Ricardo Bueno's Blog

[Here's a little Monday pick-me-up!]

"The Pursuit of Happyness" is one of my favorite movies. Simply put, it's the story of a struggling salesman (Chris Gardner) who fought against all odds (literally), to make something of himself.

The movie is definitely an A+ in my book...if you haven't seen it, pick it up. If you didn't like it, I'm sorry.

Anyhow, here's a message from the movie, the best message of all:

"Don't ever let somebody tell you, you can't do something!"

[Because it's not always just about Real Estate]

"Beatboxing is a form of vocal percussion connected with hip hop culture (it has been called the "fifth element" of hip hop) although it is not limited to hip hop music. It primarily involves the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one's mouth, lips, tongue, voice, and more." -- Wikipedia

Way back in High School, my basketball teammates used to beatbox in the van on our way to the game. It was a good way to pass the time...sometimes we were looking at a good 4 hour drive all the way to a game!

Did I ever beatbox? No way! But it was cool hearing them go at it.

Now I'm not into hip hop all that much and I don't understand hardcore beatboxing. But here's a great piece I came across by artist Bobby McFerrin. It's smooth, clean, and well...cool!

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It's been said and it's true,

"A marketer who has achieved intravenous permission from his customer is making the buying decisions on behalf of the consumer. The privilege is huge, but the downside is significant. If the marketer guesses wrong or, worse, abuses the permission, it will be canceled in a heartbeat." -- Seth Godin

Read: Marketing in 2008 with Seth Godin 

As many of you know, permission is a process.

From schmoozing that prospect at the onset to sending him/her detailed market reports...follow up drip emails...follow up phone calls...meeting for coffee or lunch (on you)...to driving them around on weekends doing "show & tell" with the properties in the neighborhood! 

All on your dollar and dime and all without a commitment to buy or sell. And if at the end they say "No thanks! Nevermind." The harder you try, the further you drive them away! At that point, "no" means "NO!"     

But when you reach that point of trust, that moment where they confide in you whole-heartedly, permission's been given...permission has been earned. Maybe they read your blog and trusted your market reports? Maybe they liked your personality? Or maybe you just got lucky by following up and calling at the right moment?

What ever you did, you're doing it right. And if you're not, well...what can you do better? 

We have one of two choices when the going gets tough!

   1. We can sit and complain about it all. Tell our friends and anyone willing to listen what the problem is. 

        or,

   2. We can suck it up and deal with it. Really, just get it done!

Option (1) takes us no where! Ok, sure, someone might find our update on Twitter and send a resolution our way but the world isn't that perfect. Chances are your complaint is falling on deaf ears and at the end of the day it still needs to get done.

Option (2) on the other hand forces you to find a solution. And it's these moments of genius that resonate with those watching. We had a problem, we delegated our way through it, and we're a hero! You're the guy/gal that knows how to get things done!

So you might quote the lowest rates or having reduced listing fees, but if you can't get it done, who cares?

Have you ever written a blog post and thought to yourself, 

"Is it worth it? I mean...who's gonna read it?" 

just before hitting the PUBLISH button?

Albert Einstein once said,  

 
OK, so the picture is comedic, BUT...you should be inspired here!

The truth is, your blog at it's inception might not feel like the most popular piece of literature out there. But keep writing, keep sharing, keep telling those stories and sharing your "Einstein" moments...and sooner than you know, you'll have subscribers, you'll have followers, you'll have your own little community of readers!

At your next Broker Caravan of Monthly Sales Meeting, you'll be sticking your tongue out and thinking "Isn't it strange that I who have written only unpopular [blog posts] should be such a popular fellow?" You'll be telling fellow REALTOR®'s and Loan Officers to get writing. Actually, they'll be asking you how to get started!

Since I've started blogging, I've:

met new friends, 

established new business contacts,  

earned new clients, and, most importantly,

I've gained a wealth of knowledge while contributing some in return! Sometimes you learn more from blogging and reading than you do through anything else.

So, how long have you been writing your blog? Is it worth it?