And this was a lovely description.

Things are going to get really here on the mainland. Sit tight man, we're going to be all over it!

There is a reason why 200 million people actively, willingly sign up on social networks with their real name, their real email address and their real profile. They are eager to participate. They are engaged.

SpotIt engages. I cant tell you how many times I find myself in a new city alone on business trying to find a decent pizza place, or a simple comfort food restaurant or a cool hang out bar with local original music.

Too darm many.

Signing into a local networks like that across the country would be highly beneficial. Imagine if that conversation occurred on a real estate site. Oh wait…you have!

It was great seeing you at Connect. Wish we had more time to hang out.

I agree, lead capture is dead. What I believe we are seeing now is lead cultivation. Agents need to participate in the conversations that circle communities. It's not just about getting an email every time someone fills out a lead form. Agents need to show how they can provide expertise. That's where tools like SpotIt, StreetAdvisor, Trulia Voices, etc are going to connect with customers looking for a local expert.

This participation needs to be a part of any successful companies culture.

The Hard Sell: When the question of what doesn't work came from the audience, David Gibbons of Zillow responded lightening fast, then echoed by the rest of the panel. There's not a person alive that enjoys the hard sell. It's a tactic relegated to those who who don't understand their customer. Its born out of frustration. Out of feeling trapped with no way out. The soft cell – the engagement. Charm. Tact. Investing time. Its something we all are drawn too.

Broker Stare: I've been on your end. As a vendor. Selling software. It's this simple. Make your pitch and bring gobs of facts. If they don't get it – thanks the for their move on.

Independent Agents: I will remember this moment forever – A broker sat in my hotel suite and reiterated a passionate speech he gave his group of independent agents. The ones that use his office, his brand, his copy machines, his toner, his phones, his paper, his board room and benefit from his amazing website, his technology and brilliant vision for the future. He showed them two things: His vision for the future and the front door. They had a choice. It seems they all chose his vision.

If brokers have issue contending with their agents then they lack vision, they lack leadership and they lack balls. Today, you need all three to build a powerful brand.

Real Living is doing and growing fast strictly enforcing environmental branding and adherence to systems and programs.

Donuts on a stick – Here in California, we have a Mid-State Fair. Paso Robles. One of the treats they serve is a deep fried Hostess cake of some sort. Those who line up for these things are busting out of their tight Spandex leggings. Or they’re asking their Daisy Dukes to stretch well beyond their wildest imagination.

They are gorging on the wrong content. Same holds true in real estate. The donut pushers are selling calories. Marketing calories. Website calories. Branding calories. None of that stuff is good for anyone.

Put the donuts away. Be lean and fit. If donuts are required to lead a session find another session. Find companies and agents who are hungry for information not food. Hungry for the great technology you possess.

…ideas are like compost, aren't they?

And donuts will bring you a customer or two, despite all the gluten-intolerant and calorically-conscious people out there.

The hard sell does not work; the real evidence of this: the fact that most Realtors still do not have a website. (You do have to have donuts for this group -reaching them on the phone is possible but may take all year.)

The other group of Realtors still do not understand the basic premise that marketing is achievement, not activity. They point themselves at marketing programs reluctantly, often not considering the cost and are often sold a bill of goods on DIY, SEO and SMS ending up with alphabet soup and nothing S-O-L-D. (For this group, you sometimes need therapy.)

The rest of the Realtors and brokers often stare at each other before the stare at a vendor. The broker will usually tell a vendor all his Realtors work independently, so a meeting with them will be tough. And these Realtors know what they are doing, often don't want to work in teams, but can't figure out what globalization is doing to the real estate market, don't honestly believe that they are a conduit for information and service specialists and get beat down with the commission stick by sellers. (Their stare is a hungry look. They need to eat, obviously – but they don't neccesarily want to pick up the tab.)

So who do face?

Do we use the consumer to drive the Realtor to the vendor?

Or should we put the donuts on a stick?

Steve
Obeoman

And this was a lovely description.

They may be right, but it just may be a lunatic that my future clients are looking for…

*I kid, and thank you, Billy Joel!*