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#4 of 100: Who Cares How Many Designations You Have?

By
Real Estate Agent with Zuber Group Real Estate

No seriously, who cares? Do you really believe that the public understands the 3 or 4 letter acronyms on your business card, nametag, or wherever you the hell you plaster it?

I am going to let you in on a tiny little secret …YOU are the only person that cares about your designations! Congratulations.

Have you ever had a client say, “I can not have you represent me as my real estate agent unless you are a GRI, CRS or ABR?”  If so, you better go back to relationship building 101 because I believe, you are officially “lost in the sauce” like a meatball. 

Clients care about service, follow up, follow through, being understood, honesty, showing you care, and most importantly … RESULTS.  They DO NOT care about your frick’n designations.

Oh Yah … and other agents aren’t going to magically start referring you business because all of a sudden your business card has new letters on it, either.

And who the hell has the time take to dig through a CRS phone book?

Agents refer other agents that get RESULTS, have a solid reputation and have the same values and integrity as they do; they refer agents that produce, not because of any other reason.

By the way … in case you’re furious by now, R.E.L.A.X. You should feel much better now that someone at least told you that the reason you’re still not getting any more business after all the time you’ve spent in a classroom over the past two years …

Designation do not make you an EXPERT or guarantee you any business at all.

No disrespect to education and learning, I’m all for it! I read at least one new book a week. Attend webinars and listen to podcasts regularly.  Whatever I can do to learn on the move while I’m still running my business. You don’t learn real estate in a classroom. You learn by experience, you learn by doing.

If you’ve been in the real estate business for over a year, haven’t closed more than a couple transactions and think getting every designation know to man is going to help you, IT”S NOT!

Get out and meet people.  Become an expert at something. Start connecting, read books on selling & marketing & relationships.  A jack-of-all-trades, master of none is not what I am referring to (those people don’t get it and never will).

Remember, designations are for YOU and you only. Don’t expect by getting them that your business is going to miraculously turn around.

 

Craig Zuber- Story #4 of 100 over the next 100 days


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Previous story:

#3 of 100: Your House is Ugly

 
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Craig,

How true, it is the application of the principles over and over again that make one expert.  A surgeon gets better with each new surgery, as does a real estate agent with each deal they close.  One learns nuances and shortcuts that are not necessarily taught, and if they are, you still have to practice, practice and practice.  A

 

Jan 22, 2011 01:25 AM
Retired from ActiveRain
Baker, OR

Education shouldn't be for the degree or designation, but for the knowledge learned and applied.  To me that is the true value of the designation.  Many Realtors that I know don't bother adding the designations they've earned to their business cards and other marketing materials.  It only confuses and sometimes intimidates their prospective clients.

Jan 22, 2011 01:25 AM
Patsy Overton
Patsy Overton Interiors, Atlanta, Georgia - Duluth, GA

I must agree with you here, Craig.  Designations are nice, but it's really much more about the education.  Having a string of designations behind your name lets us know that you are well educated, but not necessarily experienced.  Patsy Overton, ASB, CQT, CBS, TNT, JIOBK, QQSKT, IOKNK, POC, QRC

Jan 22, 2011 01:30 AM
Nor Yeretsian
Envoy Capitol Realty Inc. - Toronto, ON
Envoy Capitol Realty Inc., Brokerage Toronto

Results , that's all baby ! The rest is window dressing.

You could do it without any window dressing - Just Results and the World will love you.

Look at Warren Buffett - results.

cheers

Nor Yeretsian

Jan 22, 2011 01:34 AM
Jay Seville
Ocean Views Real Estate, Inc. - Oak Island, NC
Oak Island and other NC Beaches

But lets' all remember that being in the Multi-Million Dollar Club will make a difference in getting more business :)

Jan 22, 2011 01:37 AM
Peter den Boer
Atlanta Communities - Woodstock, GA
MBA,GRI, Associate Broker, Realtor

Craig - I have the designations, also an Associate Broker, I get really good results for my clients, Have had above average business throughout the past bad years...I know, its my amazing good looks! :)

Jan 22, 2011 01:39 AM
Nancy Fraser
Exit Realty Premier - Massapequa Park, NY
Realtor, Massapequa Homes for Sale 516-729-0278

Craig while I agree education is a necessity in the business you are 100% right about who cares.

I have often wondered what the consumer thinks when they look at those letters posted under an agents name.

Jan 22, 2011 01:57 AM
Mike Saunders
Retired - Athens, GA

Craig - but there are plenty of agents, including some here on active rain, that will not refer to other agents without specific designations. But I agree, the acronyms behind the name are no guarentee of professional service.

Jan 22, 2011 03:11 AM
Chris Smith
Re/Max Chay Realty Inc., Brokerage - New Tecumseth, ON
South Simcoe, Caledon, King, Orangeville Real Esta

Craig, I have heard lately many times from many sources, that people don't care what you know, until they know that you care...

Jan 28, 2011 02:23 AM