So there is a party going on here at Active Rain. And nothing's going to break it up.  Don't mind me, I'm here to enjoy the music! But which way are we heading here on ActiveRain?

Everyone is on their soap box, "ACTIVERAIN is supposed to be for PROFESSIONALS" "We need better content!", "We should be THE source for information regarding Real Estate."  I stated these things myself in my Localism Week in Review. I can think of 12 different blogs that have addressed the same thing over the past two weeks myself. 

The Carnival of Content has started, with a Big Bucket O' Points for the winners.  People are (I think) working hard researching, trying to come up with original ideas and pictures, trying SO hard not to say the same thing 400 other Realtors are going to say.  "Don't overprice, stage your home"  Will this be good for consumers?  It will if people participate.  Will we all read the wonderful articles that will come out of this?  I doubt it. 

We are real estate professionals.  We all get up in the morning and work on helping our clients. We attend training meetings, office meetings, conference calls. We read our professionals magazines, newsletters, e-mails, blogs, we are bombarded with information about how to improve ourselves for the sake of our business. We work very hard in our business world, but when we all have a little extra time on our hands, do we come into ActiveRain to be "educated" again?  Or do we come in here to kick back, relax a little, and enjoy the company of those who can empathize with us? 

My theory? We're here to socialize.  Like the happy hour at work after the day was done, we now all congregate around the computer after our "work" is done and muse over the day. Life is too busy and complicated to go hang out at the local pub.  Besides that, If all of the National Association of Realtors showed up at a place like Cheers one day, there would always be those who would try and bring pictures of their clients properties.

I took my theory and tried to put it to the test.  Look at those posts who are well thought out, very educational, informative, and of great relevance.  They are skimmed over perhaps, and a few get comments. I even saw some that got 40 or 50 when they are featured. 

But go back to the ones that are fun, or about current events. The posts on the iPhone? Pretty high up there.  Posts about Active Rain, or the points system? Another biggie.  Over 150 comments are common on those posts that celebrate, make us laugh, or are controversial. A well thought post about mortgage rates or current market trends?  Eh, unless someone has a unique individual idea, it's pretty much passed over. 

And those who always get a lot of comments on their posts?  Those who love to PAR-TAY!  Even Broker Bryant and TLW liven up their boring posts with funny pictures of themselves.  We look forward to their posts just to see what funny picture he's going to add in :)

So what are we going to do about it? I suggest NOTHING!  Let's stop complaining about how there isn't enough professionalism in here. Enjoy the atmosphere, but realize we DO have a lot of professional posts on here. And when someone needs an answer, they will search through the history, and find the answer they are looking for.  We're professionals.  We will share our knowledge in blogs, it's our nature as Real Estate Professionals.  WE HAVE BIG MOUTHS :) But don't hate the fact that we all need a place to come and relax, vent, or enjoy ourselves too.  

If you made it this far, congratulations :) I'm off to write a "serious" blog for the Carnival of Content, and then to relax and enjoy the rest of the night ;)  Take care, and Happy Blogging everyone.

Lexa R. Montierth 

P.S. I want to make special mention of Jason's Localism Contest "My (My Family's) favorite place to hang out is __________" This one is a little more fun, and the deadline has a little more time.  I am really looking foward to these entries!