Should I post to Professionals, Consumers or Both?

Like most mornings, I was reading my morning reading (and removing) here on ActiveRain and I came across the post by Jeff Belonger - I can't do it anymore...... I am LOSING it.... HELP!!!   In it, he is talking about how hard it is keep up with all the posts here at ActiveRain.    In it, fellow moderator Laurie Manny commented: 

"Hmmmmmmm, where do I start here?  When we first started moderating it was a stretch but still possible to go through most of the professional posts to feature for AR and to skim most of the consumer posts to feature for Localism.  That is no longer possible.  We have broken the day up into shifts and have been short handed since Mark has taken ill.  Even with the shifts it has become difficult to get through several hours of posts.  Add finding the time to write our own posts to AR and to our personal blogs....

By the way, the flagging system does not work.  It has been down for months.  Email Caleb if you have a major issue, deal with the small ones on your own if you can, he is swamped too.  We are all VERY busy and just trying to keep up with it all.  

Oh and by the way, the moderators remove ads, listings and market reports from professional.  If you are seeing 100 a day, imagine what we are removing.  We ask politely over and over again for everybody to not post there because it doubles our job, but members still post there"

I chuckled when she said she fell asleep at her desk yesterday.  Last night I feel asleep with my laptop in my lap on my couch trying to do what she mentioned we do a lot of -- removing ads listings and market reports from the Professional Category. 

I know that Laurie went through last night before she went to bed and removed such posts, I just went through and removed a bunch more -- I know exactly where she left off.  Like she probably saw where I left off. 

I talk with a lot of members and the feedback I am getting is that the members don't want to see these things, that if they want to they can use the pull down menus to review these types of posts.  So let's review what belongs in each category:

F or real estate professionals

  • ActiveRain Community - things that talk about Active Rain, testimonials, I love AR, Localism things like Week In Review, Flat Stanley Project and this post
  • Industry News - NAR, State Association and Local Association news, Mortgage, tax etc.
  • Tips and Advice - This type of post should be information that will help your fellow Real Estate Professional
  • Real State Opinions - These should be about what is going on in the industry and is truly your opinion
  • Off Topic, humor, etc -- jokes, fun posts and posts regarding things that are not Real Estate related.
  • Advertising - You have a service that you want to advertise to a Real Estate professional

For Consumers (Posted to Localism.com)

  • General Information - General Information about an area, if you are writing about a community in a city, it should be posted in the community not at the state level.  Posts should include community related links and the such.
  • About A region - Overview of the area, about schools, parks, social groups, tourist attractions, etc.  This is not where Market Reports or listings should be posted.
  • Regional News and Events -- Posts about local specific events, news that someone moving or living in that community would find useful
  • Market Reports - Anything to do with what is happening in the area, Mortgage rates etc.   How many homes listed/sold/pending, etc.
  • Advertise a Listing - Here is where you should place your listings.  Now this is important:  If you click here -- DON'T click For real estate professionals too!

 

Now that I have your attention, let's also talk about Visibility of your posts.

  • Public - Everyone can see your post
  • Associates Only - Only those that you have associated with will be able to see it
  • Draft - you can save a draft before publishing.  Giving you the ability to stop mid stream to writing a post.
  • Members Only - This is important one -- if you don't want the general public to see then this should be checked.  It also is not sent to the search engines.

Yes there are times that is is appropriate to post both to Professional and Consumer side.  But for the most part, posts should be one or the other.

Ok, I hope this helps explain things a little better.  

 

 

 
Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies

117 Comments on Should I post to Professionals, Consumers or Both?

Colleen, thank you for helping to keep our community neat and tidy.  No small job, to be sure! 

05/02/2007 08:08 AM by Lisa Dunn www.TwinCitySeller.com (Edina Realty)


Thank you for the clarification.  It's always nice to have a reminder of these things.  And thanks to you and the other moderators for keeping this a great place to be.  Now, if we can just get everyone to follow the rules...

05/02/2007 08:10 AM by Syracuse/ Central New York Real Estate| Christina Lackey (Coldwell Banker Prime Properties)


Wow..thanks for the clarification. I may have posted a couple in the wrong spots in the past. Sorry. This is a great post. Thank you!

05/02/2007 08:15 AM by Ken Jansen, CRS, ABR, e-PRO, CLHMS, CSP (Keller Williams Realty Partners, Inc.)


Great information. Moderators truly do have a challenge. Lets hope we can do our own part to make it easier.

05/02/2007 08:20 AM by Gary Waters - Real Estate Agent Viera Suntree (Century 21 Baytree Realty www.moving2brevard.com)


Great information - I flagged this for the newbie group. I started moderating for the newbie group and I see tons of stuff people include in the groups that don't belong. I think this is a simple, easy to follow explanation and people should be aware how their selections impact the community.

05/02/2007 08:46 AM by A Crye-Leike Blogger, Angie Vandenbergh (Crye-Leike, Realtors)


Thank you, Colleen, for some verifications since I am not always sure how to post, either.  I try to take the "safe" route when I'm in doubt but this clarifies it. 

05/02/2007 08:54 AM by Carole Provenzale Owner, Feng Shui Long Island (Feng Shui Long Island)


Colleen,

Thanks for working on keeping AR clean as a whole... I know I have a hard time trying to keep my groups clean.  I can only imagine what the whole AR community would be like. 

05/02/2007 09:01 AM by Knightlines Mortgage Services, LLC


Definitely one of the most misunderstood aspects of AR. Great stuff, Colleen. Thanks!

05/02/2007 09:57 AM by Rich Jacobson ~ ActiveRain Community Builder (ActiveRain Corporation)


Colleen - this is a great instructional post, and thanks for taking the time to write it all out like this - very easy to follow and understand, and should be required reading for all of us.   I had misunderstood what a couple of the categories were really for, and I'd bet others have as well.

Many thanks,
Ann

05/02/2007 10:08 AM by Portsmouth NH Real Estate ~ Ann Cummings (RE/MAX Coast to Coast - Portsmouth New Hampshire)


Beautiful post!and we already discussed this so hopefully it sticks to everyone.

05/02/2007 10:11 AM by Neal Bloom-Realtor ® Assoc.-CRS-Weston FL (RE/MAX Premier Associates)


Colleen.... this was awesome. After I read Laurie's comment, this idea popped into my head to do a post on this based on what Laurie had mentioned. You hit not only the nail on the head with this, but did a great job at defining what is what and where to put it. In all honesty, I might have left the 2nd part out that you did, if I did this same topic. So I am glad that you did this and that I noticed this before I vetured out on this topic.  And thanks for the mention. Again, great job.... jeff

05/02/2007 10:12 AM by Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- New Jersey mortgage -- FHA mortgages (Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)


A big PS>...   Colleen... you know one major problem and this is the same with life in general. If you look at the people who comment, it's the same ones that don't add advertising to places that they don't belong in. Just as some of us write the reminder blogs about what blogs go into what groups. It's the same individuals writing these blogs and the same members agreeing in the comments. It's the other members that keep abusing this, but I never see them comment.  Again, great post and actually well done... neat and clean.

05/02/2007 10:17 AM by Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- New Jersey mortgage -- FHA mortgages (Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)


Good post Colleen. Jeff has a point. How do we get the casual poster s to see this? I also see many regular posters still abusing copyright laws.

Is there a way to limithow many places taht a post can be placed?

05/02/2007 10:28 AM by Larry Morris, CMPS, Newberg Oregon (NW Lending Solutions)


Good stuff Colleen...you should probably repost this from time to time so more people will see it

05/02/2007 10:34 AM by Ravi Shah (Prudential Fox & Roach, REALTORS® )


This is something that I really need...thanks for clarifying for me.....

05/02/2007 10:51 AM by Larry Bettag - Cherry Creek Mortgage


Thank you for clarifying these rules. It will make things easier to navigate for everyone. I posted a blog to the wrong place and have now corrected it and will be more careful in the future. Kudos to the moderators for all that they do!

05/02/2007 10:58 AM by Hanover County, Va Real Estate Agent, Lisa Balsom (Hometown Realty)


Some great points...I think most here want to add to the value and not the burden of this community.  There were some good tips on how to make sure you are posting to the right groups and areas.


Thanks.

05/02/2007 11:00 AM by Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru)


Hi everyone!   I have been away all morning...  Didn't realize that I posted about something that was going to hit such a cord.  Here is what you can do. 

05/02/2007 11:10 AM by Western New York Home Sales | Colleen Kulikowski (Hunt Real Estate ERA)


Great clarification.  Thank you for all your effort to keep AR and Localism clean.  I'll be sure to police my own blogs closely.

05/02/2007 11:10 AM by Tina Howell, Realtor® Frisco & Celina Real Estate (RE/MAX First Realty II)


Colleen-Thanks for the update! Hopefully I will be better at this. You guys are amazing and you do a great job managing all of this.  Thank You!

05/02/2007 11:14 AM by Midori Miller-Daytona Beach Florida Real Estate Training (CENTURY 21 Sundance Realty)


Colleen...thanks for the update.  I'm printing it out to keep on hand as a reference sheet.  Keep up the great work.

...Jay

05/02/2007 11:18 AM by Jay Burnham - The Coldwell Banker Guy (Coldwell Banker)


Colleen.... how funny. I don't write that exact comment, but I have sometimes wrote something simple and or just sent them an e-mail. I did flag about 10 of these posts last week though. But this is even a better idea. thanks

05/02/2007 11:23 AM by Jeff Belonger -- The FHA Expert.com -- New Jersey mortgage -- FHA mortgages (Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc)


Thank you, thank you. This explains very clearly what should be posted where. I'm relatively new to ActiveRain, and have never seen this brokne down before, so I've problably mis-posted a number of things. I'm going back to try to fix the wrong ones...

05/02/2007 11:34 AM by Brian Warden (Choices Real Estate)


Colleen this is a great post with very useful information, thank you!  I now have a much more profound respect for the time and effort you folks are putting into AR.

05/02/2007 11:43 AM by Ana Connell--Burbank Real Estate (Exit Family Realty)


This blog is FILLED with information!

05/02/2007 11:55 AM by Justin Kaatz, CMP (ASAP Mortgage)


Thank you for taking the time to write this all out...

I've been a member for 6 months and found things in your post I wasn't aware of. I'll now be a better 'rainer! Judging by the number of comments you've gotten...there are many more who feel just like me!

05/02/2007 12:24 PM by Loren Johnson, CMPS (Mortgages Unlimited)


Colleen,

Most of the time it's easy to categorize a blog. It's either this or that. However, at times I spend a few moments figuring out where to put it. But, yes, we should pay more attention to the issue. It's getting a tad wild.

05/02/2007 12:55 PM by Esko Kiuru - Las Vegas NV Mortgage Consultant (Sinifox Financial)


You just saved a lot of newbies from an extended period of trial and error.  When I first started on ActiveRain, I had a very hard time finding any information along this line.  Thank you!

05/02/2007 01:27 PM by Margaret Woda, Maryland REALTOR (RE/MAX VISION)


Colleen, Thanks for the post.

I've been very specific regarding the proper categories that I post for consumer's even though many other members are posting to the NY state page when they should be in specific counties or cities.  I don't mind that the consumers have to look harder to find my posts because when they do they are usually interested in my specific market.

However, I realize now I have posted to the professional activerain community incorrectly. I might have written about industry news while giving opinions and advice in the same post so I thought Activerain community covered it all. I thought that was where you posted if you wanted other members to read it.

I will no longer post there unless it is specifically about activerain. I apologize for any previous posts.

05/02/2007 01:33 PM by Mitchell Hall, Associate Broker, New York, NY (Coldwell Banker Previews International)


I've been doing most of my recent posts on Localism. Sometimes they are a topic that I'm not sure whether it goes into General Info or About. I printed this out for future reference and will review past posts to make sure they're in the right spot.

Thanks for spelling this out - it'll be a great help for those "in-between" posts!

Now, get to work on removing those plagairizers and ads in the wrong spot and same post in multiple cities! ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz   ;-)

05/02/2007 01:47 PM by Elaine Reese, REALTOR® in central Ohio (Real Living HER, Worthington Ohio)


Colleen, This should be re-posted every couple of weeks, its good info. 

It may help if perhaps the powers that be changed to headings to help clarify.  Instead of "Active Rain Community", perhaps it should be "Blogs About Active Rain" or "Blogs with Feedback/Info/Questions about Active Rain".   And for Advertising it could perhaps read "Advertise your business/service to a real estate professional"  I am sure there are other possibilities, but I think that would help in the case of people being unclear.  My guess is that some people think Advertise is a topic about how to advertise their own business in other mediums (such as the Thinking Outside the Box group).    Just my $.02

05/02/2007 02:11 PM by Denver Real Estate, Highlands Ranch Real Estate, Steve Scheer (RE/MAX Masters, Inc.)


Don't even get me started with plagairizers and those cutting and pasting articles!  Same posts in multiple cities -- that is an interesting problem.   I have missed that. 

05/02/2007 02:18 PM by Western New York Home Sales | Colleen Kulikowski (Hunt Real Estate ERA)


Thanks for the help on this...I fixed a few posts.  I do have a question though.  I posted my first blog the other day and it disappeared.  I don't think anything was wrong with it and I hadn't joined any groups yet.  I was using it to gauge activity as a "newbie" and when I went back the next day it was gone.  Where do I get help for something like that? 

05/02/2007 03:08 PM by Joddie Roberts - Your Spokane Realtor - Spokane, WA (Exit Real Estate North)


Great post!  I hope this will help with those who are posting to the wrong categories.  Keep up the great work!  :)

05/02/2007 03:58 PM by Vickie Arcuri - Ft. Lauderdale Real Estate (EWM Realtors- Esslinger-Wooten-Maxwell, Inc.)


I try and fail at times.  But it does bug me when people get a lot of exposure by posting in just any and all groups.  For the groups that I belong to I just wont read it if it's off topic for the group.  But I'm probably alone in that.

05/02/2007 05:10 PM by Chris Lengquist, RIPS (Keller Williams Realty)


There are many who know the difference. There are many who simply don't care - they want the points.

One of the things we did in the Century 21 group is shut down posting access if you're not a Century 21 agent. You're welcome to visit. You're welcome to comment. But you're not welcome to spam the group with the same post you've sent to 37 other groups. No way.

I'll stop now before I start another shark jumping rant. 

05/02/2007 05:12 PM by Jonathan Dalton (RE/MAX Desert Showcase)


Thanks Colleen for such a clarification everyone did not join AR the same day it will be beneficial to repost some of these things from time to time so that as new comers join they will have the opportunity to review these postings to use as a guide of what areas are appropriate for them to post things, i may have done it being a new member of AR and i applaude you for taking your precious time out of your busy work day to explain these things.

05/02/2007 06:32 PM by Paul Anyanwu,Broker-Associate, RE/MAX LLEWELLYN


In my posts about keeping your heart , having patience in the business...etc...I post to BOTH..... consumers NEED to know we are NOT a bunch of lawyers and doctors making 100,000 or more a year....

05/02/2007 06:53 PM by Central Florida real estate - Alexander Harb PSEM®, E-Agent® (Beach and Luxury Realty Inc.)


I don't think I've made that mistake. If I did, I apologize. I am going to check my recent posts.

05/02/2007 06:55 PM by Christy Powers - Pooler, Savannah Real Estate Agent (Keller Williams Coastal Area Partners)


This is great, Colleen. I, for one, cannot imagine trying to be a moderator now, given how large we have become. Hopefully this will help everyone understand what they should be doing and be more cautious about their posting. I'm sure I have made my own errors on more than one occasion because of not paying attention, or for other reasons.

I KNOW this has been addressed many times, but I still see many folks posting their articles in every group they belong to, when it is obvious the relevance is not there. It may be that the group moderators, themselves, are having a tough time keeping up with this, but it starts at the poster's end - we all need to be more mindful of the groups and not post an article in all 20 or so groups we are in.

All the moderators are to be commended for their continued efforts.

Jeff

05/02/2007 07:39 PM by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)


Hi Colleen~ I just wanted to mention AGAIN what a great job you guys do moderating, and appreciate ALL the time and efforts.

05/02/2007 07:40 PM by Laura Monroe- Real Estate Virtual Assistant (Creative Agent Solutions.com)


Colleen - I apologize in advance if this has been asked before - can you check "for professional" withought selecting a category and also check for consumers - because when I first started, I always checked both, now I am not sure.  With project blogger, I am now checking both.....I'm confused.....sorry.

05/02/2007 08:00 PM by Rick & Ines - Miami Shores Real Estate (Coldwell Banker)


Colleen,

Thanks for the clarification on this.  There are probably a lot of us that just never knew the difference.

Thanks again,

Lucky :)

05/02/2007 08:26 PM by Lucky Lang, Davenport, Iowa Real Estate (Mel Foster Company)


This should be on an Active Rain pop-up tutorial for beginners. 

I'm still learning, and probably guilty of about 60-70% of those offenses. 

I am very grateful for this post!  Now I just have to bookmark it...

05/02/2007 11:07 PM by Julie Ferenzi (Century 21 Hometown)


Since, my 1st couple of post (which I checked Professional, when they should have been Consumer and got a lovely little email from) I haven't posted anthing to Professional, only to groups.  I'm glad you clarified this for all of us, because I still misunderstood!

05/02/2007 11:20 PM by Michelle DeRepentigny, *Real Estate Broker * Athens, GA (Success Realty)


Colleen - this was so informative - I've definitely misunderstoond some of the categories and this makes it really clear - I was probably one that cause you guys extra work - sorry but now it's great to know Thanks.

P.S. Flat Mark is going to recouperate with me here in Clearwater this week so maybe you'll be getting more help soon :-)  

05/02/2007 11:22 PM by Clearwater Real Estate - Tampa Bay FL Homes & Condos for Sale- Cyndee Haydon (Belloise Realty)


Thanks Colleen for clarification.  You guys are doing a great job.  One thing we've also noticed is agents that are posting their listings in other agent's areas by clicking on Advertise a Listing and putting Tags in for other areas.  We brought it to Caleb's attention but he must be swamped because it has not been resolved and it's been about a week since we brought it to his attention.  Some people are relentless about moving to the top by short changing the system.  Very sad for AR and particularly for Localism.  Thanks for sharing.

05/03/2007 12:23 AM by Pascack Valley Real Estate>> Lisa and Robert Hammerstein (Coldwell Banker)


Colleen, you and everyone involved in keeping this site clean have done a hell of a job trying to keep up with everything!  Tonight I waded through a whole days posts (7 AM-930PM PDT) in only one hour.  You probably don't get it enough but I want to thank you all for volunteering for this thankless job.

If anyone thinks I am in high school, clique-ish or brown nosing can KMA :)   

Signed,

Your resident trophy babe 

05/03/2007 12:26 AM by Renee Burrows - Las Vegas NV Real Estate (Nevada Realty Solutions)


Wow, I really appreciate your hard work and that of your fellow moderators.  You all do a wonderful job. 

Fran

05/03/2007 12:30 AM by Fran Gatti - Crescent City CA Real Estate (RE/MAX Coastal Redwoods)


Very clear explanation of how to categorize our content, and something that will continue to grow in importance as our network expands. This should be part of the new member info.

05/03/2007 12:40 AM by John Novak - REALTOR®, Las Vegas and Henderson, NV (Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace)


Colleen, thanks for the clarification... there are obviously still many here who need it. I just wish we could get the point across to EVERYONE that by posting things in the wrong places simply to game the points system, they compromise the overall usefulness of the sites for the consumer, thus jeopardizing all of our pocketbooks. Thanks for your continued efforts to keep things on track!

05/03/2007 01:26 AM by Ryan Hukill - Edmond Realtor® (Hukill Group - Paradigm Realty)


I don't envy you your position.  Thanks for all of your hard work.

05/03/2007 02:36 AM by Steven Shewell, The Mortgage Maverick (Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc.)


Hello Colleen, Thanks for the great post.  Much appreciated.

05/03/2007 10:33 PM by Greg Herson (RE/MAX Equity Group )


I was just looking to see how long it took for my market reports to show up on localism and noticed that people do indeed post market reports the "about" category for that area so that their post will show up on top of everyone else's.  Rather than having you humans go through each post the programmers should be able to write in the code something like an "if, else" statement.  For example, if the poster wants to post it under market reports for localism, then it the AR community option should be disabled.  It would eliminate a lot of manual checking.  I, personally, think that market reports are "industry news".

05/04/2007 04:09 PM by Kelley Eling (Marin & So. Sonoma Real Estate) (Pacific Union Real Estate)


Colleen, what is the difference between posting to Real Estate Professionals and posting to a specific group?  If I don't choose a specific group under REP's where does my blog go?  I'm asking because I posted a blog to the groups I belong to looking for some information and haven't gotten any feedback.  It could be no one has an answer, which is fine, but if someone else "out there" in AR has the information I'm looking for how do they see my blog?  Thanks for your help!

05/04/2007 10:02 PM by Joddie Roberts - Your Spokane Realtor - Spokane, WA (Exit Real Estate North)


I've been on AR since June 2006, and all of this time, I didn't realize there were "citizen moderators" ....Mercy, I can't imagine the number of posts you are slogging through.....  I tip my hat to you folks.

05/05/2007 06:16 AM by Cheryl Johnson, Bob Taylor Properties, Inc., Los Angeles, CA


Great Breakdown!  Thank you.  Even though I've been here a while, I haven't always been sure exactly where to post something.  That makes it much more specific!  Thank you and all the other moderators!  I too have enought with my own, and can't imagine how any of you get through it all and work!  Kudo to the group!

05/05/2007 06:21 AM by Cynthia Sloop, Realtor Indianapolis Real Estate (Carpenter Realtors (Lic. in Referral))


I have been on AR since February and was never sure where to post.Thank you for the clarification.

05/05/2007 07:18 AM by GITA BANTWAL, REALTOR BUCKS COUNTY, PA HOMES (ReMax Centre Realtors)


Colleen...

According to the Active Rain Community Guidelines we are not allowed to reprimand each other. If I were to place a statement such as the one you have suggested would I be in fact walking a fine line when it comes to the Guidelines?

The Guidelines state:

                                  "Please do not attempt to correct or discipline another ActiveRain member directly!"

Food for thought :)

TLW...ROAR!

05/05/2007 07:29 AM by "The Lovely Wife"...Broker Bryant's Wife... (Co-Owner Tutas Towne Realty, Inc.)


TLW -- You are right about that, I didn't think of that.  

05/05/2007 07:33 AM by Western New York Home Sales | Colleen Kulikowski (Hunt Real Estate ERA)


Colleen - Wow. This is very helpful. I have been on AR for several months now - loving every moment and I have met some great people. I learned a few tips that will help me post more effectively. Your review is great, I now have a better understanding.

Thank you!

James

05/05/2007 08:12 AM by Chartwell Mortgage Corporation


Colleen, I'm glad to hear that the moderators remove ads, listings and market reports from professional.  Slogging through these is the same as receiving spam.

05/05/2007 08:13 AM by Brian Schulman - Your Lancaster County, PA Real Estate Professional (Mastros Real Estate, Inc.)


Colleen, always good to repost the rules for those who have not seen them or forgot about them. 

I've also noticed how the groups contain a lot of stuff that clearly does not belong in that particular group.  Seems that people join groups and then post every blog they write to every one of the groups they belong to regardless of relevance. It defeats the purpose of groups.  

Would it be possible to put a reminder notice on the group main page to ask people to stop and think before they post. Just an idea. Thanks.

05/05/2007 08:22 AM by Silvia Dukes, PA --- Ich spreche Deutsch! (Tropic Shores Realty)


Been Blogging for a Long time but new to Active Rain.  Love the Clean Feeling.    

05/05/2007 08:42 AM by Blue Ridge Ga Real Estate >> Real Property in Blue Ridge Georgia (United Country Landmasters)


Goog information. I love writing blogs geared towards both peers and consumers :)

Scott

05/05/2007 09:39 AM by Oak Valley Mortgage-California Home Loans and Refinancing


Great information especially for a newbie like me...

05/05/2007 10:05 AM by Laura Clark (Mobile LoanSigning)


Good post Colleen....I have been saying for the pas couple of months that a "Help Menu" or "Go here first" tab would do not only wonders for newbies but would help moderators like youself and Laurie from pouring in hours and hours of correcting posts that are posted wrong or have improper content.  It would save so much all the way around.  Sorry this has been so taxing on all of you.

05/05/2007 10:40 AM by Boise Idaho Real Estate - George Tallabas (RE/MAX Advantage)


GREAT post, bookmarked it, gave it a 5

05/05/2007 10:48 AM by Daniel Gates (PuroClean Professional Restorers)


Collen,

Thank you for solving the  mysteries of the active rain posting  world!

05/05/2007 11:07 AM by Tina Maraj Shah Realtor (RE/MAX North Orange County)


Collen, first let me say thank you for the info (since I missed it the first time) about Mark. I plan on getting a card out today. Secondly, thank you for your obvious work and continued work in an ongoing battle of sifting through all the articles.

Although I know we need to constantly be reminded especially since there are  new bloggers all the time, I just see this as an ongoing battle. Even with one of my groups...Listings by Address...which has only 1 criteria, you would be surprised at how many people just can't read what the one rule is and comply with it. There are countless emails and phone calls to people which for the most part I really mind but it's when there is blatant disregard that disturbs me. Enough already.

I applaud you and hopefully, people will take the time to place their blogs correctly...what a job YOU have!!

05/05/2007 11:19 AM by Sacramento Real Estate and Luxury Homes, Assoc. Real Estate Broker,Gena Riede (Remax Gold, Assoc Broker)


Colleen: Thanks for the post. Many times I will post to consumers and professionals when relevant. My last blog, for example, was an announcement that we (Maronda Homes) won "Best of Category" in the 2007 Parade of Homes in our county. Professionals and consumers can mutually benefit from this news. However, it's clear that most posts believe in one of those two categories--not both.

05/05/2007 11:55 AM by Maronda Homes (Maronda Homes)


Members who preach should at least practice what they preach. 

Below is a group for NY State real estate agents and Associate Brokers with a suggestion for topic subjects. I happen to be a NY State Associate Broker but have only posted blogs to this group that fit the topic criteria - DOS, regional practices, NY State real estate news. I can not imagine a more defined description for a group. Yet many of the posts are not even from NY agents or brokers and have nothing to do with the topic.

New York Real Estate Agents and Associate Brokers
 
The group for New York Real Estate Agents and Associate Brokers to discuss the practice of real estate in the Empire State. Topic suggestions: NY real estate news, NY DOS regulations, NY regional practices, meet your fellow NY Agent, etc.. Most of all, HAVE FUN!

05/05/2007 12:44 PM by Mitchell Hall, Associate Broker, New York, NY (Coldwell Banker Previews International)


Wow!  I had no idea how much work and time went into that.  Thank you for the clarification on where to post things.  That's all very helpful!

05/05/2007 12:58 PM by Carla Starkie, Colorado Springs (Stewart Title of Colorado)


I am glad to have some clarification.  I think I have a pretty good idea of what to post where, but if one just depends on what you see -- then it gets confusing.  I do note, however, that we have members on AR who are not related to real estate and have heard from a few of them - so one should be professional in their posts on the members side as well.  Have a great weekend and thanks for all of your time and dedicaiton.

05/05/2007 01:03 PM by Joan Whitebook, ABR, e-Pro, CEBA (Buyer's Option Realty Services)


Geeze, I mostly just post to localism, anymore.  I've become pretty boring!  Thank you to both you and Laurie for your dedication to cleaning up AR.

05/05/2007 02:13 PM by Chris Elizabeth Griffith ~ Bonita Springs Fl Real Estate (Keller Williams Elite Realty, Bonita Springs, FL)


OK TLW had an excellent point, so I take back posting notes n the comments.  The boys in Washington are working to correct the flagging situation so when they do get that working we will be in a good position.   All the moderators will continue as they have removing posts as they see fit.  

NOW I am getting back to my mini vacation in Jupiter.   We are off to a Derby party at the Club.. 

05/05/2007 02:50 PM by Western New York Home Sales | Colleen Kulikowski (Hunt Real Estate ERA)


Hey Colleen, Just stopping by to thank you and the other moderators for all your hard work. It's a thankless and hard job and I really appreciate you guys stepping up to the plate. THANKS!!!

05/05/2007 05:07 PM by Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc


Colleen..... thanks for posting this... it helps me.  ron

05/05/2007 05:12 PM by Ron Lipscomb (EXIT Realty)


This is definitely a great thing to know up front. I found out accidentally that I posting to the general public rather than AR members when I did a google search.  There were two posts pulling up that I had no idea could be read by the general public.  It also took me three weeks to figure out that I could save a post without publishing it.  I lost several posts when my computer was acting up and had I known about the ability to save as a draft I wouldn't have had to recreate many posts.

05/05/2007 06:35 PM by Kelly Kilpatrick, Broker-Associate (Gold Coast Realty)


You are doing a great job.  If only a lot of it wasn't necessary.

05/05/2007 08:07 PM by Judi Barrett (Integrity Real Estate Services)


Good post Colleen. I've bookmarked it.
I'm not sure how many Canadians are on ActiveRain.
We have CREA (Canadian Real Estate Association) and Provincial Associations.
I did create a group for us, http://activerain.com/groups/Canada, so we could post only to the group.

05/05/2007 08:32 PM by Larry Estabrooks, Independent Agent, REALTOR® (LarryEstabrooks.com)