Warning: This is a Public post.
Is it me or is Active Rain starting to sound like some uptight parochial grammar school? Don't blog about Religion. Don't blog about Politics. Don't blog about Alcohol. Don't even think about thinking about Sex.
Because the public, our collective client base, is watching and reading.
Do we actually believe our blog is one limitless swath of flypaper, ready to catch whomever buzzes into it? Truth is the blog isn't that sticky and the consumers are infinitely smarter than flies.
Another angst-ridden news flash for some folks here. Realism sells. Individuality sells. Quirkiness sells. The most important force behind marketing is differentiation. The last thing I want to do is position myself as a substitute for my competition. There is no substitute for me, according to the culture that raised me.
Some folks around here are starting to resemble huge walking Shredded Wheat. Plain on one side and, well, just plain on the other. We've outlawed the sugary sweetness. Some bloggers are so extreme in their attempt to blend into the wallpaper that they've passed through the sheetrock and are now suffocating behind the insulation.
We're not branding ourselves. We're blanding ourselves.
"Hey, Charlene. I'd like you to meet my REALTOR. He's made of cardboard. He's exciting as a user manual to a toaster oven but damn he's chock full of market data."
Yes, as a real estate professional you are entitled to an opinion. You are entitled to your ethniciity. You are entitled to your political and religious beliefs. Sad really. I read folks who are censoring themselves, wrapped air tight in a cocoon of Political Correctness. It's not even correct; that word connotes accuracy or validity. What I'm reading is fear. You're afraid to venture an opinion? Hmmm. And for Tom Hopkin's sake you are entitled to a sense of humor!
Ssshhh. I think the general public talks about such things. I think folks out there -- the ones we're pitching -- are getting drunk. I also think they're writing poetry for some of you who relate creative writing here to pornography. Yes, label me a frustrated writer with a real estate license. Because God granted me more than one talent. He gave me several. Why wouldn't I want to share them with my readership?
So I think the general public is looking for professionals with a robust sense of self. Someone, pray tell, with a bonafide identity before it was hijacked by some porridge-eating alien pods. Someone secure in their real skin, not some gooey membrane they put on eight in the morning and slither out of after dusk.
You can market yourself as WYSWYG. Cool. Me? I prefer WYSITEPOCSI -- What You See Is The End Product Of Constant Self Improvement.
It's all tragic irony. Interview a professional service provider in person and within fifteen minutes you will discover their background, birthplace, domestic lifestyle, fears. desires and past careers. Probe deeper and a truly confident, honest gentleman or lady will reveal a self-inflicted wound they rallied to overcome.
Why is Internet marketing any different?
In America we copyright and patent protect the Comeback Kid. He's our grandfather or grandmother. Our son or daughter. Yes, even our ex-spouse. We never tire of the weary, cursed champion who stumbles and stands back up. Who lives life like they were dying. A person honest enough to start a conversation, "Gee. I did something stupid today."
Any first year Pyschology grad student will tell you that we base the majority of our decisions on subjective feel rather than objective spiel.
Therein lies our humanity. Therein lies our differentiation. Why are so many professionals hell bent (of course I worked a curse into this blog. I hear the public curses too) on excising the "real" out of REALTOR?
Build a temple to yourself and pretty soon you're the only one allowed. Paint a flattering image of yourself as a paragon of virtue and pretty soon folks tire of making the climb. The blogging canvas is yours. You can broadstroke yourself into a cariacture. Or you can add all the hairline flourishes that comprise the Mona Lisa. Half smile, half frown. Remember, there aren't too many cartoons hanging in the Louve.
I'm going to write whatever I want to write about. You are free to comment. You are free to read. Don't drink the Kool Aid I'm spilling all over my thermal underwear. It's mine. Brew your own, with the emphasis on your.
And if you are the general public and you're looking for a REALTOR in Monmouth County who has the spine to lay it on the double line running down the Parkway, then call me. Don't even get me started on passion. Fire away good people. I'm today's pinata. (Jennifer Bukaty -- are you satisfied now?)
Looking to buy or sell Monmouth County real estate? I am a local real estate expert. When you hire me, the Broker and Owner of the real estate agency works directly with you. I strive for the highest level of service and quality for my esteemed clients!
You can call Andrew at (732) 431-9003 or email me or visit me at my company website.
Andrew J. Lenza, ABR GRI MBABroker/Owner
ANDREW J. LENZA REALTY
73 State Highway 34 Colts Neck, NJ 07722
Office Telephone (732) 431-9003
(c) Copyright, 2008. Andrew J. Lenza, All Rights Reserved
- Members, Monmouth & Ocean County MLS and Middlesex County MLS
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Andrew J. Lenza makes no representations as to comprehensiveness, accuracy, suitability, timeliness, or validity of any information on this site. Andrew J. Lenza will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis. Else put -- It's a blog. It's an opinion. Every consumer is urged to perform their own analysis.
(c) Copyright, 2008. Andrew J. Lenza, All Rights Reserved.
Broker/Owner of my own company, specializing in Aberdeen, Colts Neck, Fair Haven, Freehold, Holmdel, Howell, Marlboro, Manalapan, Matawan, Middletown, Red Bank, Rumson, Shrewsbury, Tinton Falls, Wall
Crowne Pointe Development in Freehold Township, NJ 07728
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Colts Pride Development For Sale at Freehold Township, New Jersey 07728: Local Real Estate Report
The Monmouth County Duplex: We're Not in Staten Island, New York, Toto!
Reality Check on Realty: Market Report for Monmouth County Real Estate!
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We're not branding ourselves. We're blanding ourselves.
Love this line. But what I want to know is who gets the first whack at the pinata...I bet there will be a long line!
Hell is such a mild cuss word and who the heck brews kool-aid? I see you don't spend much time in the kitchen. Great post, as usual.
Melina, Of ocurse I don't spend much time in the kitchen. All I'm good for is mixing metaphors. Yuk-yuk.
Lenza
It is the very blandness and attitude that I started to see that pushed me chill and not spend as much time on
ActiveI mean PassiveRain.I love everything about this place, but there is a definite change in the feel of the site in the last couple of months. I did see a great piece written about you and Slaybaugh......freakin hilarious!
I too will be back soon.....but only when my terms an AR's are in line with each other....in the meantime I will chill and troll around from time to time!
Bill, the membership has doubled since I joined. I think we're witnessing a degree of transference in that folks are mirroring the nuances of a Featured Post in the hopes of getting featured.
If the line of division comes to the Sharks or the Jets, or perhaps, the Robes versus the Rogues ... I guess this puts me in the latter.
P.S. Sandra Carlisle wrote that frog blog with me and Slaybaugh. Funny stuff.
I too enjoyed the "blanding" line. ;)
Good stuff... Thank God you put the definition of WYSITEPOCSI in there... You lost me at S. :) Seriously (if that's possible) this is a forum for people to get to know us... consumers and fellow real estate pros... I kinda like to do business with real people... not cardboard cutouts.
Audrey, That's what it's all about.
Jesse & Kathy (I never know which of you I'm writing to?) ... I should not suggest that because folks will not share their personal beliefs they are not real. Get ready for me to refer to your comment if someone infers that connection.
I'm trying to communicate that "Hey, if you want to, then go ahead." Don't let any one else's stance sway you. Be yourself. Another trite variation of an ageless theme.
Those folks have amply stated why politics, religion, alcohol, etc should not be blogged. I present the counter-argument, or so I hope.
It a double edged sword... going beyond the dull listless market stats into the realm of personality could cost us a few buyers who pass because of a blog comment (or blog) about our dislike of Hildabeast Clinton, for example... but it might bring us others. I say just be yourself... whatever works, works. As a consumer using a site such as this, I would be looking at the personality behind the blogger as much as the market data. I would want to buy from a real person, not a talking spreadsheet... but that's just me... refer them away my friend... Jesse
Andrew- Why would anyone want to work for months on a listing with folks that are not like kind? We attract who we are. To me it is not a double edged sword , it is transcending to attract those people into our business and into our lives that are attracted to who we are and what we write, even our politics and religion. If buyers pass my blog by because I want, anyone but Hillary, then I am not a fit for them from the get go. I am very choosy with whom I work with.
People want to work with people they know and like. The loyalty goes deep when kindred spirits connect in cyberspace or anywhere else for that matter. Abundance mentality is what I live by. We have gotten SO Much business, listings, buyers, closed sales just from our AR blog, and I attribute that to my transparency. I write about home school, about my family about my beliefs. I am so glad I read this post of yours! Thanks for writing it. Katerina
Andrew, I personally don't like to comment on political or religious posts because they can become so heated and downright ugly as the flow goes on. I avoid conflict - that's my nature. Unless something really offends me I will go out of my way to avoid entering a potential fray.
However, that doesn't mean that I don't feel others shouldn't write about those topics. I really enjoy the individuality of people and their posts here. Do I read the so called "Off topic" posts? You betcha. Do I comment? Sometimes.
Hi Andrew,
Kris and I seem to think alike....I shy away from controversy when possible. But, if other members want to go at it, I'll probably be a spectator. Much can be learned by keeping ones mouth closed and ears and eyes open.
Perhaps one explanation for the change here is more emphasis on localism. I know I have a very difficult time putting "me" in my localism posts.
Andrew -- Thanks for saying it. I have actually posted twice on politics. Lots of viewers with no opinions....
Have a Fabulous Real Estate Day!
Anona
Andrew - oh I love when members tell other members what not to blog about. : ) What works for you in your area might not work for me here. I think everyone needs to find their own style and what works for them and then go for it and stop worry about what anyone else thinks. Who cares about "stars" and points. That's not why I'm here.
Andrew,
I am a lot like you in that I will post about politics, religion or business. It does not matter to me. However, I am not half the writer you are but I am working on that. Always enjoy your posts and comments on my posts.
"Hey, Charlene. I'd like you to meet my REALTOR. He's made of cardboard. He's exciting as a user manual to a toaster oven but damn he's chock full of market data."
OMG, I lost it at that part! LOL....I have read some people's blogs on here and wonder if they have a personality at all. They are so scared to show the public anything personal about them. OMG what would they think of me? Who gives a shit!! If people have issues with you being you, is that buyer or seller really someone you want to work with anyway? Probably not!
I surely wouldn't want people to see me as a cardboard cutout on a stick! Some people seem to need that stick shoved up their behinds though.....
Andrew, Bravo! Bravo! I'm flagging this for a feature. As usual with you, so very well written. Love your shredded wheat analogy. I saw the no politics post and was going to comment on it, but... Now, as much as I'm not going to generally get into politics and/or religion on a public forum, I have no problem with it there. Who am I to say what's right or wrong, it's just not for me. Hope you get a gold one!
Thank you, Andrew, for saying so eloquently what needs to be stated again and again. The "bland yourself", fear-ridden have been with us since the beginning and will be with us always. And how very, very dull the world (both real and written, online and in books) would be if they prevailed, and we'd be so much the poorer for it!
Andrew:
If you could see me now I am giving you a standing ovation. I applaud you forthrightness. I recall responding to a blog on AR and having a opposing opinion and the names that I was called and the things said, was I upset----no, I was glad that I stated my opinion and that it gave the readers a chance to get another point of view.
As always, great post! I could not agree more. I have been asked by other agents if I was "worried" about "offending" potential prospects because my website had a "patriotic" feel to it. my response was I simply wasn't interested in doing business with anyone who was offended by my patriotism. Thanks for reinforcing my idea that it's really okay to be myself. ;-)
This one is great and does deserve to be featured. I avoid writing about politics and religion. I don't know that it makes me less real. I will comment on a political post but not a religious post. Mainly due to fair housing. I think posting about religion in a real estate related blog can be a slippery slope. One may disagree but that is how I feel :)
Andrew, Have you ever thought that the folks who are bland ARE being themselves? It's not that they are toning it down it's just that that may very well be their personality.
Having been around for my 50 years I have noticed that the majority of folks are just not bubbling over with personalities that will stand out. They blend in. They are the status quo. They wouldn't write this post and they wouldn't dress up in drag and make a stupid video. Or have a 'crap-o-rama" blog like TLW.
BUT....overwhelmingly they are the "normal" ones. It is us my friend who are the weirdos. We are the ones that live outside the proverbial box and throw it all out there for the world to see. Just as many people that love us..hate us. Our strong personalities force people to "get off the fence" and form an opinion about us.
The "bland" folks actually have a larger audience than we do. The problem is most folks do not want to see themselves they want to see something "larger" than they are. This is why entertainers, sports stars and others in the public eye are "watched" whether they are admired or not.
So......being bland is not wrong. It's just different than us. And it here's to stay.
Loved your post. We are all so trained not to "screw up"... Risk Management. Don't blog about anything that can come back and bite you in the butt. Don't write about anything anyone can take offense to. Don't say anything that anyone can possibly sue you for later. Blah blah blah. Yes, we need to protect our licenses, but that shouldn't stop us from giving our personal opinions--or writing about here--politics, religion, etc. If you don't like it, don't read it!
Andrew, I can't help but get into the political posts --- I'm a Kenney! And I did actually write a post about how agents shouldn't sleep with clients until after settlement - that was the night I was blogging with a bottle of wine next to my computer. And anyone who grows up Catholic is oing to post on reliigious stuff because it's so funny! Anyway, love this post. And I think we should all use TLS as our blogging role model.
LOVE IT! Thanks for saying it --- OUTLOUD!
Andrew - This is one of my favorite posts of the week. As you have already figured out (I hope), I try to put myself out there regularly, and it is paying off with referrals and direct contacts from consumers who enjoy my writing, thankfully. I am not afraid to write about my faith, or my family, or my anecdotal experiences. I am honestly not interested enough in politics to post about it, but I will unequivocally state that I don't want Hillary Clinton to be President of our country. Did you see my WYSIWYG post previously? Just curious -
Andrew- I am new here at AR, as such I have not had the pleasure of reading your blog prior to today. Good thing there is a archive.
Thanks to Anona I found your post. I am glad that I did! You are a very gifted writer. I enoyed your post and agree 100%. I look forward to browsing through your archived posts.
Andrew...
I don't think I know how to be bland :)
Do you think I need to try harder? :)
I think it may be time for me to dress up like a Man, set something on fire or throw something cool into the Lake :)
TLW...ROAR!
Andrew, Oh we just love what you say and how you say it! Some of us just need to hear we haven't crossed the preverbal line when we post. There isn't really a line...but we feel like there is one.
If you see a funny group of signs in your town, is it too much to click and write about if it makes you laugh? Hopefully not, but there are certainly some who would not like the humor. Oh well!
They say people make an opinion of a person within a minute of meeting someone (or is it seconds?). I hope the way I write doesn't give up that one minute they would give me; but I suppose if I'm true to my writing, they will like what they see anyway.
C'est la vie!
It's not me! I get a refreshed do every 4 weeks. Ohhhhhhhhhh! You mean blanding not blonding! Whoops! I have to admit I might be a bit bland. I do away away from politics and religion with my clients. I don't go in to my preferences on my posts either. I have plenty I would like to post but won't because of a potential book deal! HAha!
P.S. Thanks for the letter. It will come in handy.
Andrew, applause, applause, applause!!!! No need to feel like a pinata, my friend. We could trot out all of the already tired cliches...be yourself, transparency, etc...but why? What I'm trying to figure out is how people can spend time trying make their online persona be someone they are not. That's a tough job and one I don't want. I may not have gotten to the WYSITEPOCSI level of blogging yet, but I'm definitely me. Sometimes it's just hard to find me underneath the market stats :)
S A T I S F I E D ! ! !
And amazed. But I shouldn't be... because no one says it like you do Lenza. This is the very point I was trying to make. So many people lack the basic ability to articulate who they are, but if you can do it - and YOU CAN! - then you have within your means the most powerful marketing tool a professional can wield.
This is fantastic! I also flagged it for feature. It should be mandatory reading for all new bloggers.
And thank you, my friend! I'm feeling so much better already ;)
I'm today's pinata.
Andrew, I left to go and get some sleep and I fully expected to come back and see some banter...what a disappointment. :) The pinata doesn't even look like it's been hit.
People like your post. We all agree that you are a good writer and like the manner in which you are sharing your opinion. We need to have someone stand up to the plate and say "You suck!" Where are the rogues and rebels??
Andrew is fully expecting to be a pinata today...Any takers out there?? I see no bashing...does that make all of the commenter's bland?
Hi Andrew,
I know you don't like collecting gold stars....so lets start controversy OK? Here goes.... Can't the dems come up with anyone else besides Bills wife, and a guy with a strange name? How many religions in this world? Which one is correct? I'm not wearing any stinking name badge! Should we continue the space program? What about the national debt? How much do you as an independent contractor pay for health insurance? That should start it up! Go Giants!
Dick Beals
Andrew:
I totally agree, and if you've read any of my posts (and you have) you know I'm all about writing from the heart as much as from the head.... People care about people they feel they know, and if you don't put yourself "out there" how are people going to know you? IF you are just copying what some one else has written, then no one is really going to know you.
Like those people who use their high school picture or glamour shot instead of a current photo .... when they meet someone in person, does that person even recognize them? Or does that person think they are totally fake? For me fake doesn't work as well as "real" .... love your idea of putting "real" back into "realtor" .... Congrats on your gold star! Certainly a great post. It needed to be written, and deserves to be Featured. Thank you!
There is is! I knew it would only be a matter of moments. And I know you don't care - neither do I. (Do you know I've NEVER had one??) The point is... everyone needs to read this!
A few days ago I commented on a blog by Karen Anne Stone. Which is NOT a bland blog..... She responded:
<<Hon, you've really got to quit holding things in. Learn to let go a bit. Keeping all this bottled up in you is not a good thing, dear. Learn to express yourself... LOL. Take care. >>
I took it as a great complement - I am NOT bland! YEAH!!!
I don't mind disagreements and controversy - as long is it doesn't get really nasty and as long as we respect each other's blogs...but if you took out all controversy. It would be really dull reading. Bill Maher made an analogy with Nascar. "If you make Nascar safer - then you are watching traffic."
Mr. Lenza - I'm so very glad this was featured, one of the better posts I've ever read on AR or anywhere for that matter! I don't mind if someone is bland, boring, a tad controversial, off-topic, etc....as long as they are being respectful and being themselves. To my dying day, I believe this is the only way to do business and to live life. It may snub some the wrong way but it will also enrich relationships with those who appreciate you as a person. I've always wondered why politics & religion are looked at as such taboo subjects, considering they are two of the most important aspects of our culture & world. Interesting, us humans. You continue to be, in my eyes....the best damn writer here. I thank somebody's God for Andrew 'Freaking' Lenza!!! That Bukaty gal can be quite the inspiration, can't she?
Andrew
You have an aaamzing wayof putting things into a great oerspective
tom Braatz
Andrew
You put things in a great perspective
Tommy
Andrew, I think its a Jersey thing we are not very good at holding things in. Another excelent post buddy.
You go, Andrew. Some of these ideas have been percolating in my head for a while, but you stated it waaayyy better than I would have.
I'm relatively new to AR (August) and was wondering, do the plastic wind-up realtors who only spit data get customers from doing that?
Or is it better for business to blog about your viewpoint and experiences?
Quirkiness sells? WOOHOO I'm gonna be rich!
I agree with BB that a lot of people are bland, but shouldn't we let them know that we've stepped out of the box and we know it's empty???
Gee... Hope I'm not falling into the category of being bland, thought most of the plastic people here have been fading away. Maybe it's time to re-open the Love Cafe and ruffle some feathers!!!
Great idea Dano! I love ruffling :)
Andrew: Wonderful post and congratulations on the feature. Everyone's pretty well summed up my feelings... I'm feeling bland today.
Hi Andrew, very well said, especially your coment about "Truth is the blog isn't that sticky and the consumers are infinitely smarter than flies"...
A little spice, controversy or food for thought never hurt anyone. Bland doesn't cut it for me, catch my interest or get my attention and... I don't think I'm that different from most people.
Totaly excellent post!!!
Andrew, were you aware that Lemmings are small rodents, usually found in or near the Arctic, in tundra biomes? Together with the voles and muskrats, they make up the subfamily Arvicolinae (also known as Microtinae), which forms part of the largest mammal radiation by far, the superfamily Muroidea, which also includes the rats, mice, hamsters, and gerbils.
Equally fascinating is the fact that Domestic sheep (Ovis aries) are quadrupedal, ruminant mammals kept as livestock. Like all ruminants, sheep are even-toed ungulates, also commonly called cloven-hoofed animals. Although the name "sheep" applies to many species, in everyday usage it almost always refers to Ovis aries. Domestic sheep are the most numerous species in their genus, and are most likely descended from the wild mouflon of Europe and Asia.
Andrew,
Well done! I agree with the others who say that they'd prefer to do business with buyers and sellers where there is commonality, or at the very least, respect for differences.
Living in a very conservative community, I used to be pretty quiet about my many non-conservative (can I say Liberal, some have branded that a dirty word), positions. but I find as I've owned who I am, I'm laughing more, meeting more interesting, intelligent, fun people, and business has never been better.
Too many people applying too many personal rules on the world. They may need to get over themselves a bit.
Thanks!
Andrew- So many coming out to applaud your conviction of individuality. How many of these are guilty of just what this post is attacking? You are right that the more you read these kinds of post, it's easy to slide into that safe zone. I may be there and not even know it.
Do you think that it fear of what we think the public wants in our profession. Or the fear of what we want our peers to think about us in order to score more points. Currently, I don't have any thoughts that I need to express, so my fingers have been idol. Or are you talking about the comment section where if a comment is made that might ruffle someones feathers it is withheld.
Either way, your style is totally original and from the heart. I am not a writer and at times struggle to put two words together.I rarely use metaphors or analogies in my writing. I haven't gotten there yet in my simple script. But, I will trudge on. You have touched on one of my fears as a writer, blogger or whatsoever, is my writing really my voice. Keep up the humor and the honesty.
Paul, thank you for the rodent lesson.
Andrew, I can certainly appreciate you point of view. And I agree with parts of it. In my case, I choose not to discuss politics or religion because of my own beliefs. I can get into the fact that most politicians lie their butts off in their campaign and more than half of them never show up to the meetings that we hired them to show up for. As for half the religious side goes, it is either convenient to use your beliefs when they fit your need or the religious leader is caught doing meth with the call boy. And yes, I said that right.
We all have our beliefs and we all have our opinions and as I stated in other blogs, I do not believe in airing mine on those 2 subjects. With that said, people have the right to write about what they want as much as I have the right to voice my opinion about them. If I choose to respond about a blog that is about either of these sujects, then it is because I think I have something valid to add.
Just my 2 cents worth.
LOL.....I don't want any punishment or uniform enforcement. I like to blog in my pajamas and no one can make me where a uniform!
Andrew, I couldn't agree more. Good post.
YIppy, it's about time someone said it, and no one could have said it better than you, Lenza!!! It's like a gallon of that Jolt stuff - intravenously:-) Thank you for this!
Andrew, as always I love your post. I have never been politically correct. I have run in to some controversies here on the rain because of it but hey that is okay. I have started moderating a group here in Texas and we are doing a contest on Texas churches and someone has been upset about that. It is really just the architecture of the churches and it can be any type of church but hey you can't please everyone. We have some really pretty old churches here in Texas.
Andrew, I agree with you. However, I am more apt to say it to someone's face and leave it off a post. I guess I am worried about people take words and twist the meaning to what "they" want it to be. When I say it to their face there is no doubt what I mean.
Someday I will grow up and put my big girl panties on and say what I mean on a post. Oohh, big girl, do you think I will offend someone by saying that. . .?
Andrew - what a great post!!! Politics is something I only discuss with my partner and my kids - it just isn't worth getting people upset -
Andrew, I am new to AR(just joined last week). I have read several posts, but this by far is the best so far. I will be keeping my eyes open looking for more of your wonderful insights :)
I keep posting in the comments of these "don't say anything that might offend a consumer" posts that they need to lighten up.
As bad as the market is, there are almost 40 sales PER MONTH in my market area that fit my niche (4+ car garages). The median price of these sales is about $700k. The average is slightly higher. That means that there could be over $1.6m in commission earned a month... I think I can work with a little less than that. So, if I can endear myself to 5% of those consumers, while ticking a few off... I might be able to live with that.
Nice stand Andrew, I could really feel your passion, and I agree. If a potential client reads your blog about what ever belief they share with you, would'nt that really help in solidifying a life time relationship with them.
Andrew, I have been "secretly" reading your stuff for a while now---this one will get me to subscribe. Good stuff.
I'm sure glad you don't mind being in debt. Thanks for the words of wisdom, being yourself is important in everything you do. Keeping it real as my boys would say is something I wish everyone did.
Hear hear and Amen! Excellent post. You know, a couple of weeks ago, I blogged about my history with an eating disorder and I do not apologize for being a Christian! Will I make a habit of being that open about my past? NO! But one post of that nature in almost a year of blogging here is not something for which I'm going to apologize. It's part of what made me who I am. It's a past demon that by overcoming, built character and gave me tenacity. That character and tenacity is now part of how I do business.
And whoa! I just left a comment on your newer post, hit enter, and voila! New Andrew! Which reminds me, I have GOT to get a new photo of myself, since I changed my hair style a few months ago =/
Andrew: First of all, WELL SAID! I don't think any one of us could have put it more eloquently, nor stated the truth better. I have to say that there isn't one line in this post that I disagree with--your points are absolutely reflective of, not only AR, but AMERICA! Honestly, I think that political correctness is going to be our Country's demise. We have become such a litigious society that everyone is now afraid to speak their minds. I often think of things that my father and grandfather said to fellow businessmen (no, not business women!) and there is absolutely no way that we could say that to our peers in 2008! To them, the customer was ALWAYS right, but peers heard the TRUTH, whether they liked it or not. A deal was executed with a mere handshake--now we have 15+ pages of legal mumbo jumbo just to protect my ass from your ass and vise versa!
And, secondly, congrats on the little gold star! See, ALOT of us agree with your point of view--we're just not vocal about it for fear that someone will be offended!!!
Jesse, I mean, let's loosen up folks. We work to play, right? Hildabeast -- first time I heard that one. How about McCain and his lobbyist rumor.
There's a reason he's not named McAbel.
Katerina, We attract who we are. Of course! How many times did you walk out of a meeting with a lingering doubt, "That dude knew his business but I got a negative vibe." It's a pipe dream to expect us to appeal to everyone. being true to one's self brings us closer to those who will appreciate us for us.
Kris, I read your blog. You don't have to comment on the religious or politk because your blog conveys your well-defined personality. We're never going to confude you for someone else.
Cynthia, Ditto. I found your tribute to your Grandmother more interesting than the recipe. I dig older people, the Greatest Generation. But I can't read another cold story, kid. ;)
Renee, Ditto, ditto. You wrote a stirring tribute to your Grandpa and his passing and the effect he had on your own children. I mean, okay I know where to go for Vegas short sale data, but I also know where to go for a Realtor whose rooted in her family tree.
Anona, I'm going to go read your Politics blog in 3 minutes.
Sandra, Duly noted. If someone is interested in politics, let them blog about it. Years ago the folks in our Staten Island parish railed aganist the sitcom SOAP because Billy Crystal played a gay character. Ludicrous. Just don't watch the show.
It's no different today -- just don't read the blog. But now Rainers are going to write/blog/comment about what others should write about? Screw that, peeps.
Mike, Writing is 1/4 natural talent, 1/2 practice and 1/4 editing. So if you dedicate the time to practice writing (rough drafts, brainstorming for ideas, reading out loud to hear the effect of the words on your ears) and then you edit the crap out of your draft.
The more you work on the 3/4's the more the 1/4 -- your own innate ability -- begins to shine through. Read some books about writing. You will get there, my friend.
Becky, Becky, Becky -- Love that tude, girl. Who gives a ___? See, I'm too chicken ass to write it.
Cheryl, You are welcome. Could not understand why this community wants to censor itself.
Marc, thanks for the gold star thing plug. My premise is ... To thy own self be true. Let the personality shine!
Tricia, Who among us wants to live in a grey world?
Lorraine & Loretta, You were called names? Horrid. Oh, that person should be tarred.
Susan, I'm dumbstruck how someone could criticize a patriotic theme?
Bryant, Hey, I'm okay with folks being bland -- just don't try and enforce your blandness on the rest of us. I'm okay that politics and religion and sex makes folks nervous or skittish. Just don't let your anxiety dictate to another what to write.
I cannot -- under the pain of death -- watch surgical shows and plastic surgery. Should I then attempt to rail against the folks that do enjoy that content?
Besides, I don't think there's much money in bland. Not in my market. Folks critique us on our salesmanship. Bland ain't gonna get the biscuit.
Patricia, Life is tragically too short to be told waht to wear, what to sing, what to write. Some folks -- myself included -- aren't that important. Nor do they matter.
Erica, You are allowed to have fun AND you are allowed to defend your integrity and opinion.
Pamela, You are graciously welcome.
Jason Crouch, You are out on the front lines. I think you have this place wired for sound. Now, I could not blog like you because I know if I start blurring private to public "life" then I'll just ruin my marketing efforts. You can hold that balance.
Now I dug your WYSWIG post. It was truly creative. I referred to it here as "cool" -- meaning you took something we all see everyday and created an entirely new message. I was piggybacking on that with my acronym.
Andrew,
I was actually reading offline on my new little toy that I can't log in to AR on. I liked this post so much and saw that you had it in the newbie group, so I came back to my pc to feature it there. It still shows that it's in there(the newbie group) but it's not. There has been some problems when a post gets featured by AR it dissappears from the newbie group, anyway, I "hope" that is what happened and this did not get removed by one of my moderators:) Would you mind doing the edit and placing it back in the newbie group thing?
As for this post, I did not read all the comments, but I would tend to agree with Debe Maxwells' reply.
The problem, as I see it, is we spend hours reading here and elsewhere, and a lot of the posts are about lawsuits. Also, I have seen people turn against each other for many different reasons, and so have others, which is why so many have become milquetoast, out of fear of rejection, recrimination, etc. When people get "too" personal, 100 posts go up about being too transparent. When all they do is Localism, 100 posts go up about not showing their personality.
I think it's not easy for many people to show their "true" selves, and not everyone has your gift of writing to be able to so clearly express what you want to convey.
While I totally agree with the concept of what you are trying to say, it's not neccesarily a black and white issue.
BTW, I have not decided who I am voting for in the Presidential election. I have been paying attention, perhaps more than most, but still do not have a clear choice.
As for religion (I read some of the comments:), I feel everyone is entitled to practice or not practice whatever they like, but do not try to stuff it down my throat. That does not mean I would object to people writing about what they believe in as long as they don't get dogmatic about it. Okay, nuff said, nice post:)
Christine, Oh don't look back there. ;)
TLW, Load the shotgun. You're going Vanilla Ice on us.
Karen, Let's just nuke my blog and post your line ... I suppose if I'm true to my writing, they will like what they see anyway.
Lizette, Be careful with that blonding. The stuff is like steriods.
Lisa, Again, you present both -- the subjective and objective of your area. Folks should start hiring you to write their Localism blogs. I'd say you, Neal Bloom, Woohoo Sally have aced that niche here.
Bukaty, Back to Localism blogs, back to the mines before the canary kicks over.
Melina, I'm the pinata. Why do I think your stick has a few rusted roofing nails protruding from the top?
blanding, rather than branding. You gotta love it. Right on on this one, Andrew.
Andrew,
I am brand new to both AR and the Real Estate business, but the one reason I am here is because two years ago while searching for a house we found a "Real" Realtor, Debra A. Brooks. She was not afraid to be herself, as a result I have gotten my license and gone to work with her. So I guess my point is never ever giveup on being yourself you never know how much it is really appreciated, by both the consumers and your fellow Realtors.
Andrew...good post...and judging by the comments, less than 1/100 of the population of AR agrees with you.
If we Analise that further, we would see that most of the ones who agree the most are the ones who consistently are the most expressive of their own views. As a fairly expressive person myself, I wonder am I being bland by agreeing with all of these like minded folks.
I do notice that as I write more for me, about what I am dealing with in my growth as a person and in the Real Estate business, the less comments I tend to get. But I do notice my views are staying about the same. My journey down the path less traveled into dealing with investors and foreclosures apparently is not the feel good fodder of featured posts. It seems to be less politically correct than stories on how to insert graphics or 10 steps to a successful listing. Nonetheless, literally thousands of homes in my area are entangled in this dilemma, and I have chosen to become heavily involved. EVERY home on the list carries an individual story; an unfolding human drama that tends to start in dozens of ways and always ends with" and then we just could not make the payment anymore.
I think often and hard about my choices to write posts concerning young mothers and children being evicted. I have seen this happen often as I work in this area, sometimes visiting 10-15 homes a day to make evaluations. To my defense, I feel I may have opened some agents eyes to the reality of what is going on, and maybe provided a bit of insight so that more of us might be able to help someone in this situation get help sooner, while there are options.
The Real Estate business involves the buying and selling of property. Many times the reasons for a home becoming vacant are very emotional, and we as agents have a very human responsibility to interact in these dramas. To not write about how we are affected, and how we can affect the lives of others would not serve the better interest of this forum.
As a new member of Active Rain nearly a year ago, I was attracted to the wealth of realistic posts from actual agents and related business that wrote about the industry we all work in. I was enthralled with the depth of knowledge that this forum had to share, and spent hours reading back posts from some of my favorite contributors. That is what Active Rain has meant to me. It's in your face and by the moment, just like I like it. In fact, it was just what many of us needed.
Keep on writing Andrew, and so will I. What you contribute here is not only good for your soul, but it provides inspiration for countless others as well...C-ya dude
Andrew
I love your blog, it tells it the way it is. You hold no punches and I like that. Keep blogging and I'll keep reading.
Yeah, baby! Loved this post...I'm subscribing to your blog right now. And if I ever did need a Realtor, it would be someone like you. Excellent writing skills, knowledgeable, great sense of humor, sharp - I got all of that from reading your post. Thanks for not being bland!
Darn...hope my birdie poem wasn't related to pornography...hey, but it's almost spring isn't it? I'm a little late here...but hey.....life and circumstances ya know....glad I read this....i do loooove real.
Funny thing is that the more everyone gets complacent with their writings and trying to sugar coat everything in the industry the more murky our waters and reputations get. Real Estate agents get a bad rep from those in the industry who sugar coat situations, homes, conditions and their emotions. Life is not all lollipops and roses so why should we as an industry put up with the public perception of who we are. Stand up and be heard, tell your clients a true professional opinion, if the home is not good for them be sure not to try and wedge them into it because little Johnny's tuition is due. Do the right thing and you will continue to prosper, the truth will set you free! Great Post!