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Are You The BIG FISH In A Small Pond?

By
Real Estate Agent with Bob Leigh & Assoc., LLC

If you sell real estate in a small town or rural area, are you the Big Fish? Koi Fish

The county in which I live (Tate County,Mississippi) has a population of around 25,000.  With only a 30 minute drive up I-55 to Memphis, TN, it is a fairly easy commute for those who choose to work in the city but live in the country.

 

I am not the big fish in my small pond.  I am a relative newbie - having lived here for almost 9 years.  The big fish in my pond has lived here all her life and her family has lived here for generations back.

FishNow, don't get me wrong - I like the big fish.  I worked closely with the big fish for a couple of years.  She was always willing to answer any question that I, or any of the other minnows, had.  I observed the big fish and noticed that she had a way of making her clients feel special.  When she was on the phone or speaking face-to-face with a client, she made that person feel like they were the only client she had, even if she had a hundred and one items on her calendar that day.

Not having the advantage of a ready-made local sphere of influence, I had to come up with other ways to get my name out there.  At first, I worked mainly with buyers from out of town who did not know of the big fish.  I became involved in community events, attended public meetings, and joined groups where I could get to know more people.  I put into practice what I learned from the big fish - show your clients that you care about them.  Listen to what is important to them.  Lately, a lot of my business has been referrals from past clients.  Maybe I have grown a little.

So, what about you?  Are you the big fish or are you one of the smaller ones - getting a little bigger every day?

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Comments (9)

John Walters
Frank Rubi Real Estate - Slidell, LA
Licensed in Louisiana

I think I am a small fish in a big pond just nibbling away at enough to make a living.

Jun 24, 2008 10:06 AM
Ron Moore
RE/MAX Professionals/Regal Builders - Retired - Florence, SC
MOORE Thoughts

Pam, I think you may have hit on something there - doing business by referral!

Jun 24, 2008 10:23 AM
Sam Miller
RE/MAX Stars Realty - Howard, OH
Knox County Ohio Real Estate Specialist

I am a focused fish in a small pond.  Staying focused on your goals is a very important key to succeeding in a smaller market.

Jun 25, 2008 12:42 AM
Pam Simpson
Bob Leigh & Assoc., LLC - Senatobia, MS
GRI, Broker-Assoc.

John - just keep nibbling away.

Ron - I looked back at my closed transactions the first part of this year to evaluate my marketing plan and discovered that all of them came from past clients, or family of past clients. 

Sam - I agree on staying focused.  I need to get back to doing the specific things that will help me to achieve my goals.  At the beginning of each year, I write out specific, targeted goals and keep track during the year, but this year I have not been as focused as I should be.

Jun 25, 2008 01:25 AM
Rob Proctor
At Home Real Estate Company - Loveland, CO
GRI ePro

I don't have a problem being a small fish. Depending on the client, sometimes you need to think about your bait selection a little more.

Jun 25, 2008 07:55 AM
Pam Simpson
Bob Leigh & Assoc., LLC - Senatobia, MS
GRI, Broker-Assoc.

Rob - thanks for a different perspective! 

Jun 26, 2008 04:06 AM
Sabrina Kelley
ERA Herman Group Real Estate - Woodland Park, CO
Woodland Park Colorado Mountain Homes and Land

I have lived in my area for 13 yrs. and I don't consider myself big or little.

I consider myself to be a knowledgeable, resourceful and helpful agent.

In the end those qualities are the ones which will matter most to your clients.

Jun 27, 2008 02:19 PM
M. Suzi Woods (Gravenstuk)
NOW Sharing the life and spice of the GC one day at a time - Grand Canyon, AZ
Suzi Woods, Prior Independent REBroker in MS

Pam, Happy 2009. Just to let you know I am choosing to read most blogs in our Little Missississipp REP group. You are a good highly skilled and interesting blogger. I love the RElevant information.

I am a small fish, but I am totally into what I do. Each "mission" I take on is focused and because of the intense focus; transactions have a strange intimacy about them. I love problem solving and slaying dragons.

Jan 01, 2009 11:42 PM
Pam Simpson
Bob Leigh & Assoc., LLC - Senatobia, MS
GRI, Broker-Assoc.

Suzi - Thanks and Happy 2009 to you! 

Jan 02, 2009 12:04 AM