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Stand Tall and Be Ourselves Online - - - Public vs. Private - - - Is There a Choice?

By
Real Estate Agent

Social Media creates a demand for presenting ourselves online on a daily schedule. To some, it is fun and entertaining to engage with friends in sharing the latest adventure or discuss normally taboo subjects, like politics. It can get dicey, though,  when a carefree, if not reckless, online image migrates into our business practice, unless we've decided that transparency is a key element in our value set, and let the chips fall where they may. Saying in effect, if you don't like who I am, I'm not interested in you either.

stand tall

Public relations people make a career out of shaping their client's image. More often than not PR folks mask over the not so desirable stuff with an emphasis on whatever will compel the intended audience to take notice.

As real estate agents, committed to full disclosure, it can be a marketing challenge. But, sooner or later, our intended audience will inspect underneath our promotional presentation and decide if what they find represents the values, experience, and skills they want working for them.

Ultimately, this is all a good thing. We are forced to look in a mirror and come to grips with who we are and what our value proposition is all about. Gone are the days when we were just another player on a corporate team. Now we stand on stage, in the spotlight, cameras rolling . . . no retakes, this is live and moving to 3D.

I think it is great that we can stand tall, take full responsibility for what we are doing, and enjoy the interaction. We also get to know those we are considering as associates, and investigate our potential clients and customers at the same time.

All this knowledge becomes a powerful tool cutting to the chase much earlier, and, if necessary, moving on at a quicker pace.

Comments (31)

Mike Henderson
Your complete source for buying HUD homes - Littleton, CO
HUD Home Hub - 303-949-5848

Interesting post.  I'm not sure which side of the fence I come down on.  That has partially limited my social media and online presence.

Jan 17, 2010 12:59 AM
Frank Kliewer
Woodinville, WA

It is going to be interesting Deborah, we'll have to start watching our backsides as well.

You are welcome Manny.

Mike, I understand the dilemma . . . I really didn't have much interest in web 2.0, but it is how we communicate these days . . . so, I'd suggest just be yourself. Like Charles said above, trust your own soap box.

Jan 17, 2010 01:36 AM
Debi Boucher
Real Estate Showcase Photography - Woodland Park, CO
"Realtor Showcase" - Real Estate Photography/Virtual Tours

Thoughtful insight Frank. I stay away from politics in my posts - rightly or wrongly, there are many folks who make judgements based on another's politics.

Debi

Jan 17, 2010 01:53 AM
Bob Willis
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Orange, CA
Orange County & L.A. County Real Estate Agent

As real estate professionals, we are our own public relations company.  We are on public display all the time.  Before I became an agent, I would not care what I wore to the grocery store.  Now, I make sure I wear something acceptable, in case I run into a prospect.  So, I guess you would say I am not as carefree as I was before I became an agent.  I do want to present a professional image as part of my marketing; but I don't want to stifle the fun side.

Jan 17, 2010 01:54 AM
Jenny Durling
L.A. Property Solutions - Los Angeles, CA
For Los Angeles real estate help 213-215-4758

It seems so much more logical to be "real" all the time instead of having a different image for different people. I like to know what people are really like so I think this is a good thing.

Jan 17, 2010 03:05 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I'm not sure I get this post? I think that too many agents here on AR get into politics and other social situations where they need to stay neutral.  That starts rubbing others the wrong way and creates conflicts.  There was one agent the other day who asked to reblog one of my posts and when I went to her blog, there was nothing but politics and general social bashing of everything!  I'm not sure why she wanted my cute little dog video with all this other stuff she had.  I'm staying neutral to everything and just talk about what I know - real estate.  Being real doesn't mean sticking your views in others faces all the time point blank.

Jan 17, 2010 03:15 AM
Karen Rittenhouse
www.JKKPropertyInvestors.com - Greensboro, NC
Real Estate Investor

We are all certainly "out there" more and need to be aware of the face we're creating, or showing, for ourselves.  I have been very aware of this in the past year as I started my blog www.KarensPerspective.com about a year ago.  It takes a while to find your voice and decide how you want the public to know you. 

Never have so many been so closely viewed by so many others!

Jan 17, 2010 04:27 AM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Great insights Frank!  I worked for a corporation for 8 1/2 years, and know about the pressure to be a team player.  It's not a bad idea, but one that can encourage the individual to sometimes acquiesce for the "greater" good:-)  I was a sometimes a little rebellious in that - After all, the words, "appropriate" and "professional" often equate to "What will the neighbors think."

Jan 17, 2010 05:52 AM
Frank Kliewer
Woodinville, WA

Hi Debi, You are right, politics are a polarizing force, and unless it is our intention to narrow our field of service greatly, I don't think it is necessary to go there.

Bob, we do, like it or not, project an image on matter where we go. I do believe professional can include fun to be truely balanced.

Honesty is always the best policy Jenny. I think it also makes life a lot less complicated.

Jan 17, 2010 07:06 AM
Frank Kliewer
Woodinville, WA

Hi Lyn, you are right, we are in the real estate business and that should be our focus. I do think some need the support ActiveRain presents, and a platform to speak their mind. Kind of a mental health thing. The appropriate group or a public or members only selection should provide some filter. Perhaps the person re-blogging your cute little dog video was trying to seek some balance, and you provided what they needed.

Hi Karen, Finding our true voice is good for all concerned. Then we can have a real discussion of what is important.

As independent thinkers, Myrl,  it is particularly difficult to be forced into a mold. ActiveRain gives us a chance to breakout.

Jan 17, 2010 07:14 AM
Monique Ting
INET Realty Honolulu, HI - Honolulu, HI
Your agent under the sun

Frank,

You are right on with this Post! The days of hiding behind a glossy marketing piece are over.

It is true that our true personality will not appeal to everyone on the planet... Someone will disagree with some of our views, but as long as we deal with clients who appreciate who we are & what we bring to the table, we'll be OK.

Jan 17, 2010 08:44 AM
Kirsten Lindquist
Pacific Union International - Sonoma, CA
Realtor - Sonoma Wine Country

I've found that my clients and I (for the most part) share core values.  I'm all for being real about what you stand for.  When you get into politics and social commentary, though, you're undoubtedly going to alienate some people so I try to steer away from hot-button topics when presenting real estate self.

Jan 17, 2010 09:25 AM
Frank Kliewer
Woodinville, WA

You are so right Monique, we don't have to be everything to everyone, just be ourselves and work with other like minded people . . . plenty of those to go around.

You are wise Kirsten, no need to go where there is no need to go, we have enough to keep us busy in and around our profession.

Jan 17, 2010 09:38 AM
Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner
Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA
Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

I do have a business, public side and a private side. I do not have to have every moment be about a new client. Politics, religion, vacations, family....private things! I choose to share some of this in the private part of Active Rain because I feel comfortable with this community. It's not because I'm ashamed of my ideas....it's because it's a private side to me. I never allow clients or associates onto my Facebook either....it's for fun, my friends and family. That's private too....My public side is about real estate and the way I work, that's what is relevent to a prospect, so that's what I choose to discuss in public.

Jan 17, 2010 10:16 AM
Frank Kliewer
Woodinville, WA

Good job Karen in being able to manage the variety of Social Media components so well. It is amazing that right here on ActiveRain we can be both private and business focused depending on what is more appropriate and how we channel the content.

Jan 17, 2010 10:26 AM
Beverly Femia
BlueCoast Realty Corporation - Hampstead, NC
Broker Realtor Stager - Greater Wilmington, NC Are

It's possible to create multiple personalities - not sure I could keep them straight but it's still possible! 

Jan 17, 2010 01:45 PM
Bob Sweazy
Prudential A. S. de Movellan Real Estate - Lexington, KY

Great post! Thanks for the insight.

Jan 18, 2010 02:46 AM
Frank Kliewer
Woodinville, WA

Hi Beverly, Yikes, multiple personalities! I've got enough on my hands being myself without considering being someone else.

Hi Bob, just sent you an email . . . Welcome to ActiveRain, a wonderful place to be yourself.

Jan 18, 2010 03:57 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I do not think you can hide who you are.  With social media there is a blend of public and private.  I know some are trying to stop it, but I do not think they can.

Jan 18, 2010 12:19 PM
Beverly of Bev & Bob Meaux
Keller Williams Suburban Realty - West Orange, NJ
Where Buying & Selling Works

as agents our online image can't just migrate to our business practice. we have to understand from the outset they are one in the same for us.

Feb 18, 2010 11:54 AM