taking bogging to the next level. Thanks for updating active rain so we in real estate industry can have a fighting chance.

Wow what a concept. Will look forward to the roll out. I am still no computer guru so can use all the advise I can get. Take care and have a good one..

I am so excited about this - This group just keeps getter better and better -- Thank you!

Thanks for the post. I noticed it last week and was not sure what it is.

Thank you for clairifying this. I was giving a tutorial on AR the other morning in my office, pulled the blog, seen the AR channels and went ohhh, ahhhh, hmmmmm never seen that one before. lol !

So that's what they're for. Great addition to Active Rain Brad. We look forward to reading more featured posts from all those different categories.

Ok, now that I had time to read this, it all makes sense...I am glad you have the details all laid out for the different groups. I will have to keep this handy for future references...and I am off to fix some older posts up

I think this is an intereting idea. However, I am wondering rather than having things WE most write about for the topics - if it would be better to make them searcheable so that the person looking for some informaiton can more readily find it. I see this as being more helpful on the consumer side than perhaps the Active Rain side With all of the information coming forth each day, it quickly becomes difficult to find again.

Wow, thanks for the great post. Very helpful.

Anyone that does not go straight to your posts is just NUTS! I see things and I go what is that???

And go to Brad and find out.

"You all are the GOOGLE for realtors...really. " quote me...that is the truth.

I am amazed, you all have the light saber leading you into another dimension. I am so glad to add you to my reading list....often...

If I was a teacher- I would tell them to let you skip all the grades and you just graduated with HONORS!

Thanks for explaining the ever changing face of AR.

thanks for explaining that...look forward to seeing it all in action!

Great balls of fire....who said that it couldn't get any better....Absolutely awesome Guys!

Thanks so much for the explanation. I had no idea how to use the new tools until I read your post.

imagine the week in review posts for each category... some people atttempting that will have some sleepless nights... (i guess that includes us)

Brad,

Interesting. Like Dale Baker, I am mulling over just where my inspection posts belong. I have categorized a number of the old ones lately.

I can see that I will have to get busy and put channels on my old posts. This looks like it will be a good addition to the AR experience. Thank you all for constatnly updating the site and making it better for us and the consumer.

Great Brad - thank you for this explanation. I've had to bookmark for another day to give it a proper digestion period. At first glance it didn't sink in, my bad :-(

Wow, I finally got back to reading this post and am blown away by all of the new changes coming! Truly, I don't know when you guys and gals sleep...I have never seen a group more focused on the future and making changes to lead the way. Great stuff!

Thanks Brad,

I have been using them and am happy to read about it here... A new look huh? Exciting!

Brad....I have been posting to channels without really knowing what it was about---but I like it! and thanks for explaining this.

Aida

What does the graphic say? namnam

Quick question....why on some comments you have to type in a password and on some you don't? Just curious!

Aida - If you logout of AR, when you log back in, you'll have to use the security graphic words just a few times. Then the network will recognize your IP address and you won't have to enter them anymore, or at least until you're logged out again, and have to log back in. Then the process starts all over again. :-)

namnam? Hmmm....google it! lol~

I found the Channels to be fairly intuitive...luckily!

thanks for the tip!

THANK YOU the explanation!!! It's been killing me to pick an option that I really had no idea what meant! But I did it anyway or course LOL I will definitely bookmark this one.

SEP

2008

brad, thanks for the explanation, looking forward to using it, not that I need more things to do on AR :)

Oops. I think I should have read this earlier. Thanks for the update and the great advice.

thanks for the lesson - I wondered how they would fit into the picture

I have a few hundred blogs but I have begun updating them, as you requested. Not so hard to do but tedious but I guess it is worth it.

Well if it isn't broke, why fix it, however, change is often good. SO, with an open mind, thanks for the vision and we'll give it a try.

This is a pretty good improvement - finally our posts will stay visible where they belong.

This will take a while for me to "figure out". I have been busy in other ways lately and not really active here, I've missed a lot of change.

I think it is a great idea, but somehow my post do not seam to fit in anywhere. . . .

maybe I am just having a "blond" week

Anne

Brad thanks for the awesome explanation... covered all my questions

Chris the implementer

Sounds like the sitemap I requested for on Active Radio, but in a more organized fashion. Right on!

Really glad that I stumbled on this! Thanks. Now I know EXACTLY what to do

SEP

2008

Okay - I'm a little slow sometimes, but starting to get the picture. Thanks for 'splaining it to us Brad.

Matt - thanks for following through on this vision: http://activerain.com/blogsview/612478/UI-changes

Wow, This ROCKS! I can't wait to see it go live.

Hi Brad,

Always a new and better version. I look forward to jumping in and getting my feet wet, so to speak. I know it will enrich our blogs. Thank you for the hard work that you and the others put in to my ActiveRain experience one that is Rich and very productive.

DITTO THIS WHOLE POST:

"I wasn't clear on the categories either, whether to use one or two words but if they are going away I won't worry about them. Being from a techie background I feel Active Rain is getting the proverbial feature creep, which is almost like too many features. Maybe it will turn like into TopProducer where you will need training classes just to run the darn thing some day. I wish they would get rid of the HTML editor tab. That is so cludgey to me. Even changing the font sizes and colors they could EASILY put that in the tool bar, but it is still not there after many years. The put the Video insert, but nothing there for something as simple as text. Afterall, aren't we mostly about writing (text)."

09/10/2008 12:34 AM

by Gary Woltal - REALTOR® Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty)

I totally agree.

SEP

2008

We can either be the leaders and innovators creating the future and power of social media, marketing and networking, or we can wait for others to do it and then try to play catch-up. I for one am proud that we are always looking for ways to better the ActiveRain community and network. Though change and new adaptations may cause some discomfort, the majority will benefit from this and the future will be ours to see.

Great Concept! I have been away from AR since March of this year and I am back and better than ever and WOW! I can not believe all the advancements AR has made since I was working hard in the busy season of Real Estate! Thank you for all your hard work!

SEP

2008

Your creative genius never ceases to amaze us! This is a great idea!

This is a great way to be able to do research on-line and locate what you need more quickly.

Very cool ! Will look foward to getting to know more about this feature. Thanks to you and the A/R gods and goddesses for providing all the info and support. You guys rock !

Once again Brad, it's great info! Thanks for posting.

Is there a simple manual for newbies to really get started on active rain??

Thanks again Brad for being so helpful with the network. Have a good day.

Even with this featured, I missed it, and like so many great and/or necessary posts on Active Rain, one the day passes, they tend to get lost.

When there are important announcements like this, how about sending out a blanket e-mail to all the members, so we won't miss it?

SEP

2008

Thanks for the explanation it cleared up a few questions I had.

SEP

2008

This makes a lot of sense and seems like it will make everything easier. Will the channel topics eventually be drop-down? I have used it a couple of time already--experimentation with technology is often the best way to learn--but did not realize that the channels were pre-defined. It seems like that would make it easier for newbies (and those of us learning) to use this feature in the most effective way if we picked our channel and topic from a drop-down box.

I wish I'd listen to myself! When people ask a question or they want to know an answer, I often reply, "Check Brad Andersohn's posts" - you do so well to explain things to people.

I've seen the channel options when posting lately - and kept thinking - well I'll worry with that eventually.... finally coming here.... I get it!!!

Kind of like chapters in the AR book!

Thanks.... again, Brad :) !!!

YEAH! The Channels are up and running today.

We were down this morning but we're up and running now with the new facelift. Hope you all like it. It will take a bit getting used to, but this will be a much better platform now and much more organized.

Is there a simple manual for newbies to really get started on active rain??

Mr Jean-Marie Nijs - There is...well, it's not a manual per se, but there is a "getting started" link on the main page of AR, it's an ActiveRain starter kit.

Is there a simple manual for newbies to really get started on active rain??

Mr Jean-Marie Nijs - There is...well, it's not a manual per se, but there is a "getting started" link on the main page of AR, just under the ActiveRain Channels - it's an ActiveRain starter kit.

I like the concept; this should make it a lot easier to find specific content. Are Channels replacing Categories, or are they an additional level of classification above Categories?

John - eventually, categories will go away, they are reduntant and will become obsolete. Go ahead and use them while they are there, it won't hurt anything.

I can't keep up with all the changes but I appreciate them! Question: Do you foresee an impact on Groups?

Amanda - There is categories currently for groups, but that's not a bad idea to consider doing this same thing for groups. I think a few have added that idea to the AR Suggestion Box (on the sidebar of my Blog), You might want to add this idea/suggestion there just in case. Thanks. :-)

Hi Brad - curious which channel you would put a listing or sale post under? My guess is consumer under localism and not under home selling or home buying?

Bill - that's a great question. We just launched the Channels today. Definitely post to Localism as a Listing, not sure exactly if putting listings or sales in Home Buying and Home Selling Channels is a good idea. Think like a consumer, and put it there! :-)

Oh and I forgot to ask...do we type in key words from our point of view or use the ones you have listed above?

Karen - I think you'll use a combination of both. They have to be created before they start to populate and show up as topics. There will also be topics others have created that might best suit your post. I would use the topic that best describes your post, see if the topic appears already, and if not, then add it. Eventually, over time, you will see the most popular topics appear to the right of that channel, then you can re-evaluate how you decide to use topics within specific channels.

So where does Staging fit in? Home Improvement? Home Selling? Online marketing - it can be all about the pix, after all! Please let us know! XOXOXO Julie

Hi Julie - every members post will have a channel and a home. As the Channels and topics grow, it'll be easier to see where you'll want to place your posts.

Brad,

Thanks......should make finding particular items easier.

Your blogs are always so helpful! Here is a question....I got a call from someone that is trying to subscribe to my blog. They are not in the business. How do they sign up?

Jean - you should add a feedblitz option to your blog. There's one on the sidebar of my Blog just under the photo. This allows non-members to subscribe to your Blog via email. You can also add a widget like "AddThis" so readers members and non-members can add your Blog to their favorite reader. The last way is the RSS feed that you'll find located in the URL address bar, or the RSS button just below your Archived posts on your Blogs sidebar. Hope this helps. :-)

Sharon - an email to 108,000 members isn't that easy, but I love the idea. If I send an email out to every member, I'll get back 6000 "Auto Responses" that say "Mr/Mrs has received your message and will get back to you shortly" lol~ Then I'd get another 2000 saying "That Address is Not Valid" not to mention the 4000 that would say "Mailer-Daemon - Undeliverable"... haha. I do agree, it would be great to have announcements go out, just not sure email would be the best solution....you got me thinking now. :-))

you guys did a great job... I really love the idea... and I also love to read other blog without researching on so many blog...

Thanks for the update...

Donna - it will just keep getting better here on AR. One thing is for sure, we are continually evolving. :-)

SEP

2008

How topics work within channels is still a bit of a mystery, but I'm getting the idea that the topics that show up in each channel "menu" are the three most popular topics. Since it's still relatively new, some of the topics in channels are repetitious within the channel and show up in more than one channel, such as the foreclosure topic. Is this going to self-correct as more topics are added to channels or will the AR staff sort this out?

It is very nice to be the witness of the transformation of active rain

Love it

Aloha

OMG I totally missed this one. I think I need to bookmark it for reference. Thanks!

SEP

2008

Brad, how about a Channel for Members Only where you have all the important announcements about new and coming features? That way we could reference back to them when we forget how/what to do with all the cool things you guys are constantly adding? :)

Thanks Brad,

I learn alot from reading your blog and it is a great community of sharing to be a part of.

John Hurbon - Benson, Az Realtor

OCT

2008

Colleen - yes, the three topics are the most posted about in that channel. This will evolve more with time and content and you will see the Topics change based on whats being posted on the network.

Stephanie - it has been wonderful seeing the transitions I have to admit. When I started here, we didn't have channels, outside blogs, reblogs, video, the new Localism, etc. Looking back really helps me realize how far we've come just in the last few months. WOW!

By the way,Are you a 49ers fan? I am just curious because I am a 49ers fan. And will this Active Rain Channel help our search engine ranking? I asked because somebody wrote about this in a post and they wanted to know. And do I. Great post.

Georgina - you may have missed this post, but there's no way you could have missed the channels on the Main AR home page. haha. Hope they will make it easier for members and visitors to find stuff now. Aloha. :-)

Sharon - done. Just go to my profile, click on my name below. For the new stuff, just keep your eyes on the Feature Board and the AR Newsletters. :-)

John - thanks for reading and thanks for the comment. :-) BTW - I see you weren't logged in when you commented. 2 things, 1 - you won't get your 25 points per comment if not logged in. and 2 - There's no back link on your name giving other readers a chance to click on your name and go to your AR profile. Always login first before you do ANYTHING on ActiveRain. Just a friendly tip my friend. :-)

OCT

2008

Lanre - how did you know? Been a niner fan since Gene Washington was receiver and John Brodie was quarterback! We'll have to get to a game someday together. :-) This will get better SEO than even the tag words used on AR. Bob Stewart just did a great post about SEO and Channels, you should check it out! :-)

GO NINERS!!

OCT

2008

Brad: So, I am going back to my old post to update with a channel. As I am doing so, I see that the channels are somewhat scattered (some titles are plural, etc). My question, is it better to use your topic hyper local or to use a vague topic, ie: Fort Rucker Relocation vs Military Relocation or Fort Rucker Rentals vs Rentals? I want to make sure that I am taking full advantage of the concept behind the channels. Thank you for your tip and suggestion!

Michelle - not sure the plural will make a difference, I guess you need to think like a consumer at that point. What would they type, rental or rentals? I'd probably go with plural, just my personal opinion. You can go hyper local or vague, it's your preference. As the channels and topics grow and evolve, so will the way we enter our posts into them. I don't think either way is wrong or right. :-)

OCT

2008

Thank you for taking the time to explain these new features in such detail. I was just about to email you with another annoying question when I found the answers myself. Thanks, Brad!

Leigh Newport

www.staged-by-design.com

Leigh - your emails are never annoying, but I do get more email than comments, so you're better off asking me here!! lol~ Glad you are finding some of my posts useful, I'll be doing another post about channels and topics later this week or next. Watch for it.... :-)

OCT

2008

Your blog is my go-to place when I have questions about anything ActiveRain. Thank you for providing so much helpful info! This was great- I was very confused when I saw the Channels pop up as another choice for where to place my posts. Now it makes sense. Thanks :)

OCT

2008

Dunn Team - the more time and effort you place here, the more sense cents it will all make! :-))

I just got here and still don't understand this stuff. I guess since you are all over the place and seem to run the place maybe your the go to person. I am surfing around and will get back to you if I need to. Good luck young man.

Joyce - call me anytime, I can explain it in less time than you might think. You can also click on my name below and you'll find a few posts I've written on "How-To-Do" a few things around here on AR. Either way, my door is always open to you. :-)

OCT

2008

Hey Brad,

It's nice to see the new channels. Previously there was so much info/posts that I'd get lost. I'm trying to make my way through the Rain jungle as a new Rainer. I've been through many hours of the tutorials yet haven't quite sent the 1st post. Couldn't quite add the pic to a post I made, then lost it as it wasn't saved. Ugh. I'm sure it's simple to do, I just haven't gotten there yet.

NOV

2008

Thanks Brad, This helps me to understand which Channel to use for my posts.

Debbie

I'm sure glad I saw this post, I had no idea what the channels meant. Of course, if I was on AR more often I'd know what's going on. Thanks for the info and catching me up to speed...I really am trying to get back into the swing of things here!

NOV

2008

Joddie - you've been missed. The channels should make it easier to find things for members and consumers, and it should help some of these great posts to live a bit longer as they show up in topics and not just scroll off the Blogroll board. Great to see you back here, keep in touch ok? :-)

Debbie - glad this made it a little clearer for you. :-)

Marian - if you need some help, just click my name below. My number is on my profile to call if you need help. Getting photos onto your Blog post is easy, writing your first post, now that can be more difficult. If you write, they will come. It's that easy. It works, It's proven here on AR. Let me know if I can help. :-)

NOV

2008

Hi Brad, I wrote my 1st post last week! It has a pic of Missy in it. Check it out. WooHoo. Bob helped me figure out a tech glitch... I pour through your many posts.... I'm tired already! I need to create a strategy of which steps to take & in which order to maximize my knowledge so I can use it effectively! I've printed out some of them so I can review & implement..... You've heard it many times B4. I just need to tell you that you are an articulate & gifted teacher. I feel so fortunate to have come upon your posts. Gracias!

Marian - Congrats on your 1st post! WooHoo is right! Now I have to go check it out, especially to see the picture of Missy, she's my bud! :-)

NOV

2008

This really is a great post. Learning about all of these different functions is sometimes tough to do because there is so much to learn, but this was really straight forward and easy to pick up. Thanks!

DEC

2008

Brad, First I want to say thank you for your detailed and helpful posts on how to get started with Active Rain. I grazed through many of them and found them way helpful. I understand the concept of the channels in this posting - just like having a desktop full of files and putting them into folders. What I am unclear about is Localism vs Channels. Why would I choose one vs. the other or do I do both? Maybe that is another post?

DEC

2008

Thanks for sharing - very good info~

Good explanation on channels. I have just started using channels to find posts to read and it is useful. thanks

Kathryn - Localism and Channels are two seperate things. Localism is a site out on it's own, and Channels are within the AR network. If you need more details, feel free to contact me anytime. Thanks. :-)

DEC

2008

Thanks for all the useful information, you really helped me understand Channel's more clearly.

Amanda - I wish all our other members did too, they'll figure it out soon, that's where google is doing some major indexing, and the same with our AR groups, they are all over google. Glad this post made sense and hopefully cents too. :-))

DEC

2008

I, for one am a big fan of the Channels. I wish I would have seen this post before now so I wouldn't have been so worried about what was going on with AR. I guess I need to check your posts daily because you always provide updates and information for us AR users, and it is appreciated.

DEC

2008

Hey Troy - my profile on AR has all my tutorials in a sort of eBook format. You may find other stuff there that will be helpful and if not, well hopefully it will at least be interesting. Thanks my friend, have a great Holiday.

DEC

2008

Thanks for the post. Very helpfull to this newbie. I will get this figured out sooner or later.

DEC

2008

Craig - hopefully sooner than later! Here if you need anything my friend. Happy Holidays!!

JAN

2009

I am a newbie by 3 days. I love organization and it looks like this whole new platform does just that. Thanks for the great explanation. So much more to learn about all the advantages of joining Active Rain I have bookmarked the page for me to review in the next few days again. Thanks

Welcome to AR Buyers 1st Realty, glad to have you on board. There is a lot to learn here, but in time, you'll be the one teaching and sharing to help not only other members, but the audience you're trying to reach. If you need any assistance, don't hesitate to contact me.

JAN

2009

this will help!

FEB

2009

I hope to channel my energies where they are needed most! Thanks, Brad.

FEB

2009

This is a great addition, thanks for putting together this guide.

MAR

2009

Play it piano man..The song sounds great .You have me excited !Thank you !I am looking foward to the new channels...

MAR

2009

Brad, another grrat change. You answered my question about listings re Bill Gasset's comment. ,...#149..thanks

I thought I understood this, but it hasn't seemed to work on my outside blog, so I'll try again.

Thnaks Brad, but will there ever be a time when blogs can be posted to multiple channels, if they fit more than one category? I am finding that having to choose one channel when my posts can fit into so many is, well, aggravating...

I thought we had been doing this for awhile? I was always wondering what that was for and really how to use it! I too am wondering how to fit some posts in that really do fit into two categories, do you post it twice?

Rebecca - I am impressed that you read the comments, an admirable trait for a great blogger such as yourself. Thanks. :-)

Christine - you can call me if you need any help setting that up. The topics are important to add if you want them to show up on your Outside Blog Sidebar under categories.

William, Bruce & Sandy - currently you can only add posts to "one" channel at a time. Not sure if that's something we'll be changing in the future. With ActiveRain and all the feedback from our members, you just never know. :-)

MAR

2009

Just curious...

How many "Channels" are there and how many posts does it take in a given channel to get it visible? (I know it will vary, but roughly...)

Ben - all the channels are listed on the main page of AR. There are 8 consumer and 8 professional, then there are the top 3 topics in each based on member content. The more content about a subject, the more chance it will show up in the top 3 for that channel. No idea how many posts it takes, It's based on a majority of posts. Great question, those that figure this stuff out are destined for success on AR. :-)

This has been very helpful, I am a fairly new member with a lot to learn about Active Rain. Thank You.

There are so many changes it is hard to keep up with, so I just take things a few at a time.

Judy - there is a lot here, but do like Gene above, take things "just a few at a time." Though AR Channels have been in place since September of last year, this will always remain "new" to someone. The more you learn and know, the more you'll earn and grow. :-)

Again, and again, you up the bar and we reap the benefits. THANKS for the info and the continued dialogue that teaches us more than we knew before. And, it's a good thing.

MAR

2009

Somehow I had missed this feature and just started adding tags and channels to all my past blogs last week. I am going to be with it now!!!

MAR

2009

I've only been a Rainer the last 2-3 hrs. I've been browsing and reading pages upon pages when I stumbled on this one. So far the info pages/posts have been very educational. I am now going to find this channels thing you've all been talking about, and I've only read about. This way I'll hopefully appreciate how wonderful a tool channeling really is at organizing blog topics.

MAR

2009

Read and re-read. I need to go back and channelize some old posts.

APR

2009

Brilliant idea! I just hope these channels broadcast in digital...LOL

APR

2009

Thanks for these tips. I've always been a little unclear how to use them.

JUN

2009

Looks like a great tool for eveyone!

JUL

2009

Again, YOU are the MAN!

Sandra Scott
Four Seasons Realty
Payson Arizona
http://PaysonArizonaMLS.com

JUL

2009

Very good. I have alot of catching up to do!

AUG

2009

I was revisitng this post and wondered do Channels themselves have any special signifcance for SEO purposes? They seem to have lost their meaning and become a lot like groups where they get stuffed with posts that really have nothing to do with the channel title.

AUG

2009

Hi Pat - sorry for my delay in responding, I was out of town these past few days. The channels were created to help members and visitors to find and sort topic related posts. The topics and channels do affect the AR Outside Blog widgets that show category and Local posts, so I guess in a sense, they do affect the SEO as each page has it's own URL and is indexed appropriately. The use of channels and the content contained in them is different than the groups you'll find where the content in many cases might not match the requirements of that group. Those groups are moderated by their founders so it is up to them to keep the content relevant.

SEP

2009

How could I possibly have resisted that? :)

Thanks to you and your bright ideas I haven't gotten squat done today :)

TLW...ROAR!

Oh No...

Don't tell me after all that work it doesn't. No. No. No. It just can't be :)

TLW...ROAR!

Glad I figured out the problem before I started writing. That would suck :)

TLW...ROAR!

Comments...

#'s 225 and 226 were being copied from the wrong source code :)

By this time tomorrow I'll actually know what I'm talking about :)

P.S. I'm resisting again :)

TLW...ROAR!

JAN

2010

Great way to keep things organized. Easier to find similar topics and posts. Thanks for the info.

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Brad Andersohn

Fairfield, CA

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Address: I am always Mobile, but right now I'm in, Fairfield, CA, 94534

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