When I first started blogging I thought it was no different than what I used to do years ago, which was constantly update my webpage. The whole thing involved ftp uploads and a wee bit of code, but it was fun and it kept the content fresh.
Now that I'm a year into this, I see it's a bit different. For one, there's a lot more people doing it now. It's a wonderful way to share your voice with the world, to show them how real or not you are and how informative you can be. I've been blessed with some wonderful feedback.
So what's so dangerous about sharing your opinion?
Before I jump into the dangerous aspect of blogging, I would like to take a time out for our "left coast" readers. See, I was fooled much like my liberal friends (hey, I'm just trying to be funny here) into thinking that Freedom of Speech, means Freedom from consequences. It simply isn't the case. Your job for instance, is a priviledge, not a right, so therefore anything you say can't be protected by that right, however after you get fired you are certainly welcome to continue stating whatever it was that got you fired... as long as it is factually true. So in this conversation, I would say that your real estate license, or inspector license or whoever is reading this that is an "independent" contractor license could be easily removed if you say something a bit off.
The thought that most of you have right now if you are anything like me is that you want the whole world to know how great YOU are and how bad some of the situations we as Realtors get into.
The danger does not lie in losing your job, or the ability to do your job. No, the danger lies in unnecessary lawsuits. So you might wonder what guidelines you might follow in order to make sure your blog is safe.
- Never use actual names of companies, unless it's documented as fact or positive
- Never write anything negative, unless it is documented as fact, even if it is true
- Practice WWYBD, Like What Would Jesus Do, except now we're talking about Your Broker. Would they get excited that you wrote something "edgy?"
- When referencing particular events or deals, make sure your disclosing PUBLIC records, and not personal information without something signed! by the parties
- When in doubt, don't post it, it isn't worth it.
Some of you might be wondering where this all came from. Well, I am proud of the fact that I built my business on being brutally honest with my clients and that should come through in my writings. This past year, three instances made me reconsider blogging.
- I had an instance where a client's earnest money was being delayed in being returned by a large builder. I wrote a blog about it, got the earnest money back and my client felt like a king, but I also got threatened in some pretty devious ways.
- I wrote something about the quality of workmanship in a particular neighborhood. Later, I had the opportunity to meet with the CEO of the company (which could mean thousands of listings... yes, thousands). Due to the blog, I couldn't tell him to Google me, which is one of my favorite things to tell prospective clients.
- I blogged about a closed deal and my client didn't feel that the deal happened the way I blogged about. Think, "Just Sold, Full Price" and the client thinks, "Gave the home away with all my furnishings."
So at the end of the day, it's not worth it to lose my livelihood for a good read. To recap:
Document or get people to sign before you blog, and don't blog negative!
Dennis - Drunk dialing is ok the last time I checked. Heck, if my 3 year old can randomly call people and it's OK, I don't see why I couldn't if I was intoxicated.
Thanks for the reply.
Good post.....Thank you for the reminder.
Don R.
Joshua,
I am amazed at the number of posts I see with details of ongoing transactions included. Common sense says don't do it.
Since the default status of an agent in North Carolina is to represent the Seller, unless engaged by the Buyer as a fiduciary, I do not post negatives about workmanship, etc, regarding specific existing homes or neighborhoods. There are some builders I would not recommend. Engage me as your Buyer's Agent to get that list!
Protect the client's anonymity by keeping references to transactions on an impersonal, and somewhat vague, footing. It isn't that hard to tell a story and not drag the client into it.
And, I agree, there are risks to offering insights without considering how the reader will perceive them.
Good post. Its something that we all need to consider. We have to remember that we are writing something that anyone can read including the people that we may be blogging about. Best to not blog about specific people or businesses unless it is positive.
Food for thought from one dangerous person to another.
Joshua, it comes back the the saying, "If you can't say anything good about someone, don't say it."
Good advice and Good Post!
Dan - Thanks
Gary - No opinion in your posts? I think that's what makes the blogs "real" is that there is that flavor of your opinion in there. It's my opinion that most newlyweds should rent a little while and save up, what's yours - that's the kind of answers we have to give everyday, so I agree be objective, but your personality and sometimes opinions should come out too... IN MY OPINION. =)
Mike - I get clients to sign something for marketing their home after sale as a testimonial, but never while it's ongoing! yikes.
Pam - Thanks! Always be positive!
Nannette - I agree, except if you know and the client knows and everyone else knows. For instance, a certain for sale by owner marketer that has some misleading ads on TV..... if I go one step further, I just did it again in the comment box without saying their name... YIKES AGAIN!
Julie - Unless you plan to be a trainer or want Realtors to read your post, then localism is where it is at!
Donna - Thanks!
Kathryn - I was starting to want to become the voice of the outraged Realtor... trouble is I'd be outraged but not a Realtor if I shared it all.
Chris - gotta be careful, stay on topic
Gary - I can't count how many I stopped in mid-sentence.
Michael - I live by that with one caveat, unless that "negative" thing could hurt someone. Deceptive practices. Remember our clients will likely read these blogs (or we hope) so it's worthwhile to share experiences good and bad if it will help someone.
Joshua,
I think this is a great blog for two reasons:
1. People do need to be aware that what they think might be a simple blog or comment about a specific person/business or ect... could in fact back fire.
2. And like you said, When in doubt dont spout off....wait you didn't say that....hee hee Sorry (that was my attempt at funny! But truly when in doubt dont blog. Is is simply NOT worth it. If your really that mad or want to make fun of something call a friend on a secured phone line from an undisclosed location.. hee hee
Joshua,
I have to bite my lip and the inside of my cheek, because I have a sharp and sometimes sarcastic wit and often will call it like it is. Thanks for the reminder, I have strong opinions (of course I'm always right), so I always take a second look at what is written, try to see it from all angles, then submit. So far so good.
Coming from a world of police work and state government, I know what a litigous society we have and anyone can sue for anything. And an unnecessary or invalid lawsuit is just as much trouble and can be just as damaging as actually getting sued for something that you may have said or done wrong. Thanks for the guidelines.
List and Sell (opinions yes with tact, blog always) Gary @ RentonHomeFinder
Being an attorney, I know that is good advice.
I like to say, just be positive in general.
It rubs off on people, you would be surprised
Dione - Thank you for your response, what a great compliment.
Bart - More careful than I realized.
Gary - Nice comment, almost looks like a blog post.
Roland - Not just what readers will think, but which reader will think what?!
Doug - That's a high compliment
George - I'm always positive, and I always have a reason for whatever my aim is.
Kathy - The key is to do this for business and don't let it waste your time doing "water cooler" talk.
Great post, you bring up some very good points to remember
Great post, you bring up some very good points to remember
Good practical advise:) We do walk a line here -
We have clients sign endless disclosures to cover ourselves. Why would saying something in a public forum be different? Good advice.
I would also add that "Thou should not steal!" I have seen many posts of people using things without attribution, credit, permission or license. If it isn't created by you and in the public forum (a tricky concept for the Internet where everything seems to be in the public forum), don't lift it. There are companies out there who have people who scour the Internet looking for infringer's of their copyright. For example, many of those images that people have fun looking for to use in their blogs are copywritten. You don't have the right to use them.
You must use common sense in all that you do, including blogging. If you have questions when you write or prepare to post,ask yourself why and refrain from posting until your feel okay to do so.
Listen to your inner voice. It has a message if you listen!
Joshua - Good post. We need to aware of what were are writing.
Lori - I agree with you.
I'll be more alert in what I am posting. My post are very minimal in talking about others, and being Googled with a "not so great post" is not good business.
Hi Joshua,
Great post of caution. I am fairly new, actually quite new, to blogging and certainly don't want to risk getting into any sticky situations. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Joshua. Great post. I am sure I strive for edgy. I am trying to watch my p's and q's.
Ken
Well said. Finding that fine line of being who you are and writing as if talking vs as they are told at Disney "you are always on stage" is not easy. I recently had a very negative/interesting/crazy issue during a transaction and as I blogged about it, it was not too difficult to generalize it enough to stay safe while still sharing my experience for others to see the train coming. Thanks for sharing your thoughts as they are relevent for all!
The internet is a double edged sword. Very well said and thanks for the reminder.
As REALTORS we so throughly expose ourselves to the public. We can become vulnerable to attack on many fronts.
Play it safe and smart when you blog. Thanks for the reminder.
Joshua,
It goes to prove....you never know who is watching you......and you have to be careful not to let your emotions get the best of you....we are professionals....then there are those who are just looking for a fight (right or wrong)
Thanks for this blog. I am new to blogging, and I need to learn some rules before I just into blogging to much. Being careful is what I am hearing so far. Write only about the facts and not my opinion. Thanks for helping me to stop and think before I vent or just want to blog.
I blog as a marketing tool. I always have the consumer in mind. I would never put in writing on the internet anything about specific clients or other agents.