How do we strike a healthy balance as people, as Realtor's and as professionals attempting to grow in our personal and business realms?
Perhaps some of us need to see the pendulum swing back to some good old fashioned basics. Things like calling our sellers instead of e-mailing them. E-mail is great, but lacks a personal touch when overused. Inflection is impossible to read, and emotions can be misunderstood. Pick up the phone!
How about a good old fashioned hand written note. You know the kind that goes in the MAILBOX. I have been doing alot of that lately and I am getting results, both as a friend, neighbor and Realtor. It is enjoyable and people truly appreciate it.
Let's see...how about holding an OPEN HOUSE and knocking on doors (yes I said knocking on doors) and inviting the neighbors. My dad was a broker for many years and made a dang good living knocking on doors.
You see while technology is KEY for the new consumer...let's not forget true LIVE connections. Face to Face coffee. Turn off your cell phone and visit with a friend over coffee that you have lost touch with. OMG Did I just say turn off your cell (sell) phone? Believe it or not, it is not your pacemaker. Just once in awhile. I double dare you.
Get out of the drive through line and go shake a few hands at McDonalds. Try it you'll like it! You may even see someone you forgot you knew :)
Instead of spending all day on facebook (which I love and use...) you might enjoy volunteering or going to the library where the real books and faces are.
How about the over used FAX machine...have you hand delivered an OFFER lately to an agent? Have you met the other agent you are dealing with? Sat down and face to face presented an offer? Well the FAX machine can be re-named the FACTS MACHINE. It can deliver the FACTS but that is all. What about the personal details and nuances of who your buyer or seller is? Think of how refreshing it is to have a clean REAL copy! hmmm...
Mainly...don't lose sight of the good old fashioned work and life. Not everything can be done in front of a screen. Consider incorporating some ancient rituals such as picking up the phone to wish someone a great day.
The heart of what I do revolves around service. How do we give great service without a combination of the old and new?
In with the old...out with the new...well, not OUT with the new...it's become apart of who we are now. I love blogging, e-mail, and all my Internet conveniences. Just don't forget to have genuine contact with people. We all need it. We need to be connected, and not just to the Internet!
Let me clarify: I am an e-PRO (Certified Internet Professional) which a designation few Realtors have. I am ALL FOR TECHNOLOGY and being current on the ways to best service my clients in a progressive way. I just think we may have left some great things behind and need to circle back and get them!
BethAnn Long, Realtor and e-PRO
509-362-4607
BethAnn Long ~ Spokane Realtor- Coldwell Banker Tomlinson South Inc.
509-362-4607
...there's no place like your home!
I can't do the door knocking, but picking up the phone and talking to a real person is hugh.
Steve
BethAnn: I am with you. I think the pendulum needs to swing back away from the techie stuff, and more in line with face-to-face actually "meeting" with people. Even making it a point to talk face to face with two or three people a day... somehow... will result in sixty to ninety personal contacts a month. I think that if anyone can pursue that... and actually DO that... they will end up with more than enough business to keep them busy. Thanks for sharing...
Hand-written notes are another thing. Just think of how YOU feel when you receive a real, actual, physical hand-written note from someone in the mail... as opposed to an impersonal email. Major difference.... Major !
yes, we need to remember to do the time tested basics in this highly technology dominated world we now live in.
BethAnn, great advice! We try to get notes out to everyone that we talk to, but we have been neglecting those that are already our friends and neighbors. Thanks for the reminder, sometimes the old ways are still they best ways! (or at least very productive ways!)
BethAnn,
Your blog was so refreshing...like a spring breeze! I totally agree with you and implement many of these ideas...and they do seem to make such a difference! In fact, I just picked up a client at MacDonalds last week..no kidding!
Steven, if door knocking scares you, try jut your block first! :)
KarenAnne, I am just now tracking my daily contacts, hoping for 30 a week!
Doug: time tested is right!
Tony and Darcy: stock up on notecrads and have at it!
Lori: Hey neighbor! You go girl!
Hi BethAnn. You are so on the mark with this post. I've recently been writing more personal cards and notes, too. Our local paper just had a lady I know, but haven't seen lately, that was honored as the "Citizen of the Year." Instead of thinking how wonderful and giving she was to so many in our community as I read this article - I wrote it down in a card to her. Seems like we're always too busy to do the things we think about doing. Now...knocking on doors...You're the second person that's said that lately. I know I need to get out there and just do it, but that's so out of my comfort zone. I will so though, after your post I'm going to try.
My father was amazing at door knocking! Guess what...I have never DONE IT but ,my POINT is that we need to THINK OUTSIDE THE SCREEN.
I love this stuff. I hand write cards and all of my Christmas Cards (takes me awhile). It's a great "good representation" tool to hand deliver offers and counters, do it with a smile and you will usually help set the tone for how the rest of the deal will go (good for your clients).
Amen Wanda!