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You're an Activerain Celebrity... So What?

By
Real Estate Agent with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Expert HatHundreds 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 firstsign 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.

Posted by

This infoMargaret Wodarmation was provided to you by Margaret Woda, an Associate Broker with Long & Foster Real Estate in Crofton Maryland. Contact Margaret today for general real estate information or to learn how she can help you buy or sell a home in Annapolis, Bowie, Crofton, Davidsonville, Gambrills, and Odenton. 

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Comments (32)

Don Sabinske
Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc. - Zimmerman, MN
Sabinske & Associates Inc.

It is so true.  We have to remember not to rant unless it is a members only blog post that invites some contrary opinions.  And, that is why when invited to reveal my "true self" on my blog that I remember that comments can be taken out of context, misintrepeted or downright misconstued. 

Aug 09, 2010 02:37 PM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Margaret - You were here before I was, and you taught me that through your actions.

Rebecca - Thank you!

Terrie - I went to look at shoes about a month ago, and someone in the store asked if I had written a blog about that store a year ago.  'Turns out it was the owner, and he recognized me from my profile photo.  Yes, they're reading!

Liz & Bill - I think most posts can be public, but there ARE some...

Don - Isn't it disappointing when that happens? I think it does for everyone, at some point.

Aug 09, 2010 02:44 PM
Mary Kay Hopkins
Mary Kay Hopkins, LLC e-PRO, GRI, CRS, CRB - Lake Charles, LA
e-PRO,GRI,CRS

"Responsible Blogging".  I'm with you as well, Margaret.  Another provocative post.  Thanks.

Aug 09, 2010 03:08 PM
Steve Shatsky
Dallas, TX

Hi Margaret... That celebrity status thing is funny when it happens because it always seems to be when I least expect it!

Aug 09, 2010 03:10 PM
Rodney Mason, VP of Mtg Lending
Guaranteed Rate NMLS# 2611 - Atlanta, GA
AL,AR,AZ,CA,CO,FL,GA,IN,MI,MS,NC,SC,TN,TX,VA,WA

When making comments on someone's post, it is very important to think through what you write.

Aug 09, 2010 03:20 PM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Mary Kay - It's something we don't always think about, but then something happens to remind us - and it's a little overwhelming, I think.

Steve - You're right.  The Petsmart thing, for example... we were in Annapolis.

Rodney - I didn't address that but YES, that's so true.  I read a post last week about a consumer who picked their agent based on the blogger's comments...  You gotta assume someone's watching, don't you?

Aug 09, 2010 03:37 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Wow -- I never really thought about this until I started getting some calls from the public about local events I had written posts about.  I amazed and happy to know that I am being "followed."

Aug 09, 2010 04:12 PM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

I think most of those who dabble in blogging in my area are hoping for a "quick fix."  If you want to blog for business - you will have to become "known."  The other issue is that the public tends to "trust" blogs more than websites.  We don't want to betray that trust by mispeaking.

Aug 09, 2010 04:35 PM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Joan - Every time it happens, I experience a light bulb moment - AGAIN! People DO read our blogs and they do look at us as celebrities because we must be the best, right?

Ruth-Marie - How can we expect our buyers to be flexible when FHA suddently adds a new charge on Sept. 7, or our sellers to be flexible when an appraisal comes in low if we come across as inflexible in our blog posts.  Being "known" brings with it some responsibilities, sometimes we should pause to consider that.

Aug 09, 2010 10:36 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Margaret, I thought that was the purpose of the Member's only posts. Nobody in my office wants to hear me complain especially as the broker. Here on the Rain, we are comrades in arms and there will be advice and some 'nurturing' as well.

Aug 10, 2010 02:06 AM
Kathryn Maguire
GreatNorfolkHomes.com (757) 560-0881 - Chesapeake, VA
Serving Chesapeake, Norfolk, VA Beach

I love this post!  And it paints an interesting perspective on what can happen with your hyper-local blogging.  Very funny that you are now a celebrity!  Move over Brangelina!

Aug 10, 2010 03:41 AM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Ed - I agree that sometimes we should be using Members Only, but anyone can sign up to become a member, and the worst offenders often don't use Members Only. 

But I'm not speaking only about our blogging - it's more about the overall responsibility that goes with being a public figure.  Don't you hate it when you see someone with a REALTOR sticker on their car cut off another driver in traffic?  You know that ALL real estate agents are being considered rude drivees at that moment by the driver and passengers in the car that was cut off.

Kathryn - I don't think Brangelina needs to worry.  LOL.  But seriously, we do need to think twice sometimes before we post something or make a sarcastic comment to a check-out girl or cut off another driver because we give up our privacy, in a way, when we go online and act like an expert.

Aug 10, 2010 03:53 AM
Andi Grant
310-508-4354 | FirstTimeHomeBuyerRealEstate.com - Los Angeles, CA
Helping 1st time buyers and home sellers in LA!

That's great Margaret!  Love the graphic!

"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...."

AGREED!  I think people forget that, myself included.

Aug 10, 2010 08:16 AM
Holly Weatherwax
Associate Broker, Momentum Realty - Reston, VA
A Great Real Estate Experience

Margaret, Great post! I always enjoy your posts and today was no exception.

Aug 10, 2010 09:56 AM
Kay Van Kampen
RE/MAX Broker, RE/MAX - Springfield, MO
Realtor®, Springfield Mo Real Estate

Margaret, no matter whether we write posts to members only, we need to be careful what we write.  Nothing is secret on the web.

Aug 10, 2010 03:13 PM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

A  big hat we all wear but it's a very noble position. You make us proud, AR Celebrity! You get 5 stars in my eyes.

Aug 12, 2010 12:17 AM
Bill Gassett
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Hopkinton, MA
Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate

Margaret it is great that you are recognized around town as the blogging expert. That can only mean one thing...FUTURE BUSINESS!

Aug 12, 2010 12:45 AM
Russell Lewis
Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX
Broker,CLHMS,GRI

Margaret, I thoroughly enjoyed this post but also chuckled a bit at the irony of your own celebrity standing here at AR. Of course what I always like about your blog is that it is diversified, well written and GOOD! And you do practice what you preach and are a great example to bloggers here and elsewhere!

Aug 16, 2010 02:55 PM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

Turn out the lights, the party's over. Time to go home. Just remember that the light can turn things on the next day, too!

Aug 20, 2010 02:04 PM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

Russel -  I believe most Activerain members intend to earn and keep the professional respect of their community, while others earn their "celebrity" through outrageous costumes and posts.  The nice thing about Activerain is that there is room for all of us to be ourselves.  Hopefully we will do so while still reflecting in a positive manner on our industry as well as ourselves.

Russell - with 2 L's - It's kinda like a professional athlete who suddenly find himselr/herself in the position of role model... having to watch what is said, etc.  Blogging about our profession seems to put us in a similar position.

Bill - You know, this post is not so much about me as it is about ALL of us.  When we put on that "expert" hat we ALL become mini-celebrities, don't you agree?

Loreena - YOU are definately an Activerain celebrity.  In a way it feels kinda neat, but in another...  it's a lot of pressure, isn't it?

Kay, So true!  Now that more people in the community recognize me, I'm more careful to dress professionally for a quick trip to the grocery store - or to make it less quick, and go to the store at a nearby location.  LOL.  Pressure!

Holly - Thank you.  I've recently discovered your blog and become a subscriber.

Andi - Spelling is probably the toughest of these standards.  I get so annoyed when I run spellcheck, all looks well, and then it turns out I omitted a word in my sentence or something like that.

Aug 21, 2010 05:17 AM