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Flying “under the radar” may be great in warfare but for business: not so much!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

B1-B Stealth Bomber.Stealth can be very useful under some circumstances. Selling real estate is not one of them.

The real estate “Secret Agent” may be highly skilled and knowledgeable, but may have lost sight of the ultimate mission which is to engage as many potential clients as possible.

In the real estate marketing arena, consumers rarely seek technical proficiency. In the overwhelming majority of cases, visibility is the number one reason a buyer or seller will call a real estate professional.

Interestingly enough, developing a dominating presence is no longer the purview of the wealthy. Anyone willing to roll up their sleeves and work can devise a plan that is both effective AND inexpensive.

A regular blog post should be part of any marketing plan.

Is it time consuming? Yes. Does it get results? Yes. Is it expensive? No.

It’s “Sweat Equity Marketing” and it works!

Comments (31)

William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I try and leave part of myself every where I go.  How else are people going to recognize me if my face isn't out there a lot.

Jan 12, 2012 02:19 AM
Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Great point...I don't know where or how you can get as much google juice for spending time on a site...great stuff!

Jan 12, 2012 02:23 AM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Richard great post, simple and to the point!  Congrats on the Tude acknowledgment.

Jan 12, 2012 03:02 AM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Ginny...

Most agents do fly under the radar which is very good for us! THX

Charlie...

Getting out there is good for business. Thanks for the comment.

Fernando...

It's a B1-B Stealth bomber ... and a FILM photo! Thanks my friend.

And...

I love it mam, I just love it! Thanks so painting the picture in words.

Jan 12, 2012 03:59 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

I've got the Internet presence down.  The one thing I have got to get back in the habit of doing is wearing my name tag when I'm out.

Jan 12, 2012 05:32 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

I was thinking along these lines last night recalling a few agents from years back complaining and whining because they had to get a mailing out of 200 postcards and an ad submitted for the Sunday real estate section... Boggles my mind that anyone in real estate today, no matter how old they are, couldn't see the dynamic opportunities of being online compared to those days.

Jan 12, 2012 11:11 AM
Karen Steed
Tallapoosa, Bremen, Waco, Buchanan, Temple, Carrollton - Tallapoosa, GA
Associate Broker Haralson Realty

Good post.  I normally fly under the radar.  I will have to push to make myself more visible.

Jan 12, 2012 01:42 PM
Tatyana Makarov
Century 21 All Points Realty - South Windsor, CT
Your Greater Hartford Area Realtor

Great post, Richard,

I am fine flying under the radar.

Tatyana

Jan 12, 2012 02:41 PM
Brian Rugg
Rugg Realty LLC Sun City Texas 512-818-6700 - Georgetown, TX
Sun City TX Real Estate - Georgetown, TX Real Est

Hello Richard:

 

Being a secret agent is for the CIA and the KGB, not real estate agents.

Jan 12, 2012 02:51 PM
Janis Borgueta
Newburgh, NY
Retired RE Salesperson

I find it amazing at the lack of local bloggers here in my county! When i tell other agents this is what i'm doing these days they do give me that look, and almost say, " she is really crazy wasting time"  I know of only a few, and nobody in my immediate area is here on AR. I guess that can set me apart from the competition? Let's hope..I started three months ago, got one lead already, and with some hard work and luck i am hoping for more!

 I am enjoying all the humor here..

Happy Friday the 13th!

Jan 13, 2012 01:04 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Blogging is indeed the least expensive form of marketing available...but very effective. Under the radar does not work in sales.

Jan 13, 2012 01:37 AM
Cindy Edwards
RE/MAX Checkmate - Johnson City, TN
CRS, GRI, PMN - Northeast Tennessee 423-677-6677

Richard,

Flying under the radar and real estate just don't go hand in hand.  We have to be big, bold and (I don't think beautiful fits in this scenerio...)   big and bold!!

Jan 14, 2012 01:02 AM
Mimi Foster
Falcon Property Company - Colorado Springs, CO
Voted Colorado Springs Best Realtor

Very good points.  Starting a blog has been an amazing thing for me, and I am constantly surprised at the number of agents that I meet that say, "I don't have time."  Stealth, indeed. 

Jan 15, 2012 04:35 AM
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

Richard,

I included this post in Last Week's Favorites.  Have a great week.

Jan 15, 2012 04:35 AM
Bill Gillhespy
16 Sunview Blvd - Fort Myers Beach, FL
Fort Myers Beach Realtor, Fort Myers Beach Agent - Homes & Condos

Hi Richard, Wow, You nailed this one.  Love the  "  Sweat Equity " thing !

Jan 15, 2012 05:21 AM
Paula Bradfield
Bradfield Ramsey Group - Salida, CO
Your Salida Colorado area Realtor Team

Thanks, Richard. I am a veteran agent in a new market (1 year now) and if I flew under the radar I would have starved. I am still working on getting out there more...social media, more blogging, etc. But my numbers are starting to work. I think by the end of 2012...here me roar. So, I totally agree!

 

Jan 15, 2012 06:12 AM
Rob Spinosa
US Bank - Larkspur, CA
Mortgage Loan Originator, Marin County

Great post.  Reassuring too, as I work to make weekly time allotments for blogging on Active Rain.  I can see the value, and it's good to see the cases where it's working too.

Jan 15, 2012 07:07 AM
Lloyd Binen
Certified Realty Services - Saratoga, CA
Silicon Valley Realtor since 1976; 408-373-4411

Pat's Favs sent me here.  I agree and you reminded me I want to buy a Realtor (R) baseball cap from the NAR store, if they have one.  I considered an "R" tattoo on my bald spot, but ruled it out for now.

Jan 15, 2012 07:35 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Not one agent in my town is actively blogging or promoting themselves on line. They're also not active in community events or non-profit volunteer work.

I wonder if that's one of the primary reasons why all they have to say about real estate is "Nothing's selling."

Jan 15, 2012 08:21 AM
Sandy Acevedo
951-290-8588 - Chino Hills, CA
RE/MAX Masters, Inland Empire Homes for Sale

Hi Richard, very good content here. Great reminder of things we need to keep doing!             

Jan 15, 2012 05:47 PM