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First Impressions and writing style

By
Real Estate Agent with LocateHomes.com

This post is my first post to Active Rain. It is prompted by a featured post   http://activerain.com/blogsview/261158/How-to-Dress-for

 

The subject of that post is How to dress for success in real estate. The question in that post was:  how to dress for the photo in an Active Rain profile to make the best first impression possible.

 

I want to speak to first impressions also. It is my belief that the way we write also can make an impression. Some Active Rainers write in a style much like the way they talk, laid back and casual, some are more formal. Some of us, me included have done so little creative writing in our lives; that we are still trying to find our style. Be assured however, that your writing style will make an impression and it will be a bad impression if you don't use correct  grammar and spelling.

 

My pet peeve is the the use of "hear", when you mean "here" or "their" instead of "there" In the post I referred to above the author used "meat"  instead of "meet"

"....to meat a client..."    In my younger days I used to go to a "meat market"  to meet women. ...not something I do anymore and not the impression I want to leave with someone reading my blog

 

To paraphrase the author... The way we write  in a  blog could be even more important then what we  say when we meet a client - on a blog you may not get a second chance.

 

My advice is proof read your work before you hit the submit button. A spell checker is not enough

 

Am I being too picky or do I have a point?

Show All Comments Sort:
Lisa Bosques
Burien, WA

Oh, yes, you sure do have a point.  My original post for today was going to be "MLS Bloopers" but I haven't had time to look at the Hotsheet yet.  Maybe I'll do that tomorrow, it'll be sure to get a few laughs.

My biggest pet peeve is what I call HYPERPUNCTUATION: "This home features two bathroom's and 3 bedroom's, with plenty of entertaining space thats perfect for large party's."  Maybe one of my blogs will focus on the proper use of apostrophes.

Nov 05, 2007 01:52 AM
Keith Elliott Jr
KEIRE Realty Group - Manassas, VA
Principal Broker/Owner

Hi Ron,

Welcome to Active Rain! The opportunities to learn and network are incredible here. Best of luck to ya!

-Keith

Nov 05, 2007 03:53 AM
Donna Yates
BHGRE - Metro Brokers - Blue Ridge, GA
Blue Ridge Mountains
Welcome to Active Rain!  I think a casual, less formal style puts people at ease and makes them feel like they are having a conversation with you rather than reading a post.  Formality certainly has its place but spelling is key.  Whether informal or formal, at least check spelling and if you are not sure what a word means, don't use it unless you check the definition.  I read some tips from a blogging coach the other day and he said, it's not quantity but quality that counts in blogging. 
Nov 07, 2007 03:08 AM
Therese VanderMeer
Midwest Properties of MI - Grand Rapids - Jenison, MI
Realtor-Greater Grand Rapids, MI area communities

Hi Ron and welcome to AR!  I'm sure you will enjoy the community here...so jump right into the rain and have fun!

All the Best, 

Nov 07, 2007 09:44 AM
Art Blanchet
On the Outside Lookin' In - Sebastian, FL
Stranger in a Warm Land

Welcome to ActiveRain Ron - glad you are hear.  Their are lots of nice folks hear that will be a delight to meat some day.  Its ben fun.

Nov 14, 2007 01:03 AM
Jay McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Exeter, NH
Real Estate Broker
Welcome to AR and another one I hate is the use of Lose and they use Loose. It drives me crazy.
Nov 18, 2007 01:43 PM
Keith Neeley
ReMax New Horizons - Orange, VA
RE/MAX New Horizons
i here yoo.  wear their is smoke their's fire.  That was painful to right/write.  It's funny how your eyes go right to the mistakes.  Welcome to Active Rain.
Nov 19, 2007 02:01 PM
Larry Wright
nwRealty.Com - Tacoma, WA
Welcome to Activerain Ron.  I still catch myself making silly typos and you're right, the spell checker leaves a lot to be desired.
Nov 20, 2007 11:54 AM
Georgie Hunter R(S) 58089
Hawai'i Life Real Estate Brokers - Haiku, HI
Maui Real Estate sales and lifestyle info
Welcome Ron.  Nice to meet another spelling freak.  I think that a lot of people don't really give a hoot about spelling, and therefore, who cares?  It is probably a fading art, much like cooking.   : )
Nov 23, 2007 07:28 AM
Ron Parise
LocateHomes.com - Cape Coral, FL

Georigina

I think my problem is I cant spell worth a darn, and I cant type, as a result anything I do looks like hell the first time. So I always take a second look. I just wish others would too

Nov 23, 2007 09:10 AM
Dionne Morgan
Realty World Solano Realty - Vallejo, CA
Broker REALTOR ,GRI, e-PRO

I  see I missed the welcoming committee. Welcome anyway. I hope you are enjoying your cyberspace connection.

Back to your pet peeve.The problem with some mispelling here is the reliance on the AR spellcheck. It is not a tool for professional use (lol).  

Dec 15, 2007 07:06 PM
M A
Boston, MA

Ron,

Welcome too Active Reign.  I no ewe'll enjoy it as much as eye dew.   :-)

(Thanks for commenting on my "FSBO needs help" post)

Dec 19, 2007 06:26 AM
Cindy Bryant
Redesign Etc. Home Staging - Houston, TX
"Houston Home Staging Pros"
I'm guilty of this, usually because I post so late and start making mistakes.  Welcome to AR there's lots of great stuff here.
Apr 10, 2008 04:38 PM