While in Atlanta last month at REtech South one of the comments that I heard an Activerain
member was, "Jeremy, there is just so much stuff and I have no way of learning it! I need someone to teach me!" My response was, why do you need to pay someone thousands of dollars to train you when it is all right here on Activerain!
Many people contact me regularly with questions of how to do something and they seem to always finish the posts with, "Sorry for bugging you, I didn't know where else to find the answer." Most people do not realize that at the top of your blog is a google powered search engine that only searches through the information contained on Activerain.
So how can this be a useful tool? Well, to start, lets say you once read a great post by someone named Jeremy, but didn't subscribe to his blog. Now two weeks later you cannot find your way back to his blog. If you do a search of just the word Jeremy, you can find every post on Activerain with the term Jeremy.
So As you can see, the results show up fast (.23 Seconds, WOW). The first entry on the list is a post written by someone about me. The Second is a link to my outside blog. The third is the one that actually takes them to my profile on activerain. If you notice at the top of the search bar, there are a few ways to filter your results. It I click on the members filter, you will see how the results change.
Now, the results just shows members of our community. So what about some of the other filters how could they come in handy. First, maybe you are rather new to real estate 2.0 and do not understand what twitter, facebook and all these other networks are and how they can create business. So, you may want to read some posts about Activerain's Outside Blogs. What a better place to look than a group on it. So, if you type outside blogs in the search box and filter by groups, here will be your results:
One of the great features of Activerain is that it is a community made up of members who give back to the community on countless occasions. With over a million posts on Activerain, there is a good chance that you will be able to find the answer to any question by using the search button.
In closing, if you have any questions on how to do anything on Activerain, or whatever else, use the Activerain Search button! It can save you thousands on training!
I leave you with a few searches to get you started:
These are just 5 great topics to learn more about. Share any other great searches you use as you begin exploring all of Activerain!
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I am the Co-Founder of 210 Consulting- Social Media Advisors. I have traveled the country as a social media speaker. If you would like more information on any of the topics discussed in this blog, please contact me directly. We specialize in social media training, online consulting, and the creation of your own custom WordPress site.
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Jeremy great review of the Search capability within ActiveRain. Wow that Jeremy search landed on a good one with that Blanton guy : )
Hey Jer! Are you SURE it was ONLY .23 seconds?!!! I love the search tool on AR and it never fails me! Sometimes my ADD carries me to something that I wasn't looking for but, I ALWAYS learn something.
SOOOO, been waiting to hear--are you coming to REBAR CHARLOTTE?!! We've got a really good group so far and would LOVE, love, love for you to partake!
Happy Easter!
Jeremy, the value of Active Rain is PRICELESS in my eyes. Not only is there great information, but the helpfulness of the people here constantly amazes me. I have never been involved with a more giving group. ~ Sharon
Hi Jeremy,
You know the search feature is something I use all the time when I'm lost. You can always track down someone or something.
Good info. I'll book mark this. I have tons of questions.
I have used the search button many times with great success but did not realize the filters were there. Thank you; that will make things easier.
Jeremy...I use this feature all the time...I just love it, and I can usually find what I need.
Jeremy- I have never used the search feature, but I can now see the benefits of it. I appreciate the education- keep doing it!!!...
I just started using this feature and don't know why I haven't from the get go. Makes navigating the rain so much simpler!
You are so right. It is all here and FREE!-Dinah Lee
Hi Jeremy - I love that little search bar. Whenever I read something or see something in a blog that I'd like to learn more about, I go right to that little search bar. Sometimes I just decide it's time to learn something new and just search "how to". It's amazing what you can find!
One of the great features of Activerain is that it is a community made up of members who give back to the community on countless occasions.
And it can save you THOUSANDS!
No kidding...with all the information that many give from the heart through their posts...with a little search they can find anything and everything.... right at the click of a mouse and pounding their keyboard.
Thanks Jeremy....another helpful bit of info for members.
Jeremy, though I've used this tool, I wasn't completely aware of the possibilities... excellent blog, very helpful information!
I have used that little search box so many times and learned so much, not just about active rain, but about so many different topics it is amazing to me.
Hi Jeremy,
As a newbie to Active Rain, I want to thank you for the money saving tip as well as the resource. This is a great post and will be helpful to so many!
Diane Donnelly
Jeremy - I look something up every day. Happy Easter!
Mary
Jeremy. What I have found is that sometimes folks can follow the tutorials and sometimes they cannot.
If a viewer is starting with no knowledge of the web, web sites, web synergy, web search, web links, web design, web keywords, etc., etc., they will not always understand the tutorial. Their eyes glaze over and they believe that they have to hire someone to teach them the basics or do the job for them.
Which, I believe, is why only a very small percentage of real estate agents/ loan officers actually have web sites with relevant content or blogs that are searchable on Google.
Only folks with a background can understand how difficult it is for a person with no knowledge to grasp the terminology and instructions in a tutorial post.
The tutorials are wonderful, but only some will benefit because only some with understand the tutorial.
I guess some people don't value some information or training unless they spend a lot of money for it. You also don't get any fancy designations if you learn it by yourself on the internet. To make your learning legitimate you need to have someone with some sort of accreditation teach it to you after they learn it on the internet.
I just discovered this about a week ago. Very, very useful. Thanks and Happy Easter.
HAPPY EASTER, JEREMY!!
I love the search feature ALL the time. I remember I read something and can't remember who so I type a few words or the topic in and voila.
Jeremy...
I've just explained the search feature to a few Newer Members. I'm going to bookmark this and use it in the future. I honestly get tired of searching for things when the Members are perfectly capable of finding the info on their own. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind helping. It's the redundancy that's getting to me :)
TLW...ROAR!
Yup, the search here has landed us plenty of info in the past. If one needs a little education or commentary on a product or service, the AR search button is perfect! :)
I have tried this in an effort to not bug Brad. Sometimes it works out, and sometimes it doesn't. I still cannot insert pictures on my blogs from my home computer. I cannot find the answer anywhere! When I click on the tree icon, explorer pops up, then I click on the browse icon and nothing happens. I have no idea why! My computer at home is new and my programs are updated, in fact, my computer at the office that IS able to insert pictures is ancient. Any suggestions? I've asked Brad - he asked if my pop up blocker is on - it's not.
Jeremy,
I have found that when selecting a blog post from any page of the search results that I have to use "open in a new tab or open in a new window" to preserve the search results page I selected the blog post from.
Thanks
I use the search every week, but often forget to refine the search results -- thanks for the reminder and have a happy easter!
Thanks for the explanation. I've done some searching, but did not realize the power of your search engine.
Jeremy - Great post and great reminder ! That search tool is super valuable. We have used it numerous times for those "how-to" posts. Of course sometimes, we still cannot figure it out and send an email anyway for help, but often times we do figure it out and it is quite rewarding ! ~ Chris
The search button has saved thousands of hours and is a great way to reconnect with the posts you have lost along the way.
Jeremy it is a great tool because god knows AR is a treasure trove of great info!
Jeremy - thanks for pointing this out once again. There are some fabulous tutorials on photography, software, and all kinds of things ... with screen shots and how tos.
Search also turns up lots of comments on situations you may encounter in the real estate business.
jeremy- I use this search often and it is quite helpful. Luckily with my name - it is pretty easy to find me. :)
Jeremy - Thanks for a well written post. I have used the Search bar to find other members, get information on topics I am interested in, etc. It works really fast and is always bringing back the AR results I want. Gotta love that!
Thanks for your great "search" tutorial. Very helpful and most appreciated.
You say "why do you need to pay someone thousands of dollars to train you when it is all here on ActiveRain?" I say, "Why not?" In fact, I say "Good for you!"
One size does not fit all, Jeremy. Weeding through search engine results for ActiveRain posts on various topics may be free, but it is not the BEST way to learn for everyone. Some of us benefit from the structure and accountabiity of organized training programs... AND THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT!
Using the search function has its place, but signing up for training doesn't make us stupid - investing in ourselves is a good idea.
Jeremy, thanks for the tip i have never tried that but it makes complete sense. I do agree that all the free information you could ever need is here on activerain, yours for the asking.
I have been horrible about using the search feature. Thanks for the info....or the kick in the rear........
I use it all the time, to learn about a new subject, or to find an old topic. I have had calls from salespeople wanting to sell me an internet product or site - while they are blabbing about it, I search AR and get some feedback from a member who has used it, helps me eliminate a bunch of hype.
Jerermy, Thanks for the post. I've used the search button a few times.
I have been an Active Rain member over two years, but started taking AR seriously 4 months ago. This is just what I needed. Thanks Jeremy. I think your post contains more lessons that just how to find Active rain articles.
Jeremy, I love the ActiveRain Search button and use it all the time. But I also like to go to seminars, hear, interact and network with others for information. Many of these get togethers are also free.
Jeremy, This is the truth!! I learned how to edit my photos just this last week!
Thanks for another good tip Jeremy.
I have learned to do this first & usually find what I need. I also started checking on topics that have been posted so I don't go ahead a write another when it isn't needed-unless it's content specifically targeted to my consumers for my outside blog. I love Activerain - getting so much out of my outside blog now!!
I used a search last week to quick find one of my old blogs...right on the top of the list!
Jeremy - I use the Search function quite a bit here. The only bothersome part about it when they switched to a Google-based search awhile back was that we lost the ability to search Members Only posts.
Yes,, this is a good tip. Thanks so much and Happy Easter
Portsmouth NH Real Estate
Hi Jeremy - Yes, the search feature is great. I have suggested it to several people who have a question about short sales or whatever. You can put a search term that is a combination of words that will narrow it, and you may get a dozen or more posts that you can read and get an excelent overview right on point to your question. Thanks to this wonderful community of "sharers."
Jeremy...this conversation has a familiar ring to it....I wonder who you were talking to?
I've used the Search function, but not the filters. I'll have to explore that more.
But, I'm a classroom-structure kinda person! That's exactly why I can't speak Spanish after being around someone for 20 years that speaks fluent Spanish. I need it taught to me in a classroom, not just on the fly.
Training is an investment in yourself AND your BUSINESS! Let's not forget, each of us OWNS a business, and investment in your business is almost always a good thing.
Hi Jeremy
Look at all the comments you attracted. It is a great post and I'm going to use it right now
Kieran
I'm off to do some research and I'll be back!
I totally agree Jeremy...the search button is my best friend!
Hi Jeremy, I 'stumbled' upon the search button early on & discovered what a great tool it is! I include it in instructions/ tips to all my new invitees! Keep those tips coming.
Hi Jeremy--I have been telling my partner that we don't need to re-invent the wheel, there is sooooo much info here on AR that whatever we're thinking about, someone has probably posted about!
I have started blogging and using AR a lot more in the last month and now I understand what I have been missing. It has become my top training and marketing tool.
Wow, I did not know that. What I have discovered however is the ability to bookmark specific blog posts and add them to your AR home page, pretty cool stuff.
Jeremy: Great information.. thanks for sharing.. Great post.. Keep them coming :P
Jeremy, you're brilliant! Or maybe I should say that AR designers are brilliant! You just discovered it and reported it, eh! I found this and have used it in the past, I agree that SEARCH is a great resource.
That's how I find indepth information that I am looking for.
Hi Jeremy - I do use the search button but not as much as I should. Thanks for the great search suggestions.
good tutorial Jeremy. I am feeling sad this morning because I should be down in SC right now!!! Oh well there is always the summer. Have a great week.
i found the serch button long ago. I love it. I have reserched tons of information and learned lots!
Jeremy,
As this community grows, there are more and more blogs and lots of very valuable content. Many of us are busy and able to catch all the important info. That's why it very useful to have this search function so we can find what we need.
Jeremy, I followed another blog here and have to say I agree with you that you can self-teach a lot of things but I for one started so dumb that even the tutorials talked over my head sometimes. Each person is going to have to figure out what works best for them.
The search feature is very useful to refine your preferences when seeking out specific information. Thanks for the tips about "members", as that can really refine one's search.
Thanks for the reminder about the search button and how and when we could actually use it!
The search button really is a great feature. I started using it when I first joined and still use it all the time and find it extremely useful.
I am learning so much using active rain. I am learning from others and realizing that I have some good info myself. I am now giving myself mor ecredit for the knowledge I have.
Nice post. I've used this before when searching for various topics when I need info. Thanks!
Thanks for pointing that out to all. This weekend one of the links didn't work right on the AR newsletter and I did exactly what you said to read the featured posts that I wanted. Took a little extra time but I found the info needed. It's also helped when I've read a post before and didn't bookmark it for the future then tried to find it again.
Jeremy ... thanks for this good post about SEARCH at AR, which I have used a number of times.
I am one of those guys who once said ... "Sorry for bugging you, I didn't know where else to find the answer." Thanks for your patience.
Jeremy - I have written a blog post before that I was sure was going to be great NEW news... and then after I posted it, I thought.... Hmmm, I wonder if anyone else has posted this info??? sure enough the AR Search revealed that several people had already beaten me to the punch ;o
so now if I have some "New" thing to post about I search for it first to see if anyone has already written a great post about it, then I can either forget the whole thing :( or better yet Re-blog their post with my own opinions/info, or just write my own version of it if my thoughts differ to much from theirs.
The search tool is also a great way to find info about a certain subject of interest, like what is working for agents today, or how did others handle a certain situation... Thanks for the post...
Good info Jeremy. did not realize all of the "advanced" search capabilities. Please keep the info coming. Thanks.
I recently did an Active Rain training session in my office.
The focus was not using Active Rain as a blogging platform to create Google Juice and feed 100's of people to your website.
The focus was using Active Rain as a regular Wikipedia of information on Real Estate.
I typed various topics into the search box and demonstrated how easy it is to find what you are looking for.
One stop shopping for all your real estate needs!
LOL...
I just used the search feature to try and locate a new member who sent me an email. You are not him. Not even close :)
I really wish when they send those emails they'd give me a link to their blog :)
TLW...ROAR!
Ok this is ONE this I figured out on my own........
I fell in love all over again with ActiveRain at the RainCamp in SF. I left my heart at RainCamp.... it was the bumb! Right on staff and music too! WOW