"Singing in the Rain!"

In his book, "Purple Cow," Seth Godin makes the following statement:

"People are getting harder to reach by 'permission' marketing. Just because you have someone's e-mail address or phone number doesn't mean they want to hear from you."

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As real estate professionals, we pride ourselves on our savvy marketing skills. We have systems in place. Our database overflows with our prized SOI. Our cleverly conceived plan regularly orchestrates the distribution of newsletters and birthday cards like clockwork. The calendars are ordered and mailed out with precision. Want a refrigerator magnet? I've got 'em. The season schedule for the Mariners or Seahawks? No problem. Anything to get our name, brand, slogan, and message out to the masses!

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Consider for just a minute, the virtual avalanche of e-mails you receive each day. Now fortunately, most of us have SPAM filters, so a lot of it never passes our view. But still, even if you're considered an average producer, your in-box fills up daily, right?

How many of those e-mails do you actually read? Seriously, how many times do you simply check the box for 'delete' and send it off to the trash heap? And, for the most part, these are e-mails from others to whom we have granted permission to e-mail us, right?

But we're not listening.... Why not?... We've given them permission, haven't we? Aren't we obligated to listen?

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Obtaining permission never guarantees your message will be received. You've worked hard to garner the trust and 'permission' of those on your list. You're no longer 'interrupting' them like the masses of marketing lemmings to the sea. But even though you have 'permission, the message is still falling on deaf ears. Your message/product/services need to be different. Distinguishable. Unique.

In the words of Seth Godin, 'REMARKABLE.'

The challenge before us all is this, in a industry of such marketing duplicity, how do we become 'REMARKABLE?'

(For Your listening pleasure while you read,... Billy Joel's "A Matter of Trust")

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When you joined ActiveRain, do you remember clicking on a little box where you agreed to abide by the Community Guidelines?

(Are you kidding? No one ever actually READS that stuff, do they?)

This is a continuation in a series of articles that will walk us through the ActiveRain Community Guidelines, and help us to have a better grasp on how to live them out in a practical sense.

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Respect the ActiveRain Community

Being a part of any community requires a certain level of trust. Don't abuse the site or your fellow members. By joining the ActiveRain community you are given a platform to present your ideas and opinions to a large number of people. We trust you to be responsible with that platform; thousands of other ActiveRain members are also counting on your trustworthiness.

Here's Websters on Trust: "an assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone."

Trust allows us to be transparent. Trust encourages vulnerability. Trust removes the fear of judgement. Trust provides a safety net of mutual respect, care, and concern.

Trust isn't something easily bestowed. It takes time and effort to develop. It has to be earned. Trust normally takes a long time to cultivate, but can be lost in an instant.

When you elect to participate on this Network, we are relying on your professionalism. Strong, solid ethical practices permeate our industry. We are governed by them, and sworn to abide by them. Those ideals should translate over to our involvement here on ActiveRain.

Can You be trusted? Can we, as a community, count on your trustworthiness? Will your character and integrity be revealed in your writing? Will your words and comments convey strength and truth?

Being a Member of ActiveRain isn't simply a means of gaining more business,...it's a "Matter of Trust!"

One of the new features here on ActiveRain is 'Disabled Comments,' the ability of the blog author to 'disable' any commenting on their post.

"Comments have been disabled by the author"

I've encountered a couple of these 'disabled' articles recently. In both instances, the writing was excellent! It accomplished all that good, quality blog content should. It was thought-provoking and stimulating. The words engaged my mind, challenged my thinking, questioned my convictions/views.

It evoked within me a need to respond, to contribute in some small way; to complete the circle of conversational blogging....

And then,....the train wreck!....

"Comments have been disabled by the author"

Excuse me??? This is the US of A we're talking about here! Freedom of Speech, Apple Pie, and Wrigley Field!

Wasn't the whole purpose of blogging to create a dialogue? To attract your reader in such a way as to illicit their involvement through comments? Establishing meaningful, relevant connections?

Unfortunately, I can't respond. I've been silenced. My voice isn't wanted, needed, valued.

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Update:  I just encountered yet another post this evening that had nearly 30 comments and some very lively discussion, and the author simply decided to 'Shut it Down!' Please know that while I don't necessarily agree with this feature, I respect people's right to employ it.