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Ask for help now, not when it is too late!

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC 200311024

 

Help is out thereI love real estate. I love teaching and I love social media, but often when I’m asked how to use it, it is because someone is about to leave the business and they are really too late to the game and just scratching and clawing for a way to stay.

Why not ask before that point? Many people are volunteering to help.Check out the Activerain Ambassadors, these are people that want to give back to the community, but only can help those who want to be helped.

Last week I was helping with a class put on by René Fabre and Ticor Title in Salem and Silverton, Oregon. I met many great people and was glad to help. But, something I noticed is there was very little turn out. (Maybe it was because it was 104 degrees that day.) But, still I’ve been to many of these events and I see the same turnout no matter what the weather.

Now the people that attend these classes are great people and really want to learn. They are usually are getting out of their comfort zone a little and thatis what is really needed to boost your business. Blogging is just one of those things that takes time to learn and can really take you out of your comfort zone, but it can also really build your business.

But, what of those who call me because their buddy went to the class. I got two calls today from people that said they didn’t want to go to the class because they didn’t want others to know what was going on in their business.

What do I say to that? WHO CARES WHAT OTHERS THINK!

These two people didn’t want to learn how to build their business because their business isn’t going well right now and they didn’t want others to find out? What? That doesn’t make sense. If in two months you are no longer in the business, if they found out would it really have mattered anyway?

Companies like Ticor Title, First American Title and others have great marketing reps that only have one job, and that is to advertise to agents, and they do that by giving classes to help agents build their business.They aren’t giving anything away except education, because they know if you have more sales, they have more business.

So, if you want more business, contact someone who is either doing business or contact your title company representative and ask. I’ll make bets that they will gladly sit down with you and help you build your business. I know I have certainly helped a lot of people without expecting anything in return. I just want to pay it forward as some people did for me.

So, don’t wait to make that call or you maybe out of the business and at that point it is too late.

Click here to Join Activerain

Comments(13)

Sheila Moran
RE/MAX Access (Garden Ridge, San Antonio, New Braunfels) - New Braunfels, TX
SanAntonioSheila.com, RE/MAX Access, 210-32

Todd-

You make some great points.

Kristin Moran and I are hosting a class such as you mention this week.  We opened the venue to ANYONE that wants to come learn.  Business people, other offices, title, mortgage, etc. just to help teach the great power of SM and how to do it the right way!

If you do what you have always done, you will get what you have always gotten.

Aug 03, 2009 07:38 AM
Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

Todd, I am no tech guru but do know a little regarding marketing / advertising and such and I also have the door open to agents who just need a little or a lot of help. I figure that it is appreciated and a great way to create better relationships with my peers.

Aug 03, 2009 07:44 AM
William J. Archambault, Jr.
The Real Estate Investment Institute - Houston, TX

Todd,

I'm not sure that it's ever to late. I'm very sure that earlier is always easier!

"WHO CARES WHAT OTHERS THINK!"  I taught what was really a remedial math class on the HP 38C, the precursor to the current HP 12c to CCIM's when I had only two years in real estate, not one or those experts care about being seen in that classes, not one! They were their to learn.  (There is remedial and there is remedial. It's the same class when I teach new LO's but much more so!)

I took a series of classes for new licensees myself a little over a year ago. I was ask by the other students why I was there. I learned more about current misunderstandings that the subject but I did get a good review and I did business with several of the students.  Do I care what others think? Only a few of them, and only if they get my name wrong!

One of the early sales classes I took was from Cavit Robert and he taught that when the going gets tough the tough get back to basics! Earl Nightingale taught the same thing. When business is down there is nothing wrong with being seen reviewing the basics. When business is great, there is nothing wrong with being seen reviewing what made it so!

Aug 03, 2009 07:50 AM
Janna Scharf
Keller Williams Realty Coeur d'Alene - Coeur d'Alene, ID
Coeur d'Alene Idaho Real Estate Expert

I have been observing the same thing for quite a while.  AWESOME educational seminars, many of them free, with barely anyone in attendance... 

Aug 03, 2009 09:23 AM
Bryant Tutas
Tutas Towne Realty, Inc and Garden Views Realty, LLC - Winter Garden, FL
Selling Florida one home at a time

Todd. Noyt quite sure why folks worry about what other;s think. We are ALL having to make adjustments in our businesses right now. Or at least those of us that intend on staying in the business. Take advantage of all the great people out there that are willing to share what they know......before it's too late.

Aug 03, 2009 09:36 AM
Janie Coffey
First Coast Sotheby’s International Realty - Ponte Vedra, FL
Uniting Extraordinary Homes w/ Extraordinary Lives

watching what other folks do to see what is working, get inspiration and ideas is the best way to improve.  So guess what? who cares what they think? (those two!)

Aug 03, 2009 10:20 AM
Fran Gaspari
Patriot Land Transfer, Inc. - Limerick, PA
"The Title Man" - Title Insurance - PA & NJ

TC,

Establishing close contacts at title companies can impel an agent very far...!!! Thanks,   Fran

Aug 03, 2009 01:23 PM
Martin Lopez
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Cerritos, CA

You'll be surprised the amount of Realtors, loan officers, title reps, and other related professionals who are virtually "scared away" by just the mention of the word "social media".  For way too many professionals this is a new term and have no idea how it works! or worst, how to make it work for them...

Good post Todd!

 

Aug 03, 2009 01:37 PM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Thanks Todd... it was a fun day having you around. Realtors are an interesting bunch for sure, but if they'll just buck up, step over the start line, and participate, the magic will happen...

It's just Lego's and Dandelions...

Aug 03, 2009 01:55 PM
Scott Hoen
Carson City, NV
Carson City Clerk Recorder / Public Administrator

Affiliates have a lot to share and a wealth of experience, especially on the title insurance side of the business.  Not all transactions are easy to close or have the financial resources to back up a future claim.  Select an affiliate vendor like Rene and stay loyal and they will in turn remain loyal to you and pay dividends down the road for you.

Aug 03, 2009 07:23 PM
Chip Jefferson
Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC

South Carolina is a Attorney State so these classes aren't available to many here. I have held 2 classes at my office and both times attendance was low. The ones that came and listened has doubled there production. HMMMM

Aug 04, 2009 12:04 AM
Tom Braatz Waukesha County Real Estate 262-377-1459
Coldwell Banker - Oconomowoc, WI
Waukesha County Realtor Real Estate agent. SOLD!

Todd

I think Bryant hit it right when he said it when it comes to why others worry about what others think. We are in a difficult market, and not only does one have to develop and hone their basic skills, but they also need to think outside of the box and realize the competition is in themselves and not others.

Aug 04, 2009 10:32 AM
Holly Weatherwax
Associate Broker, Momentum Realty - Reston, VA
A Great Real Estate Experience

Great points! I just signed up for a class this morning that a local title company is sponsoring.  My philosophy is that you learn something at every class you attend--and it is not always what you expected, but it still has value.

Aug 05, 2009 05:54 AM