http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#comments Comments from 'Upgrades: Influence & Forum Voting' in BiggerPockets Founder's Blog at BiggerPockets.com http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#c_1780 http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#c_1780 Fran - Check your private messages. http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#c_1779 http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#c_1779 thanks Josh-- I will try to keep participating, but its really bothering me as to what I might have done against the rules?? I really enjoy this site. maybe I didn't introduce myself correctly? I will try that. any other advice would be appreciated. thanks, Fran http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#c_1699 http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#c_1699 Hey Fran - The only way you would have gotten negative influence would be by disregarding one of the rules of the site. That said, it shouldn't be too hard to turn that negative to positive. Just start participating on BiggerPockets within the rules and you'll see the number climb back. As you can see this this post, there is ample opportunity to gain positive influence from participating in the forums, and the same applies on the rest of the site. Good luck. http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#c_1698 http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#c_1698 I feel bad that my influence is negative 17 points? am I reading that correctly? I'm wondering what I did wrong to have a negative rating. I am relatively new, and am trying to follow the rules, so would appreciate feedback of how I can transfer from negative to positive! http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#c_1339 http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#c_1339 I'm happy to hear that you like the feature, Wendy. We've got a whole lot more to come . . . stick around! http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#c_1338 http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#c_1338 Love this feature! BP gets better every time I visit :) http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#c_1315 http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#c_1315 You will eventually. Right now the influence only covers the forums, but it will soon include every aspect of the website - profile, blogs, bulletins, articles, etc. http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#c_1312 http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#c_1312 do we get points for filling out our profile? http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#c_1309 http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/1/blog_posts/1692#c_1309 Great idea! This would mean that we can see those newbies that obviously do not read the rules before they post. The rules state to indroduce yourself in the new members forums. This would give you 5 points for starting a topic. A new member without those 5 points will probably be found violating some area of posting rules!