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Is Trying To Be Funny Bad For Business?

By
Real Estate Agent with Exit Creative Reaty

Hi Whomever!
I really want your opinion. Based on my blogging track record, I won't get it, but here goes anyway. I think I am funny, but my wife keeps telling me to cut it out. In our newsletter my wife and daughter are trying to seize editorial oversight. I made a comment about being in the lotus position at my private yoga session and seizing the moment, bit my toenail. That's not easy for a fat, old guy on oxygen with Parkinsons. It was understandable to me that I could lose my balance, fall from my chair and roll out the driveway to the road. I didn't realize that Joe Crowley, coming home from an all-nighter, was barreling down the road (23 mph speed limit) and just missed me. I had no idea he would sue me for slander. Funny?

A more recent item. We listed our neighbors home and a Canadian couple bought it. I put an email blurb out about it and mentioned the buyers bought with the stipulation i couldn't get the morning newspaper in my bathrobe as part of the contract. I mentioned in my e-mail something about "yeah, I ok'd it but that didn't say anything about Speedos." That was such a frightening thought, I had to stop and collect myself.

Am I the only one that thinks like this? My wife and daughter will not allow speedo and toenail comments. They are redflagged words. At this rate I'll be down to a 3/2/2. lovely, etc.

My thought process is "I'm not going to get everyone anyway."  What do you think?

Kieran 

Attached Villa    Attached Villa  Study/Office

   

Comments (10)

Kieran and Cecelia Loughman
Exit Creative Reaty - North Port, FL

you are crazy, am not, am too

Himself

Aug 23, 2010 10:39 PM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

I think you should focus on your day job and write the best possible blogs on your local area.  Best wishes for continued success.

Aug 23, 2010 10:57 PM
Carol Zingone
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Florida Network Realty - Jacksonville Beach, FL
Global Realtor in Jax Beach, FL - ABR, CRS, CIPS

Everyone has a different sense of humor, as we are all aware...some people may find those comments funny, some not....use sparingly!

Aug 23, 2010 11:13 PM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time

Keiran. My thought is for you to just be yourself. If humor is a part of yor personality then by all means use it in your business. I do. People hire who they like and who they are comfortable with. If someone is turned off due to your personality then you wouldn't really want to work for them anyway. It would be a chore because it's a bad fit. So.....have at it.

Aug 23, 2010 11:14 PM
Alan Bruzee
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Rockville, MD

I think that you are hilarious.  However, for business purposes, I would agree with the wife and daughter don't put edgier personal physical things in newsletters/email.   The robe and slippers thing is fine...

Aug 23, 2010 11:14 PM
Yvette Chisholm
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Rockville, MD
Associate Broker - Rockville, MD 301-758-9500

Be who you are, try to be sensitive to those who might find things like that a bit offensive.  You won't get everyone.

Aug 23, 2010 11:16 PM
Jesse Skolkin
Independent New York State Certified Real Estate Appraiser - Fresh Meadows, NY

Kieran:

I too have a dry, sarcastic, offbeat sense of humor.  Unfortunately, I have found that without the accompanying facial expressions and body language, it doesn't translate well in written form.

Aug 24, 2010 01:03 AM
Mike Saunders
Retired - Athens, GA

Maybe the Joe Crowly bit was a tad too much. My wife likes my humor in some of my posts, unless I use her family in it (my  family is ok). Keep the peace at home first, and then let your personality take over.

Aug 24, 2010 03:30 AM
C Tann-Starr
Tann Starr & Associates, Inc. - Palm Bay, FL

Balance, my friend. Find a happy medium and be yourself (LOL). ;-)

Aug 24, 2010 03:39 AM
Josef Katz
Digital and Direct Response Marketing - Manhattan, NY
{Marketing Maestro}

You just need to find the fine line between too much humor and adding personality to your writing. 

Aug 24, 2010 05:48 AM