From Blogging to Speaking on a Philadelphia Real Estate Expert Panel ?
Last week I was invited to be on an expert panel as part of the "Shift into Overdrive" tour outside Philadelphia at Harrah's Chester Casino. I had the opportunity to have a great lunch with Tony Dicello and hear him speak about the shifting market as well as be a part of an expert panel that included 4 Keller Williams top producers and 4 agents outside of Keller Williams. I surely was not disappointed and it was a pleasure and an honor to attend. Tony gave a terrific presentation about the changes of the marketplace and what agents can do to be successful. The bottom line is that it is an excellent market to stand above your competition and grow your business. Both buyers and sellers alike need a top Realtor's services more than ever before.
Speaking on the panel was very rewarding and hard to believe I was around so many top producers. Several people on the panel included the likes of Gary Siegel, Antonio Atacan and George Cahill who have decades of experience. In fact, on the first question that was asked was to provide how many years they have been in the business, their specialities and so forth and how they did in 2008 (see Awards Received for 2008 ). I was a little nervous when answering and forgot to answer that part of the question - which is a little over 6 years making me the panel rookie. I settled down after that and when asked about the driving force of our business last year, I discussed the benefits of blogging, Internet marketing, social media and the like.
The leverage of our The Somers Team website and The Philadelphia Real Estate Blog coupled with our intensive drive to help our clients combined have certainly helped to grow our business immensely in the last several years. Our presence in the community, on the Internet coupled with our production has propelled us to be a top producer in the area. Even then, in comparison with some of the other panel members, we still have a long way to go and grow !
If it was not for Blogging or Active Rain, I doubt I would have been speaking on that panel. I think it is a great example of how internet marketing and blogging has helped us with our business in connecting with consumers - both buyers and sellers. Sellers want a listing agent who gives them maximum exposure with internet marketing and buyers want a buyers agent that they can relate to and trust, someone who has intensive market knowledge in their areas and neighborhoods of interest.
So my conclusion when asked on the panel (see above) in what to do now in today's economy is to check your attitude - It's everything ! Keep up the drive, energy and passion in terms of what you do best !
And for consumers, especially buyers, if you have not bought a house yet this year, what are you waiting for ? With mortgage rates where they are, the first time homebuyer tax credit and the ample amount of supply to choose from, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity ! The same goes for building that real estate investment portfolio !
Related Posts from that day:
Can Sugarhouse be like Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack ?
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If interested in buying or selling properties in Philadelphia, contact Chris and Stephanie Somers at thesomersteam@yahoo.com or 215-400-2612 . You can connect with us on Facebook and Twitter . For investment properties, check out our new investor site at Philly Investor Hub !
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Great story! Yet one more reason, or is it the proof is in the pudding, to continue on with AR. Good job!
Sounds like it was a great opportunity to talk about your successes and also network with some other top notch professionals.
Congratulation Christopher! What an honour! What an Active Rain success story! What a great attitude you have!
Al and Peggy
Congratulation on your success. . you are an inspiration to a lot of people. . .you seem very passionate about it . . lethal combination for success!
I couldn't agree more Chris and I think you did a GREAT job at sharing the experience with the ActiveRain network! Talk about a Pro-Blogger!!! :-)
Keep up with the passion, drive, dedication to your clients and best practice sharing with your peers!
Chris I can imagine the nerves:) I know I would feel the same way. I have never been a big fan of public speaking! Sounds like you did just fine.
I agree that this business is about attitude. I refuse to let the media pull down my enthusiam.
While other agents are retracting from spending their marketing dollars - I have taken the opportunity to spend more money and increase my online presence and my local presence writing blurbs for the local paper and participating in local events.
Business is great if you have the drive and dedication to make it so.
Congratulations on the success that you have gained through participating in AR! Attitude is everything! Excellent conclusion!
Hello Chris, I attended that seminar and work in the KW Blue Bell office with Jeff and Gary. You did a great job on the panel and it was very nice to see someone on there that utilzes the benifits of social networking. You are doing an amazing job with your blog as well as Trulia(although I can never seem to beat you out for the first answer spot)
Look forward to hearing you speak again in the future!
Chris - I would have loved to have cheered you on from the crowd! Congrats. I closed a transaction a few years back for that Blue Bell office Lee commented about - I'll never forgat the settlement room had a bar about 20 foot long ... must be for those really stressful settlements, haha.
AR has been a very powerful tool for me as well. Even when I took about 2 months off from AR, the leads kept coming in steady. It was "magical".
Christopher, What a wonderful achievement! It's so nice to hear success stories and I sure consider this one of them.
Andrea - Yes, one more reason indeed to keep going with blogging and Active Rain. Consistent quality content is the key !
Dan and Amy - It was quite an experience for sure ! I was impressed with all the high energy and buzz.
Al and Peggy - Some say that attitude is everything !
Fernando - I like those lethal combinations for success. If you know more of the formulas, please let us know as well !
Liana - Wow ! I feel your energy and drive as well. It is contagious : ) Thank you for the feedback as your insight is quite inspiring !
Bill - Yes, I can be quite shy and a bit of an introvert. I get a little anxiety in crowds but all in all, it is all good ! It is a great experience to have opportunities like that.
Mike - That is awesome ! I agree that this is the best time to build market share and increase marketing exposure when most agents are doing the opposite !
Michael - Rock on ! You are right, attitude is everything ! It certainly starts there for sure.
Lee- Thanks ! That seminar was certainly abuzz with energy and passion. It was great to be there. Tony Dicello was awesome. I am so glad I was there at 9:00 am for that part ! Was also impressed with Harrahs. Maybe next time you will be speaking yourself ! You must also be part of a great office in Blue Bell working with some great people
Hi C&S - It's so great to hear the success that A/R and blogging has brought you. You are so right about the internet giving us the ability to make those connections with both buyers and sellers. Here's to much continued success!
Steve- I think you would have enjoyed it. I am sure we will see each other at a conference or seminar or meet-up group at some point. Are you going to RE Barcamp philly ? That KW Blue Bell sounds like a great office ! And lastly, am great that AR has been great to you as well. Great to see you back !
Carole - I am with you - loving success stories ! They inspire us all. I am proud to share one of them here in this blog post : )