A year ago I was involved in a top secret group of Super Agents.  It was kind of like The Hall of Justice.  Kinda.  

One day I posted that my wife and I enjoy dining out.  A lot.  Not many wings and burgers, but more like salads and fish.  I said that we were always friendly with our servers, and that we always left a business card.  

Jeremy chimed in with something a long the lines of "DUDE.  Don't do that.  That's not cool.  Just be nice to your server, tip well, and be on your way."  Well, I guess Jeremy was a server way back in his college days.  He went on to tell me that whenever one of his tables left a card, he would promptly throw it away.  

I thought to myself, "How rude!"

I thought about it for a while, and then I understood where he was coming from.  Leaving a business card after a $30 dinner is a blatant solicitation.  I'm sure the last thing a busy as heck server cares about is what I do for a living.   I stopped doing it, but continued to be nice to any and all servers.  

Fast forward a year.  After MANY meals at restaurants, and after many great and fun conversations with our servers (us being Realtors always came up, but wasn't focused on), I received the following phone calls this week:

Traci:  She was a server at one of our favorite places to eat here in Fort Wayne.  She moved out to California, is making big money, and is ready to buy a home.  She called and said that she wasn't having any luck with the Realtors she contacted, and asked me to help her find one.  That's a referral.  

Jude:  We only saw her a handful of times at Applebee's, but we had some fun and a real connection.  She called and asked if we remembered her, and if we would help her list her property.  She said she was trying to remember if any of her friends were Realtors, and then she remembered us.  


If Jeremy was actually with us at these fabulous dinners, he would probably get a referral check, but since he only planted this seed in my head, he gets a big THANK YOU instead.  I'm not sure that leaving our business cards with Traci and Jude would have turned them off to the point of not calling us, but you catch my drift here right?  :)

P.S.  This is the BEST picture of Jeremy I have ever...  EVER seen.  


 

Amanda and Jared Christiansen are award winning Realtors with Century 21 Bradley Realty in the Fort Wayne area.

Enough about us...

Tell us what you want your real estate experience to be, and we will do it YOUR way.

Buying?  Tell us your wants and needs.  Let us know how you envision your family living.  Tell us what's important to you, and we'll find the community and home that fits what you are looking for.

Selling?  Our job is to make you the most money possible in the shortest amount of time.  We offer our sellers professional staging, professional photography, and more internet marketing than most.  We will also put your home on our weekly television show Sunday mornings on ABC.

We are committed to giving you everything we have to offer.  We are both full time agents and will work around your schedule.  Do nights and weekends work better for you?  NO PROBLEM.  We are here to help you.

Amanda can be reached at 260-704-0843, and Jared can be reached at 260-704-0842.

 

 
Post is included in group: Bartender, Make it a Double
Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You
Post is included in group: REALTOR LIFE
Post is included in group: BananaTude

52 Comments on What I Learned From Jeremy Blanton. It Had Nothing To Do With SEO, Twitter, Or Websites.

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

AUG
01

Hello Jared and Amanda,

Congratulations on your post being featured. Great story , great read and I actually learned some things from not just your post but the great comments as well. I am in agreement of relationship building. The format that Charles posted reference 3 things is a great method. In years past I used a similar format and honestly gained weight but achieved results:)  Great stuff. Thanks for sharing.
3:27am • #33
126,282 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Great success story, I believe in leaving a card wherever you go too. Years ago I wound up getting a buyer from a card I put in with my gas bill .
3:42am • #34
1,419,334 Points 41 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

A real estate move is a huge move after all. . .a stranger leaving a card does not meet this requirement. . yes, I agree every once in a while. .but, the lesson here is to take your best moles inside your SOI to lunch 
4:59am • #35
2 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Congratulations on the results, it's good to see that being a nice guy pays off.  
5:25am • #36
985,936 Points 49 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jared - I think everyone has their own approach, I personally don't hand out cards to strangers unless asked, but I know there are agents who will hand out cards to every person they say hi to.  Am I losing potential business by not wearing a name tag, having magnets on my car and leaving business cards everywhere? Probably, but I approach people how I want to be approached.

 
5:51am • #37
649,008 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Thanks for all of the comments.  

JUST TO BE CLEAR:  I never left a business card instead of a tip.  That would be more than insulting.  
5:57am • #38
113,625 Points 2 Featured Posts Outside Blog
Jared, great post. I used to leave the business card, but then realized that the relationship begins with a conversation. Thank you for sharing!
6:02am • #39
555,452 Points 31 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

A post about Jeremy and the real Jeremy chimes in?

That is pretty cool.

Phil
6:03am • #40
729,231 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

CT, I agree with not leaving a business card. Tipping well is the best business card you can leave.
6:05am • #41
311,866 Points 20 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I love it.  You must have been very nice and regulars for that waitress to keep your card.  Congratulations.
6:10am • #42
203,652 Points 13 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

This is a great success story!! I don't think there's anything wrong with leaving a business card along with a nice tip!! If only one would keep the card, your efforts paid off!!
6:24am • #43
519,474 Points 111 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Phil Leng- Of course I'd chime in!  Google Alerts notified me even before Jared sent me a message :)
7:21am • #44

friendship & being nice goes  a long ways. These are great tips (along with tipping). Thanks for the story of real life experiences.
8:33am • #45
396,963 Points 17 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I think some did not read the post completely. They thought it was due to you leaving a card that got you the business. :-)

'top secret group'.. sounds fishy!
9:27am • #46
196,501 Points 2 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Hit Router Called Shot Master

sphere of influence includes doing business locally - you never know where that next buyer or seller will be ocming from.
9:55am • #47
1,515,981 Points 112 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Great advice from Jeremy.  I hate the idea of leaving business cards behind.  I would rather be nice and tip well.  You are more likely to build the relationship and get the referrals.
10:34am • #48
547,229 Points 9 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Dear Christiansens: 

Remember that everything Jeremy says is right.  Don't argue with him just listen. 

3:00pm • #49
386,818 Points 19 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That's a great story!  And yes....that is an excellent photo of Jeremy!
5:23pm • #50
519,474 Points 111 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

LOL Evelyn!  I'm not always right... just ask my wife! LOL
7:32pm • #51
AUG
02
135,640 Points Outside Blog
I agree with not leaving a business card.
3:41pm • #53

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Amanda and Jared Christiansen Fort Wayne Real Estate

Amanda and Jared Christiansen

Fort Wayne, IN

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Century 21 Bradley

Address: 2928 E. Dupont Rd, Fort Wayne, IN, 46825

Office Phone: (260) 704-0843

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