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The 'Just for Fun' Section of Q&A

By
Real Estate Technology with ActiveRain

Lots of people use the ActiveRain Q&A section. From the beginning, the point was to give real estate agents a place where they could ask questions of their peers so that everyone could learn something from the answers.

Need help with some aspect of your business? Head to the Q&A section. The Q&A section has this stated goal:

"Our real estate Q&A site is a place where real estate professionals can ask their peers questions so we can all learn and grow as a community." (from the top of the Q&A page)

When you ask a question, you are required to give it a topic. One of those topics is 'Just for fun'. For some time, a small segment of participants have believed that 'Just for fun' actually means 'any question under the sun no matter if it's real estate related or not'. 

We should have called that section 'real estate just for fun'. It was never intended to be something where questions like 'what is the most shoplifted food in the US?' get asked. I'll give you an example of what 'Just for fun' was intended to be.

"What is the craziest thing you've ever seen at a showing?"
"What is the most expensive house you've ever sold?"
" Ever get tongue twisted? What's the worst thing you've ever said to a client that wasn't what you meant to say at all?"

Recently I started removing questions that have absolutely nothing to do with real estate, business, ActiveRain, marketing (and have zero redeeming value). I didn't notify the members. I just removed the question. When someone asked what happened, I gave a version of this same explanation I'm giving now in this blog post. I was subsuquently called "a coward" and compared to Hitler. I can only shake my head (and remove those two from ActiveRain). 

Let me try to give you some insight into how we've traditionally thought about this kind of thing. Back in 2006-2007, we used to spend days coming to decisions. We would argue back and forth and we would always have at least one person willing to defend each side of a discussion. A very effective tactic for us was something that Jonathan liked to employ. He always had us take the scenario out to the very extremes and then think about what decision you would make at the extremes.

So here is how the Q&A thing plays out in my head at the extremes. 

What would happen if every question in the Q&A section was totally irrelevant to real estate. That area becomes totally useless (in the context of a real estate community) at this point. 

This isn't censorship. You can post the exact same nonsense thing in your blog and scream it from the rooftops. However, the Q&A section is intended to have a real estate, business, activerain focus. 

We continually try to look at ActiveRain from a new member's perspective. And if I was someone just joining this site, and the first thing I saw when I looked in the Q&A section was something like 'What is the fourth color on the color spectrum?' I would immediately think 'What? I'm confused, I thought this was a real estate site'.

So let's just try to keep the questions in some way related to real estate, business, ActiveRain and that sort of thing.

Posted by

Bob Stewart
ActiveRain
408-638-1834

 

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Comments (73)

Rose Mary Justice
Synergy Realty Pros - Dandridge, TN
Synergy Realty Pros

I really had not given this much thought.  Like someone said earlier it was us taking off the real estate hat and being human.

 But totally understand where you are coming from.  

Jun 03, 2016 11:42 AM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

If the Q&A section bothers some of the members then they should not use it .  I certainly have to agree with you Bob Stewart  it is a Real Estate section . There are times we write about things to do in our community like places to eat  movies (i am a big one for that ) car shows and things of that nature . Let's  keep it intelligent . Not just for new members but also for our readers  .. Don't like the Q&A section then do not use it --plain and simple  

My goodness they are so many other things to worry about

I do not know what happened or who was deleted; but we have to be respectful of each other .  As previously stated in #36 comment 

Jun 03, 2016 01:46 PM
Lisa Von Domek
Lisa Von Domek Team - Dallas, TX
....Experience Isn't Expensive.... It's Priceless!

You have to have a thick skin working with people in any industry.  I can certainly understand some being upset with unilateral removal of questions with no warning.  Tempers flared and things were said in anger that should not have been...but gee, that never happens in life, does it?  I think that having a private email / conversation over the issue and resolving it would have been the better route to go rather than banishment...and that may be the Mediator in me coming through   But this whole issue has caused a bigger ripple of discussion with many more Rainers than would have occurred if handled differently.

Jun 03, 2016 02:01 PM
Martin E. Kalisker, Esq.
Let the guy stew in his martini, Lisa. He was poison to many. He said horrible things to many members. If he were a REALTOR, there would be repercussions and grievances filed nationally for his flagrant disregard of our Code of Ethics.
Jun 03, 2016 03:25 PM
Lisa Von Domek

Martin Kalisker The member I believe you are referring to had already bowed out of the Rain, so that may be a non-issue.  There were other member(s) caught in the banishment who have had years of work and relationships deleted.  Bob has a difficult job in regulating the site, no doubt, it is never easy dealing with personalities.

Jun 03, 2016 09:03 PM
Martin E. Kalisker, Esq.
Natick, MA
Real Estate Law From A Practical Perspective

Bob Stewart - if members could award points, this post (and its message) would certainly earn more than the system typically allots.

From the silent majority ..."Thank you"

As to the schmuck who called you names for "censoring" his posts and comparing you to the monster responsible for the torture and death of millions of human beings - well, there's no argument that you did the right thing by shutting him down without any further thought.

Playing nice in the Rain is good, but leading by example is even better. I've always wondered why the dirty jokes or stupid questions get "featured" on so many group pages when they should be condemned for 1) taking up space in the cloud; 2) giving non-member viewers a distorted view of our real estate focused content; and 3)the points that are being awarded to the individual writing the post and the countless number of points being thrown away and given to members who comment.

Bravo again.

Jun 03, 2016 03:14 PM
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate
ZOOM Realty Group - Cocoa Beach, FL
"The Accidental Blogger" Cocoa Beach, Florida

Bob, The Q&As were definitely devoling and something needed to be done. It's a shame that things played out as they did but thanks for stepping up to get everyone on the same page.

To echo what several others said, now can you fix the situation with the student questions? If they are annoying and redundant to us, can you imagine what a new member must think when they go to the Q&As and see all those student questions?

Perhaps it could be rectified easily by removing the "Industry Observer" category and requiring members to be licensed in order to join like some FB groups do. Or set up AR so any "Industry Observer" can read but not post until they are licensed.

Or require them to post the questions as a blog...I viewed one profile recently where the person has never posted a blog!

Just my two cents...thanks for all you do.

 

Jun 03, 2016 03:28 PM
Debbie Gartner

I agree..the q's are annoying and bad impression for newcomers.  (and, I generally annoy them).


Requiring people to be licensed doesn't work...as that would disqualify many non-agents from asking (e.g. mortgage brokers, contractors, stagers, inspectors).


but, I'm wondering if there's another way...


maybe Bob Stewart could just call the teacher and ask him to stop. 

Jun 05, 2016 08:55 AM
Diana Zaccaro Broker Associate

Debbie Gartner 


Hi Debbie,


I just found your comment (apparentlytagging did not work) so apologize for the delayed response.


To clarify, I was a mortgage broker prior to going into real estate and mortgage brokers must be licensed. Here in Florida (and I assume other states) contractors and inspectors also have to be licensed so would not be excluded on AR.


Stagers are the only exception here in Florida...not only do they not have to be licensed, they are not even required to achieve a certification! So under my proposal, they are the only group you mentioned that would be excluded.


But we are on the same page and I think there has to be some way to qualify members. I still think doing away with the industry observer category would be a huge help.


 

Jan 24, 2019 07:51 PM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Bob Stewart you're doing a great job making sure that AR stays true to its stated purpose of sticking to real estate-related topics.  How anyone has time for other fluff is a mystery!

Jun 03, 2016 04:47 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

. I agree with Roy. Maybe there should not be points for this section. I like the idea of this being a section fo real esttae related questions. I was wondering if it would be possible for consumers to ask quesions .

Jun 03, 2016 08:48 PM
Lyn Sims

They did this in Trulia & it was a disaster.

Jun 03, 2016 09:37 PM
Debbie Gartner

Yes, a disaster there and a disaster on here when it was for the public.

Jun 05, 2016 08:51 AM
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

I took offense at the hitler remark, completely tasteless and out of order, it really set me on edge - thanks for the clean up

Jun 03, 2016 09:39 PM
ActiveRain City and State Listing Group
Christiansted, VI

A good idea left unmonitored led to lesser quality and that then set the new standard. Too many on here have little knowledge of real estate at it's core and have way too much time to waste and too many others seem to think that is a good thing. Take away the points for those silly & frivolous questions and comments and that might stop the downward spiral....might.

Why it took so long to get back to your basics is beyond me. Glad you are once again taking a stand.

Jun 03, 2016 10:29 PM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Thanks for that, I did not know the rules, I will change my questions as of today.  sorry.

Jun 04, 2016 01:13 AM
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

Bob, thanks for your time on this issue. When I see something that I think is not real estate related I move on. 

Jun 04, 2016 04:12 AM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Bob Stewart Well, well, well, now I get it. The things you learn when you are roaming around on ActiveRain. 

I get it. I also get why people were using it for "just for fun" stuff. I mean, it was fun, and the title does say.. just for fun... So, can I sit on the other side of the table and suggest that there be a "really just for fun stuff" section? Or not, doesn't matter to me.

Part of the problem may be that over time we have ALL gotten used to sharing personal stuff that has NOTHING to do with selling homes. So naturally, why not do the same over in Q&A? It's just human nature. And I'm naturally human, most of the time. 

 

Jun 04, 2016 11:16 AM
Andrea Swiedler
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - New Milford, CT
Realtor, Southern Litchfield County CT

Bob Stewart  I did forget the most important thing I wanted to say. Attacking people, either online, on the phone or in person, is not acceptable. I make no comment on your decision about that, I do not condon personal attacks and I am always saddened when I see them here. 

Jun 04, 2016 11:21 AM
Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster
Maricopa Real Estate Co - Maricopa, AZ
A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa

Sad that all this drama had to happen in the first place.  Like I always say, "I hated babysitting as kid, I sure the heck don't want to babysit adults"   LOL

 

 

Jun 07, 2016 09:41 AM
Janice Zaltman
United Realty Group - Boca Raton, FL
Energy Efficient And Eco-Friendly Homes in Florida

Bob, beautifully said, thank you. When people don't get their way, it is amazing sometimes what comes out of their mouth. Flush...and move on. 

Jun 08, 2016 09:53 AM
CA COASTAL ESTATES Lauren Selinsky Perez CRS
California Coastal Estates - Aliso Viejo, CA
"Your Real Estate Broker" #oclauren

I agree. Especially, since that is why we are all here. Real Estate platform to learn, teach and ask.

Jun 10, 2016 06:48 AM
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

I have to admit that I like this part of the Rain. It allows all of us to learn from others.

Jun 14, 2016 10:28 PM
Julie A. Black
KAUAI DREAMS REALTY Kauai Real Property Specialist - Kapaa, HI
CLHMS, CRS, GRI, Realtor, Broker

It was a good decision. Even if not everyone agrees, decisions need to be made.

Jun 15, 2016 09:19 AM
Mark Neighbor
A O Home Solutions - Sell House Georgia - Buy House Georgia - McDonough, GA
Sell House Fast In Georgia

I like part of Active Rain it gives us a place to learn from multiple people with many ideas.

Jul 05, 2016 01:38 AM
Sussie Sutton
David Tracy Real Estate - Houston, TX
David Tracy Real Estate for Buyers & Sellers

I like the Q&A site, however, I did not like what seemed agents posting silly questions just to rack points. I must add that I don't use this section much.... I do lurk there every once in a while.

Jul 06, 2016 02:52 AM