OK, OK...which one is it? let me think...

Do you really have to choose? I believe you don’t.

I recently wrote a post on graphic signatures. Searching the subject landed me on a blog where there was an interesting comment. It said that using graphic signatures would give our prospective customers a bad impression.

That got me thinking. Can we behave like ourselves and as professionals at the same time?

What is it to “behave like a professional”?  I am asking the question as it refers to real estate agents. The way I see it, professional behavior includes many aspects, and the following are essential:

1)    Education and information – this includes polishing up skills, getting as much education as possible in all areas that relate to our business, and keeping up to date with changing information and technology. 

2)    Develop areas of expertise – we cannot be experts on everything. We specialize in certain geographical areas and on certain types of real estate, such as condos or single family homes. For example, I sell real estate in the Town of Miami Lakes, and in the adjacent areas of Palm Springs North, Hialeah and El Doral. But I will not take a listing in an area I don't really know much about, such as Miami Beach, or Miami Shores. In that case I would refer the sellers to another realtor who specializes in the area and can help them better. 

3)   Work diligently - doing what we are supposed to be doing to achieve our customer’s real estate goals of selling or buying property. This includes carrying out all the work that needs to be done in a timely manner (filling/submitting paperwork, marketing, follow-up, doing home searches, previewing listings, researching, etc., etc.). We need to do what we promise we would do. It is always better to under-promise and over-deliver. 

4)    Respect customers – for me to respect other people is to treat them, as I want to be treated. So this includes acting with integrity, honesty, and taking their wants and needs into account. It also includes the three items above, because I owe it to my customers to be as educated and as informed as possible and to work diligently to attain their goals. And it includes many other aspects such as maintaining constant communication with them, keeping them informed of any market changes, etc..

5)    Respect yourself – same definition as above. I have to be honest with myself and I also have to take into account my own needs and wants.

6)    Respect everybody  - including agents, brokers, title agents, appraisers, inspectors, buyers and sellers represented by other agents, and anybody else involved in the transaction. Same definition of respect as above.

7)    Demand respect from everybody - these includes all sellers, buyers, agents, brokers, and every other person involved in the transaction. Same definition of respect as above. I demand to be treated with the same consideration as I treat others.

Now, as you see, my definition of behaving like a professional doesn’t include being impersonal, boring, faceless, humorless, dull or somber. I am human being, and I want the world to know it, particularly my customers. I have my wants and needs, and I have my own taste too! Do I want to impose it on my customers? NO. I respect theirs and they respect mine.

I have found that letting my personality and my own taste show through little things here and there allow me to enjoy what I do much more. At the same time, it seems that customers feel more at ease realizing that they are dealing with a real person. Does it mean that if you enjoy dirty jokes you are going to tell one to the sellers at the listing presentation? Well, a little common sense goes a long way…

But behaving professionally doesn’t mean that you can’t be yourself (or if you are too wild, a milder version of yourself?). 

I am not less of a professional because I choose to cover my agenda with a purple folio. It serves the same purpose of any other agenda, and I enjoy using it!

Saying something funny at your first meeting with customers? Why not? A good laugh will usually make everybody more comfortable. You don’t have to be a stiff, and don't be full of your self either!

Relax. Be yourself. People can smell a fake right away, in the same way they can identify authenticity.

And by the way, I also believe you can use colorful pretty signatures. I don’t think they take anything away from your professional behavior. Not a little bit.

COLORFUL/GRAPHIC/ANIMATED SIGNATURES WELCOMED!