Special offer

Dear Keyboard Warriors. Remember that People See What You Write Online

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker 69190

Columbia, SC Homes for Sale  A few months back I wrote a post warning sellers that they should be careful not to shoot themselves in the foot online. Well, equally important is that those of us in the industry watch our step online as well. After all, our reputation is pretty important when it comes to our clients, potential clients, and counterparts.

  We live in a time where there are seemingly endless platforms for agents and other members of the industry to spread their word and garner the attention it brings. But remember, attention can be a good or a bad thing. Especially if you conduct yourself in a less than professional manner while online.

 

 

Columbia, SC Homes for Sale  I have seen more than one agent argue with both other agents as well as members of the general public for what seems to be no reason at all. Maybe they were having a bad day. Maybe they really were that passionate about agent remarks on the MLS. Maybe their a jackass that just likes to argue because they have nothing better to do. Who knows?

  But one thing that I can promise you is that while you may feel safe and secure in your living room raining down negative comments and insults on every other person that crosses your path on Facebook, your behavior does not go unnoticed. So is it worth the penitential business you could lose by turning off potential Clients?

 

Columbia, SC Homes for Sale  What about that other agent that you feel the need to call a moron because of they're political views? Or that conversation you inserted yourself into just to take the other side and play Devil's Advocate? Do you ever wonder what will happen when this agent sees your name on the listing? Will it get "lost in the shuffle" and never make it to their client? What happens when your buyer finds their listing on Zilllow and suddenly you have to negotiate with an agent you insulted? None of this is out of the realm of possibility if you are in the same market yo know.

  So do yourself a favor when you're online, take a deep breath and decide whether it's really worth posting or not.

Greg Mona
West USA Realty - Scottsdale, AZ
Professional Real Estate Representation for YOU!

Absolutely agree, JL Boney, III. There is no such thing as anonymity on social media, so your words follow you forever. Some good words of advice to follow are "let it go". You'll be a lot happier in the long run.

Aug 08, 2018 07:54 AM
Chris Lima
Turtle Reef Realty - Port St Lucie, FL
Local or Global-Allow me to open doors for you.

It seems that with their(offenders')vast knowledge the lessons learned in kindergarten regarding how to treat others have been pushed aside.

Aug 08, 2018 07:57 AM
JoAnn Young
Young & Young Properties - Melbourne, FL
Florida Real Estate

OH, such good advice!  I am on a Facebook HOA community site for my own neighborhood.  The conversations can get pretty negative or complaining.  It would be so easy to comment my own opinion numerous times. but  I focus on keeping my posts positive and try to give something back ot the community in which I live.

Aug 08, 2018 09:14 AM
Kona Home Team (LUVA LLC) Lance Owens (RB-24133)
Kona Home Team (luva llc) - Kailua-Kona, HI
2024 Real Estate Expert - Hawaii Island

Great reminder! 
I know personally I feel the absolute need to make a comment on something, and trust me, I keep them toned down. But I also make a point to delete my comment within 24 hours. 
Not perfect, but better than leaving it out there forever :)  

Aug 08, 2018 10:43 AM
Mary Hutchison, SRES, ABR
Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate-Kansas City Homes - Kansas City, MO
Experienced Agent in Kansas City Metro area

As you say--especially important on social media posts--it is a reflection of your beliefs, attitude, etc.

Aug 08, 2018 05:13 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh my gosh - what wonderful advice, JL! I cannot believe how much of this we're seeing these days...it's epidemic, isn't it? 

I would never be mean to anyone anyway but, gosh, don't these folks think that they are seen by John & Jane Q? Why jeopardize your reputation? I just don't get it!

Great post, JL! Happy Wednesday!

Aug 08, 2018 09:59 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I was just trying to explain this to somebody earlier about how that certain people are ready to debate at certain points and fighting is pretty useless

Aug 08, 2018 10:06 PM
Lynn B. Friedman CRS Atlanta, GA 404-617-6375
Atlanta Homes ODAT Realty - Love our Great City - Love our Clients! Buckhead - Midtown - Westside - Atlanta, GA
Concierge Service for Our Atlanta Sellers & Buyers

JL Boney, III 

Your gentle yet accurate reminders are spot on! Sort of what we were supposed to learn in Kindergarten - right? All the best - Lynn

  • your behavior does not go unnoticed
  • attention can be a good or a bad thing
Aug 08, 2018 10:06 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Debe Maxwell, CRS I’ve seen a lot of good arguments on here to help everybody get through their interactions, but this one is really great!

Aug 08, 2018 10:07 PM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Lynn B. Friedman It’s a special skill for the able to say a critical thing in a very nice way that is informative to the person.

Aug 08, 2018 10:08 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

An agent told me the other day her buyer did not want to purchase my listing because it involved more work than she was planning to do (and this is NOT a fixer, btw).


Well, we can't all be Elvis.

Aug 09, 2018 12:21 PM
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

To say that a lot of what agents say on Facebook should have never been said is an understatement. 

Aug 09, 2018 06:59 AM
Alan May
Jameson Sotheby's International Realty - Evanston, IL
Home is where the hearth is.

Truer words have never been spoken.  You never know who's reading your online words, and the impact they may have.  My rule of thumb is "Don't write it, unless you're okay with your mother reading it."

Aug 09, 2018 10:37 AM
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

I have seen some of my online comments surface over 10 years later. Good advice!

Aug 09, 2018 11:10 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

This doesn't just apply to the internet, it applies to everything in your life, which my mother taught me at a young age. Her words were:

Do not write anything down you do not want the entire world to read.

That goes for hand-written diaries, too. Letters to people. Defacing billboards, whatever.

Aug 09, 2018 12:19 PM
John Henry, Florida Architect
John Henry Masterworks Design International, Inc. - Orlando, FL
Residential Architect, Luxury Custom Home Design

I think this whole thing is like Digital Judgement Day.  We will all pay for our online sins.  I just went to a movie and outside there were people asking for a review.  The online questionnaire even asked for political affiliation.  Idiotically I filled it in and a few minutes later thought even THAT was going to bite me one day!!

Aug 09, 2018 02:51 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I will admit I'm not real good about keeping silent when I see injustice no matter where I find it and I speak my mind.  But I always try to do so in a respectful manner.  If my opinion or my words sometimes cost me business I'm really okay with that.

Aug 09, 2018 07:50 PM
Kevin Mackessy
Blue Olive Properties, LLC - Highlands Ranch, CO
Dedicated. Qualified. Local.

Many people's online comments are coming back to bite them now.  Some of it is over the line, but people need to measure their thoughts and not post everything that comes to their head online.  

Aug 10, 2018 10:06 AM
Bruce Hicks
Best Homes Hawaii - Honolulu, HI
Your Best Hawaii Realtor!

I was once told that with everything you say and write, "imagine you are up on stage with a microphone and loudspeaker and EVERYONE is listening!"

Aug 10, 2018 10:59 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning JL Boney, III,

So glad to see this posted..congratulations on the feature! For the life of me I don't understand some agents who LOVE to bicker and be insulting on social media. They simply can't understand their posturing is harming their image and reputation. Who wants to work with someone like that?

Aug 11, 2018 05:29 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Well I'm going to disagree. There are some agents amoung us that spout all kinds of nonsense (incorrect of course) & really need to get an internet 'gag' put on them. If no one puts them in their place, they continue to spew their garbage. Worst yet are their political views that they think everyone on the planet wants to hear. Nothing like blocking the fools but not enough people do it for some reason.

Aug 12, 2018 06:13 AM