First Race of the Season!  Every year I can't wait for some warm weather so that I can start running OUTSIDE without leg warmers, gloves, ski hat and a jacket.  Over the last 3-4 years, I've stayed inside during the winter and used the treadmill at the gym to keep in shape.  Now that I've been running outside 2-3 times a week, for the last month, I decided it's time for a RACE!  It happened this past Sunday at 9:00am at Jacob's Beach in Guilford, CT!  Since there were only about 200 runners, I expected to do well in my age group - boy was I wrong!  I came in 9^th of 12 and the winner (in my age group) ran the 4 mile race in less than 7 minutes a mile! I can't complain, however, since I averaged 8:45/mile, about the same as last year.

How does this relate to real estate? Well, for me, a lot!  About 3 years ago, I attended a Hobbs-Herder course in Washington, D.C. and learned the importance of branding - starting with a personal brochure.  After writing several drafts of different themes, I decided to use running.  We first had a brainstorming session with my running group and one of my friends said, how about "Ahead of the Pack" and so it stuck - my tag line- I've used this in my brochure, postcards and other advertisements. 

To quote from my brochure, "Having a regular running activity and a group to inspire him brings a great deal of insight into Ed's successful career as a real estate professional.  Self-motivation and determination are traits that are necessary to maintain a steady exercising regiment.  Ed works the same way in real estate." 

So my question to you is "what interest or hobby can you use to create interest and tell a story about the type of person you are?"  This is not a hard sell approach that may agents use but a personal story that a prospective client may think "Now that's an interesting person that I'd like to meet someday"  So change what you're writing and try creating something personal - it might just work for you.