Ask An Ambassador: Should I Click PUBLISH?

By
Real Estate Agent with Transaction Alliance 513.520.5305 www.LizTour.com SAL.2002007747

You're on fire!!!!

That blankety blank politician did something that's got you at 23 on a 10 point scale.

The freakin' moron of a co-broke agent....arrrrghhhh....lemme tell ya about it!!

You're between the 2nd glass of wine and the 3rd and keyboard is calling your name.  Yes, it's time to tell everyone how you REALLY feel!

In the old days you'd have to grab a typewriter, load paper and peck away.  Time would elapse and you just might have time to decide that letter to the editor or a family member would best be thrown in the trash.

Now, your thoughts can be instantaneously spread to audiences intended and unintended. 

Whether it's your blog, Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media outlet, there's no "Are you SURE this is a good idea, maybe you ought to give it a night???" filter step.

Does anyone REALLY care about your opinion on subject X?  The depth of caring might just be limited to determining if you're on MY team or THEIR team.

And of course if you're a real estate agent there's WWMBT to consider. 

What Would My Broker Think?

Does your brokerage have a social media policy?

And before you start to holler about First Amendment rights and free speech, you might find out those terms may not apply in the way you thought.

Your blog post represents both you AND your brokerage.

Considering how divided we are as a population, it only takes one person on the other side of an issue to copy a link and forward to your brokerage for you to find out that you might have freedom of speech, but NOT freedom from consequences.

Maybe no one ever tells you the damage you've done to your reputation and your business.

Most people are not going to call you and say "you know, I WAS planning to send you a referral, but that post of yours was a big mistake, HUGE!!". 

I've written posts that will never see the light of day.  Not because they were political, or touched on some divisive topic, but simply because I didn't like the tone that COULD be perceived thanks to print being a flat medium.

If I can't write a post in a manner that should be considered helpful by the vast majority of people, I'm not putting it out there for mass consumption and all that potentially comes with that.

It's always totally up to you what you publish or not, but my best advice is to think through the possible consequences of clicking PUBLISH before making a final decision to click that button.

Until next Tuesday, just Ask An Ambassador if you need help,

Bill & Liz aka BLiz

Posted by

Serving Warren County Ohio & Adjacent Areas

The Liz Spear Team of Transaction Alliance
Elizabeth Spear, ABR, Ohio License SAL.2002007747

William (Bill) Spear, Ohio License SAL.2004011109  Kentucky 77938
Ask for us by name if you visit the office!

EHO
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Liz Direct: 513-265-3004     
Fax: 866-302-8418

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Comments (25)

Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI
HomeSmart Real Estate - Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell

Good point. Sometimes the BEST THING after writing the email or post and considering hitting SEND or PUBLISH is to do NOTHING (watch the grass grow). Jeff

 

May 09, 2023 11:44 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Pick our battles.  Sometimes it can be very clear that nothing will change no matter what is said.

May 09, 2023 11:47 AM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Agreed Bill.  Best to leave those heated 'discussions' (if one can call them a discussion off line. Timely reminder for all.

May 09, 2023 01:20 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

I find a lot of things don't get said offline, or at least not taken the same way when presented in person.  Online, it's too easy to be a keyboard warrior.

May 09, 2023 06:58 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten

Keyboard warrior - good name for them.

May 09, 2023 08:44 PM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
Relocation to NW AZ with elbow room & more freedom

Practical advise. One can be upset and turn that frustration into a positive instead of a negative.

May 09, 2023 01:34 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

I look for a way to turn something negative into a positive/educational blog post.  If I can't, I move to another topic.

May 09, 2023 06:59 PM
Janice Zaltman
United Realty Group - Boca Raton, FL
Energy Efficient And Eco-Friendly Homes in Florida

Wow, Bill. Great post and sharing of wisdom. Thanks for the "good buzz" in the ear.

 

May 09, 2023 05:25 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Our bees are contagious :)

May 09, 2023 06:59 PM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Excellent advice for all. Sometimes just writing it down and then deleting it is good therapy.

May 09, 2023 05:57 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Usually I'll get a couple of paragraphs in and go...nope, this isn't working.  And off to something else.

May 09, 2023 07:00 PM
J.R. Schloemer, CRS
Kentucky Select Properties - Louisville, KY

This is the reason, typically, I do not post things. Submitting answers and responses is hard enough for me, so other stuff is really not an option for me. To me, everyone is so quick and willing to overshare and respond at the drop of a hat. Call me if you want to know my thoughts on something.

May 09, 2023 10:24 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

I think it all depends on the situation and how well I know someone before I'll consider certain topics, either online (e.g. FB messenger) or in person.

May 10, 2023 05:09 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

That being said, I think this resonates with a lot of people that way. Love and light and all the best! Thanks!

May 09, 2023 10:45 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

We get to decide what we do (or don't do).  Personally, I think a lot of what gets shared is an exercise in futility.  I'm still waiting for the first time on Facebook see someone state "I'm switching my position based on your comments!". 

May 10, 2023 05:11 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

I agree with you, JR, it can be a little bit tiresome to deal with, but it does make a difference in my own experience..

May 09, 2023 11:21 PM
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
Carolina Life RealEstate & Relocation 919-602-8489

I've deleted a few things before hitting publish. I've deleted a couple things after hitting publish. I usually just call a friend if I need to vent.

May 10, 2023 05:14 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Some things can be tough to steer clear of.

May 10, 2023 01:16 PM
Erik Hiss
Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty - Worthington, OH
You can trust me for all your real estate needs!

Definitely need to know when to take a step back and relax. This business can rile you in so many ways, but like my good friend and mentor Joe Jackson told me: Grow duck feathers so the problems just roll off. 

May 10, 2023 05:49 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Meanwhile paddling like mad! :)

May 10, 2023 01:16 PM
Anna "Banana" Kruchten
HomeSmart Real Estate - Phoenix, AZ
602-380-4886

Featured in BananaTude.  Our group has had a policy of NO POLITICS as we are focused on real estate related matters.

 

May 10, 2023 09:23 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Clear, easy, and necessary.

May 10, 2023 01:16 PM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I probably hit publish more times than I should when I voice my opinion but luckily enough I am at a point in my career where I am saying no to more people than I am saying yes to, haha.

May 10, 2023 10:15 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

I think a lot can depend on HOW an opinion is expressed.  Some can keep it civil, some can't.

May 10, 2023 01:17 PM
Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

Guilty as charged and sometimes I get the silent treatment until I take it down.

May 10, 2023 10:42 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

lol!

May 10, 2023 01:17 PM
Robert Rauf
CMG Home Loans - Toms River, NJ

If it is about politics, NO

If it is about Religion, NO

IF it is negative, NO

If you have had a few, ABSOLUTELY NO

Posts need to be productive, perhaps a little entertaining and helpful  - and if you hit any of the first few you are only going to alienate half of your sphere.  

May 10, 2023 12:36 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

I personally don't mind if someone wants to venture into the religion category.  I know there's a risk in that, but depending on one's beliefs the risk may be more than a bit worthwhile.

May 10, 2023 01:18 PM
Ed (Edward) Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Those keystrokes can be dangerous, and there is no spell check for stupidity or foolishness.  Like the signs:  Don't drink and drive, people should put over their screen, Don't write and Publish. 

May 10, 2023 02:01 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Ed, we need to exercise good judgment or every post we've written that was good can be offset by ONE that was all wrong.

May 11, 2023 07:06 AM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

There's lots of wisdom and important advice in your post, Bill. I think some forget that, as you point out, while we have freedom of speech that does not equate to freedom from the consequences of what we say. A damaged rep can be awfully tough to repair, if it even can.

Jeff

May 11, 2023 09:24 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

Navy saying:  One oh $hit wipes out 1000 attaboys.
There are certain actions within the Rain and outside that are in people's "permanent record".

May 11, 2023 09:37 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

The old adage, "Tell us how you really feel." doesn't apply in professional circles, especially in the world we live, today. Things can always be taken out of context but giving someone ammunition to use against you is not wise.

 

Congrats on the double feature, Bill!

May 12, 2023 07:47 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

I'm too much of an introvert to want to spend a lot of time arguing with strangers about why my opinion is correct and they're idiots :)

May 12, 2023 03:52 PM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!

Yeah, I'd rather be happy...and am!

May 12, 2023 05:27 PM
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

An awesome blog post Liz and Bill Spear! I'll just stick to fur baby posts on SM or real estate. It is just crazy what some people post.

May 13, 2023 07:53 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

No doubt, some just leave me scratching my head.  Whyyyyyyyyy????

May 13, 2023 08:20 PM
Diana Dahlberg
1 Month Realty - Pleasant Prairie, WI
Real Estate in Kenosha, WI since 1994 262-308-3563

If I feel like saying something "controversial" I just move on -- scrolling is alot easier and just ignore the comment.  Life is too short.

May 19, 2023 09:01 AM
Liz and Bill Spear

It is.  There are people that I had respect for that just couldn't keep from trying to force their opinions and forgot the humanity of each of us is why we originally connected.

Jun 01, 2023 05:38 AM
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

When I encounter something on social media with which I take exception, my response is to continue to scroll. Push-back gains more push-back and then down the rabbit hole we go. Not the path I care to take.

May 31, 2023 09:05 PM
Liz and Bill Spear

Those type engagements can be very time consuming, and in the end, no opinions are changed.

Jun 01, 2023 05:39 AM