Does ActiveRain Have a Shelf Life?

I'm headed to a BBQ. I'll be back tonight to respond to all these great comments. I want to wish everyone a very Happy and Safe Fourth of July.

Hella - You bring up some good points. Not everyone thinks the expense is worth it, at least in the very beginning, when the price is still high. Not everyone's advertising budget can handle it. Also, if you see only the same names being featured time and time again, I can see how one might get fed up and want to give up. I'm sure I felt all these things at various points but, now AR has become a part of my daily ritual so I don't think about these things anymore.

Ron - Sorry to have worried you. I am not quitting. I have no idea what I will do if I ever become wildly successful but I certainly wouldn't mind the opportunity to find out.

Hi Janis - We've never formally met but I know who you are through Ellen Caruso. Maybe the next time you all hang in the city, I can join you. "Ghost Writer" minded members are here for business only. They're not interested in the friendships but in daily communication with their subscribers. I used to be more against it. Now, I've become more tolerant of the idea. I don't do it but I can see how there would be a place for it in the world.

Tammie - You started the year before me. I also feel that the bulk of my education came from here and not Coldwell Banker Residential where I started. Although they are known for having a top-notch educational program, AR was still better.

Eileen - They certainly make every effort to keep improving. We have to give them that.

Melissa - It's true. It's the best, most current and completely innovative real estate platform around, imho.

Joan - Quite a few here have mentioned the phenomenon of leaving and then returning. It's a great idea. Sometimes we all need to take a step back and regroup. Coming back proves we know we're leaving a unique environment.

Hi Joyce - Twice? Wow - I bet you could offer us some insight.

Kathy - It's all up to you. You can last as long as you would like to be here.

Myrl - I think you're absolutely right. I'm here 2 years and I wish I could remember what the number of members was at that point but I know it was a much, much smaller community for sure. The word is out!

Cheryl - I didn't know about WordPress for the longest time so I didn't do it that way, but it appears that a lot of people have.

Praful - My eyes tend to glaze over when looking at a page full of numbers so I didn't get involved with market reports for quite a while, until I was strongly encouraged to do so. It's what the public wants to see.

Joni - I think pacing oneself is the key to longevity. If you force yourself to do something you don't feel like doing, pretty soon, you're resenting that very thing. Well, that's how it works for me.

Gene - Good to hear. Look forward to reading your posts.

Tanja - Who knows? Maybe we will. That's really an excellent thought.

Rob - I know. That's how it works. You don't notice day to day but all of a sudden you realize the same faces have been at the bottom of your subscribe list for months on end.

Rosemary - Can't be beat. What a sad day it would be if AR ever shut down.

C.Lloyd - I wouldn't say underachiever. It just took you a while to understand the draw of this community. Some say it's like a drug.

Barbara - I've been reading your stuff since the very beginning. Your days won't come to an end.

Christiansen Team - Yes, we get that. Almost like an addiction - a lot of people feel that way.

Hi Sheila - Thanks. I know. I even tried emailing a couple of times with no result.

Gary - I also like knowing what's happening all over the country and also the different ways in which real estate transactions are carried out.

Will - I did and I hope you did too. I feel the same way about you and Belinda.

Wayne and Jean - It will be intuitive. We'll all know when the time comes.

Richie - LOL - very well put.

Ann - Thanks and to you too. We've all learned so much.

Bill - There are things I do so effortlessly now that I never thought I could do in a million years like including pictures and video and syndicating etc.

Bryan - I'm sure a respite was good for you and I'll be looking for your work.

Michael - Not everyone is in it for the points. Sometimes, reading other people's posts and learning something new is more than enough return on investment.

Sheila - I had no idea you were here for so many years. Not everyone can handle everyday but it certainly seems to work for you.

Maria - Exactly. You have your tangibles and your intangibles. That's what's great. Good to hear your decision to remain on AR is carefully thought out.

Dylan - That's kind of how I feel. I want to see how far it will take me.

Erica - Five years is an awfully long time. Taking a break strikes me as the most logical step in avoiding ennuie. I agree that comment #8 makes good sense. I really appreciate everybody's input. Having a sounding board is just one of the things that makes this place great.

Evelyn - Free lifetime membership is always a worthwhile goal. Good luck.

Hi Steve - Well, when you put it like that...You have the most interesting way with words.

Debb - that's the part that keeps us coming back - catching up with the people.

Kathy - I'm sorry to hear that. I don't really keep that close an eye on whether it's doing what it's supposed to be doing. It just became part of my routine so, for now, I'll keep doing it. I don't believe I'll be here forever.