I joined The Rain on October 04, 2007 and shyly surfed the site for the first 10 days. No comments, no posts, in fact I hardly understood the concept of "Blogging." Blogging, it's not even in the spell check system. How important can it be if it hasn't made the spell check system? (hint, hint Active Rain Team). I thought what the heck, I'll look into it now that I'm here.
My first post was on October 14, 2007. Nervous, yep, after seeing the post that some of the seasoned (OK, old timers) Rainer's were posting.
But, what to write? Would I get comments? Will I make a mockery of myself? What would a Blog do for me? Why do I want to subject myself to these dreadful thoughts?
I found a description of What a Blog is by Mike Tyler, I feel he said it well.
Mike wrote: What is blogging?
"Simply put, it's a daily posting of someones thoughts on a web page. Postings are like small articles from the Blog's author. The subject matter of these postings is as varied as human beings themselves. Some are trivial - some of more substance."
I wrote that first post and reluctantly pressed the submit button, boom, there was my writing out there for the world to see, yow. Then I sat back and watched for two days while the comments rolled in, wow, three total. Hey, what about these old timers seasoned Rainers who were getting 50-60 comments per post, what did I do wrong? Maybe no photo's, OK I added one, hhhmmm, no additional comments.
So, on October 16th I tried another, wow, 15 minutes later my first comment, hey this is much better. Of course that was the only one I received, dang. Now I'm losing my will to be a Blogger of the World.
Now it's October 17th, and another shot at stardom, my post goes live and a day later, no comments, I could hear in my head the little sound when Pac-Man gets gobbled up and he disappears. Failed, washed up, done, gone. So desperate I tried to kick start the post myself, naughty me. Nope that didn't work either.
Not ready to give up, I kept posting to try to figure out the secret in The Rain. I adopted the concept of acknowledging the comments (an important etiquette of Blogging) which helped keep the posts alive and build camaraderie with the Rainers.
Finally on November 12, I wrote a simple fun non-business post and yeehaa I went into double digit comments, bingo! I found the secret, off to my next post now that I know what it takes. You guessed it, the next post netted one comment, shoulders drooped again and chest dropped back to my waist. Now that I look at these past posts, I made some Newbie mistakes.
- Lack of Photos
- Titles that didn't grab the readers attention
- Not acknowledging Comments
- Not asking for help or input
- Not being "Active" in The Rain
- Not visiting and commenting on other members posts right away (Networking)
- Not reading the many helpful posts provided by the Active Rain Staff (see the new Group Help/FAQ) and members (see the Active Rain Newbies Group)
- Not submitting my posts to certain Groups that the post met the Guidelines
Today, I have found the importance of being "Active" in The Rain. The site name says it all and the Newbie who gets involved from the very beginning will find that this "Blogging" thing can be phenomenal.
On a side major note, I wanted to let you know how helpful the old timers seasoned members and the Active Rain Team is, here in The Rain. Drop a line to any member and 9 times out of 10 you will get a helpful answer to your question or at least you will be pointed in the right direction. Or you can go at it like I did and be the guy who doesn't ask for directions and head down a few wrong roads.
It's up to you to light the World on fire. Don't expect to be a super-star from the get go. We all had to crawl before we could walk, and blogging is much the same way.
Don't get discouraged, we all started out as Newbies. Even the well seasoned member is learning every day. Ask those questions you have, put it in a post to get different input. Nobody is going to look at a question as being stuppid stupid. Get rid of the pride and ask away.
You will find The Rain, to be a educating, informative and a fun part of your business. Plus, the family and friends across the nation you will acquire as you get involved will surprise you, it did me.
So, dive in and take a refreshing swim in The Rain. It will remove the feeling of the title of this post.
Have Fun and Welcome to the Active Rain Family!
Anyone involved in the Real-Estate Industry is invited to join Active Rain.
Great post Duane! That is funny how I just created a post with a similar message for newbies :-) I am still a newbie myself and your words totally described the way I felt before posting my very first blog. What would people think? Am I going to make a mockery of myself? After submitting my very first blog, I went back into the blog menu to read more of what others had to say. There it was! My very first blog had made the featured posting list! Not that it was a life long accomplishment or anything, but I was VERY shocked. I had no idea what the hell I was doing and I am still trying to figure out the ins and outs of AR. I must admit that I am already addicted to the boat loads of knowledge and experience I have encountered within the AR community. Everybody has been very friendly and willing to help so I could not have asked for more :-)
What I've noticed about blogging is that it is very fluid and we get to continually learn, change and try new things. It is a very creative process.
Peter, CONGRATS on the featured post. Glad to hear you are off to a roaring start. It is a bit scary (so to say) when we contemplate the first post. But the neat part is, no body bites (to hard) here in The Rain. I have found the AR Staff and members to be totally helpful with any questions or concerns I ran into. I think that's why this site is so successful because they are willing to listen and help.
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day in The Rain,
Duane
Duane, I think the best item I saw in this post was to be "active." That's where many of the newbies fall off the turnip truck. One post and they disappear. Don't they grasp the idea of conversation?
Evelyn, (PCR)I enjoy the creative side of blogging as well, all why I'm learning and building friendships. To much fun!
Duane thanks for the blog it has made a newby like myselft a little more comforatble with the blogging concept.
Great post Duane. You are so right about being active and getting to know others in the rain. Have a great Saturday. Are you out having a picture taken for that profile??? It's gonna happen someday so it might as well be today:-)
Gary, I agree, being "Active" is so important and many get discouraged and don't revisit I think. Hopefully they will understand that it takes involvement to get kick started.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting (you do such a great job on that end)
Duane
Duane, You illustrated the frustrations of a new blogger very well. I think the best advice I can to newer folks is to just do it. Jump in and start reading, writing and commenting. Connecting with others is the best way to get known.
We really are nice people :)
Hope, you are welcome, you did a great job with your last post! Plus your responding to comments, kudos to you!
Thanks for stopping by,
Duane
Paddy, I removed the sun glasses on my last profile photo, not buying that? Grin.
Bryant, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I agree with you, doing the cannon ball in The Rain is the best way to make a splash.
Duane, Great post. I almost felt like you were talking about me. I just didn't think anything I had to say would be of any help or value to someone else.
Duane you are on of the friendliest, most positive members I've come across. I'm sure you've helped a lot of people in addition to me. Have a great day
Duane, I remember meeting you online here for the first. You have a knack for relating with people and bringing people together that many seasoned bloggers could learn from (including me!) You are a welcome addition to ActiveRain!
Duane, I think I actually was reading all of the blogs for several months before I even had the courage to put up my profile. But now that I have been on here for some time...it just takes practice to really get comfortable with AR.
Duane- What an excellent post. I can tell that your "newbie" didn't last long once you started blogging. You do an excellent job making yourself known on here, and I can tell that you are a well respected part of this community.
Stan Barsch
Duane, This is such a helpful and important post! When I signed on I was already blogging on other sites and I read what to do...but couldn't get a comment. Or sometimes one. Or a criticism.....it was rough on here. It is so important to not give up and eventually just the right people will find you--or you'll find them.
Duane--Very good post and I enjoyed reading it. When I joined Rain, I was a little scared about writing blogs myself. I had wrote blogs in other networks or groups but not Active Rain. I also started reading and then I just jumped in and started writing. I love to write and read blogs.
Your post will be an inspiration to all the new people joining Rain. Again, great post....
Duane, good enjoyable post. I remember my first post here in active rain was so bad that I deleted it. quite a difference that time makes in posting...
Duane my story is a bit different. Somehow I ended up with a feature the third post I did! But that was in '06. I guess we didn't have much to choose from back then! LOL!
Morning Duane,
Good post and so true. Being active is the key word here. I am not as "Fluid" with the words as so many Rainers are. I read and comment daily and post as topics come along.
Duane ~ I remember feeling the same way when I started. I think all of your tips are great pointers for newbies, especially the commenting (respond to your post's comments and comment on others posts).
Bob, LOL, you do great, but I know what you mean. Looking at your posts, you are a proven man!
Jeff, thank you and glad I could help, I find it quite rewarding.
I like it !!! To be "Active" in the rain... It sure has been fun for me and my wife to get wet !! Thanks for sharing. I have enjoyed reading your posts !
Philadelphia Real Estate
Stephen, blushing... Thank you my friend, I enjoy the AR Family and have learned so much from each and everyone of you.
Naoma, well said, practice makes perfect readable blogs, grin. Thanks for stopping by.
Stan, thank oyu for your kind words. I'm still a Newbie in my eyes, I learn every day from each of you, Love it!
Carole, so true, I have a group that I follow their posts (expanding daily) and enjoy their writings and thoughts.
Thanks for taking the time to visit and comment.
Duane
I think you just described what over 90% of us first experienced and these comments will help the newcomers see they are not alone. Just start finding your voice and take that first step.
Funny, Funny! It is so scary to send that first blog. i was thrilled with my first comments.
Edie
Laura, you did it right by jumping in, that's the best way to learn.
Howdy Duane
You sure said a mouth full of truth. It took me a bit also to write my first post.
One really big thing to remember when starting out on AR, be sure that first post you write is in your blog, and then post it in to a group or two. Read the guidlines of the groups, if'en you don't your post just may get deleted and your hard work is right out the window.
Duane- I agree that you need to crawl before you can walk etc... But I'm a competitive person and I get annoyed when people can walk faster than me;-) LOL. Like you, you're sprinting in the rain and having a great time doing it....stop...you're making me look bad;-) Just kidding of course. I'm looking forward to your next Poll!
And, gee, look 36 comments : ) Seems like you figured it out. I like the photo of the world on fire. BTW, The cows have mooved on and I've done my post. Let me know what you think.
Michael, LOL on the delete, I have a few OK quite a few that I should probably do the same.
Nannette, LOL, I would have to guess you wrote a great post as you usually do. I've not yet reached the status of having a featured post, in fact kind of gave up on the thought, LOL. I'll just keep flying under the radar.
Thanks for stopping by,
Duane
Hal, I'm with you on the "Fluid" part, in fact many times I think I'm all wet, grin. Thanks for visiting and commenting and enjoy that sunny day.
Duane
Kathy, thank you. It does take extra time going to each commenter's post, but I have found so many great posts that way that I'm sure I would have missed otherwise. I'm off to your now.
Duane, Nice post, you have been very active and I enjoy reading many of your posts. The only thing left out is the commitment of time to blog, it can be time consuming.
Edie, the biggest fear, no comments on a post, but I found its all part of growing up in The Rain.
Duane...great post. I too was nervous at first and still am at times. Nobody wants to sound dumb or appear to be gaming the system. Just write from your heart and read, read and read. It's really fun!
Great post Duane! I really appreciate you for your great posts and your concern for the members of the Rain. Thank you for being a good friend.
Dale, good reminder for the Newbies and, umm, seasoned posters as well.
Matt, thanks for stopping by. I was looking at the current Poll earlier, thinking it time to replace it. Have any ideas for a Poll?
Christine, I did stop by your post earlier but thanks for giving me to reason to get moooooving.
Mary, good point. By the time we answer the comments and visit the persons post to comment, it becomes quite a process. That's just my steps I take, but you can see how far behind I get with my own post's comments.
Debbie, good input, I agree the reading of others post has helped tremendously.
Hi Duane, You are a creative, risk-taking, encouraging, inspiring team player and TEAM LEADER! You got out of the boat and walked on the water! You are still walking on the water! Are you sure you aren't The Rain! I think you're like Clark Kent! Where is your phone booth? Will the real Duane please reveal himself? Your name isn't Superman! It's The Rain! Thank You for sharing your story!
Howdy Duane
It's sure is nice not to have to do the words anymore.
I just came back to sorry wrong post for this here comment.
Sure don't know how I ended up on this one.
Becky, good morning, sorry for the delay in responding, been busy trying to keep up. Hope all has been going well and thank you for your kind words.
Have a fantastic day in The Rain,
Duane
Hi Duane - Baby you've come a long way ;-) I relate only too well to most of the mistakes made. Like you, I'm learning slowly every day. Like you, I grew to understand the importance of reciprocating comments (very, very important). With business slow right now, I'm taking the time to delve deeper into A|R and all it has to offer. I'm just beginning to get it...and it's all good...and it's people like you that keep it good. Thanks a million.
Dan, LOL, thank you, I'm honored and you have found the truth, at least others tell me I'm all wet, so I may be The Rain!!!! Grin.
Dale, LROL, I've done the same, but always great to see your logo in the comments. I've been loving the no passwords as well, great change.
Gail, thanks for stopping by, it is a learning process every day, and the great idea's of the 100k+ members is making it better each and every day. I know that the AR Team is busy with all the ideas flowing at them.