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Friends are great - BUT....

By
Real Estate Agent with 1

I was reading "The Lovely Wife's - What would happen if RECIPROCITY paid a vist to active rain"  post .  I commented.  I agree with her.  I do see alot of the same people commenting on the "popular kids" blog. I see the people who have huge scores getting ratings and exsorbant amounts of points.  Like I said, I agree with The "Lovely Wife". 

But -

There is almost always a but....

Why does anyone care?   Are we in High School again?  Aren't we PROFESSIONAL's living in an ADULT world?  Aren't we here to make Money?  I mean.. I know its nice to have friends.. but, I dont think that the Lovely Wife or Bryant or Kristal or anyone on this blog venue will be willing to pay my bills.  Right?  The points to me mean really - nothing.  I want the rankings on Google.  I want the search engines to INDEX me.. It can be from Active rain or my personal blog.. I really don't care.  I want a home buyer to look up "Homes for sale, Whitestone NY" and see MY name come up.  I want someone to google MY name and come up with ME.  How to contact me.  I don't think that they buyers/sellers will care that I dont have as many points as Krystal or The Lovely Wife - They want to find me - a PROFESSIONAL real estate agent - who wants to pay her bills and worry about selling their home.  Not how to boost my POINTs on Active rain. 

Again - this is just my opinion..      

Comments (34)

Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time
Brian, I'm not sure what all is going on here. But I like it! What the heck is a triffle? Man I love this place! Beats the hell out of Entertainment Tonight. And we get points for it!
Sep 29, 2006 10:29 AM
Jim Lee, REALTOR, CRS, ABR
RE/MAX Shoreline - Portsmouth, NH
Buying or Selling? Ann & Jim are the local experts

Hey boys & girls, here's a problem with email & blogging.

Both are very 'flat' mediums, that is subtleness, quirky humor, and nuances that come across in a live conversation with someone don't compute here.

Someone could easily say something in a joking or kidding manner and have it taken the wrong way.

Sep 29, 2006 10:38 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

"The Lovely Christine"

I am pleased to see everything has settled down in here.

My Goodness...What else can I...That was not a pleasant thing to watch.

 by "The Lovely Wife"...Kum La Ka Lakka...ROAR!

Sep 29, 2006 11:32 AM
Christine Forgione
1 - Whitestone, NY
Associate Broker

Alexander - First, let me start by saying - I am sorry about your accident and I am glad to hear all are fine.  That must have been awful. 

Secondly, Alexander,Bryant and other - I agree with you all that networking and socializing is an added plus to active rain. That is the great part about this kind of blogging.  (here I go again with my buts) BUT - that was not the reason why I started blogging.  Did you ever wonder why - most realtors start to blog?  I mean really - did we build our first websites to gain friends?  Did we start to blog because we HOPED that one day - we would all meet and have a huge party?  I didn't.  I started my website to advertise ME.  To show that I am a realtor.  I started to blog to further that.  I learned how to blog and use the vehicle as almost as a venting board - but here is what I learned - CONSUMERS do see us.  So - this is a form of advertising for me.  Don't take it personal when I say I don't care about the points - but if I could have a choice between points or listings or sale.. I am sure you can guess which one I choose.  Am I wrong?

Sep 29, 2006 02:14 PM
Christine Forgione
1 - Whitestone, NY
Associate Broker
Nima - Dancing with the stars huh? Hmmmm.. only if I get to do the lindy...
Sep 29, 2006 02:20 PM
Christine Forgione
1 - Whitestone, NY
Associate Broker

"The Lovely Wife" - I hope that you did not take my entry  regarding your post personal.  I hope that you understand that this is part of blogging.  Instead of me leaving a comment like my post - I did a post.  There was nothing to be directed at you personally. 

I just voiced my opinion. 

Like your husband Bryant said "I try to comment on a lot of different posts, not because I need to but I do feel it helps the writer in their confidence and will keep them coming back. My comments are honest. I won't make something up just for the sake of commenting but have found it is pretty easy to find something encouraging to say most of the time"

That is the way blogs are to be.  Encouraging is good.  But when you disagree - don't agree because that is the way the "crowd" is going.  I would never tell my friends they looked great if in fact they did not.  Honesty is more important and if you are asking a question that requires an answer - then expect nothing less than an honest answer.  If you post a comment and people will only agree with you and you don't get a look at the "other side" if there is one, then there is not a chance for growth. 

The post was not against you -

Sep 29, 2006 02:28 PM
Colleen Irwin
Retired - Irondequoit, NY
Creative Real Estate Solutions...

Wow, I go away from AR for almost a day and I miss something.   Like it or not the Real Estate Business is about NETWORKING, and that is what we are doing here. 

Well I guess I started all of this because I have seen some potentially great writers were intimidated by the writing here.   Me being one of them.  Had it not been for kind comments from Broker Bryant and "The Lovely Wife" and their encouragement I wouldn't be writing here. 

I am a strong believer of giving back and since I was a corporate trainer I saw how I could give back to this wonderful community.  So I started a small effort to encourage people.   If I have something critical to say about a BLOG  I send a private email to the person.   Welcoming people like Kristal said is just nice and we choose to do it.  You don't have to do it.  You get what you put into it. 

I started getting cards from people, so I started sending them.  I got phone calls, I reach out and call other members.   Sometimes, especially in this down market, it is nice to feel appreciated and cheered on by a few people.  Since it makes me feel incredibly wonderful, I thought it would be nice to do it for some others.  

The social aspect of this site is very important.  If we admire and appreciate each other we will refer to each other.  There are times that I have a referral for another area and I might as well throw a dart at board with a list of names.  Now with AR if I have a referral for Whitestone I know you.  I have a sense of who you are and that your personality will click with my client.   From this BLOG I know you will fight very hard in negotiations and be a champion for your clients.  Something that I do not get from a list of potential realtors in Whitestone.  Previously I would make my decision on are they a GRI, CRS, do they have a website and how quickly did they respond to my phone call or email message.  With AR I have something I can use to judge and know that I am putting a client in the right hands.

ps... I wold think this one should be marked for members only.  But that is my personal opinion.     

Sep 30, 2006 01:10 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

"The Lovely Christine"

I know I had nothing to do with any of this. Every one has an opinion. How boring the world would be if we all agreed on everything.

My Blog was addressing a topic that is bothering me...People without comments...There are so many people upset that they do not have comments...I felt there was something I could contribute on their behalf and help them understand "Participation" is the key if they are seeking comments.

We all Blog for different reasons...I am a Retired Realtor...As such I have much to offer AR on Inspiration and Motivation. These are the things I write about...And people enjoy this. After a long day a little humor is a good thing.

I still own Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. and do care about this business. It's what pays my bills. Broker Bryant Blogs on Real Estate. I compliment his Blog with Inspiration.

We do not work with Buyers (investors) only...So our Sellers are directed to our Blogs to get to know us and our family.

I hope that clarifies why I Blog the way I Blog. You will also notice I did not jump into "The Cat Fight"...That in itself should tell you a lot about me. And of course after I saw Broker Bryant jump in...I slapped him upside the head! Bad...Broker...Bad.

Create for yourself "A Lovely Day"

 by "The Lovely Wife"...Kum La Ka Lakka...ROAR!

Sep 30, 2006 01:37 AM
Anonymous
Christine
all points well taken. 
Sep 30, 2006 03:53 AM
#23
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

"The Lovely Christine"

Lotsa Love...Lotsa Love...Peace Be With You...And with me for that matter!

by "The Lovely Wife"...Kum La Ka Lakka...ROAR.

Sep 30, 2006 05:48 AM
Robert Rees - Austin Real Estate
Robert Rees Realty, Inc - Austin, TX

Okay, I'm like a week late responding to this but I've been reading through your blogs and came upon this one.

I would have to agree with you with the "mentality" of blogging and being on Active Rain. I've got WAY too many things to do to worry about writing a blog if it's NOT going to help grow my business.

I'm sure that there are "agents" who don't have clients, listings or anything to do and are just on here for the "CHAT ROOM" Atmosphere and the points makes this chat room fun, but for those that want to use it as a Networking, Learning, SEO, and Promotional tool, then that's what it'll be.

Good post 

Oct 10, 2006 04:21 PM
Christine Forgione
1 - Whitestone, NY
Associate Broker
I agree Robert.  (Btw, A week late is better than never).  You get what you want from blogging. Active rain is different than my own blog - and I do treat it differently.  Points do make people come back - that is proven.  But that is not why I started and that is not what will get my bills paid. 
Oct 11, 2006 01:23 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

"The Lovely Christine"

You popped up...just making sure everything is okay over hear...

But...Everything is fine! :> Yipee...I am a Chatty Catty!

Oh Well...That' me...I like me.

TLW "The Lovely Wife"...Kum La Ka Lakka...ROAR!

Oct 11, 2006 01:31 AM
Christine Forgione
1 - Whitestone, NY
Associate Broker
I like you as well.  LOL I liked your post last night.  How did that beauty sleep go? 
Oct 11, 2006 01:40 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

"The Lovely Christine"

Thanks...And you know how I feel about my NY chick!

They started spraying down Orange Groves at 4AM...

Lots of Heavy Noising Equipment and Barking Dogs.

So loud you can not even hear the cluck cluck!

I'm Exhausted...We are moving...Gotta wait for the RE Market to pick up in this littel town of 4,000.

Baby Boomers getting ready to downsize and get some sleep!

Nod...Nod...Nod...:>

I will be checking out your other Blog today. Can't wait...I hope it has lots of howevers and but!

TLW "The Lovely Wife"...Kum La Ka Lakka...ROAR!

 

Oct 11, 2006 01:50 AM
Christine Forgione
1 - Whitestone, NY
Associate Broker

seriously - you are moving out of your house?  Or did I just misunderstand? 

Moving is equivalent to H*LL  ya know?

I am shocked.. after all this time we have spent "together" you have not checked out my other blog??? 

Oct 11, 2006 02:01 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

"The Lovely Christine"

You did not misunderstand 2,660 sq ft is too big for us now!

I can barely keep up! I know about H*L. I am going to need one uhaul for just my tropical plant collection and Guns! Have already started packing it up!

This house will sell quickly when market picks up It's huge. 2 acres on a lake...surrounding by O Groves. Great for a family. We are only two plus my two dogs.

The noise is to much...Never get to sleep in!

Sorry about the Blog...Rookie...What the H*LL do I know. At least I know now. Got me some reading to do. I promise not to shoot anything. I will just read!

One favor: Go to my blog and say you like my Blog! Your opinion on my Blog matters to those who read my Blog! You are a Blogging Goddess of Goddesses!

TLW "The Lovely Wife"...Kum La Ka Lakka...ROAR!

Oct 11, 2006 03:34 AM
Christine Forgione
1 - Whitestone, NY
Associate Broker
Ohh TLW - you are hysterical.. I will do it - just cuz you asked... and you have a few guns.. :>
Oct 11, 2006 05:14 AM
April and Greg Tracy
KW Utah Realtors - Salt Lake City, UT
Realtor

Bravo- I agree completely.

Hey, there's nothing wrong with getting points for fun or for the competition, but it seems like some people get into the whole points thing so much that maybe their perspectives are a bit off...

Oct 11, 2006 10:02 AM
Christine Forgione
1 - Whitestone, NY
Associate Broker

Greg its funny - I just posted a comment to you on the other post that I had -

There are some good bloggers and some not so good - but I think that it is safe to say that there are some good realtors and some bad ones.. and some good ball players and some not so good - But, you do have to give credit where credit is due.. ya know?

Oct 11, 2006 02:28 PM