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Personal & Company Branding: It Is Written!

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Napa Consultants DRE00893924

 

A major key to success is identifying and focusing upon a market category or sub-category in which you can become the dominant player.  To fully succeed however, it must be a niche that you believe you can do better than anyone else in your marketplace, a niche about which you are passionate. When you are passionate about what you are doing your interest in your work will be sustained, you will continuously be innovative and you will persevere during the most challenging moments in your career.  

When you are passionate about what do you also attract people and events, almost magically, that can help you achieve your dreams and confirm that you are on the right path.  Here is a fun true story that we experienced about this kind of serendipity.

Several years ago, we were walking on the beach and discussing the fact that we are truly passionate about our strategic branding practice that is focused on the luxury real estate industry.  We were wondering if personal and company branding would be the vehicle that could lead to working internationally which was our desire.

Suddenly, we came upon some letters that someone had written in the sand upside down.  When we walked around to read it our jaws dropped. A young man had written his own name which happened to be B R A N D! Luckily, we had our camera and took the picture posted above.  It was like a “sign” to stay on our path.

Since then, the opportunities that social media has offered in terms of expanding internationally and also meeting more and more fascinating people have enriched our lives and added significantly to our career in strategic branding.  There is no question that being passionate your work makes life much more fun!

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WE SPECIALIZE IN
STRATEGIC BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT FOR
LUXURY REAL ESTATE,
FINE WINES & PHILANTHROPIC EVENTS

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                         Ron & Alexandra Seigel, Managing Partners

                                                  805.770.1129

                   If Gaining or Sustaining Market Leadership is Your Quest, we can help!

 

Comments(68)

John Gambone
Kimura Realty - Arlington, MA

Thanks for the info! Was right on track with what my ideas were on today :) Looking forward to going through the links.

Dec 22, 2010 03:52 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

I have been trying to build a niche with investors.  It has taken a while but is starting to pay dividends.

Dec 22, 2010 04:28 AM
Josh & Julie Hambarian
Josh & Julie - Steele Realty. North County San Diego Coastal - Encinitas, CA

Thanks for sharing the story.  I like this line in your post, " To fully succeed however, it must be a niche that you believe you can do better than anyone else in your marketplace, a niche about which you are passionate." kind of reminds me of that old european tradition or whatever it's called where when someone moves on they simply ask "Did they live with passion?" as to the value of their life lived.

I think that is important and if you are not passionate about what you do then you should be passionate about finding out what you are passionate about and start doing that instead!

Dec 22, 2010 04:46 AM
Tom Waite
Thomas Waite Real Estate Broker - Cypress, CA
So Cal-Apartment Bldg Investments

Believe!

Believe!

That is what it takes...Believe!

Dec 22, 2010 06:02 AM
Frank Rubi
Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA
FrankRubiRealEstate.com

Branding sure does count. Isn't something how things happen, discussing branding and finding it in the sand. Merry Christmas!

Dec 22, 2010 06:09 AM
Simon Mills
Mills Realty - Toluca Lake, CA

Sometime Karma is right in front of you, but you just need to pay attention.  I love the fact that you saw that on the beach!

Dec 22, 2010 06:20 AM
Laura Cerrano
Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY
Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Hey Ron and Alexandra!

 wow you two surly did receive a sign, love when that happens :) When your passionate, people can see and sense your energy...it makes a world of difference.  Keep up the great work and meeting those who will help you succeed :) happy Holidays!

Dec 22, 2010 08:39 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Jordon,

We are glad you enjoyed our post and it inspired you.  Wishing you all the best in 2011, and all the 20 somethings to come!

Jonathan,

Excellent point made, however a logo done right does communicate the brand.  Sometimes the logo does not communicate the brand or anything for that matter.  Sometimes people don't live up to the brand. Great service is part of the brand, not the whole enchilada, (California speak).  All the best to you.  A

Brent and Deb.

I remember that Serenity Now phrase from Seinfeld.  Thanks re the links, we just had them fixed, need to do it again, and we wish you continued success.  A

Gloria,

Brand in our opinion is needed by everyone.  We would be delighted to work with you, the only requirement we have is that the people we work with like to laugh and have a good time.  Thank you for your comments, and we wish you a successful year ahead. A

Donna,

We are delighted for you, and we would love to see the outcome.  All the best A

Dec 22, 2010 08:52 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Bill,

You are absolutely right, NAR stats show that people remember the agent, not the company...All the best.  A

Jon,

Thanks for you thoughts, and we are delighted that you commented.  Wishing you all the best.  A

Gene,

Delighted you are succeeding in your niche,  wishing you continued success in 2011. 

Josh and Julie,

we live for innovation and are passionate about creative people, you are so right about passion, wishing you a wonderfuly 2011.

Tom,

I believe, and I know you do too.  All the best and continued success.  A

Dec 22, 2010 09:18 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Frank,

Isn't the universe a wonderful cooperative component in life?  Thanks for your comment, and we wish you a wonderful Xmas and a joyful New Year.

Simon,

You are right, it is always under your nose, ie. obnosis, observing the obvious. 

Carole and Laura,

Thanks for your insights, we appreciate them.  All the best in 2011.  A

Dec 22, 2010 09:22 AM
DeeDee Riley
Lyon Real Estate - El Dorado Hills CA - El Dorado Hills, CA
Realtor - El Dorado Hills & the Surrounding Areas

Ron and Alexandra, I think being passionate is the key so that your work doesn't feel like work!!  Love the story.

Dec 22, 2010 06:23 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Do what you love and love what you do... the key to success!

Dec 22, 2010 07:23 PM
Carrie Goodman
My Colorado Springs Realty - Colorado Springs, CO

Don't you love Providence??  Funny how it works to help keep Inspiration alive & well...  Just mix with a healthy dose of Perspiration and you just may WIN!

Dec 23, 2010 02:02 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Dee Dee,

Thank you for commenting, we appreciate it, and you are so right about passion...All the best to you, and have a wonderful holiday season.

Marte,

How true your words are.  Thank you for stopping by, and happy holidays.  A

Carrie.

Love providence, and inspiration creates inspired action which does not feel like work.  All the best, A

Dec 23, 2010 03:48 AM
John Michailidis
Real Property Management of Sarasota & Manatee - Sarasota, FL
Real Property Management of Sarasota & M
R&A: Great post! For what it's worth, here's my little spin on the topic . . .

It seems to me that too many agents misconstrue the concept of niching to mean "only one niche," which I think is a mistake.

The key components of optimum niching include:

1. Focused, targeted messaging/branding to a likely to be receptive targeted audience.

2. Deep knowledge of the the niche market, and specialized skills directed at addressing the wants/needs of the niche.

3. Specialized lead generation, lead management, and lead conversion systems dedicated to the niche.

I see no reason why an agent can't operate in 2-3 niches successfully, so long as each niche in a "multi-niche business model" is run as a separate business with its own distinct branding, messaging, systems, etc. Of course, each niche dose require specialized knowledge and skill-sets, so it's probably impractical to attempt more than 2-3 niches simultaneously (but I'm still pondering this last point and reserve the right to change my mind in the future ;-)

So long as an agent doesn't try to cut corners by "blending brands," there is no reason why an agent should stick to one and only one niche if market conditions, and one's own inclinations dictates otherwise. -- JM
Dec 24, 2010 04:58 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

John,

John

Thank you for your comments and insights on the subject. 

1.  One has to be passionate about their niche which naturally should include the marketplace, personally when we were in commercial real estate we thrived on the creative side of Los Angeles, and we loved all aspects of the entertainment business.  For the entertainment business we were a match made in heaver and vice vera.

2.  We had 2 niches, high end retail, creative spaces, and development in areas where the first two were needed.  We had famous clients, but I wasnt about to specialize in residential properties...I had people  to refer to.  Geographically, Los Angeles is huge, and our favorite area was the Westside...some of our clients looked for multiple locations, and again if it wasn't in our geography, we referred to trustworthy individuals...and they referred to us...Given the work it takes to understand the marketplace and to know every square foot, it was more profitable and easier on the psyche, than to be buttered all over the universe.

3.  A brand stands for you and the marketplace...you can expand a brand and create new brands under that umbrella, but that in itself is a huge subject, and i am ready to start the Xmas celebration.

 

Wishing you a wonderful holiday, R & A

Dec 24, 2010 07:44 AM
Robert Courtney
Lihue, HI
Century 21 All Islands, RA, CDPE, MCRE, CIAS

Sometimes starting a new career can make Branding tough.  Over time with a little trial and error it evolves.  There is something to be said about branding in a niche that is under served as well.  Once it evolves stay true to it and only tweak it a little at a time.  Happy New Year Ron and Alexandra!

Dec 26, 2010 02:52 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Bob,

Thanks for your comments and insights. we appreciate them.  Happy New Year to you also.  A

Dec 26, 2010 04:45 AM
Liane Thomas, Top Listing Agent
Professional Realty Services® - Corona, CA
Bringing you Home!

oh, it looks like God gave you a really big sign! Specializing is key, and sticking with something is also key. So often I see agents farming a neighborhood for a few months, and then quitting because they never got a call. Or marketing to FSBO, and then quitting after a few attempts because there was no quick result.

How often I wonder if the next month would have brought them the desired results...

Dec 29, 2010 08:51 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Liane,

Thanks for your comment and insight, we appreciate them.  Wishing you a wonderfu 2011, and continued success in all your endeavors. A

Dec 29, 2010 09:30 AM