Failure to Communicate!

I prefer the "old fashioned" phone conversation. I have also made it a habit to use electronic media to create a apaer trail. I will follow up a phone call with an e mail that reiterates the substance and details of that conversation. There are also days when I wonder if I should have tried smoke signals or signal flags ( sarcasm?)

Just let me say one thing:  Huh? 

Gosh, guess I'd have to agree about the sarcasm and/or attempts at humor.  There is a time and place for humor, but we do have to be aware of the receiver's frame of mind whenever possible.  When sending an email regarding a transaction, it's critical to stick to the facts with absolutely NO superfluous comments.  That can really come back to bite you in the hinter lands.  I've never used emoticons; recon' I'd better start.

Egads, just one more thing I need to learn. %)  (Is that cross-eyed?)

I think Phillip has the perfect excuse.  Some people still don't realize that e-mails can convey a certain "tone" in the same way vocal communication can.

BTW, did they come any "cooler" than Luke?  Favorite, favorite, favorite movie.  I guess you get that I'm a P.N. fan.

Hi Liz and Bill,

I've found communicating with long distance buyers very difficult. It's hard enough face to face, trying to pull out all their information - what they want, what their reason is for buying, what their budget is - but in e-mail and even on the phone you tend to get only bits and pieces and by the time you get all the info you need to actually find them what they're looking for they've grown inpatient and moved on. 

Good point!  And it applies whether you are sending a client a text or email or posting a comment on a blog.  Many a :>) has helped me to lighten up!

Ah, pulling out the old Cool Hand Luke!  An awesome movie!  It can be so hard in a comment or other tech communication to convey tone.  I end up reading and re-reading my comments when I'm first making them and I too utilize the little :)  Sometimes it works, sometimes not.  We can try to convey a certain meaning, but sometimes there is just no telling how someone else will interpret it.  I think there are times when people are anticipating a certain response so their perception of comments is a little skewed.  C'est la vie!

Liz & Bill - This is definitely a hard one and it's good advice to give everyone the benefit of a doubt.

Well, one thing I can say is that as real estate agents it is often necessary to be very precise in our communications, especially by e-mail, for the very reason you state: tone can easily be mis-interpreted. Regular blogging is actually very good for our writing communication skills and thinking clearly at the keyboard. One more reason to appreciate AR. 

And when we're reading someone else's content, always best to presume the friendliest intents possible and give people the benefit of the doubt whenever possible. Not everyone has the skill or vocabulary to always say exactly what they mean...

And don't you just love the CAPITALS!!!  Did you just shout at me?  I am so careful I put a :) or a :( after almost anything.  I am sarcastic enough.  Don't need any more problems.