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Attention lurkers: I got interviewed for an article on Bloomberg because of commenting on a blog

By
Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team

Hey Lurkers... yeah you. You know, those of you who read blogs but never comment on them. Oh, and also those of you who just do the, "This is great." comments. Did you know that having a strong opinion on things and expressing them, even ones that are contrary can sometimes bring opportunities? Now, I'm not talking about being rude, but rather stating your opinion in a strong but professional way. Let me give you an example. 

the real cost of selling your homeA few weeks ago I received a call from a journalist who was writing an article for Bloomberg.com on the cost of selling your home. She was researching and was looking at an article by HomeGain, where they list the top 10 DIY improvements for home selling. She noticed in the comments that I had been less than favorable toward the article, going so far as to call their criteria for staging as archaic. I then listed an article written by Karen Otto for them to review so that perhaps they would better understand what staging is. (The HomeGain article actually made me so irritable I wrote a rebuttal article about it, which has been one of the most popular articles on our website and actually led to several other spin off articles on our home staging training website.) 

Anyway, back to the point here, the journalist called because she was interested in knowing what I thought home staging was and how it was different from what HomeGain had to say. We talked for about 15 minutes and voila, a couple of weeks later, I received a Google alert letting me know that I was in the Bloomberg.com's online article. While I always find it funny to see what journalists pick up from conversations as important, what I picked up was this - never be afraid to give your opinion, even if it's a little different. When you do, be sure that it's memorable. Make them want to find out more about you and what basis you have for your opinion. It may just lead to more opportunities.  

Posted by

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 Author Bio: Melissa Marro, Home Staging Industry leader, Realtor, and entrepreneur offers a unique perspective on New Home Construction, Resale Residential Real Estate, and Home Staging

For more information on buying or selling in the Fleming Island, Orange Park, or Jacksonville, area, visit StageListSellNEFL.com or call Melissa Marro (marro.melissa at gmail.com), Keller Williams First Coast Realty, for more information (904-466-2093).

 

Comments (39)

Rob Arnold
Sand Dollar Realty Group, Inc. - Altamonte Springs, FL
Metro Orlando Full Service - Investor Friendly & F

Awesome to hear you got interviewed.  Blogging works and gets you lots of publicity.  I have numerous TV and newspaper interviews because of blogging.  None from just commenting though.

Jun 17, 2013 05:51 AM
Lisa Vasey
Staged Today, SOLD Tomorrow! - La Mesa, CA

I love it! I always enjoy your blog and agree with you on all points - but I never thought about the power of the quite in this way.  I gues you never know what may happen when you present yourself with prefessionalism and integrity, as you do so well. Congratulations on representing the indsutry so well!

Jun 17, 2013 05:56 AM
Travis "the SOLD man" Parker; Broker/Owner
Travis Realty - Enterprise, AL
email: Travis@theSOLDman.me / cell: 334-494-7846

Congratulations on the recognition! And excellent article in rebuttal. Also, I subscribed to your Blog. good stuff!!

Jun 17, 2013 05:59 AM
Jill Sackler
Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY
LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

I love hearing this. It's not the first time one of our Rainers has been interviewed based on a comment.

Jun 17, 2013 06:03 AM
Paddy Deighan MBA JD PhD
http://www.medicalandspaconsulting.com - Vail, CO
Paddy Deighan J.D. Ph.D

Congratulations and thank for reminding us that blogging has incidental benefits too!!!  Much success in future blogging endeavors!!

Jun 17, 2013 06:05 AM
Michael Blue
Home Smart Realty West - Encinitas, CA
REALTOR - 760-889-8877, Encinitas/Carlsbad
Yea! I do not agree with everything I see or read and will comment as well, in a respectful but I don't agree. A couple weeks ago a garter snake in the grass was at question, another AR member then wrote a post the next day about the joy of living creatures in or around his yard, bravo! I did notice a member had commented on both posts but the comment was in agreement to both of the post, polar opposites. I like a strong back bone and admire one's position, on way or the other but not both!
Jun 17, 2013 06:30 AM
Ann Wilkins
Golden Gate Sotheby's International Realty - Oakland, CA
Oakland, Berkeley, Piedmont CA

Great for you!  Nice way to get your name out there as a respected professional.  I'm with you, so many of the articles I read in Homegain, Trulia, Zillow etc, are really light on substance and sometimes just wrong!   Not sure why I even read some of the articles because I'm so often disappointed in the content.

Jun 17, 2013 06:33 AM
Monique Ting
INET Realty Honolulu, HI - Honolulu, HI
Your agent under the sun

Congratulation! It is great that you caught Bloomberg's attention for something you know about. I guess it always pays to have a strong opinion and back it up with solid information.

Jun 17, 2013 07:10 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Mellisa, this is proof positive that the Internet is a very public place.  Congratulations on your well deserved recognition.  I previously read Karen Otto's well written post and will go back and read your rebuttal to the HomeGain article. 

Jun 17, 2013 07:56 AM
Melissa Marro
Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL
Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging

Kathy - It's true. You just never know. 

Joanna - I guess it's one of those moments where you realize that breaking out of the bubble and commenting on other's works can help you get your name out. 

Marge - Thank you for stopping by!

Lyn - That's true. That's why they interview those of who do. The problem is that they don't always catch the most important things we say. 

Brad - yes. It is always interesting to see which part of what you say will be the sound bite

Karen - Good for you!

Rob - That's great. I love those kinds of success stories.

Lisa - thank you for the kind words. 

Travis - Thank you for the compliments and for subscribing!

Jill - AR is a great place for people to get good information and find knowledgable people to interview

Paddy - You just never know how it may "pay off"

Michael - it is intresting how someone can strongly agree with opposite points of view on the same situation

Ann - Sometimes that is really true. On the flip side once in a while I read a really good one. 

Monique - a strong opinion is something I usually have =)

Jun 17, 2013 07:56 AM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team
Hi Melissa, we agree. We need to take stands however we avoid religion and politics.
Jun 17, 2013 09:16 AM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Not all blog posts are provocative or slanted, so short concise comments would suffice, however, many respondents might have already stated your opinion so saying it differently yet essentially with the same perspective seems redundant and a waste of time or do you disagree?

Jun 17, 2013 09:49 AM
Melanie Narducci
Hillscape Properties, Inc. - San Francisco, CA
Your San FranciscoBay Area Real Estate Expert
Thanks for posting this, Melissa! Good feature and I completely agree that you are one smart cookie!
Jun 17, 2013 10:20 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info

Good for you for making your point and having the info to back it up.  Congrats on being in the Bloomberg article!

Jun 17, 2013 11:39 AM
Joetta Fort
The DiGiorgio Group - Arvada, CO
Independent Broker, Homes Denver to Boulder

Based on my number of views vs comments, there are a lot of lurkers out there!  Congrats that your going the extra little bit paid off!

Jun 17, 2013 12:10 PM
Margaret Gehr
Chicagoland Home Staging LLC - Naperville, IL

Hi Melissa, Ok you got me...I'm a lurker! Thanks for reminding me how important it is to have a voice! Excellent Job!

Jun 17, 2013 12:25 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

OK - now I'm curious. I have to go follow those links. 

Meanwhile... good for you! When you have an opinion and you can back it up, it shows you have spine and aren't afraid to show it!

Jun 17, 2013 01:52 PM
Larry Lawfer
YourStories Realty Group - Newton, MA
"I listen for a living." It's all about you.

Good for you.  Commenting from a place of knowledge, power and true understanding of an issue separates you from those who just blather on and on about themselves or their anger.  Journalists are constantly looking for articulate people to quote and interview.  Clearly you are one of the good folks, congratulations.

Jun 17, 2013 11:48 PM
Andrea HoffDomin
Florida Dream Homes Realty - Fort Lauderdale, FL
- in Real Estate always on your side!

Congratulation to you. I always true to say my opinion in a smooth way but my experience is sometimes it is much better to be not too smooth talking to be heard.

Jun 18, 2013 07:18 AM
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Congratulations on the publicity Melissa, it does pay to get involved.

Jun 21, 2013 03:42 PM