The best advice on this topic I've seen comes from a post by Debbie Reynolds:
Ask an Ambassador - How to Make a Newbie Feel Welcome
Highlights from that post:
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Check the First Timers post list where Newbies' first posts are captured and leave a comment on the posts.
Follow their blog. Chances are they will follow you and you will get to know them faster by reading their blog on a regular basis.
Go to the Roster and see who has signed up over the last few days. Connect with them through email or phone call.
Send an email of welcome to a Newbie and let them know we are here to help and answer questions.
Leave a comment on their posts to help them understand it is about being involved.
Tag them in a comment as this will make them feel special.
If they have written a good post, reblog it if the option is available.
Tell a Newbie about ActiveRain University…
Encourage Newbies to interact and make comments and be a part of the family.
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As long as you focus on doing those things you should be gaining 
followers from the "Newbie" category.
Based on Ambassador Debbie's post, I've developed and fine tuned a "Welcome Message" for Newbies that touches on all the above mentioned points - and it has been effective. Here it is for your "dining pleasure"!
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Welcome to Active Rain (Name of Newbie)!
As REALTORS® who have been here for almost 10 years, it's well worth it!
We wish you great success with your blog posts and networking with other members of Active Rain!
We clicked the “Follow” button on your profile so that we will be alerted to your future blog posts and can read and comment on them, and we invite you to "follow us" - should you be interested - by clicking the “Follow” button you see underneath our photo to the left. There is no requirement or obligation for you to do so, but we would be honored if you choose to do so!
Being “Followed” by another member gains you 50 points, and following another member gains you 10 points.
Once you reach 500,000 points you are entitled to a FREE Rainmaker account.
More information on the Active Rain points system can be found at this post:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/4563477/the-activerain-point-system
This will tell you what activities in the ‘Rain earn points.
If you have a free “Rainer” account, your visibility is limited to Active Rain members. You may want to seriously consider upgrading your account to Rainmaker if you plan to stick around in the 'Rain!
If you have a “Rainmaker” account, your blog posts will be visible to the public - a very 
good thing. You will get the most “bang for your buck” if you “optimize” your blog posts. More information about how to optimize your blog posts can be found at this link:
https://activerainuniversity.com/unit/write-a-blog-post/?id=4863
Once you reach 500,000 points you are entitled to a FREE Rainmaker account.
If you are currently paying for a Rainmaker account - then the sooner you reach the 500,000 point mark, the better for your wallet!
As we mentioned earlier, one of the best ways to get started is to read through blog posts and questions, identify members who you like to read, follow them, comment on their posts or respond to their questions, and post or ask questions yourself!
Two final links that may be of interest to you:
The Active Rain Leaderboard:
http://activerain.com/social/leaderboard
and the Active Rain Top Bloggers:
http://activerain.com/topbloggers
We look foward to seeing your name in lights!
If you have any questions that we can help answer for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us - we’re always happy to be of help if we can!
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If you have a well thought out "Wecome Message" that sends the message you want to send to all Newbies, is there any reason to try and "re-invent the wheel" every time you comment?
I know others may think differently - and that's fine - there are close to 300,000 members in the 'Rain - and it's unlikely that even two of us think exactly alike on all topics.
From my perspective, it's "Marketing 101"!
Why "change" a message that works?
What say you?
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