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"Wannabe" or Want To be the BEST? Run with the Big Dogs!

By Mick Michaud

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Distinctly Texas Lifestyle Properties, LLC Office:682/498-3107 Tx Broker 0304050

October 25, 2009 10:36 AM

Most of us will say that we want to be the best, top of the heap, The "BIG DOG".

One of the ways to get to BIG DOG status is to run with them. And by that I mean hang out, virtually if not in reality. And that's what's really cool about AR. You can hang with some of the very best in the business, no matter where they are or where you are. Both geographically and in your business performance.

So how do you hang with the Big Dogs? Easy. Subscribe to them. Read their posts, follow their lead.

I'm a bit of a mixed mutt when it comes to being on AR. I am a licensed RE broker, but I don't run a typical brokerage. I have my license to support my other endeavors. And those are building zero-energy homes in Texas and Oklahoma, running a marketing company to help other agents sell their homes faster with our Solar Certified Homes Program, and I invest in alternative energy production and green developments.

Heres a post I made a while back concerning the impact relationships have on your business.

Is Your mule entered in the Kentucky Derby?

On AR, here's who I recommend that you follow or subscribe to in order to get to be a BIG DOG:

For your type of business, whether its RE Agents, Mortgage Brokers, Appraisers, Inspectors, Builders, whatever, subscribe to the top in your state and to the top RE Agent for your state. Here's why both. I'm in construction. I'm ranked #1 in Texas, #3 in all of AR and #1 for green home construction. I AM the BIG DOG! However, I am nowhere near as accomplished in my marketing and use of AR's resources as the top broker for Texas:

Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653) (Austin Texas Homes, LLC)
Score: 630377

Jason is kind of the AR godfather for Texas. Besides the typical RE related posts, He posts a lot of local interest items regarding places in Texas as well.

Next, I subscribe to the top agent for my area. For me, that's Collin County. Even though I live in Fannin County, on the NE corner of Collin, Collin County is where all the action is. Fannin County is a relative back-water with only 32000 people. My clients come from the Metroplex, so that's where I "fish".

The top agent for Collin County is:

Loreena Yeo - Broker|Realtor(R) of www.Frisco-TX-Homes.com (214) 783-2210 (3:16 team REALTY)
Score: 444186

Then I subscribe to the AR staff members. I currently subscribe to a couple of them. This will keep you on top of what's happening in AR land and get you involved in some really cool contests. You may even learn a thing or two.

Bob Stewart - ActiveRain

International, INT

Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager

Fairfield, CA

Then there's a wonderful technical guru, Jeff Turner who has posted many tutorial videos and other helpful information on how to work technical wizardry with your blogs. (Sorry for not having his pic, it wouldn't copy).

These are the types of people that can help you take your game to the next level here on AR, to maximize resources, marketing impact, production. I'm still learning. In fact, I think I've only scratched the surface.

I also subscribe to other's who I find interesting for various reasons and I am a member of quite a few groups and have started several of my own. In fact, I invite everyo Bgpic10232008122428_l ne to join The Green Zone. This group is all about green things, energy homes, lifestyle.

Bottom line, if you want to be the best, a Big Dog, go hang out with them.

Otherwise, get used to the title "wannabe".

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Joe Colón, Jr.

Jenny L Colón, PC - Chesapeake, VA

Hey Mike, Truer words haven't been spoken. I have been studying AR and have researched who in the community has the knowledge to help me not just get started in Social Media (SM), but thrive. Let's face it, none of us are here just for fun, we're all here to try to make money and/or learn how to do so through SM. That said, I am so happy to say that this has been a wonderful place to learn from those far wiser than I. I remember the words my mom would tell me time and time again, "tell me who your friends are, and I'll tell you who you are." So I echo your words and I WILL run with the big dogs. Many blessings to you Sir and thank you for a great post.

-Joe

Oct 26, 2009 04:01 AM

Colleen Fischesser Northwest Property Shop

NextHome Experience - Chelan, WA

A Tradition of Trust in the Pacific NW since 1990!

In other words....get off the porch, right? You are the company you keep. Period. Great reminder for agents who are willing to learn and grow.

Oct 26, 2009 04:02 AM

Ty Lacroix

Envelope Real Estate Brokerage Inc - London, ON

Thank you Mike for the ideas. I'll learn this TOP DOG thing yet

Oct 26, 2009 04:16 AM

Gene Riemenschneider

Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA

Turning Houses into Homes

Good post and a reminder that Active Rain is not just about posting an article it is about community and learning.

Oct 26, 2009 05:11 AM

Christianne O'Malley

Dickson Realty - Reno, NV

Exceptional Service - Delivering Results in Reno!

This post explains perfectly what I tried to do without saying it - Act As If... I love it. I think I will go out and subscribe to a few more blogs right now to round out my collection!

Oct 26, 2009 05:45 AM

France and Mark Clausen

Realty Austin - Dripping Springs, TX

With the exception of Bill Stewart I was already on the same page. I have to agree with another comment that you need to add Katerina.

Oct 26, 2009 05:56 AM

Mick Michaud

Distinctly Texas Lifestyle Properties, LLC Office:682/498-3107 - Granbury, TX

Your Texas Lifestyle is Here!

Bob: Anytime.

Colleen: Yes you are. I actually heard my girlfriend's mother tell my girlfriend once that "Sh*t rubs off". Fortunately, I knew what she was referring to, and it wasn't me. : )

Ty: I was 14 when my youngest brother was born. When he was not even 1 YO, he thought he was just like me and my brother. The funny thing was he couldn't quite walk yet, but boy could he move! Enough time and we all figure it out.

Christianne: Actions are louder than words.

France & Mark: It took me a minute to figure out who Bill is. Its Bob. : )

All, thanks for comments and the reblogs.

Oct 26, 2009 06:35 AM

Michelle Gibson

Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL

REALTOR

Mike - Very good advice, it is something I don't currently do.

Oct 26, 2009 09:27 AM

AZ Mortgage Broker: Michael George

Arizona Wholesale Mortgage Inc. - Phoenix, AZ

AZ Mortgage Rates

Great post! Maybe you could include a link to the top 100 bloggers on AR? I can never seem to find that page.

Oct 26, 2009 09:35 AM

Martin E. Kalisker, Esq.

Natick, MA

Real Estate Law From A Practical Perspective

As much as we "talk" about real estate being a homogeneous "commodity" - it is definitely not. I am always amazed at the diversity of practice that the consumer must encounter if they go to Agent A versus Agent B or if they move from State A to State B. While it's fun "trivia" to read what others do in their part of the country, I prefer to "subscribe" to the local leaders. And even then, I don't always see eye to eye with them or think that they have the best practices to learn from. So I keep a mix of subscriptions from those I find to be the most "insightful". These folks seem to attract the broadest audience so that I can link to a thread post and see if I can add a new subscription.

Oct 26, 2009 10:23 AM

Martin E. Kalisker, Esq.

Natick, MA

Real Estate Law From A Practical Perspective

Oct 26, 2009 10:23 AM

Mick Michaud

Distinctly Texas Lifestyle Properties, LLC Office:682/498-3107 - Granbury, TX

Your Texas Lifestyle is Here!

Michelle: It took me a while of reading to figure out how AR works and who makes it work. Then I knew who to watch.

Az: I don't know if there's a ranking across all of AR. I know if you click on each state, you'll get the rankings by state. You'd have to look through all 50 plus DC plus all of the Candian provinces and then order them to get your top 100 AR ranking.

Martin: I like your approach. Its mine as well. That's why this post is about the minimums, key resources. You definitely need to flesh out our subscriber list based on what you're looking to accomplish. Good response.

Oct 26, 2009 10:40 AM

Wayne B. Pruner

Oregon First - Tigard, OR

Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI

What a great angle Mike. And I always learn something from comments.

Oct 26, 2009 01:36 PM

Christine Donovan

Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA

Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

This is a great way to learn from those who truly are accomplished and the big dogs. I subscribe to many you do though I'm in a different area.

Oct 26, 2009 03:55 PM

Dianne Hicks

Realty ONE Group - Poway, CA

That is exactly what I have been doing for the last couple of months. Just reading and absorbing all I can. I often wonder how everyone has the time. Great post especially for those just starting to re focus in a new direction.

Oct 26, 2009 04:11 PM

Mike Henderson

Your complete source for buying HUD homes - Littleton, CO

HUD Home Hub - 303-949-5848

A lot of really good stuff and people to follow on here.

Oct 26, 2009 06:29 PM

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

I think you should spread your net a little wider because you never know where you'll come up with great information! AR's got terrific people that share great ideas daily.

Oct 27, 2009 09:35 AM

Mark Velasco

West Shores Realty - Whittier, CA

Top Producing Broker Associate

These are also great people who are always willing to lend a hand.

Oct 27, 2009 05:47 PM

Carrie Sampron

Home Smart Realty Group - Highlands Ranch, CO

ABR SFR & Kathy Sampron (303) 931-3629 Highlands R

I completely agree. These are great posts to read and I learn so much!

Oct 28, 2009 10:23 AM

Mick Michaud

Distinctly Texas Lifestyle Properties, LLC Office:682/498-3107 - Granbury, TX

Your Texas Lifestyle is Here!

Sorry for taking so long to get back.

Thanks for stopping the read and comments.

Lyn: I agree with a wide net. I think if you subscribed to the first page of members for each state's members list you'd do quite well. Problem with that is there's not enough time in the day to read it all, let alone run your business.

Nov 17, 2009 01:39 AM