One of the largest mistakes that I see people make in this business, and in life in general in my opinion, is try to conform to the norm. I'm not sure why it is that so many people are hesitant to strike their own path and go against the grain.
In the end I feel like you and your clients would be better served if you are willing to chart your own path. You have to be willing to take some risks and rise above the normal tone of mediocrity that's become the average. And in the end, who really wants to be known as average?
Make a conscious to decide what it is that sets you apart from the crowd. The last thing you need to do is blend into the background and become like everyone else. Instead you need to turn heads and create a sense of excitement that surrounds you through your ability to try new things. See what the rest of the crowd is doing and add your own twist.
If no one else in your area is really blogging, then capture the opportunity that they have presented to you. Blog your heart out to reap the rewards of better SEO and prove that you are not like the rest of the crowd. Maybe your background sets you apart. I was once a high end finisher that worked on $20,000 beds. When you charge that much for a bed, it has to be as close to perfect as one human can make it. Therefore, my background makes me very detailed and meticulous.
Maybe you want to pass out boomerangs to your sphere and farm areas that say you'll keep coming back. Just make sure whatever you do it's memorable and it makes you stand out. You are not prey, so there is no reason to hide. You're not a spy, so secrecy has never been and never will be your friend. Bland may get you by, but it won't get you where you truly want to be. So make sure you're loud every chance you get, because you never know when the right person will be listening.
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JL Boney, III - Columbia, SC Realtor - Russell and Jeffcoat Realtors
I specialize in Columbia, SC real estate and the surrounding areas, including Blythewood, SC, Kershaw County, Fairfield County, and Lexington, SC. If you are in the market to buy or sell a home in Columbia, SC or any of the surrounding areas, I would love the opportunity to speak with to see how I can help. Thanks for reading and feel free to contact me if I can be of service to you.
Office- 803-788-1450 Cell- 803-730-9601 Email- jlboney@russellandjeffcoat.com
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JL,
Very well said. I have been this way since day one.
Great advice. You're so right, we all need our own "twist."
No danger there!
Good post! I used to work with an older woman who never mentioned to her friends and sphere that she was in real estate - she thought it was tacky. Well, she sold an occasional house but that way of thinking will never give an agent an edge. Be tacky!!
This post is purely YOU!
Featured in the Group "Whacked!!!"
JL..I can't be like you and you can't be like me and that is a good thing. We need to be ourselves. People like others to be 'Real'. Can't be that way when you are trying to be someone else.
Hi JL-I do believe it is a good thing I am me and not anybody else. Can't imagine two of me. Now two of you might be rather interesting. <SMILE>
Me thinks you are absolutely correct. Dare to be different and you will be noticed. Ole Cal Worthington sold more cars at his dealerships out here and it was from his "I'll stand on my head and eat a bug to sell you a car" commercials.
I like the bright green anole (lizard) and the creepy-crawly spiker =) I like lots of critters. And the ability to either blend in (to make customers more comfortable) or stand out (to draw attention to our businesses) are both necessary in real estate.
Great point JL. One of the biggest mistakes anyone could make is to blend in with others. You have to stand up, be different, and maybe a little quirky (okay.. maybe not the last one). Totally agree with you though.
Hi JL, I just rented a movie that pretty much summed this up, and it was about real estate. You should see it - called "I Love You Man" so funny!
Hi JL, I just rented a movie that pretty much summed this up, and it was about real estate. You should see it - called "I Love You Man" so funny!
JL, Good stuff! I am curious about that 20,000 bed!
Very well stated JL, I think we all know by now you certainly stand out, it certainly shows in your unique blog style. That is a compliment by the way! Humm...very meticulous you say, somehow I understand that ;)
I grew up being pushed into a box most of the time. So I let that make me self conscious about every aspect of my being. I married well and Ted has encouraged me along the way.
Being memorable in my field has worked, I remember my very first client stated she wished I could be her next door neighbor when she moved away. What was so amazing about that is we were very different in personality & style.
Forgot to add JL, I loving the lizards and geckos. Not sure exactly what creatures you have picture but they are beautiful, very nice photos choices to go with the blog.
Nice idea sir about the boomarang. My wife has tried to throw me out for years and I keep coming back. ;-)
When it comes naturally, you're one step ahead of the others!
Nino- So have I.
Lee & Carol- Yes we do.
Alan- None that I have seen.
Margaret- You have to be willing to tell the world who you are and what you do.
Richard- Who else could I be my friend, thanks for the feature.
Bill- Being yourself is the only way to be.
Sharon- This world may not be able to handle two of me.
Cameron- I like that my friend.
Lisa- You certainly need to know when to do what.
John- Quirky is fine too if that's what it takes.
Crystal- I actually saw that the other night and it is really funny, until you mention it here though, I wasn't even thinking about it but you're right.
Marcia- I think it's actually cheaper now than it was then, but here's a picture.
Cynthia- I have been lucky enough to have always been different my entire life. I wear it like a badge of honor quite frankly. The lizard in an anole and the other picture is a writing spider and I took them both at the zoo last week. I thought they would fit the purpose.
Don- I thought it had a good ring to it, and I think your wife would miss you.
Marilyn- I can agree with that.
JL - Howard Stern is a perfect example of your blog post. Good advice!
JL! Like what you said. In our business, we need to stand out. Blending in is like melting into a crowd of realtors with nothing to make you stand out. Love being different....life is boring otherwise :)
Another great insight JL. Taking advantage of opportunities (especially when those opportunities play to your strengths) is certainly a great way to build your business. BTW, nice bed! I always know I'm shopping on the wrong site when they don't even bother to list prices.
Nevin- He certainly stands out.
Olga- Melting into the crowd is no good.
Erik- It is a unique place, but they do make some great furniture.
JL --- how did I miss this post yesterday? I love it, I love it, I love it --- did I say that I love it. It is so the way that Boyd and I feel and the way we do business. You cannot blend in ---AgentOwned Realty is certainly not anything like real estate professionals have seen before -- I wish that you had posted to the AgentOwned Realty group so that I could feature it. BTW, why don't you join our group-- AgentOwned Realty ?
I have to re-blog this one and recommend for a feature. Thanks.
JL, very well said. If they wanted to hire a nobody, they would. But who would want to do that? Make your mark -- and make it GREAT.
Speaking as a chronologically grown up human who likes to view cartoons JL, why just this past Sunday morning blending in didn't work for SpongeBob SquarePants either. It was a total disaster!
Great pictures and great reminder that we have to stand out if we want to be successful.
Shelton
My favorite quote from the movie My Cousin Vinnie..."Yeah, like you blend...." I generally find that if you love life and love what you do, no way can you blend! Thanks for the post!
JL - Agreed. On another note, I'm amazed to hear that people actually pay $20,000 for a bed. WOW!
So true....as a local property manager I actually "farm" investor home owners 5xannually to get my message out, let them know I am there for them and if and when they need me, I'm here!!
Liz- I wouldn't run a business any other way. I will have to join the group and check it out.
Marney- I sure wouldn't.
Cynthia- Well, the fact of the matter is that he never really blends in and trying does seem to make it worse.
Shelton- Yes we do my friend.
Sara- That was a funny movie, love the suits he ended up with.
Jason- A lot of people did, we shipped many of them out to Texas.
Wallace- That's a good way to get business.