Home > Blogs > Doug, Kathie & Billy Whitehouse > Birmingham, Michigan Real Estate Information

WE NEED TO STAND ON OUR OWN TWO FEET

By Doug, Kathie & Billy Whitehouse

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Hannett, Wilson, Whitehouse & Burke, LLC REALTORS

July 31, 2006 11:03 AM

Jim Lee points out in his blog Newspapers and print ads; on the way out?? that the newspaper industry is not on our side. I couldn't agree more and they never have been nor will they ever be. The only thing the newspapers want from Realtors is the advertising dollars. Actually it would be nice if they would simply take an honest middle ground with regards to Realtors and the issues that face us, but that will never happen. When was the last time you saw an article that layed out both sides of any one of our issues. It won't happen as they are purely in the business to make money and tell the whole story does not make a newsworthy article.

Comments(2)

Comment

Show All Comments Sort:

Sharon Simms

Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL

St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS

We've found exactly the same thing, and the newspaper keeps saying that it's advertising and editorial departments are completely separate. I've been on the board of the Florida International Museum for several years, and even when the local newspaper had an executive on our Board of Directors, they played up the negative side of everything. They're trying to sell papers by hype and don't believe good news - or even fair news - sells papers. I always get the Tampa newspaper as well as the one in St Pete, so I can get both sides of a story. How frequently the museum would send the same press release to both papers and St Pete said, Oh, dire straights - the glass is already half empty, while the Tampa paper said, Things are great - the glass is half full. With their advertising prices starting very high and going even higher, and lack of results from the print advertising, we stopped advertising in the newspapers a few years ago, and since then have stopped advertising in the local homes magazines as well.

Jul 31, 2006 11:36 AM

Ed DeChristopher

Fredericksburg Realty, Inc. - Fredericksburg, VA

CRS Fredericksburg VA

Well done my friends.

Several years ago I was on the Publications Committee of our local association. We put out RFP for a monthly pub we wanted to do. Several made proposals. Guess who was the lowest bidder? You got it, our local paper. Very few of us dissented on the selection. Now they have that publication, their own daily paper, and a website in addition. We keep filling their pockets (especially with the market like it is) in so many ways.

Are they complimentary to us professionals? Sometimes and sometimes not. At least they are not blatant in the negative comments.

Would be curious to see how printed media advertising has fared with the advent of Internet advertising in such grand fashion.

Jul 31, 2006 10:41 PM