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Val Evans

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Ambassador
1,452,819
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I didn't join this site to have the public comment on my posts and have made sure my blog posts do not provide that option.  I came here in 2008 to learn from other Realtors in the trenches.  What I do like is when I choose to filter my blog out to FB, LI, G+ and Twitter.  I am also able to direct it to many other sites of my choosing.  It works well for me and I've had a great number of people find my site simply by googling my tags.  To each their own. 

Dec 11, 2015 10:36 AM
Rainmaker
2,224,473
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

I don't think the general public is as interested in commenting or posting on AR as we are. Perhaps they have a blog somewhere else and post to that. If I went to a blog site for dog breeders, I might read some of the articles, but I probably wouldn't post anything there. I'm here to write informative posts for the consumer to find, and they do. 

Blogging does work. I did get two calls today because of two different posts, and one post was from two years ago. I also recently took a listing because of my posts about a specific market segment. Now those consumers found me, because of my blog, but they didn't leave any comments on the sight. 

Dec 11, 2015 09:24 AM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

I make my Q posts 'Members Only' (public can't see them).
To post, you have to become a member. Then, if you want the public to see, set for public viewing.

Dec 11, 2015 08:45 AM
Rainmaker
2,817,671
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

I'm not sure I completely understand your question.  There is the whole blog section (e.g. go to "following" or "recent posts" or featured). Anyone can comment on public posts - both members and non members.

 

Most of the comments, though, are from AR members.  I occasionally get some non member comments on mine.  (I get more of those on my own blog on my WP site).

 

In order for the public to comment, they need to first find the blog post...generally either by something coming up on the search engines or via a social media post linking to it.  Most of the comments from search engines would generally come later...after the article has come up higher on the search engines (and that often takes time) and would generally not happen during the 1st 24 hrs which is when the AR members are commenting on the blog roll.

 

In addition, a customer needs to realize that they CAN comment and have a desire to comment.  Many don't...they just read the post (and then they may call or email the author if they have an interest).  That is much more common vs. a comment.

Oh, and in order for someone to post a blog post, they need to be a member.  But, anyone can sign up for this.

I hope that answers your question.

Dec 11, 2015 08:38 AM
Rainer
392,768
Anna Hatridge
R Gilliam Real Estate LLC - Farmington, MO
Missouri Realtor with R Gilliam Real Estate LLC

Val, since I share with Facebook and twitter, I get public feedback via those formats.  ActiveRain is a community for those who work in or with the real estate industry.  If you are strictly wanting the public comments, then you might want to check out other social networks.  This is a place to blog about our business,  learn from others and share our special skills. 

Dec 11, 2015 01:02 PM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

If you read a blog post while you are logged out of AR you will see the following appear next to the comment box:

"You must sign in or register to leave a comment"

Similarly for questions.

Dec 11, 2015 08:20 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,134
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I have not noticed much public activity in the Q&A section. I wonder if the current format is even of interest to most consumers.

Dec 11, 2015 09:13 AM
Rainmaker
3,988,007
Debbie Reynolds, C21 Platinum Properties
Platinum Properties- (931)771-9070 - Clarksville, TN
The Dedicated Clarksville TN Realtor-(931)320-6730

If you make your posts public you will occasionally get a public comment. It doesn't happen often but I bet I have had a dozen or so this year.

Dec 11, 2015 09:01 AM
Rainmaker
979,496
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Val - I think Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers have a point. The public would need to enter their name and email address in order to make a comment, and would actually have to join Active Rain if they wanted to write a post; however I think there are a few additional reasons the public does not respond to the posts here on AR.

Many of the AR posts are informational in nature, and not really written to ask for a response from consumers. Most of the time, I think people read the posts, and then if they decide they have a question, or want to work with that agent, they will either email or call them directly. One more reason that other agents have already addressed, is that they are getting some public responses from their posts, but not here on AR. They may be receiving them on their website, or Facebook, etc. where they are also sharing these same posts. Active Rain is not really a platform for the consumer, but more of a platform where agents can write blog posts and get them exposed to the Internet. You don't need AR for that, as agents can use WordPress, or other sites, but some agents like working in this platform.

One reason is that your posts are read by other professionals, and you do receive comments and interaction from them regarding what you wrote. Most of the time it is positive feedback, while other times you may learn how to do things differently.

AR also has a members only section where agents can interact with one another, ask questions, share ideas, vent, etc. This is what I enjoy most, and why I am here. So many of the members here have been so generous with the sharing of their information. I have learned a ton about how to improve my business, and have also made some great friends.

Of course this is just my opinion, but to really get your answer, you should probably ask Bob Stewart.

Dec 13, 2015 03:05 PM
Ambassador
6,393,404
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

The general public does not get to play in this sandbox due to poor behavior in the past.

 

Dec 12, 2015 08:00 AM
Rainmaker
1,291,481
Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mortgage Originator - FHA/VA/Conv/Jumbo/Portfolio/Refi
NMLS #216987, IL Lic. 031.0006220, WI Licensed. APMC NMLS #175656 - New Lenox, IL
708.921.6331 - 40+ yrs experience

I can probably count on one hand the number of times that a public comment or question has been made to a post of mine here on the Rain,  Val Evans ... and I agree with you.  I really thought that I would see that happen much more frequently when I first joined AR.  

I've come to accept that it just doesn't happen for me, as a Lender.  For someone like Debbie Gartner that actually sells a hard service and product, it's probably a little different.  Those possibilities exist and occur more often. Not sure we can compare results ...

What I do hope for as a result of the public reading my post is that they are educated and informed in some way ... it starts them thinking ... and then they are motivated to ask questions.  Either of me, if in my service areas .. or of their own professional.  

I get calls from my posts ... and ultimately business.  The responses just come in a little bit different way and form than I had thought they would initially.  I can live with that!

Gene

Dec 11, 2015 11:52 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,544
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I have had very few comments from the public.   I write about protesting property taxes, and on occasion get comments, but mostly phone calls, which is why I write them! 

Dec 11, 2015 11:05 PM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Because the Active Rain site itself is geared to Agents and or professions associated with real estate, you will get agent questions and that is just fine with me. There are other q and a sites where the public goes and the biggest is now littered with spam. We dont need that here. AR allows you to write your blog and does an incredible job on getting it in front of consumers who are looking to buy, sell or just look. 

Dec 11, 2015 10:25 PM
Rainmaker
2,182,552
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Val, You make a good point ! When trulia owned AR they were pushing us to interact with the Public's Q & A !!! Maybe they ran off with it after they sold ?

Dec 11, 2015 08:15 PM
Rainmaker
2,759,812
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good morning Val. I joined the site to learn more about real estate. Now that I will soon be a licensed real estate agent, I'm learning a lot more.

Dec 11, 2015 07:23 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Val,

I am with Susan Emo on this.  My audience in not the public at large, and I am not expecting comments from the public.  Our comments are disabled on our website, and we usually get emails offering us $$for adding their blogs, or some crazy schemes.  We do have subscribers who follow our blog and will ocasionally call or write to tell us they enjoy it.  

Dec 11, 2015 01:11 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

I've been here since April and I don't think I've ever seen the general public comment or post legit blogs or questions.  I've seen many "Madrid vs. spain" spam posts and one similar comment on a posting of mine.  This site is GEARED mainly to realtors to network, at least that's how it was explained to me.

Dec 12, 2015 09:16 AM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

We don't get very many

Dec 12, 2015 06:02 AM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Before this Q & A section was started there was an area where the public would ask questions.  It was not viewed or answered by most of the members.

Dec 12, 2015 03:22 AM
Rainmaker
4,572,183
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

The questions and comments from the public can occur here although I find it is quite rare.   My interaction with the public comes via a phone call or email inquiry.  They likely will not reference ActiveRain specifically but I can tell an internet search on a particular topic(usually a market report with neighborhood or specific condo complex/address information) has allowed them to "find" me.   

Dec 12, 2015 12:36 AM
Rainer
150,416
Michael Thacker - Re/Max Real Estate Center - Louisville
Re/Max Real Estate Center - The Thacker Group - Louisville, KY
Your best friend who just happens to be a Realtor

I thought that the Rain was geared for agents?

Dec 11, 2015 11:16 PM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I rarely ask a question and when I do it's typically something only for members, looking for some assistance without something. Public doesn't even see these. As I send my AR posts to Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. I tend to get more of a public response to my posts from those venues.

Dec 11, 2015 08:58 PM
Rainmaker
634,482
Kathleen Luiten
Resort and Second-Home Specialist - Princeville, HI
Kauai Luxury Ocean Home Sales

I see an occasional post from the public. More respond to me directly.

Dec 11, 2015 05:09 PM
Rainer
23,743
Eric Valente
Calabasas, CA
Eric

I did not notice any. But yet, many 101 RE questions, is it a new A&Q this days like?

Dec 11, 2015 12:38 PM