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Dear Diary, My Passion is...

By
Real Estate Agent with eXp Realty LLC 200311024

Photo courtesy of lusiThe end of that title is ...helping others. Heck, even the title of my blogs has "Helping" in the title, but little did I know that helping others and posting it to for the public to see would have done so much for my business.

It was Tuesday morning approximately 7:30 local time and I had written a post over the weekend and I decided to post it. But as usual I struggled with the decision if I should make this post public. There were many reasons I struggled with this post and why maybe I should keep it a members' only post. But, the biggest reason was because of the public perception of the title of my post, "I won't lie to you, I've never done a short sale before".

The reason I didn't want to make this a public post was because it was about an interaction between me and another agent and sometimes the public doesn't need to know the inner workings of our business. But the other reason was the title, was it going to backfire on me when it came to Google?

I didn't want to see my business suffer because I have a post title that has to do with another agent and not myself. When people search Google for short sales, my fear was that families in a short sale situation would read the title and never actually click on the post and realize that I was actually someone who did short sales and I was not only helping buyers and sellers, but my fellow realtor who had never done a short sale.

I believe in giving back to the community, to my business, and just man in general, especially when they are reaching out. This agent clearly was leaving herself venerable by telling me this, but I wasn't going to be the agent that was going to make her feel bad about never having done a short sale. Many have heard the nightmares about them and have made the decision to never do them, while others have attempted one and choose not to do them any more. How could you blame someone after hearing the stories, being worried about exposing themselves to someone in this business, that seems at times, to be more like a tiger eating their cub than a business where we put others under our wings like a mother bird and help each other?

Well, I certainly didn't expect what has happened the last two days and I really do need to thank Activerain for the Google juice, but this story is not only about this wonderful Activerain success story. This story is about maybe we should make more of what we consider members only to seen by the public.

This one post may have changed my opinion on public versus members only posts, because on Tuesday afternoon I had another agent in the Portland area who was searching about short sales. They found my post and contacted me and decided to, instead of taking the listing, to give me the listing and just take a 20% referral. This wasn't any late stage short sale either. The fact is they aren't going to be late until March as they are being laid off from work in late February.

WOW, talk about an opportunity that would have been missed had I not put this as a public post. But, you know what the best part about this is? This isn't where the story ends!

Earlier today I got another call from a landlord that was about to go in to default on both their primary residence in another state and their rental property here in Oregon and after reading my post knew I was the agent for them. So, because I reached out, as I try to do to everyone, and because I posted it to the public instead of hiding behind the veil of Activerain and the members only post, I got two listings in three days.

So, here are your two lessons for today. The first is never, ever not help your fellow man for any reason and the second is maybe, just maybe, we should lift the veil and let the public see what we are really all about.



Comments (28)

Mesa, Arizona Real Estate Mesa Arizona Realtor
Homes Arizona Real Estate LLC - Mesa, AZ
AzLadyInRed

Wow Todd, what a great story. I very rarely post anything exclusively to Members Only for the reason you mentioned - and I think it helps the public get to hear our voice and feel comfortable with us.  Our Rainer friends know us...and that's a good thing .... but I like the idea of the consumers finding and reading our "personality."  Very nice post..;-)

 

Pepper

Jan 29, 2009 11:03 PM
Don Rogers
Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO
Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Todd,

I am thinking that you will be doing more public posts in the future.  Thank you for sharing your experience.

Jan 29, 2009 11:32 PM
Margaret Oscilia
Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting, Salem Oregon - Salem, OR
Home Stager, Salem Oregon

While your short sale blog may have brought in the opportunity for these listings, your experience and expertise is evident in your blogs and web presence.  Great results on your perserverence to help and exceed clients expectations.

Jan 30, 2009 12:39 AM
Larry Bettag
Cherry Creek Mortgage Illinois Residential Mortgage License LMB #0005759 Cherry Creek Mortgage NMLS #: 3001 - Saint Charles, IL
Vice-President of National Production

T....I do like stories about passion.  I think that God will give you success, financially and purposedly if you live and act with a passion....using the DNA that God gave you to your fullest.....

Jan 30, 2009 12:56 AM
Cristal Drake
Prudential California Realty - Fullerton, CA
Realtor - Fullerton Real Estate

I love just shooting from the heart. Some people disagree but here is a perfect reason to just keep doing it!  Good job!

Jan 30, 2009 01:16 AM
Maria Morton
Platinum Realty - Kansas City, MO
Kansas City Real Estate 816-560-3758

Todd, congratulations on your business! I think the public finds our business very interesting and many would benefit from increased transparency. However, we probably do need a place to discuss and share with one another that is not in the public view. As in all things, moderation.

Jan 30, 2009 01:58 AM
Jennifer Monroe
Indigo Home Team powered by Compass - Charlotte, NC
Real Estate REALTOR®/Broker/Designer

I very seldem see a members only post from you. You put it all out there and give of yourself freely - someting I only wish I could do. Your passion comes through in everything you write and in every conversation I have ever had with you. You give so freely it becomes the magnet that attracts so many good things into your life. All of which you richly deserve by the way :)

Jan 30, 2009 01:59 AM
Karen Cooper
Karen Cooper | Sr Mortgage Loan Originator ! NMLS # 223305 | First Federal Bank of Florida, Ocala, FL - The Villages, FL
Helping Homeowners w/Home Loans in 27 US States

Todd - You give many good reasons for transparency here. I, too, have done very few members only posts. I question whether or not I want to "say" anything at all if I don't want to post it for all to see.

Jan 30, 2009 06:00 AM
"The Lovely Wife" The One And Only TLW.
President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc. - Kissimmee, FL

I don't use a diary any more. Such things are for the young. I feel quite passionate about that :)

TLW...ROAR!

Jan 30, 2009 08:33 AM
Leslie Stewart
Oregon Licensed Broker with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Real Estate Professionals - Stayton, OR
Realtor, ABR, CRS, Oregon Licensed Broker

Great post Todd... The beauty of helping others is you pass the tradition on to your kids!

Jan 30, 2009 02:59 PM
Lara O'Keefe
North Texas Home Finders - McKinney, TX

Todd, there are some good lessons in your recent experience. The key is to live by the golden rule and treat others as you would like to be treated. It pays off in the long run!

Jan 31, 2009 04:02 AM
Dale Chambers
Exit Realty Professionals - Portland, OR

Todd, beyond the lesson(s) that you articulated, there is another lesson that is truly beneficial for those of us who are striving to master this web 2.0 world, and that lesson is ...  words matter!  I think your intent was to give us some transparency into your personal struggle with "contributing value to others vs. potentially harming your own business" .  In that process you subtly gave us insight into another lesson that it is well to learn ...  The title we use in our posts are incredibly important. As important as the content itself.

This is in fact consistent with what every great copywriter knows, the headline is the most important part of the copy. Thank you for reminding us of that simple truth.

Jan 31, 2009 07:26 AM
Linda Bourgault
lulugraphix-creative photography & fine art - Flower Mound, TX

Tod—Dale's comment, "what every great copywriter knows, the headline is the most important part of the copy" is correct. We have no more than three seconds to grab someone's attention with a headline. This is something I struggle with every post as I'm not very confident about writing...in fact, I have a fear of writing, but I keep doing it to conquer it!

Words matter, your actions matter and what you stand for matters... you have developed an excellent following because you are willing to help others even if it has the potential to hurt you. This is your passion and one I most heartily support and encourage you to continue.

Feb 01, 2009 01:29 AM
Sonya Leonard
Keller Williams Lake Norman-Mooresville - Statesville, NC
Lake Norman/Statesville NC Real Estate Resource

Todd,

Thanks for the lesson.  As a "newbie" to Active Rain, I am still learning the ropes and I had some confusion on what to make public and what to make members only.  I will definately give some serious thought to my headlines.

Feb 03, 2009 05:53 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Todd...Corny but true, Honesty is the best policy.  If we are not honest with others we are not being honest with ourselves.

Congratulations on the success coming from your honesty.

Kate

Feb 16, 2009 08:13 AM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

I know you love being...just you...

Passionate blogger...is what you are...and you have gained not only clients...but many readers and friends here too ....because of your transparency. :)

Feb 17, 2009 02:43 AM
Barbara-Jo Roberts Berberi, MA, PSA, TRC - Greater Clearwater Florida Residential Real Estate Professional
Charles Rutenberg Realty - Clearwater, FL
Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor

Love reading your posts! Perhaps it is the values that you express in your posts that keeps me coming back! thanks for sharing!

Feb 21, 2009 04:47 AM
Judy Jennings
Top Agent Plus - Middleboro, MA
Tap into Judy's real estate expertise & resources.

I am just glad you are putting it out there for us to absorb. Your family is lucky, your clients are lucky and everyone here at AR benefits from your writing. Thank you.

Feb 22, 2009 07:46 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate

Hi Todd- Honesty has a way of being understood by everyone, including "The Public"....just give them the information and let it work itself out is my belief.  I am happy for you that after your turmoil you were rewarded for your choice.

Feb 22, 2009 09:43 AM
Tom Priester
Paradise Sharks - Jupiter, FL
Paradise Sharks

Todd, always enjoy your statistics and the beautiful presentation. Thank you for sharing and hope all is well up in Beaverton.

Jul 08, 2010 10:22 PM