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Play Nice In The Online Communities

Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

February 28, 2011 08:37 AM

Kiss Hand In all the many online communities out there to dip your toe in, and there are a bunch of them, Facebook, Bebo, Plaxo, LinkedIn, Naymz, Spoke, Twitter, Experteer, ActiveRain, Xing, Friend Reunited, etc. how are your manners? Are you

Playing Nice In The Online Communities?

Nothing will get you booted to the curb in advancement with people as an observation that he or she does not play nice. People in social networking pick up on that fast too. So review these tips and make sure YOU are playing nice out there.

Don't challenge or attack others. Conversation, not contention. Let others have their say. You know what? They are differerent from you. It is ok
Don't post commercial messages in the broad learning community. Instead contact people directly with your offers
Use caution when discussing products. Everyone can see it and you are subject to libel, slander, and anti-trust laws
Strictly NO defamatory, abusive, profane, threatening, offensive, pornographic or illegal materials posted
Do not violate copyright law
Remember others have the right (unless prohibited) to reproduce your posting
Send your message ONLY to the most appropriate communities
Comments should be positive and productive
Be concise and clear with a comment or discussion
Be careful and use caution when acquiring new friends and make sure they adhere to good etiquette standards you want or delete them
For the business REALTOR side of things conform to your state and national statutes and rules and Code of Ethics

With a "little common sense" just like being nice to people in "person" this is not very hard. But if you slip up and forget and get cavalier about your behavior just because you are online, you could pay dearly in your reputation or out of your pocketbook.

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Chris Mayr

D3 Interactive Marketing - Orlando, FL

I know many posters who should heed this advice on some of the other social sites that we work through.

Mar 01, 2011 01:10 AM

Aaron Seekford

Arlington Realty, Inc. - Arlington, VA

Ranked Top 1% Nationwide 703-836-6116

Great points, Gary. Some people like to have a little edge and spark, and it works well for them. So long as they stay respectful, it's cool in my book!

Mar 01, 2011 01:45 AM

Kevin J. May

Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL

Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Gary, a touch of self respect and respect for others can take you a long way. Even a smattering of negative bashing brings your walls down with a crash. Think, then think again always!

Mar 01, 2011 03:03 AM

Karen Fiddler, Broker/Owner

Karen Parsons-Fiddler, Broker 949-510-2395 - Mission Viejo, CA

Orange County & Lake Arrowhead, CA (949)510-2395

Nice post....I love conversation, but anger and confrontation doesn't do anything to further ideas.

Mar 01, 2011 03:38 AM

Brian Madigan

RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage (Toronto) - Toronto, ON

LL.B., Broker

Gary,

This is good advice. I don't know why it's missed in many circumstances.

Brian

Mar 01, 2011 03:57 AM

Brenda Whitman, Live in Laramie Real Estate

Live in Laramie Real Estate, Laramie, Wyoming - Laramie, WY

Broker/Co-Owner, Laramie, Wyoming

Very good list! I know I always have to be careful with my very dry sense of humor because not everybody knows when I am joking! I was going to say I suggested, too but then I realized that I found your post in the featured list so I guess it's a little late for that...

Mar 01, 2011 04:03 AM

Christianne O'Malley

Dickson Realty - Reno, NV

Exceptional Service - Delivering Results in Reno!

This applies to ActiveRain as well, and even office meetings, etc. My mother always said "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.". Sometimes I still can't keep my mouth shut and fall short, but the point is to keep trying :)

Mar 01, 2011 04:06 AM

Bryan Robertson

Los Altos, CA

Good post. If I may point out though, points 1 and 8 preclude coming advancing a dialog to a resolution. In point 1, you say "Don't challenge..." Without challenging someones assumptions little if any progress can be made to discuss the full scope of an idea. Point 8, you say "Points should be positive..." but not all dissenting opinions can be positive.

I think it's fine and good to have a set of online rules and to be diplomatic. A pleasant, rational dialog is always nice. But in my experience, a discussion of conflicting viewpoints on a specific topic yields insight to all involved and sometimes those include initially negative positions.

Mar 01, 2011 04:46 AM

Cory Barbee

San Diego, CA

Broker (760) 563-4022

Great advice. I like to plug in with the mindset to learn from other, not get into a debate...what we post stays online...

Mar 01, 2011 04:55 AM

Rebecca Gaujot, Realtor®

Lewisburg, WV

Lewisburg WV, the go to agent for all real estate

Gary, very good advice, and like you say "just use some common sense," when social networking.

Mar 01, 2011 06:27 AM

Cherise Selley

Selley Group Real Estate, LLC - Colorado Springs, CO

Colorado Springs Realtor

Gary,

Play nice is right. Though we might differ in opinions, it's great to participate in a spirited blog where everyone rises to the top... g

Mar 01, 2011 07:24 AM

Suzanne McLaughlin

Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN

Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

Congratulations on the feature. I am guilty lately of letting a little of my frustration over the political scene spill over to my blog posts. Sorry. I get so riled up lately. I will try to curb my enthusiasm.

Mar 01, 2011 07:44 AM

Chris and Berna Sloan

Group 1 Real Estate - Tooele, UT

Tooele UT

Great subject. I remember way back when from "One Minute Manager". Address the message, not the messenger. There is no place for personal attacks, especially over a simple difference of opinion. Be courteous people!

Mar 01, 2011 08:55 AM

Lanre-"THE REAL ESTATE FARMER" Folayan

Samson Properties - Bowie, MD

I don't make promises.I deliver results.SOLD HOMES

Gary many times people will say things that just make me scratch my head. If you can't say nothing nice,don't say nothing at all. That's how I see it. Thanks for sharing. Great post.

Mar 01, 2011 09:22 AM

marti garaughty

garaughty.com - Montreal, QC

a highly caffeinated creative type...

hi Gary, you should see the %#%# email I received on the weekend. Fortunately I've learned to ignore most of the stupid stuff that happens online. I guess it's part of growing up. ;-)

Mar 01, 2011 09:25 AM

Don Hintz

2D-enterprises / HAUS Design, LLC - Anderson, IN

Gary,

Been many times when there almost needs to be an auto-responder from each post or reply that has these type of specific reminders.

Good list to go my, though, thanks for posting.

Mar 01, 2011 10:05 AM

Not a real person

San Diego, CA

Previous to become active at ActiveRain, I had been hanging out for five years at a home inspector site but the majority of the vocal people over there are just flat out nasty and mean. I couldn’t take it anymore. I’ve been hooked on ActiveRain ever since I moved over here permanently on July 22, 2008.

Mar 01, 2011 01:27 PM

Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR

"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

You're awfully nice to me, Gary! And still honest. I like that.

Mar 02, 2011 12:28 AM

Anonymous

Elisa Maria

Gary-I play so nice in online communities that I found the love of my life last February and we are blissfully happy and plan on marrying when the time is right. Smile

Mar 06, 2011 10:46 AM

#39

Todd Clark - Retired

eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR

Principle Broker Oregon

I always tell people that people hire people they know, like and trust and if you don't play nice online, people will find out and you will never even know you lost a customer. Just like colleges and employers, potential clients are checking us out long before they hire us.