Ask An Ambassador: How Do I Get Help Around This Place?

By
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com SAL.2002007747

Whether you're experienced or a newbie in the Rain, sometimes you need some help. 

In years past we might have tagged someone from ActiveRain management and chances are they'd appear to help.  That's not going to work in the site's present staffing situation.  There's no Bob and no Kerrie to call for help, so you have to pick from other options.

1.  Ask a friend in the Rain.  Sometimes it's something routine like "hey, I don't remember how to edit my blog signature" and the other Rainer will know.

2.  Find an ACTIVE Ambassador and ask them.  The Ambassador list is slimmer than it used to be, but there are still people on the list that haven't been seen since about three blue moons ago. 

3.  Ask in an ActiveRain Facebook group (if you do Facebook).

4.  Post your question in ActiveRain's Q&A section.  The more detail the better, screen captures, etc. are good.  "ActiveRain is broken" won't get help!  And check back in case there are follow up questions to your question!

5.  Email support@ActiveRain.com.   Not the fastest way to get help (understaffed big time?  Possible email receipt and send issues?  Responses going in YOUR Junk Mail folder?).  FYI, THERE IS NO PHONE NUMBER FOR DIRECT SUPPORT CONTACT.  It's email only.

6.  Tag ActiveRain Member Support aka ARMS (not ActiveRain Real Estate Network!) in a post, Question or comment.    For the last few years they've (whoever or whatever THEY may be, Richie thinks an AI program) been first line triage for problems.  They can't fix everything (especially billing!), but what they can't fix they can run up the flagpole to the Developer Team for attention. 

7.  Ask ANYONE in the Rain.  If they're actually engaged socially (not just posting listings and never commenting), they're probably willing to help.  I don't think I've ever asked anyone in the Rain a question and not had them at least TRY to help!

Until next Tuesday, just Ask An Ambassador (or anyone), if you need help!

Bill & Liz aka BLiz

Posted by

Serving Warren County Ohio & Adjacent Areas

 

The Liz Spear Team of RE/MAX Alliance
Elizabeth Spear, ABR, Ohio License SAL.2002007747

William (Bill) Spear, Ohio License SAL.2004011109  Kentucky 77938
Ask for us by name if you visit the office!

EHO
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Liz Direct: 513-265-3004     
Fax: 866-302-8418

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Comments (24)

Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

There are lots and lots of rainers willing to help each other out Bill.  And you've been helping a lot of us for years!  Thank you!!  Once Again!!

Mar 07, 2023 10:09 AM
Anna Banana Kruchten Phoenix Broker

Indeed you are Bill!  And....loved the puppy pic yesterday on FB!  You two so have your hands full with all those little guys!

Mar 07, 2023 10:21 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Always happy to help!

Mar 07, 2023 10:20 AM
Ray Henson
eXp Realty of California, Inc. (lic. #01878277) - Elk Grove, CA
Realtor

Thank you for the tips.  My first thought is to go to the Q and A section and ask.  I usually get great advice there. 

Mar 07, 2023 10:10 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Q&A seems to be the go to place for getting help.  A blog post is limited to folks who follow or happen to scan the blog roll at the right time, so for a new member that might be a pretty limited audience. 

Mar 07, 2023 10:20 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Always great advice from you two. Richie may be correct about the AI.

Mar 07, 2023 01:34 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Who knows?  Anything is possible!

Mar 07, 2023 08:54 PM
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Good afternoon Bill. Glad to see you featured in Bananatude. Your contributions to the betterment of the RAIN is constantly noticed.

Mar 07, 2023 01:45 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Thanks Wayne!  A lot has been given to us, so it's been time to pay it back for some time!

Mar 07, 2023 08:55 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Bill- well done. The good thing is that we have so many members more than willing to help with questions or problems that we may have. All we have to do is ask. 

Mar 07, 2023 06:36 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Those members are what keeps the group culture intact.

Mar 07, 2023 08:55 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Hi Bill, Thanks for sharing. This statement says it all: " I don't think I've ever asked anyone in the Rain a question and not had them at least TRY to help!''

Mar 07, 2023 07:06 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

It's the nature of this place and why I'm willing to do what I do for it.

Mar 07, 2023 08:55 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Sometimes it can be true that there are no stupid questions and there really aren’t that many here on AR

Mar 07, 2023 09:58 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

You don't know if you don't ask!

Mar 08, 2023 05:15 AM
Brian England
Arizona Focus Realty - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

This is a great post and hopefully, everyone will read it and know how to get support in the Rain when they need it.  It's really easy but it seems that those that aren't very active have a really difficult time with it since they just don't know what is going on in the Rain.

Mar 08, 2023 04:12 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

If we had a dollar for every time "how do I change my blog signature" was posted in Q&A :)

Mar 08, 2023 05:17 AM
Kat Palmiotti
406-270-3667, kat@thehousekat.com, Broker/REALTOR® - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Too bad this can't be "pinned" somewhere so it's an easily accessible list. They are all good ideas on how to get help!

Mar 08, 2023 04:45 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

The closest thing to that is the "Getting Started on AR" link in the footer, but I suspect most newbies never find that link.

Mar 08, 2023 05:18 AM
Kat Palmiotti

I am sure you are right Liz and Bill Spear - many existing AR's don't know where the Leaderboard is.

Mar 08, 2023 05:49 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

That's another "if I had a dollar for every time that question is asked!" :)

Mar 08, 2023 09:30 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Bill:

Hopefully plenty of people will see this and realize that there ARE a number of ways to get help here and lots of willing helpers - it's part of what makes the community so special.

Obviously some issues require more than just a helping hand from an AR member but ARMS does a pretty good job of problem resolution when needed.

The Q and A is a great resource when help is needed!

Jeff

Mar 09, 2023 05:20 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

There's always help out there if we're willing to seek it out.

Mar 11, 2023 07:47 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The right Charlotte REALTOR!

Hi Bill!

Great suggestions and I agree, Q&A with a great description and not a 'AR IS BROKEN' comment is best. This development team is FAR more responsive than we've had in the past!

Mar 09, 2023 07:44 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Details do matter!  For my engineering job, troubleshooting is always easier when I have some pertinent details to start with.

Mar 11, 2023 07:48 AM
Charles Ross - (785)-819-6944
eXp Realty LLC Salina Group - Salina, KS
Love To Help People

Excellent  Information. Thank you for sharing. Have a wonderful day and a blessed weekend.

Mar 10, 2023 01:34 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

You're welcome!

Mar 11, 2023 07:48 AM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

Great, HELPFUL, post for anyone unsure of who to ask for what or how to get help.  You are always such a helpful supporter of AR! 

Mar 10, 2023 01:10 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ

FYI - had to use your advice this morning.  Received at least 545 email notifications from AR.  I asked the question this am anybody else - yup! Check the Q & A and your inbox. 

Mar 11, 2023 08:08 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

The community has helped us a lot, so returning the favor as best we can.

Mar 11, 2023 07:49 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Mar 11, 2023 06:29 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Thanks for including me!

Mar 12, 2023 06:55 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

This is good advice to share. The Q&A section appears to have become the link to Support.

Have a great day and an outstanding week.

Mar 12, 2023 07:13 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Definitely for the last few years Q&A seems like the quickest place to get answers, or at least get ARMS to forward to the development team if it's too technical for ARMS to resolve directly.

Mar 12, 2023 01:04 PM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
Relocation to NW AZ with elbow room & more freedom

Great post to remind the generosity of those on AR to help others.

Mar 12, 2023 07:40 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

It's a primary reason I'm here every day.

Mar 12, 2023 01:04 PM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Bill,

Newbies probably have the most difficulty navigating the AR site.  It might be helpful if there was an automated post or email that goes out to everyone that starts with AR.  It could include all your suggestions with links and some added tips to be social.  Just a thought...

Mar 12, 2023 09:46 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

There is a Getting Started on AR link in the footer, but I don't think the associated information has been updated in some time.

Mar 12, 2023 01:05 PM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Have to laugh at this one Liz and Bill Spear I was trying to fix an old post that still has my old office and phone # that Joan Cox found. Tried for an hour to no avail until I tried to contact support the heading said to contact an Ambassador. The rest of the questions were so frustrating I gave up and went to bed.

Mar 12, 2023 03:06 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Some things they can help with, some they can't.  Not sure where you saw "contact an Ambassador"?

Mar 13, 2023 07:25 AM
Ed Silva
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

A quick check with those that blog regularly is a good way to start as they demonstrate activity and a willingness to be on the platform. The Q & A will also get results

Mar 14, 2023 11:55 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Ed, for sure, the regulars usually know their way around and will help if they just know someone needs help.

Mar 14, 2023 12:03 PM
Lili Nguyen
PhotoEditing - Albany, NY
The professional photo editing service you need!

I'm a newbie here and when I posted a question to ask for advice, lots of AR Ambassadors gave me useful tips. Q&A forum really works.

Mar 22, 2023 06:52 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

In general, this community is very helpful.

Mar 22, 2023 06:58 PM