Above photo was taken at what we called Rock City behind our home in Colorado Springs in 1998.
Hello All...Here we are on Wednesday, June 19th and I am still on track to hit my 30/30 goal for June with #19 blog on the 19th!
An early shout out to Ed Silva for reminding me how to frame photos so the words are not tight against them... https://activerain.com/profile/easilva48
Even though I am headed into what most people consider retirement time in their life, I am still working full time and definitely more now than 10 or 20 years ago.
20 Years ago took up a lot of time with 2 kids at home and all of their activities...at least that was my excuse...and Jake and Jaime both still talk a lot about growing up and how we were at all of their functions. I am proud of that but know I left a lot of business on the table.
Back then, it was very easy for me. I could 
walk away from a listing or showing to attend a kid or family function or event or meal. I am still that way but those days are farther and fewer between.
10 Years ago I was thinking I could just skate along and the business would just come to me. You know...selective clients from my SOI.
I see agents and Brokers here on AR (and elsewhere) that say they only work past client business. I thought I was going to be one of them.
I dropped out of most organizations and narrowed my focus to only taking certain types of listings. Advertising was almost non-existent. How did it go for me?
Basically, I pigeon-holed myself.
Business was drying up. I was still somewhat busy but the quality of business and leads had dropped dramatically.
After hearing about a particular real estate transaction, I CALLED a close former client, congratulated him and eventually got up the nerve to ask why he didn't use me on his transaction and he said he thought I had retired as he did not see me anywhere or see my advertising.
Through the sadness, shame, and anger at myself, and with a hard hand slap to the forehead, I realized I had accomplished what I did not want...I had become irrelevant in the local world of real estate.
I had been so focused in a certain direction...I had abandoned virtually everyone who had made me successful. Even past clients who had used me many times.
I was just expecting them to call me. Pretty naive on my part.
What a true wake-up call that was. And it totally changed how I do business and I am still learning how to best work my SOI and past clients!
So my question to you is this: Are staying in touch with your past clients, and friends, and contacts? Or their families?
I have not done a good job at this...and would give myself a "C" if I was grading on the old school scale!
My agents and I talked about staying in touch with clients and contacts at our company sales meeting last week and suggestions were bantered about as to what to do.
I am starting a new "Contact Campaign" ...not sure what I am calling it...but it involves a lot of face to face, phone calls, and follow-ups. All things that I have not done a great job at throughout my career, and that I am not proud of. I mean there are only 2,500+ people to check in on in my database.
I have already met with or spoken with on the phone 6 past clients this week that I had not talked with in many months or even years and plan on contacting many more...for two reasons....I truly want to see how they are doing...and there is business in those contacts.
There are hundreds of folks on that list...and I want to check in with all of them.
My wife said she was going to work fulltime at least 5 or 6 more years...so I have plenty of time left in my full time career. Time to re-step up my game and formulate a new game plan!
Hey past clients....if you are reading this...can I help you buy or sell real estate? I want your business!!
Until Next Time...I suggest that you Contact past clients....and get their cell phone and current e-mail address!! Mike
Comments(14)