Opinion Editorials
Why I Write for AG
Recently, there’s been a bit of bickering going on in the real estate blogosphere and there’s been some blanket statements made about AgentGenius contributors. It got me to thinking about why I do this (usually) once a week.
- The pay sucks, I still haven’t seen a check.
- Benn & Lani only live in the 10th Greenest City in the country as opposed to me living in the 1st, so in a way, they’re also killing me 🙂
- It’s not to try out the latest version of WordPress (2.7’s been out for 2 weeks 🙂 )
- I’m not a real estate agent, lending professional, appraiser, inspector, home stager or even working a day job in the real estate industry anymore. But I am fascinated by the inner workings of it, so I will always be involved one way or another.
- Per point one above, our recent contributor prize pack really won’t benefit me too much. I also received no letter or email from Benn saying that in order to receive said gifts, I had to write a glowing review. I’m here to talk about technology and consumers, so (time permitting), I plan on writing some honest reviews of these services, but not here since they’ve all been talked about already.
- I have received no extra speaking gigs, business or Nobel nominations as a result of writing here. I do it because the people who comment here are nice, thoughtful and grateful for the information.
- Some of the contributors live in states I could never live in and voted opposite me in the elections, but every single one of them I have met or had a single direct message on Twitter with have been genuinely nice, friendly people. And it’s been a really rough year for me, so AG has been a great support group.
- I get a ton of traffic to my site via AG. Just slightly less than 1% of it, to be exact.
- Benn and Lani have a passion for AG. Whatever their underlying motives may be, I don’t care because all that comes out is they want to have a great, high quality, informative site with excellent contributors and community members.
And here’s my number one reason for writing here:
I was asked.
I must give off a bad vibe to people since I’ve been turned down for so many jobs I’m easily qualified for, but every job I’ve had I have blown everyone away. For me, I just need to be given the chance. So I was honored and excited that Lani had noticed me and was willing to take the risk with me. Hopefully I’ve lived up to the expectations.
So for anyone who thinks AG contributors are here for fame, glory, money or free stuff from vendors, you couldn’t be more wrong.
Have a safe and happy holiday.
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Remote work has been rising in popularity in the past several years. Especially following the COVID-19 global pandemic, more companies saw significant benefits for both their business and their staff that went beyond the realm of finances by allowing remote labor.
Less happily, many people lost their job during the pandemic, but they ended up having more time to put toward their passions or were compelled to get creative with their remote business ideas to ensure a consistent stream of income.
If you remain on the fence about allowing your employees to work remotely, or are considering a career shift yourself, take a look at the top four benefits of working remotely, which may sway your decision.
Better Overall Quality of Life
Allowing your employees to work remotely doesn’t necessarily mean they work from home full time. There are benefits to having your employees work in an office part of the time – say, two or three days – and working from home, in more familiar surroundings, the rest of the week.
In this way, your workers enjoy some freedom and independence while retaining the ability to interact face-to-face with their peers. That provides human interaction, which can play a substantial role in terms of improved mental health for your staff.
Happy employees means healthier employees, which can save your outfit money in the form of healthcare costs and lost productivity. But we will get further into the cost-saving benefits a little further on.
If you’re a remote worker, you should see yourself becoming significantly more productive. But why would this be the case if you don’t have a manager over your shoulder watching your every move?
It’s true that when employees have a greater sense of independence, they also experience a significant sense of trust on the part of their employers and managers. This is one of the huge benefits of working remotely because it has a trickle-down effect on the quality and overall production of people’s work.
Can Work Anywhere with Internet
Whether you are a small business owner or have crafted your work to tailor toward a life of remote labor, this is an opportunity for someone who has dreamed of being a digital nomad. You have the ability to work anywhere in the world as long as you have access to the Internet. If you love to travel, this is a chance to spend time in various places around the globe while continuing to meet your deadlines.
Set Your Own Hours
In some cases with remote businesses, you have the freedom to set your own hours. Content writers, for instance, tend to enjoy more flexibility with regard to when they work because a lot of what they produce is project-based rather than tied to a nine-to-five schedule.
When you’re a business owner, this can be incredibly useful when you outsource tasks to save money. You can find a higher quality of performance by searching for contractors anywhere in the world and it doesn’t limit you to workers who live near to your office.
Saves Everyone Time and Money
In the end, remote work typically saves money for every person and entity involved. Businesses save costs in terms of not having to pay for a physical space, utilities, Internet, and other expenses. This allows you, as the owner, to spend more of your income on providing quality software and benefits for your employees so your operation runs more smoothly and efficiently.
According to FlexJobs, employees or remote business owners may save around $4,000 on average every year for expenses such as car maintenance, transportation, professional clothing in the office, or even money spent dining out for lunch with coworkers. Eventually, the costs add up, which means extra money in your pocket to take that much-needed vacation or save up for a down payment on your first home.
These benefits of working remotely only skim the surface. There are also sustainability factors such as removing cars from the roads and streets, because people don’t have to travel to and from an office; or employees missing fewer workdays since they have the ability and freedom to clock in from home.
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Ken Brand
December 25, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Cheers in 2009 Nick – you keep keep’n ON, it’s like smack’n that boulder with a sledge hammer – nothing except sore shoulders and sweat stung eyes….then suddenly – it cracks wide open.
As an AG writer you might not be paid in fame, glory and money, but I’m certain you’re paving a path to your personal definition of success.
Amen – Rock ON!
Mike Mueller
December 25, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Nicely said Nick!
Let me say that I certainly appreciate your contributions here as well as the contributions from the other writers.
Special thanks to Benn and Lani for providing the forum.
Marc
December 25, 2008 at 6:24 pm
Always a pleasure to read you Nick as well as everyone else here who appears to me to wake each morning on the bright side of the bed and interested in helping, teaching and working with everyone in this business albeit fellow agents coaches, brokers, other writers and even vendors.
Benn and Lani build a nice place here, full of good vibes and all. It is much appreciated I’m sure by those who actively contribute but equally as appreciated by those like me who read it faithfully.
Chris Griffith
December 25, 2008 at 7:20 pm
I just did something similar on my blog about the whiners with green eyes. Crap, I’m not even writing here and people are pished at me. lol
There seems to always be someone mad about what other people do or what they have.
Water off a duck, Nick.
Matt Stigliano
December 26, 2008 at 8:44 am
Nick – I think most of the writers would echo your sentiment. I write because I was asked. It was a honor for me as such a new agent, but I love doing it. Let people say what they want, its the internet and people always will. I know why I come here and read/comment/write. I don’t need to worry about why others wouldn’t. Through AG I’ve met some great people who have really helped me as I begin my career and pushed me to learn more and do more. Say what you want about AG, but that’s reason enough to show up.
Jay Thompson
December 26, 2008 at 9:06 am
Bravo!!!
Erion Shehaj
December 26, 2008 at 11:55 am
There has always been and there will always be haters on the way to perpetual success. So I guess the bickering is a welcome sign.
Get … that … dirt off your shoulders 🙂
Jim Gatos
December 26, 2008 at 6:07 pm
It’s just soooo sad….
I’m not getting into it except to say it’s really sad to see upset feelings and such. I also think Russell Shaw is “under-utilized” in real estate. The man should be a TV or Movie Comedy Writer LOL…
Take care…
Missy Caulk
December 26, 2008 at 8:35 pm
…I write here because I was invited and I love it and the other writers. Period.
I’m sure you wouldn’t choose to live in Michigan with our cold, snowy winters, but it was great to meet you in S.F. and Ann Arbor is a really great city to live and talk about.
Ines
December 27, 2008 at 1:45 am
Nick….you are DA MAN!! I love being here and feel honored to be surrounded by such great people.
Lisa Sanderson
December 27, 2008 at 9:27 am
I think I missed something-guess I need to wade through my feedreader to see what’s been going on. Unless someone wants to link me up….
Marc
December 27, 2008 at 11:50 am
It’s simple really, there are some seriously unstable folks in this business that enjoy attacking others who don’t quite into their model of perfection. And so they take it upon themselves to point out the flaws in others. AG was honored with their latest throw down.
The really sad thing this is how much glass their own house is made of.
Bottom line is, AG has it own culture and there is no rule that says it has to ever fit into anyone else’s mold but it’s own.
I read the works of AG writers and find this destination to be the one of choice in getting access to the pulse of the agent community along with the positive vibe it breeds.
Jim Gatos
December 27, 2008 at 12:36 pm
When is this going to end?
I can’t say I blame Greg 100%, but I think he went WAY WAY WAY too far with the name calling. His business I guess..
Who’s right? Well, let’s just say I don’t think you’re all a bunch of sell outs, but I AM going to be a little “dubious” of some of the “positive glowing” posts I read here. I said some, NOT all. Latest example, the one about Postlets. Are they going to be a paid advertiser soon? Seems like that’s what it’s leading to..
If they are, then maybe you folks could create at least a new category, like “Paid Advertiser Shill Review”…
I sincerely hope I don’t want to get anyone mad at me, but remember, please. I am a frequent commenter on Agent Genius. I am simply Mr. Joe Q Public Realtor…
I’ve read ALL the comments “over there”.. I think some folks have made their point against Greg too. I don’t think anyone’s right or wrong.
Benn Rosales
December 27, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Jim, I appreciate your comment, and this is the very last time I will speak on this subject publicly, especially in this thread.
We have reviewed, tutorialized, and suggested 100s of products in the past year, and I have ignored 1000s. Our writers at Ag cannot endorse anything for Ag, we do not speak for them, and they do not speak for us. Further, if a post is paid, it will say so- period.
No entity can or will ever advertise on Ag w/o a review and every review has cons to it when reviewd. We’ve always believed that cons allow a company to demonstrate its customer service side and its willingness to grow.
The products offered to our contributors are approved vendors, and you’re damn right I recommend them. Find me a product to date that out does what they do for the real estate community and I’ll be happy to review them- it’s what I do.
The controversy spun by the ill is just that- an illusion. How often do you see an Ag contributor spinning hatred on Ag or in the sphere? Never. It again is not what we do. The idea that any site has nothing to gain by randomly attacking another for traffic and righteousness is ridiculous- we simply do not participate, nor do we play the game of victimizing companies offering products and services.
You are not simply mr joe q realtor when you engage in the types of activities that have gone on as of late- I hold you responsible for what you say, there is no double standard to be laid out for anyone attempting to damage or harm us.
Our policy for reviews has been in our footer for the better part of the past year, if you really want to know our policy, I invite you to read them.
Marc
December 27, 2008 at 3:29 pm
I don’t buy it Jim. Who appointed Greg, or you, or anyone the guardian of what’s right or wrong in the blog world? And why, in god’s green earth, are writers and editors from one blog even commenting on or judging the writers and editors of another?
This whole thing is sickening.
This would be unheard of in the newspaper world. Editors from competing papers don’t take to raking each other over the coals nor do their litter of writers ever gang up on colleagues from another.
What happened this past week, which came just days after a scud of an editorial was launched on Brad Inman – a man who single handedly invented online real estate journalism and in my mind, brought technology to the forefront real estate years before it ever would have if left on its own to discover.
The pattern there is so evident.
There is so much wrong about what has been perpetuated here against AG especially considering it how it all began Christmas eve knowing full well that incriminations like this would only serve to upset so many good people during such an hallowed holiday.Is nothing sacred anymore?
This attack was cold. It was calculated. And it reeks of the same stench that continue to waft in from the cage out back behind the real estate house.
Marc
December 27, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Recommended reading – This wonderful blog post from Tony, the CEO of Zappos.
https://blogs.zappos.com/blogs/ceo-and-coo-blog/2008/12/27/everything-i-know-about-business-i-learned-from-poker
Lisa Sanderson
December 27, 2008 at 3:48 pm
There is never a good time for cheap n easy potshots but I agree that the timing of this one couldn’t be worse. (Yes, I found the offending post, unfortunately)
The power of our words is great, and I feel fortunate to be associated with a group of writers here on AG that know that and who take that responsibility to heart. The ‘good vibes’ mentioned by a previous commenter make this place a pleasure to hang around. Let’s not ever forget that.
Jim Gatos
December 28, 2008 at 12:43 am
Benn..
>>You are not simply mr joe q realtor when you engage in the types of activities that have gone on as of late- I hold you responsible for what you say…
I hope you’re not accusing me of anything malicious. If you saw my other posts at the “other place”, I implored with Greg to apologize to you. Even though I can see his point of view to some extent, I want you to know I NEVER thought it would get THIS ugly. There are much nicer, diplomatic, and politer ways to say a viewpoint. I was sincerely hoping BOTH OF YOU would meet each other halfway. I can also see your point of view, but I am NOT going to flip flop and take your side 100%, neither Greg’s. Perhaps it was a misunderstanding on Greg’s part, in the beginning, or so I thought. Perhaps he should talk to you in private. I don’t have a bone to pick with you, nor Greg. I respect BOTH blogs and I said that there and I’m saying it here. I thought it was a horrible thing that took place. Am I upset? Not really. I was told I am a “sweet & gentle man” but he wanted to handle things HIS way. I have to respect that.
So, I’m sorry I was backstabbing you if that’s what you thought, ’cause I’m not. As Marc says, “Editors from competing papers don’t take to raking each other over the coals”, yes, that may be so, and you know what? I wouldn’t do that myself. That’s how Greg wanted to do it, that’s how it is. I may have made a mistake in attempting a “polite” way to handle things. Now I see if someone wants to act a certain way, they probably will, no matter what, whether it be you or Greg…
Marc
December 28, 2008 at 11:50 pm
I also said, writers don’t chime in on the attack either and felt that way as a result of the BHB peanut gallery that chimed in behind Greg’s original post.
But regardless, a real man, a man of integrity, a man with soul, would have picked up the phone, called his colleague and brought whatever concerns he had about this affair to them privately because doing this publicly crossed all boundaries of decency, sport and competition.
This has nothing to do with transparency or being morally convicted to wearing your heart on the sleeve of the Internet. This was ruthless and calculated and I for one have no respect for anyone that dives that low.
Nick Bostic
December 29, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Whew! Take a few days off the computer and look what happens 🙂
@Ken – I definitely agree, if I felt I got nothing out of this, I wouldn’t be here for sure. It’s fun, it’s a great group and I’m looking forward to the day the boulder cracks!
@Mike – Thank you much, Benn and Lani are definitely great hosts.
@Marc –
@Chris – Being in Oregon, I have to be a duck!
@Matt – I definitely am not concerned so much with what others think, it was honestly a bit more of a reflection shared publicly 🙂
@Jay – Thankya much sir!
@Erion – Dirt is officially brushed off, thanks!
@Jim – I can honestly say I had no hurt feelings at all, it was a bit more shock at the complete lack of understanding from the attacker. I agree about Russell too though.
@Missy – Cold snowy winters? I had a week and it was enough 🙂 I’ll come visit someday though. It was great getting to meet you in SF too!
@Ines – Thank you much, send some of that Miami heat my way though!
@Marc – “there is no rule that says it has to ever fit into anyone else’s mold but it’s own” – I couldn’t agree more. Your business has one mold, Inman another, AG another, etc. There’s room for more than one idea out here.
@Benn – exactly the same rules/guidelines you set forth when I joined and I still agree with them 110%, otherwise I wouldn’t be here! Thanks again for the venue.
@Lisa – I love the “good vibes” around here, even when people are complaining about something, they get it out in a lighthearted, fun way. Again, part of why I’m here.
And without further ado, I am quite done with this! I can see some people got far more stressed out than I ever did over this and those of you who have met me know I’m one of the most laid back people around, so hopefully you all know I wasn’t trying to pick a fight. Again, thank you Benn and Lani for having assembled this great group and provided a wonderful venue to share our ideas and best practices.
Steve Simon
December 31, 2008 at 8:14 am
Well the wife is sick,I was sick, glad I missed most of this…
Vicki Moore
January 6, 2009 at 6:18 pm
I know what everyone needs – a good IRS Audit!! Nothing like it to change the attitude.