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Motivational speakers ... gives me shoes or knives and I might bite!

Are you as suspicious of real estate motivational speakers as I am?

They come in to incite us into action ... give us a lot of razz-ma-tazz ... rah-rah-rah sis-boom-bah ... the whole eye of the tiger thing!

They tell us that they were Realtors^® once upon a time and now they're sharing ALL their knowledge so we can become good, fired up agents ready to change into top producers.

My skepticism has always been that if they were such good agents, why aren't they still in the business.

Um-m-m, could it be that they realized they could make more money being on the speaking circuit and selling their "system" and DVD's to those of us who want to be "just like them"!

Let's see now ... who's REALLY going to benefit from this? I think we know.

My broker had one of these speakers for us a few weeks ago. Today, the Board had one for our Sales Associate Day. The guy my broker hired was very good and very entertaining. Today's speaker was neither good nor entertaining.

Both speakers were presenting materials on how to gain clients in this down market. What I found amazing from both of them was that neither really addressed blogging as a way to gain business or make an early connection with prospects. Neither mentioned the importance of knowing or learning SEO as a way to effectively reach potential clients. They both mentioned the word 'internet' but didn't give it the importance it should be receiving.

Now, I realize that their goal is to speak to the masses, and as we know the masses aren't ready for blogging. But how can these "pros" suggest tactics that they used ten years ago? I wonder how successful they would be in today's techie world if they tried to actually get business the "old-fashioned" way they used when they were agents long ago.

And, most of all, why in the world do I want to spend hundreds of dollars for their out-dated system! I'm always amazed at the agents who gleefully pull out their credit cards afterwards.

They're called motivational speakers and they do a good job at motivating agents to make THEMSELVES richer. I just don't understand why people will spend their money on these DVD's but won't bother to devote TIME to learning how to blog.

Of course, we're all glad it works that way, aren't we!

Here's my motivation for you. Go blog 'em TIGER!

Now pay me $199 and I'll put that on a DVD for you.

Posted by Elaine Reese, REALTOR® in central Ohio on 10/25/2007 10:22 PM

Comments (18)

realtors, clients

18 Comments on Motivational speakers ... gives me shoes or knives and I might bite!

OCT

2007

Elaine - I am with ya! I can't stand all the varsity pep talk - especially when it's followed with, "And just for today, because I was asked here by John Doe, I am offering this program to you for a reduced price. Just $249.95 and you will have all the information you need to be successful."

Well, the first key to MY success is holding onto my money!

Unless you're one of those people that need someone to hold their hand every step of the way, these 'carnies' are pretty outdated and obnoxious! There are a few very good speakers that also sell their wares, but for the most part I feel like I'm caught in a hustle.

I don't blame you. Your time is a valuable commodity and it shouldn't be wasted on what worked in the 90's because it just doesn't work these days. There are some good speakers out there to, but I have found it is impossible to motivate others. You can only share relevant information and if it is a fit for what people need they will use it to motivate themselves! Sounds like you are doing a good job of that!!

Elaine, our owner had one not long ago, and that was the only upside I could think of when I got the flu that prevented me from attending. Have had about all the training and motivation I can endure, and have remained rather positive throughout this difficult year, which was a good one for us.

The best positive motivator I have seen yet is our participation here. Listening to all of you trumps any motivational speaker I have ever heard.

Best

Yeah! The truth has been told! Doesn't this go along with same concept as paying a percentage of your commission to your franchised broker for name recognition when you can put your license with a 100% company and put the money in YOUR pocket rather than into someone else's Mercedes payment? Let's face it, you're the master of your own destiny.

Carol, your comments are great! The guy that the Board had last year was fantastic - kept us in stitches for the whole time. He did have stuff to sell, but his whole presentation was so good, that we tolerated it.

Regarding the hustle, today's speaker not only did HER sales pitch but she had a guy in the audience stand up to give a testimonial.

Joenn, actually today we were there to earn CE credit so we were giving our 'time' for that. Even so, it would have been nice to have had a better speaker.

Gary: you are so right about the Active Rain motivational inspiration. That and making MY mortgage payment is MY inspiration!

Elaine,

If you could pay $249 and have a bunch of clients, well it would be worth it. i'd rather write a check than put in all the long hours into blogging, SEO, updating my website and staying current with my clients needs, but it just doesn't work that way does it? A top producer in my market told me today she's working harder than ever before to keep busy, but it's paying off. Those that work it, get a reward, and those that want it easy, spend money on motivational stuff, and complain that they aren't busy.

Barbara, I've chosen to be with #1 broker. That's very important to me. In my corporate life I worked for the #1 brand in that industry, so it's just a thing I have. But I realize not everyone shares that view.

Fran: Exactly, there's no magic bullet. Recently, I've had some people ask me to help them set up a blog ... and they'll pay me for my advice. The problem is they have NO internet knowledge and very minimal computer knowledge. Do you know how many hours ... and how many $$$$ they would spend!

It's one thing to teach someone how to fish, but when they don't know what a worm or pole is, that may be a bit much for them. ;-)

OCT

2007

Elaine - you are on a roll her girl - you had me on the floor - couldn't agree more and the worm and pole - Amem sister. I've had people say they'll pay me - hello - I don't want to be a blog trainer full time - I want to sell "real estate" which is why I've worked to learn how to blog for business.

I also find that all the rah rah and magic words and blogging success comes down to this old saying,

It's 99% Persperation and 1% Inspiration - I've found most don't want to work that hard - which gives us lots of internet to "homestead" (lol)

Cyndee: Love the perspiration/inspiration thing. Even if someone sets up the blog for them, they still have to know some html to maintain it. Don't know about you, but that's when their eyes start to glaze over.

And again, your new blog is absolutely gorgeous!

I'm so glad I found this post while reciprocating. Great points! While I have observed fellow agents use coaches like Mike Ferry or Brian Buffini I have never felt I needed that push. And, the motivational types truly don't have much tangible to share. AR is a great source for inspiration every day!

Elaine - glad to see you bringing this up. I find that I am always suspicious with these types of speakers and they really have to provide some data to convince me. Nothing worse than listening to a 1 hour rah-rah session geared only to selling their tapes, books, and DVDs. I have far more respect for someone who is truly IN the business. You also have to evaluate whether what you are being told will work for you in your market, AND if you will actually implement their system. Tapes and DVDs on the shelf don't grow you business very quickly.

Jeff

Diane, yesterday's speaker advertises herself as a coach. Her presentation consisted mostly of common platitudes. Nothing revolutionary there! I'm not totally against motivational speakers, but my thoughts are that if one needs a coach to keep them motivated, then maybe they shouldn't be in a self-employed business.

Glad to see you stop by Jeff. I've been trying to keep tabs on you out there.

Yesterday's speaker was from CA so different market and perhaps, different client's perspective as to what is important to gaining business. One of the things she mentioned was that she got out of the real estate business because as a single mom, it was too stressful for paying the bills! Can you imagine saying that to a room full of agents who she was trying to motivate!!!!

Like anything else, there are good speakers and ones that aren't so good. If I can get a point or two from a good speaker who keeps my attention, it is well worth it. A bad speaker just needs to go away quietly.

LOL, I've heard it all! I'd rather blog, I learn more here on activerain. (in my sweats and PJ's.)

Jim, you're right-on! The good ones usually leave us with a new viewpoint or at least an alternate way of viewing out daily lives.

Missy: Exactly. AR is an extremely valuable source of motivation and learning. So much so, that I don't think the mass of knowledge is available anywhere else in one concise spot.

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