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Why We're On AR / A Clueless Critic

By William J. Archambault, Jr.

Services for Real Estate Pros with The Real Estate Investment Institute 1retiredsage

August 19, 2007 10:20 AM

I got taken to task by a fellow AR commenter. I commented on a non-real estate blog (How Much is a Billion? ) because I had an opinion on the subject, I respected the Blogger, I like her writing, and I'm here to be seen. Being seen is after all the reason the blog was written in the first place, to that end I signed as I do all my blogs and most comments. In response I received a criticism from one of the commentors about "adverting" meaning my signature with my two companiesy and two web sites.

Personally, I thought the person was totally clueless! Someone else must have thought so too or maybe they had second thoughts. As I sit here not 24 hours latter the paragraph has been removed.

I don't know why you participate, I know why I do. I know that AR talks about this site as a "social network for real estate people," but the home page says: "We are a free online community for real estate professionals designed to help them promote and grow their business." I'm here to stay in touch, after all I write about and teach real estate. I could do that and never type a word. I participate to promote and grow MY business! I blog to promote my business, to that end I always sign everything the same way, including my companies and web sites. I also consistently include that information in the tags. I always type them in, I admire the fancy logos many use but the search engines don't read jpeg files and I'm here to be seen, to promote my business. Do you know that when your information is included with your comments that you will also come up with that blog's key words. That won't happen if your signature is a jpeg logo, no matter how cute!

Try researching me or Brian Brady and Jeff Belonger, Brian and I will always come up on each others searches and Jeff's. Jeff doesn't fare so well not because he participates any less, but because he signs with a logo!

I'm going to keep using my full information the first time I comment of a blog. When a comment is purely social (I expressed my condolences to Melissa WagnerA Tribute to a Man Who Taught Me I CAN Do Anything- Miss you Dad , I signed that Bill and Brenda, it was no place for business. Why haven't you expressed your concern to her? It only takes a few key strokes to make a fellow AR'er feel better!) When frivolous (IE: I suggest to Rich Kruse he use snakes for roach control) I sign it Bill, AR takes care of my full name. When re-commenting I use only Bill.

I don't comment with people I don't respect. They don't have to agree with me to be respectable. There is room for personal opinion.

I don't argue with fools, and I don't embarrass friends by doing so on their blog.

I mentioned friends. Like the pen-pals of an older generation if you participate you will make some real friends. It's an incredible side benefit. I've been corresponding, blogging, and exchanging comments with some people over the last year that will forever be a part of my life.

Bill

William J Archambault Jr

The Real Estate Investment Institute

First National Mortgage

http://www.reii.org

http://www.williamjarchambaultjr.com

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Scott Daniels Florida Real Estate 2.0. Agents Earn 100% Commission.

Florida List For Less Realty, Inc. Broker/Owner. - Cooper City, FL

Bill,

Since when do you of all people worry what others say or do?

Aug 19, 2007 10:23 AM

James Gordon

Sibcy Cline Realtors® - Cincinnati, OH

REALTOR, PBD SFR SRS

Some people consider your web site link to be spam on their post and it sounds like you put 4 links there. Instead of cause a scene they should have just deleted it.

Aug 19, 2007 10:27 AM

Laurie Mindnich

Centennial, CO

Bill, I'm a bit taken aback- your comments are always direct, and informative- I guess I never noticed any links or issues, because your contribution exceeded noticing. Interesting.

Aug 19, 2007 10:45 AM

Lorna Hill

MVP Realty - Strawberry, AZ

Pine & Strawberry AZ Real Estate Agent

Good Post. Interesting thoughts. Remember you can't please all of the people all of the time. Be true to yourself.

Aug 19, 2007 10:51 AM

William J. Archambault, Jr.

The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Scott,

I don't know how to respond, because I don't understand your comment.

I do care what people think, I can be blunt at times because I see so many issues as black and white, good or evil, I never go out of my way to insult someone.

Bill

James,

I'm not arguing about what some people think. I'm explaining what I think.

My signature was just the same as at the bottom of this blog.

I totaly agree with you if I offend the blogger delete me! One of the best features on AR is the blogger can delete comments from their blog and that commentors can edit or delete their contribution. I don't know which deleted or edited the comment directed to me by name.

Bill

Laurie,

Thank you.

When I'm seroious I try, when I'm flippant there is no issue.

Bill

Lorna,

Thank you.

I never will please everyone, but I'd like to be understood.

Bill

Aug 19, 2007 11:27 AM

Bryant Tutas

Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL

Selling Florida one home at a time

Bill you can come leave your links on my posts anytime you want. I LOVE YA MAN!!!!

Aug 19, 2007 12:08 PM

William J. Archambault, Jr.

The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Bryan,

I've been known to do that.

You're one of those side benafits I mentioned.

Bill

Aug 19, 2007 12:22 PM

Sarah Cooper

Real Estate Shows - Hurricane, WV

Bill, you can leave anything you want in my comments. Any friend of Jason's and all that ...

Aug 19, 2007 12:43 PM

William J. Archambault, Jr.

The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Thanks Sarah

Bill

Aug 19, 2007 01:09 PM

Rich Kruse

Gryphon USA, Ltd. - Columbus, OH

Bill - I wouldn't let it get to you. When I started posting here I tried to be nice to a couple of folks that were here in my market and was accused of trying to pull one over on them. There are still sideways comments made that are directed at me. Obviously I don't care and neither should you.

This reminds me of two different sayings.

Screw em in they can't take a joke.
After a long and drawn out story about a man and his donkey we reach the moral which is if you try to please everyone all of the time you will end up alone and will loose your ass.

Rich

Aug 20, 2007 12:16 AM

Tom Burris

NMLS# 335055 - Baton Rouge, LA

Texas/Louisiana Mortgage Pro - 13 YRS Experience

Bill,

I really don't know what to say. I am kind of on the fence here....

I wouldn't want my competitors to vehemently disagree with me and sign with a bunch of links..... but I don't mind if my friends add their links as a siggy.

Good luck, my friend!
Tom Burris

http://www.dallasloanguy.com

;-)

Aug 20, 2007 01:49 AM

William J. Archambault, Jr.

The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Thanks Rich,

I agree, they need to learn to take a joke.

"After a long and drawn out story... loose your ass" now that's getting very close to personal! My ass is a loose cannon cute but not my best spokesman.

This is not my alter-ego. He doesn't speak for me! Often?

Bill

Tom,

I always check the names at the end of an interesting comment, to see who's writing. I like the links, just now I followed one and subscribed to the e-mail portion of a mortgage news letter from a respected source.

My personal rule is I don't get or remain involved with people I don't respect. Nor do I joust with fools. I will take a subject and blog about it in response. I do "vehemently disagree" with respected friends on occasion, see the debates Brian Brady and I have had, splitting hairs and making people think.

You have forced me to think about my practice. Up until a week ago I only sold my books and services, and I am the Worlds Expert on the Opinions of William J Archambault Jr, I had no peers. Now with First National Mortgage Sources, I'm competing with conventional lenders in all 50 states. I may have to rethink my position. Until I see a compelling reason, I'll continue.

Bill

Aug 20, 2007 05:59 AM

Melissa Kruse

Gryphon - Lewis Center, OH

Bill, so are you saying we shouldn't be using snakes for roach control??? It's working really well, well except for that small pet dog that the snake thought was breakfsst.

Seriously, screw'em if they get upset. This is business. There are folks who get upset that our brokerage sends out emails. But at the end of the day we get business from it. You have to do what works for you!

Aug 21, 2007 01:32 PM

William J. Archambault, Jr.

The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Melissa,

I didn't say it was bad advice only frivolous, as in carefree and superficial. Like advising to wear your boots when checking Landlord Man's properties.

Any dog small enough to be eaten should be! The cat I share living quarters and a wife with is about 35 pounds when full any dog smaller that Kat should hide, I'm sure the snake was comparatively merciful. Eric's German Shepards (150 & 100 lbs) know better than to tangle with him. Once at a motel a pit bull smiled at Kat when Kat saw those big teeth we thought he'd killed the pit. The guy that owned him had to give the dog month to month to resuscitate him, we left very early.

Bill

Aug 21, 2007 06:37 PM

Jeff Belonger

Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ

The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Bill.... or should I say Mr. William Archambault. hhhhmmm .... interesting comments. And I just read your comment in my other post. I actually found this post because I searched my name. ;o) And even though I have you on my subscribed list, I still missed it.

Let's start off with my logo per se. As you can see, it's just my name and no links to it. You mentioned that when you search you or Brian, you both show up more between each other. I honestly don't think my name logo hinders my searches one bit. I get 3 to 4 e-mails or phone calls a week now, because people found me over the net.

In regards to your links when leaving a comment. I do think this is spam. Sorry... I will agree with so many. And on another note, I wouldn't want to be writing a public post and have lots of loan officers leaving their links in my comment section. Competition is bad enough. ;o) Besides, you have a link already when you comment. Your AR name at the bottom of your comment.

On another note, I have been told by a few that my logo name is spam. Now.... in my opinion, I don't think so. Look up spam. It links you no where. Then some say it's a distraction. That one cracks me up. If the blog is good enough, but my comment is below, how is this a distraction? Sorry, but that one sounds lame and just seems to be an opinion.

Overall, I do thank you for the mention. But getting back to why I might not come up on your or Brian Brady's searches as much is because I am not mentioned as much. Your name needs to be mentioned in that post to show up under a search. Your name will not appear from commenting within AR. Though it will show up when commenting on other's outside blogs. I am not an expert on this.... but I don't think my signature logo hinders my searches in any case. Again, thanks for the mention though.

jeff belonger

Aug 26, 2007 02:41 AM

William J. Archambault, Jr.

The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Jeff,

When I wrote this I'd never searched on AR. I was writing about the major search engines. I believe my approach gets me better results with them.

For the record I love your logo, it's just that I don't think that the search engines read it. I truly don't know if I'm right, but until I find out I'm sticking with my program.

As to people not liking your logo or my signature, "nuts*"! Except for the purely social, which I sign Bill, this is business. I read some comments lately that said it's unprofessional to be a salesman and be selling well they know what their opinions are worth. You meet these professional people all the time, the conversation starts "I used to be in real estate" and ends with "you'll find what your looking for in lane 5, thank you for shopping..." Want my opinion with out the ad? You've got several options. I consult by the hour. Buy my books. I teach. Or, feed me.

If you're going to use "William Archambault" do it right it's "William J Archambault Jr"! Why? Because I proud to be named after my Dad, and if you search with less than my full name you have to work thru a lot of family before you get to me. It doesn't help the searches when a distant unknown cousin flies around the world again and again then makes a dead stick landing in CA instead of FL.

Bill

* General Anthony McAuliffe, commanding the 101st Airborne, Bastogne, Germany 12-21-1944.

Aug 26, 2007 03:44 AM

Jeff Belonger

Social Media - Infinity Home Mortgage Company, Inc - Cherry Hill, NJ

The FHA Expert - FHA Loans - FHA mortgages - USDA loans - VA Loans

Bill.... two things. What I meant by my signature being searched or not is that it wouldn't matter if I stuck my signature in there or not. It doesn't hurt or help. Besides, I only use the signature in comments. When you read my blogs, I now have a copied lag line per se at the bottom, linking you to my other 2 blog sites.

In regards to your name. I have no problem with the signature. But I do consider links that are part of that signature to be spam and so do many others. As you know, I don't go with the flow, even here on AR. Look at some of these posts that aren't featured.... lol Wonder if a moderator will read this or if someone from AR will tell them. It's amazing how many on here run around and tell on you per se. How can I saw this, because I have been told and I have seen it in regards to a few comments that I have left in the past. My comment. SAD. lol

Anyhooo.... since I am not hijacking this post... lol I am not sure by adding your name at the bottom does anything. I am sure it gets some juice. But I haven't left my name in my blogs and I am getting a lot of action, even more so lately. I think the reason is because I am writing at least 1 blog a day on mortgages. May it be about a certain topic or something about news in the lending world, or those warm and fuzzy posts to clients about the good, the bad, or the ugly when it comes to what to look for. This seems to be working.... I just wanted to say thanks for your support in all that I do. Thanks Mr. William J Achambault Jr.

jeff belonger