Topic: Is this a good idea for resident retention?

I saw this story on facebook about a high school student who was bullied and responded by posting a positive message to every student at her school.

I would love to do this for my residents. I can think of something nice to say about everyone. :-)

My residents all know that I am a bit more casual and playful than the typical office manager, so I don't think anyone would be offended, but is it out of place? Is this too immature or unprofessional?

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Personally, I would not do it myself. I would just feel like I was invading their privacy because I am not their "friend," I am their landlord. I consider some of my residents friends and some are my Facebook friends.

If you do post something, won't all of their friends see it?

Make it something they wouldn't mind them seeing, something that would make them look really good and not embarrass them.

Would love to know what you post!!!!!

Call me weird but it seems vaguely intrusive to post something, even something positive on a resident's personal facebook page. However, you could probably post something positive about your residents on your property's page.

In my opinion, interacting with residents on your personal Facebook account is unprofessional. You are their resident manager, not their friend with whom you share personal information.

I'm a bit confused about Rose's initial plan here. In the original story, the girl was bullied on Facebook but responded by posting positive messages on post-its around her school.

Rose, how were you thinking about posting these positive messages to residents?

If the idea was to post positive/happy messages on post-its on resident doors, does that change other people's opinions?

Thanks for the feedback!

My plan is not exactly sticky notes, and not publicly displayed, but a little note with something positive about each resident. Maybe in a format like a casual thank you card, maybe one that looks like a sticky note. It would be either in an envelope, or a folded piece of paper with writing on the inside, taped to their front door. Or maybe even a postcard that goes to their mailbox.

It's true, we can't be our residents friends (learned the hard way, didn't we all?) But one thing I've noticed with the advancement of technology is the more we connect with others online, the less actual human interaction we have. People see facebook posts all day about how great they are, so they are a dime a dozen and become meaningless. I want to make my residents see that even if I'm not their friend, I notice what is special about them and genuinely care about their well being.

I do use our property facebook page, but many of our residents do not. On a resident's birthday, I post "happy birthday Amy!" but no one but Amy would know which resident I was referring to. I never connect with residents on my personal page. I keep that locked down so they can't find it even if they look.

I wasn't thinking about changing anyone's opinions, just saying something brief to make them feel good about themselves.

Rose, I think EVERYONE likes a good, sincere compliment! If you know your residents well enough to give them an "attagirl" or "attaboy," GO FOR IT! A personal note seems a better way to do this than facebook. The only "credit" you'll get for doing something nice like this for your residents is that the recipient knows it...but that in itself is pretty good! :)