Avoid the rant, blogging and on social media

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 GREC# 169695

If you've been an agent longer than 15 minutes you've probably had a bad client come along.  You've probably had some bad houses, even a listing come and go and when bad happens it's natural to want to vent. Well let me tell you, from experience, don't do it in your blog posts.

Once upon a time, back in the stone age of blogging I typed a post (no longer there) when I was just a little bit angry because the client did almost the opposite of every single suggestion I offered.  I don't think THAT client read that post that was only up for a matter of days.  However, I was given some good advice in the comments.  Some suggested removing it and others suggested making it members only.  I took the best advice and removed it.  

Now I did take the "idea" of why you should listen to the advice of your listing agent and write a new, softer, gentler and less snarky way for me to give my message and make my point.  As it turned out I felt so good about the second post I wrote that I actually emailed a link to the client who I felt wasn't listening. And when I explained that if you do the things your listing agent suggests then you will likely sell your home faster. (it was 2009 and in that era houses had a LOT of competition and few buyers).

It worked, so my advice is to take the advice I was given.  Take those things that make your mad or frustrated and turn them in into a soft touch advice post to clients. Sometimes that means you need to take a day or two to let the frustration settle before your fingers hit the keyboard. ALWAYS, always ask yourself... Will this blog post help or hurt my business before you hit the submit key?  If it's not a clear cut HELP, put it in draft and rework it until it is a "this will HELP my business post.

And when it comes to venting... call a close friend who is a agent and I'm sure they will listen and sympathize.  Sometimes I feel like venting to other friends who are not agents, but I don't think they understand.  I have a good friend who is also a local broker that we tend to do that and I have several close friends who are agents out of my market that will always lend an ear when I really just need to get something out of my system.  Sometimes talking it out with a friend will also give me a solution I might not come up with on my own.

And if you are having a really crappy day and need to vent... you can always call me and I'll be happy to listen and talk it out with you and see if we can think of a helpful solution together.

Secondly:

Don't blog about on going transactions! Clients read your posts and they are more likely to be reading while their transaction is on going.  I clearly remember when I posted about not attending a closing because my daughter was in a car accident on the way to school and I was at the hospital with my children when a closing took place.  Although it was years later I wrote about the importance of attending the ONE I missed that client read it and said, "hey that was me."  While it wasn't a big deal in that instance, it was still a lesson of YOU NEVER KNOW WHO IS READING.  Are the sellers reading about how much your clients love a home, are the sellers reading about how messy the house you showed today? It's the same as discussing an offer in a house that might have cameras.  You don't give away your position.  Save the post for after the fact and alter the details to protect the innocent and maybe the guilty too.

Posted by

706-485-9668  us on facebook

Tammy@Lake-Sinclair.com

(Click on Lane Realty Logo for web site)

Tammy Lankford, Broker/Owner

 

Broker License # 169695  Lane Realty License # H-11420

Real Estate Instructor License # 355089

Call me today for all your Lake Sinclair real estate needs.

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Comments (28)

Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Michael Jacobs we were all once young and foolish, but thankfully I got over myself.

 

Dec 10, 2022 06:51 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Kat Palmiotti I have said to my agents more than once... "that's a phone call, not an email" 

Dec 10, 2022 06:52 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Brian England oh me too, it's been tempting a time or two again. But I "got it"

Dec 10, 2022 06:57 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Nina Hollander, Broker nothing to do with "cooling off", that's never been who I am.  It's about a better way to say what needs to be said.

Dec 10, 2022 07:01 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Jeff Dowler, CRS there's usually a better way to say things if we look for it.... I  try harder to do that these days.

Dec 10, 2022 07:04 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

That's an excellent point Tammy Lankford,  I think the point is to not respond too quickly and emotionally!

Jeff

Dec 10, 2022 07:19 PM
Tammy Lankford,

Jeff Dowler, CRS and I will say, I have been known to be VERY emotional from time to time.

Dec 10, 2022 07:24 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS

Tammy Lankford,  I suspect we all have from time to time. Hard to not be so. We just need to remember that ranting online may NOT be a good thing.

Jeff

Dec 10, 2022 07:33 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Ed Silva yeah I might type it somewhere, but it won't be connected to the internet.

Dec 10, 2022 07:05 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Kathy Streib I certainly have vented to some AR friends from time to time.

Dec 10, 2022 07:06 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Alan May and it has served me well over the past few years too.

Dec 10, 2022 07:09 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Tammy,

Excellent advice. It's never a good idea to put things in writing when we are angry and need to vent. Talk the situation out with someone and NEVER let it fester. Get it out and then move on!!

Dec 11, 2022 04:34 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Dorie Dillard Austin TX I'm certainly not a grudge, hold on to it kind of person.  Although burned twice by the same person I am then a trust but verify kind of person. But even when I'm a little angry with those I love I am generally over it after I have my say.  So yes, out and move on is certainly how I think it should be done.

Dec 11, 2022 10:27 AM
Eileen Burns
Trans State Commercial RE Ft. Lauderdale/Miami/Palm Beach - Fort Lauderdale, FL
FLorida Real Estate Connector

Tammy Lankford, congrats on the featured post.  I use the 24-hour rule to compose my thoughts and words in those type of instances. I agree a lot has changed in the past 15 years but not the Rainships that have been created here.  Enjoy reading your posts😎 ps I have had a client tell me I was snarky in one of my responses during our get to know phase.  We did close the transaction and have been friends for more than a decade now

Dec 11, 2022 11:37 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Property Manager

Hi Tammy,
Very sound advice. I am one of those people that doesn't want to say something I will regret later. I have been known to write a scathing letter, let it sit, and do what you said... write a softer version to present. 

When I was mad at my husband, I would leave the house until I had cooled down and could organize my thoughts before getting into a discussion.

Dec 12, 2022 11:47 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Tammy, it is good to have a REALTOR friend to rant to, as they understand all the emotions that go with this career.

Dec 14, 2022 10:36 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Tammy Lankford, - Congratulations on receiving a FEATURE. Your blog post was excellent and the example was very clear and convincing. Always listen. Always do the right thing. Your years of experience have made you one of the best in the industry in your areas around Sinclair. Whether or not agents live in big, medium, or small places, the advise applies to all. A bad rant could have serious consequences. 

Dec 16, 2022 01:15 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Eileen Burns I'm the kind of person that sometimes typing my thoughts out helps me sort them out. So sometimes I type things others will NEVER see and then delete it.

Dec 17, 2022 08:09 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Carol Williams I haven't always been that way, but early in my marriage to Donald I realized how much something I said hurt his feelings and I was determined to never ever see that hurt in his face again, so I am careful now to express myself in a different way so as to guard relationships.

Dec 17, 2022 08:11 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Joan Cox I have a couple of close friends outside of the business too that I confide in as well.  And I make sure to listen when they have issues as well.

Dec 17, 2022 08:11 AM
Joan Cox

That is always so helpful!

Dec 17, 2022 08:39 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP oh not always.... I fail from time to time, but I do always try to make it a learning experience.

Dec 17, 2022 08:12 AM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP

Tammy Lankford, - you do a great job and like me, we are only human!

Dec 17, 2022 08:16 AM
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

You definitely received some good and sound advice from one of your peers about the ventful blog.  I have to say, I have not written one as I always thought about how whatever i wrote could impact me and/or the other person.  But I know when we are wronged it is easy to want to talk about it -- outloud and/or in writing.  Thank you for being transparent and sharing your experience.  I know it will be a well word spoken to someone else in the Rain who will be able to turn the hurt into healing because of it.  Blessings, Tammy Lankford, 

Dec 18, 2022 02:24 PM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Diana Dahlberg it's uber frustrating when people say "what should I do" and then don't like or follow the advice they asked for... thus the vent.  But lesson learned.

Dec 19, 2022 07:33 AM