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Video of the Day in the Blogosphere

This video has been EVERYWHERE today on all the blogs I subscribe to outside of Activerain. I did a search and couldn't find it posted anywhere here, so here it is.

Some of the sites I have seen it on are:

The Future of Real Estate Technology

1000 Watt Blog

Bloodhound Blog

Inman News

I'm sure I'm forgetting somewhere else I saw this, but this is enough. Inman gave credit to 1000 Watt Blog, so I believe they are the original source. These are all good blogs to subscribe to outside activerain.

Regardless, thought I'd share it with you on Activerain, since it is the video of the day in the blogosphere. Forgive me if someone posted it, I searched and couldn't find it.

After you watch it post your comments on what you think of the message.

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Posted by Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor- Realtor(R)- Ann Arbor Real Estate on 01/04/2008 07:04 PM

Comments (44)

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Originally posted at: Ann Arbor Undressed : Video of the Day in the Blogosphere

44 Comments on Video of the Day in the Blogosphere

JAN

2008

Definitely a peek at the consumer side of our business. And some gentle reminders, as well.

Missy,

I've been trying to change verbage on my websites. It's very hard to get into the viewpoint of the consumer. Thanks for the video.

It is encouraging in one way, and discouraging in another! "Engage me," but "it's all about me."

I know it's good to see another perspective, but not ALL consumers want the same thing...

I guess I don't know WHAT I think!

Missy,

Yep, that brings it home doesn't it. I am going to ingrain, "This is all about me," (the consumer that is) in my head.

Missy, I really, really liked that and what a good way to set up ones business strategy around.

A good reminder that clients want your attention to THEIR needs as individuals, not categorized or given standardized service. As each property is unique, so is the client--and they're the ones who pay the freight!

Hi Missy,

This is what we would assume people are thinking about us professionals. Pretty good video!

Missy, And this should be a surprise to anyone! Seriously, all of the things that they said are absolutely true. Who can refute any of that. Why should anyone have an issue with them saying that "It's all about me." Are they not the paying consumer? Are they not the client? That why we are counselled to write 'I' in our material. It should be written in the third person. Thanks for sharing this.

We need to give the consumers what they want, it is all about them

Missy.... I think it sends a good message to us, in the real estate business. But how true can this meaning be? What do I mean? Who is sending this message? This was staged by whomever did the video. It was their viewpoint, which makes some sense. But one problem that I have with this message then. Yes, it should be about the consumer. My problem with that is some take it to the next level, believing not only should it be about them, but that their opinion and what they want is the only thing that matters. Not 100% correct, hence why they come to people like you and me, professionals.

I have a client that tells me, they WANT a zero point mortgage but will be in the house for the next 15 years guaranteed. Just play along with me, because some things can't be guaranteed. Well, I would tell the client that I know of some better plans to save them more money in the long run. But now I get resistance, because it's about them, they know better. It comes down to at what point do you allow the client to control you. My biggest thing that I would give to the client, in the me aspect, is great service(follow up), feedback, and communication. This would be my red carpet service to their "me" syndrome. Just my .02.

Hi Missy, that was pretty interesting. I agree it is all about the client, I always have to laugh when I hear - what are all those letters after your name? Don't get me wrong, I think it's good to earn designations, I just don't think it's that important to the consumer.

Missy, this just confirms what we really know...it IS all about THEM. Interesting to hear them say it.

Missy,

Loved the video. It is very easy to forget to look at things from the client's point of view. It helped reinforce the issue for me.

Hi Missy, Interesting video. Thank you for bringing it to our attention. I wrote about some of my thoughts as I watched the video in a post.

Missy, It's not all about ME? Really?

It's kind of like Neopolitan Ice Cream ... I like a little of everything I've read in the comments so far. I think we have to make "it" more about the client/customer than about ourselves. However, I agree with a lot of what Jeff Belonger wrote... it is a staged presentation, not spontaneous comments from the general public. It's important that we (real estate professionals) come across as real people who are sincere, genuine, trustworthy, educated in our field... those things are about us. So... take a scoop of each flavor... in moderation of course.

What a great reminder. Leads are people and we need to remember this as we develop our plans and strategies for 2008.

Missy,

Thanks for sharing, I believe it all true, yet when you look at the average agent site, it's the opposite. A huge photo of the agent, then the first button is "about me"...Instead it's about them.

Well that will set you back on your heels and make you rethink what your website and blog say, won't it? However, like Jeff, I do have a bit of skepticism since it was staged for what I think is a marketing company. What will they try to sell us on the heels of this video?

Missy - that's so funny - you know how I feel - we don't "capture" anyone anymore we allow people to "choose us" - all info on our site is available no contact info needed - as we've tried to build our blog on that premise - it's a great reminder - loved it - thanks for sharing!!

JAN

2008

The greatest service we can provide is ask good PROBING questions, then to LISTEN to what our clients are REALLY saying, and apply knowledgeable counsel accordingly...

Hi Missy: This video is a great reminder. I must admit, though, that I never use the words data base, or sphere of influence. For me it is relationship base, and sphere of relationships. It may sound corny to some, but since real estate is all about relationships, that is what I base my business on, and those are what are contained in my "sphere." Thanks so much for sharing.

WOW.... That was a lot to really "take in" before my 1st cup of coffee this morning. If that doesn't get me thinking this morning - nothing will!

should I fire my dog? gee - I don't know now...

Missy, thanks for posting this very relevant and very true video. While we may view potential clients as "leads", "prospects", "members of a drip campaign", etc., they do not view themselves as such. They want to be engaged and involved in the process. They want their questions answered and things explained. They want personalized response. They will tell us when they are ready. The good thing about technology and passive marketing through drip campaigns and e-mails, etc, is that by the time they meet us face-to-face, the clients feel like they already know us. Yesterday I had a man contact me who said to me "I've been receiving your e-mail newsletter for 4 or 5 years now. I'm not even sure how I initially got on your 'list' but I'm looking forward to meeting you. Can my wife and I set up an appointment for Sunday?" The sometimes impersonal technology is merely a tool to set up and follow up until we get to the very personal relationships that make the real estate business so very enjoyable.

Missy - For some reason I could not get any volume for the video - Drats! I am not a lip reader either:)

Hi Missy,
A good message....we need to remember that our clients our people with needs. Nobody wants to be treated or thought of as a number or lead, all people want to be treated as an individual and their situation looked at in the same way. Dealing with a person and their home is a very personal issue.

Hi Missy...I've seen the video before but think it is a must see for all agents. I'm not sure how I feel about it...some of it I agree with but I do think once we engage the consumer they do want to know us personally as well as professionally...maybe I'm wrong but that is what I've aways believed.

WOW! The people are speaking...are we listening? GREAT STUFF!! GBU!

Hi Missy,

Was this video canned? As in were the people told what to say?

I realize it's all about the client/prospect, of course IT IS !!! We're in the service industry...we're there to serve their needs. The sooner everyone in this industry understands and accepts that, the better off we'll all be.

Missy - I think I would have liked it better if it weren't clearly staged with actors. That being said, the message is solid. The fact that these people seem so unhappy would give me some pause on whether or not to work with them. Those are my immediate reactions, for whatever that is worth.

Missy, couldn't agree more. Realtors in the past have been a group that appeared to be rather stuck on themselves and plastered initials after their names which frankly is another way for someone to make $ on the Realtor while stroking their ego. Then, there are the signs on their cars, and the endless farming mail that 99.9% of the people throw in the trash and never look at.

My clients hate receiving Realtor junk mail and ask what all those funny letters are that are after the Realtor name. It's time to get real and start treating the consumer like we personally want to be treated.

I also couldn't agree more about the photos. Can't tell you how many times I receive calls from home buyers who ask me if I will go out and take MORE photos of a listing. The home buyers WANT PHOTOS and lots of them.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly agree and support this video. I had not seen it, so thank you for sharing.

Everyone: thanks for the comments and opinions. Now I'll throw in my two cents.

1) Yes it was staged and not people on the street, but that doesn't matter to me, the point is valid.

2) I know as a parent when I have had a sick child for example, I want to feel like I am the physicians only client. Don't you? Of course we know we're not, but we still like to feel that way. We need to treat our clients like they are the only ones.

3) Our web-sites, and any marketing we do should be about them. As it has been said many times here on AR, they really don't want to hear about our problems etc...

4) Dale Carnagie, made a career of teaching the simple fact that to engage a person we do need to focus and talk about them and use their name over and over in a conversation. Guess, I just violated that by saying everyone.

5) Leads, I do use that term with my TEAM. Until we get to know them. But, once we do that is a different story. So yes, I ask them how many leads did you follow up today? Any one you feel you will be working with now or in the future? I have no idea what else to call them until there is a relationship.

6) They are our friends, clients, customers, not leads at that point.

fun video thanks. our dog has nothing to do with real estate, but Spanky has to do with who we are, and how we approach life. A small piece of it, but part of it nevertheless. So that's the answer to the statement in the video. After we put out 40 plus neighborhood market reports each month, and 10 full market reports each month, sometimes it's nice to wander astray from "what we know" and "the knowledge" we have to pass on. Think it's about balance, or something like that. Anyway, we got the point of the piece, and liked it.

Would you believe it's still coming down. Supposed to keep at it until 7pm or so tomorrow. We might have 3 feet of it by then. Will take a shot of our deck in the morning. Right now the snow on top of our bbq is way over my head, and i'm 6'2".

What fun, and thanks for this one.

best

JAN

2008

We need to really listen. Your doctor analogy with the sick child is right on target - you want information, your questions answered, the What-Ifs.

JAN

2008

It is about what a client wants, at least in terms of the type of service they desire, and the house they want, mortgage they want, etc. I respect the fact that a client does not want to be a "number" but wants to be treated with respect as an individual. This is how I approach my business and how I treat my clients.

But you know what? I am a person, not a tool. A living, breathing human being. Therefore, the client needs to respect me as well. All good relationships are a two-way street. It is not all about them. That is a childish way of looking at the world. We teach our kids from a very early age that "it's not all about you" and to be successful in life, in business and in relationships, everyone needs to give and take.

Missy, thanks for sharing this with us as I hadn't seen it yet. Whether they are actors or real people I think what struck me was the part about not wanting to know about us personally. I really don't write on my own blog about myself but I do write about my real estate experiences. This will serve as a reminder to provide value in everything I do. Thanks!

Interesting- I think that there is an assumption that the marketing is aimed at people we don't know already. Some of the things that were derided are aimed at our existing clients or other professionals- the letters after the name for example. Those can mean a lot if part of your marketing is referrals from out of area agents.
But the WIIFM thing is very important. You have to offer the fundamentals before any of those Extras will ever matter.

Missy - I t doesn't get much more powerful than that. Message received loud and clear.

JAN

2008

Missy- Of course it is all about YOU. Not ME. Dale Carnegie wrote the book, How to Win Friends and Influence people many many moons ago and yet it holds true through the ages. The most important word in any language is the person' s name. The only part of the video I did not agree with was the statement about the dog. I agree with the Bolens on that one. It is a part of the person the consumer is connecting with and it is one of those things that connects them to you. I have kids, I blog about my kids and personal life because it builds the know, like, trust and the buyers and sellers who call me from reading my blog, they are extremely loyal. They have no plans to use anyone else but us. Because we became their friends through our blog. Katerina

JAN

2008

Missy:

With my customer, it is the one place that I feel I am really listening to their needs (with a few exceptions including a current client that has almost driven me to the edge of my patience). However, I watch with people that I have known many years and are very dear - I tend to think that it really is all about me and it often strikes me that I treat 'almost strangers' better than close friends. I read once in tips about lettering writing (which would pertain to any writing including web/blog pages - to watch how many time we use "I" as opposed to "you" - I have rewritten many a letter/content. I think it is a great thing to keep in mind with everyone - not just our dlients. Thanks for sharing it.

LOL...Cathy used the word I, me, my a dozen times in that comment :)

While I agree for the most part, buyers DO need to understand that they TRULY ARE NOT the only clients their agent is working with.

I was reading another blog (Scott Daniels) where he had a 6:30 appointment and at 6:45, tried calling the client, no answer, left a messge. At 7:15 he left.

At 9:30 the buyer called, demanding to know where he was, and could he come back to the house to show the property.

Sorry, that's ridiculous. Sorry, Mr. Buyer, it is not, in fact, all about YOU. I have had a seller get really PO'ed at me because I didn't answer the phone when he called. SORRRRRY, Mr. Seller, but I was engaged with another client, who made an appointment with me and deserved my full attention at that time.

There has to be a balance. Yes, we are here to serve consumers and take care of our customers. Not to be their slaves though.

The "it's all about me" can be taken a couple of different ways. When it comes to the focus of your marketing and website, yes, I agree. But there is a line, somewhere, where it stops being "all about you" and you have to understand there are other people in the world with needs and obligations just as valid as yours.

JAN

2008

Missy - I totally I agree with the point of the video -as a consumer I don't like being beat over the head with sales pitches. That's why I don't like inflicting it on others.

But what stuck out more than anything else for me in this video, is that it was staged to deliver the message of the producers of the video. For me it almost killed the message. Being genuine is the first rule of serving the consumer. It was a good illustration, that staged and contrived messages are a double edge sword. If they had real consumers speaking, then it would be really powerful.