Hundreds of Activerain members put on our "expert" hat every day, whether we're posting a blog about our communities or our own real estate-related businesses.
We intend for our blogs to inform consumers, connect us with potential clients, and differentiate ourselves from the competition. I don't know anyone who started blogging with the goal of becoming an Activerain Celebrity. Do you?
Yet, in many cases, this is exactly what happens when we wear our "expert" hat. Even bloggers who never had a featured post, haven't yet earned a gazillion Activerain points, and don't get many comments are probably perceived by their readers as both an expert and a celebrity.
I first realized this a little over a year ago when strangers at community events began asking if I was the Crofton blog lady. They excitedly introduced me to their friends and asked me to pose with them for a picture. I had, indeed, come across to them as an expert, and that made made me a celebrity in these readers' minds.
This was the first of many similar occasions, and each occurrence served as a reminder that I must be highly professional in everything I post online - i.e., no rants, no whining, no spelling or grammar errors, etc. - not unless I want to disappoint my readers.
After all, I represent my whole industry, my company, my community and even the entire Activerain membership when I post online to my blog. What a huge responsibility!
If we're not willing to embrace that responsibility when we blog, maybe we should just hang up that "expert" hat, turn off the light, and go home.
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