1,456,819
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.
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Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Anna Hatridge
Farmington, MO
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Debbie Laity
Cedaredge, CO
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Susan Emo
Kingston, ON
2,224,473
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.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Anna Hatridge
Farmington, MO
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Susan Emo
Kingston, ON
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Jill Murty, Realtor - ...
Laguna Niguel, CA
1,056,097
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.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Anna Hatridge
Farmington, MO
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Susan Emo
Kingston, ON
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Roy Kelley
Gaithersburg, MD
2,817,727
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.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Debbie Gartner
White Plains, NY
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Anna Hatridge
Farmington, MO
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Susan Emo
Kingston, ON
392,768
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.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Debbie Gartner
White Plains, NY
3,071,489
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.
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Troy Erickson AZ Realt...
Chandler, AZ
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
7,862,377
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.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Anna Hatridge
Farmington, MO
3,988,013
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.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
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Anna Hatridge
Farmington, MO
979,596
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.
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Tony and Suzanne Marri...
Scottsdale, AZ
6,416,919
The general public does not get to play in this sandbox due to poor behavior in the past.
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Troy Erickson AZ Realt...
Chandler, AZ
1,291,481
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
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Joan Cox
Denver, CO
5,877,179
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!
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Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mort...
New Lenox, IL
3,416,038
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.
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Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mort...
New Lenox, IL
2,191,501
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 ?
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
2,759,812
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.
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Gene Mundt, IL/WI Mort...
New Lenox, IL
5,772,575
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.
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Nina Hollander, Broker
Charlotte, NC
1,505,873
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.
3,986,308
4,800,132
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.
4,581,918
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.
150,466
5,111,946
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.
634,532
23,743
I did not notice any. But yet, many 101 RE questions, is it a new A&Q this days like?