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Windward Homes Not Blogger Friendly

As part of my effort to inform the consumer in the Greater Tampa Bay area, I routinely write reviews of new home communities. My wife writes informational posts about individual builders and the products that they offer. I assume that it is my first ammendment right to offer commentary about any product that I feel like commenting on as long as I don't engage in libel of any form. However, we recognize that it is up to the judgement of the builder whether or not we display photos of their properties. It is, until they sell it, their property.

I contacted the good folks over at Windward homes to let them know that I intended to write a post about their new homes in Longleaf, a new home community in Pasco County just west of the Suncoast Parkway. I was instructed to contact the Marketing Manager of the Tampa office. Let's just call her Sharon.

Usually, builders will do almost anything to get good, positive publicity. I expected that Windward homes would be no different. I was shocked when Sharon wouldn't allow me to use the photos of their beautiful model home in Longleaf because "she doesn't like blogs." That's right folks, you heard it correctly. Windward homes' top marketing executive in the Tampa Bay area doesn't like blogs. If I would put it on a static website, she would have no problem with it.

I assumed that it was a mistake at first. Surely Sharon wouldn't knowingly alienate a growing, tech-savvy, and increasingly wealthy portion of the population (bloggers). Also, with recent studies indicating that many thousands of Realtors intend to use a blog as a part of their marketing strategy for 2007, Windward couldn't possibly take such an exclusive stance, could they? I'm assuming, of course, that they would like to cooperate with Realtors. I may be wrong.

Sure enough. I was informed that unless I would essentially submit my writings for approval by a Windward marketing executive I would not be allowed to utilize the photos of their model home. Further, I was asked to disable the comment feature on my post so that consumers (my audience) could not offer comment on the Windward product. Normally the fact that people are willing to discuss your product indicates that you have a product worth discussing. Sharon didn't think so. Big mistake, folks.

Of course, the tragic truth is that by this time tomorrow I'll be showing up on top of Google word searches for "Windward Homes Long Leaf." That's the amazing thing about blogs (apparently they don't teach that in marketing training yet). The link could have lead to a glowing review of a superior product that Windward offers. Instead, it will lead to this statement of disappointment, and the increasingly tech-savvy consumer (up to 80% of new home buyers begin their search online) will understand exactly where I'm coming from. Bummer. It could have been a great relationship.

Posted by Jonathan Greene on 04/13/2007 08:17 PM

Comments (33)

bloggers, business

33 Comments on Windward Homes Not Blogger Friendly

APR

2007

Additionally, savvy buyers will wonder why they don't want comments to be allowed. What is wrong with their product? It puts doubt in the buyers mind, it doesn't protect the builder.

This Sharon person is, quite frankly, ignorant.

Besides the fact that I had good will at heart. I was trying to drum up some business for both Windward and myself. I even told her that the review would be "favorable."

Jonathan, That's a strange thing indeed. I wonder if they have had problems in the past with a blogger or are just confused about what it is you are wanting to do? Oh well I'm sure there are plenty of builders that will appreciate your efforts. BTW love the bearded look.

Jonathan,

Hopefully Sharon will change her mind when she sees the amount of publicity your blog generates.

Fran

Bryant, thanks. The beard is my free-from-the-military statement.

Fran, I don't know that my blog really generates that much publicity. Still, the customer lost is the one that hurts the most.

Amazing how some people haven't emerged from their caves yet....No, don't help me sell my houses!!! I don't want to be out in cyber space...

Who knows why certain people think the way they do. Keep on blogging. Invite her to Active Rain. Eric

I can see maybe wanting some control of information being accurately stated especially discussing their product. Maybe if you would have offered to interview them about their community they would have understood...to me it is the same. Sharon may be clueless or just territorial.

I wonder what her reaction would have been if a reporter wanted to interview her on their homes. I don't think many reporters would allow for such editorial control. In either case, I am curious - could you have just gone in and taken your own pictures and have done it anyway? Not that I think you should, but I am just wondering if that is an option in the future.

Sounds like they have a lot to learn. Give them time - they will learn - or they will go out of business!

Like MLS listings without photos, one is led to wonder what is being hidden.

Looks like they are trying to hide something. Not sre why they would allow pics on website but not on blog. Oh well. SC

I'm really not sure anything is being hidden at all. I am extremely familiar with the development and they offer a competitive product.

I think we have a case of somebody who doesn't know about blogging or respect those who do it. It's a point of education, in my book.

Jonathan, Every time I here or read a story like this I can't help but wonder how that company will survive employing people with no vision.

It is generally those people who are adamant about their position. It is indeed a sad thing for that company and for you.

I would probably be inclined to save my google page rankings. Wait for one of their listings to expire. Then send the owner of the company a link with the simple question , " Are you getting first page exposure on Google ? "

Interesting. I would think they would want any press they could get. I guess they just don't understand what blogging is about.

Technically blogs don't really have pictures but a path to a url where the picture is uploaded like a website.

APR

2007

I've only had one builder rep tell me that I can't use my photos of their models on the web. I don't understand why they would say that, but with over 500 active new home communities here, I just move on to the next one.

Jonathan,

Work it so your blog on them increases the traffic, and I bet they sing another song... Better yet, have that traffic be YOUR buyers, and you'll be singing too! Go git 'em!

Well it sure raised my eyebrows! What's up with this picture? After reading this post and the comments, I feel kinda sorry for "Windward". All I can say is you're right and it must suck to be them. You could email them a link to this post showing that you honored their request (see, no photos) and them give them the chance to apologize and maybe reconsider your offer. We all make mistakes and bad decisions sometimes, maybe Sharon's Boss needs to see this post.... maybe you can turn this thing around and make it a win win for you both. Just my outside perspective.

Thanks for all of the comments, folks. I'm totally over it now. I just thought it was amusing how backwards some major builders can be.

people who are quick to say no.... usually dont know what they are talking about.

maybe this sharon person knows sooooo little about the topic of blogging, that she is afraid to lose 'control' of the situation.... or her job

Bwahahahahah

http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=SUNA,SUNA:2006-31,SUNA:en&q=%22Windward+Homes+Long+Leaf%22

Classic..... just classic!!!

Certainly the builder can control their own renderings and prohibit interior shots (worried about the competition or copycats??) but there should be no reason you can't take an exterior photo of one or more of their models and use it in your post.

Even more concerning than their not wanting their properties blogged about it their request to disable comments. They'd be much better to allow them, then post a rebuttal if appropriate.

Misconceptions about blogging on their part, of course.

I've found most reputable developers encourage any publicity and exposure they can get, as long as the writer doesn't misrepresent or imply that they are part of the developer or a sole marketer of the project.

Sharon, I totally agree. I don't understand their stance at all.

Jonathan,

This builder must have had an unpleasant blogging experience at some point in time. Perhaps you could take this opportunity to try and educate them as to how your blog could be mutually beneficial? Or perhaps they just don't want you advertising their listings. I haven't run across a listing agent yet that was the slightest bit interested in allowing me to advertise their listings on my website or blog.

That's weird also. As a listing agent, I can tell you that my job is to sell my clients property in any way, shape, or form possible and by any means necessary. Any Tampa bloggers out there, feel free to put my listings on every post you write if you like.

Two things come to mind:

1) They have something to hide. They wouldn't be so worried about people commenting on their product if they were confident in what they do and how they serve their clients.

2) This "Sharon" has no idea what she's talking about and is too egotistical to actually investigate the huge pool of business she's losing out on. She has formed an opinion based, most likely, on limited or no knowledge and something negative she has read or heard at some point. Unless of course, she doesn't like blogs because of my #1 reason above. She's afraid of what their past customers will say.

By the way, you are going to send them a link to this blog, right? Maybe that will open their eyes to the general impression that their comments and request for no comments actually leaves.

Jonathan-Just when I thought I heard it all.....She must need you to educate her. I bet if you show her the results she will change her mind. Maybe she is just an old fuddy duddy that needs a little more enouragement than those of us who are willing to jump right in and get tech savvy. Good luck and keep us informed. I dont beleive you are going to give up Jonathan. Aloha!

Jonathan, I've found it interesting that many people who aren't familiar with blogs think there is something seriously wrong with people who read and write them. As David and Tanya said, she may need to be educated on the benefit to her community. I'm sure she hasn't had access to AR and what a great community of professionals live here.

APR

2007

Ouch...I just googled "Windward Homes." Guess who's on the first page? That's aweful.

APR

2007

Hey there Jonathan! Love the information. What is going on with Windward? I would guess this would be a learning experience and Windward may not be the builder to help market. Apparently they make enough money on their homes to do all their own marketing...hmmmm, makes ya wonder!

APR

2007

Huum..I have no marketing education, but common sense tells me that an overubandance of competion in anything, needs all the positive reinforcement it can get!

Leah, the problem that I have is that Windward offers a clearly superior product, and their ignorance on this issue is costing them deals. If I had a client for Longleaf, I would be obligated to take them to Windward because it's the best product for the dollar. I just hate their position on bloggers.

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