Step Away from the Water Cooler and Sell Something!
June 26, 2008
What is your favorite beverage? I am a juice person. Whether tomato, pineapple, orange, grape, I love them all. However, my favorite juice is Google. It’s rewarding, smooth on the palate, just flows through your body like heaven. Very few things are more satisfying, other than closing a property down, than getting good Google Juice.
Recently on Real Estate Radio Episode 42, Barry and Barry (yes, there are 2 of them, Barry Cunningham is not an alter ego of Barry Johnson) were talking about the infamous Active Rain water cooler. Someone did not understand why they didn’t allow comments on their blog post. Oh well, move on.
I wanted to explore this a bit more. What makes us starve the attention of the water cooler, the gossip that makes “General Hospital” and Middle School seem futile?
Ever heard of the Human Condition? Acceptance is craved above all other forms of success. Families rave about their ‘successful’ children to go above and beyond others. People who can’t afford it join private socialite clubs, purchase expensive cars, and give “Ata Boys” just to get them back.
I don’t know about you, but there are several things in my life more important that social acceptance by a Real Estate Agent I don’t even know and will probably never get a referral from. Things like family, true friends, all that other mushy stuff…and money! I am not going to lie; money is a huge drive within the ‘Human Condition’.
As many of you know, I have a passion for exotic animals. I was at a Reptile Show this past weekend. Talk about a water cooler. All the vendors have animals for sale. Duh. There was a beautiful Aldabran Tortoise I had my eye on, but I could not find the vendor. He was off talking with people for the entire day. The person watching his table didn’t know how much he wanted. His cell phone had been disconnected (imagine that). The fact that he was not minding his business cost him $3200.
What does the water cooler cost you? Spending all of your time on Active Rain commenting on Joe Q. Blogger’s posts about nothing to do with you. What does that cost you? What are you, As a Real Estate Agent, Worth?
In my area, the average price of a home is $150,000. In turn, that is a $4500 commission to be split with my broker by my commission split. So figure I am leaving with $3500. The deal probably took me about 10 Hours of true work, therefore I am worth $350 an hour. If you think of blogging like this, it might put it in perspective.
On the other hand, blogging for business is extremely important in my mind. Spending a half hour a night on my Columbia SC Real Estate Blog, which in turn could reap me $3500 is immensely worth it.
I know what you are thinking, practice what you preach, bubba! You are writing on industry blogs. Yes, I am. I also get something in return. First, I enjoy it, it doesn’t take much time, and I can specifically dollarize it. The hour I spend a week on these posts will net me $436 on average. Also, that delicious drink, the subtle flavor which I crave, Google Juice.
There is a saying, “Nothing could be finer than to be in South Carolina”. I would amend it to say “Nothing could be finer than to be in South Carolina sipping Google Juice”. Corny, I know, but it works!
About the Author:
Hunter Jackson is a licensed Real Estate Agent with Exit Realty serving Greater Columbia SC.
Proudly part of Generation Y, Hunter is just finishing up his first year of real estate at the age of 23. Firmly believing that the only way to sell a house is through marketing, Hunter focuses his areas of expertise on targeted demographics. Focusing on young families needing single family homes, Hunter takes his marketing to the internet through his Columbia SC Real Estate Blog and via Social Media.
Gladly, Hunter spends his time learning all he can about real estate firmly believing that Great agents are not born, they are trained. In addition to Real Estate, Hunter's passions involve Exotic Animals, primarily African Tortoises.
You can reach Hunter via phone at 803.609.5214 or his Columbia SC Real Estate Blog at http://www.ColumbiaSCRealEstateHomes.com
You can also email Hunter at nhjacksonrealty@gmail.com.
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