Reputation management on the Internet can be extremely difficult, not only because you have to keep up with the conversations but also because there are some cruel and mean spirited people out there.
Last month a rumor came back to me that I had to take a job at a sporting goods store. Needless to say I was extremely offended but not for the reasons you may think. I am an architect and my husband is an accountant, if our real estate business was doing poorly, we would just fall back on our careers. But what happens to all those real estate professionals who have had to take other jobs? What about those agents that had to put their heads down and leave the industry to be able to support their families.
The mean spirit of the rumor went beyond hurting one single person (in this case me) – it spread to all those struggling professionals in real estate and other fields who in a time of need had to do something to make ends meet. In addition to that, the rumor belittles those that do work in retail, as if there was something wrong with that.
So for all those out there that are struggling and are doing something about it, I commend you. It’s better to be humble and take action than to sit around and feel sorry for yourself.
For originators of all malicious rumors…..in the words of Scarface (you have to say it with a heavy Tony Montana accent)
I bury those cockroaches!
For other great reputation management posts, please read:
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Google Alerts for Twitter
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Reputations Are Crucial
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Breaking the Golden Rule – Is It Worth It?
– by Lisa Sanderson
Ines is all Miami, all the time. A Miami Beach Realtor® with Majestic properties, Ines authors Miamism.com, PrimeMiamiBeach.com, and MiamismPix.com and is always on communication's leading edge. She goes out of her way to engage and be engaged, often using Mojitos to keep the mood light and give everything she does a Miami flavor. You can find her goofing off or instigating trouble at Twitter, Flickr, Facebook or LinkedIn.

Dennis
December 22, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I like it……
Monika
December 22, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Sometimes real estate is just like being back in high school with all the rumors going around. Pretty childish if you ask me.
Happy Holidays Ines.
Ines Hegedus-Garcia
December 22, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Hey Moni – Happy Holidays to you – we made a joke about it and I even offered my “made belief employee discount” on Twitter – but then it hit me that it went beyond me…..pretty hurtful.
The other Scarface quote was “say hello to my little friend”
Ken Brand
December 22, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Amen Sister – Rumor, innuendo, poop-stirring and schottenfreud are facts of life – sadly.
As you say, just because cock-ah-roaches and blowflies spread skank doesn’t mean “WE” have to listen or participate.
Fire Up the chainsaw and…..
Cheers in the new year.
Ines
December 22, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Dennis – 🙂
Ken – thanks for the laugh – Cheers to you as well!
Mariana Wagner
December 22, 2008 at 8:27 pm
Oh My! Why would anyone do something so childish? Is it jealousy?
Melina Tomson
December 22, 2008 at 9:50 pm
I find it bizarre that they singled you out. While an agent’s behavior or situation may inspire a post for me, I certainly don’t speak about them negatively personally.
Well…I guess the only thing left is to kick ass on your business this year and BUY a sporting good store. That blogger might need a job in the near future.
I am sure you a gracious enough to hire them.
Carol Williams
December 22, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Success is always the sweetest revenge.
Ines
December 22, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Mariana – who knows……I also got a nice derogatory comment on Miamism about this today.
What EVA! 😉
Melina – I don’t know if I would like to hire bitter employees….it’s always about good energy, thanks for the laugh.
Ines
December 23, 2008 at 9:28 am
Carol – we’re already there, that’s what makes this all so strange.
teresa boardman
December 23, 2008 at 2:55 pm
You skipped my article about reputation management. I am not hurt. 🙁 As for rumors and junk I just say bite me.
Ines
December 23, 2008 at 4:40 pm
T, I didn’t include your article because I was watching out for your reputation! 😀
I’m learning from you!
Mack
December 23, 2008 at 8:58 pm
Rumors SUCK! If people can’t tell the truth then they should just shut up.
Ines
December 23, 2008 at 11:22 pm
Mack – especially ill-intentioned ones….positive ones are not all that bad 😉
Paula Henry
December 24, 2008 at 6:03 am
I seen you offering discounts on Twitter, but didn’t realize the reason. Not only is it hurtful for all the reasons you expressed, it’s mean spirited! I will never understand this type ill-will and belive it will come back to bite the person who started it, in ways they never knew.
Best to you, Ines!
Ines
December 24, 2008 at 9:59 am
Hi Paula! It is definitely mean spirited and I had to have a little fun with it – the Twitterazzi soon started placing orders! LOL – thanks for your wishes and best to you as well.
Susie Blackmon
December 27, 2008 at 8:43 am
I missed all the Twitterazzi fuss about this! I could use some income myself … I’d kill to be working in a Cowboy/Western wear store right now! That’s the 1 business I have been in that I wish I could go back to! Great following you around, and I look forward to one of your famous Mojitos.
Ines
December 27, 2008 at 9:48 am
Hey Susie, have to tell you that you are a hoot!! It would have been fun to have you join in…it actually happened while we were at NAR, that’s why you may have missed it. Looking forward to having a mojito with you as well!