Rarely a day goes by that I don't find myself roaming the (cyber)halls of ActiveRain. It's my job. I have never confirmed this with Matt (I don't know if he can confirm it) but you would be hard pressed to find someone that views as many pages or spends as much time on this site as I do. Rich, Brad or Nicole would certainly give me a run for my money but they wouldn't beat me by much. Every now and then I take a break. It usually coincides with a weekend and the chance to spend some time with my family. Sometimes all it takes is two days out of the 'Rain' to make me feel like I have completely missed out on what is going on (My editor said this makes me sound conceited and really doesn't add to the purpose of this post.......so to show him who's boss, I have chosen to leave the content and force you to try to read through the line...hahaha)
For you, our great members, there are probably stretches of time when you don't get the chance to engage here as much as you may like. Some commercial ringing in my head said......"Life Happens" and it couldn't be truer. Business also happens and you have no doubt found yourself with so much on your plate that stopping by and checking on ActiveRain didn't fit into your schedule. However, Once you catch the bug, many members fit ActiveRain into their daily schedule no matter what. Until you figure out the real benefits to you, some members may struggle to fit it into their daily schedule because they can't quantify the benefits.
So we are going to bring ActiveRain to your inbox. We just put the finishing touches on our ActiveRain newsletter (thanks in large part to Glin, our new designer). We plan on doing something daily (five days a week) and I wonder if that would put any undue burden on your inbox? As long as we make the opt-out painless, I would think the burden would be minimal. Since you had no opt-in decision when you first signed up, I'm looking for feedback on how you feel about it.
Here's what the newsletter will look like (image on the left........as if you, my perceptive reader needed to be pointed to only image on the post :-) )
The newsletter will contain a collection of featured posts, tutorials, messages from ActiveRain, featured video content, a featured member of the day/week (someone whose contributions to the network are above and beyond what you would expect of someone.....and there are many of you), a featured group of the week, a few advertisements, and some other goodies stashed in there every so often.
Our goal is to keep our members up to speed when they aren't able to actually visit the site as often as they might like. We also stand to make a few dollars on advertising, but it will be unobtrusive much like the current advertising we run on the site. It will be very easy for you to opt out as well (although we hope the prospect of some great content will keep you involved)
I feel like the benefits to our newer member, and those that have stopped by but never really took the time to get engaged will be immense. We are so excited about the growth and evolution of ActiveRain and we want to share that excitement with all 86,000+ members. So.........let me have it! Where do you stand?
Friends, followers, and connections are the way of the future.
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GREAT IDEA!
What about three subscription options: ActiveRain Daily, A Weekly Newsletter, or Opt-Out
I'd start at the Daily, but would love the option to scale back if necessary, without opting out completely. You're busier at different times of the year too. Great job, and the newsletter is looking sweet!
LOL... I am laughing at Jon's comment.... LOL
Bob,.... I got your back.... seriously, this is a great idea. Especially since I am struggling of lately in finding the time like I use to, in visiting the 'Rain'...... but a news letter 5 days a week? That sounds like a lot of work.... maybe Monday, Wed., and Friday? or Monday, Thursday, and Saturday? In any case, again, this is an awesome idea and I am looking forward to this....
Bob,
I had 6 hours of CE courses that took up all my time today and I know what you mean
..."Sometimes all it takes is two days out of the 'Rain' to make me feel like I have completely missed out on what is going on"...Gotcha!!! Thanks, FranHow about 'TGIF' (weekly cap newsletter), 'Hump-Day' (Wednesday's newsletter) and 'Make it a Great Week' (Monday newsletter recapping the weekend happenings)?? Five days is much and I would hate to be the person that would have to put that together everyday! Hey up the anty on Mr. Block there, I will take the member feature, thank you very much!
I think it's a great idea Bob. BTW I love editing job you and did at Jon's suggestion :)
Are you guys coming to DC?
Ya'll are really coming up with some great ideas! I love it!
Bob, I love it and I am one of your 80 subscribers. I had to read through the text with the line through it because it was there but I thought it sounded fine.
I have all my Active Rain post go in to an outlook group so they don't clog my inbox and I'm sure I would do the same with this. I am then very good at reading what has come through.
Bob - Good idea however once per week would probably be a better idea. If the newsletter arrive everyday people might stop reading them and just hit the delete button.
I think this is a fabulous idea to keep the interest of new members and maybe pull some of those that are MIA back into the fold. I wouldn't want to be the person putting it together 5 days a week, but I sure won't opt out.
With all of these upcoming changes, can we expect to see the new Localism soon?
Bob,
I LOVE it... this is a great addition. I think it's fine for you to fill up everyone's inboxes... I'm sure we all know where the "archive" and "delete" buttons are located if it gets to be too much! J K :) I like the idea of featuring groups, too. It takes a while to learn about all the groups and what they represent. You might get Brad to show you where the "backspace" key is located... In our training class in Dyersburg, TN, he mentioned that he uses that a lot when he writes posts! BTW, I didn't know you guys (gods) have editors! Lots of perks when you're a Rain god! Wow!
Great idea! I cant wait to see it!
Susan
many members fit ActiveRain into their daily schedule no matter what. Until you figure out the real benefits to you, some members may struggle to fit it into their daily schedule because they can't quantify the benefits.
I for one am all for it :) (just don't continuously spam me with how good looking and cool you are :)
I'd like that better than searching around for tidbits of info here and there from you guys. Sometimes you get lost in my subscribed list....until like...now. :)
Hahaha........you are cracking me up Slaybaugh!!
Karen,
Paul is in a group where he is the moderator and he has decided that any posts I put in the group will be thrown out. I believe he is trying to infringe on my first amendment rights........Is there someone here on AR I can contact regarding this? :-P
I'm on here daily, at least once, but I still miss good stuff! I'd love another opportunity to find juicy tidbits, and another opportunity to gear up and go for the 'featured' post.
Whatever you do, could you please make sure it hits my Twitbin?
Yes, it's a good idea.... and what Jason and Amanda said. and Lola... and then I cut to the chase.
I like the idea. You guys continue make AR better and better. Thanks.
sounds good, I am on a yahoo stashbusting thing that sends a DIGEST, I like it b/c I can scan to see what I am interested in or if too busy just delete and miss what ever it was that was earthbreaking.
really I just like it for the pictures! cheryl www.ozarkcastle.com
This sounds like a great idea. I rely on my Inman post twice daily for industry news. This should help focus on important matters also.
Have a go at it. Hopefully, it won't be too tech oriented.
This is such a fantastic idea. Why Can't non-members subscribe to this newsletter?
Nice duo at the beginning Jon & Bob :)
The format of the newsletter looks choice! Nice, clean, smooth and very easy on the eye balls!
Father of Kelan...
For me it's like I need it at least once a day :)
If I don't have it once a day I get
bitchytesty :)But then again...I've been told that I am full of crap :)
What was this post about? I forgot :)
TLW...ROAR!
alchoholic in a bar,diabetic in a candy shop with AR....whats a lil more? Just remember, if you are doing that....you need to put at the top the warning label I suggested before!It sounds AWESOME, Bob!! I look forward to reading the first edition and I'm certain it will become favourite reading for all in no time....
((-:
Jo
Yes, yes yes....great idea, I miss so much here with the working with the clients and all..... :)
Bob- Playing devil's advocate - will readers be able to comment from the newsletter? If they can, will that cut the number of members visiting the AR site, which in turn will lower readership of the majority of blogs (those not featured)? Will new members take the time to find the wealth of information on AR or will you be raising a generation of "rainers", who just depend on the "Cliff Notes" version?
Just some rendom thoughts. I know receiving the newletter will not cure my addiction to AR.
I'm guilty of being away more than I'd like lately. I think it's a great idea. I think the expert hi-jackers should definitly be featured at some point or another.....and they know who they are ;-)
me me me me me me me me meBob.Yes, I'd love a newsletter. But, even better, would be an online 'punch list' of stuff I want to do to my blog. Yeah, I know, I do use the bookmark button, but when I go back to read those posts, I get lost along the way, bumbling along the trail like the kids on Family Circus. Do they make Virtual Assistants for AR? LOL
Signed,
The Unknown Blogger
Bob, great idea! Waiting for the first issue. I'm here
all dayevery dayand nightand I know I miss a lot of the really good posts.Hi all, I am one of those guilty parties that took on Active Rain with gusto and then fizzled quite a bit. I have not made it part of my daily life (heck, I'm still struggling to do much of anything consistently); real estate is such a by the moment kind of career for me. It has so many ups and downs and so many interruptions for me. So, all that being said...I like the idea of a newsletter invading my inbox...but in all honesty not five days a week. I think once a week would be great...Saturday morning maybe. I tend to start to delete things that I can't get to on a daily basis because I get crazy if my to do list gets too long. I know many of you will say, I'm lazy, get a scheduler, use Top Producer, etc...but at my age (and I am OLD), I love the life I have and the balance I get to enjoy so routines are hard for me. I had a corporate job for 20 years, so been there, done that. What I love about real estate is the flexibility and ever changing clients and transactions. Soooo...long winded I know, but love the idea of a newsletter, just not the 5 days.
I think the idea of the newsletter sounds great! I publish one once a week by myself and I know it takes a lot of work and dedication. It's nice to see how many people actually open and read it too. that wayIi can see what their interests are. I drop links and things that they don't seem to check into. It will put a finger on the pulse of AR for sure. I can't wait to see it.
Wow! What a response! I think this is a fabulous idea as I am certainly an addict myself! Looking forward to watching this develop and thanks for all you do for AR!
Bob, I love you guys, but I can't read a newsletter everyday. I've go to work some time. I like the Mon, Wed, Fri gig. That gives us a little separation time to allow our hearts to grow fonder. We would have something to look forward and not take it for granted.
Love the idea and love the 3x/wk. Actually, it can be random days and surprise me and I'd still be thrilled. There are so many wonderful writers here and I feel I have to hunt high and low to find all of them. (Note, I did not say ANY).
Father of Kelan...
You Guys can send as much as you like to my email. Everyone is doing it :)
If I don't want them I'll hit that delete button. It's not like I get a finger cramp from that :)
TLW...ROAR!
Looking forward to it Bob...nice addition to the AR features.
Sean
I love the idea, and think its great!! Man, you guys think of good stuff all the time:)
I think that daily is too often and would seem like spam, whereas if it were offered once a week I would look forward to receiving it.
Bob,
I'm looking forward to this feature; you guys (and gals) are doing a great job.
Mike in Tucson
p.s. None of my previous comments this evening have registered. Hope this one does.
Bob - Newsletter is a great idea but daily is overkill. I think weekly is fine, maybe on Mondays when you can recap the week. I know doing a newsletter is a lot of work. I'm an editor of three newsletters(one quarterly and two monthlies and write a column for another one and it takes too much time to gather all the info to make the newsletter interesting.
Stewie....put down the kid and add my email address to the mailing list.
I'm in, I like the idea of a newsletter were you don't have to spend a lot of time searching. Rich content will be at our finger tips. Thanks!
I'd personally like it once a week instead of daily but I'm looking forward to seeing it.
Bob.. I can't wait.. I'd like to get to a newsletter, especially if it highlighted a feature within AR that either Newbie need to know, or something that could enhance the AR members. When does this brochure get launched?
We are shooting for a May 19th launch date. Everything is looking good for that day. We are going to start off on a daily newsletter and you will be able to opt to a weekly newsletter right out of the gates (or opt out if you choose).
We are going to pack the newsletter full of helpful tutorials (for both old and new members), great posts you may have missed.......and maybe even some secret goodies (note to self......get busy baking those scones)
Thank you everyone for your feedback. It was very helpful in arriving at a decision.
bob what a fantastic idea! many people like me, spend time here in active rain, know the benefits, but have to sleep at some point :-D .
so I think it is a fabulous idea to take the best of the best and bring it to us! Kudos for whoever thought of this one
your friend in Tampa
Love the new Newsletter.
Lisa
Bob, great idea on the News Letter. Thanks for making me read through the lines, grin.
Great idea. I got my first one a week or so ago and I really like i t! Thanks again for your help this week! I know you're swamped!
Father of Kelan...
I absolutely love...love...love...The newsletters...Very cool :)
TLW...ROAR!
Bob,
I just wanted to say I love, absolutely 100 % love the newsletters coming in !! You guys have done an awesome job !
The newsletters are a great addition to the site. Is there (or will there be) a place to find back issues, for those of us who accidentally lost some of the earlier ones... and for those joining the party late? Mahalo
Is there a way to get on the email list?
Bob,
Would love to receive the newsletter. Maybe you could start a support group for those in need of an intervention.
Bob - so why has it taken two months for me to see this post? My recommendation is to send information like this out in an e-mail to all AR members, not just as a post.