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To Follow or Be Followed, that is the Question!

By
Real Estate Agent with Fathom Realty West Sound WA State 52404

You like me, you really like me!As I've been navigating my way around after an ungodly hiatus from the Rain, I was reviewing my profile, and noticed the number of members I am currently 'following' versus the number of folks that 'follow' me. As of this morning, I am following 595 fellow members here on ActiveRain, and I have 1074 members who are following me.

I think it's only human nature for us to enjoy being 'liked.' Facebook has certainly affirmed and capitalized on that truth!

But we like to be valued and esteemed. Regardless of what platform it is, whether Twitter or ActiveRain, a 'follow' is an endorsement that others see value in what we have to say. That they appreciate what we offer.

So, as I looked at my stats and compared the numbers, a sobering thought struck me. Perhaps I have been a bit selfish in my past involvement here. That my desire to be 'followed' has overshadowed the benefits of 'following' others. And that maybe it's time for me to reciprocate, and focus an equal amount of energy on 'following' others.

There is a wealth of timely, helpful information being shared everyday here on ActiveRain that can greatly benefit our business and our lives. As the old adage goes, "God gave us two ears and one mouth, so we ought to listen twice as much as we speak."

 

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Rich Jacobson is a REALTOR® and licensed Broker with Fathom Realty. He's a Crab Hunter, Clam Digger, and Oyster Shucker, skilffuly vanquishing anything in a shell! He is the Social Media Evangelist for Life on the Kitsap Peninsula & The Western Puget Sound in scenic WA State.

Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Pat Starnes - you are much too kind! Nice to have you back here again too! I look forward to reconnecting with you!

 

Aug 13, 2015 05:53 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Rich- I think I've been a follower from way back- somehow, I may be wrong, but I have you associated with Kansas and / or the Jayhawks. I may be wrong but in any event, I'm glad you're back. It's nice to be followed and even nicer to be a follower. I do learn something new here every day!

Aug 13, 2015 06:14 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I don't follow a huge number, and I also purge follow list every 6 months or so.

Aug 13, 2015 07:41 AM
Liz and Bill Spear
Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com - Mason, OH
Transaction Alliance Cincinnati & Dayton suburbs

Rich, Unfortunately a lot of folks on my Following list have been AWOL for an extended period, even years.  I leave everyone there unless one of two things happens:  They announce they've retired, or they've passed away.  Otherwise, I hold out hope that they will some day return the ACTIVE part to ActiveRain.  It doesn't happen a lot, but some have returned after long, long absences.  Bill

Aug 13, 2015 07:44 AM
Troy Erickson AZ Realtor (602) 295-6807
HomeSmart - Chandler, AZ
Your Chandler, Ahwatukee, and East Valley Realtor

Rich - I think with anything, we have to reciprocate and acknowledge that there are people out there willing to connect with us. I always try and follow anyone who takes the time to follow me.

Aug 13, 2015 08:44 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Yep.  To easy to game "following new people."  Harder to game those who choose to follow you. I think it's actually a good ratio,

Aug 13, 2015 08:53 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Rich...There are certain folks that I associate with the Rain and you are definitely one of them. I'm a follower from way back. Glad you are back and glad I am too. It's a great place to hang out.

Kate

Aug 13, 2015 09:23 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Kate Elim - wonderful to see your smiling face show up here! People like you are the reason I LOVE ActiveRain and have missed it so much!

Aug 13, 2015 10:21 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Debbie Gartner - it's always a challenge to figure out meaningful ways to reward honest effort versus discouraging others from gaming the system. 

Aug 13, 2015 10:22 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Troy Erickson - I think that's a good strategy to use, and one I employ myself!

Aug 13, 2015 10:24 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Liz and Bill Spear - hopefully, one of the things new ownership will do is review current membership rolls and weed out those who are clearly inactive/MIA, or, at the very least, put them into some kind of inactive category, so their profiles no longer show up on the City, County, & State rosters. Then that way, they would be weeded out from our 'Following/Follower lists as well...

Aug 13, 2015 10:29 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

William Feela - I will usually follow folks who pique my interests initially, then monitor their content as time goes along. I've only 'unfollowed' a few who were blantant self-promoters or SPAMMERS. But I've also had the pleasure/benefit of learning so much from so many!

Aug 13, 2015 10:35 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Kathy Streib - you have such a great memory! Yes, we lived in Lawrence for 10 years, and are very staunch Jayhawk basketball fans. In fact, I have 4 grandkids, soon to be 5, and two of them are named Cashel Rock and Camper Phog!

Aug 13, 2015 10:38 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Rich- we usually go to a KU game each fall and I finally got to see the infamous Allen Field House and the Jayhawk basketball team.  What a thrill.  Now, if only they could get a good football team going, life would be good. BTW- I love their names.  Our friend's daughter is moving in this weekend at KU. 

Aug 13, 2015 12:12 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I have a several "followers" of late that I don't plan to follow back.  They look like they want to sell me stuff instead of read what I have to say.  Mostly I do follow people back. But I have occasionally unfollowed someone for inactivity over a period of years and even occasionally when I decided we just weren't a good fit. (cut and paste, serial commenters and that sort of behavior) 

Aug 13, 2015 01:52 PM
marti garaughty
garaughty.com - Montreal, QC
a highly caffeinated creative type...

garaughty, abstract art, graphic design, WordPress consultant

Aug 13, 2015 03:10 PM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I do not think I ever had a pleasure to cross with you here in the Rain, but I'm sure following you will be valuable for me. And of course, I'll follow you back!

Thanks for connecting!

Aug 13, 2015 04:46 PM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Marti Garaughty - Thanks, Marti!....You are much too kind!

Aug 20, 2015 09:38 AM
Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker

Inna Ivchenko - I am truly honored to meet your acquaintance, Inna! And I look forward to getting to know you better!

Aug 20, 2015 09:39 AM
John Cunningham
eXp Realty - Phoenix, AZ
Helping Phoenix Sellers and Buyers find each other

That's why I'm here today. I'm not writing a post. I'm just reading what others have to say and following them. Cool of you to be so trnsparent Rich

Aug 29, 2015 08:27 AM