Special offer

Groups

By
Real Estate Technology with ActiveRain
group around a computer

What’s with groups?

The ActiveRain Real Estate Network has just passed the 10,000 member point and this community is growing.

With all these members there are currently a large number of posts to read and people to get to know.   We didn’t feel that having one forum in which to view them all was going to be effective much longer.  For that reason we made groups.  Consider them to be an ActiveRain within ActiveRain, managed by the group creator and their chosen moderators.

In this way you are encouraged to create and define your own communities within the community.  What types of groups can there be?  Well that is mostly up to you as a member and the community that would respond to it.

For types of groups, I envisioned, for example, a “Seattle Real Estate Agents” group, in which Seattle Real Estate Agents could go in and check up on what’s going on in their local community.  Or a “Michigan Rainers” Group, in which any member from Michigan could join and keep the local communication flow going.  I also thought it would be great to have groups dedicated to specific topics like SEO, for example.

So what is with groups?

Groups are ActiveRain broken out into smaller niches.  Where, hopefully you can find yourself, and define yourself, in a few key new homes, that suit your individual perspective.


Some Questions  About Groups
How do I join a group?

When you are logged in and viewing groups, if a group is joinable you’ll see a link that reads “Join Group.”

What are the Rules for Groups?

The Rules with groups are the same as they have been with ActiveRain, in addition the members of a group may further define other aspects and requirements for that group.

Are there too many groups?

We would expect that there are going to be a lot of groups that get started and then meld with other groups, and some groups that just aren’t popular.  This is a normal process, and if your group doesn’t take off, then don’t take it personally.  The reality is there are only so many that will work.   As Matt said “Getting a group off the ground requires having a leader involved who will put in the effort of nurturing it in the beginning.

Please keep in mind that “Groups” is in early beta.  We’re looking for your input to help us make this more effective.   Please as you go through and try things out let us know what works and what would work better.  If we can make this better let us know.

Thank you,

Caleb Mardini

 

Group Guides

Groups 101 - Our First Definitive Guide on Groups. By Jason Price 

On Being A Groupie! -  Groups are a good thing.  By Rich Jacobson 

New Group Features  - See this for how some different aspects of the groups features work.  By Matt Heaton

Group Types - Getting more background on groups and how they play out.

Creating a group within ActiveRain -The technical manual for creating a group.

Posted by

---

Keep Up In the Rain!
ActiveRain FacebookActiveRain TwitterActiveRain YouTubeActiveRain Google+ActiveRain LinkedIn

 

Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living
Thanks for the clarification, not having had the time lately to participate in Active Rain, the title of this post expresses exactly the thoughts I had. My only concern would be there is a danger that groups could become "cliquish".
Dec 05, 2006 09:10 AM
Eli Magen
New World Mortgages,(Mortgage Company) - Orlando, FL
Well, thank you for the groups and the info enclosed, but I am not comfirtable yet with the different group issues, eventhough, I've joined today my first 2 groups...see how it goes...
Dec 05, 2006 10:29 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL
I'm just going to park it and watch the suggestions roll in...TLW...ROAR!
Dec 05, 2006 11:07 AM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection

The information on how the navigate around AR is great. However I am still trying to find my way  around, there is just so must to absorp.

Dec 05, 2006 11:33 AM
Jacqulyn Richey
Prominent Realty Group - Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas Real Estate
I think some additional navigational help would be appreciated by all. So far we are part of two groups as well. -Charles
Dec 05, 2006 11:42 AM
Gena Riede
Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA
Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699

Caleb, Ok I was knocked off with my last comment so I'll try again...do you think it has something to do with us talking, Caleb...strange

The groups are driving me crazy. It seems I feel more obligated than ever to read and comment than I did before. Yes, I joined too many, I know but I didn't want to hurt feelings which I'm sure I already have with no joining all of them. Before, it was just the luck of the draw. Some of the categories don't make sense on what they fall under. The ability as a moderator to be able to mass email would be great, like we talked about because I ended up doing a blog and using up my points to just get a message to everyone which was counter productive.

We all appreciate your efforts and you know that I think you are just the cutest!!!! 

Teresa, consider yourself invited ... List by address and Everything California would welcome you. Even if you don't live in CA, you could blog about it. Invitation stands. We are a nice group!

Donna, you had me in stitches. That was GREAT! 

Dec 05, 2006 01:24 PM
marti garaughty
garaughty.com - Montreal, QC
a highly caffeinated creative type...
 Thanks Caleb. You and the rest of the AR folks have given us a wonderful gift to play with. I'd advise everyone to stay calm, let the groups breathe and mature for a few weeks and it will all work out. Trust me. ;-)
Dec 05, 2006 04:57 PM
Toby Barnett
KW North Sound - Marysville, WA
Toby Barnett

It would be nice to have some spots inside the group to post some group guidelines and what posts are going to be deemed acceptable by the Administrator and/or moderators. It has been my experience is that people will post in as many groups as possible with no regards to if the post actually fits that group, similiar to the 3 blog categories that have now morphed into the highly detailed categories. Other than that I like the groups feature as it has organized content in another form instead of state by state.

Dec 05, 2006 05:02 PM
Allison Stewart
St.Cloud Homes - Saint Cloud, FL
St. Cloud Fl Realtor, Osceola County Real Estate 407-616-9904
I love the concept of groups. Thanks for giving aus a new avenue of communication!
Dec 05, 2006 10:56 PM
Gena Riede
Riede Real Estate, Lic. 01310792 - Sacramento, CA
Real Estate Broker - Sacramento CA Real Estate (916) 417-2699
Caleb, you darling man...you did it. I love it!!!! Used it today on both of my groups and it worked like a charm. THANK you!!!! AR is sooooooooo wonderful!!! Ask and you shall receive...
Dec 06, 2006 01:13 AM
Caleb Mardini
Bellevue, WA
Toby,  Whe are going to have something like this.  If someone does post in the manner you suggest, I would suggest you disconnect them from the group.
Dec 06, 2006 01:38 AM
Caleb Mardini
Bellevue, WA

Message to everybody:

Don't Join more than a few groups! As time goes by you may find yourself subscribing to more, and dropping from others. In the near term however, do not subscribe to too many, you won't get the benefit groups are intended to provide.

Dec 06, 2006 02:09 AM
Karen Hurst
RICOASTALLIVING.COM - Warwick, RI
Rhode Island Waterfront!

Caleb, I'm wondering if there was a way to have a founder and some administrators or managers of a group.

 In other words, more than one.  This would also help if you ever need to consolidate groups. Take the two founders and they can monitor it.

Dec 06, 2006 05:12 AM
Toby Barnett
KW North Sound - Marysville, WA
Toby Barnett
thx for the response Caleb :) it would help clarify the groups function...you guys have to busy busy right now. i'll wait patiently :) have a great holiday!
Dec 06, 2006 05:36 AM
Caleb Mardini
Bellevue, WA

Karen,

There are roles for founder moderator, and administrator.  To make it easy for everyone.

A founder can do everything including removing a group.
 
An administrator can do everything except removing a group.
 
A moderator can make a post stick at the top of the forum (featuring), unfeature posts, remove posts.  We'll be adding to and updating this list as we go.

Dec 07, 2006 04:47 AM
Richard Marcum
CENTURY 21 Sunrise - Almont, MI
It would be nice to have a page that displayed new posts on all the groups I am subscribed to.  Sort of like a feedreader does.  Or at least an icon that tells me that a subscribed group has recent posts. 
Dec 28, 2006 08:29 AM
Anonymous
Caleb
This is something we are considering.
Dec 28, 2006 10:23 AM
#34
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL
I was hoping that would get a response. Glad to see it is under consideration. It is a wonderful idea. :) TLW...ROAR!
Dec 28, 2006 10:32 AM
Tina Gleisner
Home Tips for Women - Portsmouth, NH
Home Tips for Women

Thanks for the words of advice.

Feb 24, 2009 11:16 PM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

So this is how it all started.  Now we are up to almost 6,000 different groups.  Who would have thought this would happen back in 2006.

Sep 02, 2009 10:07 AM