Someone called me for 'horse training' on the island. Now...I have not written about horses and the only little thing i wrote about were things on the north shore...like that ranch we stopped at when you were here. Too funny.

Kathy, I really enjoyed reading this post!  It's really funny how we attract clients, and often it isn't the sruff we think works, it's something unexpected  that maybe we should have expected.  Does that make any sense?

Sally-Well see....and you do know where those Horse Farms are.....have them call me I'll tell them LOL :)  Bottom line is, we just never know what someone wants, and if we Listen to them we will know what to do to help, even if it's pulling out the old phone book (if we have time) and finding a Horse Trainer in the area.....which is something that you are excellent with.  It looks to me like you need a post on Horses :)

Patricia- You made perfect sense.....Sally's comment above is a perfect example.  We just don't know, and that's why it's so important to be "real" .  Our real, not the Company's version of real :)  And being real in my opinion doesn't mean I want to know all the ins and outs of your family, vacation, favorite flower, or whatever.  I am sure there are people that do, but me.....no thank you.  For me, I want to know how you treat others, I want to know if you are a Leader or a Follower....that is one of my  criteria for working with people.  I want to know your opinions on things....because then I know how to interact.  I do not know how to interact with you by knowing your kids favorite cartoon show........

 Hi Kathy, re "she called me because she felt I would listen to her"...  And that is the ideal position most of us want to be in.

 In the words of my marketing hero/mentor Jay Abraham, you want to be seen as their most trusted advisor. Reaching out and being helpful long before the sale begins, builds so much credibility and trust.

 Obviously your blog really connected with her or again as she said "she called me because she didn't know what to do, and "they" felt from reading my "blog" that I would listen to them"... What better reason is there?

To tell you the truth....I could hardly understand what he was talking about. He didn't know what island or when or where or why...Heavy accent.

marti-I like what your mentor/friend said about trust.  It is hard to know what will make someone connect....but if they do, and both people connect then that is what it's all about..........

Sally- Hey, did you see I updated this...changed the name, as I didn't like the other one, and added that Post of Are you a Follower or a Leader.  I just finished reading all the comments, and funny but several I made there was about trust, listening, and choosing what is best for us.  Go look at your comments :)

Kathy, this truly is a great story and clearly you are writing great posts that make your readers feel connected to you.  Congratulations and thanks for sharing this with us!

Diane- thank you....I hope you clicked on the Followers vs Leaders Post, that one was based on the Poem The Road less Traveled by Robert Frost :)

Kathy, I don't think I have really gone there in my blogs?  Maybe I focus on day to day stuff and the adventures we all go through in this business we are all connected by?  Maybe I have, maybe not?  Maybe I need to let my guard down and tell it more from the heart?

I think it was really great to link this post to your earlier post.  Just think of all the great stuff I have missed out on?  Good to bring stuff back now and again!  Thanks!

Kathy, I couldn't agree more that people get a good sense of you and who you are and what you can do for them, even if it's just to LISTEN.  I am careful not only to hear what someone says but the way they say it has meaning as well.  Wonderful post and great reminders on what we should be putting out there.

Kathy,
I can understand why this person felt you would listen, your posts reflect your caring and compassionate persona.

Nice post kathy, yes, my marketing is not as good as I am, but it will have to do for now.

Audrey- I don't know about letting your guard down.....I learn a lot from your Posts, and in my opinion from what I have read your clients, and prospective clients are in great hands.  I got that from your Posts, and your behavior here....so it looks to me like you have already developed the level of trust that people are looking for. 

Carole- Your field of FENG SHUI needs someone who is intuitive, a good listener, and one who can see behond the obvious.....I think you do quite well to portray that :)

Cynthia- Thanks.....:)

Rick- I am smiling...I liked how you said that.  It intrigued me enough that after I submit this comment I am coming to find out more about you.....:) :)

I try to be myself when I write. If I am honest and people are attracted to me because of it...then they won't be disappointed when we meet!

Joan-I would say you do a good job of letting people know who you are....you also have a good point of people not being disappointed if they have already read your blog and gotten to know you. 

One little circle , we are, You, Joan, Diane, Sally and me. Funny I have thought about this subject all day and how I responded to a potential client  a week or so ago. No hijacking here so I'll write on it as it becomes more clear of what things will follow of what has become a very long and complex but interesting thread.

Have you ever known someone that you thought was really quite well versed in their profession and yet you would not care to approach them? I have seen and read a number of bloggers here on AR that are well versed in their careers but seemingly a bit conceited and not all that pleasant. I haven't commented on their posts, but I read them for the bits of knowledge they put out. On the other hand we have seen how popular some become when they write with passion or charm or charisma. They are popular because many feel more comfortable and feel no repercussions from approaching them. It says a lot about how all of us would measure up in the consumer's eye and why some are selected and others even if very smart are passed over. It is our job to make it easy to be approached equally as much as it to dazzle the world with our pearls of wisdom.

Good post, glad you wrote-first-I will judge your comments and hopefully write one equal in significance to yours. Thankfully there is no rush as the conversation is ongoing.

Kathy -Its very rewarding when a person chooses to do business with you because of something they connected with in your online presence. It is even more rewarding when your business is concluded that they comment on how accurately your online presence is a reflection of the real you.

Good morning Kathy,

It's wonderful that the caller saw you as someone who would listen and give them what-ever  help you were able to. I believe she assessed you very accurately from your posts and your profile. You're clearly a people person who enjoys helping others with the skills and knowledge you have.

I receive many emails from people who have found me via my blog and 2/3rds of them have nothing to do with real estate. They are all asking for something, be it permission to use one of my photos or help with putting them in touch with someone or some organization, etc....hmmm.

Jo 

Kathy- Wednesday and I'm commenting on Tuesday and I've not even got to Monday Gifts yet.  But better late than never right.  Glad I stopped by.  I love your post! I was talking to a friend/client last night and she said, "You are the most REAL person, I know!"  I just don't think anyone could give me a better compliment.  

The "REALNESS" penetrates every part of my life.  And I am able to attract more REAL people to work with as a result.  This sure does make a real estate transaction easier and my life much more blessed. 

Kathy,

I'm all about marketing. There is always someone who thinks they have that magical recipe that will change m life.

Kathy, interesting that I located your blog on the SureClose site.  I am not sure that you remember me, but I worked with you on the Sureclose project with New Century Title.   Hope that your real estate world is rocking.   Are you still doing business with LandAm?  I am now with Stewart Title working on a SureClose project with the Arizona Assn. of Realtors. Hope to hear from you in the future.

Well I'll be darned......hello Kathy, and of course I remember you.  You are the one that helped me set up my Sure Close with Nick....how are you?  Are you working with Beth Young?  Now that would be funny, cuz she is the one that I kept telling you told me the benefits of Sure Close.......I am going to check out your profile, nice to see a familiar face :)  I am a member of the Arizona Association so does that mean I get Sure Close for free LOL :)

*** Oh my......only 25 points....we need to help you get going :) :)  Even a picture would help. I didn't think it was possible to only get 25 points for a Profile. I see you are working with Beth, or vice versa.....put some contact info up there so we can email you ....Please :) I went to the Sure Close Group to see if you had posted anything.......

I always struggle with trying to put my best foot forward without crossing into the "fake" persona category. Good post to remind us to try and "keep it real". Though I do disagree that people skills cannot be learned. I think that everyone can develop good people skills as long as they are willing to try.

I think it's just really about being genuine along with being knowledgeable about your product. In my beginning days of real estate, I often felt like an imposter, because I didn't have experience and I didn't know my way around these circular cities very well. I worried I'd lose customers once they saw what a dope I was with directions & driving (a spatial dyslexic issue!). But that never happened (luckily!), even though I know it became rather apparent to some. They were always so appreciative of my time and attention to help them find a home.

This is the exact reason I talk about my family in my posts, I want people to feel they know me and can trust me. I really don't leave anything off topic except politics, I just don't think everyone should know how I vote. I have enough problems talking politics with my friends and try to avoid that also.

Todd- Funny but we all have that one thing that we draw the line about posting....yours is Politics, and mine is ....ummm not surre but I'll let you know :)