Testimonials:Do You Feel Comfortable Asking for Them?
I know, I know. Scads of posts have been written about this. Ok, I get it. BUT. It still doesn't answer that personal question for me,
Is it really okay to ask for someone to tell you how fabulous you are?? In other business realms, that's what press agents are hired to do, I s'pose. Wax philosophic about your amazing attributes.
Well, I am sorry, but I squirm at the notion.
And it's pretty rare that I shed that squirmy skin, let my soft-underside show long enough to ask for a testimonial. I have to be quite comfy with a "client" (who by this time has become like an old friend, worn-in, easy...)
to be able to ask that crucial question:
"Would you be okay writing a testimonial for me about your experience?"
Geez.
I have SUCH a hard time with this that in 10+years of being a realtor I've truly only asked a mere five fingers of people I'd say, to write about their mind-blowing experience with me (kidding). It's just so, well...awkward. I don't think I've ever even been able to ask them to their face, but take the chicken way out and simply send an e-mail. No begging. I give them an out, always.
People like Mohammed Ali always made me queasy with their boastful "I'm the greatest" mentality. And yet, I recall that it was his way of creating a self-fulfilling prophesy because later he revealed that he said it aloud before he even believed it himself!
Something to be said for that, don't you think, because he truly became that.
Part of liking yourself is seeing yourself through other's eyes.
Enter Rick and Julie Osborne
I took the plunge recently, because I was lucky enough to have two truly kindred spirits enter my realm within the last few months. They discovered Fishhawk Lake as their next destination on their journey of their very interesting lives. This is their safe place that they will call home soon. We have had quite the ride together, the three of us, with twists and turns that we could not have imagined, but it's been one that we've taken in stride and like good surfers, we rode the waves and lived to tell about it! I felt such a kinship with them that I dropped my guard and asked for a (deep breath) Testimonial.
The Osborne's Fishhawk Lake Home
Here it is:
"It's All About Connecting"!
"We were searching for a home for retirement after living in Salem for 18 years. We wanted to downsize and be able to travel. Loving nature, we looked for a home near water, and after searching for months east of Portland, nothing felt right. Then, with a little luck (and good old Google Earth) we found Fishhawk Lake. After contacting Gayle Rich-Boxman, an agent with Vernonia Realty, we went to the lake to meet her and look at some properties. As soon as we arrived, we knew this was the place we wanted to live. After just a few of visits viewing several properties, Gayle found the perfect house for us. In the process of selling our home in Salem, we have the luxury of taking several weeks to move in, and can't wait to be there full time. The connection we felt with Gayle, as an agent, and now as a friend has continued as she helps us sell our home in Salem, which she agreed to do even though it was completely out of her market niche. Gayle combined her amazing photography, excellent writing skills, and acumen utilizing the Internet, to show our property in such a way that it only took one day to receive an offer. Anyone who has bought and sold a home knows how incredibly challenging the process can be. Gayle's knowledge, kindness, forthrightness, persistence, and helpfulness has made this a pleasant experience. We know we can count on her, and we're looking forward to being her neighbor".
Rick and Julie Osborne
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