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Reblogging Etiquette...Some Thoughts

By Phil Stevenson, CRMP

Mortgage and Lending with PS Mortgage Lending 305-791-4874 or 888-845-6630 365768

October 08, 2013 12:12 AM

Reblogging Etiquette...Some Thoughts

I'm not one to reblog...that much. I have reblogged some posts before, mainly those who write great content but have yet to get featured.

The benefits of a reblog:

Information, that might have otherwise been missed, is shared with as many people as possible.
A new blogger gets introduced to the fold, thereby, giving them the confidence to continue blogging.
You begin to build a relationship with a fellow blogger

To me, these are adequate reasons for a reblog, especially, because it considers the original poster before the reblogger. To reblog just for points or so that a particularly popular/controversial topic catches the attention of other Active Rain member is in poor taste.

It might as well be plagiarism because you have added nothing to the conversation, merely copied someone else's hard work for your own benefit.

There is also the people who merely do it for the points...Never saw the appeal of it. If points is what you want, write an original blog, participate in contests, do a Cloudburst, comment...Don't reblog just for reblog's sake. Let your reblog mean something, to you and the original blogger.

Richie Alan Naggar wrote a great post a few weeks back, "Is a Repost of a Post Like a Toast?" If you think of your 'reblog' button like this from now on, you'll never go wrong. A reblog should be like a toast, a toast to great content and the blogger who took the time to write it.

Practice proper reblogging etiquette, it's the best way to go.

Interested in a reverse mortgage or simply have questions? Give PS Financial Services a call at (888) 845-6630 or email us at info@PSReverseMortgage.com. We do not pressure those who inquire. We are simply here to help.

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Phil Stevenson, CRMP

PS Mortgage Lending 305-791-4874 or 888-845-6630 - Miami, FL

"Mortgage Nerd" in Miami, Florida and Texas

Joan, here's a toast to much more great blogs in the future!

Harry, thank you! That's very true, reblogs are great when done for the right reasons.

Michelle, I'm not suggesting that reblogs are unnecessary, in fact, I welcome them. However, most of time, when it's merely for points, it's a little disconcerting. The same way empty comments are on a blog post are.

Sandy, reblogs are a great way to encourage new bloggers, just like comments. That's a very powerful reason to reblog, especially if the post is worth it.

Ed, thanks! Keep readers in your area is a good reason to reblog. It's more about the value of the subject than the value of the points are awarded.

Gary, that demonstrates to me that, to you, reblogs are a valuable tool that, when used under the right circumstances, can have a very positive effect. Your readers are lucky to have you.

Nina, I'm sure your prefaces are well developed and explain the situation to your readers, old and new. You're thinking of them first and foremost.

Jordan, I agree. All valid reasons to consider a reblog. It's a great feature to have whenever needed.

Kelly, your reason for the reblog serves all those involved. In my humble opinion, I think your on the right track.

Anna, thanks! It's not always easy to say what's on your mind but sometimes you have to.

Sharon, I like it as well, used it sometimes in the past, but because always think of the audience, intended or otherwise, just like you.

TDT, Glad to see that the reblog is serving you well.

Travis, well said! Here's hoping you find something worthy of a reblog in the future.

Oct 09, 2013 12:37 AM

Gene Riemenschneider

Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA

Turning Houses into Homes

Sometimes I reblog to and add significant content in the intro. Other times I just put in the basic required words. I do not consider it plagerism. Sometimes I just have nothing to add but want to share the thoughts with others that may have missed it. This includes my syndication of the item and sometimes me linking it in an e-mail blast. It does nothing but help the original writer. The original writer always gets credit and is always linked. Writers can turn off the reblog and not allow their post to be reblogged.

Oct 09, 2013 02:36 AM

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

Back to add that I just asked someone that reblogged one of my posts to take it down. They wouldn't so now AR HQ is going to handle it.

If you disagree with a post, do not reblog that post with your diatribe on top. REFERENCE the post & make your own post with your opposing view. Call it a counter post but no reblog.

Have some tact.

Oct 09, 2013 02:41 AM

Phil Stevenson, CRMP

PS Mortgage Lending 305-791-4874 or 888-845-6630 - Miami, FL

"Mortgage Nerd" in Miami, Florida and Texas

Gene, that's your prerogative but, from what I can tell, you reblog to distribute information and ensure that anyone that might of missed it, finds it, not solely because of the points. It might seem that way but thanks for clearing it up for the future. The "plagiarism" portion of my post has been brought up before, it was merely a bad choice of words, not an accusation.

Lyn, sorry to hear that happened. I've seen many bloggers write a counter blog in response to a topic that lit a fire under them. I've always found that perfectly fine, like you, but the reblog you describe is very off-putting. It's the equivalent of writing a rude comment on a post you disagree with.

Oct 09, 2013 02:54 AM

Marte Cliff

Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID

Your real estate writer

I like that - "consider a reblog as a toast." I don't reblog very often, and when I do I think it's a compliment to the original writer. It's a way of sharing their message with my followers as well as theirs.

When reading reblogs... I prefer that the second poster add some comments of their own rather than just saying something along the lines of "Mary wrote a good post, so I'm sharing."

Oct 09, 2013 07:15 AM

Kathy Schowe

California Lifestyle Realty - La Quinta, CA

La Quinta, California 760-333-8886

I also believe in disabling comments on a reblog- and directing the comments to the original post and writer! Kathy

Oct 09, 2013 07:43 AM

Bob Miller

Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL

The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Phil we agree we do it mostly when we see a great post like yours!

Oct 09, 2013 08:53 AM

Lenn Harley

Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA

Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Phil. I see this phrase,

"so that a particularly popular/controversial topic catches the attention of other Active Rain member is in poor taste. - "

Why is reblogging to bring a post to the attention of other members "in poor taste"???

Reblogging is a form of syncation too. I love the reblog and use it often.

Oct 09, 2013 09:04 AM

Paddy Deighan MBA JD PhD

http://www.medicalandspaconsulting.com - Vail, CO

Paddy Deighan J.D. Ph.D

good and valid points, all. Seems many do violate the rules "re-blogging" etiquette ....useful tool but sometimes mis-used

Oct 09, 2013 09:45 AM

Cara Marcelle Mancuso

Golden Girls with SW Desert Homes - Tucson, AZ

Call a Marana neighbor, I'm THERE!

Nice, thoughtful post. Went on over and read Richie's as well. Thank you!

Oct 09, 2013 09:47 AM

Bob Crane

Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI

Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Hi Phil, sorry for being a bit rough yesterday, combination of circumstances led me to unload a bit.

I should have turned on the tv rather than active rain after a few stressful phone calls, and yours was the first blog that I saw.

I kind of got the idea from your post and especially from the 30 comments ahead of me that reblogs were in poor taste and should be discouraged, and as you can tell from my poorly worded comments, I disagreed.

I think that the reblog is a great tool for the poster, the re-poster and for the reader who might have missed the original post.

And I think that the points are a good thing too, they are designed to encourage us to do the right thing and promote each others posts and spread good stuff whenever we see it. And when I see so many comments disparaging someone for getting points it does make me wonder what their objection is.

Again, sorry for coming on a bit strong yesterday.

Congratulations on the feature, and have a great week.

Thanks

Bob

Oct 09, 2013 09:53 AM

Phil Stevenson, CRMP

PS Mortgage Lending 305-791-4874 or 888-845-6630 - Miami, FL

"Mortgage Nerd" in Miami, Florida and Texas

Marte, all the credit for that phrase goes to Richie Alan Naggar, his post inspired this one. I'm so glad you said that and it echoes my purpose for writing this blog exactly. It's great that the message is being spread but put more effort into it. Just like comments, rebloggers should put some thought into it. Thanks for your stopping by!

Kathy, I remember reblogging a post when I started and not disabling the comments. I felt guilty afterwards when other bloggers began to comment on the reblog instead of the original post. Needless to say, whenever I reblog, I always disable the comments.

Bob, thank you! Even if you didn't agree, it's always great to see a post start up a discussion, no matter which side you fall on. Thanks again!

Lenn, I think it's in poor taste when the reblogger does it solely to direct traffic to their blog. I've been guilty of this but I've learned from my mistake, others have not but that's their prerogative. I've seen your reblogs though and they aren't anything less than great! You spread the original blog's message but add your own spice in the preface as well. It shows that you too the time to read, analyze and formulate your opinion about the post and, when you reblog it, you share your own knowledge as well. That's one of the best uses of a reblog.

Paddy, exactly. This is soley my opinion in the end but such a great tool shouldn't be abused like it is sometimes.

Cara, you're very welcome! Glad to hear you enjoyed Richie's post as well. He's always has something interesting and thoughtful to see. Definitely someone to visit regularly.

Oct 09, 2013 11:58 AM

Phil Stevenson, CRMP

PS Mortgage Lending 305-791-4874 or 888-845-6630 - Miami, FL

"Mortgage Nerd" in Miami, Florida and Texas

Bob, it’s okay. We all have bad days so it’s understandable.

If anything, I liked that your comment was honest. Whether you agree with my post or not, I see posts, especially featured ones, as a way to engage in honest discussion.

I respect your opinion; we just differ in WHY blogs should be reblogged. Reblogs are a great tool, hope they stay, but doing anything, just for points, isn’t the best way to go.

Again, maybe I my post was badly worded as well in some aspects but it wasn’t meant to point fingers or as any sort of accusation, it was merely a general observation.

In regard to points, they are a great incentive, a great encouragement, but they shouldn’t be the end all and be all of Active Rain. Active Rain is an engaging community and everyone is encouraged to participate, that’s the objective, not just the points. It’s part of the package, not the whole package.

Once again, I understand. That’s the great thing about Active Rain, in my opinion at least, we can agree to disagree and still come out all right in the end. In my blogs at least all opinions are valid, I can’t dislike some because they disagree, that’s in poor taste as well.

Here’s wishing you a great week as well! Thanks.

Oct 09, 2013 12:08 PM

Phil Stevenson, CRMP

PS Mortgage Lending 305-791-4874 or 888-845-6630 - Miami, FL

"Mortgage Nerd" in Miami, Florida and Texas

Valerie, don't know if you mean Bob or me, either way, hope this post encourages you to reblog for the right reasons and give your reblogs a life of their own with your introductions. Thanks for your comment!

Oct 10, 2013 01:39 AM

Lisa Friedman

Great American Dream Realty - Essex, VT

35 Years of Real Estate Experience!

Phil, you took the words right out of my mouth on this one. The very few re-blogs I do are always birthday posts, point milestones, things of that nature. Sometimes it is a shout out for a job well done. I re-blogged one recently where one of our friends wrote how much he enjoys being a part of the Active Rain community and I wanted to re-blog that. If I see someone with an unusual act of kindness I will re-blog that too.

I NEVER re-blog just for points. In my mind that is cheating. If someone re-blogs one of my posts and I feel it was well written, I perceive that as a compliment. If I don't think it was one of my better posts and someone re-blogs it, it kind of 'cheapens' the compliment to me. Like they just dug out something quick to get points.

Excellent post!

Oct 10, 2013 11:31 AM

Phil Stevenson, CRMP

PS Mortgage Lending 305-791-4874 or 888-845-6630 - Miami, FL

"Mortgage Nerd" in Miami, Florida and Texas

Lisa, those sound like great reasons for a great blog. There's been a debate lately about the value of points and I'm all for it but it should just be a motivator, not the only reason we participate, it just cheapens everything we do. Glad to hear you liked the blog, here's to more valuable reblogs in the future!

Oct 10, 2013 12:22 PM

Lisa Friedman

Great American Dream Realty - Essex, VT

35 Years of Real Estate Experience!

Phil, points motivate me to blog consistently and they make the system fun. However, I do not feel so desperate for points that I have to re-blog 10 posts every week for the 25 points each. To me, that just defeats the purpose. As Richie siad so eloquently, a re-blog should be like a toast for a blog well witten. IMHO.

Oct 10, 2013 12:29 PM

Phil Stevenson, CRMP

PS Mortgage Lending 305-791-4874 or 888-845-6630 - Miami, FL

"Mortgage Nerd" in Miami, Florida and Texas

Lisa, I love that phrase! Richie really did outdo him with that one. To me, it's the equivalent of comments that have no merit on a blog, comment because you have something to say, whether you agree or not, not just for the 25 points.

Oct 10, 2013 12:39 PM

Lisa Friedman

Great American Dream Realty - Essex, VT

35 Years of Real Estate Experience!

I'm with ya!

Oct 10, 2013 12:41 PM

John Juarez

The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA

ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

I re-blog when I think that a post contains good content…good information…that I think is worth sharing. In my opinion, a re-blog is a salute to the original author who did a great job creating content that is worth sharing.

Oct 25, 2013 02:35 PM

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