Some have alluded to favoritism.  That the feature fairies have their "go-to" cool kids.

I have unique insight into who the fairies are, and how they choose features, and nothing could be further from the truth.  The feature fairies search on a regular basis for "feature-able" posts.  Posts that will be of interest to a large share of AR's readership, is original content (not copied from Keeping  Current Matters), and these days - has a feature photograph.

You'd be surprised how difficult it is to find posts that match those criteria.

Yes, there are members of AR who are featured with some regularity who consistently provide quality content with universal appeal.  And when others cannot be found, yes, they get featured over and over again.  It has nothing to do with favoritism, or clique-ism.  I have actually had some of those "often featured" members reach out to me and ask not to be featured as frequently.

If you can provide quality original content with appeal to a large portion of the membership and include a feature photo - you, too, can be featured. The feature fairies would welcome an opportunity to feature "new talent".

It's not easy.  Good luck.

Hi John,
The first thing to get posts Featured is to get noticed. I see from your archives you aren't getting a lot of comments on your posts which means you probably aren't getting noticed.  You get noticed by being active on the platform, meaning you write regularly and comment on other blogger's posts consistently. It tends to be a reciprocal thing.

As for the type of posts that get Featured, what I look for in my Second Chance Saturday series is original content that is of interest to the general membership. I suspect the Big Board Feature Fairy looks for the same.

Oh... and also join us for our weekly educational Zoom meetings at 2:00 Eastern time so we can get to know each other. Here is the Zoom meeting link.  

All that said, do you have specific articles that you have written you believe should be Featured?

 We are all familiar with the term "The Feature Fairies". 

   Does ActiveRain Member Support have any insight into that?

I have some recommendations and things I've seen work - usually consistent blogging, engaging with the community (more followers = more views = higher likelihood your blog will be seen/suggested/smiled upon by a 'feature fairy').

Topics on current events, debates, new industry trends, or those that offer help to either the platform or members in their business tend to get a gold star, as well.  For example, as a lender, if I blog the definition of a 30 year fixed rate mortgage, it's not likely to get a feature.  If I blog about how Fed rate hikes fight inflation and how this ends up having an effect on home owners and home buyers, it's much more likely to get featured.

Taking a quick glance at your AR history, I'd start w/the consistency and molding (pun intended) topics into FYIs that the housing industry would find useful, both AR members and the broader public.

Hi John- Carol Williams and John Meussner have provided excellent advice. Engaging in the community is important so your post will be read. Read and comment on other posts and read this post written by Debe Maxwell, CRS about Feature posts!!!

You have one more than me  so congratulation.  

HA, that's like asking what the secret of the universe is! 
Make the post public facing so more see it, if the subject matter warrants it
Have a very catchy title that would attract attention
Make it easy to read, professional and timely

Interact with other bloggers on their posts so they will look at yours, and there are a couple of people here who will feature in their own digest posts . . . which sometimes can result in a feature.

There's no rhyme or reason aside from that. I've seen ridiculous posts full of grammatical and spelling errors featured and solid excellent posts overlooked. 

PS. I personally could not care less whether my posts are featured, and I've had quite a few. You don't get paid for them, they don't result necessarily in extra business except possibly referrals . . . they give you either stature or notoriety in this community. That's about it.

Write for YOUR business to grow and to be seen as an area expert. Let the FFs take it from there or  not . . . 

There is no magic formula. John Meussner has some advice for you and so does Carol Williams. Consistency, blog material, transparency and engagement are a few things that do get noticed.

Parked and Reading.  I have 4 featured posts ... but I also have not always been consistent with my posting.  So I really think it has alot to do with your subject matter and if it is well received by the ones who put you in the position of a FEATURED POST.  

Parked and reading the other responses so I can understand more how this actually works.

Hi John - seems like Carol Williams and John Meussner have some good ideas for you.  Getting involved and engaging with other members by commenting and getting to know the community might help you get noticed by the FF folks.  I just followed you so I look forward to hearing more from you.

original content and INTERESTING, attention grabbing Title, broad appeal.

There's no magic to it, John...I don't believe...and others have shared some good suggestions about what tends to help.

This is, indeed, the holy grail.  We've guessed, many times over the years, that the feature faeries are just drunk, as those posts featured make little sense.  I have seen KCM posts featured in the past (even though ARMS says not to use KCM). 

I have found that the faeries seem to like posts with lists... like "7 Reasons that..." or "6 ways to...".    And a clever/catchy headline seems to help "Real Estate... it's what's for breakfast!".

You have some great responses here.  I cannot think of anything to add.

One of the reasons (if any) is your inquiry. Lets see what others have to say

A name change could help, seems that the same people get most of the features.

The reality is you need to be blessed by the Feature Fairy. 
But you can game it a bit.
Be aware, this is a real estate agent website site populated by agents in a sea of smiley faced real estate agents. You need to not get lost in the crowd.
I suggest creating your unique perspective on a subject. 
I suggest that perspective be PAIN focused.
I suggest that perspective relieve the PAIN that is realized.
I suggest when relief is experienced, direct the reader to more healing oil.
I suggest being controversial, meaning entering the conversation the reader is already engaged in, in their head. This can be anything they read, hear or see, including a slap on the stage.
EXAMPLE: Housing Crisis, Not a price issue but a behavioral issue.
What is the pain? Locals in the Florida market are locked out because of deep pockets from Ca and NY with lots of cash.
Solution 1 - Let me convert you to a CASH buyer, like those you must compete against.
The final soluton: More oil: Subsidized housing is NOT a solution however, we the people need to pay it forward by considering these things. Behavioral.

I think one can see this is not the typical housing crisis article but will appeal to buyers and agents all in search of a solution and a voice.
For a blog of this nature to work well, it must be about 500 words that link to a PILLAR post that talks about the behavioral solution in depth. This pilar post must include headeers so you can link to portions as needed in future blogs.
The blog needs to contain a brief title with a potent trigger word that is assuaged in the blog.
Then come to the Q&A and announce the intent of your wonderful blog and solicit critical review. (that is different than pejorative review. You want critical reviews from your peers)
You may want to use AR as your marketing test bed to see what subject lines and titles get the best responses.
There are few new things in real estate. But what you do have is YOUR voice. To not succumb to conformity takes courage. Be boldly aware that you DO NOT allow the critical reviews of others agents compel you to pull back on your voice. Be bold. Be visionary.
The birds of the air will seek shelter in the branches of the visionary.

there are many things we have no control over when playing in another sandbox. What I have shared will work well in ANY sandbox. I encourage you to have other sand boxes where your create your content and do the copy/past into AR.

John M. Acaron, CMI, MRSA  You'll need to be one of the cool kids.  I begged for one and got it shortly afterwards.  The people that choose the post have their go to agents or posters.

You're asking for the magic sauce recipe. Unknown but a good lead line & good writing is usually the key. Good brand bar-b-que sauce also.

Never figured that one out and wasn't anything I really shot for. Simply just provide information that benefit people and other agents and get yourself noticed

I have to say thank you John M. Acaron, CMI, MRSA - you inspired me to write a Featured Post this week and I accomplished it because you posed this question. 

This is a great question. Years ago AR had a featured called "called shots" where other Rainers could recommend posts to be "Featured". I thought it was very successful. You got points if your called shot recommendation was featured. There was a variety of posts. I wish ActiveRain Member Support could bring back this feature. I'm not sure why they got rid of it.

Quality content that is deemed to be of interest to others.

not have them be infomercials.  That's not going to get featured.