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."
Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2010 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
16y
Thanks for the thread references Kathernie.
The only thread I saw as standoffish was the second one cited. The other ones were perhaps mildly harsh, but constructive. Even the second thread had some back off in it even though there was some mild testiness.
So are you pointing out that some folks don’t want to get challenged or are afraid of asking the wrong question and it getting pointed out? Is there a general problem you have noticed or is it the culture of the board somehow?
I haven’t ever been a fan of people immediately calling others out. Some constructive probing prior to calling people out is always a good thing. I can recall a thread I started a few months back calling out one of BP’s most popular posters for something I considered (and still consider) unethical. One of the other long time BP members came in and called me out when it was pretty clear he didn’t understand what was happening. I subsequently traded emails with him for the better part of a week demonstrating why I thought he was wrong. This discussion took place offline so that we didn’t have to air the dirty laundry.
From my perspective if you aren’t willing to post and learn and some minor back and forth on the board is too much for you to handle you certainly won’t make it when you are dealing with crazy sellers or tenants in the real world.
Harlingen, TX · Member since 2010 · 51 posts · 8 votes
16y
Bryan,
I have read many of your post and I feel you are very constructive and always kind. I could look for more posts as I don't keep track of thing I see unless I would like to references it later. And yes I feel that people are more afraid of asking the wrong question and getting pointed out. It is just an observation I could be wrong. It dose not happen often but I am wrong every one in a while :lol: .
Renter · Huntsville, AL · Member since 2010 · 43 posts · 11 votes
16y
I would love to get involved and participate. But I just joined today, and have done a lot of lurking. I have posted a few things, and I have several things I want to ask. But, when you fill out your profile concerning the real estate part, I even thought this might not be for me. It is a huge site, with so much information, which is a good thing.
I am not in real estate, but want to know about how to get a loan and overcome obstacles. Or find an investor for my goals. Therefore, it is taking me a long time to figure out where is the best place to go on BP to read up or add to.
I think I can add to this site when it comes to FHAA and disability rights, laws, etc.
I think if more people will welcome people that come in, it would be great as well. But, it took me awhile to find the new to BP forum.
Still, I think this is a great site and will be telling many people about it. I am so glad I found BP. I think I will learn a lot here.
Renter · Huntsville, AL · Member since 2010 · 43 posts · 11 votes
16y
Thanks Joshua, I look forward to it. And intend to stay tuned, even if nothing was done (but glad something is going to be done :wink: ) This is much easier than having to surf the Internet for hours upon hours, just to find that certain information I was looking for. Glad I found BP. Thanks!
Landlord · Seattle, WA · Member since 2010 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
16y
When you have been investing for awhile it becomes obvious that good contacts are valuable and in many cases essential. I think perhaps newer investors may not yet realize the usefulness of getting involved.
The information here is great. Thanks to many investors and real estate professionals that provide great content.
Ultimately getting involved helps in building creditability and gets you closer to important contacts. With a great contacts so many more opportunities are available. It is more hope that many more here can realize their dreams, getting involved can go a long ways towards accomplishing that.
Developer · Santa Clarita, CA · Member since 2008 · 15k+ posts · 10k+ votes
16y
It is very clear that the more you participate on BP, the more you get out of BP.
Ask not what BP can do for you, but what you can do for BP and all of a sudden, BP IS doing for you.
To answer the OG question - get more people to join and encourage them and others who have joined to ENGAGE.
Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2010 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
16y
I know this thread has helped to do that and that is why I keep dragging it up. There is a temporary lull in participtation, but each time we drag it up we get new people posting...good stuff!
Renter · Huntsville, AL · Member since 2010 · 43 posts · 11 votes
16y
I am very new to BP, and I want to get involved, already involved, and plan to get more involved. My goals for signing up to BP, may or may not be resolved. Yet, I have spent hours upon hours at BP, and was worth all the time spent here. I don't know much about Real Estate, investors, and so many other topics that I find here in all areas. It certainly has peaked my interest though, with my keyword searches, as I find myself reading so much.
And by all the reading that I do, I think about people that might be in that situation, or interested in that particular subject, which will promote me to invite them here.
Several people, imo, that come to a site, and this really is a huge site, come here, to find quick answers. Some people imo, are probably also intimidated by the site. Which is why I think the newcomers welcome forum is so important.
I am on turtlenet (dial up), but when I am on BP, even though I have very little knowledge of a lot that goes on here, I still want to welcome them. Even if it is just to say that I am a newbie, and glad to meet another newbie.
Hopefully, I can help in someway at BP in bringing new people in, sharing what little that I know, and sharing more once I become educated in more.
Landlord · Seattle, WA · Member since 2010 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
15y
I think we need to make the forums a friendly place that we can share and challenge ideas. On a occasion some may feel that they are being personally attacked.
BP is a great place to throw ideas out and look at them seriously. Challenging the idea can provide better understanding. Challenging specific people or traits does nothing to encourage participation.
Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2010 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
15y
Some people just aren't ever going to like each other Charles...nothing new there. There are some on here that I have got in heated debates with that I respect a lot. There are others I have grown to respect a bit more. There are also several trolls that detract from the value of the site IMO.
That shouldn't keep people from participating though. It is natural for people to get angry at times and mix things up when they are passionate about a topic.
Landlord · Seattle, WA · Member since 2010 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
15y
While, I agree with you Bryan, I also believe that newer member will tend to be more hesitant when the waters seem to hot.
Nothing wrong with challenging ideas, norms, actions, etc. I just think it helps make BP a better place if we refrain from attacking individuals. Just my opinion though.
BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
15y
Charles - Attacking one another is against the rules. If you see this happening, please report the post and we'll deal with it. We don't want that here.
Real Estate Investor · Milwaukie, OR · Member since 2010 · 14 posts · 2 votes
15y
I have only been a member for a few months and have just gotten my first deal. Right now i am reading and searching everything possible, soaking up as much info as I can. I did post a question and had very educational and helpful responses. Thanks to all of you that are educated well enough to help others and do so. In the future, I hope to be able to help others. Until, then....
thanks,
'a lurker'
also, i don't read off-topic posts either. there are MANY other places to do so.
Landlord · Seattle, WA · Member since 2010 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
15y
Danielle, feel free to participate. Participation is a great way to not only learn, but to gain opportunities to build connections. Real estate in many ways is a contact sport.
Landlord · Seattle, WA · Member since 2010 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
15y
I suspect part of what drives this is the topics that come up. I also tend to believe that a few wait for a conversation they feel qualified to participate in.
I suspect for some they are find they have a little more time because of the holiday seasons as well.
BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
15y
Bryan - I'll be honest - I thought the death of the political forum would lead to a reduction in traffic in the forums, but I think it has had the opposite effect. I'm definitely happy to see it go.
Landlord · Seattle, WA · Member since 2010 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
15y
Not sure why there are more new posters. I know that I will be visiting a little less often for a while. Between tax season starting up and some new investment prospects it is going to get busy.
Investor · Round Rock, TX · Member since 2010 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
15y
I suspect Charles may have been right earlier in this thread when he suggested that people fail to join in discussion when the water gets too hot. They may have also been turned off by every 3rd post being a political one too.
It is nice to still have a political forum, but I agree that the main board isn't the place for it. I am curious to know what will happen to threads that start out as real estate threads and drift toward the political arena.
Some of our newest posters are the best on the forums IMO. Hopefully they will continue to post and add value to what is already a great site.