Ok, so I am the first to admit, I am the neophyte, or “David” in this nebulous area know as the REnet Blogsphere. I have been at this for under a year and the “Goliath” as represented by Bloodhound Blog, has been at it far longer, has way more visitors/readers, and is a serious “Cash Cow” for it’s originators.
That being said, here goes…I apologize in advance for making you jump from post to post to follow along, but in an effort to keep this post from getting waaaaayyyy too long, I felt it flowed best…
It all began with this post….
http://sandiegohomeblog.com/2008/04/10/redfin-wants-you-to-feel-special/by Kris Berg, a well respected Realtor out of San Diego…
It prompted this response…
http://blog.redfin.com/sandiego/2008/04/barbie_takes_a_bite_again.html by Carol Hian, a contributing Blogger and reresentative of Redfin Real Estate. Note the retraction inserted after the fact by Redfin’s CEO, Glenn Kelman. He also commented on the blog post within minutes of it’s being posted, as you will see in the MANY comments at the end of the post.
It not only led to her dismissal…
But it ignited a firestorm of Blog responses, one from me!
Here are a couple of others….
http://www.phoenixrealestateguy.com/the-most-asinine-real-estate-blog-post-ever/913
http://realestatezebra.com/wanna-know-how-you-can-do-irrevocable-damage-to-your-brand-and-your-reputation, there were many more, but these are 2 examples from some pretty good Bloggers.
Ok, so Redfin, through Glenn Kelmen issues an apology, they write a retraction, and dismiss the Blogger, Ms. Hian. End of story, right??? wrong!
Along comes “Goliath”…
(Blood Hound Blog, affectionately called BHB in the Blogsphere) with this post by Barry Cunningham…http://www.bloodhoundrealty.com/BloodhoundBlog/?p=3011…ok, this guy is an excellent writer, articulate, and quite witty, there I said it! Now bring your attention to the end of Barry’s post where he “affectionately” refers to Kris Berg (remember, she started all this) as a “Google Pandering Ho”!!???
Now after talking to some others in the space, who have been around a while, I have come to understand that BHB and Barry have become the “Goliath” they have through the “Hearstonian” tradition of “yellow journalism/bloggalism”.
It does however, raise some questions…1) Is it ok to gain popularity and ultimately financial success through a practice of “Bashing” or “Trashing” in the tradition of The National Enquirer for instance? 2) What does it say of us in the Real Estate space, or us as a people in general when we casually accept the term “HO” as a playful expression of friendliness? 3) What are we really doing in the Blogsphere, or better yet at BHB, when we stop providing information as a service to Realtors, Consumers, and Vendors and become the National Enquirer of Real Estate Blogs?
Do I know what I am opening myself up for here? Yup! Just thought it needed to be discussed.
The word “HO” just didn’t sit well with me. I have a daughter, and no matter how cute and friendly someone thought they were being, if they called her that I would be angry! period!
Hope this stimulates some good discussions amongst you all.
The Coach
15 comments
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April 25, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Real Estate Blogs : REBlogGirl
Thick skins everyone. Being controversial is what gets you noticed, loved, hated and followed. Barry is a marketer - he is using emotionally charged language to incite reaction. It’s simple advertising psychology. I can’t fault him for it- I do it all the time and it works. I think Kris and Steve are great people and what they did with the food drive is amazing. I also believe that Glen Kelman was incredibly swift and decisive in his firing of the woman in question and I commend him for it.
Now, in the SEO world- Google Pandering Ho is not the worst you can be called:
A habitual linker is called a Link Whore
A professional link baiter is called a Masterbaiter
Those are the actual industry terms, so to me Google Pandering Ho seems like a compliment or a professional title I might consider putting on my next business card.
On a side note- Knowing Barry, I believe it to be a compliment - Barry himself would probably be honored to be called a Google Pandering Pimp
April 25, 2008 at 10:36 pm
therealestatecoach
I hear you loud and clear REBlogGirl, but has it really come to that? Are we really ok with the term “Ho” and the others you mentioned? isn’t it hard enough to raise kids in this sex-charged, profane Rap world? I just don’t know if that’s ok?? thanks for the comment though!
April 25, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Bonnie Erickson
As for me . . . I prefer less notice and the high road. Maybe I’ll not make as much money as the controversial name caller, but my conscience will be clear! Ratings and money are not worth losing your integrity . . . ever! It’s bad enough that plumbing parts have male and female connectors without having to bring lewd name calling into the professional blog world as well.
April 26, 2008 at 12:40 am
Barry Cunningham
Hello, and thanks for the compliment. Yes, indeed the statement you refer to is a testament o those who bow to the altar of SEO…that is why we blog isn’t it??? I mean you wanted to make sure people actually saw this right? Of course you did! Otherwise you could have sent some friends an email.
By the way, in the story, you will see that I did not coin the term and I have to give a h/t to Kevin Tomlinson. You may want to read the link in the story to understand, but unfortunately I can not claim credit.
As for your questions..let me answer below:
1) Is it ok to gain popularity and ultimately financial success through a practice of “Bashing” or “Trashing” in the tradition of The National Enquirer for instance?
Answer….Unlike the National Enquirer, every single article we have written was based in cold hard fact and carries links to the source. No rumor or innuendo. Bashing in Realtorspeak has often been a synonym for “telling the truth or exposing something a lot of Realtors are uncomfortable with”. But you can label it what you see fit to.
2) What does it say of us in the Real Estate space, or us as a people in general when we casually accept the term “HO” as a playful expression of friendliness?
C’mon…like I said ..I did not coin the term but again…are we not indeed pandering? Are we not leveraging ourselves for Google blessings? Slang and colloquialisms have been a part of the American vernacular forever.
3) What are we really doing in the Blogsphere, or better yet at BHB, when we stop providing information as a service to Realtors, Consumers, and Vendors and become the National Enquirer of Real Estate Blogs?
Not sure what you mean…plenty of consumers and agents are obtaining valuable information from our articles and radio show…by the way..have you ever listened to our show..ever?? It’s the veritable who’s who of real estate and business.
Maybe, before you write such articles, you might want to do a little homework. Otherwise you become what you seem to detest…The National Enquirer. Bu don’t sweat it, I appreciate your mention and along with that I guess we can dub you the newest, Google Pandering Ho.
Welcome to the club! Don’t worry..membership has it’s privileges, as you can plainly see below:
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGIH_enUS244US244&q=In+the+world+of+Real+Estate+Blogs%2c+this+would+be+David+vs+Goliath
As for your kids….are they reading real estate blogs?
April 26, 2008 at 12:52 am
Jim Walberg
OK, my view of blogging is from a sense of great responsibility as a writer. The way I define blogging is, “A citizen journalist writing about things they are noticing.” This is a very important definition for me and it is my guide as to what is posted on my two blog sites. Having a derogitory comment said about ANYONE who is not in your presence is not acceptable to me. I also have a daughter, and if someone referred to her in any manner as a “HO”, I would be in front of the person very quickly in order to determine why he would make such a comment. If it was discovered that he had used that name in referring to my daughter in some off handed manner, I require an immediately apology to my daughter. So, when someone is playing in the Blogisphere it needs to be done with great responsibility and respect. There you have it…
April 26, 2008 at 1:23 am
realestateradiousa
Dude…you deleted my comment? Please tell me you did not do that?
April 26, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Missy Caulk
I read it and followed it all, I actually don’t like anyone anywhere bashing. I know what Mary is saying but it justs not me. I stay away from controversersy. Life is too short.
April 26, 2008 at 5:10 pm
therealestatecoach
@Bonnie - I appreciate your comment. We are on the same page. It is however a topic that seems to have 2 sides, even though I would not have thought so. See Barry’s comments.
April 26, 2008 at 5:35 pm
therealestatecoach
@ Barry Cunningham - Thanks for responding, I know you did not have to do that. Now to respond to your comments…
…”those who bow to the altar of SEO…that is why we Blog isn’t it??? I mean you wanted to make sure people actually saw this right? Of course you did! Otherwise you could have sent some friends an email.”
That’s an assumption on your part. There are plenty of Bloggers who Blog as a service, though Google position is a goal, it is not used as an excuse to be “rude”.
…”By the way, in the story, you will see that I did not coin the term and I have to give a h/t to Kevin Tomlinson. You may want to read the link in the story to understand, but unfortunately I can not claim credit.”
You are speaking as if you are “proud” in some way of the term and/or Kevin for having “coined” it?? This is where it all goes south! I know for a fact that Kris Berg was offended by the comment. Is that ok with you (or Kevin)? Where is the morals and values I am sure your parents instilled in you? Come on, put down the “tough guy Blogger name tag for just a moment, you hurt someone’s feelings by calling them a Google Pandering HO”! That was wrong. Apologize to Kris and we can all move on. Your talented, continue to use those talents, and even do the “bashing & trashing” thing, I’m actually ashamed to admit it but some Agents I know that read your stuff say they can’t help but read it “it’s like driving by a car accident, you know it’s wrong to look, but you can’t help it” Just don’t offend people, that’s all! (That takes care of your comment on #1 above)
…”C’mon…like I said ..I did not coin the term but again…are we not indeed pandering? Are we not leveraging ourselves for Google blessings? Slang and colloquialisms have been a part of the American vernacular forever.”
No Barry, wrong is wrong. As I said above, you hurt someone.
… “Not sure what you mean…plenty of consumers and agents are obtaining valuable information from our articles and radio show…by the way..have you ever listened to our show..ever?? It’s the veritable who’s who of real estate and business.”
Not sure if you are “deflecting here, or missed my point, but I do not question your abilities or the Blogs ability to bring info to the people who read it. Your arrogance and narcissism is keeping you from just admitting that the comment was wrong! That’s all I am saying. I think even your own mom would tell you, Barry you should apologize to Kris for hurting her feelings, that’s all!
In closing Barry, you are a good writer and I am sure that in your heart you are a good dude. Just stop for a second and decide if the pursuit of the all-mighty Google positioning is worth compromising your core values, or hurting someone’s feelings. I think you will agree that it was wrong!
Best of Luck, The Coach
April 26, 2008 at 5:37 pm
therealestatecoach
@ Jim Walberg - Jim, thank you for the comment! I feel the same way about my daughter, weather she “reads Real Estate Blogs” or not!
April 26, 2008 at 5:38 pm
therealestatecoach
@realestateradiousa - Dude! I do not erase comments! perhaps you are mistaken. Try again please? I welcome all views.
April 26, 2008 at 5:40 pm
therealestatecoach
@MissyCaulk - Thank you for your comment. I appreciate your position, I do not normally “Stoke the fire” of controversy either, however in this case I saw a clear need to make a case for the word “Ho” not becoming an acceptable term in the Blogsphere. I just don’t agree with that on any level. Thanks again, see you on Twitter!
April 27, 2008 at 3:43 am
Brian Brady
Barry made an excellent point in that post. While I agree that Ms. Hian was tasteless in her criticism of Mrs. Berg, nobody really worried about her right to be tasteless. In fact, the “gang” came along and slaughtered her for speaking out against one of their own.
Had you or I been the “perpetrator”, the outcry would have been far quieter.
“I have been at this for under a year and the “Goliath” as represented by Bloodhound Blog, has been at it far longer”
Bloodhound Blog has been a group site for about 18 months- we ain’t a Goliath! In fact, Barry’s been blogging for less than six months. What we lack in longevity we make up for in quality
April 27, 2008 at 4:55 pm
therealestatecoach
@Brian Brady - Brian, thanks for your comments. I actually agree with some of the points you (and Barry) have made regarding the “gang” (I prefer sphere). It was a poor choice for Carol because Kris’s sphere is so active in the Blogsphere.
However, my point of contention has always been the phrase “Google pandering Ho” and weather or not it is appropriate to use when you do not know the individual, or even when you do?
Trust me when I say, BHB is a “Goliath” in the Blogsphere, and congrats for being a part of it. I am asserting that even if you are the “Industry Leader” you have certain obligations to remain professional. Kris Berg was offended by the comment and I think Barry should appologize. Greg Swan, your fearless leader has chosen to “BAN” me from any comments on BHB. To me that seems cowardly and hypocritical, considering his assertion that BHB only says what’s true.
I have been invited by Barry to debate this topic on his radio show next week, and I welcome that opportunity.
Thanks again for the comment. Rest assured no member of the BHB family will ever be “BANNED” from commenting on my blog. I hold that value in high regard.
The Coach
April 28, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Thomas E
I think the most important thing in this discussion that isn’t being mentioned is the motivation to blog about Real Estate is, at least partially, to drive business to your real estate services.
To use such terminology that might be appropriate in a friendly situation with total strangers, people who might not be internet hip, would be a grave mistake. To discuss things with an etiquette means that you would employ the same etiquette and sensativity to your business in the real world, something which potential clients would appreciate.
The blog is merely your resume’ and an advertisement for your services. Negativity could easily be off-putting.