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Do You Know What You Sound Like on the Phone?

By
Real Estate Agent with Century 21 HomeStar Ohio DRE File# 245997

I was inspired to write this by a previous post about "rude agents".

Do you know what you sound like on the phone?

I think many of us would be amazed at how our phone voices come across. I hear absolute monotones from some and disjointed phrases linked only by "uhh's", ahh's, and "that kind of stuff" etc.

Montones cause the listener's mind to wander, and disorganized conversations can indicate a lack of professionalism

What may sound rude to a listener might have been thought by the talker as "efficient".

How many of you in the AR universe have recorded and listened to your own phone conversations? Not only might you be surprised at how you come across, but your memory of the conversation might improve.

They may be some of us who should stick to text messaging!  LOL

 

Comments (15)

Suzanne Gantner
Realty Texas - Round Rock, TX
GRI, E-Pro, SRES, SRS, ABR, CNE, REDS, CPS, WCS

Good idea to record yourself because I think everyone would be surprised.  Oh and don't forget the shriller that nearly blows your eardrum out.  Have a great weekend, hopefully it will be a quiet one. 

Oct 15, 2010 02:52 AM
Chad Clark
Allison James Estates & Homes - Rotonda West, FL
CDPE

Thanks for the tip.  I might try that out.

Oct 15, 2010 02:57 AM
Thomas McCombs
Century 21 HomeStar - Akron, OH

Suzanne: Thanks for the comment. You were the first one!

Chad: Sooner is better than later. Do it now! Thanks for stopping by.

 

 

Oct 15, 2010 03:22 AM
Nina Rogoff
Boston, MA
Wix Websites for Real Estate Agents

Whenever I change the recorded message on my cell phone it takes me several tries before it sounds the way I want it to. How we are perceived, or want to be perceived, depends a lot on our tone and the words, or "filler" words that we choose. Thanks, Thomas!

Oct 15, 2010 05:21 AM
Hillary Kinnison
Keller Williams Coastal Realty - Dover, NH

Exactly why I always make sure to smile when I'm on the phone.  The energy really comes across and makes a difference!

Oct 16, 2010 03:37 PM
Joseph Michalski
Precision Home Inspection - Lansdale, PA
PA Home Inspector

Well said, Thomas! 

I think I sound like an overenthusiastic dork on the phone, but that's pretty much my natural conversational tone, and I love what I do....  Some things just can't be helped, I guess. 

Still, I think your point is an excellent one, as I am often put off by contractors and other self-employed business people who have a less than stellar phone persona.  That is the front line of your business!!!!  It's like letting your storefront get run down and ratty, it chases people away.

Nov 28, 2010 02:10 AM
Thomas McCombs
Century 21 HomeStar - Akron, OH

Nina and Hillary: Thanks for stopping by.

Joseph: One of my coaches suggested that the best way to add listener interest to your conversation is to "add energy". That means to elevate and to vary the pitch. It works! She compared it to running octives in singing excercises. It may take some practice to feel comfortable with it, but try it anyway.

It sounds like you are already doing this, but if you think you sound overenthusiastic you might want to tone it down a little. Record and listen to yourself talk and you will probably make some adustments.

 

 

Nov 29, 2010 01:29 AM
Renée Donohue~Home Photography
Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI
Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

I like email and texting but unfortunately you can't avoid the phone.  Agents here are aggressive so it isn't fun to have an agent to agent chat many times.

Jan 09, 2011 08:12 AM
Thomas McCombs
Century 21 HomeStar - Akron, OH

Renee: Notice how their phone talking puts you off.  We do not want or need to make their mistakes.

Jan 09, 2011 09:53 AM
Elizabeth Byrne
Keller Williams Realty - Arlington, VA
Arlington Virginia Real Estate

Thomas, great idea with recording your calls - I may try it.

P.S. Thank you for visiting my Ninja post. When I heard the name first, I wasn't sure what to think, but I like the philosophy behind it. Influencing your sphere without being obvious.

Feb 21, 2011 02:22 PM
Rob Thomas
Prestige Homes of The Tri Cities, Inc. CALL....423-341-6954 - Bristol, TN
Bristol TN-VA & Tri Cities Agent, ABR, GRI, e-Pro

Thomas....great idea...I have been videoing myself and then watching it back to see how I present myself to others....I had no idea I used my hands so much...
Hope you have a great day!

Feb 22, 2011 10:08 PM
Carla Harbert
www.LorainCountyHomeSales.com - Avon, OH
RE/MAX Omega: Lorain-Medina County Area

When I was a loan officer in training with GMAC Mortgage, they had us record some conversations on the phone, then had a video of us talking about our loan products. Watching and listening was a real eye-opener for me!

Mar 08, 2011 02:31 AM
Thomas McCombs
Century 21 HomeStar - Akron, OH

Carla: Every day brings a new eye opener of some kind. I just read that 23% of all homes (11 million or so) that have a mortgage are under water -- which leads me to another post if I can just get it written. LOL

 

Mar 08, 2011 08:51 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Tom ~ so true -- we often don't know what we really sound like to others on the phone.  I heard once that actually smiling will show in your voice and help you come across as friendly -- I think it works!

Apr 03, 2011 06:39 AM
Thomas McCombs
Century 21 HomeStar - Akron, OH

Smiling comes across in your AR commenting, too.  Thanks for stopping by.

Apr 04, 2011 04:15 AM