Welcome Active Rain New Members & Invited Guests - If you are looking to Active Rain as a place to get rich quick, or just score points, you're in the wrong spot. However, if you're looking to surround yourself with incredible knowledge, experienced professionals, worthy relationships, industry support, and marketing ideas to grow your business and better your Blogging skills, you've landed in the BEST spot on planet earth.
For months now, I have been welcoming "New Members" by adding links in your comments, and a welcome message to your "Very First Post" here on Active Rain. Now, I still welcome you, and just include a link to this post. :-)
As a new member to Active Rain, I'm inviting you to join me on a journey which will hopefully guide you through our Active Rain "Land and Community."
I have spent numerous hours creating posts for other friends, members, and invited guests to help them speed up the "learning & success" process here. My advice, take your time, get yourself set-up properly, and then enjoy the many benefits and privileges of being an Active Rain Member.
Please understand that there are a ton of helpful posts by many members here on AR, and this is no substitute for all the great stuff you will find here. The intent of this post is to guide you through the set-up process, take you on a guided tour of some helpful and "Value-Added" posts and sites, simplify your learning curve, and minimize the time it takes to get you up and running with your Blog on Active Rain. Let's begin step by step....
BEFORE YOU BEGIN:
The first step is to make sure your Profile Page is setup properly. Your profile page on Active Rain is your personal web page within the community. This is the place members and visitors will go to find out more about you, your business, services, products offered, and your experience. #1 How To Set-up Your Active Rain Profile, #2 How To Complete Your Active Rain Profile - Part II and #3 Your Active Rain Profile - Your Masterpiece (also see Active Rain New Members - Getting Started )
NOW START HERE:
You'll want to be sure that all your "settings" in Active Rain are set to your specifications, and getting you the maximum results for your time and efforts here. This post covers all the settings options available on your personal settings page. How To Use Your "My Settings" Page & Active Rain Settings & SEO Benefits
THE NEXT STEP:
This next post is a compilation, which will give you some great links, ideas, and resources to really kick-off your Blog, and possibly answer some of the many questions you may have at this point. The Bloggers Start-Up Kit is FREE for you to use and refer to when needed. You will find many of these links and this information posted there. Blogger Startup Kit
ADDING ASSOCIATES and SUBSCRIBING:
Adding associates and subscribing to their Blog is what keeps Active Rain alive and thriving. It's another big part of the relationship building process here. There are a couple things to know about when doing this.
So You've Added Me as an Associate
BEING THE FEATURED AGENT ON ACTIVE RAIN:
You are now ready to go to the next level with your Active Rain Blogging experience! Many new members want to know how to get to the coveted "Featured Member" status in their geographic areas. There is an easy explanation of how to do this, and yes, it can be you. You will get out of this community as much, and even more than you put into it. Here's how.
Do You Want to be the "Featured Member" in your Area
OTHER QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE HERE ON ACTIVE RAIN:
How do I know if anyone is reading my Blog and why should I care?
Who's Reading Your Blog - 3 Ways To Find Out
We all have to learn by our mistakes, but sometimes, can we learn by others? 7 Mistakes to Avoid on Active Rain
What makes a good post on my Blog? Is there a formula?
5 Principles to Creating an Effective Post
What do I need to know to keep from getting frustrated here?
Warning ALL Active Rain Members - You Can't Go Back
MARKETING AND FARMING YOUR BLOG:
All of us started here just as you have, learning as we go, advancing by trial and error, and gathering data from others to try and be more successful in our attempt to grow business, build referrals, and establish relationships. Here's a post that will help you market your Blog more effectively, instead of just waiting for someone to hopefully find it by a Google "Keyword" search, or through osmosis and luck. Marketing and Farming Your Blog
TOOLS FOR YOU TO USE:
Is there something I should know before I begin my Blog?
Successful Blogging in the Real Estate Industry
Why would I want to use or include Video on my Blog or in my posts?
Video and Your Blog - See Future Technology
What does Google have to offer me, my Blog, and my business for FREE?
20 Google Tools for Your Business
Where do I find cool photos, graphic, clip-art, and stuff for my Blog?
FREE Photos and Graphics and Clip-Art
What is a widget, and how do I add them to my Blog or sidebar?
Widgets: How to Add Them to Your Blog
How do I keep up with the stuff I want to know more about?
Staying "Alerted"
How do I use my Statistics Page on Active Rain and why?
Using your Active Rain Statistics Page to Improve Your Blog
How can I create custom maps for my website or Blog?
New Tools for Your BLOG - Customized Mapping
I'm a REALTOR®, can I add my Listings to Active Rain? If so, where and how?
Activerain MLS On-line
JOINING ACTIVE RAIN GROUPS:
There are over 3000 Groups here on Active Rain. This area is entirely up to you as far as which ones to join. I suggest you take an hour, look through them all, and determine which ones will benefit you most. As you create posts on Active Rain, you'll want to add them to "Topic Related" groups, so choose wisely. Please DO NOT add your posts to groups if they are not ON TOPIC for that group.
Here's a couple groups I recommend if you're new here, and looking for some places to hang out and learn while starting your adventure here. You can search ALL GROUPS, just click here. You can also create your own GROUP by CLICKING HERE, but please do a thorough SEARCH first, chances are, that group may already exist!
Active Rain Newbies, Blogging Etiquette 101, The Art Of Marketing You, Practice Here!, Blogging & SEO
SEARCHING ACTIVE RAIN:
You may want to search for others you know here, maybe some specific topics, keywords, or even a particular Blog or post that may have the answers you're looking for. There are a few ways to do this more efficiently and more affectively. Finding What You Need - The Ultimate Search!
QUESTIONS YOU MAY STILL HAVE:
What is all the Fuss about Blogging, I have a website already.
Should You Have A Blog or a Website
My Blog is great for the Cyber World, how does in benefit me in the Real World? Your Blog in the REAL World
Which program is the best to build my database of clients?
How Important is your Database? Think Inside the Box
Is there a tool that allows visitors to search just my Website or Blog?
Do You Want Visitors Searching Your Blog
WHAT DOES "PAYING IT FORWARD" MEAN ON ACTIVE RAIN?
Paying it forward is a term you will see used frequently here on AR. It simply means to "Pay Forward" a kind deed or gesture to another member or person as you see fit. It's like paying the toll bridge fee for the person in the car behind you. They in turn pay for the person behind them, and so on, and so on. It's a great way to give back to a community that gives so much to you. It's OK to take from the "rain", but you must also be willing to give back, or "Pay it Forward" from time to time. Paying It Forward, Active Rain Style
LASTLY, OTHER POSTS YOU MIGHT FIND USEFUL:
FLOCK - The "New" Social Web Browser
REALTOR® - The Way It Should Be
Active Rain | A Referral Network & Business Goldmine
FINALLY - You are ready to be cut loose and set FREE to roam around the Active Rain Country, but before you go, I've started an AR Birthday Calendar, so can you please click on the link below and enter your birthday?
ENTER YOUR BIRTHDAY HERE
It's not that we need to know how old you are, it's that when your birthday comes, we want to do something special for you. Members are important, and sharing that special day is just my way of having an excuse and good reason for "PARTY TIME" with you!! :-)
Good luck to you in all your endeavors here, I hope that you'll get as much out of this place as the rest of us members have. This truly is the one and only place that you'll find yourself coming back to, time and time again. To find other informative posts here, just search the keywords, "Active Rain Community Support", or just CLICK HERE!
Don't be overwhelmed, give yourself 2 weeks to get through this post, and all the links and information here! It took an entire year in the making! :-)
Content Copyright Protected © 2008 
Brad........ Cudos to you ! This is a POWERFUL post. You have freated a Great EAD START package here. I have saved this to help in my AR growth too.
You always deliver a great blog !
THANK YOU !
I bet its on its way.... good post, Brad! I'll bookmark for newbies!
Hey Brad.. Nice job.. Candace is right.. Not only is this good for "newbies" but "old timer's" as well. (and anyone in between!)
Thanks for the email today..
Rock on.. :-)
WoW Brad...fantastic ....and you've been flagged!
BTW my Birthday is 7/12/??
So much helpful information in this one post- thank you!
Kathy
Excellent job! This is priceless for newblies and oldbies too.
Howdy Brad
Very fine written post with lots of very helpful info for anyone needing to know how to do things.
You a fine man to take the time to do this for folks.
Have a good one
Dale
This could be titled "The AR Bible". Very thorough and well put together,
Brad---This is the most informative post I have ever seen. The time you put into this just shows the type of people we have here at Active Rain. Thanks a lot Brad
Hi Brad - WOW, this is THE compilation for all new members and some of us that have been around quite awhile, too, as a great resource reminder of all that's here and all the cool things we can do, too.
You ROCK!
Ann
Dear Encyclopedia Bradtannica. Thank you for the 27 volume series on being awesome on Active Rain. :0
Bookmarked. I'm going to re-read this, too. Since there are too many ideas and articles to digest all at once.
Just curious, did you catch my post on how I use the Associate feature? I think that's a good one for beginners, too...but I won't link to it on your blog (that's the etiquette, right?)
Even though I am not completely new...I have a lot to learn. Thank you for this post. It is by far, the best post I have read! Lots of information that will help me!
Brad,
You always have the best techie stuff on your posts. The birthday alarm is cool.
Brad,
It's going to take me all week to sift through this! GREAT job, and congrats on the feature!!!
Mike in Tucson
So why didn't you do this when we first started? But we're glad you're helping others with it now.
Hope the new place is working out much better for you than those bums ;-)
best
Brad,
I am a newbie! And I have been attempting to navigate and learn the ins and out of Active Rain. This is very informative and as a Newbie, I appreciate your assistance.
Candace - I don't post as much as I used to, so I have to make sure each post is worthy. This one should help save many friends and members a ton of time here. I'm willing to sacrifice some of mine if it saves them some too. :-)
Greetings back at ya, hope you're doing well and keeping busy with your RE sales! Wish you were closer, I'd love to be your Title and Escrow Company! (Big Smile)
Barbara - if you can't find what you need here in this post, feel free to comment here anytime with any questions or answers that you may need.
This could end up being my official "Support Post" for Active Rain.
If I don't have the answers for you, I do know where to find them here. ( I sound like a pusher in prison don't I? ) LOL
Seriously though, if you have any questions, feel free to ask me anytime.
Dale Baker
Love Your Style
Your Comment Really stood out to me, it gave you a kind of signature!
It also gave me this idea....
I think I'll comment this way from now on.
Establish a new "Sig" of my own.
Might make the dialogs on my post easier to read and follow..Hmmm
Love it, thanks for the comment, the compliment, and the unique Idea!
:-)
JANICE KUTT- GRAB YOUR UMBRELLA & COME ON DOWN!- YOU ARE THE NEXT NEWBEE TO BE FEATURED ON THE ACTIVE RAIN NETWORK!
BRAD: I included a link to this post in my welcome post to a new agent in my team. Thanks for always posting such wonderful information
Hope life is better for you now than it was in early January
Don
Brad - I love how helpful and clear you are - I try to do something like this and it is a convoluted road map that no one understands - thank you
Thesa - don't cut yourself short...I have seen your work here, your features, and your contributions to the rain. You are awesome, and we all appreciate you and your work here too!
Brad:
Glad to see that you are back in the game. I know that I have a ton of questions, of which I have been without a doubt searching for answer, I will perusing your blogs for the solution.
Thanks.
Brad,
I appreciate you helping newbies. I know you have helped me a lot.
Brad-
Thanks for all of the useful info! Greatly appreciated!
Live good. Be Happy.
-Mimi
Mimi Osterdahl / The Muljat Group Realtors / Bellingham, Washington / www.LiveGoodBeHappy.com
2008 President, Northwest Washington Women's Council of Realtors
Brad,
i'd bookmarked and I think this is invaluable info you put it all together.
Thanks so much
very useful blog it goes on an on with info
I love your opening statements. But now that I've been distracted by the little fellow on the right, why does he seem to fall on his butt before opening the door?
Lisa - he falls on his butt because he's so busy waving and showing off, he can't see the invisible door. He comes out of an invisible door, then leaves through the invisible door. This always happens to members commenting this far down the post! LOL!! He's really only suppose to be there to draw attention to the "links".
Did it work? Did you click? NO. You just want to know why he falls on his butt!! Swell.... :-) Thanks for the laugh!!
I am not new anymore but I still come back and check out the group and your posts especially. Always something to learn. How's the new job and the family? Just wanted to learn a little bit today and say hello to you. Great post - as usual.
Rosemary - we are good, hope all is well with you too. Thanks for stopping in to say hi! Always great to see you.
Brad---This is the most informative post I have ever seen. The time you put into this just shows the type of people we have here at Active Rain. Thanks a lot Brad.
Thomas - that is one heck of a compliment...thank you. I hope this isn't the first post you've read here. LOL
The type of people you will find here, well let me just say, you will find them no where else... ever!! :-)
Hi Brad - WOW, this is THE compilation for all new members and some of us that have been around quite awhile, too, as a great resource reminder of all that's here and all the cool things we can do, too.
You ROCK!
Ann - there is a ton to learn here, and it takes so much time, I hope this will really help new members with a jump start that some of us old timers never had. After a year here, this is all I've figured out, and now someone can learn it all in a week. Now that's the power of the rain!! and not to argue with you, but YOU ROCK!! :-)
Dear Encyclopedia Bradtannica. Thank you for the 27 volume series on being awesome on Active Rain. :0
Bookmarked. I'm going to re-read this, too. Since there are too many ideas and articles to digest all at once.
Just curious, did you catch my post on how I use the Associate feature? I think that's a good one for beginners, too...but I won't link to it on your blog (that's the etiquette, right?)
Joey - I think you have created a new nick name for me and I kinda like it! "Encyclopedia Bradtannica" as far as your post, I'll have to check it out when I get the chance. Thanks for checking out my other Blogs too, nice to have visitors over there once in a while too! Thanks!! :-)
Brad, it's worth repeating this is a great compilation. I've only touched on a few of the resources you have listed. Thanks for putting them in one place
Craig - it does seem more convenient to have them all in one location. Makes it more like a table of contents or a help manual. Thanks for your gratitude!! I appreciate your comments and support. B-)
Hi Missy - thanks, I hope it will be useful to the new members. Maybe more new people will dive in and post instead of joining and leaving this behind with never a single post! I really despise this photo! LOL!~
Brad, what an excellent resource for newbies - this is incredible!!!!! The AR guys should just email a copy of this post to every person when they sign up!
Lisa - I normally welcome new members to AR with a link to a post like this, but we can only welcome those who have written their first post. (that's about 10% if that) AR should send out a welcome with some links. It doesn't have to be mine, or this one, but I do agree, that's a great idea! Thanks!! :-)
Bob and Carolin - thanks for your blessings and approval!
How many more ways can a guy think of to say "thanks!" :-)
Larry - many of us had to Hack our way around to learn what we know here. I have chosen to, and declare "Save The Hacker Day" as a new Holiday on the rain! I also want to incorporate the "Bring A Buddy" day or "Tell A Friend" week to promote AR. If they'd only hire me, I have so many great ideas for this community!! LOL!! :-)
I want to run for "Mayor" of Active Rain. I'm working on my stimulus package now.... :-)
HI Braf,
thanks fo the the concise post :) I will keep it for friends that join
Anne
Gary - I would have done it sooner, but it took all this time to write all these and then compile them. One year exactly. I started here in Feb. just a month before you guys, and look at ya now! I think you have moved into the #6 position in CA., and you've written over 400 posts! That's almost triple what I've written. WOW! You should be the ones creating the "hot to" here on AR! Congrats on ALL your successes, it's been great watching you and your Blog grow here! :-)
BTW - The new job is great, the market is picking up, just wish it were more and faster!!
You truly are amazing! Not sure that 2 weeks is sufficient time for a slowpoke like me. haha But I will muddle thru this and in the end, my blog will thrive. Thanks for being here, Brad.
Hi Nancy - 2 weeks is the crash course! Remember, it took me a year to write all these posts and compile them into this one. No pressure, take your time, and most of this stuff, I think you already know. Let me know if you think there is anything I need to add to this post for our new members. Thanks Nancy, you're the BEST!! :-)
Brad - I'm constantly overwhelmed by your generous, loving spirit. May God richly bless you and your family.
Marlene - I am constantly overwhelmed by how many wonderful, loving, and caring people I have met here on AR like YOU! That is the Richly Blessed Life that I enjoy, having friends just like you! I hope you are blessed as much as you bless others. Life is beautiful, but people are what make it that way! :-)
Brad - This is a phenomenal list of links! I've been here for about a year and a half, and I'm even going to take a look at most of these. You definitely have a talent for building effective systems.
John - thanks for that fine compliment. I remember yours was one of the first Blogs I read here. It's great to get a comment from someone you look up to and consider a silent mentor. I have learned so much from so many here, you included. Thanks for being here, all your efforts an contributions, and for taking the time to comment and go through this post. Let me know if there's anything you think I should add for our new members. Thanks my friend, have a great week! :-)
Brad, Are you looking for job with Active Rain? (LOL). Man, you are THE resource for all things AR. Thanks for your great contribution.
Dan - you never know....LOL! I do love this place, but more than that, I love what I learn and get to share. I love the freedom, the ability to grow, and most of all, I love helping others. It's a passion of mine that just won't go away. I've tried. So thanks for the compliment, maybe one day, I'll be more than just a Blogger here.. :-)
What a great post. I am still trying to get to know the site. Thanks for all the great information. Jessica Cordell
My goodness, what a GREAT resource for anyone joining ActiveRain - not to mention a few who have been around a while. I'll be reviewing this throughout the week, to make sure I haven't missed any of those previous articles. Congrats on another GREAT post.
Margaret - I think you have probably seen most of these posts, but feel free to browse through and see if there are any you might have missed. I think you have commented on every single post of mine. Thank you! :-)
I teach a class for Realtors monthly this will be a site that I recommend.VERY good info!
Karel - feel free to use this post for your class or to direct new members. I know it can be frustrating when you first sign up and don't know where to go. :-)
Brad, I don't think any unique adjectives are left so I will just say this is just awesome. I sure wish I had something like this when I joined AR. This should be a must read for all! I know a lot of work went in to this post...thanks so much from all of us!
Diane - you don't need any adjectives, just having your comment and appreciation is plenty good for me! Thank you for that, it really does mean a lot to me! :-)
Good post - I wish I had found this one when I started. Maybe AR could set it up to be emailed to new members when they sign up?
Kevin - thanks! I was just discussing that with AR last night over dinner, I think they have some great plans coming ahead! Thanks for that vote of confidence for my post! I'm just here to help those I can, when I can.
I haven't gone through all of the fantastic information you have put together for us yet. Wow, you are just awesome. I have a feeling that when I get through this information, so many of the questions I've been wondering about will be answered.
From what I have read of you, it sounds like you are such a great person. I am so glad things are going in a positive direction for you. You are so appreciated here on Active Rain.
Brad,
Thanks for writing this post......I have it bookmarked for my use and for members I invite to join....
Brad:
Glad to see that you are back in the game. I know that I have a ton of questions, of which I have been without a doubt searching for answer, I will perusing your blogs for the solution.
Thanks.
Lorraine and Loretta, feel free to use this post to ask any questions that you may have. This will be kinda like a tech support post for anyone who reads my Blog. I will always comment back, and if I don't know the answer to your question, I will find it for you. So ask away..... :-)
Brad- Thanks for this post. Whether you're new to AR or not, this post is an excellent source for information. I've bookmarked it because I know I'll need to come back to it often. Thanks for sharing.
Matt - you're welcome back anytime, and if you see another new member or even veteran that may be struggling, please feel free to forward when necessary. Thank YOU for sharing my friend!! :-)
I'm not new but there was some great information in there, so I bookmarked this. You can always benefit from a refresher course, right?
Christy - refresher is like riding a bike, feels funny when you don't do it for a while, but it only takes a second to get right back into the swing of things. Some of the stuff here I forget, but when someone comments, it forces me to goback and read my own post. I actually learn some stuff from myself! LOL!~ :-)
Brad,
This is my first week as a blogger, and I want to thank you for the wealth of information that you have provided in such a condensed manner. Bloggin is strangely far more difficult yet far more enjoyable than I thought it would be. Your advice will help greatly. Thank you again.
Brad,
Thank you so much for the great information. It is really great to have someone willing to share tips.
I really appreciate your helpfulness!
Brad,
Great advice.. I am going to try to log on and blog more often. Just I seem to lose focus and start surfing. I guess I will check blogs for time management next. lol
Geez. Are you the new unofficial welcoming committee? I hope the newbies appreciate all this information. If they take it to heart, it can help them enjoy blogging experience much more, as it will be much more profitable.
Lisa - I am the unofficial whatever you want me to be! LOL!~ Just trying to do my part in this wonderful community....shoot, I could have been the janitor! Imagine all the trash that needs to be emptied from time to time here! (laughing out loud really hard) Thanks!!
Dustin - you're welcome, take your time and have fun! That is always the most important thing! You will learn more by doing here, this is just a place to start! Thanks for the comment, let me know if you need help anytime.
Brad,
Thanks. I bookmarked this post and will come back later to read all the links. Great stuff. I've been with AR for exactly 1 month today or one month and 1 day as it is almost 1 AM and I have learned a lot. I tried to contribute as much as I can. Thank you for all you wonderful people for sharing your knowledge with us newbies.
Brad,
Please tell me it took you days to assemble this tremendous post...only a brother title guy would have this much patience!!! I personally thank you and admire your thoughtfulness!!! Thanks, Fran
Hi, it is great that you took the time to help us newbies learn the ropes a bit. I have changed the name of my blog and am looking through Google to understand how to register my blog. I did register my Keller Williams website with them, just not sure how to do a 2nd domain name. But, I'm working on it.
I'd love to subscribe to more blogs, but I think it will take me weeks to get through reading all of your helpful hints and understanding them. My real estate skills are far better than my technical skills!
I think the biggest problem I have is knowing what to read first; the home page has so many choices. I did find your posts though, so that's progress.
Brad - You are AWESOME. Thank you so much for such an informative post.
Thanks for taking the time to help all the 'Newbies' out there. It is much appreciated...
I AGREE ! HOLY COW BRAD! Wow What a great job and it must have took you all day to do this blog! I think their is plenty of info on here for all of us! THANK YOU!
Diana - you're very welcome!
Judy - I do remember, and I wouldn't hve it any other way! Thanks.. :-)
Cindy - it seems a lot at first, but then it all comes clear. Let me know if I can help you out in any way.
Bob - thanks for that comment, you're the awesome one!
Greg - inspiration they say is all we need, thanks my friend. X 2. LOL!~ :-)
Lori - it took a year to write and gather all this into one post! Glad you can use it.
Linda - We all started as newbies, remembering those days is why I create these posts. We had no manuals.
Tom - THANK YOU! I love when I get comments of members who are clearly excited and appreciative.
Yes, this post to all day to write and a year to create.
GOD BLESS YOU!! This is awesome. Kelli
Jon - totally welcome, thank you! :-)
Pamela - glad you found this info to be of value to you. If you need any help, let me know...glad to help!
Kelli - The blessing is you! Thanks for that and for commenting. Be blessed! :-)
Would totally invite your (polite and appropriate) comments to my recent (contoversial) blog; Realtors + Home Stagers = $$$$$$
Best regards:
Thom Scanlon ASP/IAHSP/RESA
Houston Home Staging
Brad, I am a newbie. A year after signing up I decided to come back and see what A/R is all about. I am learning alot,and I know I have alot more to go. My question is how can I change my username? I can't find it on my profile page to edit it. I will work on my official introduction for this weekend so A/R people will know I exist.
Thank you
Windy
Windy - you might need to contact Active Rain support for that one. I can't change it for you but maybe they can! Welcome back, it's great to have you here. Looking forward to your posts!
Contact ActiveRain
Windy - you might need to contact Active Rain support for that one. I can't change it for you but maybe they can! Welcome back, it's great to have you here. Looking forward to your posts!
Contact ActiveRain
BRAD, You are totally awesome ! You answered me superman fast. I will contact support.
Thank you
Laurie - there are a couple ways to save this post for future reference, the easiest way is to use the bookmark tool at the bottom of the post. Every post on Active Rain has this option.
You can use the email icon to send to a friend, or the "Bookmark" to save to your Active Rain bookmarks folder.
Brad
You be the man! You pack so much information into your blogs, we don't have to go anywhere else.
Hi Brad,
This is great information, thanks for taking the time especially for Newbies like me - Active Rain is definitely a great place to network, especially in this market!
Janet - I have used this post to welcome many new members to ActiveRain. I'm glad you were able to find it and I'm happy it is useful for you. AR is an awesome place to network in ANY market. There are so many success stories here, imagine how many there will be when the market really picks up nationally. All the efforts here will really pay off in that market as well. :-))
My page is too wide. How do I customize it to make it fit less wide on the center of my screen?
Arthur - you can use the activeraincustomizer.com site to adjust or modify your blog. Here's a link to a tutorial post. ActiveRain Customizer
WOW! I am a newbie as of 3 weeks ago, this will save me a lot of valuable time searching and making mistakes!
Thank you!
JoLynn - thank you, but there is no real way to help you keep from making mistakes. It's ok to make them here, that's how we learn to grow and help each other. I'm glad this post will help you, there are hundreds of members with thousands of helpful posts on AR just like this one. You WILL love this place and all the information that is available to you 24/7, and right at your fingertips.
Welcome to the "Rain" JoLynn, we're happy you're here. :-)
OK, I give up. Where do I go to put my header and background pcis on AR.
Thanks in advance.
Great Post! Very Informative.
Gerald - you have to use the AR Customizer, here's a link to the video instructions.
John - glad you liked it. I see you're selling restaurants, we should talk. :-)
WOW, this is huge
Randy - This is really 3 posts in one, I just get too excited sometimes, and don't know when to hit the "Submit Post" button. lol~ Thanks. :-)
Hi Brad,
I read your great post and still cannot figure out how to change my professional title on the search engine. For example "real estate - other" to "real estate agent." ANy feedback would be great. Thanks again!
Imma - I took care of that for you, and sent you an email. Contact me anytime you need any help here. Have a great weekend. :-))
Wow! Great post. I should have started here, but I didn't and some of the stuff I learned has been by trial and error and frankly was getting a little overwhelmed and thinking maybe this was not for me. Glad I found your post. I will have to go back and re-read it and follow the advice.
Question:
Is there a way to save the post so I could come back to it? I found a great post the other day and just could not find it
Also, is there a way that I could "auto pop" the pass word to submit my comment? some of the passwords are lenghty and confusing and for one miss letter it rejects my comment.
Thank you!
Brad: I am glad I found your post. I have been on ar for a couple of months but I still keep learning new things.
Aida - DON'T GIVE UP! I know what you are experiencing, I've been there, done that! :-)
1) You can bookmark posts to come back later and review. Look for the icon (BookMark) at the bottom of every post. Just click on it, that adds it to your "BookMark List" on your "My Home" page.
2) If you use FireFox as your browser, it remembers what you've typed into the password box. You only have to type it the first time, from then on, it will automatically pop up for you to select. I don't think IE Browsers offer that option.
Let me know if you need any assistance with either of these, I'm happy to help you out when you need. Thx.
FYI - if you do mis-spell a word, you won't lose your comment, you'll just get another password to enter.
Greg - there's quite a bit you can learn here, the key is to take one day and one post at a time. If you are committing any significant amount of time here, you will learn more on this network than you ever thought possible. I've been here just over a year, and I still learn new stuff every single day. The relationships you build are the greatest asset here, but the knowledge and information available is very powerful too.
I use Sharper Agent for my flyer creations. I am trying to use the HTML code in the ActiveRain Blog Post, but for some reason it is not creating the flyer, but merely showing the code when I post. What could cause this problem? Any ideas? Thanks
Ben - you need to click on the HTML tab at the top of your "New" post. It defaults to the "WYSIWYG" tab. Just click on the HTML tab, then paste your code in the body of the post and save. That should work. If not, let m know and we'll figure it out for you. :-)
Can anyone tell me how to change my "category". I guess there was an error when I started my profile and I am not showing up as a "home stager" as I should. Thanks for your help.
I will change you to home stager. You'll also want to login to ActiveRain before trying to create blog posts, make comments, setup your profile etc. When you login next time, you will officially be a "Home Stager!" Let me know if you have any additional questions or need any more help. ;-)
This is all provided that your profile and setup is under "All American"
All American - I will need more info from you to make your requested changes. We have no profile with that name here on AR. Send me an email with your personal information and how you setup your account here on AR, and I'll take care of the rest. Thanks! :-)
Yikes!! The custom design that I had added to my blog and some custom links have disappeared from my site. Do you have any clues for me? I did contact the help desk except the they didn't seem to recognize my login. So I'm not sure it went through. Can you help? Thanks, Judy
Sorry, thought I was logged in :-( Judy
Judy - if you weren't logged in, I wonder if that made a difference with your customized blog? If not, what browser are you using? IE has been giving other members some issues. Feel free to call or email me anytime and I will try and walk you through it over the phone ok? :-)
Wow, so much to digest all at one time. I hope I can get as proficient at this as you are.
Thanks for all of the tips, I am sure I will be back often for more information. Before I start asking all sorts of questions that are probably already answered here, I will do some searching first.
Eugene and Fred - feel free to come back and ask away anytime. If you click on my name below this comment, you will find all the other tutorial posts I have written for ActiveRain members. There is also a link at the bottom of every AR page that will take you the the HELP/FAQ group where you will find tons of helpful posts and information. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to login to AR before commenting or doing anything, that way, members will have a link to your profile and blog here. :-)
Great article - thank you for all the links to getting started up, too! Your help is greatly appreciated!
Greetings Brad - This article took a year to develop and 6mos later it is still bearing fruit. I'm a newbie and the resources in this one post look like a wealth of information. I will bookmark it and see if I can get through all of it in 2 weeks (I have my doubts). Thanks for your contribution to the community.
Michael Scher - www.WhoInspects.com
I am new on active rain, and new to blogging. I had already bookmarked another one of your posts. this one is definitely a good start for me to start to read and learn more. congratulations.
I am down in Mexico, and wanting to meet many more people in the industry, share my knowledge and expertise of buying real estate and investing in real estate down here in Mexico, referrals, bank trusts, condo investments etc.. I think Active Rain is a great community to do so. My goal was to share my experiences and knowledge, but find myself being the student here in Active Rain. Thats good!
Thanks Brad... I have you at the top of my favorites list
- Thomas
Hi Brad...What a wonderful piece of work this is.
Just yesterday I gave a brief demo on AR to other agents in my office. I will now pass this along to them. Perhaps they will be more inclined to give it a try.
Kathleen
Wow!! Thank you for sharing all of this information!! It is wonderful and I will be passing it on as well!! I am really going to like all this information sharing!!
Hi Again...Meant to tell you this will be a great tutorial for me also. I still do not know it all (and I'm not a know it all either).
Kathleen
THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've been trying to figure all this out, going from post to post. Well, I've made some mistakes. I have been adding people as associates first of all. I did not know about BOOKMARK LOL!!! And.........I did not leave any comments. It never occured to me I am so sorry. This is a big help. Thank you.
THANK YOU!!!!
Wow, great directions!!!!! I see you already have 234 posts saying pretty much the same thing. But in my brief stay here, I have been actively! absorbing great info from members posts, like yourself, and my policy is to say thank you when I read valuable content.
Thank you.
This is really great....I see where I have made a mistake by reading your "how to post on Active Rain MLS" section. Going to go your route and sure that will help. You know though....I am "fairly new" and I may stand to be corrected...do not remember getting a "welcome aboard" from you....????
greetings--brad,
great helpful info. all in one place!!, as a relative newbie--this and the other information you have posted really helps, to understand the community. keep it up.--thanks
Mike - glad you found some stuff here helpful.
Michael - it did take a year and it's hard to believe it's still going. Some posts live and some die, happy that this one is still bearing fruits! :-)
Thomas - you're too kind. Thank you. I look forward to the knowledge you'll be sharing. We are all students and teachers in one form or another. Welcome to AR, you'll get much more from here than you could ever imagine. Paying it forward is how ActiveRain thrives.
Kathleen - thank you for sharing this with others. I hope it will be a useful post they can benefit from.
Karen - you have no idea...you could spend a month here and learn more than most people learn their entire careers. The best of the best are scattered all through out the country, just like they are on AR. The information and wealth of experience here is un-comprehend-able.
Kathleen - that was cute, thanks! :-)
Novella - I have posted some other useful posts for new members on my profile page. They are sorted by category. Just click on my name in the bottom of this comment if you're needing any more info.
Maya - :-)
Margaret - I feel compelled to thank you too. Many people sometimes apply the "read & run" policy and never comment, so I sincerely appreciate that you took the time to read and comment both. Your voice is always welcomed here. Thanks.
Alicia - I'm sorry, you didn't get a welcome from me so I'll welcome you now. I use to welcome every new member every day with a link to posts like this, then just ran out of time to do it each day. My plate may be full, but that doesn't make new members any less important to me. Welcome to ActiveRain, the best place on earth to Network, Blog and do business.
Andrea - glad this helps you out. This is just one post in thousands you are going to find here that will help you with ALL aspects of the industry. Anything you want to learn about, it's here. My favorite line is, "ActiveRain is like trying to drink out of a Firehose!" :-)
Brad,
I am still unclear how to add an associate. I have tried adding several and none of them show up, including you! I really appreciate all your information about how to help us get started and am really enjoying being part of the A/R community.
Hi Gail, when you click on the "add associate" button over another members photo, you're adding them to your associates, be sure to leave them a comment. When someone clicks on your button over your photo, they are adding you to their list. There are 2 lists you can access now. You'll find both links on the "My Home" page. The top link to associates are those you'v added, the bottom link at the bottom of the page is all those members who have added you. Hope this helps, go check it out, you'll see what I mean. Let me know if you need more help. :-)
Hi Brad,
Did you do some magic? I had tried this before and it didn't work. However after reading your answer to me, it does now. Thanks so much for your help.
Gail - Not MagicBrad... ActiveBrad!! lol~ Glad it makes more sense now and is working for you. :-)
Brad-You never cease to amaze me on the quality of your blogs. It must be a gift. Thanks once a again for such great info
Pat - thanks for that compliment, you made my "Labor Day!" Blogs can be Labor intensive, but always worth the effort and reward. Thanks again. :-)
Brad,
I have just joined Active Rain and it looks like I have alot of reading and studying to do but I have a question and think you could answer it best. I have subsribed to at least 10 groups (or at least I thought I did). When I go to my profile it says I have subscribed to 0 blogs. When I subscribe it takes me to a page where it shows what groups I have subscribed to but for the life of me I can't find how to get to that page from "My Home".
I'm feeling pretty technically challenged at the moment but I'm a fast learner. I feel like I'm learning how to walk and talk all over again. I love a challenge though so I won't give up. I could use a little "basic info"
I also can't figure out how to answer blog comments.
By the way.....you are so inspiring!! Thanks for all you do on this site.
Anice - Welcome! Here is the link you need to start at: Getting Started on ActiveRain. This will answer many of your questions, save you tons of time and frustration, and give you the tools and navigation capability to get around the community in a fun and productive way. I know it will help. Thanks.
Brad,
I didn't receive this when I joined. I wish I had received it. There is a lot of info here.
Thanks,
Chastity
Chastity - you should have received a link to the "Getting Started" post when you joined (if recently). It has a link to this post in it. Thanks for stopping by, checking it out, and leaving your comment, I appreciate it. :-)
PS. The getting started link is on the AR Main page, just under channels in the "More Information" box.
THANK YOU! Totally helped!
Marianne - it's a good place to start, glad this helped. I appreciate the comment, now go have some fun and best of luck to you here. :-)
Thank you for responding...YOU are the source of all things Active Rain!
Marianne - consider me your resource for anything you need here, but keep in mind, there are sooo many other members here that are just as valuable and resourceful to you as well. AR is the GREATEST online resource for information and experienced friendly members. It's Truly a ONE-STOP-SHOP here.
Thanks for such a nice follow-up comment.
Brad, I actually met Ricardo Bueno at a conference last week. He's the one that clued me into AR. He's been very helpful as well. Oh, and another extremely helpful fellow is Jay Thompson, The Phoenix Real Estate Guy.
Anyone interested in these very helpful guys, should check them out at:
Ricardo Bueno: http://activerain.com/buenofinance
Jay Thompson: http://activerain.com/jaygt
Marianne - Both good guys, I'd list about 500 others, but maybe I'll save that for my next post! LOL~ Glad you decided to join, Thanks to Ricardo for bringing you on board. You're gonna owe him big time for that one. :-))
Brad,
I bookmaked this one, still go back to it, and send it to new members I invite. Once of the best overall summaries on how to get started!
Ann - thank you, what a nice comment you left. I'm glad you are finding this to be helpful for those members you invite and send this to. Thanks again. :-)
This is the best of all...I could read this blog every day and still learn something new!
Hi Brad, So glad that I followed your 'year in review' link. This is just what I needed! I've done the first few steps, now on to the others... I've posted 3 (w/ one featured!!!) , haven't found my voice yet. I suppose it will come. I'll look more.
Hi again, I forgot to mention. I'll plan to give a link to this post to those that I've invited to AR.
Marian - I have a better one called "Getting Started", there's a link to it on the main AR page. You can also find more like this on my profile page. Hopefully this will help anyone you invite get started. Thanks. :-)
Incredibly informative... thanks Brad.
Still a lot of information, But I am trying.
Took me months to discover this, but what a find! Thanks Brad for this very informative post.