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Automated Communication can be an Automatic Embarrassment

It all started so innocently with cut and paste...

The automating of our communications can be a good thing. Starting with cut and paste. But there the trouble starts. I've sent out an email (more than once) where I forgot to replace "Dear Lisa" with "Dear Ludwig." I've received proposals from people where the "document property" in word revealed a different author and a different client. Computers are stupid. I need to stay alert. Check it and check it again.

and grew to endless possibilities of mistakes with the "help" of templates.

This sort of automatic mistake gets worse when you outsource your communications. I am not pointing fingers - this could have happened to me or you.

An automated inquiry for feedback on a listing I saw.

<http://www.homefeedback.com/images/logoNew.gif>

Hi Gerhard,


1234 123th PL NE
Redmond, WA 98053
<http://www.homefeedback.com/USER_DATA/v/anybody/listingImages/Im467ff4efca43e.jpg>    LP: $899,950    MLS#: 27112345
Listing Info: --    Virtual Tour: --
Bedrooms: 4    Bathrooms: 2.5
Est. Sq. Ft: 3700    Year Built: 2004
Map Code: --   Property Type: Single Family


Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here. Your Text Here.

Thank You,


Powered By Homefeedback.com <http://www.homefeedback.com>

Unsubscribe <http://www.homefeedback.com/jM6IkNpZCI7aToyNDk4MDYwO3M6NDoiQ3RJZCI7aToxO3M6Mz==>

The Your Text Here was meant for text by the listing agent or assistant for something like: "Thanks for seeing my listing. Any feedback, especially regarding pricing, would be appreciated."

(Note: I've changed the data in the homefeedback.com message to conceal the agent's identity.)

Posted by Gerhard Ade on 09/01/2007 08:12 PM

Comments (2)

automated communications, outsourcing, automated listing feedback, cut and paste

2 Comments on Automated Communication can be an Automatic Embarrassment

SEP

2007

Autopilot doesn't always fly the best.... =) I had a similar experience with an auto responder which was sending auto responds that didn't apply...but that's an easy situation to blame on technology and explain away.

FEB

2008

You should also check out a company called, http://www.proagentsolutions.com/ . They provide an AUTOMATED showing/feedback system that downloads your showings directly from Supra or Risco and emails you, your seller and the showing agent with no work by you. Just enter your listings or import them from the MLS and they take care of the rest. Give them a try.

Shawn

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