Our conversation was congenial and productive.  We had just discussed what I would do to help this young professional get her property sold, how I would go about it and what marketing I had planned.

We'd discussed Open Houses, Broker's Opens, Office Caravans, professional photography, coloured brochures, internet advertising and even print advertising. We were even in agreement as to price, even though she understood that she was going to end up selling for less than she'd paid. It was a good meeting, we connected well, her body language said "Yes", so I was feeling fairly confident.

I interview well.

So her question, while fully valid, caught me slightly off balance when she leaned forward and politely asked:

"So, what makes YOU different than the other agents I have already interviewed..
What makes you unique?"

and she sat back, smiling, awaiting my reply.

I reached back into the storage locker of my brain, found different.speech.x14 and dusted it off.  I haven't had to use that particular speech in a while, and I was a bit rusty.  I explained the areas where I differed from other agents, and I could see her take note.

I may to have work on different.speech.x15... there are a couple of new things that I'm doing, that I'd forgotten to mention, that stand me apart from the crowd... like the fabulous SEO I get from ActiveRain...

If you don't have a "different" speech... you may want to work on one... you never know when you'll be asked.

(256  -28)
I'm actually gonna SELL your property!  That's where I'm different.

ALAN MAY, Realtor®
Specializing in Evanston Real Estate and North Shore Real Estate
Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
847.425.3779      Cell: 847.924.3313      Email: Almay@aol.com
Evanston Real Estate & North Shore Real Estate • Licensed in Illinois

   

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41 Comments on What makes you different?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

MAR
10
2011
816,148 Points 243 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Alan, great piece. I have my own version at the ready for those special occasions where they ask. 
8:58pm • #22
886,794 Points 227 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

J.P.F - and we know where Al Franken ended up, don't we?
9:30pm • #23
471,349 Points 18 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Alan--Many agents do some of the things I do, but none do it all--and my better than average stats and rankings back me up.  How'd I do?  How'd I do?
10:27pm • #24
210,808 Points 1 Featured Post Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Alan - Fortunately I have an opportunity to work with new agents ... and reviewing the unique value proposition with them gives me a chance to update mine!  I have noticed that when you are good at the presentation details ... and the client has been directly or indirectly "coached" to ask that question ... it sometimes sounds like a rerun!
10:28pm • #25
886,794 Points 227 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Pat - sounds good to me... you're hired!

Jack - I find that every interview is different, and I do best when I fly by the seat of my pantaloons.
10:47pm • #26
407,881 Points 49 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Alan, I remember reading about an interview question that threw someone off...and it was "if you were a cookie, but type of cookie would you be?"  Ok...so it was probably Cosmo. I like that your seller (and she will be) asked this. Now I need to come up with this one. Jeez, I'm still working on my elevator speech.
11:40pm • #27
1,214,642 Points 119 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Alan, with this question you caught me off guard as well. Not sure what I would have said
11:57pm • #28
MAR
11
2011
236,745 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Alan - how timely a post.  I think the public is becoming so much more knowledgeable about all aspects of the residential purchase/selling/moving process, that we all need to dig back into our brains and bring forth all of our capabilities and sensabilities that differentiate us from our colleagues!  Thanks for the great post.
1:46am • #30

This one stumps me everytime! So hard to come up with the answer! But Dogone it-I'm good!
7:27am • #31
1,417,792 Points 28 Featured Posts Hit Router Called Shot Master

Alan, I too am very curious about your answer to this question.  Would you mind sharing it with me?  (And I hope the answer isn't about your twisted sense of humor as I have one of those also.)
8:19am • #32
1,178,917 Points 87 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
Alan, too bad that client had to ask, makes you wonder if she was listening. It should have been enough to let her know that you will get her listing sold and that you continue to market and get the listing exposed so that it is always fresh to the Internet consumer.
8:31am • #33
886,794 Points 227 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Cindy - snickerdoodle... kinda irreverant name, a little soft on the inside, crunchy on the outside, and oh, so good!

Jon - I kow... it's that kind of question.

Peggy - the public is highly informed... and I think that's great.

Renée - I'm good enough, I'm smart enough... and doggone it, people like me.

Gabe - nope... I'm not going to publish (on a national website, no less) what makes me different... suddenly EVERYONE will be different.

Ed - I guess that was part of my surprise, too... I thought I already had her.
8:40am • #34
MAR
12
2011
1,417,792 Points 28 Featured Posts Hit Router Called Shot Master

Well then....  How about an email?
7:37am • #35
886,794 Points 227 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Gabe - sure, you know where to reach me.
9:26am • #36
414,337 Points 88 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Great idea to think out without making it canned. The spontaneity of your response  must have made it effective.
11:33am • #37
886,794 Points 227 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Leslie - that remains to be seen.
11:37am • #38
MAR
13
2011
515,389 Points 26 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I just tell everyone that I'm a friend of Alan May. Works like a charm...
6:37pm • #39
886,794 Points 227 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Eric - it does... it's a great way to lose a listing.
6:40pm • #40
MAR
14
2011
255,481 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Reading thru all these darn comments, and so far only Gay is even mildly curious if you got the listing?? It was my first question...after expressing dismay that I missed your sperm banner, that is.
3:43am • #41
886,794 Points 227 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Marie - haven't heard, yet.... (and they swim pretty fast!)
8:46am • #42

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Alan May, Coldwell Banker Realtor® Evanston, Illinois & Northern Suburbs (847.425.3779 almay@aol.com) Ambassador_large

Alan May, Coldwell Banker Realtor® Evanston, Illinois & Northern Suburbs

Evanston, IL

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847.425.3779 almay@aol.com

Address: Attn: Alan May, Realtor®, 2929 Central Street, Evanston, IL, 60201

Office Phone: (847) 425-3779

Cell Phone: (847) 924-3313

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