Going Back To Basics...Not a Bad Idea!

Going back to basics, like putting on your name tag and picking up the phone to connect with a friend might not be such a bad idea. 


                                                         

Today I spoke with Michael Maher, an ActiveRain member, a CyberStar and a fellow author. He wrote the book 7L and I just read the first chapter. During our conversation, we realized that Floyd, my first trainer, had endorsed both of our books. I shared the following story with Michael.

When I think back early in my career, we were taught to COLD CALL.  Go to  the Criss Cross Directory, pick a street and start calling home owners... asking if they wanted to sell now or in the near future. The assignment was to make these calls until  an appointment was obtained. That was the, then, philosophy of  Floyd Wickman     who I have followed since 1990 when I took his first Sweat-hog course.

But did I make cold calls from that directory...absolutely not! I figured out a different way to make those "calls."

Yes, I followed the script but not the method..the idea was to get appointments.  How many calls should we make? One if you get an appointment  or 100 until you succeed. The goal  was to get a face to face.

At the time I was power walking early in the mornings on a high school track. There was a crowd who walked and talked. You could find people there at  any hour of the day and in all kinds of weather. I used to call it mobile psychiatry. Lots and lots of conversation and  lifelong friendships were formed.

So it was natural when I got into real estate... these were the people to "call."

Since I was walking every day, people coming and going at different paces, changing walking partners was quite frequent. It was easy to try out the technique taught in class. Just ask a simple question. "Are you planning to buy or sell in the near future?

And the follow up..."Do you know anyone who might be thinking about buying or selling in the near future?"
Simple...very simple! Bet this type of "cold calling" would work just as well today. Give it a try! Nothing to lose! No cost involved!

                                      


Look who just returned my phone call while I was writing this post!! Jason is a super star who understands the need for connecting face to face.  Go read his latest post. The Phone Call Challenge 

Give him a call and tell him "Margaret Rome made me do it!"

Going back to basics, like putting on your name tag and picking up the phone to connect with a friend might not be such a bad idea.

"Real Estate the Rome Way by Margaret Rome - Book Review

"Real Estate the Rome Way" by Margaret Rome - Book Review

Jason Crouch, one of the most admired and adored ActiveRainers, took time from his busy schedule to write the following review. Subscribing to Jason's blog is a must!

Via Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 512-796-7653 end_of_the_skype_highlighting) (Austin Texas Homes, LLC):

Not too long ago, while speaking with my friend Margaret Rome, award-winning Baltimore Realtor, I asked how I could get a copy of her book, "Real Estate the Rome Way". She replied, "You give me your address and I will get it sent out to you soon."

Well, that was easy.

I finished reading her book after a few short sessions, and I felt rejuvenated. Margaret inspired me to look into even more networking opportunities, and to work toward getting a couple of real estate designations as well. Margaret is a power networker, and a Renaissance woman. I was a little dizzy after seeing how much real estate education she has under her belt. :)

This book is an easy and fun read, with plenty of real life anecdotes to punctuate her ideas. You can learn more about Margaret's use of a signature color (brown), price (all of her listings end in 944), and even a particular candy that helps to make her marketing message more memorable (hint: there are a lot of "m"s in that last sentence).

In a brisk, easy-to-understand fashion, "Real Estate the Rome Way" covers all of the basics, so it's definitely suitable for beginning agents who are trying to evaluate real estate as a career choice. However, she doesn't stop there, as I found some pertinent reminders for myself as a broker/owner, and I have been an agent for almost 13 years.

Since I am a pretty prolific blogger, Margaret inspired me in another way. She and her friend Peg Silloway formed Silloway Press in order to get the book published. I am working on a book project (or two) myself, so holding Margaret's book in my hand made my own goal seem more attainable. In fact, I have wanted to be a published author since I was a kid. I plan to make this happen, and hopefully soon.

This book is a must-read if you are just getting started in this challenging business. The perspective from a top-producing agent will also help if you are established and looking for new ideas. I recommend picking up a copy for yourself.

EDITED: I corresponded with Margaret after writing this review, and she is offering FREE shipping and an autographed copy if you order the book directly from her. Email her at mrome@homerome.com and get yours today!

Thanks, Margaret!