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Is it true...Visibility Versus Ability

Is it true that visibility is more important than ability? What do you think about this statement? I agree visibility is important, but don't you think you had better know your "Stuff" once you have the job? Do you believe that the more your face is shown, the more buyers or sellers will know who you are and think that you are knowledgable?

What if you have the ability and no one knows who you are? What do you recommend a Real Estate Agent to do? Just curious as to which do you think is more important? Visibility or Ability.

Posted by Dianne Barody - Pensacola Florida Real Estate on 05/07/2007 04:05 PM

Comments (26)

visibility, ability, real estate, agent, buyers, sellers

26 Comments on Is it true...Visibility Versus Ability

MAY

2007

I think everyone would agree that the bottom line is that ability is of the utmost importance. It is hard to neglect visibility though. There is a Realtor who lives and works in my neighborhood that seemed to come out of the woodwork a couple years ago. All of the sudden his face was everywhere at once and business begets business begets business.

I've not heard or seen of too many people using this guy a second time around which may question his ability, but one can go a long way burning though part of a city without repeat or referral business and continue to gain business from the visibility.

Visibility gets you the listing appointment. From there, it's up to you. I think that because you cannot reach the public without becoming familiar- a go to- visibility is first. For longevity, your ability will eventually gain equal, if not higher, ground.

Ability - yes, but without exposure, who will know you have ability? Like Joe, there is an individual in our small town who is highly visible with billboards, franchise ads, newspaper ads, news releases, etc. Very few will do business with them a second time, but somehow they still convince people to list with them.

The best type of visibility is the kind that showcases your ability. Anything else will likely be viewed by the consumer as advertising, which people tend to distrust, anyway. Active Rain and Localism together help to increase the "visibility" factor and by reading the quality blogs that many people have posted, you can increase your "ability" also, as you learn tips and techniques from other successful professionals.

I think Ability is my number one...But to be successful I believe we need to be both. I tend to be shy so I have to work harder on the visibility side. My favorite part of the Real Estate business is writing up the contract and working the numbers.

visibility is definate and a must to start out. Ability is learned along the way and only becomes stronger.

nice blog

Sometimes, when there are lots of people in the marketplace, those with little ability can, for lack of a better word, find an ongoing pool of "victims." Everyone knows some service company, car dealer, that has such a reputation and promotes like crazy. In the long run, however, I think for most of us in business, ability ends up being more important. If one has high visibility, but poor word of mouth, it is going to catch up eventually, unless one is in such a big market that there are new suckers that can be hooked with the high profile ads.

You have to get their attention (visibility) before they will examine your credentials (ability). Often, the public will initially equate visibility with ability. The agent whose name they heard last will get the call.

Dianne, I don't think that you can really separate the two. To me both are equally important and have to work hand in hand in order to be successful in this business.

I think they both are equally as important. But to me, I think you better know your stuff first (ability) before you build your visibility. Otherwise, people can see through your inexperience. Those first impressions last forever.

Unfortunately I know of some visible agents clearly lacking in ability. I agree that you need both. It doesn't matter how capable you are if no one knows your name.

MAY

2007

Ginger, I agree with you. We need to have both. Thank you for the comments

Joe, you are so right! It will only take a couple of times before the public will know how knowlegable you really are.

Laurie

Joan

Christina

Don

Thanks for the comments, I believe Visibility is important so the people will know who you are. Then, you had better have the ability to do the job.

Thanks for the comments Joe, you are right on the money

Lauren, I think we all agree that we need both. I am so thankful for Active Rain so that we can do both.

MAY

2007

I believe that you need a good mix of both. If you are lacking in either one you will suffer. However, without ability, all the exposure in the world won't keep you in business. Your reputation will eventually precede you.

However, I would rather have average ability and superior visibility then average visibility and superior ability. Marketing will bring them to your door and then providing an acceptable product for the price will keep them coming.

You can be the best in your industry, but if no one knows or if you market doesn't require it, you will go out of business.

MAY

2007

In my area there is a young agent. He married into money and brags about his marketing budget.

Anyway, he has billboards, trucks, a very very fancy car, and spends a ton of money on Marketing. His visability is great. Now to ability-his reputation probably leaves something to be desired as he doesn't seem to really get much business, but a whole lot of people taking him up on his free things. He doesn't return calls, doesn't pay his basic bills, and the vendors in town talk about him, usually unfavorably. And in a small town this isn't good.

Yep, he has visability, and he also has people talking about him. I think I will opt for ability any day as well as a good reputation.

I have wrote/rewrote several responses to this post. All turn out to be corny. The answer I beleive is Yes, Visibility is important and the starting point; but Ability /Performance is what keeps bring them back.

If you are a secret agent you will not the chance to show your ability to bring them, or their referral back.

I beleive that ability and visibility go hand-in-hand. You need both to succeed in the RE business. But I also believe that an agent must first focus on their ability to do a great job for their client. When your work is excellent it will naturally translate into at least some visibility as former clients glowingly recommend your services to their family and friends. As the saying goes, build it (your business) and they will come!

MAY

2007

Hello to all that have commented.. I believe Visibility is probably more important at first. The reason I say is that if no one knows you how can you show your ability. Thanks to all who have commented.

JUN

2007

A great topic that inspired two posts of my own. One: If you don't like doing something, hire someone that does! is an extention of your question with I think a couple of great considerations. Thanks for inspiring a great deal of thought on this issue.

I personally believe that ability is of paramount importance, but the reality is that if you can afford to buy the visibility, you can achieve short term success much quicker. Ability will win in the long run, but it takes much longer to get there.

People think that if they see your face everywhere, you must be good at what you do. We all know that many times nothing could be further from the truth!

Dave: Thank you. I am going over to read your post.

Steven: Thank you for commenting. You are right. I believe that the visisbilty factor will not hold up if you don't know what you are doing. It will not take long for people to know that.

JUL

2007

Cheryl, you are so right. Thanks for commenting.

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