Why Should I Focus On This Site?

[Candace Robinson AZ REALTOR®]

HELLO----- Ok-- I have spent several hours here after an invite and I really love the dashboard, flexibility and potential here, but why another forum?
Can anyone tell me what is here that I am not getting on other networking sites? I have yet to see other members other than what I have on AR or cre8buzz???? Please someone give me some insight here as to what this networking is offering or what consumers will find here...Which from what I have read can't find. Thank you in advance. Candace - New Ning member

[Elaine Reese]

I'm not familiar with cre8buzz but have been on AR since Aug '06. To me this site is much easier to use and much more attractive than AR. AR has lost its appeal for me. There's no reason for the gamers or plagiarizers to join this site since there's no points or rating system. The AR Gods have allowed it to get so junked up, that now my WP blog is generating better Google Juice than AR is delivering for me.

The one drawback to this site is the lack of SEO since it's members-only.

[Candace Robinson AZ REALTOR®]

Elaine - I agree with all the drama that AR does offer. I see much potential in AR as I use it religiously. However, wtih that said, I don't allow the drama and point system mingle in my world. It's just not my perosnality.
This sight is of interest due to the user friendly layout, the look over-all is outstanding. I just wonder if it is being viewed by consumers and how would they find this site. I don't get that part...does anyone know? Is WordPress a free platform or does that require a monthly fee? I have so many forumes and platforms in my head, I think my head is spinning!! Thanks for your comments. Candace

[Lisa Heindel]

Candace, I'm trying to figure out the benefit here as well. If it's just social, that's OK, but I won't spend a lot of time here just to chat. I need to write and post for the consumer as much as possible. I do agree that the layout is outstanding and is easy to use. Wordpress.com has a free blogging platform or you can upgrade to wordpress.org which requires you to provide a host for the blog. I have 2 free WP blogs that I'm working on, but they don't get the exposure that my AR blog does (yet!). I'm still new (4 months) to the entire world of blogs, so don't take this as professional advice, by any means :)

[Elaine Reese]

Lisa, if you work hard on your WP blog, you should find that it will do much better than AR. That's why so many of us have lessened our time on AR. Write to the consumer and use your keywords judiciously, and it won't take long for Google - and the public - to find you.

Thanks to my blog - and links back & forth to my web site - even my web site is doing better than AR in Google searches for my keywords.

[Loren Nason]

This place will not be a place for consumers (even though they can join)

To me its just more of an experiment

So let's see where it goes

[Marlo Newman - TheDownPaymentGuy.com]

My comment is there is not any place to complete a profile and explain the services you offer that may be unique to the community. If I'm missing something hopefully someone will be kind ebough to point it out to me :)

Thanks,

Marlo

[Elaine Reese]

Josh has just made the necessary changes in order for non-members (and Google) to read the site. Just like AR, you have to be a member to comment, but I think it's great that now the site can be read without being a member.

Marlo, there is a place to put your profile and promote your services. It's called "my page" at the top.

[Sarah Eubanks]

I am hoping to experiment some and learn. I believe that AR had good thoughts in the beginning. I am not so certain that they have not been inundated with things they have no idea how to handle. I will still be really active on AR until I learn all I need to learn to manage my own stuff. I have only done this computer bit for a few months and am by no means able to do all the things I need to yet, and AR helps teach those things. Great question, Candace!

[Jay Thompson]

In my opinion, the best thing you can do for your web presence is have your own blog (not here, or on AR or any of the other "community platforms"), YOUR blog, branded with you and your own URL. Wordpress or Typepad would be my choice. I prefer Wordpress but probably just because I am more familiar with it.

But, blogging isn't for everyone. If you enjoy it, and have the time to dedicate to it, then it can be very rewarding, both personally and professionally.

[Candace Robinson AZ REALTOR®]

Jay - Thank you--- I am working on that and will definitely make my way to WP, I believe I had in the past and for some reason it didn't come together for me. I will be sure to make my way there again and dedicate more time per your suggestion. I totally appreicate your imput. Thank you.
Thank you to all of you for your thoughts and suggestions, I believe being a rookie blogger, I have so much to learn yet. So much to understand with tags, websites, SEO etc...at times it can be rather overwhelming. Too many irons in the fire and I feel it neglects the purpose of getting what I need done. I need to stay focused in one area if possible and reap the rewards. If that makes sense!! Thanks again to you all. You have been helpful. I do like this layout and yet, I can't see how consumers will see this blog at all.

[Faina Sechzer]

Candace -from what I can see of this platform it's just a much easier way to interact with each other then AR, where the only way to do that is to comment on someone's post. I do not see this to be for the consumers. Like everyone said, the consumer blogs have to be wordpress.org, which is what I plan for next year. It's much simpler without the points.

[Rich Jacobson]

Jay took the words from my mouth. If your primary goal is to attract consumer readership, this isn't the place for you. Longterm, nothing will provide greater value than creating your own local blogsite. Depending on how net savvy you are, it can be developed on your own, or in concert with a good webmaster. There are also companies like The Real Estate Tomato or RSS Pieces that can construct a good hybrid site for you. ActiveRain is of great value, regardless of all the drama, because it allows you to hone your blogging/writing skills, and prepare you for the greater blogosphere. Have fun!