This is the last review of a series, of a book called WeBLOG, by Rebecca Blood. 

Although I will go over the last Chapter, I urge everyone to look beyond Chapter 7 into great tools included by the author in Appendix I, II and II at the end - which cover tutorials from writing linktext to buying a Domain.

I found the author's tone in this book to be motherly and nurturing, as if Rebecca was speaking directly to me and telling me the do's and don'ts of blogging - as if she was holding me by the hand showing me the ropes.  Chapter 7 was especially impacting because I have been there and knew exactly what she was talking about. 

This Chapter deals with how blogging affects you life - here are some points to always keep in mind.

SCHEDULE - Here in Active Rain, we often hear about our AR addiction, how we can't stop blogging, how our spouses complain (Rick not excluded....a lot of you know he calls it ACID RAIN).  Rebecca touches into having a life beyond blogging and how to know if your blog is taking over and what to do if it does.

She starts by saying that "It's true that the only way to cultivate an audience is to provide them with new content on a regular basis.  Becoming a slave to your weblog schedule is a sure way to burn out, so the first thing I advise you to do is to create a reasonable schedule for yourself and then stick to it."

REPUTATION - We also need to worry about our reputation - no it is not high school, but everything you write is there to stay..."everything you say online may live forever".  Think before you publish, choose your topics wisely and avoid at all costs, writing when you are angry.  If you do, don't publish right away, read your post/comment a couple of times, wait until you cool down and rethink the post/comment - edit personal attacks, arguments, unsupported claims, and remove inflammatory language.   Always approach your colleagues with respect!

PRIVACY - "life online is more permanent than life on the street"- Some bloggers put their life out there for everyone to read and some others are very private - so think about which route you feel comfortable with. You also need to respect other people's privacy - and most importantly - protect your children online as you do in everyday life.  **Rebecca cautions us to think carefully about blogging information that could tie our children to a physical location***

SUPERSTAR SYNDROME-I know this applies to a lot of us here, since most of us have profile photos - but don't be surprised if people start recognizing you.  As real estate professionals, using our photos for marketing purposes, including blogging can be a little overwhelming.  I had a mom run to me at my son's preschool and say, "I knew you looked familiar, you are Ines from the Rick and Ines Team!  I look at your photo on my refrigerator everyday!"  That's the reality of the Internet - it makes us mini-celebrities, enjoy your stardom!

TAKE A VACATION- Lastly the author talks about taking a break from your blog.  If you are burning out, if blogging is not longer fun, if you are stressed about finding new subjects to blog about.  Let your readers know you will not write as often, take a vacation from your blog.  When you come back, you will feel refreshed and full of life, or you may choose to post less often and change your blogging habits altogether.

The most important factor is to keep it real and keep it fun! 

---------------------- 

Just in case you missed the rest of the reviews:

1. Mariana Wagner - BLOG History 101 ~ Review #1of The WeBLOG Handbook, by Rebecca Blood

2. Ines Hegedus-Garcia- Why Blog - Review #2of The WeBLOG Handbook, by Rebecca Blood

3. Ann Cummings - Creating and Maintaining Your BLOG - Review #3 - The WeBLOG Handbook by Rebecca Blood

4. Ann Cummings - Finding YOUR Blog Voice - Review #4 - WeBLOG Handbook by Rebecca Blood

5. Monika McGillicuddy - Find an Audience and Obey the On-Line Rules of the Road

6. Mariana Wagner - Behaving in the Blogosphere: Review #6 of The Weblog Handbook, by Rebecca Blood

**Thank you TLW, once again, for putting this talented group of ladies together and for leading us through yet another GREAT book. **   I wonder what TLW has in store next? Hmmmm......SVW