Admin

Ask An Ambassador: The Choice Is Yours

By
Real Estate Agent with Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com SAL.2002007747

One of the best things about ActiveRain is that you get to decide how YOU participate (or not).

And that participation style and amount may change over time.

Some may only comment, that's a valid choice.

Some may only post and never comment, another valid choice.

The number of comments I leave now is way, way down from the beginning years. 

How often I post has decreased.

What I post has changed.

All choices I've made to balance other needs.

But what hasn't changed is ActiveRain being a daily part of my routine.  The choice there is to scan to blog roll daily and interact as I choose.  I check the Q&A section sometimes as a lurker, sometimes as a participant. 

One choice that hasn't changed is a desire to be a positive contributor to this community.

Is what I'm doing making ActiveRain a better place?

There's a culture here of helping each other that I don't want to disrupt.

Margaret calls people every day.

Carol & Kathy highlight other bloggers every week.

I'll see newer members ask a question on a blog roll and either get the answer there, or be directed to Q&A.

While Q&A does have a certain water cooler vibe, it's a good place to get answers about ActiveRain, real estate practices, grab the attention of ARMS, etc.

Zoom meetings almost every Tuesday afternoon give members a chance to share with each other.

You don't have to look hard to realize that ActiveRain members have made a choice to be different that other real estate venues.  I've abandoned most real estate Facebook groups because the drama is higher than the value.

Here, the drama still exists, but on a much lower level than elsewhere, and sooner or later the prickly types identify themselves.  Whether you engage with them or not is another choice you can make.

Embracing and maintaining ActiveRain's culture is a choice most of us made long ago. Even without visible management presence for years, the community has made the choices needed to continue onwards.

Until next Tuesday, just Ask An Ambassador if you need help,

Bill & Liz aka BLiz

Posted by

Serving Warren County Ohio & Adjacent Areas

The Liz Spear Team of Transaction 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
Bill Direct:  513-520-5305
Liz Direct: 513-265-3004     
Fax: 866-302-8418

MailTo:  Liz@LizSpear.com

Search Homes:  Https://WarrenCountyOhioRealEstate.com

 FacebookWordpressYouTube Pinterest

 

 

 

 

OUR PRIMARY SERVICE AREA:


Comments(18)

Show All Comments Sort:
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Bill,

You are right in Active Rain YOU get to decide how YOU want to participate. Everyone is different there is no one right way! Embracing and maintaining ActiveRain's culture is high on my list as it is for many others.

Dec 10, 2024 01:32 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

There is enough of a core group that gets what this place was, and should still be, to keep the culture thriving.  Every now and again we have someone trying to color outside the lines, but fortunately that's not common.

Dec 10, 2024 04:10 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
Retired Broker/Owner - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Hi Bill you are spot on - how we each chose to participate within the AR community is a choice!  Like  you, I've changed what I post about this past few years because it works for where I'm at now.  I still enjoy reading as many posts as I can every day and leaving comments ( I call it 'little conversations' as many times we go back and forth.  And it's amazing how we've all worked together to 'carry on' after the management style shifted to a 'silent partner'. So many are willing to share and help each other.......it's a gift!  I for one am very grateful for our AR community!

Featured in BananaaTude!

 

 

Dec 10, 2024 04:03 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

I enjoy the little conversations, and sometimes they transfer to "real world" conversations.  We each find what works for us, and for me right now that's less blogging and more of other things.  Usage will continue to evolve as we move to our new place.

Dec 10, 2024 04:12 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Bill (and Liz too) - just like the everyday world, ActiveRain is a big place with many "residents".   Each one is different and on top of that they are constantly evolving.  So, does this site.  We live and learn.  And like Planet Earth, AR is far from perfect.  But considering the alternatives, not such a bad place. . .   

Dec 10, 2024 05:04 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

We get the entire gamut here, but fortunately for the most part the people with the extreme behavior eventually find (or are shown) the door out of this place.  We adjust how we use the site.  I appreciate the fact that the site stability here is much, much better than it was in years past.

Dec 10, 2024 07:33 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Bill- you said it!!!  While ActiveRain could have turned into Lord of the Flies...it did not. The ownership has changed, the activity level has diminished somewhat (who am I kidding!) and that pesky dog hardly shows up anymore. What has not changed is the core membership who keep rowing the boat. (that was a nod to your days at Annapolis)

Dec 10, 2024 07:21 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

The core values have maintained through many changes.  The vast majority of us know what we should and shouldn't do once we step through the community doorway. 
Fortunately rowing the boat wasn't something I did, although I had a roommate that rowed crew for Navy, tough sport!

Dec 10, 2024 07:34 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Always good to know the values that you stand for, and that each of us stands for respectively.

Dec 10, 2024 08:24 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

And to a certain extent, I think everyone here makes it clear.

Dec 11, 2024 06:40 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

How someone participates or chooses not to in the Rain has always helped me form an opinion of them before meeting them in person.

Dec 11, 2024 04:21 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Some make it pretty easy to see their approach.

Dec 11, 2024 06:40 AM
Doug Rogers
RE/MAX Coastal Properties - Destin, FL
Your Real Estate Resource!

Excellent post. I like writing a certain number of blog posts each week. Helps provide structure! 

Dec 11, 2024 05:08 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

My structure shifted from MUST BLOG EVERY DAY, to MUST BLOG ON TUESDAYS! :)

Dec 11, 2024 06:41 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Yes indeed, we can all make our own decision on how to interact (or not) on AR. Some choose just to post business related items. Some post other things and business. Some post rarely and some not at all. Some comment on other people's posts and some don't. If it works for whatever that person's ultimate reason for being here is, it's a win!

Dec 11, 2024 05:33 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

The whole spectrum of participation is present, and as long as one is operating in good faith, I don't think most members have an issue with the variations (unless they're a serial commenter, then all bets are off!).

Dec 11, 2024 06:42 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

All great points. I post, comment, and engage based on what is going on with my schedule. Sometimes I can be more active and sometimes I have to be elsewhere. It really is a choice.

Dec 11, 2024 05:43 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

And that has to be part of it.  ActiveRain can easily take up more and more time if we allow it.

Dec 11, 2024 06:43 AM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

When choice is in alignment with your values, your marketing and your mission, then the choice is a good decision.

Dec 11, 2024 10:19 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

No inner conflict over what we do in the Rain is a good thing.

Dec 11, 2024 07:15 PM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Liz and Bill Spear  we all have our own way to participate. I try my best and through the years seems I have found many friends here. Some I have met in person many I have met on Zoom. All in all it is my favorite place and I do have my favorites 

Dec 11, 2024 05:00 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Peaks and valleys, we have to do what makes sense for our business and everything else going on in life.

Dec 11, 2024 07:20 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

A lot of you are making good choices from what I’m seeing on here. Keep up the good work everybody. ::)

Dec 11, 2024 08:41 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

I think the vast majority of members understand what this place is supposed to be about and how to behave properly.  It's a big part of why at a minimum I'm visiting the site every day.

Dec 12, 2024 02:02 PM
John Marshall - FORE!
LoKation Real Estate - Cherry Hills Village, CO
Specializing in Golf Course Properties

I could not agree more, I am one of those members that has been here for 16+ years, I log in daily but rarely do I comment any more. I surf through posts trying to find shareable content with my agents, and also those great nuggets that pop up often. 

AR has been an invaluable resource in my career, when I was an independent and didn't have the "water cooler" to ask the questions, I was able to ask right here and get 50 great responses within a day, all on my time. I think I have referred over 200 agents to join AR over those years just for the content and great minds that show up day after day.

 

Dec 12, 2024 11:25 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

John, That's one of the real perks of this place, free education.  There always seems to be someone sharing something useful.  I usually hear about the latest and greatest either from someone's post or the Q&A section.  It's all about what we're willing to put into it, and people are willing.

Dec 12, 2024 02:05 PM
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Hello Bill of Liz and Bill Spear  I prefer to have private conversations with my AR peeps that I know, like and trust versus kicking sand in the AR sandbox. 

To each their own.  I do get to know my friends personalities. While we may disagree, for the most part, it has not impacted our friendship.  I just accept who they are. 

Now, there are few, who have proven to be so toxic, so venomous, so vicious, so evil, so fake, I just cut ties with them.  Thankfully, those are few compared to the amazing people in the AR community. 

Dec 12, 2024 01:24 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Fortunately the list of avoid at all costs is short relative to membership counts, but once they identify themselves, I'm checking out of engagement with them as much as possible.

Dec 12, 2024 02:07 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Bill:

I so enjoyed your presentation on the Zoom call the other day! 

While AR started out as a site for blogging it has evolved into so much more over the years, with a number of options for participation, learning, sharing and engagement depending on your interest, available time and what you hope to achieve.

Jeff

Dec 13, 2024 11:29 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Thanks!

We have evolved, perhaps more social than blogging, but with opportunities for both.

Dec 13, 2024 07:14 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Bill! "All choices I've made to balance other needs." - YES! If I was retired, I'd definitely have much more time to spend here and comment on many more members' posts! Selling a lot of real estate, helping out in other corners of AR and just plain life itself often gets in the way of playing in the Rain! 

Those who bully here are widely known and sadly, lose any possible referral business from FAR more members than simply those they've bullied. I guess you could say they're both bullies AND idiots! LOL

Thanks for all you do for members here in the Rain, Bill. I'm not at all sure what we'd all do without you but, I do know we don't tell you enough how grateful we are for you.

Dec 13, 2024 09:23 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

I've worn a lot of hats over the years, and some hats require more of my time and effort than others. 
I don't understand why anyone in this community would think it's acceptable to bully others.  I see plenty of things I don't comment on.  I think many people lurk more than they participate.  Bad behavior is noticed, and it does have consequences (fewer comments, fewer/no referrals, etc.).

As long as it makes sense for me to continue doing what I do, I'll be here daily.  If at some point the cons significantly outweigh the pros, I'll do like I do with anything else, evaluate and decide if I need a change.

Dec 14, 2024 08:35 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS

Well, I for one, hope it makes sense for a very long time, Liz and Bill Spear!

Dec 14, 2024 08:46 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Bill,
First, let me say I was sorry I couldn't attend the Zoom meeting last Tuesday. I'm sure it was very interesting.

You have expressed so well what makes ActiveRain such a special place for those of us who do participate. I completely agree that one of the greatest strengths of this community is the ability to choose how we participate, and to adapt our involvement over time based on our changing needs and priorities. Mine has certainly evolved over the years. Now that I am retired, I spend much more time here and enjoy being involved in many ways. 

The culture of support and collaboration here is incredible. It’s the main reason my involvement with ActiveRain remains such an important part of my life. Whether through blogging, commenting, sharing ideas, or simply cheering each other on, this community brings out the best in its members—something totally unique in the social media world.

The genuine connections are real. Thanks for all you do for us!

Dec 15, 2024 06:53 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Life happens!  I doubt I make tomorrow's call (Liz wants to go look at tile selections for our new home).

Use of this community evolves for most (if not all) of us.  If you'd have told me when I first started how much impact this community would have on me professionally and personally, I'd have never thought it possible.

Dec 16, 2024 02:54 PM
Elyse Berman, PA
LoKation Real Estate - Boca Raton, FL
Boca Raton FL (561) 716-7824

Liz and Bill Spear I am so sorry I missed your presentation a couple of weeks ago.  I have another Tuesday meeting that is conflicting with this one.  Since I know you, I hope if there is something outstanding, you'll let me know.  

I've never been one who could blog daily, though Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400 has tried to teach me.  Life and work seem to get in the way.   But AR is and will always be an important part of my life.  Most of the people here are very special - we've been doing it a long time.

Merry Christmas!

Dec 25, 2024 08:35 AM