What you are looking at is an actual image from Google maps. If you want to see what others are saying about it, you can find it on various sites. Is it innovative? A little bit, maybe. But in the end, probably not. Does a Realtor really need to "be innovative" to succeed? I don’t think so. There are more and more "out of the box" ideas that are presented to the real estate industry almost every day. Loads and loads of "new" stuff that is really just more old stuff. Most of the agents I talk to about various seminars seem to be looking for something new. Something different.
I don’t believe that we need to get out of the box. I believe most of us need to get all the way in the box. One reason? You can not depart from a location you have never arrived at. You must get all the way in before you could need to work on "getting out".
Our business is really pretty simple. Get and keep customers is the main issue. Lead generation (if it is going to matter) is really lead conversion. If we are looking at the subject of getting and getting rid of listings, here is a concept to look at:
All "problems" in getting listings are either in getting to the table or at the table. About 70% of all sellers talk to only one agent prior to making their decision to list with them. About 15% talk to only two agents prior to deciding. This data alone clearly suggests that the main problem is not at the table but getting to the table. Get to the table and you are likely to win. The various ideas for getting to the table (that actually work) all seem to me to be very "low tech". Very low tech. Finding out what is really wanted and needed and then providing just that – that sort of thing.
Unless you have a rather amazing list of names in your Rolodex, it will usually be the number of people you can ask to do business with you that will determine the outcome – and your income.
Will someone please let Inman know I am standing by for my prize?