Rodney Carrington has a “classic” anthem that speaks directly to how the population – at least in Central Ohio – views real estate practioners.
Rodney’s “Fred” (hear it on YouTube) is the tale of a mean-old cowboy that travels across the country on his horse to find the perfect woman, but she’s already taken and he ends up riding off into the sunset on his trusty steed.
So what does that have to do with real estate agents? Well you see the narrator can’t remember the name of anyone in the story. So it becomes … well you guessed it …
“He once shot a man just for snoring got out of bed and shot him dead and his name was … I didn’t know what his name was. So we just called him Fred.”
You come out of the gate with fire and brimstone. Putting that best foot forward and claiming to be the best agent for the job. And step two is … Ahh … you’ve just became a Fred.
“I didn’t know what his name was, so we just called him Fred. Oh Fred’s riding Fred. Fred’s riding Fred.”
There are too many agents — anyone will admit to that — but to compound the problem is the number that hide behind the sign or mailings. I see your picture on the corner of the postcard or business card. But who is the person. How are you different than the other agents whose contact has crossed their mailbox?
“I didn’t know what her name was …”
Are you a Fred?
Well you better change, for the “Freds” are going to be the ones that don’t survive this market.
“Fred” appeared first as a bonus track on Rodney Carrington’s debut Hanging With Rodney in 1998 and also appears on his Greatest Hits (Capitol, 2004) album.
