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"The words we choose to say affect the way people respond."

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899

I’ve learned so many things from Marte Cliff whose blogs are inspiring and always offer such teachable moments for us all!

If you aren’t following Marte you need to start as she is a real estate copywriter with a past – in real estate! You can learn so much to apply to your business from her.

I found out she worked for various real estate brokers for 9 years and after becoming disenchanted with the way business was conducted she became a broker herself. I love the fact she opened the first woman-owned real estate agency in Priest River. She had one agent..a newbie fresh out of real estate classes. Everyone thought she’d be out of business in 6 months and instead within 2 years, was responsible for more than 50% of the closings in her area. With 5 other agencies in town that’s saying something!

Her agency success sprouted from her belief in marketing, customer service and follow up. After 9 years of owning her brokerage she realized her favorite part of the real estate business was marketing. She sold her business and went into real estate copywriting full time.

I love that Marte occasional writes for other businesses but the majority of her time is spent writing for real estate agents and others connected in the industry. Her posts in Active Rain many times are featured and I always learn something from her.

Marte is a believer the words we choose to say affect the way people respond and she is right. Over the years I’ve learned from her some words to eliminate and what to say. Here are 10 I’ve never forgotten: 

 

Thank you Marte for all that you do to educate us and help us create a better “experience” to our buyers and sellers through our real estate transactions .

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I specialize in Listing and Selling homes in the NW Austin Area. I use my experience to guide clients through the process, whether selling or buying. It’s a beautiful thing when your career and a passion come together. I love what I do!

 

Comments (39)

Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Sheila Anderson : Me too!

Hi Brian England : I do too!

Hi Michael Jacobs : The same for me.

Hi Beth Atalay : I'm grateful too!

Hi Carol Williams : Important point to make..the tone in delivery is so important.

Jan 18, 2019 04:50 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Marte Cliff : I'm glad you liked it..well deserved. You teach us so many things and we are reading and making changes..thank you!

Hi Sheri Sperry - MCNE® : She is a gem and her posts are so worth reading!

Hi Grant Schneider : It's always worth it to take a minute and choose the words you want to use carefully especially in the world we live in now.

Hi Susan Haughton : Another solid endorsement!

Jan 18, 2019 04:54 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Francine Viola : You are right she is a great Rainer to follow.

Hi Myrl Jeffcoat : Thank you for reading and commenting on this knowledgeable lady!

Hi George Souto : I do believe words matter.

Hi James Dray : You do a good job of writing your posts!

Jan 18, 2019 04:56 AM
Steffy Hristova
HomeSmart Elite Group Tempe AZ Tel: 602.710.8161 - Tempe, AZ
Tempe AZ Realtor - Your Home Close to Your Work!

Dorie, I am glad you wrote about Marte Cliff - I enjoy her blogs very much, and her language insights. I loved the graphics you used and the table of word choices - it makes them more memorable that way.

Jan 18, 2019 07:24 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Dorie,  This is a blog that more people should read and learn from all the time.  This is how we all get better and better.

 

Jan 18, 2019 08:45 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Steffy Hristova : Marte Cliff writes the best posts! I learn a lot from her. Thank you for commenting.

Hi Will Hamm : I agree!

Jan 19, 2019 06:16 AM
Debb Janes
Nature As Neighbors - Camas, WA
Put My Love of Nature At Work for You

What a very nice post about Marte. I loved the background too. Words are incredibly powerful, as stated. I wish people would stop to consider what they're saying before they let those words come pouring out. Perhaps, it could start with our politicians? 

Jan 19, 2019 07:35 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh, I love Marte too and these tips are all spot-on, Dorie! I've also learned not to say 'presentation' but, rather, 'consultation.' Another one that is intimidating to clients/customers is 'document;' instead, use 'paperwork.'

Happy Saturday, Dorie!

Jan 19, 2019 07:37 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Dorie Dillard CRS GRI ABR great post and so true. Our biggest arguements, yes we do argue from time to time, is usually over communication and because Trudy is originally Dutch her ubnderstanding of a word I am using. For example I used the word effort, to me my use was a positive use, I made an effort to call every day, to her it was entirely negative. I did it because I wanted to make that call before anything else, it was important to me. To her it was something I did not want to do and had to make an effort to do it. It is also how we understand the words used as well. 

Jan 19, 2019 11:56 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD : That would be nice wouldn't it ??

Hi Debe Maxwell, CRS : Happy Saturday to you too! I agree the word document can be intimating..paper work is much easier to grasp.

Hi Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 : It's true it is also how we understand the words we use as it varies depending on how you learned.

Jan 19, 2019 01:04 PM
Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP
DFW FINE PROPERTIES - Flower Mound, TX
Selling Homes Changing Lives

Dorie Dillard CRS GRI ABR - Congratulations on your feature!

Marte Cliff is so inspiring too! 

You are two ladies I admire and respect. 

Jan 19, 2019 01:41 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Marte Cliff is a true asset and anytime she hunt and pecks on Active Rain, the blog post is so worth while to read and learn!

Jan 20, 2019 02:36 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

HI Patricia Feager, MBA, CRS, GRI,MRP : Thank you!!

Hi Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573 : You are so right..her posts are certainly worth the read!

Jan 20, 2019 04:35 AM
Joyce Marsh
Joyce Marsh Real Estate LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Joyce Marsh Luxury Living

I particularly like using "preferred rate" rather than discount, and "compensation" rather than commission. Marte Cliff always has such great advice, I also enjoy her posts regularly. I'm so glad that you are sharing more about her here.

Jan 20, 2019 11:40 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Hi Dorie: One of my procedures involves never beginning an email or text with certain words. Like the word "I" or the word "No." When clients ask you a question that evokes a yes or no answer from you, never never lead with the word NO. It is such affront. Even if it is accurate. Find another way to say it. Such as "of course, you are correct, the answer is no."

Jan 20, 2019 01:27 PM
Marney Kirk
Cummings & Co. Realtors - Towson, MD
Towson, Maryland Real Estate

Dorie, thank you so much for this post about Marte Cliff ! I love the words to use vs not to use!

Jan 20, 2019 02:44 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Dorie- love your post to highlight Marte Cliff ! I'm certain that most of us have learned so much from what she shares here. I especially love the "choose this rather than that" word/phrase list. 

Jan 20, 2019 05:47 PM
Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Hi Dorie:

What a nice shout-out to Marte - I love what she shares, and this list of what NOT to say and what to say INSTEAD is terrific!

Jeff

Jan 21, 2019 09:34 PM
Jan Green - Scottsdale, AZ
Value Added Service, 602-620-2699 - Scottsdale, AZ
HomeSmart Elite Group, REALTOR®, EcoBroker, GREEN

What a great post featuring Marte Cliff !  That's an impressive real estate career.  I love your list of do's and don'ts.  Makes perfect sense, much more positive sounding.  Great post!  Kudos Marte for all you do!

Jan 22, 2019 11:29 AM
Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty
Front Gate Real Estate - Brandon, MS
601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell

This is a nice shout out to Marte Cliff who teaches us a lot if we listen. I appreciate the List of 10 Things to Say Instead. Some I already abide by but there is always room for improvement. Well done!

Jan 23, 2019 10:35 AM