The XBroker: ActiveRain Launches ActiveBlogs, a Multi-Author Blogging Platform for Real Estate Industry Professionals

Nice press release, I've been teasing and hinting to members that this was coming, looks like the word is out!!  WooHoo!  Off to Inman conference, I'll do a post when I get back to the room.  Great Job, thanks Jeff.  :-)

Hi Jeff,  Wow, sounds like you guys have been busy !  When will full details, samples be available ?  Hope your 2009 is the best ever !

Jeff~

My team and I are looking forward to participating in this! Thanks to the RainFolk for not only being innovative, but creative...

More new stuff!!!! Yippeeee!!!!  You guys rock!

Does this replace our free "outside" blogs or another addition to the AR Blogging family?

This is a great idea, and I look forward to seeing how it is implemented. I think this can be useful not just for REALTORS and Real Estate Agents, but also for those of us support players in the real estate industry.

Is the upgraded blog only for localism content?  I clicked the link to upgrade, and that is what is showing up.

Excellent!! I love it!!  I have mine set up now.  THanks guys!  AR Rocks! KM

@Cindy: Doesn't replace your free version but you may upgrade for the additional benefits...

@Michelle:  Absolutely.  Look for additional themes shortly based on popular templates in the market.

Hey Jeff! You guys are awesome!  You amaze me!!  Keep up the good work!

How is this different than the activerain blog I already have set up?  Mine is at www.TampaRealEstateGeek.com

AWESOME!!

Jeff - I tried to read it and it still sounds like mumbo jumbo to me. It's hard to imagine what it means by, ActiveBlogs allow individual professionals to team up and syndicate multiple types of content from their existing ActiveRain individual accounts to a custom website and url, which delivers innate Search Engine Optimization benefits such as location based Real Area Indexing or ‘Raindexing'.

I'm wondering if AR could consider a free 1-week trial just to look at the back end, etc. before we decide if this is for us?

Jeff - I tend to agree with Loreena.  I am now looking at paying $19/month to post to a blog?  I am not sure what sort of benefits this new ActiveBlog will provide me unless I am able to test it out.  I do not write a lot of posts, so for $228, I would like to better understand what I am paying for.

Are there any functional differences between the individual ActiveBlog and current outside blogs, or is it just that there will be more templates to choose from?

Jeff thanks for the update, fun to watch Active Rain improve and grow daily :)

"Are there any functional differences between the individual ActiveBlog and current outside blogs, or is it just that there will be more templates to choose from?"

Yes this is my question too - is the free blog going to go away and we'll have to pay for it or what?  What's the big difference besides the ability to have multiple authors?  In this market realtors are looking for more free options for blogging than another monthly bill...

More information please. I think I would like to know more about RAINdexing. I want to know if the optimization and search engine feed is different.

Have to ask (as it looks like others have): what is the difference between this and the current outside blogs?

Is this a totally different website Jeff? Or a continuation with benefits? Thanks.

Jeff provided a link at the bottom of this article that helps to explains things better:

http://activerain.com/blogsview/869365/Winning-Wednesday-Introducing-New-Team-and-Individual-Blogs

‘Real estate related professionals deserve products and services pro-actively designed to suit their unique needs," Corbett said.  ‘No other platform at any price - including free - offers real estate professionals a better value in terms of ease of use, flexibility and seamless movement of content."

Jeff, now you guys r talking:-)  A non cookie cutter plan- Excellent.

Two Questions:

1.  Where do I sign up and who do I give my cc # to?

2.  Can someone send me a button so I can promote this too?

Smile Active Rain Bloggers, this is BIG.

Rebecca:  Allow me to answer on Jeff's behalf while he's attending Inman....

Go to your 'My Home' page....and click on the banner ad for 'New ActiveRain Team & Individual Blogs'....click on the respective tab, Individual Blog or Team Blog, and follow the instructions....

What kind of button do you want?

Jorgen's post that Rich posted above explains in much more detail about the new blog paid feature.

Now don't go getting your panties in a wad over this- your AR blogs will still be FREE if that is your concern asI have been already reading on AR posts about that. This is to help you with your SEO for your outside blogs. If anyone knows how to get google juice the guys behind AR do!

Love the idea of samples for those of us that are not so techie. Just went to Jorgen's post and it was easier for me to grasp. Sounds very exciting.

John Novak asked - "Are there any functional differences between the individual ActiveBlog and current outside blogs, or is it just that there will be more templates to choose from?"

Templates is one thing, however the main functional differences are:

a. the new outside blog setup has some additional SEO benefits including pinging search engines every time a post is sent there.

b. Real Area Indexing (or raindexing) is also an additional component. This breaks down posts on a blog by geographic location based on where you geo-tag posts. You can see raindexing in action on this blog a little bit down on the right hand side: http://theseattlerealestateblog.com/

And of course, Rich pointed out Jorgen's post that speaks to this stuff as well: http://activerain.com/blogsview/869365/Winning-Wednesday-Introducing-New-Team-and-Individual-Blogs

Jeff and Bob...

The "standard" outside blog no longer has contact info posted.

Is this by design?

Jeff... sounds like a great opportunity. Thanks for the update. Keep up the great job !

Funny, I just got done clicking on the graphic from my home page and reading about it.  Great idea, AR deserves the money!

I tried to upgrade  times but could not.  What am I doing wrong?

I don't think it is working completely yet....am I wrong??

Trying to understand why I'd need this kind of blog ... guess I need to  log on to that other blog post to read more.

Rich,

Whatever will fit in the sidebar of my blog....if u have a button.  I don't mind helping promote a good thing and paying back to the community.  At all.

Me and my team have a lot to research.  Having a huge presence blogging this year is one of our goals and we are figuring out where to put our brain power and where to focus.  We will be looking at this new blog very seriously.

As Rich has pointed out, Jorgen (and Brads) post provide far greater detail...My post reflects a standard Press Release format for that purpose...however, please don't hesitate to ask any questions we have not addressed :)

The whole "individual blog" thing is a bit confusing.  I'll have to read further into the details.  My outside blog has not done anything for me since it's inception - all the juice is still with the good 'ol AR blog.  Doubtful I'll pay $80 just to consolidate my 3 team member's blogs into one.

Jeff.... you are so hot.

Can we make changes to our free outside blog or are we now stuck with the way it is unless we upgrade?

Some of that went over my head, but man it sounds cool.  And yes Jeff you are pretty hot :P

Where is the Realty Executives theme?

@Jeff:  This latest rendition of AR's 'Outside Blogs' were architecturally designed to better provide Juice akin to the quality you receive from your good 'ol AR blog, with the added benefit of aggregating fresh content from multiple authors (if you so chose), further juicing up your collective efforts.

@'Christine'--Thats really you Jorgen, isn't it...  ;-)

Jeff-Sounds great!

@Jason: Functionality in 'free' version should still be the same...to take advantage of any new features will require an upgrade. 

@Steve: lol- Thx :)

@Erica: Realty Executives theme will be out within next few days...promise. 

Jeff this all sound great but what is the ROI on the New vs Existing format?

Jeff - ok say I want to start a multi-author blog - where do I go?

Does Biong Biong know about this yet?

Jeff this one was sneaky I haven't heard a peep about this.  Now I am going to have to spend sometime checking this one out.

Jeff - sounds like great stuff. WIll be looking into it furhter but need to better understand the value adn the differences. Off to do some more reading later on.

Jeff

This could be cool.  I'm curious to watch the implementation.

Do you have a spec sheet or something that shows the relationship/integration between a normal AR blog versus your new products?  Does one feed another, etc.? 

The multi-user price seems way too steep for what is inherently, a pretty straight-forward technology.  from a progammtic standpoint, there isn't much different that would warrant a 4x price increase -- from my consumer's standpoint.

I look forward to checking this out more. Very interesting.

Sue from Maine

Hi Jeff!  Thanks for sharing the press release--I'm off to see what the in-depth descriptions are and see WHO I want to team-up with!! HA! 

Thanks for all you do!

I've tried to use the upgrade form three times, the form fields are not clear, then it wipes out info, and I have to pull my credit card out of my wallet again.  Now it just says "THere is a problem" with no explanation.

OK so how do I get all my stuff back at http://sellingpoincianaproperties.com ? It's broken.

I do like the idea iof the new group blog. Now go fix my blog before I sic TLW on ya!!!

This is a fantastic idea.  Will we be able to build lead generation widgets into the blog?  I am excited about this and look forward to the full roll out.

Wendy...I'll take your credit card. You can use it at:

Broker Bryant's Marlin Fishin' Fund
1234 Sun Ray Marina
Costa Rica 65789

Hello Jeff and Hello Seattle, ( I was there for 2 weeks over the holiday with the huge snow!)

Question with the multi-user blog... Does that mean myself and local agents or my team members contribute to the same blog? Based on Jorgen's example, it seems the contributors are different neighborhood agents from Seattle... Is that right? If so, how would the payment $79 per month be split between all agents?( or maybe this multi-blogger blog only good for a team...?)

Also - What is the huge difference between current AR blog and the '$20 per month' blog? Aside from choosing my own domain name and the 'secret SEO' power?

Also - Does AR own the name of domain if a user decides to take the business elsewhere?

I appreciate your answers in advance, I applaud all AR team's hardwork, I (and the rest of the AR community) just need some more clarity in this new product.

THANKS!

Jeff, I have been looking for a way to provide an RSS feed to my email database.  Perhaps this is it?

Jeff, only 19 bucks a month? How can you guys operate on such tight margins? Count me in!!!!

Interesting evolution to the AR blogosphere.  You guys are always coming up with something innovative!  Keep up the good work.

Jeff,

Not sure I totally understand the concept but will study it further.  Sounds like another winner for AR!

I do not understand the advantages of an upgrade. Can I see the upgraded version in operation?

Hey Jeff, I decided to jump in with both feet and found that the only button that works on the new blogs is the 'Take-Your-Money' button!  None of the other buttons work!  Any suggestions--I SO wish that I hadn't pushed that button, everything was just fine before I did!!  ARRGH!

More new tools thanks for all your hard work.

Money for a blog? I don't think so.  I'm not sure about this new "adventure", but I'm not buying into it.   I'll wait and see how it unfolds...until then I'll keep working on Localism posts.

As for money being paid out; has anyone made any money off the listing-router system?

Thanks for the response - BUT  functionally, the free version does not seem to be working the same.  The options to change the links or header etc. the way we did is gone.  Or moved.  Or looks different and we're looking right past it.  The only thing I can see when looking at the outside blog from the user end is the option to upgrade.  Where can we use the functions of the old version?  Is there a way to make changes to our blog like we used to? 

Also - Can you provide a list of single users that might be using the upgraded version so we can see multiple examples.  Sorry to sound like a sour puss but the fee without warning is a bit too much to accept right out of the gate.  I know you're all working hard to make this a better experience, but this is much more extensive.

Amber

What will they think of next?  Although we have been doing group blogging at Diamond Dwellings for a while, this is a way to spread the capability. 

That made perfect sense. :)

Jason and Amber:I TOTALLY agree. I am not jumping in to the pool until they use the net to clean up all the bugs.  Some keep saying "oh it's only $19.00 blah blah...but you know what, $19.00 a month is a lot out-of-pocket dough to toss out so readily.

I'm sure I will join...but  will wait til the bugs are removed.  Thanks, this surely was a lot of work for you guys.

I will read all the other posts but I have been wanting two blogs - the free "Outside Blog" that I have with my own domain and another that I have been trying to set up with my own domain and the wordpress format and don't understand how yet - and so I have delayed.  Will this be as good as having a separate blog like wordpress and keep my present set up.  Probably shouldn't ask all this until I read everything - off to do that now.

Jason and Amber:  Just curious, but why would a warning be necessary if your current Outside Blog didn't change? You aren't being forced to pay anything. The upgrade is optional. I agree that the link on your 'My Home' page for the Outside Blog should still be there, and allow you to make changes as you did before. I wil check into that for you.

Just when you thought..there...its one of the earth's seven wonders...(BOING) they do it again. Keep tweaking, poking, punching and improving the voice we broadcast!

I was willing to pay for an ActiveRain blog in 2007 when they first started talking about them.  Rich J said that paid blogs would not work to monetize AR back shortly after Local sponsorships were sold.  Wondering what has changed?

Sounds interesting.  Like many others on here I need to find out more.  Off to read the other posts.

My power has been out and the first thing I read when I was back up and running were several emails from AR friends suggesting new group blogs!  Sounds like fun and will enjoy watching this unfold.  I have several of my own blogs and one group blog for my community so it will be interesting to compare the results. 

Jeff,

I signed up for the upgrade last night.  I can't update the them, nor can I add the custom URL (no matter what I try).  Is there a help of FAQ area that is easily accessible??

Reporting from LaGuardia Airport in NYC...

As with any and every product release, there will be bugs...which our programmers are acutely (and chronically) aware of, and are diligently fixing.  Many of the bugs ID'd in these comments have already been rectified.

A detailed FAQ post will manifest early next week, but a few things before I jump a flight:

• There will be a short free trial period.
• Widget enabling is coming. 
  
• You own the domain name, not AR. 
• There is no limit to the number of members for Group Blogs.

If you have any detailed questions, please don't hesitate to email me. 

Jorgen & Jeff--why should we change our blog name/domain name? Can't we continue to use the AR-assigned domain? Is there a good reason to change it?

Hi there. I need the domain name for another purpose that my outside blog is currently using. How can I delete my AR outside blog and simply go back to using the AR free blog? Will we still get good Google juice if we use the original blog format? Thanks!!!

Risa:   Is there a good time tomorrow that I can call you and get this issue resolved? Let me know  rich@activerain.com

I notice my current outside blog does not have rss symbol anymore, and also notice my widget is not updating anymore everytime I post a blog, the post do show up on my outside blog, but not my widget like it used to, matter of fact, my widget lost all its post back to Oct 2008, it this because I am still using the free version?  My widget still has the setting to be fed from my outside blog, not sure what is going on, I am thinking because of the recent "free" to "pay" for outside blog changeover.  Any help would be appreciated.

Which widget are you speaking of Brad and Angela? 

RSS Feeds are undergoing some fixes as I type this, and should be reconciled by early in the week...

It is the widget at http://www.widgetbox.com/widget/nc-piedmont-triad-real-estate-blog

The widget is set to be fed from my outside blog http://nchomesforsaleblog/rss

Hopefully, the RSS feeds will be fixed this week and my widget will be updating correctly.

Thank you for sharing this.

I was wondering why I never run into my "new paid for Blog" - in search engines? I still always come up as the old blog within activerain. I want to make sure that I am not missing something - is there something I should be doing? Thanks. Nicky Dou

Also - is there a way to customize more than just the standard backgrounds you guys have - like on the other AR Blog (the free one?) Thanks!

Let me get this straight, Jeff.  I am paying you a monthly free for my outside blog http://memphisrealestate20.com and now  in the upper right corner in a prominent visual position is a search box that takes readers away from the blog and my site and directs them to an AR vendor.  Sorry, but that is not acceptable!

Jeff,  sorry for my rant.  I just discovered the widget feature, which, I swear, was not there the last time i looked at my outside blog. 

Is there some place we can go to get updates on what you are doing with the outside blogs, like the widget add, or can i sign up for updates??

When you refer to an outside blog... are you referring to any blog other than Active Rain.  We have a blog on our Point2 website, is this what you mean.

Also when you refer to a "Team" are you referring to a husband and wife that work together.  If so the price seems to high.

Thanks,

I post my blogs on more than one platform. It's amazing to me how many times Active Rain blogs are first in the google search. Active Rain Rocks!