Protect your online reputation!
So very true. If you make a comment or post a photo, it can quickly morph into something more. Everything you say is being scrutinized by someone. I've been guilty of making a negative or political comment that I later regretted. So make sure what you are sharing is truly what you want out there for everyone to see.
Protect your online reputation!
What, you don't think you have one? Think again! You have one... I hope it's what you want. All of this stuff that you post online, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Trulia, Zillow, blogging, whatever and where ever your post, comment, etc... all of that stuff is seen by someone.
And what's more notable, it's not just local! Really, it's not just on your friends Facebook page, that they've posted the photo of you, dancing on the restaurant table with a rose in your teeth (and not much else) holding the ubiquitous red plastic cup. That photo is easily copied, and pasted around the world.
It's global baybeee! And what's more... it's forever, ever, ever, ever... (wow, that's a heck of an echo!)
That's right. Forever.
That nasty comment that you left, that ad-hominem attack on so-and-so's recent blog post... or that sarcastic comment you made on Trulia when someone asked "how do I sell a home without a Realtor"... you replied: "well, first you have to find a house that doesn't have a Realtor in it... then sell it"... bwaahaaa haaa... you're so funny!
Problem is, that not everyone thinks you're so funny. Intent and tone-of-voice are almost impossible to discern online. The guy two blocks over from you, who happened to be searching for a Realtor to sell his $700,000 home (which, of course he thinks is worth $770,000), thinks that your comment was mean-spirited and smarmy. Instead, he's going to list with the guy who commented: "There are lots of ways to sell by-owner, call me for any of the required paperwork, so that you're protected."
Your friends have tagged you in compromising photos on Facebook... you know those will show up in the folder of the woman talking to you at your next job interview. Go to your friend and ask them to take them down, or at the least, UNtag yourself.
Don't put anything online that you wouldn't want your mother, the people whose home you're listing, or any potential buyers or sellers to see. Don't put anything on Facebook that you wouldn't be comfortable with your managing broker reviewing with the regional manager, when they call it up on the Jumbo-tron at the regional meeting.
"And here is a web page from our own George Realtor, who has a blog on Wordpress... let's see what his post is today... uh oh... it says "Our Agency Sucks Eggs, and so does the Regional Manager!!, and there's a photoshopped photo of me sucking an egg... Where is George today?" he says scanning the crowd, as George tries to sink further and further into his chair.
Everyone you know, and their brothers are reading every single thing you write out there on the web. Or at least you have to treat it that way. Protect your online reputation... it's worth protecting!
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Look ma, I'm balancing!
ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779 Cell: 847.924.3313 Email: Almay@aol.com
Evanston Real Estate & North Shore Real Estate
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