First of all, WELCOME!

Some of the best notaries nationwide add their blogs to this group.  We are all grateful for this.  Our members' tips on marketing and notary regulations and practices are among the best tips posted anywhere in the USA.  So read all the blogs old and new to learn from The Best.

ActiveRain groups are not bogged down by nasty posts.

One of the things I love about ActiveRain is that it is free of the nasty posts on all the other notary message boards.

To exclude people who post nasty messages, I check the profile of every single person who asks to join this group and do a bit of googling.  If they posted a nasty comment on another board, I did not approve them for blogging/posting here. 

To keep blogs on topic, only notaries are allowed to post blogs on this group.

How you know you have been approved:

It may take a few days for me to have the time to check new member applications.  If I'm on vacation, it could take 3+ weeks.  That only happens in Spring and Fall. My apologies for any delays.

You will know you have been approved when you finish a new blog and get ready to post it.  That's when a new box will appear for you to check: Notary Education + Marketing.  This box will appear among all the boxes of the groups to which you belong and have posting priviledges.

Another way ActiveRain is superior to notary message boards:  You don't post on AR, you blog. 

Below is the difference between posting and blogging (in case you new to blogging).

Posting a blog is like writing a column for a newspaper.  You are stating the facts as you know them and you state your opinions and stand behind them.  If someone wants to post a criticism or opposing view, they send a letter to the editor.

Blogs are exactly the same.  Posting an opposing view as a comment attached to your blog is Very Bad Form aka Bad Netiquette.

When ignorant people post a negative comment on your blog, simply delete the comment.  If they want to voice a different position, they can post it on their own AR blog.  If they send you an angry email about the deletion, send them a nice enote to educate them about Netiquette.  (I say "nice" so they can't get mad at you no matter how much they want to - you're just too nice a person.)  You can direct them to this paragraph or just copy-paste the relevant text for your nice note.

We still have controversy in this group.  For example: there have been several blogs stating positive things about eNotarization.  There have also been negative blogs on this topic.  Each person has posted in a way that respects other people's opinions.  If I see an negative, critical counter-blog, I delete it from appearing on this group.  (Only the original blogger has the right to delete a blog.  I only have the right to delete the blog from appearing on this group.)

My intentions as group hostess:

Lots of AR groups started out with great group subjects like marketing, thinking creatively, new business opportunites etc.  But many of my personal favorites have deteriorated into a series of posts about a new house for sale posted by a real estate agent and other forms of "me, me, me, and more me."

My efforts are solely to keep this group as helpful to notaries as it can be, including you.

If you have any questions abou this group, let me know.  Click on "send me an email" in the right column

Welcome to your new professional family!

Laura Vestanen     www.ProfessionalNotary.com