Special offer

I Feel So Much Better Now: Giving More Comments than Receiving

By
Real Estate Sales Representative with Immeubles Deakin Realty

I finally did it.  A while back, I set myself a goal to give at least as many comments on others' blog posts as I had received.  Having received 108 comments in my AR "career", I finally did it today, giving my 111th comment to a fellow Rainer. 

Now before you go thinking that this was a really superficial goal, let me just say that for me it was all about giving and receiving, and that I don't make any comments lightly. (Well, sometimes I try to be "light" in my comments, but I don't go commenting everywhere just willy-nilly.)

If we all think back to when we were new at blogging, I'm sure we can remember what a thrill it was to actually receive comments on our blog posts.  "Wow, someone actually READ what I wrote!" 

Versus: "There go my thoughts and words out into cyberspace again, to be scooped up by some giant garberator, mashed into the bits and bytes they really are, and scuttled out of the atmosphere like all the other space junk out there."

So, having felt "Oh, I got a comment! I actually got a comment!" on numerous occasions ("numerous" being a very relative term, OK?), I started to feel selfish when the number of comments I received far outweighed the number of comments I had given to others.  So I set myself a goal and went to work on it.

It's taken me a while to get the balance back, because I wanted my comments to be meaningful, or at the very least to be in response to blog posts that were meaningful to me.  But finally, today, mission accomplished!  And I feel so much better now.

(Though I don't smell much better, because once again I have spent the first part of my day on Active Rain versus getting showered and dressed first!!  What the dillio?  Next goal: No playing in the Rain before getting showered, for Pete's sake.)

Do any of you have similar goals related to blogging, commenting or generating business from AR (or related to personal hygiene before blogging)?  I'd love to hear them.

Posted by

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Professional home staging and professional photography: two critical factors to making sure your home looks its best, both in person and on the Internet, and neither of them cost you a penny when you list with me.

 

Put your best house forward. TM

Tanya Nouwens

Tanya Nouwens Inc., Montreal Real Estate Broker and Canadian Staging Professional (TM)  www.readysetsold.ca 

RE/MAX ROYAL (JORDAN) INC., www.remax-quebec.om

C. 514-919-8468    tanya@readysetsold.ca


This blog is written with my opinions. My opinions are presented with accuracy but not guarantees. Copyright Tanya Nouwens - 2015. If you want to reprint parts of this, just email me for my permission at tanya@readysetsold.ca.

 

Comments (19)

Joshua Schaubach
ERA Matt Fischer Realtor - Yuma, AZ
e-Pro Your Yuma, AZ - Realtor Only a Call or Click Away!

I have a goal to make sure I don't skip my morning workout to blog.  This active rain can be addicting. :-)

Oct 06, 2009 01:48 AM
Tanya Nouwens
Immeubles Deakin Realty - Montreal West Island, QC
Montreal Real Estate Broker & Stager

FINE then, Joshua! Make me feel bad! FINE!

I'll work out, then shower and get dressed, then get on Active Rain, then go out and meet clients, view homes, stage listings, make a living.  Should be OK, provided I set the alarm for...hmmmm, let's see.... oh, about 4 AM!!

: )

Oct 06, 2009 01:53 AM
Sara Goss
HatmakerGroup.com GMAC Real Estate - League City, TX
Realtor - Houston Bay Area, Texas

AR blogs are enjoyable to read, but not always so easy to comment on, so congrats on meeting your goal. I like to pop in and out of AR several times a day.

Oct 06, 2009 01:56 AM
Jeremy K. Frost
Keller Williams Realty - Dripping Springs, TX
Associate Broker, ABR,CNE,CRS,ePro,PSA,RENE,SRS

I love to read a great post like this one. keep them coming!

Oct 06, 2009 02:07 AM
Lanora Campbell
NMLS#232975 - Springfield, MO
Ozarks Home Loan Professional

Tanya, great post.  I think you have the right idea that it does need to be meaningful when you make a post.  It needs to be helpful.  Thanks!

Oct 06, 2009 02:23 AM
Suma Kakani
Northern IL Realtor - Keller Williams Success Realty - Prairie View, IL

Tanya, I didn't have a goal to make more comments, but that's what I'm ding making comments on blogs and learning their experiences while reading other agents posts. Basically to say, my goal was to gain knowledge here and I'm achieving that by making comments.

 

Have a nice day

Oct 06, 2009 02:35 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Tanya -- I agree with you -- giving is better than receiving.  My "A/R tally" shows I've made about 1,000 more comments than I've received .... so cosmically it all works out I guess.  And yes, AR can be addictive, AND delay things like showers or even breakfast  .... LOL

Oct 06, 2009 03:59 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

I actually don't pay too much attention to my stats.  But, I do feel that any comment given to me needs, no deserves, a response.  I think a comment on my blog, unanswered, or an unanswered comment I put on someone else's, is the worst slight.  I answer every comment and also immediately go to that person's blog to give them the courtesy of recognizing their effort.  It is not always easy to comment on a hyper-local post, but there is always something to appreciate in it.

Oct 06, 2009 04:58 AM
Tanya Nouwens
Immeubles Deakin Realty - Montreal West Island, QC
Montreal Real Estate Broker & Stager

Sara... I'm with you on the popping in and out...but I find my schedule varies from day to day and week to week depending on what project I'm on so my AR time is at times frenzied (as in, "Get a LIFE, Tanya!") and then I go MIA for a while.  I'd like to get a more regular schedule going.

Jeremy... Ah shucks.  That's so nice of you to say.

Lanora... And even if it's not "helpful," it needs to sound like you read the post as well as some of the comments.  Thanks for stopping by.

Suma... Isn't it astonishing how much you can learn here in the Rain?  I love it, love it, love it.  And you're right, we learn from the comments too, not just the actual blog posts.

Maureen... Well done on generating the good karma!  And let me add again to the list of things AR can delay: walking the dog, making phone calls, kissing hubby good bye for the day...oh yeah, and how about going out and MAKING A LIVING!  : ) 

Jane... OK, miss, those are some high standards you've set for yourself there.  I admire that in you.  And I so appreciate your stopping by.

Oct 06, 2009 06:30 AM
Emma Vargas
Simply Staging - Cameron Park, CA
Simply Staging

Hi Tanya-  I also enjoy reading posts and commenting on as many as I can.  I let people know that their words have touched me in some way or that I appreciate the information they've shared.  After all, we don't have to share, but we do because we enjoy giving.  I feel that if someone has enough time to comment on my post, then I absolutely should have the time to thank them back.

Oct 06, 2009 10:08 AM
Tanya Nouwens
Immeubles Deakin Realty - Montreal West Island, QC
Montreal Real Estate Broker & Stager

Emma... I wonder if they're teaching blogging and commenting etiquette to our kids yet in school?  If not this decade, then surely the next.  It's going to be part of their culture, even if we're still figuring out how all this works : )

Oct 06, 2009 12:57 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Tanya- I'll have to go back and see my "AR Tally" like Maureen did but I agree with most here that no matter what, it always feels good to see that you've received comments to your blog.  I make it a habit to respond to all who comment on my posts and if it's someone with whom I'm not familiar, i hop over to their blog to check it out and comment.  I also like to go back to blogs where I've left a comment to see if the blogger had commented on what I had to say. 

I check AR throughout the day but typically do most of my "commenting" at night.  I love the interaction that commenting provides.  You begin to really feel a sense of community.

Oct 06, 2009 01:15 PM
Laurie Calhoun
Gloria Home Staging, Inc. - Winter Springs, FL
Seminole County FL Home Stager

I was  glad to notice the other day that I have more commenting points than blogging points, because that's the kind of person I want to be - quick to listen (and commenting is kind of how we listen, in an online community), and slow to speak. It isn't all about me, it's about hearing what others have to say, learning from them, and getting to know them. The relationships are what keep me coming back to AR, and the Google juice is the icing on the cake. Thanks for this thought-provoking post!

Oct 06, 2009 01:38 PM
Jane Ann Lance, ASPM, IAHSP, WCR
Mobile, AL

Reading A/R this morning instead of eating breakfast.  That's just not right!  Thanks for nudging me to read a LITTLE and then take care of the rest.  Sometimes I read too much! 

Oct 07, 2009 01:06 AM
Tanya Nouwens
Immeubles Deakin Realty - Montreal West Island, QC
Montreal Real Estate Broker & Stager

Hi Kathy... Yes, the sense of community here is amazing...makes it hard to leave and get on to other things sometimes!

Hi Laurie... And those listening skills are also what make us good at what we do, whether it's staging or selling real estate or both.  Good on you for putting it this way.

Hi Jane Ann... I hear you, sister!  Sometimes I think I need an automatic shutdown on my computer after a certain amount of time has elapsed...or perhaps just a loud voice that comes on and says something motivating like, "IT'S 11 A.M.  TELL ME YOU'RE NOT STILL IN YOUR PYJAMAS !!"  : )

Oct 07, 2009 03:29 AM
Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Tanya some time ago I read a blog post by one of the AR staff members that said we should all have a goal to keep the comments received and comments given relatively close in number.  My "giving" comments usually outweigh the other but if I see a change then it's time to put forth the effort to do more giving.  IMO it's not willy nilly to acknowledge someone's blogging efforts, even with a short comment. 

Oct 07, 2009 05:50 AM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Tanya - I don't have any specific goals in relation to how many comments I give vs. receive.  But, I will tell you that I go through and read at least 20, up to 30 or 40 posts per day to find ones I feel I can make a comment on.  I try to comment on at least 10 per day, which sometimes takes over an hour because I am picky.  I don't just comment for the sake of commenting.  I have made many more comments than I have received, but hopefully people appreciate the effort I am making in reading other posts and actually sharing information.

Oct 07, 2009 08:11 AM
Cathy Lee
CL Design Services Home Staging - Danville, CA
ASP, IAHSP, RESA Danville, CA

I've given 1500 more comments than received-I love reading and learning from the vast of knowledge on AR. My habit is to do it in small doses. It is addicting indeed. 

Oct 07, 2009 12:30 PM
Tanya Nouwens
Immeubles Deakin Realty - Montreal West Island, QC
Montreal Real Estate Broker & Stager

Hi Ginger... Isn't it amazing how much great advice the AR staff members put out and how much of it sticks with us, despite the reams of info we're all faced with and trying to absorb every single minute of the day?

Hi Troy... I'm with you on that.  Being picky has its costs...in time, at least...but it's always worth it.

Hi Cathy...  All I can say is, "Wow!  Well done."  Small doses, eh?  I'll have to work on that : )

Oct 08, 2009 01:38 AM