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Rain Camp, Social Media, Privacy and Me

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Home Builder with Retired

Rain Camp, Social Media, Privacy and Me.

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Protecting my privacy.

 

I left Rain Camp: Portland bursting with ideas about how to get my name out there. How to make sure that everyone who wants to buy or sell a home in my neck of the woods realizes that one very good option is to call me.

By the WillametteBut my wife Marjie had other ideas. We honeymooned in Oregon in 1992 and one of the towns we spent a night in was Corvallis. Since we were so close it only made sense and we spent a pleasant night in a riverside motel. Breakfast had us on a patio overlooking the Willamette River. "I like this place. It's so private," she said. Later we had a second cup of coffee at The Beanery, a coffee shop we'd stopped at back in '92.The Beanery

The 6 hour drive back to Seattle can be pretty boring and I couldn't stop thinking about PRIVACY. One day last week on Active Rain Karen Fiddler wrote Active Rain Ethics? Are Comments On Blogs Now The Property Of the Blog Poster? Hmmmm, which dealt with the reposting an article by someone else with accompanying comments on a personal website. Some objections were raised, some didn't care and some liked it. So thought that if it was a "members only" post a commenter's privacy might have been compromised.

Social Media - Facebook and others, have seemingly addressed this with "privacy settings" that you supposedly you can limit who can see certain posts of yours. But, let's face it. Once you put it out there, it's out there.

In 1972, about the time The Beanery opened, I started my first business. Passing out my business card, my name and number, what I was doing where and when got to be a daily routine. Now, almost 40 years later, I'm learning more sophisticated ways than ever to get what I'm doing, how I do it, and how to reach me, to as many people as possible. I'm not a private person. I can't afford to be. I don't do anything criminal, evil, nasty or mean. I'm not a Russina spy. So why should I worry if my privacy is invaded.

This is what I know. I realize the importance of keeping bank account numbers and certain online access codes private. I lock my doors. I don't broadcast on Social Media when I'm away on vacation. That's about it for my privacy concerns. How about you?

Posted by

 

 

 

 

Glenn Roberts
Retired

 

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Mary Kay Irving
Thompson Daviau Realty - Boulder, CO

Important things to think about especially with how connected all the media systems are.  But, like you, I'm an honest ethical person so not hiding anything.

Jul 08, 2010 02:39 PM
Jack Mossman - The Nines Team at Keller Williams in Stockton
The Nines Team At Keller Williams - Stockton, CA
The Nines Team at Keller Williams in Stockton

I'm not sure that privacy is that private anymore.  Just Google yourself ... it's amazing what is online about you!  I suspect that you can do your best to keep sensitive information "offline" but put any of it on the web, even if secured sites, is taking a risk!  Thanks for sharing and ....looks like you enjoyed the coffee at the Beanery!

Jul 08, 2010 03:06 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

I guess we're all at risk every time we put ourselves out there on any social networking site........it's a chance we take Glenn.............good or bad, we all do it.  Lovely honeymoon story though.

Jul 08, 2010 03:45 PM
Glenn Roberts
Retired - Seattle, WA

Mary Kay - Some people over think this.

Jack - There are no secrets any more.

Roger - It was a lovely memory in a nice quiet place.

Jul 08, 2010 04:08 PM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

Nice you have that memory Glenn.

Jul 08, 2010 05:12 PM
Mark Hall
Realty One Group Cascadia - Vancouver, WA
Homes for Sale Vancouver Washington

Glenn- It was good to meet you at RainCamp on Wednesday. It was nice to be able to put the face and a handshake with your blog. Keep it up!

Jul 08, 2010 06:16 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Great post, I too have learned a lot from my social media experiences!
I hope your business is as hot as the weather Glenn!
Paul

Jul 09, 2010 06:58 AM
Chris Olsen
Olsen Ziegler Realty - Cleveland, OH
Broker Owner Cleveland Ohio Real Estate

Hi Glen -- I try to measure twice and cut once -- what I say online.

Jul 09, 2010 05:25 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Certain things I feel private about, so I don't put them on the internet.  If I'm comfortable with everyone knowing about it, then I do.

Jul 09, 2010 07:48 PM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Glen  -while we are very public (the nature of our business) those who show up on our facebook and other social media sites may not be ..... our family, friends and clients privacy should be protected.

Jul 10, 2010 12:30 AM
Mike Yeo
3:16 team REALTY - Frisco, TX

Glen - as technology gets more sophisticated, we too need to be sophisticated to keep up. Keeping some information private is a must. Technology is as good as how you use it.

Jul 10, 2010 01:56 AM
Glenn Roberts
Retired - Seattle, WA

Mark - I can't believe how much content was presented in about 7 hours.

Paul - I've learned more about myself than anything.

Chris - A little deep thought goes a long way.

Christine - Better safe than sorry.

Kathy - I've cautioned my friends (the ones I actually know) that my profile is public. They figure it out. Even what's private is out there somewhere.

Mike - And I think as technology gets better we too will have to get better at how we use it.

Jul 10, 2010 02:30 AM
Debra Kay
John L Scott - Gig Harbor - Gig Harbor, WA

Our office has safety protocols when showing property for the first time to people we don't know.  We invite them into the office and take a copy of their drivers license, make and model of their car and get cell phone numbers and address if we don't already have it.  As public as real estate activities are, we discuss keeping our phone in our hand, keys in our pockets and paying attention to that feeling in our gut.

Safety on line is much the same.  I also think there is a generational difference in what those of us over 50 think should be private and what the 20-something group thinks should be kept private.  Any one with teens on line can tell you all about protecting your privacy while on line.

Greater awareness of risky on line behavior is also discussed in our Master Mind group in our office, as most of us nurture relationships on Facebook and other places.  Common sense has to prevail.

Jul 10, 2010 04:35 AM
Roland Woodworth
Blue Cord Realty - Clarksville, TN
Blue Cord Realty

It's amazing at the information that will appear online that one don't even realise is out there.... In todays world, all you have to do is cough and your information appears online to some extent. Of course there is the information we all want online too....

Jul 10, 2010 04:47 AM
Bill Burchard
3B Realty: 951-347-3818, CA - Murrieta, CA
Broker, Realtor, Representing Buyers and Sellers

I approach my writing from the assumption that it will become public. Whether it be emails, voicemails, blog posts, tweets, or whatever. And I always reread what I wrote three times before I click send... just to be sure I'm comfortable with the world reading it.

Jul 10, 2010 05:40 AM
Glenn Roberts
Retired - Seattle, WA

Debra - Sounds like an excellent office policy for security. Online security is 90% common sense, but some people just don't have it.

Roland - I hope the"turn your head to the side and cough" information doesn't reach the web. :)

Bill - I try to reread most stuff in a different format. That usually helps.

Jul 10, 2010 05:49 AM
Pam Turner, REALTOR®, e-PRO®, SFR
Century 21 Belk Realtors Dalton GA - Dalton, GA

I try to be careful about what I post on the Internet, and in emails and texts - it's just hard to be conscious about it every minute - but necessary.

Jul 10, 2010 09:12 AM
Valerie Baker
Exit Real Estate Professionals - Spokane, WA
Spokane Realtor

I think the benefits on connecting with people via social media far outweigh the risks of over-exposure . . . although I am careful about not offending the masses, I am not willing to give up my deepest felt convictions and alliances in order to appeal to everyone. 

Jul 11, 2010 04:09 AM