activerain community support: "The 3 Powerful "P's" of Conversational Blogging" - Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 02/25/09 09:37 AM
Okay, so you're sitting there, late at night, staring at your computer screen with that blank, zombie-like expression, wondering "What in the World am I going to write about?
Well, don't get discouraged, Sports Fans. We've all made that incredibly scary first jump into the great expanse known as the Blogosphere. You're probably feeling pretty vulnerable about now, aren't ya? I mean, you're putting yourself out there, for all to see! What if they don't like me? What if I don't get any comments? Will they laugh at me? Will someone flag my post for Stupidity? (thank goodness that isn't a category for flagging!)
… (106 comments)
|
activerain community support: Give a warm welcome to Paul Webster of Keller Williams Cutyside Smyrna GA
- 02/05/09 02:19 AM
I recently encountered Paul Webster on Facebook. We both grew up in Livermore CA and have been trading contacts back and forth. Paul joined ActiveRain back in November 2007, but like so many others never ventured beyond creating his profile. Now he's jumped in, head first, and I want all of you to make him feel welcomed.
When I first joined Facebook, I wasn't all that impressed. I felt like it was just a grown-up version of MySpace, only without the webcam hottie pop-ups. Like many social networks, it appeared to be another time-waster, without much in the way of business-related … (15 comments)
|
activerain community support: The Monster that Web 2.0 Created
- 01/13/09 09:44 AM
CLARIFICATION: This article is simply an observation of the social media webscape in general. It is not intended as a criticism towards the members of ActiveRain in any way, shape, form, suggestion, undertone, or otherwise assumed/implied.
~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~ o ~
With the advent of Web 2.0, there's been a virtual proliferation of interactive social media websites offering all kinds of really cool features and tools, all for FREE!
At a time when cost containment has quite literally become a way of life and a necessary survival tactic for today's Real Estate Professional, FREE … (96 comments)
|
activerain community support: When in doubt, Read the Instructions! - Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 08/27/08 05:06 PM
You know, I've been part of this network longer than most, except maybe Broker Bryant. And you'd think by now I would have clicked my way thought every possible link this platform has to offer.
Think again.
I was posting an article the the other day, and noticed a link over to the far right, just above the ads, that looks like this:
When you click on the first link, this is what you get:
Points will only be awarded for your original content submissions. Nothing purchased or reposted with permission will be considered for point awarded. Please post if … (11 comments)
|
activerain community support: "Don't Turn Your Blog into a Refrigerator Magnet!": Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 02/06/08 12:33 AM
One of the primary hallmarks of the ActiveRain Community has been the wonderfully warm and nurturing nature of our membership.
For many of us, the prospect of learning how to blog was daunting enough, but to be able to do so in a non-threatening and encouraging environment like ActiveRain is incredibly helpful to the process.
I remember making my fair share of mistakes early on. Fortunately, there were many extremely helpful fellow Rainers who kindly mentored me, and showed me the errors of my way. I've been tempted on numerous occasions to go back into my archives and delete some of those … (67 comments)
|
activerain community support: "Rain-vitations!" Your Ticket to a Higher Point Score - Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 01/31/08 07:35 PM
It's no secret.... The genius of this platform? ....It's in the points!
Seriously,... forget about all the great information, the social networking, and all the potential business it generates. We Want Points!
Just put a bunch of "Type A" personalities in the same virtual room, tell them they're competing for status & position by earning points, and watch the 'FRENZY' begin!
Now, granted, there are some who take this point thing just a little TOO seriously! But for the majority of us, it simply adds to the fun and enjoyment of participating in the Rain.
(Who are we kidding? We'd sell our own Mothers if … (166 comments)
|
activerain community support: "Would You Like a Side of SPAM with Your Comments?" - Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 01/22/08 11:40 AM
Okay, so we're working through the guidelines, and one of the areas that we are most definitely going to revise/clarify BIG TIME is in regards to what constitutes SPAM.
(Can I get a loud, collective 'AMEN!" from the ActiveRain Choir?)
Just so we are all on the same page here:
The first point of our ActiveRain Community Guidelines states:
Do not advertise yourself or your services in the comment section of another members blog post.(What part of 'DO NOT' do we NOT understand here?)
This practice is normally referred to as "Comment SPAM." It is something that bothers and annoys the large majority of members in … (78 comments)
|
activerain community support: "How to Balance Your Blog" - Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 01/18/08 08:23 AM
As I roam the Rainscape these days, I'm noticing a lot more property listings being posted to our Network. And I mean, A lot!
That's not necessarily a bad thing. As a professional real estate agent myself, it's nice having one more viable domain to promote my listings. But I think if you asked the founders of this community, they would tell you that it was never their intention for ActiveRain to become a Listing Aggregation site. There's enough of those already!
Nonetheless, published listings have become only one of many valuable features that can be utilized 'FOR FREE' by our members.
That said, I simply … (41 comments)
|
activerain community support: "Reaching Out in the Rain!" - Building Our Community
- 01/17/08 06:49 AM
(For Your listeing pleasure while you read)
Okay, so in one of my recent posts, I gave everyone a homework assignment (and you thought you'd seen the last of homework!).
Well, today, I thought it would be fun to challenge everyone once again to "Bring Back the Love," and to "Reach Out in the Rain!"
What I'm asking you to do is to call two ActiveRain members by this Friday.
I want you to call one NEW member, maybe someone in your market area, city, county, or State, that has just recently joined, and welcome them personally to the Network.
Then call one of the OLDER veteran members, … (48 comments)
|
activerain community support: "Bring Back, that Loving Feeling!" Building a Better Community - Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 01/06/08 08:55 AM
While you're reading this post, feel free to enjoy the inserted video....
It's a normal progression in online social networks, as membership gets larger and larger, for the community to suffer from a league of growth-related issues. The more people who join, the more challenging it is to keep things intimate and personal. With increased numbers always comes a greater potential for the 'dregs' of cyberspace to find their way in and spoil all the fun.
* * * * * * * * SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES * * * * * * * *
An alarming common thread I've been hearing of late … (101 comments)
|
activerain community support: "How to Kreate Kwality Kontent" - Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 01/05/08 02:55 PM
Okay, so here goes my broken record impression again....
For those of you who've heard this tune before, and actually GET IT, you have my permission to move on to the next post.
I've covered this ground numerous times before. Here's a quick trip down memory lane:
"Is Your Blog a Toxic Waste Dump?"
"How to Sabotage Your Own Blog!"
"Counterfeit Blogging"
"Original Content" - Using Your Own Voice in the Rain
" Kopy Killers" - Plagiarizers on the Platform
In our on-going efforts towards improving overall posting quality, one of the reoccurring problems we encounter here in the Rain are members posting 'Cut & Paste' content … (33 comments)
|
activerain community support: "How to Engage Your Blog Readers" - Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 11/30/07 09:39 PM
The night that I proposed to my wife, I had everything planned out perfectly. First, we would enjoy a really delicious meal at our favorite sushi bar over in Berkeley. Then, we'd drive over to San Francisco for some ballroom dancing at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Then lastly, driving across the Golden Gate Bridge, we'd park at the vista overlooking the city lights. And there, I would romantically kneel to pop the question....
Unfortunately, driving from the Hyatt to the Golden Gate, I got lost. As we drove around for what seemed like hours (men never ask for directions), my bride-to-be feel asleep. Finally arriving at the … (45 comments)
|
activerain community support: "Forgive me, Father,...It's been 3 weeks since my last Blog Post!" - Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 11/27/07 08:57 AM
For my friends of the Catholic persuasion, please know that I mean no disrespect...
They say that one of the primary tenets of effective blogging is consistency (Although I'm not quite sure who "They" is) These days, it seems as though anyone who has been blogging for more than a year is considered an expert. However, there is a very definite sense of validity to this particular point.
It's rather obvious that in order to keep the Search Engine Spiders happy, one needs to regularly feed them good relevant content.
The big question is "How often should you throw the Spiders a blog bone?" Well, it really … (36 comments)
|
activerain community support: "Is Your Blog a Brick Wall?" Responding to your Readers - Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 11/08/07 07:13 PM
Okay, so I'm rehashing another one of my pet peeves here in the Rain.
So you're sitting there late at night, or perhaps it's early in the morning. Either way, it's your valuable time, time you could be doing something else. Like 'sleeping!' But you've chosen to be here - at your computer, logged onto your favorite on-line addiction "ActiveCoCain."
And like any dedicated 'Rainer,' you're sitting there busily engaged in making your daily comments. You know, that aspect of conversational blogging where you, 'The Reader,' can actually contribute to the dialogue initiated by the post author. It's also one of those glorious opportunities the Rain … (176 comments)
|
activerain community support: "When is Your Blog like a Toxic Waste Dump?" - Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 10/29/07 05:43 AM
Forget about Al Gore and all the alarming hype about Global Warming!
The real danger is a growing epidemic right here on the ActiveRain Network. More and more of our members are turning their blogs into a Toxic Waste Dump!
Rumor has it that ActiveRain will soon make the EPA's Worst Superfund Site List!
What are these deadly pollutants, you ask?
Well, instead of posting valuable relevant original content for consumers, many ActiveRain members are posting plagiarized (stolen cut & paste) articles to their posts.
Rather than generating content that attracts and engages potential clients in meaningful dialogue, Rainers are posting blatant and obsessive … (52 comments)
|
activerain community support: "What is Comment Junk Mail?" - Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 10/21/07 07:20 PM
Okay, so I went out to our mailbox the other day...
I tell ya, it gets SO annoying! I mean, seriously, do the postal workers have some kind of sick contest going to see who can stuff the most junk mail into residential mailboxes?
Maybe in addition to the National "DO NOT CALL" registry, we should have a "DO NOT MAIL" registry?
This is the real mail I had! --->
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Today's Blog Tip for Rain Drips topic is "Comment Junk Mail"
In our last … (129 comments)
|
activerain community support: "How to Sabotage Your Own Blog" - Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 10/19/07 08:30 AM
Okay, so you've decided to jump into the Wide Wonderful World of Blogging. I bet about now you're probably feeling the 'Agony of Defeat' a bit more than you are the 'Thrill of Victory!' Am I right?
Well, don't get discouraged, Spanky. There's a learning curve here on ActiveRain, and we all go through it.
Allow me, if I may, to give you just a brief bit of advice on how to make your blogging experience more enjoyable and effective. My suggestions won't improve your SEO or Google page rank. Unlike the marjority of members on ActiveRain, I don't claim to be an SEO expert.
… (146 comments)
|
activerain community support: "Is it possible to be TOO transparent?" - Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 10/16/07 06:50 AM
One of the big buzz words circulating around the blogosphere these days is 'Transparency.'
Supposedly, according to net-savvy soothsayers and proponents of Web 2.0, today's consumers are demanding greater transparency in our business practices and ethics. Aspects of our trade that have long been cloaked in mystery are being exposed and explained.
This trend of 'Transparency' has naturally found it's way into conversational blogging as well. In order to develop trust with our readers, we are encouraged to reveal our true selves - to convey a candid authenticity through our writing; a willingness to be vulnerable and open.
But is it possible for us to … (43 comments)
|
activerain community support: "But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express!" - Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 10/16/07 05:37 AM
I came across something on our beloved network the other day that was a bit disconcerting.
Whenever I log onto ActiveRain, one of my regular habits is to access both the 'Referrals' and the 'Q&A' sections. Since I am only currently licensed in the State of Washington, I only respond to referrals and questions posted within my respective State.
Someone had left a question (I'm assuming that it was a 'consumer') regarding selling a property with mold issues.
Now I don't know about you, but here in the Pacific Northwest, mold issues can be pretty serious stuff, sometimes even life threatening. So it's not an issue … (58 comments)
|
activerain community support: Roxanne, Glamour Shots, and Casper the Ghost - Blog Tips for Rain Drips
- 10/11/07 07:04 PM
In the movie, "Roxanne," Steve Martin plays the part of a small town fire chief who writes a bunch of mushy love letters for one of his fellow firefighters. The recipient of the letters, played by Daryl Hannah, is captivated by the words, but when she finally meets the fireman face-to-face, she quickly realizes the two don't match.
I remember when I first started my career in real estate back in Lawrence, Kansas. I was with a Realty Executives franchise (Realty Executives/Hedges Real Estate) that was owned by a good friend, Bryan Hedges.
Back then, real estate was all about the Agent. People would spend … (73 comments)
|
|
|
|
Okay, so you're sitting there, late at night, staring at your computer screen with that blank, zombie-like expression, wondering "What in the World am I going to write about?
;)
;)
;)
