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De-Hermitize yourself...Have we lost the personal touch?

By
Real Estate Agent with Former Agent

I read a post this morning that was very well written and made some good points. 

The blog was written by:

Real Estate Agent: Suzanne Sands-Somerset, MA Real Estate (RE/MAX On Demand)
Suzanne Sands-Somerset, MA Real Estate
Somerset, MA

The blog post title was "Get off your blog!"

I have thinking about this subject a lot lately.  Maybe we should start a "blogger-anonymous" group.

You know, it is just way too easy to sit down at our computers and just waste a day away.  The world has become so computerized that we have almost made our world into a "hermit" type, meaning we can get on our computers and spend the day being in touch with the whole world around us but having no personal contact.  Losing that personal contact has caused this world we live in to become callous and cold to one another.

Now don't get me wrong.  I am not against computers in any way.  I think the advances of technology over the past few years has just been amazing.  We are now able to do things at the click of a mouse that never would have been possible before the advent of the computer world we live in.

Over the past few days I have written some blogs on the things that it seems like no one ever does anymore and what doing those things could do to your business.  Things like sending thank you cards, etc.  Getting out there and having the personal touch, so to speak. 

There is no better time of year than right now to get out there and deliver your "personal touch".  Around the Christmas holidays people are generally more receptive towards others and not so quick to judge the intentions of your actions.  After all haven't you noticed that more people greet each other and do nice things for each other around this time of year?

Becoming a "hermit agent" (hey I think I just coined a new phrase!) can really have drastic results on your business.  You simply must get out there and, as we say in the south, get 'amongst 'em.  Sitting in the office and waiting for the phone to ring or waiting for that Internet lead that is usually six months out before they are ready simply is not going to get you to where you want to be in your career.  PERIOD.

In my office we have many newer agents.  I have been slated with the task of teaching our Keller Williams Camp 4:4:3 class, Open houses and FSBO's, and not only has then been a great experience for both I and my students it has showed me that the newer agents have yet to "hermitize" themselves and are still at the point in their career where they have not learned that they cannot do something.  It is amazing, one of the agents that I taught is out there knocking on FSBO door's everyday this week.  I know agents that are way more seasoned than her who have NEVER done this.  Do you think there will be some success from this?  YOU BET!  Why?  It's the personal touch that I am talking about, getting out there and getting 'amongst 'em.

So  I encourage you to take some time today and get out there and meet a few people, shake a few hands and maybe even better your business.  So I am saying, get out there and go buy your Santa hat (See my other blog) and as Suzanne Sands said..."GET OFF YOUR BLOG!"

Well, ok, just for a little while....

Charlie Ragonesi
AllMountainRealty.com - Big Canoe, GA
Homes - Big Canoe, Jasper, North Georgia Pros
E#ven some colleges now are totally on line. So in a shrinking world we are becoming more and more isolated through technology an intersting paradox
Nov 29, 2007 12:30 AM
Natalie Langford
Realty Negotiations - Winchester, VA
Winchester, VA Real Estate
In some ways, this isn't as isolating as one might think. There are tons of converstions happening at the same time and I get to chose where to join, which I might hesitate to do in real life as I'm a shy person!  I get to read/write/chat about real estate and it truly keeps my mind sharp!  I did enjoy Suzanne's blog this morning.......
Nov 29, 2007 12:34 AM
Tom and Stephanie Hansson
Cortiers Real Estate - College Station, TX
Hansson and Hansson Real Estate Team
I do see some point to this, and agree to some extent.  I have also come to realize that the clients are in the internet, and that is where we need to be in a large part. 
Nov 29, 2007 04:45 AM
Suzanne Sands
Pavao Real Estate - Somerset, MA
Somerset MA Real Estate

Hi Jeffery,

I am so touched that you were inspired to write, thanks for the mention! I do agree that we need to get out there and meet with people , we can only do so much with the internet. It doesn't replace a friendly smile or hello nor does it build the same rapport as face to face contact. Its all in the balance, you did coin a new phase! :)

 

Nov 29, 2007 10:45 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News
There are days when sitting by the keyboard is easier than getting out and about.  However the face to face interactions are by far the best to connect with clients, family and friends.  
Dec 08, 2007 01:14 AM
Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth
Jeffery, real estate is a people business and while online might start a relationship, offline is what moves it forward. Thanks for your expression of de-hermitizing agents. Very cool!
Dec 08, 2007 02:46 AM
Lisa Barall-Matt
RE/MAX Premier, REALTORS - West Hartford, CT
GRI, ABR, e-Pro, SRES, CDPE

Like you JT I teach new agents how to do personal promotion and marketing.  It gives me an opportunity to catch newer agents before they develop the bad "hide behind the keyboard" approach!  I tell them that they need to connect with their clients whether that's by calling them quarterly, sending them handwritten notes or hosting a client event where they'll get face to face.  I explain to them that while email is a way to communicate it quickly allows a client to hit delete and not respond.  When you make a call to a client (during a time when you expect to reach them) you're able to connect in a personal way.  I also scan the newspapers to see if a client has had a child, their child has been in the news due to the winning goal in soccer etc.  Nothing feels better then a call of congratulations, a baby gift dropped off at their home or a hand written note saying way to do!!!  Believe me, they will remember you.  This is a people business and we need to keep it personal and stop being the "secret agents"!!!

Feb 23, 2008 01:04 AM