"Life is about making an impact, not an income."
This post by Myrl Jeffcoat got me to thinking about the value of our ActiveRain Blogs:
The Importance of Remembering Your Digital Estate
My parents died without a Last Will & Testament when I was a young child. I have been painfully aware of the importance of a Will ever since, and have had one since I was 21 years old. According to recent statistics over 70% of Americans do not have a Will. Even 50% of people with children do not have a Will. I find these statistics apalling and absolutely irresponsible.
But that's not the point of this blog post. 
Myrl's post got me to thinking about the value of our ActiveRain blogs. Many of the professionals here get a great deal of business from their well-seasoned blogs and they definitely have value. Why let it die? Perhaps we should seriously consider identifying someone who would want to take over our blogs after we are gone. It would just be a matter of changing up the profile and the new owner introducing themselves... and carrying on.
The new owner of the blog would need to establish their own credibility and develop new relationships, of course. But why let a well-seasoned blog go to waste?
Some of the other social media platforms aren't so conducive to a "take-over" but certainly a blog is. I definitely think we need to let it known what we want done with our social media accounts when we are gone. Your blog and website are certainly two things to seriously consider passing along... perhaps to someone in your office?
Thanks for the thought provoking post, Myrl!
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA
Hi Sharon Tara ,
Yes, Laura Cerrano is the perfect example. We've all put a lot of work into our blogs. A shame to have them go dormant when we are no longer here.
Aug 10, 2018 06:17 AM
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services
I've got my digital footprint taken care of in my estate planning documents. "Should" we ...? It's up to each person to decide. It is certainly something more people need to consider .. then again, the majority of people don't even have a will.
Aug 10, 2018 06:31 AM
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
Lewisburg, WV
Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate
Yes, I have thought about this and will probably leave it with a good friend/agent.
Aug 10, 2018 06:31 AM
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA
Gold Star for you, Kathleen Daniels ! That's great. It does sadden me to know most people don't have a WILL, let alone think about their digital footprint. Kudos!
Aug 10, 2018 06:37 AM
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA
Hi Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor® ,
You're way ahead of the curve if you've even thought about this. Now to make an actual plan, eh?
Aug 10, 2018 06:39 AM
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Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®
Lewisburg, WV
Carol Williams - I have two agents that I am thinking about.
Aug 10, 2018 07:53 AM
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate
This question shows us all how far we've come from the days when a blog was immediately deleted upon the death of one of our respected members.
Aug 10, 2018 06:52 AM
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
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Laura Filip
Whitesboro, TX
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA
Hi Jill Sackler ,
Indeed. Websites and blogs are a valuable asset these days!
Aug 10, 2018 07:02 AM
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers
Carol Williams
Yes, it is important. Your point is about value not the emotional issues. A very important thing to consider. Thanks for bringing it up.
On the emotional side, when one beloved member died, her family didn't realize anything about the community and how important we thought she was to all of us. They just cancelled her account --- big shock to everyone!
All the best - Lynn
Aug 10, 2018 09:23 AM
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
Laura Filip Broker , Opening doors for All Seasons of Life - Whitesboro, TX
What can we do for you today?
Thank you for sharing this with us. So true the information should be transfered to a loved one. Will start getting this set up... Have a blessed day.
Aug 10, 2018 09:24 AM
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
Blue Olive Properties, LLC - Highlands Ranch, CO
Dedicated. Qualified. Local.
As long as someone from the company can carry your voice in a way that you would sign off on, I would say go for it.
Aug 10, 2018 09:58 AM
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Charlotte, NC
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!
Hi Carol! Very thought-provoking - and thank you!
I had the same initial thought about Laura Cerrano that Sharon Tara had. Laura has done a wonderful job and I've often wondered who will take mine over. I have two 'younger' assistants - both would be great at this but, neither have an interest. I would probably will it to my sister-in-law (one of the ones I mentioned and also an agent) but, I worry that it would be taken as an expectation that she would fulfill out of obligation. She would master it but, I also don't want to burden her with it either! It's going to be a big dilemma when the time comes!
I love Endre Barath, Jr.'s idea and think I'll nominate him to host it! 
Thanks for a wonderful post to ponder, Carol! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Aug 10, 2018 06:31 PM
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Carol Williams
Wenatchee, WA
SLS Home Inspections-Kankakee Will Iroquois Grundy Counties - Bourbonnais, IL
The Home Inspector With a Heart!
I always thought that Clint McKie had a great blog and he's been gone for years now, but still his blog just sits there.
Aug 11, 2018 04:40 AM
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA
Hi Lynn B. Friedman ,
I'm glad they aren't terminating those accounts any more. There is a lot of wisdom in those old posts and they should live. It gives me an idea for another aggregation post.
Aug 11, 2018 08:38 AM
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Lynn B. Friedman CRS A...
Atlanta, GA
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA
Hi Laura Filip ,
I'm pleased this post has spurred you to give this serious thought. Thank you for reading.
Aug 11, 2018 08:39 AM
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA
Hi Kevin Mackessy ,
I guess once it's passed on they can apply their own voice! Once they change up the profile info and the picture they can carry on as they see fit.
Aug 11, 2018 08:41 AM
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA
Hi Debe Maxwell, CRS ,
Not that it's going to happen any time soon but I do hope you find someone to carry on with your blog when you are ready. So much wisdom. It would be a shame to lose it.
Aug 11, 2018 08:43 AM
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA
Hi Scott Seaton Jr. Bourbonnais Kankakee IL Home Inspector ,
I didn't even know about Clint's blog but I went in and checked it out. He did write some great stuff from an inspector's view point. Glad it's still there!
Aug 11, 2018 08:45 AM
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Lynn B. Friedman CRS A...
Atlanta, GA
Hollish Hill Group, JPAR Stellar Living - Bethesda, MD
REALTOR * Broker * Coach
What an interesting idea. I really haven't thought about who would take over my blogs. What I have thought about is leaving a "In case I get hit by a bus" file somehwere so my husband would know what to do if I weren't around.
Aug 12, 2018 03:32 PM
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Jan Green - Scottsdale...
Scottsdale, AZ
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Lynn B. Friedman CRS A...
Atlanta, GA
Dana Hollish Hill
I can tell you that the "file" you mentioned came in very handy for me when my husband passed away in April 2018, just after our 50th anniversary. I felt well-cared for due to his planning for eventualities. L.
Aug 12, 2018 08:20 PM
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN
Congrats on the feature! I couldn't agree more, which is why I have a list of all passwords, etc for my daughters in the event that anything happens to me. They know where everything is and I have beneficiary deeds on my houses, too. Those will escape probate!
Aug 14, 2018 03:16 PM
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