I have to admit, I am skeptical! I am the type to sit on the sidelines until I understand something before jumping in with two feet. And with this skepticism comes my first blog post on Active Rain. Yes, I have known about the site and service for quite some time and have turned to it in the past for advice from fellow agents on short sales, foreclosures and broker price opinions. And as an independent contractor I've also thought, "sharing my practices and strategies only threatens my livelihood." But the possibility of helping the greater good is far too valuable to not share a very simple concept that literally anyone can and should implement into their business.
Before I dive in, here are a couple of questions to consider: when people ask you:
- How's the market?
- Do you know any great deals out there?
- What do rates look like?
While sometimes our closer clients really do care about us as individuals and our businesses, these questions are typically self serving. We have run into people that are looking for the deal of century no matter who brings it to them. Most of us have also been midway into a transaction only to learn that our client is working with two lenders compromising closing on time or at all. But wait, aren't we guilty of the same? As agents we are constantly looking for the next lead, the next contact, the next prospect. As we know, without prospecting, our business slowly shrinks and dies.
Bringing this full circle is the idea of focusing on something larger than ourselves for a change. Focusing on a way to give back to a cause that you are passionate about. Aligning yourself with an organization or illness that has touched you in one way or another. You see when we stop thinking about the next transaction, the next listing or prospect, good things tend to happen.
In the Annapolis, MD area, 13 years ago started the Polar Bear Plunge. This event has grown from its infancy to this January hosting more than 13,000 Plungers. All Plungers raised a minimum of $50 per person, top plungers raised more than $10,000! The event will raise more than $2.5 million all benefits the athletes of the Special Olympics of Maryland. This is a top-notch organization dedicated to helping disabled youth compete at a high level. When I was introduced to a top staff person there nearly four years ago, I walked away that day knowing I wanted to contribute in some way.
While jumping into 34 degree water in January may not be for you, I encourage you to think outside of yourself to find what is important to you. Individually your efforts can be big or small, but taking the first step is nothing short of inspiring. When contacting your friends and clients, few will care about your million dollar producer status yet they will be energized by your participation in the Breast Cancer Walk or Relay For Life. Real estate as we know is a contact sport: the more contact, the more results!
Throughout this blog, I will update you with volunteering and fundraising events we have participated in the past to provide you with some thought provoking ideas about how you can either get started or continue making a difference in your community. By doing good things for others, good things happen to you.
How about you? Let's hear about some of things you are active and passionate about? See you next January in the water!
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