Four and a half years ago, I wrote a post here on ActiveRain titled Stewardship: The Way to a PLEASANT Blogging Experience. The idea was from a post from a comment thread in which our own Bob Stewart - ActiveRain talked about holding ourselves to a higher standard.
Bob wrote, ""If you have a following on ActiveRain, you need to HOLD YOURSELF TO A HIGHER STANDARD. Having a big following (and there are a ton of you commenting on this that do) means that you take stewardship over the community as a whole. ..........Your actions reflect positively and negatively on ALL OF US."
Hang around the ice cream shop long enough and you end up eating the ice cream. If you know me well you know my weakness (addiction) is ice cream and I can’t afford to eat it every day (it’s the darn sugar level in my ‘older years’ of life) Bottom line is that if we gravitate towards negative posts in our community we end up being negative right along with them. Same goes for positive ones.
We on ActiveRain ARE a community and it is the people behind all the words that make this a great community. There will always be disparaging posts or comments and we can make that choice to ignore, jump in and look like fools or look on the positive side of the story.
There is always a positive to every negative.
Your success in business and even in personal relationships is not dependent on others giving it to you. YOU WORK FOR IT. Same goes for blogging. We have to work hard at creating a creative content with a little bit of self in it so that the consumer and our peers see a bit of who we are and what we stand for.
I choose to engage my readers with:
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Quality Content: Yeah, I can cram a load full of creative content into one post or very little with thought provoking tidbits to make you think. That's the beauty of blogging....I MAKE my own blogging experience turn into business and connecting with my peers by putting interesting information out there for conversation.
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Transparency in Content: When I’m talking to someone about real estate (or staging, loans etc.) am I just reciting and talking AT them instead of WITH them? The same goes for my blogging.... I FEEL the reader walking beside me and write as if I’m talking with them. Being real goes a long way. -
Variety in Content: Whoever says that local area, restaurants, the best auto repair place in town, local history and points of interest in your neighborhood has nothing to do with real estate is OUT OF THEIR MINDS! Everything around us is Real Estate Related. If a client asks where a great dining place is I have answers or at the very least can point them in the right direction . This WILL make the difference in their believing that I AM THE LOCAL AREA EXPERT.
ActiveRain will always be my best source for getting myself and my information out to the public. It is my best source for referrals and without a doubt the only place (since March of 2007!) that I have truly bonded with my peers and turned many a connection into long lasting friendships.
I HAVE created my own blogging experience on ActiveRaim. With dedication, consistency and a whole lot of effort, I have turned my words into business and relationships. It took time to implement blogging into business (about six months in the beginning) and a strong commitment to make it last through today.
One piece of good advice I can give is focus on your own self instead of worrying about everyone else and what they’re doing. All that time and energy can be best utilized by creating your own positive reinforcement for your business, your life and our community and be the person behind those written words that everyone will read.
Ask yourself…… Are You Engaging Your Readers?
It takes a positive attitude to work as a team in your business..
It starts here with blogging.
Hold yourself to a higher standard in The ActiveRain Community.....
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
All rights reserved.
Sally, when a person hold him/herself to a higher standard, s/he walks around EVERYWHERE with it. Not only in AR. But I agree with you. We should hold ourselves to a higher stewardship on AR. This place is full of credible and honorable people (for the most part). That's why in such a short period, it had gained so much respect in this industry.
You are what you eat and you are what (and how) you preach.
Sally: Well said. Thanks for encouraging me and all of us here to be real!
I don't think you can read this and not be motivated and inspired to be the best you can be and always hold yourself to a higher standard. Excellent!
I was watching the movie last night "The Titons" but more importantly they talked to coaches behind the scenes and pretty much what you are saying is what they conveyed as well. Encouraging.
Excellent post and I totally agree with all your points. As I was reading, I got to the first bullet about quality content and I said to myself , Yes, Of course, that is the most important. Then I read about being real and writing with the readers, and I thought, Hmmm, no, THAT is the most important. But then of course, writing about everything around you (and yes, it is ALL real estate related) has to be most important. I think you picked out the three top contenders for successful blogging at a higher standard. Thanks!
This post gives me an idea ... find a way to add ice cream to the marketing plan, and I bet business will explode!
Definitely an inspiring post. There is so much out there to make us negative. We need to fucus on the positive if we are going to thrive in this market.
Negative posts in our community? Say it isn't so !!!! Seriously, you are right on.....that negativity is like poison.
LOL at John! I want ice cream too!
Sally,
Great post! I do see negative posts from time to time and, I must admit, that I have probably written a post or two that could be construed as negative. I prefer to consider it venting, but nonetheless, thanks for the slap in the face! I'm gonna try to keep it on the up side from now on.
Yes! I know I'm always more drawn to positive posts than negative ones--those are the ones I learn from and remember. (Just like this one!)
HI Sally,
That is exactly why we are here (you sharing ice cream with all of us);)
Hold ourselves to a higher standard and relizing that everything we do and say has an impact on everything we are and are remembered for. (good and bad)
Woo Hoo, Another Grand Slam! Why does that porcelain in the photo look so familiar to me? hehehe
Sally,
I too have an ice cream addiction. I found a great alternative though (if you like chocolate) It's Edie's slow churned chocolate fudge browie yogurt...I have it almost every nite with chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. (and still keep to my diet:) They have other flavors also, if you don't like chocolate. I was never a yogurt person, but believe me, this does NOT taste like yogurt.
Loreena: Not all seem to realize that online is the same as offline but for the most part I agree....every day morals and values in life carry to online as well.
William: Hehehehe....because it represents my bestest friend whom I met here in the Rain...that transpired into a referral.....and hopefully one day I can do the same!
I'll get back to you all later....got lots of work!!!!
Hi Sally - I agree with all your points, but especially the negativity. It's like a poisoned water supply--it eventually affects everyone and the only way to survive is to avoid it all together. Negativity can happen everywhere--not just on AR--but if we come to AR to be supported (I know I did), it's especially toxic to me when it happens. Thanks for your post.
Excellent, Sally. All good points and the truth about negatives and positives. AR has been a great source of information for me, and I truly appreciate the talent that hangs out here. It's like going to CEs or a college class everyday!
Sally, nice post and a great source of inspiration and encouragement. Thanks for reminding us of what's important here at AR.
Sally:
Are you advocating that we add ice cream to our blogging plan. If so, I am all for it. Of course, we need to maintain high standard in our posting, in our real estate life and in everything we do.
Sally: I only eat ice cream (Haupia is my favorite) when I come to Hawaii. Time for another trip.
Sally,
Taking ownership for our actions is maturity in motion.
Thanks for the post,
Steve
Sally - You are so right about holding ourselves to a higher standard, no matter what the forum, when we are in a leadership position. I agree wholeheartedly that Active Rain is an amazing resource and the best community to help us spread our message. Congrats on such a well deserved feature!
There is so much negative around us already that there really isn't any time to waste writting about it. I love energetic, see through and simple when it comes to blogging. It is about the ride you embark when reading sombody's blog that has something to share, of value, with the reader. A writer's good vibe can be and it is transmitted through his/her words. Thank you for such encouraging and truthful message.
I'm with John on adding ice cream to the blogging experience. Make it scratch and sniff for a real bonus! :)
Sally, wow, this is an excellent post; I especially like the points under 'there is always a positive to every negative'. Thank you.
Celeste, I brought a guest to our local MeetUp last night. I was explaining to her that we really do get to know members by reading their posts and comments! In my 3+ years here in the rain, I have seen the good, the bad and the ugly. I tend to stay away from the negative - it serves noone. This is a well deserved Featured post. Congrats!
Sally-I couldn't agree with you more--both in holder ourselves to a higher standard and in blogging to the reader. AR is our platform, but our audience is out there in the non-AR world.
Sally I LOVE your statement "focus on yourself and stop worrying what others are doing" This would solve most negative comments, rants and raves. The other words to live by are if you have nothing good to say, then do not say anything. Thanks for the great blog
All of those points are important. In my mind especially VARIETY. I enjoy posting a variety of posts every week, not just one type. I get bored reading one kind of a blogger and sometimes unsubscribe if I realize they post 10 market reports in 3 days and that's all they do.
You know Sally, variety is the spice of life. Variety in what we blog about, variety in ice cream flavors, variety in our friends, just variety all the way around.
Congratulations on your feature!
☂ Sally, I don't think we'd be where we are today here in the Rain if this weren't so true! It's the individuals here that bring life to this party... Lots of 'leaders in this community' and besides, life's too short in my book to dwell on things that aren't positive!
post!!
Pamela
P.S - congrats on a well deserved
These seem to be a good guidelines when making post.
I'm all for a great big scoop of POSITIVE stewardship! It is important to remember that our words will still be around long after our voices have gone silent.
Positive reinforcement. I like it. Too much negativity out there. Tired of it..
Sally, what a great post to write about and I sometimes wonder here on AR whether some do hold themselves to a higher standard...it is about being local, transparent and forthright I believe...cool girl
Great post!
Good advice.
Excellent post and one that should be a mandatory "must read." Can we do that here? LOL.
HI SALLY! Being right along side someone is so profound when it comes to defining success. You clearly have it!
Love, love this.....well said and you certainly do uphold the highest standards of AR.
Hi Sally-I am so glad I read this today. What a very thoughtful and insightful post. You are absolutely correct..we should hold ourselves to a higher standard and engage each other professionally. How other's choose to portray themselves and their business through their blog is totally up to them and one will go a long way here in the Rain when they choose to focus (positively) on their own blogging experience and business.
Congrats on the feature :)!
Hi Sally. Your words were taken with a lot of encouragement and focus to always strive to be the BEST. I know my personal walk in Active Rain took about six months to get my following, but I too, am only concentrating on All the positives and I do hold myself to those Higher Standards. Leaders are always held to that Higher Standard, since that was how it was in the military service. The higher you went up that chain of command, the more was expected of you. I have sought out some of the BEST leaders in AR to be my mentors, and I am glad that I have found a few to call my role models. Your are truly an Ambassador in my Book.
Great post Sally! Its so true that we will gravitate toward a certain type of post. Rea enough negative and you become negative. So, you have to work towards focusing on the positive. Great stuff!
I try to stay positive in everything I do and try to carefully choose my words! Once you hit submit it is out there to be found for a Long time!
Your #2 commenter said it best, but it's worth repeating. Our presence is felt by others, even on the phone. Stay positive, speak positive, and that's what you get in return!
Thank you for a nice post with a lot of good reminders. Active Rain is a very good place to be.
Sally, with today's market the way it is we all need to focus more in the area's we wish to excel.
Great advice as well as inspirational for all. Thanks
Enjoy the day
Great Post Sally, with excellent advice and experiences.
Thank you all for taking the time to stop by :)
Sally I just saw this post via Mary's reblog! :) Much truth here! I esp. agree that local posts about anything in our town is helpful to those looking to move here!! We want to be the go-to person, and AR allows us to display our area knowledge!
Sally - I am amazed when newbies ask me WHAT they can blog about! I tell them EVERYTHING! People who are new to the area look to us for the latest news on what is opening, local events, where to eat....there is so much to blog about!