One of the benefits often given for blogging is that you appear in the search engines, that you're on google, and that you reach a wide audience.
The flip side of this is: you're on the search engines. And your blogs stay accessible, while ads disappear. So, remember when you blog, that the entire world can see what you're writing. A year from now a potential client may find what you wrote on the web, either inadvertently or by researching you. It's so easy to blog that it's easy to vent, or complain, or point fingers - think before you post: do I want potential clients, referring agents, employers to see this post and know I wrote it?
Following up on that - your comments to other people's blogs become public, too. When someone's reading another blog and come upon your comment - is that how you want to be perceived?
I'm not suggesting that you not let your personality come out, or that you not express your opinion, but rather I'm suggesting that you look at both the content you're posting and the image you're portraying.
Even supposedly MEMBERS ONLY posts and comments have a way of getting out and around. IF they were alss secure, nastiness is not justified and poor branding and imaging with negative slashing posts is not good for business. We don't have to LIE or be all syrupy, but civility goes along ways.
Sharon, Thanks for your post. This is so true. I still find post I left 9 years ago on the net. As they say, conduct yourself at all times on the net you are always ON.
Mario
Mario Levesque,
Engineer, Wesley Chapel Realtor , Broker Associate
People's Choice Realty Services, Tampa, Florida
cell: 813-857-6918
fax: 866-252-9511
Web: http://www.ajmasters.com/
Web: http://www.AgentFreebies.com
Friendly, professional services always
Sharon....so true. And I have been snake bitten by this. I have thought that e-mailing someone to go over something like this would be best and not displayed on the blog comments. Is it done to get the members attention? Yes, but as you have said, what does this look like to the public then? I have received mixed reviews when discussing this with other members. Some say post it, some say ignore it or send an e-mail or call. I think that old saying comes into play, "damn if you do and damn if you don't"
Overall, I guess I am old school... and just try to take care of things behind closed doors and agree with what you have said. Because the blogs are out there and can be found by accident down the road, could this have an impact? It could/...... Great reminder here....
It needs to be said, and not only once. We need to be reminded of this constantly. We take for granted that blogging and commenting will be in our permanent record. Think before you write.
Ines
Sharon- Thank you for the post and the reminder !!
Sharon, Another wonderful reminder.
We all need to leave voice messages, email messages, posts and comments as though our public (buyers/sellers) were listening/reading!
HomeRome.com
Baltimore,Md
Sharon - so true and so timely, too! What Kelley said above is something we all need to remember - if you don't want it seen on the front page, don't write it!! We just never know where something will show up. Great advice, and thank you for taking the time to share this reminder.
Ann
Right on target, Sharon. Technology is a two-edged sword!
It's a great (snowy) day here on the lake in Reston...hope it's a great day there in Tampa, too!
You're absolutely correct! I also signed up for the Google Alerts where Google emails you each blog as soon as it's been indexed. I have a few choice keywords plugged in.
BTW, thanks for the mem! I did it. About a month, late but I did it :)
Thanks for the post and valuable comments.
The newspaper thing is right on track. I also heard it put another way, irrecpective of business. It was something to the effect, "If you ever want to go into law enforcement or run for public office, be careful what you say online".
Thanks again,
Lynda Eisenmann, Broker
Always remember what you write may be read years from now.
Great reminder Sharon..... Vent in private an praise in public.
We've heard of wives clubs that get together for coffee and husband bash. Nobody stays married and the husbands are clueless that there are porblems because they aren't part of the conversation. Blogging to vent is a disservice to our personal and professional self.