As an ambassador for BlogPaws 2016, I’ve learned there is a difference between personal blogging and blogging for business.

For those of us that blog, we do it for a variety of reasons and with a variety of styles. For some, it’s strictly a hobby or method of communication with no intention of monetization or using it for business purposes. Blogging for the pure joy of blogging with no strings attached. For others, it’s not only a method of expression (which can run the gambit from educational and informative to humorous and entertaining), but a vehicle to generate income and a professional career.

Whatever path you chose is up to you, but if you do decide to take the road of professional blogger and want to work with brands and industry leaders, regardless of whether you’re doing it for monetization or not, and regardless if you’re a pet blogger, a lifestyle blogger, a mommy blogger, or any other category of blogger, you have to accept the fact and responsibility you’re now a public figure.

What you say, and how you say it, matters. And not just your blog – this includes the social platforms that typically accompany blogging – like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and more. Like it or not, we no longer live in a world of anonymity and every post, tweet, and status update becomes part of your personal resume, traveling around the world in a matter of mere seconds for all to see.

This was me in 2010 when I began my foray into blogging. The format of my blog might have changed, but being surrounded by my beloved cats – my inspiration – sure didn’t!

I bring this up because I hadn’t always thought of it in these terms. I started blogging back in 2010 with very little idea of what I was doing – I wanted to share cute stories about my cats to promote my first book, The Chronicles of Zee & Zoey – A Journey of the Extraordinarily Ordinary, and that’s what I did. As time went on, the format of my blog changed – I officially became a cat blogger, using my site to not only share stories about my cats, but a place to educate on topics such as spay/neuter; a place to share product reviews and giveaways; and a place to discuss cat related topics in an open and honest forum.

The tone also changed – while I always try to do my best, I’m more cognizant of what I’m doing and what I’m trying to achieve. Am I using the best quality pictures I can to convey my message? Have I proofread the piece several times? Is the grammar correct? Have I incorporated important key words into the text of the post and title? Is the writing engaging and compelling? I don’t always hit every mark perfectly, but I do try.

Being a BlogPaws ambassador for this year’s conference has really opened my eyes to seeing the bigger picture – especially when working with brands or sponsors in a professional sense. Yes – I have the right to use my voice to write whatever I want – we are blessed with the inalienable right to free speech in our country – but when you want to do business with someone, there will probably be certain guidelines they expect you to follow, and you also have to understand they will be looking at the overall social package that is you. Meaning, are you a brand they would want to represent them as a brand? In the simplest of terms, put yourself in their shoes – would you hire you?

There are only 26 letters in the alphabet but literally endless possibilities as to how they can be used.

I’m certainly not saying bloggers should live in a bubble, fearful of speaking their mind or writing with their own unique voice. If that were the case, what would be the point? A bunch of lemmings following the brand to the sea. Part of the fun of professional blogging is the challenge of figuring out how to stay true to who you are when you write that blog post for a brand. The other part is writing with integrity – if something doesn’t meet your standards, you can say so, but how you say it needs to be in the back of your mind every time you hit the submit button in any social venue. It’s okay to be politely honest.

Words are incredible – they have the power to inspire, influence, and educate. They can call us to action and they can also make us laugh, or cry. But words can also be hateful, dangerous, and angry. Without proper context, they can also be misconstrued; causing hurt, confusion, or damage. Knowing how to effectively use words is one of the most important aspects of working with a brand.

Speaking at the 2015 BlogPaws Conference with fellow bloggers Janiss Garza, Alana Grelyak, and Layla Morgan Wilde about how to bridge the gap between blogging and journalistic excellence.

The BlogPaws organization is a great resource to help bloggers with learning (or improving) those writing skills. From informative “how-to” articles and videos, to the annual conference, BlogPaws is an incredible asset for anyone looking to pursue a successful blogging career.

If you have not yet registered for this year’s conference, there is still time and it will be well worth your while.  There will be networking opportunities, educational seminars, experienced speakers and more – all under one stunning roof at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Spa & Resort in Phoenix, AZ, from June 23 – 25. If blogging is in your blood, this is the place to be! Please for full details and mention code BP16-Amb-Deb10 to receive a 10% discount off of registration price.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of BlogPaws. The opinions and text are all mine.