When one road closes, go find another path to get you where you want to be...

When one road closes, go find another path to get you where you want to be...

A lot of people give a lot of advice about blogging. Some pro, some con, but regardless of the package it is delivered to you in you have to understand it is always another person's opinion.

Sometimes that opinion can help, hinder or harm a third party if they act upon what they read without fully understanding the true nature of the uniqueness of their situation.

That's why most writers have disclaimers making it clear they are not responsible for the brilliance and/or stupidity of readers, prospects, competition, customers and/or clients.

A person with a problem should go retain the appropriate professionals of their choice and respect if a professional declines to represent you/he/she/them and/or gives you a referral to another source.

Sometimes not accepting an assignment by a person who really wants to work with you can piss them off and create problems. What the problem child has to realize is no one is  perfect, we're running various businesses and depending upon our workload we may be sufficiently obligated to the point where we really can't service your needs due to the time constraints of our busy schedule.

Wouldn't it suck if you gave your listing to a broker who "ignored your concerns and needs," relying on the buyer's broker to bring traffic to your home because they rather hand hold the more expensive clients and pawn you off to the new agents in the office when you insist on having your open house? The Internet is full of complaints by people who do not understand scheduling time is a balancing act. Feel free to Google them. If a broker is busy, then the broker is busy and you need to find one who has time for you or wait your turn and stop whining when it isn't your turn. I can't do ten open houses on the same day at the same time, which translates to asking other brokers in the office for help or telling a person, "NO. Here are the slots available. Pick one. That's your open house."

Client confidentiality means we are not obligated to report to you why we can not take your business or do every single thing you want when and how you want it. Seeing bloggers have fun at an event doesn't mean we are not working, it simply means our work is sometimes fun. Since readers have no idea what meetings we are taking between playtime, competitors, sellers, buyers and/or vendors should be careful not to create blog wars by putting another practitioner down because of what they do or don't decide to post or interfering in an established business relationship  by trying to use how we spend time with other clients against us on Facebook and other social media forums.

You are working blind without a lot of information you do not happen to be entitled to. It can backfire horribly if a firm decides to sue for business torts created by an electronic paper trail directly resulting in a loss of revenue and harmed reputation...

Some people transact business during a golf game. Some transact business over drinks at dinner. I've signed contracts on school grounds, in a daycare center and on the hood of my car in a parking lot.

You have to understand that the goal of a professional is to meet the needs of their clients, not the expectations of non-clients or criticisms of competitors. If the hairdresser is where you want me to meet you because you have a wedding to attend out of state, then at the hairdressers will I be. My dedication to my clients needs is a simple, uncomplicated thing. I go where the signature is when the person says they are available if it fits my schedule opening. Case closed. Period.

Having unrealistic expectations is why so many people miss out of so many beautiful moments in life. They are too busy criticizing others ability to meet people half way rather than discovering the adventure and freedom a laptop, aircard and cellphone can bring them. If you don't have a mobile office where you can meet people on their turf at their comfort level, that is fine. For those of us who do, be careful how you put down our social media business models. I get a lot of work done with kids in tow... I also know people who work with pets in tow... One writer friend wrote half her book while visiting her mother in a nursing home.

Does it really matter where a writer works from? Isn't it just more important to write and keep writing if that's what you love to do?

It is a recession, so I am thankful that I am working and have multiple little businesses that keep me laughing on my way to the bank. It's the little things that eventually add up to great rewards and my writing brings me business opportunities. Some I share, some I don't... It's my blog. I can write what I want...

If you are going to blog, just remember there are millions of ways to connect with people. When one road closes, go find another path to get you where you need to be. Sometimes, simply wanting more out of life is enough to motivate people to try to write and build a readership. Writers are searching for dialogs, they are publishing a body of thought that will lead to conversations. No one writes not to be read. There is always the hope of making a connection.

You should be encouraging writers to get better at their craft, not bash them because they post live from Starbucks, the hot tub, or granny's backyard... BTW, I am posting this from the laundry room and have to wrap it up because I have someone coming over that needs their papers notarized (LOL). ;-)

I've been commenting less in the forums not because I'm not lurking on your blog posts, but because I am reading hundreds of writers a day. I set aside a significant bit of time to do that. If you have never done it you have no idea what that entails. It's like having a job...

Also, I've been calling all over the country having interesting conversations based upon your articles. Don't you understand that some of your greatest works have no comments on them because sometimes people are moved and there is nothing left to be said. You've said it quite brilliantly, but then ruin the effect by whining on your next post about how people wont comment on your previous blog post. QUIT THAT STUPID HABIT!!!

Look at your views and be happy people read it instead.

Look at the posts that you previously received the most comments on in your stats and craft similar posts to keep those types of conversations going. You already figured it out the last time (that's why you got a comment) but you keep looking for that magic pill to keep an unrealistic expectation happy. Sort of like the why haven't I been featured mantra some of you habitually engage in. That needs to be curbed as well... after all, you're whining in public making an impression on the people who may have to one day consider doing business with you.

That includes quirky people like me...

If you don't have a disclaimer, now is the time to get one. As a social media writer without one, you've been putting it off waaaaaaay to long and it is better that you remind your readers of the true nature of your virtual relationship rather than have your posts be part of someone's future litigation. People who comment and write you e-mails asking for advice can sometimes inadvertently, or deliberately, drag you into their drama. It's not a Teflon shield, but it would help deflect a few hits, so go find a professional to help you craft one.

No one has a crystal ball regarding how good or bad advice is formulated. Most people who write believe they are giving out good advice. What may be true for the writer doesn't mean it will turn into a truth for the reader so you have to be careful and understand bloggers start conversations to get people to think about a subject that interests them. 

If you read something you agree or disagree with, you have the same right to your opinion that all the other people in cyberspace have to theirs. Sometimes, what you write may open a door for you. Other times, what you write may slam a few opportunities shut.

If you keep moving forward with your blog and social media commenting, you will have options to step across the thresholds of new avenues of experience simply by accepting or rejecting invitations to participate in a dialog.

What you decide to do with your  blog is entirely up to you.

My advice is simple: be yourself and have fun with it.

If you write something that turns out to be unpopular, just remember people actually took the time to read it and you have an opportunity to  explain yourself more effectively the next time if you listen to the negative comments and actually learn why your opinion created the backlash. You can bring them around to a different level of understanding simply by addressing their objections with respect. Sometimes it is a matter of poor  presentation rather than defective ideology.

In my case, being blunt serves my purpose. You are going to have to figure out how to be what you wish to be on your own, then let your voice serve your own purpose, what ever that conversation may be...