photo courtesy of Yogi
I was still half asleep, but there he was.
I've been following the tale of Richard Bowman lately as he blogs about his daily work on the streets of San Antonio. Richard is a local agent, just like me, but he's opted to do something a little different in order to generate interest, leads, and clients. At first I thought it sounded a bit crazy and odd, but the more I read his blog, the more I started to think of the simple genius that his idea really is. For those of you too lazy or too busy to run over and read through his blog to understand just what I'm talking about, Richard has been standing on a local (very busy) street corner with a sign proclaiming his status as an agent and stating his intention of looking for more work. When I first thought about it, I thought it sounded a bit like he was out there begging and it might look bad. The more I read Richard, the more I saw the potential in what he's doing as he's got the right attitude and approach. He's not out there crying about the economy and saying how bad things are...he's out there interacting with people and getting names of possible future clients. He's handing out cards, smiles, and waves. He's disseminating brief bits of his real estate knowledge when someone has a question and works to get the follow up call or email so that he continue opening up that conversation. Like I said...simple and genius.
So this morning, after I stopped in Valero to get my cup of coffee, I started on my way to the office. I take the same route everyday and had spotted Richard from a far more than once. Today, I didn't see him. Not at first. Seems Richard is still out there, he just had a bit of a change in plans on position. So when I saw him, I gave him a honk and a wave. He waved back and I could see he recognized my name on my car signs. He strolled over as I sat at the red light and we had a brief conversation shouted through my open window. It was exciting to me to speak with a guy who's blog I had been reading. Someone who's up to something a little different. Someone who got me thinking of ways to stand out from the crowd and do things just a bit left of center. It was a mini-ActiveRain meetup, right there on Bitters Road and 281. He even mentions it in his latest post, which I think is one of great things about ActiveRain...Richard may be the competition, but there's no need for us to not share our thoughts and ideas.
Thanks Agent Bowman. I'll see you tomorrow.
All content ©2008-2010 by Matt Stigliano unless otherwise noted.
Matt Stigliano, Realtor® Becker Properties | (210) 646-HOME | www.RErockstar.com
"Your all access pass to San Antonio real estate."
Hi Matt,
Very good! Ha ha. You really are a rock star. So I notice I"m starting this fad with myself on being the first to comment.....a sure sign on an addictive personality!
Pretty creative idea of marketing, and low cost too. I've seen cell phone companies, tax preparers, tire stores but no realtors in my area yet.
Matt - I have said many times that pretty much ANY marketing will work if you are consistent with it. The example I use is not far from what Richard is doing now. I typically mention hanging out at a crowded sporting event (like an NBA or NFL game) and handing your card to everyone in site. It sounds odd/crazy, but if you did it every week or every game, it would bring you business. Kudos to Richard for his attitude.
Too cool... I have a lot of bantar with the agents in my small town on here and I would have done the same thing. Creative for sure.
BEEP BEEP....You said honk if you love active rain, since I am not in TX this will have to do, creative marketing to say the least!!!
Hi Matt:
Congrats on the feature! Honk-Honk!!!
Tamara - Commenting can be almost as addictive as blogging.
Erika - And he's having fun with it too!
Jason - You've got a great point there. Its consistency that is key and Richard is definitely doing that. I like the sporting event example, I can imagine many of those cards wind up on the ground, but if one doesn't, you've done what you came to do.
Kim - I love the agents in San Antonio that I've met via ActiveRain. We are a good group that like to share back and forth and comment on each other's blogs. I expected the real estate industry to be so much more cut throat than it has been in my view. I'm glad I was wrong.
Sharon - Beep beep is accepted as well. I think that's the universal standard for writing the sound of honking.
ActiveRain - Featured? Are you just trying to make up for my last post? Haha.
Matt-BEEP BEEP--Sharon beat me to it by an hour. I have been reading Rich's blog too. When I first read what he has been doing I found it incredibly gutsy and wasn't sure what I thought. Like you, I too thought it alittle odd but the more I looked at people's comments and thought about it myself the more I admired his bravery and idea. I think he will wind up getting alot of business from this. Alot of copy catters too.
ichard sounds very daring and has stepped out of his comforat zone to get more clients. Congrats for him and great post Matt.
Wish I had the guts to do something like that. I have come to realize that I am somewhat of a whimp when it comes to putting myself out there. He will have a great year for sure!
Matt Stigliano (Exit Realty North-San Antonio)-Business is everywhere. You never know who is in the market to buy a house. I gave my card to a guy where I brought my truck from and he told me that he just brought his house last week. Congratulations on the featured post Matt. Great post.
I'll go read his blog. Sounds like what Paul Hockaday is doing in my office. He has given himself 100 days to greatness to get more business or he plans to get out. Check out his ActiveRain blogs. Well, sometimes you just have to take the plunge and read DIP by Seth Godin and know when to quit and when to stick. Along today's Inauguation Day's theme of Abraham Lincoln, just remember that good ole ABE never quit after so many failures. I liked what OBAMA said about picking ourselves up and dusting ourselves off to start anew.
Yaweee! That sounds awesome! Thanks for sharing that story. I have another agent who I would like to do this with. AWESOME!
Bridget---I've got the guts and I want to start it here in Florida!!!
Debra - Great word you used to describe how I felt Richard's actions - gutsy.
Alan - Does this mean you're going to change your avatar again?
Mike - Its definitely out of my comfort zone, which is why I'm so impressed by it.
Bridget - I think he's already having some success. I think it will continue as he follows up with people.
Lanre - That's one of the things I learned early on, don't try and second guess "does this person look like they're thinking about buying or selling." Once you start analyzing everyone in that way, you'll stop talking to them.
Donna - 100 Days and then he's out if nothing's happening? I'll have to go read his blog and see what his benchmarks are.
Sara - I'm sure if you talked to him he'd be more than willing to share his thoughts and what works/doesn't work for him. Might not be the same in your market, but at least it will get the thoughts flowing.
Brother Matt...
OK, this is new to me ... I'll check it all out! Congrats on the Gold Star!
A+ to him.... Not so sure that will go over well with the upper end homes for credibility....but everyone will know him. I love creativity....
Brother Richard - Its definitely worth the read. My thought is that any attention can't be all that bad. We all clamour to make ourselves known, but he'll be remembered.
Alan - Right after I wrote that I saw your avatar in the blogroll.
Tim - Who knows what will work? I just love the creativity of it. Jason said it best above that ANY marketing will work if you're consistent.
I can't honk enough for Active Rain.
Thanks for letting us know about Richard. I once had an agent who would (very kindly) go up to people in the grocery store and ask them for business! Kudos to him!! We don't get what we don't ask for!
I'm honking, I'm honking all the way from West Virginia. What a great marketing idea, and makes me think of what I can do here.
Sabrina - It seems to me (and I mentioned this to Bob Stewart recently) that everyone feels that way. I told him I found it interesting that they had managed to build a community that seemed to lack some of the divisive and argumentative elements found in so many communities on the web. Its like some crazy 70s love fest around here.
Becky - I wanted to spread his story, since I've felt inspired by him.
wow all I can say is wow....Just to let you know I received a phone call from a buyer who took my card and we will start our search for two homes tomorrow. As for upper end homes A guy with a house on LBJ has a 1.5 million dollar home he wants me to sell because he feels his Realtor is doing nothing..I think business people respect a hustle......did you get a feature...cool I didn't realize reading about m blog on your blog was so cool...keep up the good work...YOU ARE SO OLD MUTUAL
This is probably the most original and unique concept in real estate I have ever heard. I am thrilled for you that you have obtained business for this. Perhaps you should call the local TV station and they can put you on the 6:00pm news so you can greatly EXPAND your reach?
Great and an extremely brave thing to do!
Have a great day!
Cindy
Does he do all those cool tricks like spin and throw. Good post thank you for sharing.
I saw this guy myself. But I am with you. I got Realtor lic.. plates....does that count? Check our my site and see what is happin in Lubbock!
honk honk.....
Whatever works in this market, Matt
Purple Cow, out of the box....
Hi Matt;
Honk! Honk! Honk! Good post thank you for sharing.
We had an agent do that and her sign said she sold real estate and worked for food. She was raising cans of food for the local food bank. She got a nice write up in our paper I don't know about business.
Richard - That's great news. About the 1.5 million dollar home. I think that a guy who sees action is going to be impressed, even if the action may seem a bit out of the ordinary. In today's market, people want solutions even though they know things are slow. They can accept slow if they see that there are action plans and attempted solutions.
Chris - Check out Richard's post about the local news.
Cindy - I have yet to feel brave enough, but Richard is inspiring me. Perhaps I'll arrive at his corner 10 minutes before he does. Haha.
Unusualcommercialloans - I haven't seen him do any, but perhaps he does. Richard?
(insert name here) - I've got car signs, but I wonder how many people have enough time as I whiz by them to read them and write down the phone number.
Missy - Probably too cold to stand out side for you. We've been having awesome weather.
Anthony - I give Richard the credit...he did the work, I just wrote a post about it.
Charles - When I first saw the sign, I thought that's maybe what it said, but I think his sign is simple and effective.
Thanks agent Matt !!! Great post : ) Is an awesome story and a nice description of agent Richard thinking and acting "outside the box". And yes, we love AR so HONK ! Awesome... attitude is key.
HONK HONK HONK! I love Activerain!
How cool! 'Gotta love ActiveRain meet-ups. I hadn't heard about Richard's promotion, so now I'll go over and check it out.
Hi Matt~ I have seen Richard's blog and find it very unique, I just don't think I could ever do it for business, but Hey! to each his own. Whatever works for him! There is no right or wrong. Being different is the main thing
P.S. I am honking~ I Love Activerain!
Too much like begging for me. I like the low level approach
Honk, Honk, Honk! Active Rain has the most interesting people and it just shows how realtors can survive anything!
Matt a pretty interesting way to meet a fellow Rainer. I enjoyed his story myself.
Christopher and Stephanie - You're from Philly so I know you can honk!
James - I was just checking out your blog. I know the building in Woodland Hills in your postlet. I used to live on Owensmouth when I first moved to Los Angeles.
Margaret - It was pretty fun, especially since I had commented to him on one of his posts to keep an eye out for my car. You could tell both of us were thinking - "Hey, that's the guy from ActiveRain!"
Vickie - I don't think his method is for everyone, but what I like about it is that it gets people thinking.
Russ - I know what you mean, but I think it boils down to how he handles the people he speaks with.
Caren - You never know who you'll meet. So far, I've met a lot of people and some have become friends, some I found interesting facts about, and I even met my long lost brother Richard.
Bill - I'm sure I'll bump into him again. When he start talking about the crazy guy who throws hot dogs to him in the morning, you'll know its me. Haha.
Ok, Matt... for you http://icantreadyourwebsitethatfast.com is available. Or maybe when Mazda changes their ad campaign you could pick up zoomzoom.
And it is a bit nippy here to stand on the street right now.
Hats off to Richard! I have stepped out of my comfort zone long time ago but not that far yet. Very brave!!!
Sometimes the geniuses of the world were laughed at for their creative ideas...just read up on Einstein's flops !!!!
This guy has a thumbs up from me, and I wish him all the best !
Thanks for sharing Matt...oh and HONK HONK !!!!
HONK, HONK! Very interesting and out of the box idea. A couple of things come to mind. We handed out reusable shopping bags in front of a grocery store (locally) with our info, cards etc. inside. People loved them and stopped to talk about real estate. Did get a seller and a couple of buyer prospects from it. This was for approx. 1/2 hr as we ran out of bags! We had many too. At the same time we handed out our pens to the local businesses around that grocery store (yes, gave them some too) and we have logos on our car - so when Brian goes out, each day he takes a different route through the neighborhoods. It is working. People are commenting that they saw us here, and there, and everywhere.... ~Rita
Hi Matt,
Thanks for sharing a REALLY creative marketing idea!
Matt, not for everyone I am sure but man oh man good for him to find a niche and creating a "buzz" around him! Fascinating concept and be sure to honk for me in support. Take care and happy blogging!
I've been reading his blogs for months, but for some reason I missed the one that talked about him out on the street corner! Someone needs to "anonymously" contact the local news station -- they would love it and he would probably get a bit more press.
... is the san santonio market pretty bad?
Matt, what a great experience to have an online friend materialize in real life! I just hope he wears a hat so he doesn't get sun cancer on his head!
Join my NEW group for professionals who work from their home office at http://activerain.com/groups/virtualoffice
Regina P. Brown
Good Morning, Matt, and congratulations on the gold star. Glad you got to meet Richard.
Great story, Matt, thanks for sharing. Small world isn't it? Seriously though, we shouldn't be "afraid" of local agents since they are a great resource for sharing and learning.
Hey Matt - Great Story! I love the fact that Richard is willing to put himself out there. What a great and fun strategy. "The Road to Success is the Road Moving Away from the Crowd" - Honk! Honk! Thanks again.
Lane - I might just have to go buy that one.
Olena - Hopefully he'll inspire a few people to push past that comfort zone.
Sheldon - Is that why people keep laughing at me?
Rita - I was going to do the bag idea when I did a particular open house, but never got the bags in time (foolish me). I always try driving new ways so that people think "man, that guy's everywhere."
Suzanne - Don't thank me, thank Richard for doing it. I'm just sharing the story.
Jason - I will definitely continue to honk everytime I drive by.
Kerry - No, we're not that bad. Slow, but things are definitely picking up. We escaped most of the real trouble. I think Richard just went for a new idea and ran with it.
Regina - Maybe I'll toss him a tube of sunscreen when I drive by next time.
Shirley - Hopefully next time I see him I'll have some time to pull over and have a coffee with him.
Kris - I am definitely no afraid of the locals. In fact, Shirley (above) is local. The person who invited me is also a local (Kristin Moran) and I get more info from those two than most. We've kind of formed a little San Antonio group, where we all comment back and forth on each other's blog and share ideas. I think its great.
Gwenn - Being willing to put yourself out there can be the hardest step, but the most successful.
Actually Matt, I did go right over to Richard's site right after I commented here:) I think his idea is alot of fun
Suzanne - Enjoy it. Its a fun read and might get you thinking of something to do.