One of the things that the Greatest Real Estate Agent in the World has taught me (or maybe re-enforced to me) is the power of relationships and the wonderful power of giving. Paying it forward is more than just being nice, or the Golden Rule. It is a powerful marketing agent as well, when practiced with sincerity.
As controversies swirl and debates rage, I have 3 people that I simply want to thank.
They may not even realize it. Actually they might, I don’t know. But either way, they have inspired me by simply giving and sharing of their time and talents…not with the intent of an ROI, but with the intent of helping the new guy along get caught up in this thing we call blogging.
If you remember the story of Hansel and Gretel…they left a trail of breadcrumbs in order to find their way home. These folks leave their trails with an entirely different purpose…so that others behind them have an easy trail to follow in catching up. In my role as a teacher (and student) of all things technology and e-commerce to those in the real estate industry, here’s to the following fine folks:
Dave Smith – His most recent posts are very typical of his understanding of WordPress and of how to drive traffic to a hyperlocal blog. Thanks for building your reputation simply by sharing. It is an honor to call you a friend. And to think we got our friendship started with a post about In-n-Out Burger. Amazing, no?
Cheryl Johnson – I had not read your stuff prior to your addition to the pack of contributors here at BHB. Thank you for the tutorials and selflessly giving of your time to those who want to learn the art of WordPress. While I can find my way through code OK, there are MANY who benefit from your straight forward and easy to follow writing. We have never spoken and yet I can assure you that when we get to meet and hang out I will be a better person for it.
Greg, lastly, thank you. You are at your best when you are sharing your knowledge of WordPress, code, marketing and the real estate industry. You post about building a contact form was particularly instructive. You (of all people on TeamEric) know that my intent with our team is to have fun and learn together. Win, Lose or Draw in the contest matters not…if we learn, we win. Thank you, sir for the bits you have shared with me and every other real estate blogger / internet marketer that does not know where to begin. I am proud to call you a friend as well. I do not consider you a “blogging associate”, an “acquaintance”, or any other such stuff. I consider you a friend.
Now that I have that off my chest, I am looking forward to a great day.
I wish the same to all who read this. For the record, when I sign posts and comment as Best; that is shorthand for Best Regards to All;. That is my desire today.
To everyone out there who gives of themselves freely and unselfishly to help others learn the art and science of what we do online, may you be incredibly effective in your pursuits.
Best;
Eric
Cheryl Johnson says:
Eric, I am myself merely paying it forward. I learned almost everything I know about computing, HTML, CSS and web publishing in general, back on Compuserve in the mid to late 1990s, primarily in the Internet Publishing Forum, fondly known to the regulars as INETPUB.
So, Jerry, Harry, Emmet, Xina, and all you INETPUB regulars, where-ever you are, here’s a pint of Theakson’s Old Peculier on me. 🙂
February 26, 2008 — 8:05 am
Greg Swann says:
Bless you, sir. I’m learning a ton thanks to you, although I’m certain I’m missing more than I’m catching.
February 26, 2008 — 9:05 am
Russell Shaw says:
Help is the basis of ALL association.
How can you help it, how can it help you? I think it is wonderful that so many individuals who have the primary goal of helping others gather here.
February 27, 2008 — 12:26 am
Dave Smith says:
Eric,
Thank you so much. I’m really glad I wrote that post on In-N-Out Burger.
Great friendships are even better than good burgers and fries : )
February 27, 2008 — 1:33 pm