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My Active Rain Tribute

Guy Hates Mail Yes, we all know what we are supposed to be doing to make it in this business. We should be calling people, sending out mailings, and handing out cards. Knocking on doors and passing out flyers. Having open houses and talking to our neighbors.

Now, before I get a bunch of comments based on the supposed effectiveness or lack thereof of those techniques, that's not what this post is about. This post is about me and what I can and can not do. I can not:

make cold calls.
be comfortable calling my COI just to ask for business.
plaster my face all over town.

It's been an issue for me since I started in the business. I know this is weird, but I have a really hard time calling my COI because I don't want them to think I am slimy or pushy. They are my friends and neighbors, so I need to be able to deal with them outside of Woman on phone this business.

So, what does this have to do with Active Rain? Well, I have been reading a lot on here and writing a little. Both things have changed me a lot, and it's only been a little over a month! I feel more confident about my job and who I am as a Realtor, because Active Rain gives me time to reflect on my business and what I stand for. It also:

lets me connect with others who feel like I do.
gets me in touch with people who are in similar situations, like the people in the Moms of Young Kids group I started.
exposes me to people who have a ton more experience and knowledge in this field than I do.
gives me a sense of belonging in what, let's face it, can be a pretty solitary career if you let it.
gets my creative side going, and stimulates me beyond just my day to day tasks.

Because of all this, I find myself telling more people proudly that I am a Realtor. I find myself handing cards out around the neighborhood while taking the kids for a walk. I show up when you Google "Best real estate agent in Syracuse." And, you know what else? I would never claim to actually be the best real estate agent in Syracuse, but I am beginning to feel more like one. I guess, above all else, Active Rain validates me as a career Realtor. And that means more to me than anything else. Thanks, Active Rain. And thanks to all of you reading and responding to my writing! Without you, I'd not be where or who I am right now. And where I am feels pretty good.

Posted by Syracuse/ Central New York Real Estate| Christina Lackey on 05/26/2007 03:29 AM

Comments (33)

realtor, active rain, feeling good, self promotion

33 Comments on My Active Rain Tribute

MAY

2007

So, now that you feel good-go call your COI! You don't have to ask for business, just remind them you are a proud Realtor. :)

Christina, this was a wonderful expression of the ways in which Active Rain has positively influenced your life & career. Thanks for sharing.

Great post Christina! I too feel this has helped me. I feel more connected to my business because of it. Perception is reality. I am starting to feel more of an expert because of Active Rain.

Stephanie- Now, let's not get carried away... could I start with postcards to them, maybe? Please? :)

Lola- Thank you very much. It's all true.

Ashley- Well said. I agree with you completely.

Ok, but if you can do a referral fee to them (In Texas we can do a $50 gift card, that's it) then you have to mention on the post card that you offer one. Now, go do it! :)

We can't do anything as far as I know. I am totally going to check on that. That's a great idea, though.

I would be surprised if you couldn't do anything. They just limit it here, like I said. Take some friends to coffee or something one day. That's always good. Indirectly talk about Real Estate-like your wacky "call listing agent before showing". :) That was crazy. I told some clients about that story today!

Christina, this is a great post. You know, now I feel that I am a more knowledgeable realtor because of Active Rain.

Christina,

I always find that it helps to an "excuse" to call people. Like having a set of tickets to a ball game that you want to give away. Or, having a home listed that you just know some young 1st time home buyers would appreciate, but you just don't personally know enough of them.

I personally like to send out birthday cards, and house sale or purchase anniversary cards. I buy them pretty cheap and through a stamp on them -- so for about a buck each, the effort gives me an excuse to send a card. Kind of like your post card idea.

I have to admit, however, that the most effective marketing I do is generating my newsletter. I will be working on that again this weekend, just because it's time and I'm overdue for getting one out. I hate when that happens, but I'm getting ready to switch to another format so have been dragging my feet at finishing two older editions (I send about 1,500 at a time and try to customize an insert specifically taylored to my farming area -- it does take some work so when I'm busy, the effort gets moved to the slow simmer burner).

Anyhow, think of some fun event that you'd like to go to. Then, go and buy a couple of tickets, and start calling. Tell the people that you're going to call 20 people and each must give you a number between 1 and 100. The closest to the number you've picked will win the tickets. That way, you've had 20 contacts, you've made it fun, and the "excuse to call" has conveyed to people that you care enough to think of them. I like the idea so much that I think I'm going to do it myself! (I do things like that, but when I'm busy like I am now, all of this marketing stuff goes by the wayside and ultimately, my business will suffer. Perhaps one day, I'll have enough momentum to hire some assistance?).

Anyhow, good luck on that SOI calling. Glad you're feeling like you're in a good place. That's a fun feeling.

Christina, if you can't do a referral fee-find out if you can make a donation to charity on someone's behalf. I did that for awhile too but with clients. I could give more and to a charity of their choice on their behalf.

Christina, :) yes, sharing experiences and receiving comments from fellows it makes you to improve your professional career and it is really worth it, I love this community :) keep the good blog and happy memorial day !

MAY

2007

Christina, I didn't know there was a group for mothers of young kids, what age do your kids have to be to join (age limit)?

Christina, this is a wonderful post. Active Rain has been extremely helpful to me and it's so nice to see that others "get" it too. It still baffles me that of those who join, the majority do not participate.

I agree with Stephanie. Your SOI (same thing ::smile::) should be getting reminders that you are in the business. We can't offer anything in Florida, lucky Stephanie! Like Andrew, I mail out newsletters. It is precisely the folks in my SOI that tell me each time I see them about something they saw in my newsletter that was memorable. They love it! Keep reminding them of the great service you provide, even if it's not through phonecalls. You want your name to pop into their heads automatically whenever "great real estate agent" comes to mind. Good luck!

Congratulations on a well deserved featured post. This is my favorite sentence: ''I find myself handing cards out around the neighborhood while taking the kids for a walk. '' What a wonderful way to market and share quality time with the children.

Stephanie- I'll double check and then I'll post what I find out about giving a little referral gift. The donation is a good idea, too... but I think people would probably prefer to get something they can use themselves.

Mana- I feel better now too. I think I've learned so much from reading that it's not just that I FEEL better- I AM better. There is no age limit for the group, come on over and join us! Just click on the link in the post.

Aurora- I love getting to share with others too. And it is working to promote me too. Active Rain is just awesome!

Maggie- Thanks for the comment. I agree with you- it seems like a ton of people join and then never do anything other than a post or two. But eventually they will all be in the mix. Eventually everyone is going to figure out what they are missing and get into this.

Margaret- Thank you very much. I do have my kids with me most of the time, so one of the things I am learning is how to get new clients while they are with me. They're great conversation starters, and a great opportunity to tell people why I love my job! I traditionally have trouble doing things like this, but I am feeling more and more confident since I joined Active Rain.

Hi Christina, I can so relate, but stealth realtors make no money. Once you get over the idea that you're just calling them for their business and call with the purpose of staying in touch, you'll be ok. It's the idea that you don't want to "use" your friends that is holding you back--at least that's what it was with me. Or perhaps it's the idea that you haven't been doing real estate long enough to have earned their trust. I've read your posts. You are more trustworthy than lots of agents who have years and years of experience. Just start calling. Sometimes I use a new web site as an excuse. Call with info about BeJane.com-"Here's a web site that I've found helpful. It has all kinds of info about home repair and simple things that may need to be addressed when you own a home." BTW, do you know anyone who may be thinking of buying or selling? You're learning so much helpful info here in Active Rain that it won't be hard to come up with something valuable to share. Once you get over the initial "what do I say? " factor you'll be fine and you will discover that your friends really do want to hear from you. I tried the default to mailing trick too. I got some business, but there's nothing like a personal note and a phone call to stay in touch. It stabs you in the gut when you meet up with someone you know and haven't stayed in touch with and they tell you that they just bought a house. Now that I've said all this, I need to make some calls. Wanna be online accountability buddies? I could use a buddy.

It's all about confidence.

By writing about things, you have time to put the thoughts together and craft the message the way you want. After doing this enough, you get more confident about talking about the business in person. The words flow easily, you're confident that about the words because you already got feedback via comments, so you come across as an expert. People like others who seem to know what they are talking about.

Hi Christina,

Glad to see you produced another feature and some of it comes from your willingness to participate and it is appreciated.

Great posts some times agents forget what it takes to create business and you have nailed it.

Wonderful post. I was the same way. I am getting better as well. I do credit Active Rain to that change in me. When I first began doing this, I didn't tell anyone. Now, I hand out cards and send lots of mailers.

what a nice post

well spoken. fantastic post. I think you bravely spoke what many feel but are afraid to say.

Awesome testimonial - And it's true - The knowledge that we gain here from all you other rainers gives us confidence and makes us more connected with the real estate market as a whole. I enjoy reading and commenting on just about every subject here on ar and it gives me a sense of what other Realtors are doing and thinking! Let's keep moving forward!

Christina,

AR can help us in so many ways. It's supposed to assist us promote and grow our business and I can tell that it certainly succeeded doing just that with you. Isn't that a great feeling. Take it from there and reach for higher levels.

YOU GO GIRL! Glad this is making a difference and so quickly too

Congratulations on your featured post! Your post really speaks to how confidence is key in this business! Like you, I'm a pretty low key non-pushy person.

I believe that we can come across less pushy if we are up front about why we are calling. For instance, instead of saying "by the way, if you know anyone looking to buy or sell..." at the end of your call, put your reason for calling at the beginning! That way, people won't feel duped. They think you've called to chat but at the end of the call, "AHA" the real reason for the call! So, here's an idea (I got at a recent training event):

"Hi, this is Kelly. The reason for my call is that I've sold most of my inventory and I'm down to ___ listings. I figured that while I had a few minutes, I would get the word out to the people that I know that I'm looking to add 5 new listings over the next 90 days or so. Do you know anyone who has been talking about moving?" That's it. Then drop it and move on. Spend a few minutes chatting about the kids, dog, job, whatever.

What do you think?

Lea- Sure, we can be buddies! But I'm still gonna start with mail. But I do think hand written, personal notes are the way to go. They will take me longer, but it will be worth it. The bottom line is that I still have to be comfortable with what I'm doing. BUT- I would be happy to make you make calls! LOL

Tim- You hit the nail on the head. Because I am spending so much time each day reading about real estate, I feel more confident in my knowledge. People pick up on that fast.\

Neal- Thank you. I have made a pact with myself to blog every day. It's funny because I started out with the goal of once a week, now it's once a day.

Paul- Thank you very much!

Christy- It's almost like magic, isn't it? I love this place!

Thesa- Thank you for reading.

John- Thanks for the excellent compliment. I enjoy writing.

Abraham- You're right. It is really interesting, too, to see how different this job is in different parts of the country.

Esko- It does feel really good. I'm glad others feel the same way I do.

Scott- Thanks! I'm enjoying it to no end.

Kelly- That is a good point. I don't ever want people to think I am phony. Maybe this is the best way... thanks a lot for the comment.

I agree with your three pointers...I think everywhere would be different...our office is in a shopping center...so we have walk ins. floor calls and seems that lately I've been getting a bunch of referrals. Good effort into posting and well written....thanks for sharing....and so I can feed my addiciton.

Christina, AWESOME! Glad to see you're gaining momentum and AR is working for you. Progress is good!

MAY

2007

Christina, great post and your choices will serve you to move forward and get the rewards your work deserves. We do not all do this business the same way and we still end up with results!

Sally- Thank you. You're absolutely right that every location (both within a community and on a larger scale) will change the ways that it is best for us to do business. Thanks a lot, and happy to help.

Ryan- AR really is working. It's amazing to see the difference already.

Gary- Thanks for your kind words. Sometimes I read on here or go to the office and feel inferior because I can't do some of those things. But, you're right. What I'm doing is working for me.

Christina- congratulations on managing to incorporate all of the "should-do's" in a way that suits your own situation, lets you be comfortable and proud of your job, yet at the same time lets others know that there's a competent agent in the midst- I'd think you'll be their go-to, just by doing it your own way!

Mott- You're right. It's so nice that even we Realtors can share!

Laurie- Thanks for the compliment. I hope that people will come to be because they like the way I work!

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