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Random Monday Thoughts

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with ActiveRain

I don't tell her every day, but my mom is the best! I know she's reading because she texted me today after Raincamp and said "I know you are traveling but you still have time to do your 'Random Monday Thoughts' & keep your streak going! Love you'. Well mom, I love you too! They say behind every great man is a great woman, well I'm not quite a great man, but I have two great women (my wife and my mom) behind me so I'll get there eventually.

Katerina Gasset did a superb job at Raincamp today. This was my first time hearing her speak, and I have to say, I came away rather very impressed. I've never heard someone do a presentation on blogging to get listings and I thought she nailed it. There were takeaways for all skill level of bloggers. I hope I can convince her to join us for future RainCamps. It will be WELL worth your while to listen to her talk about going after listings with your blog and how she does it (and does it successfully!)

I don't understand the Manhattan real estate market. For one of the most progressive places in the world in terms of finance, their real estate practices are borderline archaic. Can someone explain this to me? Is this the greatest stranglehold of a good ole boys real estate network in the US?

I had a fantastic customer service experience with Delta Airlines on my flight to get to RainCamp. And guess what? My flight ended up being 4 hours late..........Any other time in my life that I've had a flight be four hours late, there has been a certain level of frustration. Want to know the difference? Delta made me feel like they actually cared that our flight was late. Our captain kept us (his customers) in the loop the entire time, even when the news he was delivering was bad. The communication was impeccable. It didn't hurt that for the first time ever (and I've been on a ton of late flights) I was given compensation for having my flight delayed. It doesn't even matter how much the compensation was.....the fact I got some is what mattered to me.

I'm a pretty big sports fan, have been all my life. I can't recall anything quite as amazing as what Butler has done the last two years. If anyone has an example. I'd love to consider it. If nothing else, it's the most unexpected run of success in College basketball in my lifetime.....and that's even if they don't win it tonight. If they win it, it goes down in the history of sports as one of the most dumbfounding runs of success. The team is alive in college basketball.....long live the team!

Someone share with me a way that you ask for referrals from your past clients. I may feel inclined to give points away for particularly well explained thoughts on the matter (or I may not).

I haven't checked my email in the last 8 hours. I'm considering not checking it the rest of the night. Yes, I'm starting to shake from withdrawal. No, the world will not end if I don't check it.

I've been away from my wife for 36 hours......I miss her terribly!

Super successful agents understand that success in real estate is a formula. Not every aspect of your business can be broken down by a formula, but the more parts of your business you can create a system for, the better off you will be. How many formulas or systems do you have in your business? If the answer is none, there is a finite limit of how successful you can be.

I've been in Atlantic City for 24 hours and I've yet to see anyone fist pumping.......

The days after RainCamp are always filled with suspense as I wait for the inevitable picture someone will post that makes me think "Geez, that's a horrible picture of me........why would they post that?????"

Posted by

Bob Stewart
ActiveRain Ambassador

 

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Shannon Milligan, Richmond VA Real Estate Agent/Associate Broker
RVA Home Team - Richmond, VA
RVA Home Team - Winning with Integrity.

Are there any videos of the RainCamp? Some uploads or snippets would be great for those of us who couldn't attend!

 

Apr 05, 2011 01:14 PM
John Novak
Keller Williams Realty The Marketplace - Las Vegas, NV
Henderson, Las Vegas and Summerlin Real Estate

What a huge payday for Shaka Smart! A couple of weeks ago nobody knew who he or VCU was ... five NCAA wins later his salary goes from $325,000 to $1.2 million.

Apr 05, 2011 01:23 PM
Mindy Kannon
Chew Your Rope, LLC - Wilton, CT
Personal Chef and Nutrition Coach

Great posts and I agree with your Mom - we need to all see your random thoughts.

Raincamp sounds fun and informative.

Thanks fot the info!

Apr 05, 2011 02:08 PM
Lora "Leah" Stern 914-772-4528
Coldwell Banker, 170 N Main Street, New City NY 10956 - New City, NY
Real Estate Salesperson

Bob - I'm just echoeing everyone else here.  You're super lucky to have two great women in your life who love you tons and seem to hang on your every word.  They both repsonded to this post in record time.  BTW love your Monday random thoughts and I'm impressed that you managed to get it out even while at raincamp ( but I guess that's because you didn't have Christa to distract you).

As to referrals, I send out bi-monthly magazines with a different ad copy on the back cover for referrals, monthly cards apprapos to the season, monthly newsletters and quarterly calls - just to catch up and let them know I'm ready to serve them and those they might know that are interested in buying or selling.

Apr 05, 2011 02:48 PM
John El Hanafi
Keller Williams Main Line Realty - Bryn Mawr, PA

'Random Monday Thoughts' what an awesome approach!!!!

John El Hanafi

Apr 05, 2011 06:03 PM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Hi Bob, Getting my clients referral is as much a part of my business plan as anything else. When I work with a client I explain that one of the reasons I can do what I do is because my clients are an integral part of my team. Everything I do is a team effort, myself and my clients working together to accomplish the close of the transaction. My communication levels are exemplary and I ask my client if I have earned their trust and have their enthusiastic support, and if so they need to help keep me excel in business. I work on the premise of being their REALTOR® for Life and they are not a client for a transaction but for life. I have consulted with past clients years and years after they have left the San Diego area in many different parts of the world. 

One of my proudest accomplishments is working with 3 generations in several families. I have many testimonials about the level of service I provide and I never forget to say thank you and and remind them that I need a replacement for them if I am to remain successful. I do very little advertising but what I can do is make the experience one they enjoy by absorbing the workload and making the task as easy on them as humanly possible. It is all in the counseling and repeated many times through the relationship. It is about relationships. And I do it with an enthusiastic smile. They are my life blood to allow me the privilege of working with them in the first place and accepting their referrals as the way I operate my business. Their satisfaction is always  100% guaranteed. And I take that seriously in all things I do in the business.

Apr 06, 2011 04:36 AM
Kim & Kristine Halverson
Sotheby's & Knipe ERA - Bend, OR
Sisters, Realtors

Hi, bring Katerina to Los Angeles!  Also, I ask for referrals in my first meeting since it's a new relationship, they are so excited and I want to share in this excitement with them.  They will be talking with all of their friends and family about what they are doing.  Set the tone in the beginning and just ask!  Kristine :)

Apr 06, 2011 06:38 AM
Appleton Wisconsin Mortgage
ufgiwi.com - Appleton, WI

I like the idea of having Random thoughts after a long weekend.  Getting referrals is completely necessary to continue in this business so it's always good to find out what methods others are using.

Apr 06, 2011 08:42 AM
Nancy Larson
I am a licensed referral agent in NJ - Hutchinson Island, FL

Bob, I say Bravo, Bravo, encore, encore for Rain Camp. You and your whole team did a fantastic job and I actually think with the whole yellow pad that I wrote in, I might climb up to something because of folks like you that care what we do.

 

Apr 06, 2011 11:55 AM
Susanne Brown
RE/MAX Realty 9 - Howell, NJ
I work hard to make real estate dreams come true!

Hey Bob!

I wanted to send a quick note to say "Thank you" to you and the other members who made Rain Camp in Atlantic City so fantastic!  I am so glad that I attended! The volume of information and the networking opportunities were priceless.

Katerina was a great speaker and what she shared with us was fantastic!  She showed us what can be accomplished by being dedicated to our business and to our ideals.

Brad and Steve were funny and informative and their enthusiasm was contagious.

I look forward to building my business with the help of Active Rain and its generous, wonderful members.

 

** As far as how I get referrals from my clients and customers...I ask them to refer me!

I work hard for my clients and keep in touch with them throughout the transaction.  When everything is settled, I make sure that I reach out to them to make sure that they are happy with how everything went.   I also keep in touch after the deals close through email, note cards, visits and phone calls.  When someone is happy with the service they receive, they are happy to tell people that they worked with me.  I have received consistent referral business from past clients. 

As a matter of fact, I received a call from a past client about three weeks ago and she told me she referred me to someone she knows at work.  Her co-worker called me and I will be putting her house on the market next month. 

 

 

Apr 06, 2011 02:21 PM
Nina Gail Betancourt Morgan
NatureWise Realty - Evans, GA
From Waterfront to Mountaintop

I was planning on attending Rain Camp and life got in the way. :-( Will have to check the schedule and make it next time.

Apr 06, 2011 04:02 PM
Nina Gail Betancourt Morgan
NatureWise Realty - Evans, GA
From Waterfront to Mountaintop

I was planning on attending Rain Camp and life got in the way. :-( Will have to check the schedule and make it next time.

Apr 06, 2011 04:13 PM
Doug Bullwinkel
E Mortgage Capital, Inc. NMLS 1416824 - Roseville, CA
Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS #281609

I always enjoy reading your posts. Hopefully I'll be able to make it to a Raincamp soon but couldn't this time around.  Say hi to your mom for us.

Apr 06, 2011 04:22 PM
Nina Gail Betancourt Morgan
NatureWise Realty - Evans, GA
From Waterfront to Mountaintop

I was planning on attending Rain Camp and life got in the way. :-( Will have to check the schedule and make it next time.

Apr 06, 2011 06:10 PM
Craig Daniels
Tech Training for You! - Staten Island, NY
Technology Instructor/Project Consultant

Bob - you did an OUTSTANDING job of teaching and M/C work - I always look forward to learning from you - so when is rain radio coming back??! :) hope my photos met your approval! so great to meet you in person and I look forward to seeing you in person again someday -craig-

Apr 07, 2011 03:14 AM
John "JJ" Johnson
Solutions Real Estate - Chandler, AZ
(480) 606-2027 Chandler, AZ

I've been in Atlantic City for 24 hours and I've yet to see anyone fist pumping.......

 

Youu have to go up to Seaside Height to see Snooki, Pauly D & the crew.

Apr 10, 2011 07:19 AM
John "JJ" Johnson
Solutions Real Estate - Chandler, AZ
(480) 606-2027 Chandler, AZ

I've been in Atlantic City for 24 hours and I've yet to see anyone fist pumping.......

 

Youu have to go up to Seaside Height to see Snooki, Pauly D & the crew.

Apr 10, 2011 07:19 AM
Scott Freedle
Metro Brokers Freedle and Associates - Centennial, CO

This sounds like a great tradition of Monday random thoughts!      I value my mom's presence each and every day!

Apr 11, 2011 03:07 AM
Monica Carosi
New York, NY

Hi Bob,

I totally understand your feeling with Delta. I have been flying back and forth from Rome to NY for the last year. I joined their frequent flyer program and I kept flying Delta. I earned so many miles that now I am a Skymiles Diamond Medallion and I can tell you each flight worthed the money I spent.

Their customer care policy should be a great lesson for a company who wants to take care of their clients.

Great post Bob.

 

Apr 15, 2011 09:02 AM
Sharon Alters
Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty - 904-673-2308 - Fleming Island, FL
Realtor - Homes for Sale Fleming Island FL

Bob, what great posts these Random Monday Thoughts are! So spontaneous and seasoned with your great sense of humor!

OK, you want to know what my latest and greatest method is for getting referrals? Here goes -

When I meet a new buyer or seller and we're just getting to know each other and working together, I tell them, "There's only one rule - you have to refer someone to me!"

Of course it's light hearted, but they remember! People don't like to owe you anything, so they want to give you a referral to get that hot potato out of their hand! lol

Sharon

Apr 24, 2011 02:12 PM