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What's the Point? Who Cares about Points? Yes, No ActiveRain Points?

By
Education & Training with Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate

Yes, yes, yes! We all care about ActiveRain points!!! To some degree.

 

Friends

Let's have a discussion about ActiveRain points.  Last night Bob Stewart raised the question in Q&A and received mega A's. 

Here is my opinion:  Points are a motivator for me but they are not the reason I am an ActiveRain member.  My first goal way back in 2008 was to reach 10,000 points. It was my personal goal for me.

Quickly I learned from Rain members as well ActiveRain University how to write better posts to reach my target audience.  For me as Real Estate instructor I promote the classes I teach but I also get great pleasure from sharing my thirty years of Real Estate knowledge and sixteen years as middle school teacher with the ActiveRain community. Half my pre-license students find the classes online.  Many feel they already know me from my posts they found online.

 

Feel free to voice your opinion here or in your own post but remember what your mother says, 'Play nice in the sandbox.'  

 

Points or no points?  What is your opinion about ActiveRain points?

 

 

Posted by

 ***************

Mary Yonkers

 

      I thought about a Real Estate career for 11 years before I made the decision to get my Pennsylvania Real Estate license in mid-80's.  

      Thirty years later I can say affirmatively that Real Estate has been a fantastic career. 

      Come join me in class soon. Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor

 

With so many homes for sale in Erie PA, this is the right time to begin your career as a Real Estate salesperson in Erie, PA.

 2018 Alan Kells

 

 

 

www.alankells.com

Mary Yonkers, Real Estate Instructor

 

 
 Mary Yonkers Howard Hanna Real Estate Services in Erie, PA

          Office:  814-835-1200 or Cell:  814-881-7548

Real Estate Classes Alan Kells Schools of Real Estate in Erie, PA  1-412-967-0240 

Real Estate Career in Erie, PA  1-814-835-1200

 

Comments (20)

Sally K. & David L. Hanson
EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI
WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Points serve a purpose for some people...and not for others...If it encourages better blogging...that is a huge point. Have a great weekend !

Jan 22, 2016 07:41 PM
Mary Yonkers

Good to hear from you Sally K. & David L. Hanson 

Jan 22, 2016 08:37 PM
Scott Pope
Nautical Properties - Panama City Beach, FL
You Can't Live Without Water™

Mary, I began blogging because I read that it would help my online presence. However, it is so easy to pick another task for the day to complete instead of writing. I noticed that all the top producers in my market have the most points. That inspired me to commit to blogging. I realize they  may not be in the top ten in sales because they blog, but I try to look at successful people and emulate their actions. So points encourage me to become number one in my market on ActiveRain in points. Will I be number one in sales as a result? Probably not immediately, however I will become more educated by reading, researching, and blogging what I discover. This in turn makes me a knowledgable agent that can provide excellent service to my clients. Additionally people will begin to find me online as a result and will get to know me through my writing. People only do business with those who they know, like, and trust. Blogging makes that happen before ever meeting the client for the first time. The answer is points are a great motivator for me to accomplish what I already know that I am supposed to do.

Jan 22, 2016 07:54 PM
Mary Yonkers

Well said Scott Pope Your story is much like mine. Welcome to ActiveRain community.  


BTW Your comment here could be your next post.  

Jan 22, 2016 08:39 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

I blog because I enjoy it, not to make my phone ring or for the points.  Is it fun climbing the Leaderboard, sure, but if they did away with points, I'd still be here doing what I do.  Writing about Mickey, work, every day happenings.....and sometimes "nothing".....it's what I do.

Jan 22, 2016 08:51 PM
Roger D. Mucci

Right back at you Mary, thanks so much!

Jan 22, 2016 09:07 PM
Mary Yonkers

And we love you Roger D. Mucci Keep writing.

Jan 22, 2016 09:01 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Mary, I was on Active Rain for close to two years before realizing that I got points, what they were, how they worked. I had some 200,000 points before I realized each 100,000 points reduced my monthly bill until I hit 500,000. That was an incentive--a free account. Points encourage me to keep my #2 rating in my city and county. They aren't the be-all and end-all, but they do encourage people to be active, I believe.

Jan 22, 2016 08:56 PM
Mary Yonkers

So true Nina Hollander 'They aren't the be-all and end-all' but very instrumental in keeping many members active.

Jan 22, 2016 09:03 PM
Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Mary. Points are motivators but also serve to frustrate. There are discrepancies in their application and there were times when I was frustrated because I felt like they were withheld when earned. At this point I don't really care.

Jan 22, 2016 09:50 PM
Mary Yonkers

Sheila Anderson Discrepancies are not acceptable under any circumstances.  Let's hope that with new ownership this doesn't happen in future.

Jan 23, 2016 10:04 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Mary, I think they're close to "necessary" for folks just starting out on AR.  But after we've been here long enough we should be self-motivated enough to do what we need to do regardless of points.  I'll admit when I first started I wanted to max out my points for posts and comments, now I'm just not worried about them.  I'll enter a contest that makes sense, but I won't go out of my way just to gather extra points.

Jan 22, 2016 11:39 PM
Mary Yonkers

Liz and Bill Spear Agree that points are very motivating as new member but less so later.  Yes, I pick and choose which if any contest to enter.

Jan 23, 2016 10:06 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Mary- they're a motivator, no doubt about it.  We've all got some amount of competitiveness in us.  However, I'd bet many of us post when we post and make comments not because of the points but because of what we gain from it...SEO and building relationships. I will enter a contest or challenge primarily to support the person hosting it and if I can do it. 

Jan 23, 2016 01:38 AM
Mary Yonkers

Kathy Streib You hit the nail on head with 'competitiveness' that is  good word to describe most of us.  And yes, ActiveRain is about building relationships. That is big reason many of stay.

Jan 23, 2016 10:10 AM
Sybil Campbell
Fernandina Beach, FL
Referral Agent Amelia Island Florida

Hi Mary Yonkers,  I think most Active Rainers do care about the points.  After all we are in a competitive industry!

Jan 23, 2016 02:03 AM
Mary Yonkers

Sybil Campbell Yes, we are competive by nature.  I hope that you are safe and warm through the snow storm.

Jan 23, 2016 10:11 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Points are a huge motivator, but I'm not sure it helps us generate better content.  I think a points scale based on what you are publishing would elevate the community.  I think some folks post crap just to get points and that irritates me as someone who strives to strike the balance between getting useful info out there and having people get to know me.  

Jan 23, 2016 02:57 AM
Mary Yonkers

Chris Ann Cleland Good analysis on points and striking a balance. Let's get rid of the crap type postings.

Jan 23, 2016 10:13 AM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Mary, I'd like to see the points stay but not for recipes, weather reports, non-real estate related musings, etc.  People would need to be on their honor checking a box ... is this a weather report? Is this a recipe? Is this a joke? Not sure that it would be 100% effective but I'd like to see those posts with an automatic no follow coding.

Jan 23, 2016 08:20 AM
Mary Yonkers

So, so true Kathleen Daniels Let's get rid of 90% non-real estate related posts. But then someone would say everyone needs food and a good laugh so the debate rages on.

Jan 23, 2016 10:15 AM
Hella M. Rothwell, Broker/Realtor®
Carmel by the Sea, CA
Rothwell Realty Inc. CA#01968433 Carmel-by-the-Sea

Mary: Points are fun. Maybe in the beginning of AR it might have been even more important. Now, with some members in the 2M range while others are just starting out, well, maybe not so much. We should blog because it works for us whether we get business out of it or just make super contacts and learn from others.

Jan 23, 2016 01:57 PM
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

You have a point! 

Jan 23, 2016 09:18 PM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Guess I missed Bob's post about the points.   We all have had goals for those darned points, but there sure has always been a debate on them. 

Jan 23, 2016 11:21 PM
Potranco Realty
Potranco Realty - San Antonio, TX
"Sold with Potranco Realty"

In the beginning I was all about points and still I love points don't get me wrong but since I learned how to write subdivision and neighborhood blogs as well as how to add them to Google+ and other networks my business has increased. I'll keep coming to the Rain if they do away with points but YES I like points.

Jan 24, 2016 07:26 AM
Endre Barath, Jr.
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Beverly Hills, CA
Realtor - Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Well Mary, I must say the Points are what made Active Rain in the early stages... The founders understood that the Real Estate Community is a Type A personality and will do anything for points with the goal of being #1... I recall when they gave extra points for posting pictures because they found that it was SEO beneficial.... the list goes on and on...I also recall that Bob S. was never a fan of points...so with that said I also get the fact that it is not the real goal of the majority of the community to be "point hogs" never the less it is a motivator, i.e.: incentive driver. Just look at the top 100 members on Active Rain and see how many participate in the "contests"?? Why ???Let's be honest it is a way to move up on the platform by picking up extra points and it makes up for the days we did not have time to blog.... like Joan Cox  I missed the post and glad I did...just sayin...Endre

Jan 24, 2016 07:28 AM
Mary Yonkers

So interesting Endre Barath, Jr. Love the term 'points hog'. Not me of course, even though I am motivated by points.

Jan 24, 2016 07:36 AM
Joan Dickie
Keller Williams Premier Realty - La Crosse, WI
Keller Williams Premier Realty

I say keep the points.  I use them as a measure of participation here in the 
Rain.  I can tell from my points how much I have commented or answered questions.  I don't think getting rid of points will improve the content.

Jan 24, 2016 08:44 AM
Mary Yonkers

I agree Joan Dickie I still get motivated by points.  I don't compete with others but with myself.  Hope the AR owners listen.

Jan 24, 2016 09:49 AM
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

I say keep them for now. I do see in the future that the motivation may be something else entirely and they can be adressed at that time. Why rock the boat?

Jan 24, 2016 11:25 AM
Mary Yonkers

Debbie Reynolds I agree, don't rock the boat.

Jan 25, 2016 10:11 PM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good morning Mary. I read Bob's thoughts on this in the Q&A section and I wrote a post  about points the other day. I do not see them going away.

Jan 25, 2016 05:47 PM
Mary Yonkers

Michael, TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc. 


Yes, I read Bob's Q&A.  I certainly hope they don't go away.  I will read your post shortly.

Jan 25, 2016 10:12 PM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

Hello Mary ... I did leave a answer to Bob Stewart's question about points! And I also left a comment at Michael's post, and now yours.

This question has been talked about for so may years now that I think Bob asked the question knowing he would get a HUGE response and replies.

I seriously believe that if the point system was taken away that many members would fall off the wayside and I really don't think the AR network wants to take this chance.

The point system is not going anywhere soon and your post has been featured to the group:

Activerain and Member (Plugs)

Jan 27, 2016 11:16 AM
Mary Yonkers
Alan Kells School of Real Estate/Howard Hanna Real Estate - Erie, PA
Erie/PA Real Estate Instructor

Thanks for Feature .  Love features!  

Great, I certainly hope the points stay.  How is Alaska

Jan 27, 2016 11:21 AM