Stealth can be very useful under some circumstances. Selling real estate is not one of them.
The real estate “Secret Agent” may be highly skilled and knowledgeable, but may have lost sight of the ultimate mission which is to engage as many potential clients as possible.
In the real estate marketing arena, consumers rarely seek technical proficiency. In the overwhelming majority of cases, visibility is the number one reason a buyer or seller will call a real estate professional.
Interestingly enough, developing a dominating presence is no longer the purview of the wealthy. Anyone willing to roll up their sleeves and work can devise a plan that is both effective AND inexpensive.
A regular blog post should be part of any marketing plan.
Is it time consuming? Yes. Does it get results? Yes. Is it expensive? No.
It’s “Sweat Equity Marketing” and it works!
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Richard, great post and flying under the radar with other agents is fine with me...they don't have the stamina to put the sweat equity into blogging...necessary and needed to get your word out!
Great post Richard. I am one that is somewhat guilty of stealthness. At least I can admit that thus seeing areas where I can grow and get noticed more.
Great picture. .just at the right moment
There isn't no cheaper way to market yourself other than a blog. . .
Like winking at a girl in the dark. The results, ROI is poor in the world of courting, sparking and marketing real estate. Leave the lights on, it's okay, necessary to make the home deliveries of property listings, local community events. Use more media than ever before and look down at the utility belt on your waist. A few tools that have cobwebs and just don't get reached for anymore because less and less effective? Replace them with filling the holsters implementing new media stream generators/controllers.
True is what you say. Getting out there and doing more and letting the people know you exist and care, is what it is all about. Great blog.
All needs to know you are in the business and successful. I love the story I heard from an agent who was in the business for about a year and doing well. He said that his biggest moment of knowing he had missed the obvious to stay visible is when his Grandmother who lives in the general area listed her home with a neighborhood Realtor. Explanation .. oh honey, I didn't know that is what you were doing now. Keep in front of all and don't assume.
Richard- as is the case in so many professions now, there's no excuse for not utilizing the things available to us now via social media. Being the best in your field... knowing your area won't do you much good if no one can find you!
Featured in Bananatude
Flying under the radar in any business venture is sure to bring about "death", to the business! We have to get out in front and stay out in front of the client base and their sphere of influence, as well. See the people!!
Richard, I don't believe in being subtle when marketing my services. You are so right!
As an exclusive buyer's agent, I don't have signs in yards or mailings about my latest listings or sales. I get most of my leads through referrals from past clients. I remember when I developed my first RE website and had to put my photo on it. It was weird coming out into the open. Now I am always telling my co-workers to get out there. The first step is the hardest.
Dana
Richard, the more blog footprints with the right consumer oriented topics, the better the odds of getting that valued phone call. Good thing blogging is so much fun :)
I try and leave part of myself every where I go. How else are people going to recognize me if my face isn't out there a lot.
Great point...I don't know where or how you can get as much google juice for spending time on a site...great stuff!
Richard great post, simple and to the point! Congrats on the Tude acknowledgment.
Ginny...
Most agents do fly under the radar which is very good for us! THX
Charlie...
Getting out there is good for business. Thanks for the comment.
Fernando...
It's a B1-B Stealth bomber ... and a FILM photo! Thanks my friend.
And...
I love it mam, I just love it! Thanks so painting the picture in words.
I've got the Internet presence down. The one thing I have got to get back in the habit of doing is wearing my name tag when I'm out.
I was thinking along these lines last night recalling a few agents from years back complaining and whining because they had to get a mailing out of 200 postcards and an ad submitted for the Sunday real estate section... Boggles my mind that anyone in real estate today, no matter how old they are, couldn't see the dynamic opportunities of being online compared to those days.
Good post. I normally fly under the radar. I will have to push to make myself more visible.
Great post, Richard,
I am fine flying under the radar.
Tatyana
Hello Richard:
Being a secret agent is for the CIA and the KGB, not real estate agents.
I find it amazing at the lack of local bloggers here in my county! When i tell other agents this is what i'm doing these days they do give me that look, and almost say, " she is really crazy wasting time" I know of only a few, and nobody in my immediate area is here on AR. I guess that can set me apart from the competition? Let's hope..I started three months ago, got one lead already, and with some hard work and luck i am hoping for more!
I am enjoying all the humor here..
Happy Friday the 13th!
Blogging is indeed the least expensive form of marketing available...but very effective. Under the radar does not work in sales.
Richard,
Flying under the radar and real estate just don't go hand in hand. We have to be big, bold and (I don't think beautiful fits in this scenerio...) big and bold!!
Very good points. Starting a blog has been an amazing thing for me, and I am constantly surprised at the number of agents that I meet that say, "I don't have time." Stealth, indeed.
Richard,
I included this post in Last Week's Favorites. Have a great week.
Hi Richard, Wow, You nailed this one. Love the " Sweat Equity " thing !
Thanks, Richard. I am a veteran agent in a new market (1 year now) and if I flew under the radar I would have starved. I am still working on getting out there more...social media, more blogging, etc. But my numbers are starting to work. I think by the end of 2012...here me roar. So, I totally agree!
Great post. Reassuring too, as I work to make weekly time allotments for blogging on Active Rain. I can see the value, and it's good to see the cases where it's working too.
Pat's Favs sent me here. I agree and you reminded me I want to buy a Realtor (R) baseball cap from the NAR store, if they have one. I considered an "R" tattoo on my bald spot, but ruled it out for now.
Not one agent in my town is actively blogging or promoting themselves on line. They're also not active in community events or non-profit volunteer work.
I wonder if that's one of the primary reasons why all they have to say about real estate is "Nothing's selling."
Hi Richard, very good content here. Great reminder of things we need to keep doing!