The Official ActiveRain Guide

Old school TV.

Growing up, I used to love coming home after school, grab a PBJ and milk, and watch all my favorite afternoon shows on our black & white RCA. One such show was 'Password.' One member of each team was given a word, and they had to try to give clues, using other words, to get the other member to correctly guess the word within a specified time frame.

Here on ActiveRain, the learning curve can seem incredibly HUGE and intimidating at times. People join our community with such a diverse level of knowledge and skill levels. We've tried to leave as many helpful 'clues' as possible to make your experience here less daunting, and more enjoyable.

Earlier this morning, I received the following e-mail:

You've received a contact message from your Contact Form on the ActiveRain network.

Message details:
From: Joan Wickman
Email: jwickman@gmail.com
Subject: Changing Password and E-mail Address (Sent via Activerain)

Writing in frustration... trying to change and
it is difficult finding the subject in the q&a.

Many of us are the 'Early Adaptors' and have readily embraced/immersed ourselves in social media and emerging technologies. But there is an overwhelming majority of potential members out there who aren't as brave or bold (at least when it comes to things related to technology). What seems easy and trivial to us can appear insurmountable and frustrating to others. As such, we need to leave more clues, and make the learning process easier, especially for new members.

Joan, in answer to your question, I offer the following easy steps:

When you log onto ActiveRain, using your user name and password, the system automatically takes you to your 'My Home' page. Over on the left hand side of the page, just below your name, there is a column of links. Go down to the one entitled 'My Profile (Edit).' Take your mouse cursor, and click on the word (Edit). This takes you to the page where you can edit your Profile information.

You will notice just above the first yellow field for your First Name, is the link for 'Change Password.' If you click on this, you can change your password. Make sure to click on the button 'Change Password' when you are done.

The Profile Editing Page allows you to input and update all your business/contact information, identify your primary markets, and create custom sections to showcase you and your business.

Make sure that you click on the 'Save Profile' button before closing out.

One of the primary goals of ActiveRain is to create a community that fully engages the talents and knowledge of our members for the benefit of our industry as a whole. The Staff at ActiveRain is committed to providing an environment that encourages personal/professional growth, and tools that offer significant benefit to your business.

If you're a new member of our community, make sure you spend some time going through our official ActiveRain Starter Kit skillfully put together by our cherished Community Builder, Brad Andersohn.

In addition, we've assembled a great collection of helpful tutorials on a wide range of topics that you can access by simply going to the bottom of any page, and click on the link, 'Help/FAQ'

For more 'Blog Tips for Rain Drips,' go HERE, or join the Blog Tips for Rain Drips GROUP

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com

The following archived articles are from a series I began a while back entitled "Blog Tips for Rain Drips" and were designed to provide needed instruction in the finer points of blogging/social media, and to help our members derive the most benefits/value from their involvement here on ActiveRain.

"Social Media Sushi - Developing a Social Media Strategy, Part IV"

"Taking AIM - Developing a Social Media Strategy Part III"

"The 'Why' of Social Media - Developing a Social Media Strategy Part II"

"New Series: Developing a Social Media Strategy"

"Hello? McFly! It's called 'Social' Media for a Reason!"

"Learning the Balancing Act of Social Media"

"Perception vs. Reality"

"Don't Waste Your Time on ActiveRain!"

"Attracting Great Clients thru Blogging"

"Overwhelmed by the Technology Learning Curve?"

"Your Blog Stimulus Package"

"Taking the Hype out of Hyper-Local Blogging"

"And the Password is!".....

"When I Search My Name, Nothing Comes Up!"

"Don't Turn Your Blog into a Refrigerator Magnet!"

"Would You like a Side of SPAM with those Comments?"

"How to Balance Your Blog"

"When in Doubt, Read the Instructions!"

"Rain-Vitations: Your Ticket to a Higher Score"

"Bring Back that Loving Feeling: Building Community"

"How to Kreate Kwality Kontent"

"How to Engage Your Blog Readers"

"Forgive me, Father, it's been 3 weeks since my last blog post!"

"Is Your Blog a Brick Wall?"

"When is Your Blog like a Toxic Waste Dump?"

"The 3 Powerful 'P's' of Posting"

"What is Comment Junk Mail SPAM?"

"How to Sabotage Your Own Blog"

"But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express"

"Roxanne, Glamor Shots, and Casper the Ghost"

"Is it possible to be TOO Transparent?"

"Monsters in the Blogosphere"

"What is a Straffing Run Blogger?"

"Playing Fair in the Blogging SandBox"

"Are You Feeling a 'Draft' in Here?"

"How to Write Good Hyper Local Content"

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com

It's no secret.... The genius of this platform? ....It's in the points!

Seriously,... forget about all the great information, the social networking, and all the potential business it generates. We Want Points! 

Just put a bunch of "Type A" personalities in the same virtual room, tell them they're competing for status & position by earning points, and watch the 'FRENZY' begin!

Now, granted, there are some who take this point thing just a little TOO seriously! But for the majority of us, it simply adds to the fun and enjoyment of participating in the Rain.

(Who are we kidding? We'd sell our own Mothers if it would help us achieve top spot in our State, right? Well, okay, maybe not 'Mom,' but maybe that annoying little brother or sister, eh!)

For some of you newer members, you may be asking yourself, "What hope is there for me? How can I ever hope to catch up to some of the veteran players who've racked up a gazillion points already?"

Well, don't despair, Buckwheat! You too can become the Big Cheese in your respective town, city, county, or even State, by following one simple, seemingly overlooked strategy.....

                     ......by 'Inviting Others' to the Rain!

Down at the bottom left-hand side of your "My Home" page, you'll find the link that says, Invite Others

Click on that link, and it will take you to the 'Invitation Page,' where you can enter your colleague's name, e-mail address, write a short personalized note encouraging them to join our beloved community, and hit 'Send Invitation!'

It's that simple!

For every person you get to join the Network, you receive 50 points! Then, after that, you receive 10% of ALL the points that person earns from there on out!

We have a member here in Washington State who has nearly 70,000 points! He's only posted 3 articles, made 9 comments, so almost ALL of his points are from inviting others to the Network! Imagine how much more he could do if he were actively participating?

If you look at some of our Top Scoring members, almost all of them have 10's of Thousands of points as a result of 'Inviting Others.' Granted, they've all worked hard to achieve their ranking. Effective blogging takes time, hard work, and commitment. But 'Inviting Others' to benefit and contribute to this platform is a major part of their success. And it can be a part of Your success too!

So start Inviting a couple of people a week, and watch your numbers climb!

Your Mother will most definitely appreciate it!

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Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, SOUNDBITEBLOG and Crabbing in the Hood, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com