My most recent post on Active Rain was pretty much a rant about how it seems the media will do about anything to get readers, even if it means writing something that is only half true or only one side of the story.
I actually wrote a Letter to the Editor about the article that I was referring to. It did not get published, probably because I found out later that submissions could not be over 250 words. Mine was considerably more. :)
However today, I was reading the Business section and one of my favorite Houston Chronicle writers had an article regarding Real Estate sales from Buyers overseas because of the weak dollar.
Yeah! Again, she saved the Positive day. It seems that she always pulls through with a Positive Spin on just about anything.
It then hit me. I would imagine that writers Rarely get a Thank You. The negative spin on anything gets the emails rolling in while the Positive and Accurate articles get a grin and high five, but don't attract the attention. Sort of like writing a blog, we don't really know what others think if there are no comments.
I immediately opened up my email and sent a Thank You over to the writer. Think I'll also hop on and comment online.
I have no idea if I will get a response, that doesn't really matter. What matters is getting your voice heard whether it is positive or negative. If more people Thanked the Media when they get it right, maybe they would do it more often.
I think you are on track. Maybe write her boss too & thank them for having an accurate reporter on staff. If more people realize that its the accurate stories being read/watched, things would change. But unfortunately negativety and trauma still sell.
Hi Steve, I may have to do that. I just commented online.
Stephanie~
TOTALLY...I think one of the best thank yous is the unexpectged one...and that expressing gratitude...even maintaining an attitude of gratitude makes the atmosphere shine...especially in real estate.
Hi janeAnne,
You know, it's pretty sad. There are only 2 comments on this journalists column online. The other day this other lady wrote a huge doom and gloom type article that was completely inaccurate in most cases and she had over 100 comments by noon.
And then we wonder and gripe about why they write that stuff. Geez.
You have me thinking whom else I can send Thank Yous to today. :)
Brilliant! You're so right. I think we're all guilty of only responding to negatives and not paying people the compliments they deserve. I know I like to hear when I've done something right =)
Hmm. I wonder how much of that comes into play with the wave of social networking? We have our groups of friends who encourage us, and we encourage them in return. Something to think about. Maybe I'll blog about that line of thinking, once I've thought it through some more.
Great post! This is just what we need to be doing here in Positive Real Esate News! I am "featuring" this post so maybe we can get her some positive feedback. I'll go and comment on her article also. Thanx Stephanie!
Stephanie: That is a great idea. Only problem I quit taking the Chronicle several years ago. At the time I was annoyed at one of their article; which I have no idea now what article it was. To be quite honest I don't miss it. It is good when they put a positive spin on things. I just recently had the Chronicle write a story on one of my clients. They called and interviewed me also. The actual title was really negative but the article itself turned out positive. I guess they need that negative headline to get people to read it.
This is a great post. I am going to start doing this with our local papers. If I see something positive, I am going to write to the reporter. I may even try to write an article or two myself! Thanks for the fantastic idea!
Great idea! Before being a realtor and a broker, I was fourth-generation newspaper person. I've got "printers ink in my veins" as we say. This is a wonderful idea, not only for reporters, but waitresses, police officers, and in my community right now, the power company linemen that are working non stop here in Ohio to get our electricity back up after three days when the remnants of Ike hit us (yes, in Ohio, where 2 million people lost power Sunday). We could all find five people a day to send hand-written thank you notes to.
But back to reporters. I know that business. I know how much of it is liberal-leaning, anti-business, and negative news. And reporters never get feedback unless it's bad. Perhaps we can give positive feedback just as mentioned in your post and gradually, like Pavlov's dog, we can train them to write for truth, justice and the American way!
Dave Culbertson, Broker/Owner, Real Living Home Team, Mount Vernon, OH