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What do you do?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Marte Cliff Copywriting

What do you say when someone asks you what you do?

If you sell real estate, you may be tempted to say just that. From there you're hoping that the person will ask questions and allow you to expand your answer.

 

So why not expand it without being asked?the handshake

I'm not suggesting you ramble on, but that you simply give a short answer that conveys specific information.

For instance, if you sell waterfront homes you could say "I help people buy and sell homes on the (name of body of water)." If you primarily sell suburban homes to young families, you have to be careful about discrimination, but you could say "I help young families and others who want to get out of the city find just the right homes in our suburban subdivisions."

If you're a listing agent, you could say "I list and promote the sale of homes in the suburbs north of the city." Or perhaps "I'm a real estate agent specializing in listing and marketing new construction."

 

With just a few words you can identify both your niche market and the geographic area where you work. And since that's more specific than "I sell real estate" you're much more likely to get a positive and interested response. 

Remember, when someone asks the question, you do need to ask them the same question. And then, if the answer indicates a business that you could either use or recommend, ask more questions and ask for their card. They'll almost always ask for yours in return. 

The best way to get people interested in you is to first be interested in them. 

Comments(69)

Team Honeycutt
Allen Tate - Concord, NC

I especially like the last sentence of your blog.  It goes along with "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care" and that is one of my favorite quotes.

Betty

Aug 15, 2013 01:32 AM
Terry McCarley
Coastal Real Estate - Cape Coral FL - Cape Coral, FL
REALTOR, SRES, CDPE - Cape Coral, FL

I'm with Marilyn (#49), I usually just say I'm a Realtor but I'm going to work on being more specific after reading this post.

Aug 15, 2013 01:53 AM
Donna Foerster
HomeSmart Realty Group - Parker, CO
Metro Denver Real Estate Assistant

Marte~ You've got some great suggestions for opening lines. I'm working on my "new" intro since we have a new niche.

Aug 15, 2013 02:06 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Ginny - Thanks.

Jeff - Most of us love stories - great addition.

Harry - You must have some very interesting stories!

Jared - Thanks. 

Fernando - Yes, because you should be able to say it in the time it takes an elevator to go up a floor. 

Barbara - You're one of the most sharing people I know.

Clay - Yes, that question often comes next. I remember reading in Tommy Hopkins' book - the answer to that should always be "Unbelievable!" He said that would cover it even if things were bad - and prevent you from saying something negative. 

Debi - It really is good to have a ready answer. 

Cara - Thanks. 

Brenda - Thanks - I like that line. 

Travis - The more people who know what you do, the more potential clients you'll have. 

Richard & Beth - a happy day to you as well!

Karen - Isn't that the way? You start thinking about something, then others think about it too.

Richie - I've never been a fan of memorized scripts, because they sound so canned and fake. But this is one we should all memorize so well that it sounds natural. 

Phil - Yes, you need to walk that fine line. 

Marilyn - Good for you!

Betty - It's a good quote, and oh so true. 

 

Aug 15, 2013 02:25 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

That is really true. People are turned off by the 'I, me, my ...' kind of introduction.

Aug 15, 2013 02:27 AM
Raymond Denton
Homesmart / Evergreen Realty - Irvine, CA
Irvine Realtor®

I tell them "I'm THE Dana Point Real Estate Agent", and then give them a mousepad with a photograph of Dana Point on it, with www.DanaPointRealEstateAgent.com on the bottom.

Aug 15, 2013 02:44 AM
Kimo Jarrett
Cyber Properties - Huntington Beach, CA
Pro Lifestyle Solutions

Excellent reminder about how to be successful in marketing yourself.

Aug 15, 2013 02:50 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Marty that is good advise.  The longer you are in this business the better you can talk about real estate without pushing your self on people.  That is a very good way to communicate.

Aug 15, 2013 03:06 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Lyn - Yes, we all are!

Raymond - You carry mouse pads around with you? 

Kimo - Thanks

Gene - Nobody likes to be "pounced on" so talking without pushing is good. 

Aug 15, 2013 03:59 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Terry - Good for you. 

Donna - Good idea! Promote that new niche. 

Aug 15, 2013 04:02 AM
Sharon Parisi
United Real Estate Dallas - Dallas, TX
Dallas Homes

Marte, this is a wonderful tip and opportunity to set yourself apart from other Realtors!

Aug 15, 2013 05:00 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Sharon - And setting yourself apart is exactly what you need to do. 

Aug 15, 2013 05:04 AM
Debbie Laity
Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO
Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Great advice, Marte. Let people know what you really do in a few short lines...expanding on the words Real Estate Broker.

Aug 15, 2013 05:24 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Debbie - I wonder how many people outside the business have any idea what you really do? 

Aug 15, 2013 06:07 AM
Gwen Banta
Sotheby's International Realty - Los Angeles, CA

Great advice, Marte. If we cannot sell ourselves, how effectively can we sell someone's property?

Aug 15, 2013 05:23 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Gwen - How indeed?

Aug 16, 2013 06:24 AM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team
Hi Marte, we have learned always to answer a question with a question - "yes and it is a great time to buy don't you think?"
Aug 18, 2013 08:03 AM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Bob - Just keep that conversation flowing! 

Aug 18, 2013 08:25 AM
Des & Spiro Kouridakis
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices CA Properties - Yorba Linda, CA
- North Orange County Experts

Marte this is great advice.  Always looking for new ways to drop my profession without seeming pushy.  A quick one liner like you suggest is perfect:)

Oct 22, 2013 02:21 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Thanks Despina. We humans are a curious bunch - if you give people a little time, they'll always ask. 

Oct 22, 2013 03:01 PM