Comments on: If you say that… it will ruin your career!

By: Dotti Driver

Dotti Driver — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:21:09 +0000

Keep teaching it anyway. I have learned a lot about the internet and have actually sold homes to some of my web leads. I think Realtors should keep doing the things that are working for them, but also listen to the teachers who can see where real estate is headed. Most buyers are finding their home on the internet these days, so it pays to listen up.

By: Sue

Sue — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 22:41:33 +0000

I don’t think a realtors age matters, but its important to embrace new technology and different practices if they clearly offer value. In which case, its easy enough to show clients and create an awareness. Believe it or not, I work with realtors that do not use email. Now that is hanging on to tradition way too long.

By: Mike Farmer

Mike Farmer — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 23:19:20 +0000

“MIke, your point is well taken. I am reminded that what we’re doing now to reach our clients maybe be “old school” in the not to distant future. I just hope we’re all open to new ideas each time we hear one. Even if we don’t incorporate it into our own practice, it’s beneficial to know what others are doing.”

Amen.

By: Jacksonville Real Estate

Jacksonville Real Estate — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 17:49:57 +0000

The more things change, the more things stay the same.

Although the medium of conversing with clients has moved to the internet through blogs and social media, it is still “spending face time” with a client. Furthermore, the old ways of calling and holding seminars still work.

It just a new marketing medium.

By: Hi! I'm Rudy from Trulia. I think, therefore I am...

Hi! I'm Rudy from Trulia. I think, therefore I am... — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 17:17:03 +0000

Hi Matthew!

Whether Old school or New school:

“You cannot teach a man anything. You can only help him discover it within himself.” – Galileo Galilei

Re: Old school vs. New school Experience – I have a similar conversation going on here:

http://www.truliablog.com/?p=325

Rudy

By: agentgenius.com- national real estate opinion column » Blog Archive » You Don’t Have Enough Experience or the Right Connections to Be in Real Estate: Overcoming the Obstacles of Being a Young Realtor®

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 17:15:00 +0000

[...] Rathbun, recently tackled the agent-to-agent side of this paradigm shift in his recent post “If you say that… it will ruin your career!” and also brings up an excellent point, in reference to the agent-to-client [...]

By: Jonathan Dalton

Jonathan Dalton — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:20:29 +0000

Heard at a lender’s office the other day about a mass mailing to go out.

HIM – “You gotta send them, right?”

ME – “Hey, whatever works for you.”

HIM – “Oh, it hasn’t worked but you still gotta do it.”

ME (internal dialogue engaged) – Why?

The Internet and the web-based consumer is creating new opportunities and new challenges all at the same time. At happy hour yesterday one of my office’s top producers was disparaging web leads as flaky. Many are. Many aren’t. The percentages run about the same as floor calls, sign calls and all of my other lead generation efforts. But there’s an added perception colored by a lack of understanding of the medium.

(Wow, did I really write that last sentence after being awake only 40 minutes? COOL!)

By: Cyndee Haydon

Cyndee Haydon — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:03:19 +0000

Matt, I agree with Mariana – I just hope I can keep up – I know I went through a period where every new “social network” seemed like was coming daily with invites to join.

We all know it will continue to evolve – hope I day open to the “new”

By: Mariana Wagner

Mariana Wagner — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 16:00:55 +0000

” I am reminded that what we’re doing now to reach our clients maybe be “old school” in the not to distant future. I just hope we’re all open to new ideas each time we hear one.”

Exactly. This is a paradigm shift. We are not only changing WHAT we are doing, but we are changingthe entire fundamentals of HOW we are in business. And a large part of that change is realizing that “change” in and of itself is not always a bad thing.

By: Matthew Rathbun

Matthew Rathbun — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:48:15 +0000

MIke, your point is well taken. I am reminded that what we’re doing now to reach our clients maybe be “old school” in the not to distant future. I just hope we’re all open to new ideas each time we hear one. Even if we don’t incorporate it into our own practice, it’s beneficial to know what others are doing.

By: Faina Sechzer

Faina Sechzer — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:40:46 +0000

Mathew, I see very successful agents who are doing same old, same old. They say -it works, so why change something that isn’t broken? (their point, not mine). May be agents who don’t have a repeat business client base, or the established personal brand, are more eager to embrace the “new” ways, as a way to differentiate and to carve out a niche. Many real estate markets are so saturated with the old guard, it’s extremely difficult for new agents to find a foothold.

By: Toronto neighbourhoods

Toronto neighbourhoods — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:29:32 +0000

I fully agree with what you've written. I work for a real estate agent and I am dealing with Toronto neighbourhoods. I think that for someone who wants to succed in the new age, the adapting to a new industry is crucial. People have different opinions, but it is important not to shut down when we hear opinion that is not like ours. I think that we should at least consider the possibility that other people's ideas may be true. Even if they're not, they broaden our view of the world.

By: Mike Farmer

Mike Farmer — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:59:57 +0000

Agreed, however, don’t fall into the trap of being like these two and shutting out information outside the “new way” because we might find before all this is over that many old methods can still be effective. The jury is still out on best practices in this evolving industry.

By: If you say that… it will ruin your career! | The Long List of Odysseus Medal Nominees | Realtors and real estate, mortgages, lending, investments

Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:26:33 +0000

[...] If you say that… it will ruin your career!, by Matthew Rathbun. [...]

By: Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 14:03:25 +0000

True, Matthew the problem is as at this point theirs not yours. When the pupil is ready the teacher will come in something I have seen in my own life and the lives of others. I’m a bummer.

By: monika

monika — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:46:25 +0000

Matthew,
I agree, Don’t worry about teaching or reaching those that are closed…just keep reaching the ones that embrace change and new ideas. Those are the ones that will make a difference.
Often I face the same issues especially so when I teach things that traditional brokers don’t want their agents to hear. Like self branding, online marketing and anything that flies in the face of their often times old school beliefs. It’s a hard line to not cross but you have to do what feels right for you.

By: Stephen Wolfe

Stephen Wolfe — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 13:46:15 +0000

Matt, as a former educator now realtor, I get your point. Educators have the charge of transformation through information. As an agent, I try to keep that approach with our clients. Yes, it may loose us some clients, but we would rather people have a great experience than us just try to see how “many we can get” if the experience is good all else takes care of itself! Keep up the work of being a literal “change-agent!”