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A guide to using the most popular features on BiggerPockets.com, the premier real estate investing social network -- home of 97,000+ members and 350,000 monthly unique visitors. Learn how to set up a profile, blog, connect on the forums, and much more via this guide.
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Ge#ng the Most Out of BiggerPockets
By: Joshua Dorkin & Arthur Garciawww.biggerpockets.com
A Quick Guide to Help You Maximize Your ConnecDons and Knowledge
Copyright © 2012 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Hello and welcome to BiggerPockets!
The goal of our website is to help YOU achieve your real estate goals. Over the past seven years, we’ve culDvated an opDmal online environment for learning, networking, making deals, and markeDng. My hope is that you will take advantage of the robust resources available on this site by jumping in and become an ACTIVE member.
To make sure you get the most out of your Dme spent on BiggerPockets, we’ve created this quick guide to help get you up and running.
Thanks again for joining the community.
Joshua DorkinFounder of BiggerPockets.com
Copyright © 2012 BiggerPockets, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
Once you sign up for an account, you will then be sent to the dashboard. From this screen, you can edit your profile.
Tabs: Click on the tabs to fill out each secDon of the profile.
EdiGng your profile: You can edit and update your profile at any Dme by clicking on the profile tab in the leZ margin.
Forum Signature: This informaDon will appear at the bo[om of your forum posts.
As you navigate the forums, you'll noDce that some people have a fancier signature than others, including a
company logo.
All members can create a basic forum signature, but to get the signature with your company's logo, you'll need to upgrade to a Pro account. To find out more details
click HERE
PRO SIGNATURE
STANDARD SIGNATURE
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Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
CreaDng a Profile: The Basics
CreaDng a Memorable Profile
Tip #1: Change the default avatar photo
BiggerPockets profiles have been designed to give you the opportunity to share informaGon about yourself and your business with the rest of the community.
Search engine opDmized (profiles can be found on all major search engines, unless set as private)Connect with like-‐minded people
Highlights your experience, goals, needs,wants, and acDvity on BiggerPockets
To help you get the maximum exposure and reach, we’ve compiled a list of the best Dps on how to complete an EFFECTIVE BiggerPockets profile -‐ one that people will look at and prompt interacDon.
Note from Josh:
There’s nothing that says “I don’t care” or “I’m not willing to put in the effort” than someone who sDcks with the default generic avatar.
Take a minute and change this upload to something that represents who you are.
People like to connect with other people. Uploading a photo of yourself makes you and your profile more approachable.
A few advantages for filling out a complete and accurate profile are:
* Uploading a clear headshot will differenDate you as well as make you instantly recognizable to other users browsing the site.
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Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
Tip # 2: Be Truthful
You will have ZERO credibility if people find out that you’re just another person pretending to be something that you are not.
Tip # 4: Be Detailed
What are you waiGng for? Get back on BiggerPockets and make sure your profile makes the grade!
It’s okay to omit personal informaDon you don’t feel comfortable with sharing, but by lying, you start all of your new relaDonships off on the wrong foot.
Remember, first impressions go a long way. If your profile is muddled with grammaDcal errors, slang, profanity or other offenses (such as using ALL CAPS), people are going to take that into consideraDon when deciding whether or not to connect with you.
Tip # 3: Be Professional
Include the following key elements in your profile: background, experience, goals, a[ributes and desired connecDons. Be sure to include keywords that indicate your various interests / areas of experDse (e.g. buy and hold, flipping, wholesaling, etc.).
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Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
CreaDng a Memorable Profile
The BiggerPockets Dashboard will change the way you connect and communicate via our network. The dashboard is a place where you can privately connect directly with your colleagues and followers. Whether you want to post updates, share links, or market to your network, the dashboard is perfect for that personal interacDon.
“It is your own closed social network right on BiggerPockets!”
Add links or Images
Respond to statuses, arGcles and images by leaving a comment.
@MenGon your Colleagues
A great way to loop your colleagues in a thread, blog post or a forum discussion is to uDlize the @men%on tool.
Note From Josh:
To use the @men%on tool, simply type “@” into a forum post, blog comment or a status message and then enter the first le[ers of the user’s first or last name and select from the drop-‐down menu.
QUICK TIP: You can access the Dashboard from any part of BP simply by clicking on the BiggerPockets logo in the
top leZ corner.
Share a post with your network.
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Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
The BiggerPockets Dashboard: Your Network
Colleagues: Colleagues are your direct personal connecDons on BiggerPockets. You can communicate with them on your dashboard as well as send one another private messages. In addiDon, if you set your profile to private, your colleagues will be able to see the details you post there, whereas followers and others will not.
There are three ways to add colleagues to your network:
You can add colleagues by clicking on the Connect link below their forum photo.
1. Click on the Send
Colleague Request or the Follow
link from the BP Member’s profile page.
2. 3.
• Do a ”people search” for someone
• In the search results click the Follow link next to the person you want to add
When sending a Colleague Request, be sure to send a note with your request. To increase the odds that your request will be accepted, explain why you’re hoping to connect with them.
NOTE FROM JOSH:
Followers: When you follow another user, it gives you the ability to view their acDons in your Dashboard's Ac%vity Feed. This will enable you to see whenever they post a blog entry, write an arDcle, post a property, update their status, add a follower/ colleague, make a comment, etc.
The main difference between followers and colleagues is that colleagues have the exclusive ability to send private messages to one another. AddiGonally, if a person has their profile set to private, followers won’t be able to see their informaGon, whereas colleagues would.
QUICK TIP: Think of colleagues as a mutual, 2-‐way relaDonship, whereas followers are merely a 1-‐way relaDonship.
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Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
Networking: Colleagues & Followers
The dashboard centralizes all the most important funcGons you’ll need to uGlize BiggerPockets.
For ease of use, we are going to focus on the three most uGlized secGons of the panel.
PROFILE: Clicking on this will allow users to access addiGonal opGons regarding their profile.
NETWORKING: This allows users to manage their current connecGons on BP.Perhaps the most useful opGon from this menu is the “men%ons” link. This page shows members where on BP someone has menGoned them (e.g. forums post, blog comment, status thread, etc.).
FORUM: Using the forum panel is a great way to stay on top of latest posts as well as follow the topics you are most interested in.
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Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
The Dashboard: Exploring the Grey Nav Menu
Access your inbox and write new private messages from the
Inbox tab.
To get you up-‐and-‐running as quickly as possible, we are going to focus on the most uGlized features of the blue toolbar.
You can access the Forums and Member Blogs just by clicking on the Discuss link.
From the Learn menu, you can access the BiggerPockets Blog and News & Headlines.
Manage your BP account from the Account tab.
The No%fica%ons tab advises you when someone has requested to follow you or to be your Colleague, as well as when you have menDons.
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Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
Exploring the Blue NavigaDon Menu
Edit Profile: Access your profile se#ngs via the Edit Profile tab.
ConnecGons: Clicking this opDon will allow users to sync their BP account to Facebook. Doing this will enable members to do the following:
* Login instantly * Verify your idenDty to the BP community * Share your BP acDvity with your Facebook friends
Upgrade to PRO: Click on this tab to review the various membership opDons and to upgrade your membership.
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Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
Managing Your BiggerPockets Account
Seengs and Privacy: Allows users to manage their noDficaDons and set parameters on what other BiggerPockets members can view of their profile.
Control email no%fica%ons Set privacy parameters
Upgrade to a PRO Membership
You can also update your password via your seengs menu.
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Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
Managing Your BiggerPockets Account
With hundreds of thousands of discussion posts and over 60,000 topics, the BiggerPockets Forums are the most uDlized resource on the site. Here are a few Dps to help you maximize your experience.
Accessing the Forums: You can access the forums from any part of the website by hovering your cursor over the Discuss opDon on the blue toolbar or from the forum acDvity tab on the dashboard.
Viewing OpGons: Once you are on the forum homepage, you will have several opDons for navigaDng through the content. If you want to see ALL FORUM CATEGORIES just click the View All link near our forum category navigator
Recent Discussion Tab: Allows users to view the latest forum posts on BP.
My Discussion Tab: Allows users to view the forum posts they have previously commented on.
Unanswered Tab: Allows users to view which forum posts have not yet been commented on.
My Watched Topics Tab: Allows users to follow a topic or forum thread.
To “watch” a new topic, click the Monitor Topic box located at the top of each thread.
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Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
Ge#ng to Know the Forums: The Basics
To find out more FAQs, visit theBiggerPockets Knowledgebase by clicking HERE
How do I start a new forum topic?
1. Search the forums to make sure your quesDon hasn't been asked before.
2., Go to the main forum page and click the Create a Topic bu[on and you'll be taken to the new post form page.
3. Select a topic from the drop down menu. Fill in all required fields. Then you’ll be able to preview your post. Select the Post Topic bu[on to make your post go live.
How do I reply to a forum post?If you're logged into the site, just go to a forum discussion that you want to reply to and click the Quick Reply or Advanced Reply bu[on.
AZer adding a post to the forums, you'll have 10 minutes to edit your posts. You'll see an Edit Post link for that 10-‐minute period. Clicking that link will let you edit your post. AZer the 10-‐minute period lapses, you will only be allowed to Update your post.
How do I edit my forum post?
edit update
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Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
Ge#ng to Know the Forums: FAQ
What is a PM?A PM is a private message. Using this feature will allow members to send messages to colleagues and followers. PMing your colleagues is a great way to stay in touch with your network on BP.
NOTE: Users can PM either a single individual, or mulDple contacts.
How do I send a PM?There are three ways to send PMs. You can send one directly from the Forums , the user’s Profile page and from the Inbox tab.
Send a PM from a Forum post.
Send a PM from a user’s profile page.
Composing a PMOnce you click on the Send PM link, you’ll be redirected to the Compose Message page. From here, type in the first few le[ers of your desired contact’s name and click one(s) that apply.
Send a PM from the Inbox tab.
When you send a Colleague Request, make sure to includeaddiDonal informaDon about yourself. This will increase the chances of someone accepDng your request and will also provide them with some addiDonal context on you.
Note From Josh:
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Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
Private Messaging on BiggerPockets
One of the greatest aspects of becoming a member of BP is that you have the ability to contribute to our wealth of content by sharing your experiences and knowledge with the rest of the community.
We’ve created an easy way for you to contribute to the community with our member blog network!
You can create a blog, manage your posts and reply to comments – all from the Blog drop-‐down menu.
A few benefits of Blogging on the BiggerPockets Blog Network1. Increased Credibility: Anyone can blog on BiggerPockets, but only the best content is highlighted. By providing top content to your peers and our readers, you increase the odds that others will get to know and trust you and your business. The best of the best is actually highlighted in our weekly newsle[er as well!
2. Its FREE: Other prominent real estate blogging plavorms charge you to make your content viewable and visible to non-‐members. Our user blogs are public facing, and it costs you nothing to begin!
3. Large Built in Audience Means TRAFFIC: BiggerPockets has close to 100,000 members and hundreds of thousands of unique visitors each month. That means that you don’t have to work hard to build up an audience / readership.
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Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
CreaDng Your Own Personal Blog
We created the BiggerPockets PRO account to give members the ability to improve markeDng opportuniDes on the site. Here are a few of the key features that come with a PRO membership:
An Enhanced forum Signature, Including Your Company's Logo
While regular members have the ability to include a line of informaDon in their signature, PRO members get an addiDonal line where they can add addiDonal informaDon (email, phone and website link are standard); AND the best
feature of all is Pro members can post their company logo at the bo[om of all forum posts.
Easily Find New Leads Using Your BiggerPockets Stats
In the Dashboard of our PRO members, there is a
secDon under the Profile tab devoted to Stats. This opDon allows our Pro members to view the latest visitors to their profile, blog, and each property lisDng on BiggerPockets!
This informaDon provides our members with a powerful tool for scouDng new leads.
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Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
Benefits of Becoming a PRO Member
Not PRO member yet?
Upgrade to a BiggerPockets PRO HERE
Contact Made Easier as a PRO
While regular members are restricted to send a PM to colleagues, our PRO members can send a PM to any BiggerPockets member (provided they are not blocked by that member).
That said, we have a zero tolerance policy for spam.
Highlighted Profile on Networking Page
Our PRO members get their profiles highlighted at the top of the Networking page. Not only will people see your locaDon and occupaDon, but they’ll also see a link to your website.
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Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
Benefits of Becoming a PRO Member
The Networking Page allows users to search for other users within a certain category. Using this search feature will enable you to do a comprehensive search by area and other a[ributes such as: OccupaDon, CerDficaDon, Deals & Holdings, etc.
Accessing the Networking page: To access the Networking page, click on the Find Members opDon under the Network tab.
Finding other users: From the Networking page, click on the Search Members link in the right corner and filters through the various opDons .
You can filter the results by using the
drop-‐down categories.
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Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
Using the Networking Page
The BiggerPockets Blog (BP Blog) is the premier online Real Estate magazine. The blog is updated daily with several posts from writers with various real estate backgrounds who share their experDse and insight with the BP community.
Accessing the BiggerPockets BlogTo access the BP blog, hover the cursor over the Learn tab and click on the BiggerPockets Blog opDon.
Exploring the BiggerPockets BlogTo read previous blog entries, click on the Blog Archives opDon, the Explore the Blog opDon, or use the Search funcDon.
Blog Archives: Review past blog arDcles (sorted by month).
Explore the Blog: Read a randomly generated blog post.
Search: Look through previous arDcles by typing in a topic of your choice.
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Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
The BiggerPockets Blog
To comment on a blog arDcle, scroll to the bo[om of the arDcle, fill in the gray spaces and click the submit bu[on. NOTE: To make sure your image appears with your comments, be sure you’ve got an account with Gravatar.com
Why comment on blog arGcles?
* Feedback: Leaving your thoughts at the bo[om of a post helps our team of writers conDnue to craZ the highest quality of content
* Visibility: Consistently leaving comments is a great way to increase you and your company’s visibility
* Traffic: If you leave useful comments, or add addiDonal insight to a parDcular post, other readers will likely click through to your website.
If you have any addiDonal user quesDons about the site, you can always click the HELP link located at the bo[om of the website.
On behalf of BiggerPockets, I would like to welcome you to the community.
Happy InvesDng!
Josh
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Getting the Most out of BiggerPockets.com
CommenDng on the BiggerPockets Blog
