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I believe the learning is in the thread...and the BLOG only gets it going!

After reading the FEATURED blogs the last couple of weeks or so...I have been disappointed, happy, eager, discouraged, and every other emotion that I can/cannot think of right now! That said, I truly believe that if you are going to AUTHOR A BLOG, especially a Contraversial one, then you should take the time to appreciate the commentors, and respond within the thread! THAT IS WHERE THE LEARNING & EDUCATION TRULY HAPPEN!

Now, I am not saying to drink the "purple kool aid" like the Viking Fans are right now thinking Brett Favre is going to save the day!

What I am saying though is that the LEARNING IS IN THE THREAD!

Let's say a LENDER does a post on FHA loans..and that post inspires someone to ask a question within the COMMENTS about a specific home or loan scenario....If that lender doesn't ANSWER the question, it just "hangs there in limbo!"

A teaching moment just came & went! - bye bye

Now, let's say a REALTOR talks about a new announcement put forth by the NAR in their blog....and NOT ONE LENDER comments about how that announcement actually affects getting a mortgage loan.

A teaching moment just came & went! - bye bye

Finally, let's say a Lender does a blog on USDA Loans, and in the thread a REALTOR comments that "the reason that they don't do many of them in their area is because it takes too long to get a home inspection done, or that home inspections are killing their deals."

If the AUTHOR doesn't respond that HOI's are not REQUIRED on USDA loans...once again..another teaching moment has been lost!

why???????????- Because you didn't have the time?

Though I have not been blogging that long, I do see the importance of responding to ANYONE who comments on my blogs! I have made friends, enemies (no, not really),business partners, great aquaintances, great referral sources, and overall a LARGE # of contacts thru Active Rain & blogging...but many of them through the comments, not the actual blog itself. It always befuddles me as to why someone take the TIME in this market to put together such a technical and wonderful blog, but then doesn't have the "time" or "courtesy" to respond to the commentors! IN MY BOOK, that is a VERY BIG mistake! Almost as big as not marketing every day...but that's another blog! :)

We all blog for different reasons!

We blog to gain customers,referrals,credibility,notoriety,a local presence, vanity,ego,google juice, and all kinds of other reasons, but I would hope the #1 reason is to help people, both customers and people within our industry!

Personally, I view blogging kinda like "planting a seed". Sometimes you have to plant quite a few before a tree or plant grows! Your business is quite similar, and bloggins should be/ and in my case is, just another part of it!

Are you Johnny Appleseed?

I have found that responding to the commentors plants LOTS OF SEEDS! I get at least 1 question per day from people all over the United States about USDA loans! Not always because of MY BLOGS on USDA loans, but because of my COMMENTS on other peoples blogs! If you dont believe me, just look at your PROFILE VIEWS on your statistics page! That tells the tale! How many have you had?

I think that if someone takes the TIME out of their day to comment on YOUR blog, you should have the courtesy to respond, let alone the wisdom to learn from it!

-Remember-

The Learning is in the THREAD & always be Major League!

Happy Selling!

Thanks! Buckster R Buckster

-Darin-

As always, I welcome your concerns,comments,issues and suggestions! Darin@Osmwi.com

You can suscribe to my blog by clicking HERE, or by clicking on the ICON below!

Feel free to check out a few of my more popular blogs by clicking on the links below!

Screw the Mortgage Business I am going to Mascot School!

Return of Bloggie Latest USDA MEMO Susie the Duck Successful HVCC story

For Sale Signs Home Improvement Shows Hijacking is a NO NO! Undue Influence & the HVCC

Mortgages, so easy a Caveman can do them! HERA RULES Bloggie the new AR Mascot

Open House Suggestions Open House Suggestions 2 Golf Outings Wall-E USDA Loans

What do I need for Pre-approval? Buying a Fixer Upper What is a pre approval?

What is a search & hold and why dont we use them?

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Posted by Darin Osenberg on 08/07/2009 03:15 PM

Comments (25)

Please Respond to Your Commentors! in the Mortgage / Finance Channel

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25 Comments on I believe the learning is in the thread...and the BLOG only gets it going!

AUG

Do you think it matters how you respond? I tend to respond personally though their email rather than comment on the thread.

Hi Michael- To me it does...only due to the TYPES of blogs I write MOST of the time...Often times, I am throwing subject matter out there....and trying to spurn conversation about different areas, etc....and I LOVE the comments, and LOVE even the people that COMPLETELY disagree with me! That's okay!!!- At the very least, it allows our audience to see the type of character and individuals we have and are! -

In addition, the emails are also nice..as they normally give me MORE BLOG MATERIAL!! :) Thanks as always! Your opinion matters to me! - Darin

I like the interaction in the discussion threads.

I learn a lot here!!

Darin - I agree and respond to the comments I receive. I too like the interaction which often creates more excitement and education than the original post.

I agree with you. However, sometimes the comments that are left are not relevant to the subject matter and are just personal attacks. The only thing you can learn from those comments is that the author is a jerk with no mental capacity to discuss the issue on hand! So do you reply or delete the comment? I personally like the intelligence (or lack of) to be publicly displayed. Hopefully one of their potential clients come across the blog so they know what kind of jerk they are working with. ;)

Darin.. I agree, if a lender or realtor writes a blog that garnishes a question, to answer that question in the comment. Michael above would rather e-mail that person directly and I also disagree with this method. If I am educating everyone on a specific issue, why not post the answers to the question to the public also. As you stated, others can learn from this. I hate when I ask a question or stimulate a conversation, and that person doesn't respond to me.

Now, I know I have a lot of comments that I haven't replied to in the last month, but it's hard keeping up with each one... and my main goal is to get some blogs out there. I will though, if I am behind in comments, to at least go ahead and answer any questions though.

On the other hand... one of my pet peeves are those that don't fully read a blog, yet they ask a question or make a statement as if a new idea, when it's already mentioned in the blog. Now, I will be the first to admit, that I can miss stuff. But how about those that skim blogs... sometimes they miss the most important stuff.

Overall, you bring up a good point. Those questions not answered, are missed opportunities for many.

jeff belonger

@Amiri Personally, I think you missed the point...and so did John a little... Darin, correct me if I am wrong... but I don't think this post was about those that don't reply to comments at all or in general... but to reply to questions that are asked... or to scenarios that are given. In my opinion, who cares about those comments that have nothing to do with the blog. Common sense, just ignore them. Don't sweat the small stuff. Again, just my opinion.

jeff belonger

Tom B- We can ALL learn alot here! Being OPEN to learning is another thing altogether! It is my hope that people in our entire industry begin as a unit to "figure it out" ...that education is one of the 3 keys to our survival!

Thanks!!- D

John Mulkey- You know, I was just reading YOUR blog today! Thanks for sharing! I am a VERY positive person, and when people get negative I shut them out! We dont need it , want it, or benefit from it! That said, commentors are the same...so being there to respond to questions etc...is key..and helps keep the THREAD in the right direction or frame of mind too!! - Please visit again! thanks...Darin

I agree with you Darin and with Jeff. You have to answer the questions or the opposing comments. It's the process

Personally when the person responds to NO comments I wonder why they bothered. This IS a social network. I actually go back to see if the person said anything to me. Those that NEVER respond to comments end up on my "no longer read" list of bloggers. Too many blogs, too little time for people who don't engage.

@Jbelonger. DUde....I'm so with you. I will comment (most of the time) to people who comment on my posts. It's only courteous to appreciate those who've spent the time to reach out. But when I'm writing about A and they come off talkinga bout Z (meaning that they read NOTHING in my post)..... well that really peeves me....

Satar @ Amiri- I think relevance is directly related to perception. I think if you were hoping to accomplish a goal, you did...sadly though, it directly reflected right back on to you. My

It is also a tough decision when people do leave comments that without a doubt, have an "axe to grind"...on whether you have the guts to leave the comment and let it stand on it's merits, or just be a big baby and delete it! Let me tell you, I am only 5 '7" tall, and i play hockey. What does that have to do with this blog you ask? Well, it means that I personally am not afraid of anything...so bring it on!

I love comments that are negative, and pride myself on bringing that person over to my side or way of thinking! Many good things come out of arguements that are not personal, or attacking one's character.

I can give you at least 3 names of people who are here in the RAIN that I started out talking with...actually ARGUING with, and NOW I converse with them EXTREMELY professionally and consistently and am VERY proud of my relationships with them!

I have tried that with you, and it didnt work..because you do not want it to work..with anyone! Please refrain from leaving comments on my blog. I am a positive person, and you are not a positive influence in my life!

Darin

Jeff B- Totally SWEET comments! You have echoed and enhanced my points. Thank you! Also, you dealt with Amiri very professionally, but didnt know that he "just doesnt like me".

Absolutely, this blog is about replying to comments with MORE THAN THANK YOU!! Many commentors, especially consistent ones, leave questions lingering, or comments that dont even make sense! I believe it is OUR responsibility as an AUTHOR to address, clear up, and enhance these comments...so you are RIGHT ON!

Thank you!

Darin

Connie- Great to see you here! Also, congrats are your string of features lately! Are we going to see you on the FOOD network next?? LOL You know, because of my comments and blogs, I made a new friend yesterday! He is a Realtor here in Active Rain, and I spoke to him on the phone last night for almost an hour! He contacted me, and has a brother in MY AREA looking to maybe change careers! moral of the story is that the THREAD can also lead to employment possibilities!!! :) Thanks again CONNIE! well said!

Flanders...er..>I mean Larry B- I think a WHOLE blog post could be about what you just commented on! Sometimes I am even INADVERTENTLY guilty, because the writer doesnt spell well, or run the check, they use improper english or phrasing, or worse yet..have sentence run-ons etc..that totally BAFFLE ME! Hence, I do take PRIDE in my blogs, and spend "down time" on them! That said, I know you do too!

I have decided I now have 4 blog categories.

Funny

Informative

Technical

Inspirational

Thanks for sharing! - Buckster

"I think if you were hoping to accomplish a goal, you did...sadly though, it directly reflected right back on to you."

Actually I accomplished my goal. There is nothing sad about it as I cleared up a lot of misconception.

"I love comments that are negative, and pride myself on bringing that person over to my side or way of thinking! Many good things come out of arguements that are not personal, or attacking one's character."

I agree with you 100% Especially if it is either fact or fiction, such as your statement regarding "that HOI's are not REQUIRED on USDA loans". It is either true or not. Right? Same goes with my blog about being able to short sale your own property.

Then there are statements about opinions on how things should be done. There is no right or wrong answer. I do like to debate my stance, but I don't hold anything towards the person who argues and sticks with their opinions.

"Well, it means that I personally am not afraid of anything...so bring it on! "

Come get some! ;) Seriously, you are more than welcome to ask questions and debate me on my stance anytime you wish. Just keep the emotion out of the arguments.

Good Luck.

Darin, I agree with you regarding responding to comments made on your blog. I am considering unsubscribing to some blogs because some have never or seldom have taken the time to acknowledge me or anyone for that matter...they time to write the blog after all...it should be reciprocal. Thanks for saying what I have been thinking about!

Wanda- YOU R WELCOME! I try like heck to visit as many of the people I have subscribed to...but due to time restraints, fail sometimes. HOWEVER< if you notice, I ALWAYS respond to my commentors! I think it is not just part of the "gig' but also a huge RESPECT thing! I just unsubscribed to 2 people just today!! For the very same reason! Karma! - Thanks as always...your pal...Bucky

R E S P E C T ~ comment to me or release me! Share & Learn ~ tick tock tick tock ~ time is of essence ... may the rest of your Day be the Best of your Day! Karma!

Patty- I TOTALLY AGREE! ...Karma is also CORRECT! You know, i had a good thing happen today because I DID a good thing!- I always comment back...and TRY to be as respectful as possible, EVEN WHEN I dont agree!!

Thanks a bunch!- Darin

Yes, I think it's very polite to respond to a comment on my post. It seems like the right thing to do.

Patricia AUlson

In my time in the Rain, I have learned more in the comment streams than I have from reading the actual posts. There is a huge amount of give and take of great information between members that not only keeps a conversation going, but also can make you look at a subject from a different angle than you have before. If a writer is going to post on a topic that garners some interest and leads to questions, why in the world would they want to abandon that and not take part?

Patricia- I agree, it isn't JUST respect, it is POLITENESS too! I have even gone as far as EMAILING people who ARE not responding to their OWN BLOG COMMENTS, and asking them to do it! It amazes me some of the actual responses I get..I even told one guy that if he wasnt going to comment..>I would, because of the WRONG information that another commentor had given! Arggh! Thank you!- Darin

Lisa- I agree...looking at ANYTHING from a different angle is what leads to understanding. I am confident that there are MANY times I didnt think of something from someones perspective, and it isnt the blog, but the STREAM that did it! Addressing it within the thread is as you say the "give & take" necessary for further learning!

Thanks so much for sharing!

Darin

AUG

Darin - With the premise of this post, I agree. Not to worry, I will disagree with you again someday soon;) Heck, sometimes the threads turn out to be better than the actual posts. I try to practice commenting back as much as I can, but still lack in that facet... especially recently. Maybe I'm just waiting for somebody to really piss me off...

AUG

Sardi- I am not the guy that pisses people off..and always WELCOME & APpreciate your point of view. We can agree that being positive in our business flow is important, and we both enjoy inspirational stuff..That said, the THREADS are so interesting to watch...and many times before I COMMENT i read the whole thing....then, I will even EMAIL the author to see if it is okay for me to address a question they are not answering! or...if they get it wrong! I neither arrogant, nor cocky, but much like many of us...just want accurate info out there! How many times have you seen comments that say..."thanks for the update, I didnt know that." and the information given was WRONG! -argghh...

Thanks Sards! - Bucky D MO Buster

AUG

Your FHA Guru Bucky, OMG... please don't shoot the duck, I pledge to do a better job of commenting on your great blogs. They all should be featured.

Best regards,

Bill

Bill, you are hilarious!

Thank you!

Oh, and I meant what I said! If you do a blog on the MBS vs 10 yr thing..I will do what I can to get it featured! I know that ALOT of guys in my small group here in the RAIN have done ones SIMILAR before, but I KNOW it could be re-done and all my guys would appreciate it!

Thanks Buckster

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