April 29, 2010

What Do Real Estate Agents and NFL Players Have in Common?

I know . . . I know.  You never thought there could be such a comparison, right?  Real estate agents deal with the serious business of buying and selling houses and interact with buyers, sellers, lenders, and title companies on a daily basis.  NFL players, on the other hand, run around in helmets and tight pants throwing a ball at each other and get to dance in the end zone when things go their way.  What could these two professions possibly have in common?!!

Hmmm . . . here are just a few things that come to mind:

1.  It Takes a Team Effort
"No man is an island."  For both NFL players and real estate agents, success requires a team effort.  Everyone has to work together.  Everyone has to be diligent.  Everyone has to be focused on the goal.  Collaboration, cooperation, and communication are the name of the game. 

2.  Communication is Key
For NFL players, communication is what drives the play (e.g., the quarterback has to communicate with the coach to know which plays to run).  For real estate agents, communication is what drives the transaction.  You must communicate with all parties involved: clients, cooperating brokers, lenders, title companies, etc.  It may seem like a little thing, but a brief call, email, fax, or text message is usually enough to make sure everyone is in the loop.

3.  Time Is of the Essence
For NFL players, this is almost a no-brainer.  They have 60 minutes - 15 per quarter - to make it happen!  Realtors have a little more time, but still have to make sure things are done timely.  Most sales contracts have time limits throughout.  And it's important to adhere to the time limits, otherwise the deal may fall through.

4.  Every Now and Then a Blitz Is Required
For NFL players, a blitz is when defensive players put pressure on the quarterback.  For real estate agents, a blitz is when you focus intensely on marketing in an effort to generate business.  OK . . . I just made that one up, but who cares!!  All I'm saying is that just because we just came out of the worst recession since the Great Depression doesn't mean you have to walk around with empty pockets!  Now is not the time for you to be sitting on the sidelines.  It's time for you to run a blitz so when peak season rolls around, business will be booming AND you'll have plenty in the pipeline.   I agree with motivational speaker Anthony Robbins, "massive action produces massive results."  Think about it.  There are so many things you can do.  Here are just a few "blitz tips":

Develop a niche that suits your skills and interests

Create a blog

Create an e-newsletter

Build a contact list and use a contact management system to communicate with your contacts on a regular basis. Provide valuable information such as: property listings, local real estate data and statistics, community events, home improvement tips, first-time homebuyer tips, etc.

Place an ad in the local paper

Place an online ad (e.g., craigslist, trulia, etc.)

Write an article for a newspaper, magazine, or an online articles database (e.g., ezinearticles.com)

Join and participate in professional organizations and associations

Join and participate in community organizations and associations

Volunteer for a charitable organization

Hold a free seminar and provide valuable information

Do a targeted mailing

Create a Facebook page

Create a Myspace page

Join Twitter (and Tweet away!)

Joint meetup.com

Join linkedin.com

Join activerain.com

Create a lens on squidoo.com

Create a Digg account

Attend networking events

Participate in relevant online forums

Read "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie

Read "Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty" by Harvey Mackay

Comment on relevant blogs (provide useful information and leave your contact information in your signature line and/or a link back to your website or blog)

And the list goes on. If you try these tips, and are consistent about communicating with people and providing useful information, they will see you as a valuable resource and you're bound to have bigger pockets, even in a tight economy. Remember: it's all about building and maintaining good relationships. Your bank account and your significant others will thank you.

5. They Have to Keep Their Eyes on the Ball
It's important to stay on top of what's going on and to take the steps necessary to ensure success. For NFL players, failure to keep their eyes on the ball can cause a F.I.T. (Fumbles, Interceptions, and Turnovers). For realtors, failure to keep their eyes on the ball can cause a comparable F.I.T. (Foreclosures, Inspection problems, and Title issues). Enough said.

Posted by: shana@lakeviewtitle.com