Darrin Friedman

If the first step is admitting I have a problem then I have a problem. Now what?

I’m on vacation this week; you know what vacation is, right? It’s that cultural ritual that says thou shall not work, giving your mind that required time off so it can relax into a zen like state and give you the necessary recharge so we can again work like the obsessed maniacs we have all become.

The problem is I have yet to stop returning emails let alone turn off my iphone, and as you can see now, this blog is being written on my MacBook.

I have issues!

It would seem I am incapable of getting unplugged. So, I ask you, my AR family, no I plead: Help ME! I need intervention and I need it now.

I await your response.

Hi All:

Please check out this post below. It is from one of my new agents. If you can leave her a comment, even better. Cheers!

http://activerain.com/blogs/janetrushford

-Darrin

5 ways to NOT suck at Twitter

I am not an expert. I don't pretend to be. But after going to a couple REBarCamps and being a pretty good listener I have discovered something very powerful about Twitter: asking for business before you even know someone is LETHAL - Twitter homicide!

I have been told this by several people so I have never tried it, but yesterday, while I was in a meeting I wasn't paying attention to, I decided to start following some of my followers. Within a few hours I had 10 people asking me to do business with them.

Seriously, how fast can you say unfollow!

So here is a quick lesson for how to use Twitter:

1) Make relationships! Twitter is about meeting new people who have common interests. Just like ActiveRain, it is a social networking platform. Treat it that way.

2) Share: Twitter is about sharing interesting links, articles, and showing people who you are. Don't ask for something, especially befoe you even know them.

3) READ! Just like blogging, reading and commenting is more important than writing. Don't tell people how wonderful you are - tell people how wonderful OTHER people are.

4) Retweet Often: I love this feature. Re-tweeting is taking someone else's tweet and re-blasting it. It is a wonderful way to show someone you value their perspective.

5) It's not about you - it's about them: Remember, Twitter is just like blogging, make it about them, not you. If you do, you will make friends quickly, be part of an amazing social networking community, and yes, even possibly make money.

See you there!

Every once in a while you come across something online that is pretty crazy. Well - I guess this week, it's my turn to find crazy. There exists a Realtor in Florida who is not only trying to sell her home, but is trying to sell herself.

YES - you heard me right!

This single mother of two's name is Deven Traboscia from Palm Beach, FL and though I it is not something I would do, I think it's brilliant. In a google search I found 3 Local News stories on her and about 5 blog posts - mine will be six. Anyway, she has received more buzz than a skunk at a lawn party. It's amazing how people have reacted and interesting how vicious some of us can be.

In any event, I'm not sure any of my office's listing will be marketed this way, but I do believe that creativity should be rewarded and not slammed, even if it's not what we would do.

Good luck Devin. On both fronts!

P.S. I couldn't find any pictures of the House!

To see the local news story click below:

About a month ago I taped this conversation with Short Sales expert Harry Yazbeck.  He's a very smart guy with a lot of really good information.  His whole purpose is to educate agentson the craziness of the process as well as manage a team of people who help CB agents manage their short sales.

He gives a nice insight into the hell that is the short sale and I hope you find interesting...