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Kathy Streib, ASP,IAHSP,RESA, DelrayBch -South Florida - 561-914-6224

On this Veteran's Day, I say "Thank You" and ask myself "Could I do it?"

As I say a very heartfelt THANK YOU to all Veterans who have or are serving, I ask myself: Could I do it?

This morning I posted in the Wordless Wednesday group but felt that was not enough. I still had a question.

Would I be able to give up my creature comforts and go to who knows where? Could I watch as my friends, peers and family members went on with their lives. . . finishing their education; beginning their careers; starting their families? Would I be able to take orders and follow through, no matter what?

Would I have been able to go forward, knowing that my next step might be the wrong one? Would I be willing to give up my life to protect my country, my family; my peers? Could I "press on" knowing that the odds were not in my favor?

Arlington Cemetary

Could I do it?

When we lived in Northern Virginia and visited every Civil War battlefield in the region, Our country's forefathers were heading into battle against fellow countrymen, former friends, and sometimes their own family members. I would stand there asking myself the same question:

Gettysburg

Could I do it?

On September 11, 2001 our country was put to the test. Many stepped up to the plate and continue to do so. Young men and women enlisted, answering the call to protect and serve their country.

Would I have done it?

I ask myself this often. I also look out at the generations behind me. .. Generation X and the Millennials or EchoBoomers. Could they do it?

More importantly, will they be able to do it?? So as you thank those who have served, dig down deep and ask yourself:

Could I do it?

World War II Memorial Veteran's Memorial Arlington Cemetary

ActiveRain, Facebook, Twitter, Outside Blog. . Hm-m-m oh,yes , I forgot. .. my Website!

Last week my new client told me she'd decided to call me because of what I'd said on my website. Smiling, I said, "And what was that?"

(Now in all honesty, as she said that, part of my brain was scrambling to try to remember what great marketing phrase or slogan I'd used. Would I be able to live up to what she said my website claimed? Think, I told myself. What could I have possibly said on my website that made her decide to Stage her home?)
Woman puzzled

Thankfully, she remembered.
"The investment in Staging is far less than your first Price Reduction"

How many of us have used that one?!? I mean it was one of the first mantras I learned from Barb Schwarz of StagedHomes.com. and it's true. I remembered one day I actually figured out what an average price reduction would be on say a $300,000 house. Even at a conservative 8-10%, well, trust me, Staging is less. But, I digress.

My point in all of this is I've been so focused on my ActiveRain, Twitter, and Facebook pages, my outside blog and downloading this, updating that, my Website has been left behind. Juggling Twitter, Facebook and socail media I designed that poor baby about 2 years ago; all by myself.

It's not the prettiest nor is it what I'd like it to be but it functions. Someday I may even pay to have it designed by a professional. But until then, I am the Webmaster. Google and the search engines would like me to update it often so they know I'm still alive. . . a viable entity. But, I'm over at ActiveRain most of my computer-marketing time. Don't misunderstand; I'm not blaming any of the Social Media tools.

It's not their fault that I spend more time with them. After all, Facebook, Twitter, and ActiveRain all talk back to me! There's an Interaction- an exchange of words. My Website just sits there. Visitors come and go but I wouldn't know it. I have no idea what they're thinking. (Yes, there are analytic tools but hey they still don't talk back to me).


Yet in so many cases, our "Point of Contact" IS our Website. I know; it's what I have on my business cards. (although, when I reorder this week, I may add my outside blog). When you fill out forms, you are asked for your Website. When you meet anyone, they want your website information.

Room Service Home Staging HomePage


So, this week, I'm going back to revisit my website. I'll change some of my pictures and decide what to re-do, reword or toss out. It will be my solitary time. . . no Comments to make, no Tweets, no Facebook Wall to tell me who's doing what.

What about you? When's the last time you checked out your Website? Do you know what it's saying?