How Do You Read ActiveRain?  

Good Tuesday morning, Kathy. Thank you very much for sharing your observations and advice.

Hello Kathy - as you might "predict" my AR strategy continues to morph.  There is a routine to it, but randomness is also a part.  As for other members, if nothing else ActiveRainLand offers abundant opportunities to observe and participate in plentiful ways.  

I have never paid attention to the featured posts, mainly because I have never been accepted into that club, haha.  I guess that my posts have not pleased the powers that be, so be it.  I read posts from those who read mine and interact, and my mindset is getting to know others, so if people aren't willing to interact, then I have no use for them and would never refer anyone to them, haha.  I have to feel confident about the people I refer others to, and I can't be confident with anyone whom I don't know on a more personal level.

I laugh at some of the agents who THINK they have mastered titles. I think content is king.

This year I am doing my best to comment on those blogs written by those who comment on my blogs.

Hi Kathy,
First, I usually check "the bell" for notifications from people who have tagged me since my last check-in. 

Then I move to QA. I like to read the comments there. Sometimes I comment, but not unless I can offer something that hasn't already been said. I don't feel compelled to make a comment if it duplicates what has already been said.

Then I check the blogroll for posts to feature in Second Chance Saturday.  I scan the titles and pretty much scroll past specific listings unless it's by someone I interact with regularly. I read and bookmark those I want to include in SCS.

I don't often go to the Feature page until I'm ready to put together SCS. I drop those I bookmarked that got featured during the week, since SCS is about featuring good posts that didn't get featured. 

I usually check the blogroll several times a day. I try to keep up, but you ALWAYS find and feature posts I didn't see at all during the week. As they say, two heads (and sets of eyes) are better than one. 

Good morning Kathy,

I usually start by reading and commenting on those I'm following and then look at the featured posts. I always check out Carol Williams Saturday Series and your Sunday Series. I rarely have time to pop into Q& A I but will try and make more of an effort!

Your last comment is so true! This site is addictive for sure.

Kathy Streib I read the blog roll of the people I follow first, then if I have time, Q&A -when I come back - features - well, now I must get to do some errands so I can attend Zoom at 2 PM, it is Tuesday 🙂See you soon 

I enjoyed how you broke down the many ways folks wander through the 'Rain, Kathy Streib. It’s easy to forget how much there is to explore here. Your tips make the whole place feel a bit more fun and a lot less overwhelming, and I’m glad you shared them. Funny how reading one post can turn into a whole adventure before you know it!

Being a creature of habit, I start at the top of the daily posts, which are from the number that used to be here. I read those that have an interesting title and already know to bypass the serial bloggers that are just there to post for who knows what. The as I scroll, I see those I follow, those that I should follow, and by then I am into the previous day's posts.

Whr once the  blog roll shwed 300-400 osts a day which made it hard to read daily now it is often a ush to get 100 posts

Kathy, those days of waiting for a feature are gone, cannot remember the last time I got one.   You and Carol feature, which is nice.   My time is more limited lately with this move, but I work on showing up daily when possible.

Great breakdown, Kathy. I follow a similar path — I start with the members I follow, then scan titles in the blogroll for anything that catches my attention. The comments are where the real conversations happen, though. I've connected with some of the most thoughtful professionals on this platform just by reading what they had to say on someone else's post. That said, you're right — it's addictive. What starts as a quick check-in turns into an hour before you know it.

I start with the home page !! Scroll through the posts and of course I read your weekly featured posts 

Kathy I try to comment everyday on the blogs posted by the AR members I follow, and then depending on the time, I will go through the blogs posted most recently for blog titles that catch my eye.

Kathy,  I always look forward to your post. So informative and instructional.

     There is lots of evergreen blog posting hidden down in the AR cellar. (Turning on police five cell flashlight... heading down multiple flights of cellar stairs at the AR HQ) Tons of blog [posts worthy to mine. Too bad something expertly put together a few years ago is forgotten, gone from the spotlight.

     Re-discovering lots of information searching the archives. Surprising how pertinent and even more detailed than our hit and run AI fluff copy and pasted just for the points Kathy Streib.

Hi Kathy,

Superb column, and I gained valuable insight when using AR.  Since I am here and there and aren't on AR everyday, I try my best to always comment on anyone who leaves me a note as that is important to show that you appreciate them providing pertinent and sometimes important thoughts that are useful.

Kathy Streib 

Instead of just answering your question, I am writing a blog on this topic, because you really got me thinking about "How I read ActiveRain? 

Most days, I start by reading the first two pages of blogs that are current. Then I move on to a page of the 'features' and finish with a page or two from the people I'm following.