RealTown's RealTalk

Rich, in the interest of full disclosure and better communication,
perhaps it should be mentioned that becoming a RealTown "Approved
Vendor" also means becoming a paid sponsor of RealTown at a
significant cost.

Suzanne Hathcock Stephens
Point2 Design Partner
http://www.SuzStephens.com
Phone/fax: 360-666-0881

Hi Suzanne,

I think you are unclear on the concept. And, in the interest of full disclosure, please read the ENTIRE post.

For the past decade plus, InternetCrusade has operated on a simple concept: provide a open forum, offer good information to real estate professionals, give everyone an opportunity to share content and let the community fend for itself through the give and take of information

Over the past decade plus, the RealTalk community has been home to real estate professionals free of charge. It has been open to agents, brokers, vendors, association members, mortgage brokers, consumers, and anyone else that wants to participate in a useful way, without over commercializing what they offer -- nothing more than a link back to their site via their signature.

We have had many, many vendors over the years that have offered -- and still offer -- great advice, free of charge. People like Steve Jarrell of Visual Tours, Gary Hall who offers both training and tech tips, the infamous Carolyn with her classic posts and systems, the "Edutainer" Rossi, newcomer Randell Fullerton, super blogger Fran Thorsen, the sharp-witted Bonnie Erickson, Pat Zaby, reps from Top Producer, Advanced Access and many, many others.

Our goal has always been, and will continue to be, the chance to provide opportunities for those wishing to connect with real estate professionals through RealTown.com, including you. But it is not limited to any group or category.

We have advertisers, we have affiliates, we have Approved Vendors, we have revenue share agreements, we have authors, we have bloggers, we recommend books, we have educators, we even have people that over their services to our customers -- with no strings attached. And, lastly, we have the team at InternetCrusade.com, including myself, who spend hours and hours providing the best service in the industry. When the Internet is open, we are open. I am responding at 9:30 p.m. on a rainy night in San Diego.

As in the case with your posts, all you have to provide is good info, offer value, and prove yourself within the community. And, your contributions have been good -- except for this one.

For you to categorize us in such a narrow field is disingenuous. You specialize in enhancing Point2 sites. You do good work and we are a big supporter of Point2.

Although we have a great contact there in Saul Klein, RealTown is still RealTown and is open to all who wish to contribute, including the entire spectrum of vendors -- website providers included -- who can provide our subscribers with valuable information and assist them in enhancing their career.

Full disclosure? Are you kidding? I spend 15 years in the journalism field. I was the Scripps Howard national Reporter of the Year. I was a news editor for several daily publications. I was Director of Publishing for CENTURY 21 Real Estate Corp. I had my own Internet consulting company. (Check my bio at InternetCrusade.com. While I am okay, Saul, Mike and John make me look like an amateur.)

I don't think you have any insight into what we do and how we do it. Check your facts and get back to me. Full disclosure? Please.

Rich Hudson
Director of PR/Marketing
InternetCrusade�s RealTown.com
Rich@InternetCrusade.com

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Rich, in the interest of full disclosure and better communication,
perhaps it should be mentioned that becoming a RealTown "Approved
Vendor" also means becoming a paid sponsor of RealTown at a
significant cost. Unlike the Point2 Approved Vendor list, inclusion on
RealTown's list is not free. And if RealTown excludes a member from
its list, RealTown is losing a source of advertising income and so may
be less likely to react to negative feedback about a member.

I worked for several years in the advertising department of a major
metropolitan newspaper, which carefully maintained the appearance of
separation of its advertising and editorial staff and policy. I'll
never forget seeing and hearing the advertising VP go ballistic after
the editorial department published a bad review of a restaurant which
was a heavy advertiser.

Suzanne

Suzanne Hathcock Stephens
Point2 Design Partner
http://www.SuzStephens.com
Phone/fax: 360-666-0881

--
Rich Hudson
Rich@Rich-Hudson.com
(909) 754-5962
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