Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2010 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
I did a quick check and there have recently been over 500 people (within the last day) people on BP. Most topics have 5-15 main players comment back and forth and a variety of lurkers that just view things.
How can we get more people engaged in conversation on topics? I never have understood people just lurking and not participating. What are the main reasons this happens and more people aren't involved?
BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
16y
What most people, unfortunately, don't realize, is that by participating in the discussion, you are raising your own profile and increasing the chances that others will want to network and do business with you!
Those members who are most active are also the same members getting the most out of the site.
By engaging in the various discussions, people get to see you, know you, and trust you (most of the time).
I always laugh when people ask us to close their profile because they "didn't get anything out of the site." Typically, they just created a profile and read some threads, but never ENGAGED with the other members on the forums, blogs, buttletins, etc. That's exactly why they didn't get anything out of the site. No one knew who they were and as a result, had little reason to connect.
Bottom line, if you're participating by joining the various discussions about real estate, the economy, strategies,and even the off topic discussions, you're increasing the likelyhood that others are going to want to do business with you. You don't have to have all the answers, just some quality feedback, insight, or opinions.
Along with that, of course, having a complete profile and a personal photo for your avatar go a LONG way!
I'll wrap my post up with a quote from an email I got this morning. This was from a member who is a regular blogger here:
"I have noticed something that has been huge for me and I would like to share it with others. While BiggerPockets is not bringing the most hits to my site, the hits are the targeted ones that I want. They are actual investors asking about deals, partnering, advice, wanting to help each other, etc. I've had about 5 potential investor partners contact me in the last month alone and when I ask how they find me all but one which was a referral said BiggerPockets. It is the quality of the hits not the quantity and my main message would be that BiggerPockets is the most highly concentrated site to network, partner and learn Real Estate Investing."
Real Estate Investor · Fishers, IN · Member since 2009 · 408 posts · 196 votes
16y
One of the bigger complaints I have and hear from friends on here is that the search function is not very efficient. For example, this morning I did a search for "Phoenix Real Estate" The first 10 results I got were over a year old. Its too hard to find recent information (if I were a newbie) and that causes either repeat threads, or short threads that maybe miss great information that is out there, plus if anyone responds to a really old post, the moderators are there right away to slap their wrist, so in some ways some discussions are restricted.
BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
16y
Kevin -
Thanks for the feedback about our search. With that in mind, we have an ADVANCED search option (link at the top of ALL forum pages) which you can use to cater your results, AND if you use the SITE SEARCH option, you'll get results on BP generated by Google -- I'm sure you trust those. We realize that the results from the basic forum search aren't organized by date, but are organized by relevance. Writing a great search algorithm is not simple, as is demonstrated by how few competitors there are to the almighty Google. The reason we have Google powering our search in addition to our basic forum search and advanced search is so our users have various options available to best meet their needs.
As to your comment about getting slapped for posting on old threads, we only do that to responses to old requests for partners, solicitations, etc. This happens because in most cases, the OP is no longer active on the site. If someone re-opens an old discussion post, we have no problem with it.
That all said please do create a new thread in the BP Q&A forum if you ever have any questions, suggestions, complaints. Hopefully we can get back to constructive suggestions for getting more people to participate.
Real Estate Investor · Fishers, IN · Member since 2009 · 408 posts · 196 votes
16y
Josh,
I appreciate the quick feedback and can totally understand the challenge of the search alogrithm. I have signed several very experienced investors on this site, and just wanted to share the feedback I received from them on responding to old posts and the search was a frustration of theirs and of course mine. I know if we clear a couple things up, it will make it easier for newbie's to find their way navigating the site.
Nothing is perfect, but this site is darn near perfect, so I say all of this because I am thankful for the community we have here.
Homeowner · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2010 · 123 posts · 66 votes
16y
This site is great and I think the participation is exceptional especially form the standpoint of a newbie. When I am not traveling, I work from home and when I am traveling I get a fair amount of hotel time. Some people don't have that much time at the computer, however, I think we all appreciate when others participate. Like some have stated sometimes our questions have already been answered in other threads.
I really appreciate all of the advice and experiences shared here.
Homeowner · Union, NJ · Member since 2010 · 15 posts · 10 votes
16y
Hi,
Well since Bryan asked & I'm new, I can only tell you my view. BP is obviously a great site. As you're going along, you're bound to have questions. It took me from March to April 2010 to even become a member then to July to even introduce myself (and I was reading almost daily) because while reading I saw others introduce themselves & ask their questions. Alot of the answers I saw were along the lines of "Dont pay for any mentoring/courses/education/programs or I wouldnt pay more than $_____. BP's a great site. read until your eyes bleed (and let me tell you, some of those forums are ridiculously long and go back years). Absorb everything (with this economy & the ways things are changing, I dont feel that answer is exactly appropriate). Just go out & do something (that one is more right than not). Experience is your best teacher. Get a deal then come back & ask". Ok, so that's what I was trying to do so to speak. I for one felt maybe I better read or search for the answer before I post a question or add to a discussion. Dont know about anyone else but as a new investor or just new to the site, I dont really want to feel attacked or ignored for asking a "dumb" question or post an answer different than the majority. I'd just as soon get my answer & move along....sometimes. I do agree however that sometimes those answers are merited when someone goes all over the forums soliciting/posting the same post. Now dont mistake me, I love this site. I have learned more here than I can say & I've even "lurked" around on other sites. I've also taken to referring others to this site even when I was in those classes or at any networking that I do. I just feel like I better have something more substantial to bring to the "table" or just let the veterans keep at it. But since Josh said so, I will try to ask more questions. :D
Ok that was more than I planned to say for 2 cents.
BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
16y
Thanks for the feedback, Keisha. I'm glad you chimed in.
As I've already said in the thread, one of the most important things you can do for yourself here on the site is to remain visible. The more people see you, the better they feel they know you, and the more likely they will be to want to do business with you. 6 years of seeing it happen time and again are proof enough for me!
Real Estate Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2010 · 4 posts · 2 votes
16y
The reason i dont post a reply to the topic would be the reason i inquired about the topic would be that im trying to gain knowledge about the topic as well, i mean when it comes time to reply i have nothing to say because im in the same boat as the person who asked the topic.
Investor · Southlake, TX · Member since 2009 · 950 posts · 338 votes
16y
I would suggest you try to think of another question to ask that would help spur conversation or debate on a topic, even if you don't feel like you know enough to ask. I agree, sometimes I feel like I'm asking a "dumb" question, but sometimes it draws more responses than would have otherwise been posted. Ok, so the question I asked about the 50% rule has been asked more than a few times. I didn't know that but the replies directed me to other threads that I could read more about the subject. These folks here are definitely opinonated, and that's exactly what those of us who are still trying to learn need to hear sometimes. Remember, that many times a poster's attitude can be misinterpreted. Then again, it comes through loud and clear. That's ok too.
Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2010 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
16y
It seems from some of the responses there is a bias toward not posting on a topic again for fear of being pointed to another thread. There also seems to be a built-in bias toward not reviving old threads because they are no longer relevant or the OP doesn't post anymore.
Could this possibly be the reason that people don't participate more? Fear of breaking the perceived rules combined with fear of ridicule for dragging up something that has already been covered. Is this the consensus reason or do others suspect there are other reasons?
The reason I brought this up in the first place is because I feel like I learn more when there is spirited debate from a number of different perspectives. Participation from the same 10-15 posters of almost every thread doesn't allow everyone to share their experiences...and that is the main value of the site IMO.
Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
16y
Quick comment....Bryan, having a spirited debate is a sure way to keep newbies out of a conversation and cloud the issues since it comes down to...who do I believe? Unless there is enough knowledge to form an opinion, it can lead people down the wrong road.
BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
16y
Guys -
Let me reiterate that we don't close threads because members revive old discussions.
I'm not sure why this rumor exists, but I'm going to squash it here and now.
Like I said before, we will only close an old thread if it is a dealmaking or marketplace post where the information is stale or the user is no longer active. Examples of this would be a user looking for a loan on for a deal from 4 years ago; clearly that member no longer needs a loan for that property. Another example would be a member offering specific properties. I'm assuming that it makes sense why we would close these threads.
That said . . .
WE DO NOT CLOSE ACTIVE DISCUSSION POSTS, NO MATTER HOW OLD THEY ARE.
Real Estate Investor · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
16y
I don't think anyone should feel too dumb to post on BP. I doubt anyone can beat one of my first posts for dumbness:
I saw people referring to SF houses and did not realize SF referred to "single family." So I posted a response about prices in San Francisco, which was "SF" to me. Imagine how stupid I felt when the next poster explained what SF meant in the RE world!
How did I deal with how dumb I felt at that time? I went ahead and posted another 700 times! And very few of those posts have been attacked as dumb, which goes to show that we all have our dumb moments and it is OK to have some of them. I do not know anyone who is smart all the time.
Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2010 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
16y
Real or perceived I think there is an assumption that these old threads are off limits somehow. They may not be closed, but I have seen several people get called out for reviving old threads in the past.
Is there any way to squash this other than for Josh to keep letting people know it is okay?
I know that I have seen countless threads where people say that things have been covered several times. I actually consider this somewhat rude because the new poster may not want to take the time to dig through THOUSANDS of old posts to find the information they are seeking. I know that Steve is very good at digging up old threads and citing them in the current one and I always vote him up for that.
I am always careful to search old topics before I post things and I know that at times I have failed to dig up old threads because of the PERCEIVED rules violation. Perhaps this has to do with people's PERCEIVED ridicule for digging up old stuff. Perception is reality...
My suspicion is that many people just want to read and learn and not ask "dumb" questions. This detracts from the overall experience IMO. If there are ways to get more people to participate I would love for those ideas to stir up new member participation if possible.
Perhaps citing new topics started along with the influence score? Other ideas?
Real Estate Investor · Portage, MI · Member since 2010 · 470 posts · 315 votes
16y
The only dumb question is one that never gets asked! I've said that a thousand times over the years! Also, I have been wrong here on BP and when that is pointed out....I accept and learn from it. I try very, very hard not to be wrong too often...crow does not taste good, but is good for everyone once in a while!
Still giving my 2 cents even if it gets devalued once in a while!
Bill
Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
16y
Originally posted by Bryan Hancock:
Real or perceived I think there is an assumption that these old threads are off limits somehow. They may not be closed, but I have seen several people get called out for reviving old threads in the past.
...
I know that I have seen countless threads where people say that things have been covered several times. I actually consider this somewhat rude because the new poster may not want to take the time to dig through THOUSANDS of old posts to find the information they are seeking. I know that Steve is very good at digging up old threads and citing them in the current one ...
One of the reasons I will say something has already been covered and NOT put up links as an answer will be because the poster didn't seem to make an effort to even try reading the relevant forums. A little effort should be exerted IMO.
When I do cite the older threads, it's so that people will revive them! It helps the person who posted on the older thread and is "monitoring" that thread. It helps the new poster to see how the topic developed in the past. It has the newer knowledgeable members chipping in on both the older thread and the newer thread as well. A "win" all around.
The only other type of thread that gets shut down (but that Josh did not mention) is a fresh but duplicated "guru" review thread - but in that case the thread is re-directed to the existing discussion so that any particular guru does not have the review broken up into too many different threads (a good thing to consolidate these IMO).
BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
16y
Am I the only one here that feels like they are in the twilight zone?
I'm not sure if there is another way to make it clear, but as owner of this website, I tend to determine the rules of the road.
I've now explained a few times in this thread that people do not need to worry about posting in old threads. Unless someone else takes over the site, I think you can take my word on this one.
You are more than welcome to revive an old DISCUSSION thread.
I'm pretty sure that should settle any questions on the matter. If not, perhaps you are all aware of some news about the ownership of this site that I wasn't informed about?
If there was a perception, then I'm hoping this clarifies reality.
Josh
BTW - If any of you feel the need to go and dig up old posts that have been closed, stop now -- you will find them. Yes, we have made exceptions. There is no need to prove a point . . . refer to my 3 previous posts moving forward.
Flipper · Phoenix, AZ · Member since 2009 · 973 posts · 679 votes
16y
I agree with whomever said that questions are usually answered before I get there.
A couple of our members are very thorough in their answers, and it leaves little to expand upon.
Someone mentioned posting to agree, but I generally accomplish that simply by voting up whomever I agree with.
Josh, I also got the feeling when I started that old topics were taboo, which frustrated me a bit when people often posted to do research before asking a question. I don't think it's anything that you've done to promote that feeling, but even someone commenting that the post is really old might make it seem like it should be left alone.
Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
16y
OK, old threads and getting participation!
Newbies, if you can't think of a question, look to some of the older threads and post to them, just ask if this strategy or this and that still applies today as things have changed.....you can reasonably ask that of anything on here and start everyone commenting on it!