Okay, so my last two postings have been a little grim, a little whiney, a little dark. BAH! Enough of that! Life is good, life is sweet, life is wonderful and it might do me good to remember that a little more often! Actually, this week has been pretty darn good to Jennifer... (‘cept for those pesky spammers on my SWS forum - my gosh, where did they come from all of a sudden? Anyone know how to get rid of ‘em?)
Anyway, let's lighten things up a bit!
A few months ago, I attended a Rick DeLuca seminar here in Denver. I got a lot out of it, which is surprising because I typically HATE attending such things and usually want to leave within 15 minutes.
One of the concepts Mr. DeLuca brought up was the idea of, as he calls it, "Being in the right place at the right time... more frequently." My version? "Be out there in the world with your antenna up and a smile on your face."
Good real estate business comes in one lead at a time... not ten leads at a time. And with the size of our paychecks, one (good) lead at a time is plenty! I'd much rather have one great lead per week than 100 cool leads that I generated from any sort of mass marketing effort.
So, the way I see it, we real estate types have a choice. We can sit behind our desks and generate lots and lots of crap designed to bombard a target audience in hopes of getting a few hits... or we can go out there in the world in our sexy jeans, feeling sassy and confident, and share our enthusiasm and knowledge of real estate with the world...
I'm as guilty as any other introvert of prefering to sit behind my desk and make lists... respond to emails... blog... anything so that I don't have to shower and put myself out there. But, even with my not-the-friendliest-person-in-the-world personality, I know that I'm much more likely to Be in the Right Place at the Right Time when I'm OUT THERE than when I'm comfortably curled up at home.
Oh, don't get me wrong... I'd go nutso if I were OUT THERE all day, every day, so don't think for a minute I'm advising my fellow Ntros to do the belly-to-belly thing (ugh, I hate that phrase) for hours at a time. Just an hour a day will likely change your career.
Give it some thought. How could YOU spend one hour, every day, Being in the Right Place at the Right Time More Frequently?
I'll share mine if you'll share yours!
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I'm glad I missed your last two grim posts. This one was a pleasure to read.
I like your attitude in this post! You need to get out there and make it happen for yourself.
When I do what ever I have to do...food shopping, walking the dog, and general daily tasks, I really, really try to have a pleasant demeanor and a smile. If it's just one of those days and I can't then I leave my name badge at home and don't talk real estate!
I find it hard to believe you have a "not-the-friendliest-person-in-the-world-personality" but I could be wrong! I agree with your (other) thoughts, try not to sit at your desk all day, we should try to get out in the world, at least once a day, and "bring it on"....so to speak.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Terrie - one of my biggest clients used that phrase to describe me to someone he referred me to. But the tagline of his comment was "but she gets the job done." Ah well.
Laura - Me, too! I've been purposely doing that this week and wow! It's good for the soul! However, I'm with you - when I'm feeling down, I do need to keep away from others 'cause it's hard for me to hide it.
Carol - Yep! And the more you're out there... the more fun (and easier) it is!
Thanks, Vickie...
So true, Jennifer, being in the right place at the right time. I was thinking this very thing last night.
Recently we were showing a house to a buyer and a car slowly drove past the house. I was talking to our buyers not paying attention, but John happened to notice the car was from out of state and walked over to them and asked if they are looking for a house. Then he handed them his card and said 'call us if we can help.' Well, they called in a week or so, and long story short, we sold them a house!! And they were delightful. Sold a house and made a new friend.
I am going to look in MLS and find vacant, newer homes to preview today. May not see any buyers trolling around, but you never know. And I will have seen some of the inventory out there.
BTW, cute pouty picture of you! :-) I feel that way sometimes!
Nashville TN
Sarah@Nashville-Homebuyer.com
Here's one thing I've been trying to remember lately - whenever I'm prospected to by someone outside of the real estate industry - if they're local - I'll go ahead and let them sales pitch me. You never know...
Also - whenever I meet someone at their house (e.g. a graphic designer who works from home), I'll do a quick MLS search before I go to see what's available and recently sold in their neighborhood. Therefore if the topic of real estate comes up (which it always does), I sound like the expert!
I'm another one that finds it hard to get myself "out there". So I found a group to join that is working to improve our local park - I support the cause, so I don't mind getting out of the house to take pics, go to the meetings, etc. And I've already met some nice people! It may not always be easy, but it is almost always worth it (says the girl on the computer - LOL!)
Out of Site, out of mind... In the mortgage side of things you are quickly forgotten if you dont show your face OFTEN, I am sure that holds true for the Realtor side as well. Out and about is a great idea.. but I agree with Laura... If you are in a foul personal mood... may not be the best time to be out with your name tag on... Stay home in your fuzzy slippers instead!
Having kids can be tough when you really want to get out there. But I find that you just need to work the "mommyhood" to your advantage. There are tons of things to do with other mommies. Groups, playdates, meetups and tons of places to take baby!
I was out and about yeterday and decided to stop by Starbucks (it was so cold outside) and I was there for nearly an hour! I ran into 3 people I knew and was able to catch up on things...1 of them knows a buyer coming into town that she will be passing along my information to. Being in the right place at the right time...that's what this business is about.
There are people out there EVERYWHERE...all we need are smiles on our faces and 30 second soundbites so as not to drive anyone way.... Walking the dog works for me and if there is no one about, well, she gets a lot of extra walks that day. LOL
There are just so many small opportunities...i.e., the UPS guy delivered a box yesterday - I said, "great, I have been waiting for this!" He laughed and said, "you mean it's not cigars this time?" I said, "nope, just some real estate stuff." "OH," he says, "You sell real estate? Hey, give me some of your cards. Some of the guys at work are talking about wanting to look at some foreclosures."
Now, will this turn out to be the world's greatest lead generator for me? Prob'ly not, he was most likely being nice because he is a wonderfully funny and friendly guy, but you never know where the next lead is coming from. Even just answering the doorbell to accept a package rather than hunkering down in the chair to avoid coming face to face with another human being can lead to something!
You can definitely find business in the strangest places these days. I like the "keep my antenna up" idea.
When somebody asks me 'how is your real estate business?' I am going to start saying 'Great, especially for buyers. Do you know anybody who is looking to buy?' Before, I have been droning on about statistics and our business, but I think try to get a lead from that questioner. Don't know why I didn't think of that before.
Sarah R. In Nashville
Hi Jennifer ~ One thing I decided to do recently is walk down to the school and pick my kids up at the end of their day. Seems like I would have thought of this before but instead considered it an inconvenience to my "working" day...guess I missed that one! Anyway, there I am with the opportunity to talk to lots of people and it's been good.
Excellent advice! If you're not sitting at the table, how can you be served? Physical presence, in the community, is an essential.
Jennifer, I always discover something I can use from your posts. All to often we shift into the wo-is-me attitude than can kill your professional standing in the industry. I have to work harder becoming the agent I wanna be...
Gee, I really gotta get out more! It's cold and windy out today and I'm avoiding going out. Bad idea, huh?
This is something I do on a regular basis, I have gotten lots of business. Just sitting in a coffe
shop or hot spot with my computer and working will generate conversation. The hard part
is getting out to it.
Girl, when you mention Being at the Right Time at the Right Place MORE FREQUENTLY. The first thing that comes up for me is needing to show up mentally FIRST. I think life can be bla if we just let it go by.
Jennifer, I'm so there with you this week. With my son sick and being 6000 miles away, I didn't feel like going "out there" at all- just wanted to stay close to the computer so I could Skype him all day.
Made myself go out into the world today- went to the Gym, then out to Target and Borders with my husband. No propsects, but I certainly had a better chance of meeting someone then sitting at home.!
Have a great weekend.
Linda
First off - what a cute pic Jennifer. I love it.
Second off- thanks for the encouraging post. You are right about one good lead at a time. Right now I am working on two GREAT leads (dear mom & a referral from dear dad). I do want to keep my ears and eyes open, because sooner or later (hopefully sooner) both Mom & Chris (referral) will be past clients (my first SPCs, yay!!) but being brand butt-spankin' new, I really want to focus hard on the S part of SPCs, lol!
Great post Jennifer. I just had a conversation with our admin about how I have spent so much time helping the new agents in our office with getting going on the technology stuff that I have lost my business and I need to get back out there and work for my business. Now these agents are writing contracts and I am watching and broke. I am ready to get back out in the game though and the agents are simply going to have to figure that stuff out on their own.
Thanks for the reminder to get out and meet people and be "there" wherever "there" is. Its easy to get stuck behind the computer answering emails and talking on the phone when all we're really trying to do is "get with people" anyway.
Jennifer... I think being proactive leads to being in the right place at the right time. Take the time to make that one extra appointment, or go to lunch with a friend... or a drink after work. You never know when the conversation veers off, or have an opportunity to meet a contact. I think the more we are out there the more positve things that can happen... and at the same time, have some fun : ) I am all for staying home too so it is easier said than done... but I think the buzzword is momentum... and the buzz phrase is "make it happen" . Im all ears to your secrects too. By the way, is a great photo in the blog ! Is that you ? ~ Chris
Jennifer, another great post. Laura's comment made me laugh. Yes, there are times I have taken my badge off before going into a store - it just wasn't happenin' that day. I agree, too, about dressing the part. And I think I can commit just one hour per day. I'm going to try to do better.
Chris - yep - it's me! Pouty JA...
Heather - Cool - let me know if you feel a difference in your mood & business!
Sam - That's how I am... it's SO easy to get stuck here in this chair!
Kim - Interesting - I, too, am a bit of a natural teacher, so it would be tempting for me to do the same thing.
I talk to people...strangers...in the grocery line, running errands, waiting rooms. If I like someone's sweater, I tell them and smile. If a parent's children are well behaved and the opportunity arises, I compliment them, remembering how much I appreciated such unsolicited comments when I was a harried mother of 2 young, active boys. If I'm waiting in a line with others, I might make a lighthearted joke. Some people probably think I'm nuts, but usually the response if warm and friendly.