If You Never Want To Hear About Columbus In the Forums Again, Reply Here

[Jonathan Greene]

Do you feel continuously assaulted by the Columbus Mafia on BiggerPockets?

If any newbie utters the word Columbus, Midwest, or Ohio, the entire brokerage descends upon the forums with post after post. It's absolute madness. I believe this behavior also goes over the DMs.

In the beginning, it was funny. Now, it is spammy. If you read the majority of the replies by the Columbus Mafia, it's only about Columbus or the general area. Some of the responders know more than others, but some are just complete spammers. It's a strategy.

I've been answering questions on BiggerPockets for 10 years and never once asked for business or DM'd for business. People find me because I answer questions, sometimes about the area, most of the time about investing. If we built a spreadsheet of the overall responses from the Mafia and how many were veiled attempts at business, I would bet it is close to 80 percent.

I know I am not the only one annoyed every day, so please post your thoughts here so BiggerPockets can review them.

I do know someone who bought multiple properties with a former Mafia member and the properties are still performing so this isn't a referenda on how good the agents are. I have not personally worked with them. What this is about is the constant and unabashed spam sham on every post that mentions anything even close to Ohio. Like maybe just round robin it, bros. Watching you all post after each other is embarrassing.

[Michael P.]

Really an impressive company you have built! Just tone down the forums spamming lol.

[James Wise]

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @Remington Lyman:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Remington Lyman:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

And let me just point out the most important thing. They all have alerts for Columbus on, and Midwest, and everything else we are talking about...and not a single one has popped in to defend themselves.

If someone called me out in the forums and it was valid and responded to and confirmed by others, I would either admit my playbook, show up, or respond in some way.

Hey @Jonathan Greene, I am one of the founders, 50% owner, and principal broker of Reafco. I would be happy to have a conversation with you off the forums. You can post on this thread after your takeaways from the meeting, but I do not believe in arguing over a public forum. Ultimately, I want to add value to BP since it helped me tremendously with my personal real estate investing even before I was licensed. The last thing I want to do is get banned from using it. I have been in communication with @Scott Trench about the topics you have raised, and I believe we are operating in line with what management is currently allowing on the forums.

Booooooooooooooooooooo. Keep the discussion online. Jon Green vs Remi Lyman is the fight we didn't know we needed!

I don't go offline ever. I am an attorney. Everything documented all the time for clarity and transparency.

Just to clarify, I would like to have this conversation over Google Meet rather than on a forum. I can use my Fathom IA software to record the meeting, capture key points, and create a transcript. I will then share it with you for your reference.

The purpose of this meeting is to have a productive discussion about how I can improve my company to benefit the BP community and the company's financial growth in a way that adds value to the stakeholders of BP.

I am married to a corporate big law attorney and employ many others. I believe in thorough documentation for clarity and transparency, which is also a requirement as a licensed brokerage for the Ohio Division of Real Estate.

Works for me if we share the recorded link back in this same forum.

 When ya'll doing this debate? 

[Jonathan Greene]

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @Remington Lyman:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Remington Lyman:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

And let me just point out the most important thing. They all have alerts for Columbus on, and Midwest, and everything else we are talking about...and not a single one has popped in to defend themselves.

If someone called me out in the forums and it was valid and responded to and confirmed by others, I would either admit my playbook, show up, or respond in some way.

Hey @Jonathan Greene, I am one of the founders, 50% owner, and principal broker of Reafco. I would be happy to have a conversation with you off the forums. You can post on this thread after your takeaways from the meeting, but I do not believe in arguing over a public forum. Ultimately, I want to add value to BP since it helped me tremendously with my personal real estate investing even before I was licensed. The last thing I want to do is get banned from using it. I have been in communication with @Scott Trench about the topics you have raised, and I believe we are operating in line with what management is currently allowing on the forums.

Booooooooooooooooooooo. Keep the discussion online. Jon Green vs Remi Lyman is the fight we didn't know we needed!

I don't go offline ever. I am an attorney. Everything documented all the time for clarity and transparency.

Just to clarify, I would like to have this conversation over Google Meet rather than on a forum. I can use my Fathom IA software to record the meeting, capture key points, and create a transcript. I will then share it with you for your reference.

The purpose of this meeting is to have a productive discussion about how I can improve my company to benefit the BP community and the company's financial growth in a way that adds value to the stakeholders of BP.

I am married to a corporate big law attorney and employ many others. I believe in thorough documentation for clarity and transparency, which is also a requirement as a licensed brokerage for the Ohio Division of Real Estate.

Works for me if we share the recorded link back in this same forum.

 When ya'll doing this debate? 

It's set for tomorrow at 245 pm EST.

[James Wise]

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @Remington Lyman:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Remington Lyman:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

And let me just point out the most important thing. They all have alerts for Columbus on, and Midwest, and everything else we are talking about...and not a single one has popped in to defend themselves.

If someone called me out in the forums and it was valid and responded to and confirmed by others, I would either admit my playbook, show up, or respond in some way.

Hey @Jonathan Greene, I am one of the founders, 50% owner, and principal broker of Reafco. I would be happy to have a conversation with you off the forums. You can post on this thread after your takeaways from the meeting, but I do not believe in arguing over a public forum. Ultimately, I want to add value to BP since it helped me tremendously with my personal real estate investing even before I was licensed. The last thing I want to do is get banned from using it. I have been in communication with @Scott Trench about the topics you have raised, and I believe we are operating in line with what management is currently allowing on the forums.

Booooooooooooooooooooo. Keep the discussion online. Jon Green vs Remi Lyman is the fight we didn't know we needed!

I don't go offline ever. I am an attorney. Everything documented all the time for clarity and transparency.

Just to clarify, I would like to have this conversation over Google Meet rather than on a forum. I can use my Fathom IA software to record the meeting, capture key points, and create a transcript. I will then share it with you for your reference.

The purpose of this meeting is to have a productive discussion about how I can improve my company to benefit the BP community and the company's financial growth in a way that adds value to the stakeholders of BP.

I am married to a corporate big law attorney and employ many others. I believe in thorough documentation for clarity and transparency, which is also a requirement as a licensed brokerage for the Ohio Division of Real Estate.

Works for me if we share the recorded link back in this same forum.

 When ya'll doing this debate? 

It's set for tomorrow at 245 pm EST.

Ya'll posting it here, unedited ?

[Jonathan Greene]

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @Remington Lyman:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Remington Lyman:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

And let me just point out the most important thing. They all have alerts for Columbus on, and Midwest, and everything else we are talking about...and not a single one has popped in to defend themselves.

If someone called me out in the forums and it was valid and responded to and confirmed by others, I would either admit my playbook, show up, or respond in some way.

Hey @Jonathan Greene, I am one of the founders, 50% owner, and principal broker of Reafco. I would be happy to have a conversation with you off the forums. You can post on this thread after your takeaways from the meeting, but I do not believe in arguing over a public forum. Ultimately, I want to add value to BP since it helped me tremendously with my personal real estate investing even before I was licensed. The last thing I want to do is get banned from using it. I have been in communication with @Scott Trench about the topics you have raised, and I believe we are operating in line with what management is currently allowing on the forums.

Booooooooooooooooooooo. Keep the discussion online. Jon Green vs Remi Lyman is the fight we didn't know we needed!

I don't go offline ever. I am an attorney. Everything documented all the time for clarity and transparency.

Just to clarify, I would like to have this conversation over Google Meet rather than on a forum. I can use my Fathom IA software to record the meeting, capture key points, and create a transcript. I will then share it with you for your reference.

The purpose of this meeting is to have a productive discussion about how I can improve my company to benefit the BP community and the company's financial growth in a way that adds value to the stakeholders of BP.

I am married to a corporate big law attorney and employ many others. I believe in thorough documentation for clarity and transparency, which is also a requirement as a licensed brokerage for the Ohio Division of Real Estate.

Works for me if we share the recorded link back in this same forum.

 When ya'll doing this debate? 

It's set for tomorrow at 245 pm EST.

Ya'll posting it here, unedited ?

That is my plan, yes.

[James Wise]

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @Remington Lyman:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Remington Lyman:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

And let me just point out the most important thing. They all have alerts for Columbus on, and Midwest, and everything else we are talking about...and not a single one has popped in to defend themselves.

If someone called me out in the forums and it was valid and responded to and confirmed by others, I would either admit my playbook, show up, or respond in some way.

Hey @Jonathan Greene, I am one of the founders, 50% owner, and principal broker of Reafco. I would be happy to have a conversation with you off the forums. You can post on this thread after your takeaways from the meeting, but I do not believe in arguing over a public forum. Ultimately, I want to add value to BP since it helped me tremendously with my personal real estate investing even before I was licensed. The last thing I want to do is get banned from using it. I have been in communication with @Scott Trench about the topics you have raised, and I believe we are operating in line with what management is currently allowing on the forums.

Booooooooooooooooooooo. Keep the discussion online. Jon Green vs Remi Lyman is the fight we didn't know we needed!

I don't go offline ever. I am an attorney. Everything documented all the time for clarity and transparency.

Just to clarify, I would like to have this conversation over Google Meet rather than on a forum. I can use my Fathom IA software to record the meeting, capture key points, and create a transcript. I will then share it with you for your reference.

The purpose of this meeting is to have a productive discussion about how I can improve my company to benefit the BP community and the company's financial growth in a way that adds value to the stakeholders of BP.

I am married to a corporate big law attorney and employ many others. I believe in thorough documentation for clarity and transparency, which is also a requirement as a licensed brokerage for the Ohio Division of Real Estate.

Works for me if we share the recorded link back in this same forum.

 When ya'll doing this debate? 

It's set for tomorrow at 245 pm EST.

Ya'll posting it here, unedited ?

That is my plan, yes.

[Jeff Long]

Quote from @Jonathan Klemm:

Who is the Columbus mafia @Jonathan Greene and what are they about?  

My guy @Michael K Gallagher is in that area and same with @Jeff Long...are guys at all familiar with this Mafia?

I am not aware of them and not sure about the other , but will definitely make sure to keep a closer eye out for a spam like posts.

Unfortunately, every area has spammers who want to jump in and take advantage of people. That's the downside of real estate investing and these forums. I know that @Michael K Gallagher is legit and not a part of the people who give Columbus or Ohio a bad name. I've known him for several years since we're in a private mastermind together. He's a solid guy and an experienced realtor and investor. I also sold a property through him last year and he was top-knotch. 

[James Wise]

Quote from @Jeff Long:

Quote from @Jonathan Klemm:

Who is the Columbus mafia @Jonathan Greene and what are they about?  

My guy @Michael K Gallagher is in that area and same with @Jeff Long...are guys at all familiar with this Mafia?

I am not aware of them and not sure about the other , but will definitely make sure to keep a closer eye out for a spam like posts.

Unfortunately, every area has spammers who want to jump in and take advantage of people. That's the downside of real estate investing and these forums. I know that @Michael K Gallagher is legit and not a part of the people who give Columbus or Ohio a bad name. I've known him for several years since we're in a private mastermind together. He's a solid guy and an experienced realtor and investor. I also sold a property through him last year and he was top-knotch. 

 To be fair to the Columbus Cartel, spamming the forums doesn't mean they are taking advantage of people. Annoying? Sure. Buncha future Uber drivers? Most likely. But no reason to take the leap accusing them of taking advantage of people just because they suck at marketing themselves. They haven't done anything to lead me to believe they are taking advantage of anyone here.

[Jonathan Greene]

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jeff Long:

Quote from @Jonathan Klemm:

Who is the Columbus mafia @Jonathan Greene and what are they about?  

My guy @Michael K Gallagher is in that area and same with @Jeff Long...are guys at all familiar with this Mafia?

I am not aware of them and not sure about the other , but will definitely make sure to keep a closer eye out for a spam like posts.

Unfortunately, every area has spammers who want to jump in and take advantage of people. That's the downside of real estate investing and these forums. I know that @Michael K Gallagher is legit and not a part of the people who give Columbus or Ohio a bad name. I've known him for several years since we're in a private mastermind together. He's a solid guy and an experienced realtor and investor. I also sold a property through him last year and he was top-knotch. 

 To be fair to the Columbus Cartel, spamming the forums doesn't mean they are taking advantage of people. Annoying? Sure. Buncha future Uber drivers? Most likely. But no reason to take the leap accusing them of taking advantage of people just because they suck at marketing themselves. They haven't done anything to lead me to believe they are taking advantage of anyone here.

I agree with that. As I said in in the intro, it was not a commentary on their ability as agents, just on how they are presenting themselves in the forums. Some are professional and most posts are technically by the rules, but when you see three people from the same brokerage hop on the same thread, it's too much. Like I said, round robin that and add value, don't always say the same thing. The biggest miss I see is some of them giving facts like you can get 1% rule and my investors are doing great...cool, who are there, show us the numbers, show the data.

[Scott Trench]

Quote from @Remington Lyman:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

And let me just point out the most important thing. They all have alerts for Columbus on, and Midwest, and everything else we are talking about...and not a single one has popped in to defend themselves.

If someone called me out in the forums and it was valid and responded to and confirmed by others, I would either admit my playbook, show up, or respond in some way.

Hey @Jonathan Greene, I am one of the founders, 50% owner, and principal broker of Reafco. I would be happy to have a conversation with you off the forums. You can post on this thread after your takeaways from the meeting, but I do not believe in arguing over a public forum. Ultimately, I want to add value to BP since it helped me tremendously with my personal real estate investing even before I was licensed. The last thing I want to do is get banned from using it. I have been in communication with @Scott Trench about the topics you have raised, and I believe we are operating in line with what management is currently allowing on the forums.

 Just to be clear here, while I have DM’d with you, Remington, I have not indicated that Reafco agents are or are not operating in line with what we are allowing on the forums. I have repeatedly said that I’m not in a position to judge. I’m not. I can’t investigate the issue. I don’t have that time.

Without speaking for our moderation team, I’d hazard a guess that posts from your team are in some cases adding little to no value to threads, and because some of those folks are the first or most frequent to respond, other agents who aren’t even part of your team who post similarly are being associated with Reafco.  

Regardless of which side of the line posts are on, I think the problem that is brewing is that Reafco agents, rightly or wrongly, are:

- Associated with flocking to forum threads about various Ohio markets and doing everything just shy of crossing a clear line in the sand to tell everyone about how they can help them buy and sell property.

- Being made fun of by some forum power users

- making other forum users actively angry

I think that the remedy here might be less about how to determine whether there is a right or wrong side of the letter of the law with our forum rules, and to think instead about how team members can be trained to add genuine value to forum discussions and position themselves and your firm as the kinds of folks who really add value to forum posts.

[Remington Lyman]

Quote from @Scott Trench:

Quote from @Remington Lyman:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

And let me just point out the most important thing. They all have alerts for Columbus on, and Midwest, and everything else we are talking about...and not a single one has popped in to defend themselves.

If someone called me out in the forums and it was valid and responded to and confirmed by others, I would either admit my playbook, show up, or respond in some way.

Hey @Jonathan Greene, I am one of the founders, 50% owner, and principal broker of Reafco. I would be happy to have a conversation with you off the forums. You can post on this thread after your takeaways from the meeting, but I do not believe in arguing over a public forum. Ultimately, I want to add value to BP since it helped me tremendously with my personal real estate investing even before I was licensed. The last thing I want to do is get banned from using it. I have been in communication with @Scott Trench about the topics you have raised, and I believe we are operating in line with what management is currently allowing on the forums.

 Just to be clear here, while I have DM’d with you, Remington, I have not indicated that Reafco agents are or are not operating in line with what we are allowing on the forums. I have repeatedly said that I’m not in a position to judge. I’m not. I can’t investigate the issue. I don’t have that time.

Without speaking for our moderation team, I’d hazard a guess that posts from your team are in some cases adding little to no value to threads, and because some of those folks are the first or most frequent to respond, other agents who aren’t even part of your team who post similarly are being associated with Reafco.  

Regardless of which side of the line posts are on, I think the problem that is brewing is that Reafco agents, rightly or wrongly, are:

- Associated with flocking to forum threads about various Ohio markets and doing everything just shy of crossing a clear line in the sand to tell everyone about how they can help them buy and sell property.

- Being made fun of by some forum power users

- making other forum users actively angry

I think that the remedy here might be less about how to determine whether there is a right or wrong side of the letter of the law with our forum rules, and to think instead about how team members can be trained to add genuine value to forum discussions and position themselves and your firm as the kinds of folks who really add value to forum posts.

I think that the remedy here might be less about how to determine whether there is a right or wrong side of the letter of the law with our forum rules, and to think instead about how team members can be trained to add genuine value to forum discussions and position themselves and your firm as the kinds of folks who really add value to forum posts.

That is an excellent recommendation. I will advise the Reafco agents who post on the forums to ensure they are adding value and not simply repeating what other Reafco agents have already said in the thread.

[Sam McCormack]

Insane the amount of people upset about someone just advertising themselves/market. Oh yeah it gets annoying for sure, but hey, this post was made just to talk about Columbus? Hey doesn't sound like bad press to me!

Spectating is the best side to be on here, lol. I wish y'all the best in your head to head!

[Logan Lambert]

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Do you feel continuously assaulted by the Columbus Mafia on BiggerPockets?

If any newbie utters the word Columbus, Midwest, or Ohio, the entire brokerage descends upon the forums with post after post. It's absolute madness. I believe this behavior also goes over the DMs.

In the beginning, it was funny. Now, it is spammy. If you read the majority of the replies by the Columbus Mafia, it's only about Columbus or the general area. Some of the responders know more than others, but some are just complete spammers. It's a strategy.

I've been answering questions on BiggerPockets for 10 years and never once asked for business or DM'd for business. People find me because I answer questions, sometimes about the area, most of the time about investing. If we built a spreadsheet of the overall responses from the Mafia and how many were veiled attempts at business, I would bet it is close to 80 percent.

I know I am not the only one annoyed every day, so please post your thoughts here so BiggerPockets can review them.

I do know someone who bought multiple properties with a former Mafia member and the properties are still performing so this isn't a referenda on how good the agents are. I have not personally worked with them. What this is about is the constant and unabashed spam sham on every post that mentions anything even close to Ohio. Like maybe just round robin it, bros. Watching you all post after each other is embarrassing.

 I originate loans all across the country and almost everyone I spoke with that is out of the country and looking to invest in the states is looking in Ohio lol. 

[Jonathan Greene]

Quote from @Remington Lyman:

Quote from @Scott Trench:

Quote from @Remington Lyman:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

And let me just point out the most important thing. They all have alerts for Columbus on, and Midwest, and everything else we are talking about...and not a single one has popped in to defend themselves.

If someone called me out in the forums and it was valid and responded to and confirmed by others, I would either admit my playbook, show up, or respond in some way.

Hey @Jonathan Greene, I am one of the founders, 50% owner, and principal broker of Reafco. I would be happy to have a conversation with you off the forums. You can post on this thread after your takeaways from the meeting, but I do not believe in arguing over a public forum. Ultimately, I want to add value to BP since it helped me tremendously with my personal real estate investing even before I was licensed. The last thing I want to do is get banned from using it. I have been in communication with @Scott Trench about the topics you have raised, and I believe we are operating in line with what management is currently allowing on the forums.

 Just to be clear here, while I have DM’d with you, Remington, I have not indicated that Reafco agents are or are not operating in line with what we are allowing on the forums. I have repeatedly said that I’m not in a position to judge. I’m not. I can’t investigate the issue. I don’t have that time.

Without speaking for our moderation team, I’d hazard a guess that posts from your team are in some cases adding little to no value to threads, and because some of those folks are the first or most frequent to respond, other agents who aren’t even part of your team who post similarly are being associated with Reafco.  

Regardless of which side of the line posts are on, I think the problem that is brewing is that Reafco agents, rightly or wrongly, are:

- Associated with flocking to forum threads about various Ohio markets and doing everything just shy of crossing a clear line in the sand to tell everyone about how they can help them buy and sell property.

- Being made fun of by some forum power users

- making other forum users actively angry

I think that the remedy here might be less about how to determine whether there is a right or wrong side of the letter of the law with our forum rules, and to think instead about how team members can be trained to add genuine value to forum discussions and position themselves and your firm as the kinds of folks who really add value to forum posts.

I think that the remedy here might be less about how to determine whether there is a right or wrong side of the letter of the law with our forum rules, and to think instead about how team members can be trained to add genuine value to forum discussions and position themselves and your firm as the kinds of folks who really add value to forum posts.

That is an excellent recommendation. I will advise the Reafco agents who post on the forums to ensure they are adding value and not simply repeating what other Reafco agents have already said in the thread.

I think a lot of the issues are the ones who are making widespread statements about the area or their investors that they can not back up. We will discuss today.

[Jonathan Greene]

Quote from @Sam McCormack:

Insane the amount of people upset about someone just advertising themselves/market. Oh yeah it gets annoying for sure, but hey, this post was made just to talk about Columbus? Hey doesn't sound like bad press to me!

Spectating is the best side to be on here, lol. I wish y'all the best in your head to head!

This is a terrible attitude about it. What happens is that new investors come in looking for someone who knows something, investors who know something, investors who invest themselves...but sometimes what they get is alleged investor-friendly agents who don't invest and don't work with investors much, but know other agents who do. So they use broad strokes to entice new people to talk to them, but they don't have the knowledge or expertise to do the job. The forums are not for advertising yourself or marketing, that is against the terms. They are for adding value and helping other people.

[James Wise]

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @Sam McCormack:

Insane the amount of people upset about someone just advertising themselves/market. Oh yeah it gets annoying for sure, but hey, this post was made just to talk about Columbus? Hey doesn't sound like bad press to me!

Spectating is the best side to be on here, lol. I wish y'all the best in your head to head!

This is a terrible attitude about it. What happens is that new investors come in looking for someone who knows something, investors who know something, investors who invest themselves...but sometimes what they get is alleged investor-friendly agents who don't invest and don't work with investors much, but know other agents who do. So they use broad strokes to entice new people to talk to them, but they don't have the knowledge or expertise to do the job. The forums are not for advertising yourself or marketing, that is against the terms. They are for adding value and helping other people.

[Jonathan Greene]

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @Sam McCormack:

Insane the amount of people upset about someone just advertising themselves/market. Oh yeah it gets annoying for sure, but hey, this post was made just to talk about Columbus? Hey doesn't sound like bad press to me!

Spectating is the best side to be on here, lol. I wish y'all the best in your head to head!

This is a terrible attitude about it. What happens is that new investors come in looking for someone who knows something, investors who know something, investors who invest themselves...but sometimes what they get is alleged investor-friendly agents who don't invest and don't work with investors much, but know other agents who do. So they use broad strokes to entice new people to talk to them, but they don't have the knowledge or expertise to do the job. The forums are not for advertising yourself or marketing, that is against the terms. They are for adding value and helping other people.

This is everything that this original post is about, but Cincinnati. Look at what the poster is asking for (invest anywhere in the US) and look at the response which is definitely considered self-promotion in the forum. It was a fair response until the last sentence about shooting him a message. This explains what is wrong. Stop asking for business and earn it.

[James Wise]

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @Sam McCormack:

Insane the amount of people upset about someone just advertising themselves/market. Oh yeah it gets annoying for sure, but hey, this post was made just to talk about Columbus? Hey doesn't sound like bad press to me!

Spectating is the best side to be on here, lol. I wish y'all the best in your head to head!

This is a terrible attitude about it. What happens is that new investors come in looking for someone who knows something, investors who know something, investors who invest themselves...but sometimes what they get is alleged investor-friendly agents who don't invest and don't work with investors much, but know other agents who do. So they use broad strokes to entice new people to talk to them, but they don't have the knowledge or expertise to do the job. The forums are not for advertising yourself or marketing, that is against the terms. They are for adding value and helping other people.

This is everything that this original post is about, but Cincinnati. Look at what the poster is asking for (invest anywhere in the US) and look at the response which is definitely considered self-promotion in the forum. It was a fair response until the last sentence about shooting him a message. This explains what is wrong. Stop asking for business and earn it.

 Uhhh Ohhh........I smell a triple threat match brewing.

[Henry Lazerow]

BP has gotten more spammy over the last few years. I get lots of clients off here but it's all organic, I never DM or ask for it. Just post helpful REAL info not sugarcoated. So many of these agents posting sugar coated fake numbers. I am honest about current market (cashflow sucks in 2024 haha) and what strategies I see working best for those who want to buy/scale.

[Sam McCormack]

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @Sam McCormack:

Insane the amount of people upset about someone just advertising themselves/market. Oh yeah it gets annoying for sure, but hey, this post was made just to talk about Columbus? Hey doesn't sound like bad press to me!

Spectating is the best side to be on here, lol. I wish y'all the best in your head to head!

This is a terrible attitude about it. What happens is that new investors come in looking for someone who knows something, investors who know something, investors who invest themselves...but sometimes what they get is alleged investor-friendly agents who don't invest and don't work with investors much, but know other agents who do. So they use broad strokes to entice new people to talk to them, but they don't have the knowledge or expertise to do the job. The forums are not for advertising yourself or marketing, that is against the terms. They are for adding value and helping other people.

This is everything that this original post is about, but Cincinnati. Look at what the poster is asking for (invest anywhere in the US) and look at the response which is definitely considered self-promotion in the forum. It was a fair response until the last sentence about shooting him a message. This explains what is wrong. Stop asking for business and earn it.

 This is earning it. It isn't asking for business, it is reaching out to someone to earn their business. 

My question for you is why are you so upset about someone asking about connecting and trying to see if my market fits their needs?

[Rick Albert]

Quote from @Sam McCormack:

Insane the amount of people upset about someone just advertising themselves/market. Oh yeah it gets annoying for sure, but hey, this post was made just to talk about Columbus? Hey doesn't sound like bad press to me!

Spectating is the best side to be on here, lol. I wish y'all the best in your head to head!

 I think the issue is people post here for guidance and advice. Yet agents are coming on and basically ignoring the initial post just to advertise themselves. 

[Sam McCormack]

Quote from @Rick Albert:

Quote from @Sam McCormack:

Insane the amount of people upset about someone just advertising themselves/market. Oh yeah it gets annoying for sure, but hey, this post was made just to talk about Columbus? Hey doesn't sound like bad press to me!

Spectating is the best side to be on here, lol. I wish y'all the best in your head to head!

 I think the issue is people post here for guidance and advice. Yet agents are coming on and basically ignoring the initial post just to advertise themselves. 

 That is understandable and makes sense

[Jonathan Greene]

Quote from @Sam McCormack:

Quote from @Rick Albert:

Quote from @Sam McCormack:

Insane the amount of people upset about someone just advertising themselves/market. Oh yeah it gets annoying for sure, but hey, this post was made just to talk about Columbus? Hey doesn't sound like bad press to me!

Spectating is the best side to be on here, lol. I wish y'all the best in your head to head!

 I think the issue is people post here for guidance and advice. Yet agents are coming on and basically ignoring the initial post just to advertise themselves. 

 That is understandable and makes sense

That is literally exactly what I said.

If you think "earning it" is posting a response to a person in an online forum where they know nothing about you as an agent and you barely told them anything about the area, you are more out of touch with reality than I expected. Read the terms of service. If you'd like, we can forward to screenshot on and see if you get banned. Or, you could take the advice of someone who has run an on-market team of 50 agents and been licensed for ten years and has answered questions on here for ten years without once asking anyone to hop on a call. Basically, change the way you are doing things. That is not earning anything. It's embarrassing.

[Jonathan Greene]

Quote from @Sam McCormack:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @Sam McCormack:

Insane the amount of people upset about someone just advertising themselves/market. Oh yeah it gets annoying for sure, but hey, this post was made just to talk about Columbus? Hey doesn't sound like bad press to me!

Spectating is the best side to be on here, lol. I wish y'all the best in your head to head!

This is a terrible attitude about it. What happens is that new investors come in looking for someone who knows something, investors who know something, investors who invest themselves...but sometimes what they get is alleged investor-friendly agents who don't invest and don't work with investors much, but know other agents who do. So they use broad strokes to entice new people to talk to them, but they don't have the knowledge or expertise to do the job. The forums are not for advertising yourself or marketing, that is against the terms. They are for adding value and helping other people.

This is everything that this original post is about, but Cincinnati. Look at what the poster is asking for (invest anywhere in the US) and look at the response which is definitely considered self-promotion in the forum. It was a fair response until the last sentence about shooting him a message. This explains what is wrong. Stop asking for business and earn it.

 This is earning it. It isn't asking for business, it is reaching out to someone to earn their business. 

My question for you is why are you so upset about someone asking about connecting and trying to see if my market fits their needs?

If you are asking for business, you aren't earning it. It's online begging. Your sales record isn't terrible over the past two years, 13 sales. That's pretty good. You don't need to ask someone to connect and see if it's a fit. You need to provide an answer to their question without a connection request. I'm sure you DMd and you should not. But, you also have no online reviews from those 13 transactions - so what does that tell you? Either you are bad at follow-up with your clients and forget about them after closing or you don't think it's important. But the first place people will look is your Zillow profile.

[Sam McCormack]

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @Sam McCormack:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @James Wise:

Quote from @Jonathan Greene:

Quote from @Sam McCormack:

Insane the amount of people upset about someone just advertising themselves/market. Oh yeah it gets annoying for sure, but hey, this post was made just to talk about Columbus? Hey doesn't sound like bad press to me!

Spectating is the best side to be on here, lol. I wish y'all the best in your head to head!

This is a terrible attitude about it. What happens is that new investors come in looking for someone who knows something, investors who know something, investors who invest themselves...but sometimes what they get is alleged investor-friendly agents who don't invest and don't work with investors much, but know other agents who do. So they use broad strokes to entice new people to talk to them, but they don't have the knowledge or expertise to do the job. The forums are not for advertising yourself or marketing, that is against the terms. They are for adding value and helping other people.

This is everything that this original post is about, but Cincinnati. Look at what the poster is asking for (invest anywhere in the US) and look at the response which is definitely considered self-promotion in the forum. It was a fair response until the last sentence about shooting him a message. This explains what is wrong. Stop asking for business and earn it.

 This is earning it. It isn't asking for business, it is reaching out to someone to earn their business. 

My question for you is why are you so upset about someone asking about connecting and trying to see if my market fits their needs?

If you are asking for business, you aren't earning it. It's online begging. Your sales record isn't terrible over the past two years, 13 sales. That's pretty good. You don't need to ask someone to connect and see if it's a fit. You need to provide an answer to their question without a connection request. I'm sure you DMd and you should not. But, you also have no online reviews from those 13 transactions - so what does that tell you? Either you are bad at follow-up with your clients and forget about them after closing or you don't think it's important. But the first place people will look is your Zillow profile.

 I normally don't request my clients leave me a review on BiggerPockets, I do it via my team. Close or no close, I call every one of my leads, closed or not, every 2 months to see how they are doing. And those 13 are this year so far, it doesn't seem like I have updated that recently enough. So to answer if I am bad at follow up or don't care about my clients, the answer is neither, thank you