There is a need for some clarification as to how RAINdexing or Indexing your Outside Blogs works on ActiveRain.  With all the options available and the inter-connections between AR Blogs, Localism and Outside Blogs etc.,  I am going to try and simplify how it all works and what it all means.  Since my recent post "poll survey results" concluded that reading was the #1 best way for the majority to learn, I'm opting to do a Blog post on this topic.

Here's the 5 areas we'll cover in order to help you grasp and get your arms around how this all works: 

Channels, Topics, Localism, Outside Blogs, Categories & Local Post Widgets.

MAXIMIZING INDEXING ON OUTSIDE BLOGS - PART I

Indexing Your Outside Blog Categories Using Channels and Topics

TIP: The Channels and Topic options are located just below the Visibility Section when creating or editing a post.

When creating a new Blog post that you want to appear on your Outside Blog, it's imperative that you are adding the post to Channels and giving it a "TOPIC".  Topics will appear on your Outside Blog as "Categories" and will be indexed or RAINdexed accordingly.  When you apply the Categories Widget to your Outside Blog, your "Topics" will appear on the sidebar as "Categories."  See below.

Here's a Screen-shot from the Outside Blog Sidebar
(This is referred to as the Category Widget)

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MAXIMIZING INDEXING ON OUTSIDE BLOGS - PART II

RAINdexing your Outside Blog Local Posts Using Localism and the Local Posts Widget

TIP: The Localism options are located just below the Visibility Section when creating or editing a post.

To have your Blog posts RAINdexed and sorted by Geographic Location, you'll need to add them to Localism for this Widget to work on your Outside Blog.  Adding posts to Localism allows you to select State, County, City, and even down to a specific neighborhood.  Having these geographic locations broken down this way allows viewers to search those specific Hyper-Local posts by "Index" for the areas they may be interested in.

Here's a Screen-shot from the Outside Blog Sidebar
(This is referred to as the Local Posts Widget)

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MAXIMIZING INDEXING ON OUTSIDE BLOGS - PART III

How To Add The Indexing / RAINdexing Widgets To Your Outside Blog

Step 1:

Go to your Outside Blog and Log-in

Step 2:  

Click on the link at the top of the page and then click the button.

Step 3:

Open the "Add New Widget" pull-down menu and select "Categories" or "Local Posts" then repeat.
(you can only add one widget at a time)

Step 4:

You can use the button to align your Index Widgets by simply dragging and dropping them where you want them to appear on your Outside Blog sidebar.  Once you're finished, just click on  .

Step 5:

Click here to see a sample of how this has worked well for another AR member.  RAINdexing is Powerful.

I hope this post clears up some of the confusion or misunderstanding of how all these tools work together to get you the best possible results and indexing of your Outside Blogs.  As always, if you have any questions or need any assistance, our support staff and team are always ready and willing to help.  If you do not currently have an outside blog but might be considering one in the future, taking these steps now will ensure you won't have to go back and make edits to your posts in the future. 

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Related Articles To Assist You

How To Create and Maximize an ActiveRain Outside Blog - 10 easy steps

5 Suggested Ways To Maximize Your Group/Team Outside Blog

How To Drive Traffic To Your AR Outside Blogs

ActiveBlogs - Link Love and SEO

If one of the ultimate goals is to drive traffic to your Blog, (any blog or post) then what is a good way to do this?  Some of our daily AR tasks have included helping members set up these ActiveBlogs.  Bob Stewart and I have helped setup hundreds.  Take a look at some of these.  This is one reason why my response time on comments, emails, and calls has diminished. LOL~

So what is the best way to drive traffic to your outside blogs?  The clues are scattered all over this post.  (hint: use your mouse) First, you'll need to have an ActiveRain Outside Blog.  If you don't have one already, here's a two for one clue.  Check out ActiveBlogs.  If you wanted to add Widgets to your ActiveBlog, it's really this easy. 

Maybe you're just looking for some Important tips about the new outside Blogs.  Did you know that AR discussed these in detail on the air, and recorded it?  So what is the answer to this "Riddle" post?

The point I am trying to make is that there is great way to send traffic to your outside Blog and many of our members might be are missing it.  I have put clues all over this post.  If you have hovered your mouse or clicked on any of these links, then you have discovered the answer by now.  This is just one thing members with an outside Blog should be thinking about and doing.

We'll be starting our first AR Webinar Training Series on how to setup and maximize an ActiveBlog sometime next week (if setup by then)  We'll cover all this in detail and much more, but if you already have an outside AR blog, or are considering one, please take the clue you just got here, and apply it to your outside Blogs right away. 

I know you ALL probably got the answer to this "riddle"... You did get the answer right?

How To Create A New ActiveRain Outside Blog for an Individual, Group, or Team.

I'll demonstrate how to set one up from scratch.  Following these steps correctly should have you setup in about 15 minutes including invitations out to your desired contributors.

1) Make sure you are Logged into ActiveRain. 

2) Click on the "My Home" link located at the top of your screen in the upper right corner.

3) Click on the "Outside Blog" link located on the left hand sidebar of your "My Home" page.

4) Next, Click on the "Sign Up" button:

5)  Just Fill out the details in this section below:

Blog Name, Description, Select Theme, Credit Card Info, and Click Create Blog
(If your credit card info is not currently on file, you'll be prompted and need to enter it.)

5) Selecting the "THEME" of your choice from the "Theme Library".  There are some themes that are not branded with a company name: Elements of SEO, Legacy, Blue Days, Black Tie, Easy Going etc.  The Chameleon Theme has CSS Styling Capabilites.  These are available to use if your company theme is not listed.  More company themes and non-branded themes are coming...

Your Team Blog has now been created. 

To start posting to your new Individual or group Blog, just click on the link "Write a Blog Post"

on your "My Home" page and begin writing a new post.  NOTE: Your posts are still created in ActiveRain, but before submitting them, be sure to click on the check box to add them to your OUTSIDE Blog.  You can also add previously written posts by going to a post, select edit, then check the box to add it to your Outside Blog.

You will also receive an email that confirms the creation of your new Blog.  There will be a link to the temporary internal site (ie: 09567de4.ActiveRain.com) Click on this Blog link in your email, and you can now go in and customize your Blog with your own domain name that ActiveRain will host, or you can add a domain name that you have previously purchased. 

(YES, ActiveRain Hosts Domain Names Now)

NOTE: Only enter a domain name in the "DOMAIN" box at the bottom if you already own one.  This would be a name that you have previously purchased and wish to use.  (this can't be a domain where you already have data in use) If you do select an outside existing domain name, you will need to click on the blue link that says "HOW DOES THIS WORK"  This will show you the information you'll need to give to the site where you purchased your domain name.  example: TheRealEstateScoop.com purchased from GoDaddy.com etc.

7) Take a deep breath, you're almost done...

Once you click on the update domain button, you're done, now you're ready to use the toolbar below for additional features, and then it's time to invite other contributers, add listing router, create links, widgets and more.

8) If you chose to Invite other members as contributors to your team/group Blog, click on the "Members" link:  The following screen will appear:  You can add them as Editors, Authors, or just Contributors.  AR Team Blogs and Individual Blogs are the same thing, the only difference is if you wish to have multiple contributors or not.

9) To invite another member to contribute to your Blog, just enter their ActiveRain Profile user name which can be found on their profile page.  It will be up in the URL box or Address bar.  Example: (ActiveBrad)  The member you invite will get a message on their "My Home" page that will look like this:

They can choose to accept or decline your invitation.  If they accept, their photo will be automatically added to the new blog as a frequent contributor, and they'll have the ability to start posting or moving posts over immediately.  To see an example of an Individual Blog setup, check out Bill Gassett's outside Blog at MassRealEstateVoice.com.  Look at how the "RAINdexing" on his site is already working wonders with all his previously written content.  Also, See Bill's Post on Individual Blogs.

To see a group Blog, go to ActiveRainGuide.com or ActiveRainTeam.com to compare a multi-authored Blog.

10) You will be able to modify, edit, make changes, add listing router, create links and more by simply using the toolbar options at the top of your new outside Blog page.  I apologize for this extremely long tutorial post, but these are the steps you'll need to go through to create your NEW ActiveBlogs. 

One of the things this price includes is support from myself and the AR staff and team.  Plus you'll get BIG SEO, RAINdexing, Themes, Wider bandwidth,  Widgets, and the ability to mange your invited contributors.  We're here to help, but if you follow these instructions, you'll probably never need us.  Need more details?  Here's How To Create & Maximize Your Outside Blog.   Here's 5 Ways you could use a group or team Blog.

The ActiveRain Team  &  The ActiveRain Guide

Today, ActiveRain Launched ActiveBlogs for our members.  I have been hinting that this was coming the past couple weeks and now it's finally live!  Jeff Corbett just sent out the global press release which you can read here: ActiveRain Launches ActiveBlogs, a Multi-Author Blogging Platform for Real Estate Industry Professionals.  Jorgen Hahn also posted Winning Wednesday: Introducing New Team and Individual Blogs.  Although I am in NYC right now enjoying the Inman Connect Conference, I just had to break away and take a minute to share a few suggestions and ideas with you on how you might possibly use these new ActiveBlogs to benefit you and your business.

In literally minutes, I was able to create and setup a "TEAM" or "Group" Blog without ever leaving the AR Network.  You can register, choose themes, create domain names, invite contributors, and more all from a (simple to use) interface.  It was created and setup in a way to minimize the hassle of setting up a new Blog.  Check out ActiveRainTeam.com.  It's just the skeleton right now, but we'll be using it to "TeamBlog" more in the days ahead.  To see how others are using Team or Group Blogs, check out GeekEstateBlog, RainCityGuide, or MyTechOpinion. You will also notice changes and improvements in the formatting of your existing individual Outside AR Blogs. 

I am totally jazzed about our new ActiveBlogs.

5 Ways To Maximize Your New Group Blogs

1.  Brokers, Companies and Franchises - Promote your company and agents.

This group or team Blog would work well for ANY Brokerage or Franchise that wants to add the power of multiple contributors and content from agents located and working in that office.  Maybe a Broker that has 20-100 agents, and wants to create an environment where each of them can add their expertise and experience.  This one will be a winner!

2.  Hyper-Localized - The Neighborhood Bullhorn

This group Blog would be focused on Local area content whether by demographic or geography.  You can invite others to contribute and share information with the sole purpose of providing Hyper Localized content to your community.  Being in control of what gets posted and who has editing, authoring and contributing rights makes managing the group blogs easy and effective.  I love these features.

3.  The Power TEAM - Your affiliates who contribute to your business and success.

This was hinted about vaguely in the "New Years Membership Drive" when I mentioned to invite others from your team that help make you and your business successful. Your Lender, Title Company, Stager, Inspector, Attorney etc.  Having a team or group Blog with all these affiliates contributing relative content to their fields, makes for a very powerful resource to your clients and readers.  This one is my personal favorite.

4.  ActiveRain Groups - Founders, Administrators & Moderators

There are over 5000 Groups on ActiveRain.  Why not consider an SEO packed group Blog from your best members, subscribers and contributors.  I can see this becoming a very popular way for our Groups to utilize ActiveBlogs.  You are likely to see many of these created early on.  It's a great way of taking our groups and content beyond the AR walls.

5.  Specialty Properties - Niche and Target Markets

Every Real Estate Office has individual professionals that focus on niche and targeted markets.  Vacant Land, Horse Property, Commercial, Relocation, Million Dollar Homes, WaterFront Properties etc.  This group could focus on one type or all types of specialty properties.  The sky is the limit when it comes to target and niche marketing using a group or team Blog.  Check out the links I provided in the second paragraph of this post,  they're a good example of what others have done with target and niche Blog Marketing.

Hopefully this will give you some ideas and creative ways to consider maximizing the potential of your New ActiveBlogs.  I am really looking forward to supporting and seeing our members get the most out of these Group and Team Blogs, both personally and for business.  How would you use a Team or Group Blog for your Business?

Google offers Blogs, Yahoo offers Blogs, and now ActiveRain offers RE Blogs!!  I am so excited that I get to announce this!  ActiveRain is pulling all the stops and releasing the "BIG" storm today.  It's been a long time coming, and now it's finally here! STOP HERE!

UPDATE 4/10/2009 -  Please see this new post for details regarding the NEW OUTSIDE Blogs offerred on ActiveRain.  How to Create and Maximize your AR Outside Blogs  and  5 Tips For Your Outside Blogs.

ActiveRain "Outside Blogs" are launched today.  You're going to love the ability to create one post, and then with the check of a box, send it to your Outside Blog.  That's right, one post, syndicated in three locations.  You can choose to have your post on ActiveRain, Localism, and now your own personal "Outside Blog" too.

Here's just a few highlights of the "" Outside Blogs:

* Host your Blog on your own domain name.  (You must own name)  ie: BestHomes.com
* Customize the look and feel of your Outside Blog.
* Set up in 10-15 minutes max.
* Build your posts in ActiveRain, no need to learn a new Blogging platform.
* Publish your posts to AR, Localism, Outside Blog, or all three, it's your choice.
* Benefit from the SEO power of ActiveRain.
* Brand your own Blog and yet stay connected with the AR community.
* Comments are syndicated between your ActiveRain Blog and your Outside Blog.

This is only the beginning, as the community jumps on these, each individual's exposure doubles. 2X the POWER!  That's Exciting!!  Imagine the possiblities with these Blogs...

Here's how to setup YOUR Outside Blog.  The sample below is a screen shot of my Outside Blog. I'll demonstrate how I used ActiveRain to create it.

SETTING UP YOUR CUSTOM OUTSIDE BLOG:

1. To Start, click on the link "Outside Blogs" from "My Home" page.

2. On the next screen, give your Blog a "Title". It will already have the same name as your current ActiveRain Blog.  You can change it.

3. Meta Keywords are the next option, don't panic What's a Meta Tag?

4. Next, you can customize or modify your Blog description. This text will appear underneath your Blog Banner.

5. Now give your Blog an ActiveRain Subdomain:
ie:  ActiveBrad.ActiveRain.com

6. You can also use custom domain names. (advanced users only)
You must already own your own domain name. If not, you can see if the domain you like is available, click here.

Here's a screen shot of the options that are mentioned above:

7. Next, keep your current photo or add a new photo to your Blog. Your Outside Blog photo will NOT replace your existing AR photo.  Here's your chance to update that picture from 7 years ago. lol~

8. Select one of the Templates or Themes from the ActiveRain Library:  These can be customized. More templates will be available in the future.  This is just the launch period, expect enhancements for sure.

9. Setup the colors for your fonts and for different areas of your Blog page.  Here's a color chart.

10. Now, add custom created headers and images to your Blog.  There are multiple posts on how to create and edit images, you'll find them in the Help/FAQ group.  We have some very artistic and talented members who share valuable tools and resources there.

11. Under the Advanced options, you can display multiple Blog posts, up to 100 if you like.
(I suggest 20 posts max, or the page may load slowly, especially if you have video and large graphics)

Use the Syndication options to select which posts to pull, or add ALL from your primary ActiveRain Blog.  Members Only posts will not appear on your Outside Blog.  If you have concerns about Duplicate Content on your Blogs, read this post called "Duplicate Content and Outside Blogs."

12. The FINAL STEP, Click on Save Changes

YOU'RE DONE!
Go to the ActiveRain Subdomain URL you created
and there's your new outside Blog!

Here's A Sample Of Mine

*Note: When creating posts on ActiveRain, just check this box
to place them on your outside Blog.

If you do choose to use your own existing Domain name, please read the advanced information and instructions below. You'll need to know the following:  You can also find this information located HERE.

Here are the STEP-BY-STEP instructions for setting up an Outside Blog using your own domain name.
Also be sure to check out some of the other members outside domains as ActiveRain Blogs Evolve.

That's It!  We are finally launched!!.  WOOHOO!!  You will no longer have to search for a place to have an outside Blog.  You won't have to start from scratch to create your own, or cut and paste, or duplicate efforts, or try and manage your time running two or more Blogs.

I really am excited about this.   It's like watching the birth of a baby being born, and I feel somehow emotionally and personally attached to it.  ActiveRain is moving onward and upward, and everyday, becoming more of a powerful source in this great industry.  I'm honored to be the carrier pigeon of this exciting and community changing news.  As always, if you get stuck, don't get MAD, call Brad.

For Outside Blog status updates and known issues being addressed:  CLICK HERE!