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Do They Even READ Those Posts?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Marte Cliff Copywriting

Do they even READ those posts?

Today Charita Cadenhead wrote a post about how we comment on Newbie Posts. She was recommending that we leave a thoughtful comment that relates to their post rather than just saying "Welcome." 

I agree, although some of those posts don't say anything except "I'm new here and this is my first post."

Newbies aren't the only ones who get lame comments.

Quite often I read comments – on my blog and others – that seem to shout "I read the headline and now I'm commenting."

Some of them make no sense and you can see that they've missed the entire point of the message. Often, if there's an example at the beginning of the post, they respond to that and ignore the message.

What it says to me is that these are folks who are just trying to get their 10 comments made. They aren't bothering to read.

And then there are the robo-commenters. Some days we see the exact same comment on every post on the Daily Drop. Usually it says something like "Nice post, thanks for sharing."

That's frustrating for those of us who make it a point to respond to every comment. I just say "You're welcome" and move on, knowing that the person doesn't care if I respond or not.

All I can say is that it's their loss. We can all learn so much from each other here that to make the whole exercise about nothing but points is really a waste.

 

Comments (56)

Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

When someone says great post you would like to know what part and know generic for the points response. Sad because communication is two way. And their other relationships are suffering the same not active listening, reading, lack of attention way.

Mar 27, 2013 02:00 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Debbie - Yes - they didn't even bother to see who you are. And your posts make it pretty clear that you're the Flooring Girl.

Mike - I think you're right.

Christiansens - I'm a "skim reader" too, but if it's interesting enough, I go back and read the whole thing.

Tanya - Learning to write it so people understand what you meant is an ongoing process. I write for a living and sometimes people still don't understand what I was trying to say. Just hang in there - it's OK. And as for disagreement... Remember that old quote: "If two people agree on everything, one of them is unnecessary."

Fernando - No, it's not something to stress over.

Bill - That's one way to look at it, but I do see robo-responses on some darn good posts.

Richie - I like that sentiment.

Margaret - Exactly. They're making an impression, but not a good one.

Andrew - I guess communication is not their goal. They just want points.

 

Mar 27, 2013 03:56 AM
Peggy Wester
Realty Executives Integrity - Grafton, WI
Real Estate Agent Ozaukee & Washington County

I think the "Nice post. Thanks for sharing" is my all-time favorite. Does the author of that brilliant comment really think we're not on to him??  :)

Mar 27, 2013 03:57 AM
Ridhi Raheja
Movement Mortgage (Illinois) - Naperville, IL
FHA, 203k, VA, Jumbo, PreApproval, Jumbo Home Loan

It's the learning that matters most, not the points. True. Their loss! 

Mar 27, 2013 04:04 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Marte - and I sometimes wonder if the author ever reads the comments left on their posts -- it's an interesting world in and outside of AR.    

Mar 27, 2013 04:06 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Peggy - They must not care. They just want points.

Ridhi - Yes, the learning, the sharing, the getting acquainted.

Michael - Jon Zolsky wrote about that recently. Some people just throw their posts out there and never come back to see what anyone had to say. It reminds me of my neighbor (a retired History teacher) who only wants to lecture. There's no conversation, no sharing of thoughts and ideas. But in their case, I doubt if they even want to lecture. They just want the darned points!

Mar 27, 2013 04:18 AM
Greg Large
ERA Real Solutions - Grove City, OH
A Tradition of Trust

"Nice post, thanks for sharing."

Insert tongue-in cheek here

I can certainly relate, some of the comments I have received on posts have left me scratching my head saying HUH? Oh well..the *real* irony is, imho, that the folks who are guilty most likely won't even see this :)

Mar 27, 2013 05:15 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Greg - You're right, they won't. They barely read posts, let alone comments.

I too have received comments that left me wondering "What are they talking about?" Sometimes it looks like they're responding to a completely different post.

Mar 27, 2013 05:27 AM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

The suggestion someone on here made of a "thumbs up " or "thumbs down" idea of some sort might be a good one -- often a post is good but there is simply no time for a well constructed and thought out comment. Seems it is more an issue of time that might cause people to sound a bit "canned" than anything else. But that is just our 2 cents.

Mar 27, 2013 05:51 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Hi Marte, great discussion going on here, as far as the comments that leave you wondering, I get a few regular commentators who I am certain do read the blogs, yet their comments generally leave me wondering what they are talking about.

Even the ones who just cut and paste don't bother me, somedays people are busy or maybe they just have no ability to formulate a real comment and still want to let you know that they stopped by, and I am grateful for that effort.

Mar 27, 2013 06:35 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Bob & Carolin - That is another way to look at it. You might be right.

Bob - Maybe those folks have poor reading comprehension skills? They only think they know what you said.

As for the ones who stop by with robo-comments... I'd say you have a very generous spirit.

Mar 27, 2013 06:49 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Marti:  The newbies post says the same thing - I'm scared, I jumped in, please notice me in this large pool of people that know what they are doing already.  I'm like you, I just say welcome & good luck.  I'm really getting sick of people making a big deal out of a first post - it's not a baby for heaven's sake.

Mar 27, 2013 08:45 AM
Bobbie Smith
Stroudsburg, PA
570-242-1891

Marte, Good points. That happens to me at times. I read something other than what the writer is trying to make a point on. Guess some of our minds work a little different than others but with all the learning potential here, it's nice to read and then re-read some of the great posts. (see what I mean) Congrats on the feature!

Mar 27, 2013 08:48 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Lyn - If it's a good, informative first post I'll say so - and comment on the content. Otherwise, it's just "Welcome, keep at it." (I'm not much for gushing over babies, either.)

Bobbie - Thanks. I do think that sometimes we read things from our own point of view - which may be very different from the writer's point of view. Our understanding might even be a reaction to something that just happened and is in the back of our minds.

 

Mar 27, 2013 09:02 AM
Mary Stewart
HomeTrust Real Estate, LLC, Homes for Everyone - Wilsonville, OR
Wilsonville and Surrounding Portland Metro Areas

I always try to think about what comment I would make and if I cannot say anything that matters, I don't and move on.  I read lots of posts just do not comment on all.  It is scary to a point to write a first post because one might think "what will others think of me and my writing skills".  Every post that I write is really a first post because it is different each time, subject matter, etc.  Kind of like the game of golf.  Every hole and shot is a new game. If one does not have something interesting or good to say...don't.

Mar 28, 2013 08:41 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Mary - I do the same. If I can't think of anything to say that six other people haven't said already, then I simply move on. Or... if I really disagree I usually don't comment. Why start a war and why insult someone? They're entitled to their opinion.

Mar 28, 2013 05:02 PM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

I read 30 to sixty post a day (not much of a life I suppose) I try to acknowlege that I read the post and some (most) I can sum it up in 5 words or less. I don't need to write a book when commenting.

Mar 30, 2013 02:32 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Charles - No, no need to write a book, but we do enjoy comments that add to the discussion.

Mar 30, 2013 04:15 AM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

I always try to welcome Newbies....I can remember being an ActiveRain Newbie and it really meant a lot to me

Mar 31, 2013 07:40 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Wallace - Being welcomed always feels good - no matter if it's here, at a new organization, or even as a "bring along" friend at a social gathering. If I see a newbie post I'll stop and welcome them, too.

Apr 01, 2013 02:20 AM