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Just because someone knows you, does that mean that they will HIRE you?

By
Real Estate Agent with One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate

I've been in this Project Blogger for 10 weeks now.  I won't bore anyone by doing a 10-week re-cap. During this competition,  I have been hearing things like "finding your voice" and "clients getting to know you" for success in blogging.

I have been selling real estate for 15 years now.  When I started in the business, I was crushed many times when a person "I knew" did business with somebody else.  It happened too many times.  What I learned from that is that potential clients require the agent they hire to have a skill set which includes:  expertise, knowledge, experience and integrity, especially in this new market.  For the last five years, agents new to the business have simply been "order takers" and haven't acquired the tools needed to give their clients the best possible service. 

Blogging and expecting to gain business WITHOUT learning and demonstrating your skills in your blog will be useless.  It was very hard, as it is with any new agent, for me to acquire those skills.  It took time. I'm so grateful that those days are behind me. 

So for any new bloggers out there here is my advice: find your voice but also never overlook the fact that your CLIENT is looking for a professional first and someone they like second.  I have seen many people hire an agent that they didn't necessarily like because they felt confidence in their ABILITY to get the job done.

As my friend, ARDELL says:  "Heed or not, it's your choice".

Kevin Tomlinson
One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate - Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Real Estate

Jeff,

My term of the week is "conveyance of information".  I used it many times with a condominium manager this week because she kept telling me about all these rules that the condo had for agents.  I kept trying to get the point across that without CONVEYING this info to me or other agents, that the information was USELESS.

Anyway, thanks for you nice words.

Jun 16, 2007 02:22 AM
Jeff Turner
RealSatisfied - Santa Clarita, CA
Kevin... I think MOST people don't accept their role in communication. They expect others to "get it" without putting in the work, or attempting to see how their side of the communication process may be getting in the way of the conveyance you're talking about. The condo manager thinks she is communicating. But if you and others aren't "getting it," then she's not, she's just spitting out words. 
Jun 16, 2007 02:42 AM
Mary Pope-Handy
Christie's International Real Estate Sereno - Los Gatos, CA
CRS, CIPS, ABR, SRES, Silicon Valley
Kevin this was a good post and you got me thinking (which I think IS the sign of a good post). Since I was between just losing a big listing and trying for another one (not as big, but...), I thought I'd write about how I handle it when things don't go the way I'd hoped.

Also I think you're entirely right that sometimes people hire someone they don't like because they think he or she is more competant. Sometimes, though, it can go the other way - they hire someone they feel they can trust, especially when it's a sale due to a difficult situation (divorce, illness, death). No matter what, though, for both groups you cannot lose by using your formula: demonstrate your expertise. Do it in every facet of your business.

Great post.
Jun 16, 2007 03:11 AM
Kevin Tomlinson
One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate - Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Real Estate

Mary--

I so LOVE that we are now talking about the business of REAL ESTATE.  I think it is mission critical for all of us.  Your comment is now bringing this competition full-circle, past the widgets and tricks and "voice" and all that other stuff to the reason that we are all here:  REAL ESTATE.  Finally---and it only took 10 weeks.

I'm very sorry about losing the listing.  Don't you hate getting that feeling in the pit of your stomach, like you just want to puke?  I don't know how long you have been in real estate, but that feeling never has never went away for me.

Jun 16, 2007 04:22 AM
ARDELL DellaLoggia
Better Properties Seattle - Kirkland, WA

Not good.  Agent-Centric writing.  and it's has never GONE away, not never "went" away. 

Now that you know how to blog, we are moving to comment training...:) 

 

Jun 16, 2007 04:35 AM
ARDELL DellaLoggia
Better Properties Seattle - Kirkland, WA
I meant Mary's post BTW.  Yours is a tad Agent-Centric...hers is totally Agent-Centric
Jun 16, 2007 04:36 AM
Kevin Tomlinson
One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate - Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Real Estate

Mary

Just as an FYI to ARDELL's comments:  That has been my great big objective that I have yet to really MASTER on my blog.  Writing to the consumer.  ARDELL trashes many of my ideas (thankfully) because they would be 'pointless' in creating readership and then clients.

That is MY objective for the last 4 weeks.  Continuing to try to grasp and write to the consumer and not the the agent community.  I have been advised, during my training, to not "hang out" too much in AR because I just end up talking to agents in agent-speak making it HARDER to write to the consumer in real-speak (ARDELL, is that a word: real-speak?).

Jun 16, 2007 04:52 AM
Mesa, Arizona Real Estate Mesa Arizona Realtor
Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC - Mesa, AZ
AzLadyInRed
Good post Kevin, and "right on."  As Jeff mentioned, it's short and succinct as well as going right to the heart of the matter. When our friends/relatives, etc. go somewhere else, I don't think we ever get over it. Many times, they don't want to work with you 'cause you are a friend. Having worked with friends, there is definitely something to that idea!!
Jun 16, 2007 05:01 AM
Mary Pope-Handy
Christie's International Real Estate Sereno - Los Gatos, CA
CRS, CIPS, ABR, SRES, Silicon Valley
Kevin - thanks. I agree with Ardell about writing outside of ourselves. I don't always do it, though!  (Seriously, sometimes, depending on the reason for the post, I might be sharing something about my own experience and so it can come across as I-centric. When I do that I try to then move it out of myself and back to the intended audience to tie them together.)

Kevin I've been in the biz almost as long as you - 14 1/2 years. I grew up with a Realtor mom (she was in the biz for 40) so it feels like forever. But the business has changed exponentially in a lot of ways. The "losing the listing" part doesn't really change. The worst is when they just don't call or email or anything and I've worked with them for years. Second worst is when they hire someone else who is really not a great agent at all!! (Somehow it's not as bad a loss when I can see they hired one of the better agents around. But when they don't, oh that kills me!)

Ardell, thanks for your comments too...

Have a great weekend.
Jun 16, 2007 07:14 AM
Kevin Tomlinson
One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate - Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Real Estate

Mary,

What I think ARDELL has added to this competiton is our ability to handle constructive criticism and demanding that we learn from it.  Real estate is a tough business and we have had many inside conversations about how many agents get coddled and then go on to become mediocre or ineffective bloggers.

Truthfully, ARDELL and I have come to terms with the fact that we will not win this competition.  She sent me an email apologizing for not helping me WIN the competition.  Her focus, she said, was helping me become a good blogger and not on winning the competion and for that she apologized.

Can you believe she had the gall to send me that CRAZY email?

Truth be told, the day I met (via e-mail) ARDELL after the 3/5 Inman call, and before she picked me to become her apprentice, I offered to PAY her to help me start and to become a good blogger.  I'm not a cheap guy by any means, but look at how much of ARDELL I got over this competition, for FREE.  Now that is WINNING!

We are preparing ourselves for the end of the competition.  We are moving on.  ARDELL told me that I am now on my "training wheels" and is preparing me to "fly away"....but I can tell you one thing:  I'm still gonna get my last four weeks worth of criticism out of her whether she likes it or not!  ; )

 

Jun 16, 2007 07:31 AM
Mary Pope-Handy
Christie's International Real Estate Sereno - Los Gatos, CA
CRS, CIPS, ABR, SRES, Silicon Valley
Kevin you are really right. The one-on-one coaching and mentoring you've received by Ardell has been invaluable. She has really, really "been there" for you since Day 1. She hasn't missed a beat in coaching you to be a blogger who makes a good business blog, one that will be a moneymaker. She has nothing to apologise for!!! I think she just needs a hug...
Jun 16, 2007 07:39 AM
Kevin Tomlinson
One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate - Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Real Estate
She?  LOL
Jun 16, 2007 07:41 AM
Mary Pope-Handy
Christie's International Real Estate Sereno - Los Gatos, CA
CRS, CIPS, ABR, SRES, Silicon Valley
OK you too, no doubt!! But she's taking it hard.
Jun 16, 2007 07:42 AM
Kevin Tomlinson
One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate - Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Real Estate

It's sorta weird because in our minds it is over, even though it REALLY is not.  When it is really over, we will really be OVER it.

I'm half Irish (Kevin Tomlinson) and half Italian.  My father is Irish and Irish funerals are like parties.  Nobody is sad.  I've never been to an Italian funeral (I'm 40 and have only been to two funerals in my whole life).  Maybe I'm trained to accept the reality BEFORE?  Who knows.

I used to think bloggers were freaks and that they lived in this make believe world.  I have really enjoyed being proven wrong and meeting so many great people from around the country.  I can't wait to meet everyone that I have gotten to know over the past months at Inman. 

Jun 16, 2007 07:52 AM
Jeff Turner
RealSatisfied - Santa Clarita, CA

"... past the widgets and tricks and "voice" and all that other stuff to the reason that we are all here:  REAL ESTATE.  Finally---and it only took 10 weeks." 

What!?! You don't like my widgets? I'm shocked. Shocked!!!  :) All joking aside, you could present the same information in a different "voice" and it wouldn't be received the same way. This conveyance you speak of is more than just getting the details right. Your post here is good because of your voice in it. That's a fact. That may not be about real estate, but it IS about blogging and that is also what this competition is about. You've found yours. So have some of the others.

Kevin... like you, I came to blogging late. I had some of the same feelings about it. That's obviously changed for me as well. And Ardell has nothing to apologize for... obviously. If the "teams" were being judged, this competition might look a lot different. I'm sure of that. My opinion... whether you want it or not... you and Ardell have a great deal to be proud of. As do most of the participants.  

Jun 16, 2007 11:25 AM
Mary Pope-Handy
Christie's International Real Estate Sereno - Los Gatos, CA
CRS, CIPS, ABR, SRES, Silicon Valley
I'll 2nd or 3rd that.

I never read blogs at all until Fran asked me about the competition. Seriously. That has entirely changed, of course!

And Jeff you are so right about the teams. I know you and Julie have worked very closely, as have Kevin and Ardell, but a lot of teams aren't working that way much.... 
Jun 16, 2007 11:58 AM
Kevin Tomlinson
One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate - Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Real Estate

Jeff,

Are you the widget man?  I just have ADD to the max.  I get so confused.  Do you know I have never rated a post on AR?  Tisza and I discussed that.

Yes, Jeff, I really agree with me presenting the info that I spew in a different way to be perceived less harsh.

But that is REALLY a part of my "voice" and is really who I am.  I am so gruff and blunt that I offend EVERYBODY I meet.  I'm so not PC and it is probably the thing that irritates me THE MOST:  I find that people are now so used to being overly PC and so conscious about the delivery, that messages don't get conveyed clearly anymore.  I think that is why ARDELL and I have gotten along so well because she is the same way.  In my first email to ARDELL, without ever talking to her, I was throwing around those four letter words like I knew her forever.

I'm starting to see the beginnings of the new trend of people bucking the PC bullsh*t. 

Jun 16, 2007 12:26 PM
Kevin Tomlinson
One Sotheby's International Realty- Miami Beach Real Estate - Miami Beach, FL
Miami Beach Real Estate

Well Mary,

It is evident that you didn't need a whole lot of direction....and I hate you for that!

Jun 16, 2007 12:27 PM
Mary Pope-Handy
Christie's International Real Estate Sereno - Los Gatos, CA
CRS, CIPS, ABR, SRES, Silicon Valley
Kevin you are a riot!  I can write (thanks to a couple of high school classes, one in journalism and one in creative writing) but it's not the same thing as blogging and certainly not the same as blogging for business. I'm banking that my gut instinct is right that what has worked with my websites will work with blogging. But I don't have any clients from the blog and alllll my posts yet.Some of it, I think, is that my site is a little invisible to Google. I try to write about real estate stuff once a week or so, maybe I need more? I dunno. I'm still learning.

The 12 apprentices could collectively write a book about this when it's all done... Hey that would be quite the followup, wouldn't it??
Jun 16, 2007 12:32 PM
Tina Maraj
RE/MAX One - Fullerton, CA
Celebrating 30 Years of Real Estate Sales

Hey Kevin,

I just wanted to introduce myself and say HI. I saw your website in some random search I was conducting and I think IT ROCKS!

Jul 09, 2007 11:18 AM