“I’ve known a few guys who thought they were pretty smart
But you’ve got being right down to an art
You think you’re a genius-you drive me up the wall
You’re a regular original, a know-it-all
Oh-oo-oh, you think you’re special
Oh-oo-oh, you think you’re something else.”
— Shania Twain
Get real
Everyone has encountered one or two (or more) in their real estate careers. The big shot agents with the big time egos. Let’s get real. We’re helping people buy and sell homes. Even the top agents and brokers in the country wouldn’t be able to afford the swanky limousine service for which Tom Daschle forgot to pay income taxes.
Movie stars who make $30 million a picture and are household names — I can understand the ego.
Ditto the Senator who makes decisions and writes legislation that affects their state, the country, and global politics. But, what… you sold $12M, $22M, or $40 gazillion dollars worth of homes last year, you own the subdivision, and they recognize you at the grocery store? Big whoop!
Bajillionaire Agents? Please.
Probably thousands of blog posts have been written about whether it’s wise to include “Top 1% of Agents” or “Multi-Million Dollar Producer” on your business card or in your ads. I’m not going to rehash and revive this debate. How you advertise to consumers and your potential clients is your business. Agents and brokers who want to continue to spew forth this drivel, please feel free.
However, when working with and communicating with your fellow colleagues, please know that
That Don’t Impress Me Much!
When cooperating with another agent on a transaction, I care that they are responsive. I care that they act ethically. I care that they are pleasant. While they represent their client, and I represent mine, and we both want the best deal for our respective clients, ultimately we and our clients all want the same thing — a hassle-free transaction that settles on time.
Do they need to brag?
What I don’t care about is the agent’s biography and sales statistics. Like every area, we’ve got a few major players who everybody knows about. I’ve worked with several of them on sales in the past and am working with a few now. You know who I’m talking about — 20-30+ years in the business, their smiling mug is everywhere — print, online, shopping carts. They don’t brag about their business… they don’t need to. Everybody in the business likes them and respects them, and they silently go about year after year selling tons of homes.
Here’s a shocker…
…the braggers are the mid-level folks. They’ve sold more homes than you and been in the business slightly longer, but haven’t really made a name for themselves yet. They rattle off their sales stats quicker than two pre-pubescent boys negotiating a baseball card trade. They believe that because they sold a few dozen homes last year, they know everything about the business and they know it better than you — although they never ask or inquire as to how much business you’ve done.
You know what? Save it for your ads.
You sold $40 mil last year but don’t have an e-mail address on your business card?
That Don’t Impress Me Much!
You run full page ads in the local paper every week, but don’t return my phone calls?
That Don’t Impress Me Much!
You’re in the Circle of Legends, Champion’s Club, or Gold Elite, but filled out the contract incorrectly?
That Don’t Impress Me Much!
Bottom Line: When dealing with other agents and consumers, we care about how you handle the immediate transaction and your responsive and pleasant service — not how many homes you sold this month or what percentage of listing appointments you win.
“You’re Tarzan!
Captain Kirk maybe.
John Wayne.
Whatever!
That don’t impress me much!“
Ken Brand
February 10, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Well Brian, I’m impressed.
A fun read that made me laugh and nod with familiarity. Thanks for the entertainment, equally important “cool your jets” reminder.
Thanks. Cheers.
Missy Caulk
February 10, 2009 at 8:29 pm
Yea the Brian we know and love, the truth said with humor is so much fun to read. ( and I love Shania)
Charlie Harden
February 11, 2009 at 11:51 am
Good one Brian. Very true… How ’bout some pics of Shania?
Rob Cook
February 11, 2009 at 11:58 am
Right on, brother! I’ve been in the RE business now for six years. I used to live and die by watching my rankings in the local MLS to see how high I was moving up and down the chart. It’s the first thing I did after every sale I posted to see where I moved as a result of that one sale.
Now, I could care less. You can easily lose sight of what you are in this for, especially from our client’s perspective. They don’t ive a rat’s u-know-what if I did X million is sales volume last year. What they care about is did they get a fair shake on that house they just bought or sold.
I know I’m not the big #1 super-dee-duper agent in terms of cold hard sales numbers, but I know I’m doing a pretty good job for the folks who choose me to help them out in this screwy business.
Mitchell Hall
February 11, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Brian, Great post, I agree. You know what else Don’t impress me much? How many social networks an agent spends all day on. lol
Melina Tomson
February 11, 2009 at 4:56 pm
Hey are you making fun of my super duper most amwesome-sit real estate agent in the world status? It’s a self-given award, that well…I give to myself every year…
That’s it…See if I vote for you again in your VAR blog-off… 🙂
Melina Tomson
February 11, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Shoot…I can’t spell check. That should say awesome. not amwesome. I think I’ll enter the spelling bee. 😉
Carson Coots
February 11, 2009 at 7:49 pm
I think people want to root for (and give their business to) the underdog most of the time. It’s no fun to wait in line either. I don’t feel like lining the pockets of a rich guy/gal any further, and others may feel the same way.
“Humility is a virtue with biblical and spiritual roots that is taught the world over. In some areas of the world, such as Asia, humility is prized much the way we in America prize our freedom of speech. Early on we are taught humility for good reason. We haven’t developed the social skills to talk about our accomplishments and ourselves gracefully. Instead, as children we blurt out, “My daddy has lots of money,” “I’m better than you because. . .” or in the case of my friend’s son, “I have more land than anyone,” which he proudly proclaimed one morning between mouthfuls of Cheerios as his mother cringed. Our parents and mentors know it’s important to squelch this behavior right from the get-go or people aren’t going to like us. And they’re right.”
Excerpt from
BRAG: How to Toot Your own Horn Without Blowing It. https://www.businessknowhow.com/growth/brag.htm
BawldGuy
February 16, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Brian — Thanks for the chuckle. You remind me of a nugget Grandma passed on to me back in the day.
She said, “There are only two people in this world who should always be happy to see you coming their way — your wife, and your banker.”
Turns out she was spot on.
Carson — Anyone who gives their business to anyone for any reason other than they expect results, was never on M.I.T.’s recruiting list. 🙂