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A nod of agreement or an argument: either way the ice is broken

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Services for Real Estate Pros

A nod of agreement or an argument: either way the ice is broken

button with I'm a great sales person

Some of my friends comment on my shameless self promotion. I prefer to refer to it as "branding". Good or bad, people will talk about me (and either way I have an increased chance of your business). Imagine me as mediocre, and noone would bother to comment. The current terms for universal gossip are "trending" or, "going viral". These are the aims of my branding. Something like being featured on ActiveRain

I use buttons as mobile advertising. I have found that a "business card on a button" does not attract the attention or comment as does a statement that invites a passionate reply. In some cases everyone has an opinion ~ and they express it.

Before coming to the US I acquainted myself with the work of PT Barnum, who made the hum-drum always larger than life, usually by poster description. Many sayings are attributed to him, but for me two stand out:

  • Every crowd has a silver lining
  • the public is wiser than many imagine

At my age, I do not have the time to be hum-drum, or mediocre. I am larger than life. I am in the land of opportunity, the land of PT Barnum. Every day has potential.

Even my alter ego, O'Larry the Clown, can promote my branding, break the ice and get people talking. (And he does!)

So I happily wear this three inch button to provoke business by getting a conversation started.


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"I'm only a call away"

 

"Ice Pick Strine"

Comments(40)

Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Good for you! I love this attitude: "I am in the land of opportunity, the land of PT Barnum. Every day has potential."

If only more people understood that we ARE in the land of opportunity. Our limits are self-imposed.

I'll bet your accent is beautiful - not shocking!

Jul 01, 2012 03:37 AM
Dana Hollish Hill
Hollish Hill Group, JPAR Stellar Living - Bethesda, MD
REALTOR * Broker * Coach
Love it! I bet people remember you after just one meeting.
Jul 01, 2012 06:11 AM
Dana Hollish Hill
Hollish Hill Group, JPAR Stellar Living - Bethesda, MD
REALTOR * Broker * Coach
Love it! I bet people remember you after just one meeting.
Jul 01, 2012 06:12 AM
Pamela Seley
West Coast Realty Division - Murrieta, CA
Residential Real Estate Agent serving SW RivCo CA

Larry, I agree, there is no time to be hum-drum. Folks buy from sales people they like. Have a great week in the land of opportunity!

Jul 01, 2012 07:08 AM
Karen Steed
Tallapoosa, Bremen, Waco, Buchanan, Temple, Carrollton - Tallapoosa, GA
Associate Broker Haralson Realty

Oh Larry, you are an inspiration.  Why would anyone settle for mediocre when we live in the lnd of opportunity?

Thansks

Jul 01, 2012 07:26 AM
Maria Bradfield
Rancho Mirage, CA

Larry:  You are awesome.  It is really about SHOW and GO.  When you are out in the public, it is SHOWTIME!  I admire your confidence.

Jul 01, 2012 09:38 AM
Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI, SRES
Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA
REALTOR and Broker

Be bold and big, or go home.  I wouldn't wear it to church or a wedding or a funeral,, but getting noticed is the name of the game. The whole game is trying to capture as many eyeballs as necessary,without being obnoxious, and letting the whole world know you are in real estate. 

Jul 01, 2012 10:54 AM
Pete Xavier
Investments to Luxury - Pacific Palisades, CA
Outstanding Agent Referrals-Nationwide

Back on the east coast there was an agent that carried the small "for sale" signs into shops, banks, etc, just to incite conversation.

Jul 01, 2012 11:42 AM
Karen Feltman
Cedar Rapids/Iowa City, IA KW Legacy Group - Cedar Rapids, IA
Relocation Specialist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

You have a great knack for being unique and getting people to talk.  Sometimes all they want is someone to listen! Thank you for sharing.

Jul 01, 2012 01:48 PM
Rosemary Brooks
BMC Real Estate - 209-910-3706 - Stockton, CA
The Mother & Daughter Realty Team

Great post and read. Branding yourself is the only way to go - no one else is going to brand you!

Jul 01, 2012 06:34 PM
Larry O'Sullivan
Sandy, UT

Richie - getting the most out of life. Hadn't seen the "spitting bones" bit before.

JoAnn - Thanks. Gilbert and Sullivan had it as "blowing your own trumpet".

Margaret - our job to remind. They forget so quickly. Right time~ right message.

Kimo - It's the start of the process, the ice-breaking. Backed up by proficiency.

Bob and Carolin - They think they initiate the conversation.

Maureen - standing out and being remembered. Like this post has produced 12x my normal response.

Marte - I think I am the only one here without an accent. My wife tells me otherwise.

 

 

Jul 01, 2012 07:42 PM
Larry O'Sullivan
Sandy, UT

Erica - I believe in me. It's a case of always building on small wins.

Dana - Enough I hope to allow them to approach me the next time.

Pamela - I'm thriving. It's 4am and I'm ready for the new week, holiday and social activities included.

Karen - perhaps a feeling of entitlement, a real business killer. Does not exist in us imports.

Maria - and maybe a bit of Jim Cary rubs off as well.

Gary - believe it or not, I do have personal boundaries. And there are times, not many, when I'm "off duty"

Jul 01, 2012 07:57 PM
Larry O'Sullivan
Sandy, UT

Pete - definitely out of the ordinry. I remember putting a for sale sign on my boarding school for a prank. Did not go down too well, but generated a lot of excitement.

Karen F - people will also recommend you to their friends as a good listener, even if they did all the talking.

Rosemary - Thanks. It's a lifetime exercise

Jul 01, 2012 08:15 PM
Kathy McAlpin
HomeSmart - Arrowhead - Peoria, AZ
Your post showed you as a delightful person and made me smile. You must be very successful! Thanks for sharing yourself with us.
Jul 01, 2012 09:32 PM
Tim Maitski
Atlanta Communities Real Estate Brokerage - Atlanta, GA
Truth, Excellence and a Good Deal

Maybe I'm missing something.  Are you saying that "I'm a Great Salesperson" is a statement that invites a passionate reply?  I guess it takes more than that for me to get passionate. 

You mention PT Barnum.  I remember him by his quote "There's a sucker born every minute".  Put that and salesman together and I just expect a guy looking for the next sucker to come along.  No thanks. I'll just walk the other way.

Jul 02, 2012 02:31 AM
Bob Miller
Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty - Ocala, FL
The Ocala Dream Team

Hi Larry, I agree.  My "buttons" are t-shirts that generate comments and start the conversation.

Jul 02, 2012 02:57 AM
Larry O'Sullivan
Sandy, UT

Kathy - thanks, a smile is good.

Tim - I respect your right to an opinion. From my reading Barnum never used the quote you mention. It is attributed to one of his competitors. I work for a win-win.

Bob - Buttons for me go back to my Oz days. With reduced mobility I can utilize them effectively. There are many other forms of ice breaker available.

Jul 02, 2012 05:14 AM
Bill Fields
Bill Fields Learning Systems - Treasure Island, FL

Love it! Wish more agents had your creativity and williness to work outside the box.

Jul 03, 2012 10:09 PM
Larry O'Sullivan
Sandy, UT

Bill - glad I sparked some interest. Have subscribed so I don't miss anything. Been plowing through your site. Thanks.

Jul 03, 2012 11:43 PM
Kevin Vitali
EXIT Realty Beatrice Associates - Middleton, MA
Helping Massachusetts Home Buyers and Home Sellers

Larry-  What ever gets the job done!!

Jul 11, 2012 06:29 AM