Darrin Friedman

Inspiration


Today, my company held what we dubbed, “The Wake-Up” call - an inspirational / education oriented event focusing our agent population on finishing the remainder of the year from a place of strength and not fear.

Usually I have a hard time at things. I hate to so sit for any long period of time, and having the attention span of a flee, I’m not one that likes 3 hours of anything.

But wouldn’t you know it - I actually bought in to the thing.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not just saying I liked it because it’s my company. If I didn’t like I would of written about something else!

But like the cool-aid drinking fool I am I thought the speakers were awesome and I wanted to share just a couple of the points they shared with us:

1. If you are selling yourself short - STOP. If there has ever been a time to get your full value now is the time. Let others sell their souls out of desperation. You get your full fee for your full service!
2. Short Sales / Foreclosures represent 50% of all sales nationally. Not knowing the process is not an excuse to not an excuse for not knowing what you’re doing. Find a person who knows the process and learn from them. Knowing the pitfalls and preparing your client for the process is vital as preparing yourself.
3. Diversify your skill set - don’t just do one thing to get business. If you do business by referral supplement it by doing expireds.

Anyway - that’s it for now. There will be more to come...

As one of the many Washington DC locals, I feel it is my responsibility to give you some ideas of what to do while you're in town for the mid-year. While not exactly a tour guide, having been born and raised here I am more than happy to at least be a sounding board for ideas. Anyway, let's begin...

1) The National Zoo:

Why? Because it's walking distance from the hotel and it's free!

Interesting Point: The Giant Pandas.

Link to planning your visit: http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Visit/PlanYourVisit/

It's fun, great walking, and costs NOTHING!!!

2) The National Portrait Gallery

Why? It is quintessential Washington, housing all the official Presidential portraits.

Interesting Point: The portrait that came to symbolize the historic campaign of President-elect Barack Obama is now on display.

Link: http://www.npg.si.edu/

3) Take a walk in Georgetown

Why? There's a ton of eye candy, and browsing. And for those who can afford it, there is great shopping. BUT, even if you don't bring your wallet, Georgetown is a terrific part of the city and can provide a glimpse into what makes us want to call DC home.

Interesting Point: Take a run up the "Excorsist" stairs. Yes - they exist! I did it on Prom night. Way fun!!!

Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Georgetown,_Washington,_D.C.

4) Politics and Prose

Why? If you love book stores and you think politics is cool, there is a fabulous place on Connecticut Avenue called Politics and Prose. It's a 5 minute cab ride from the hotel and a total inside Washington thing.

Interesting Point: They have autographed copies of famous people. Impress your friends.

Link: http://www.politics-prose.com/

5) See a movie at the Uptown

Why? The Uptown is one of the oldest and coolest movie theaters around. It has a hige screen and only plays one movie - usually whatever is the big movie of the moment. It's fun, and if you just want to get away, it's perfect.

Interesting Point: I saw Iron Man there last year and I nearly peed my pants it was so awesome.

Link: http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/movie-theaters/amc-loews-uptown-1,796141.html

Anyway, have fun, and see you Tuesday!!!

"You should see the other guy"

I forget the movie, but I think it’s in a few of them. Guy #1, says to Guy #2, “You look terrible.” Guy #2 raises his eyebrows and says, with a grin, “you should see the other guy.”

Today, I feel like the other guy.

Maybe because it’s raining, or because Saturn is in retrograde. All I know is, to quote Norm from Cheers, “it’s a dog eat dog world and I’m wearin’ milk bone underwear.”

Now don’t get me wrong. I am usually very positive. I pride myself on being a positive leader and helping people achieve their goals. Today, though? Today I just wanna hide under the bed.

And it’s not even market related. My office just had a killer month in April - one of the best in the last 24, so it’s not like I’m depressed over that. No, I just think I’m feeling funky.

So what do I do? Hide? Scream? Pretend I’ve got a cough or something so people won’t think I’ve lost it?

I don’t think so. One of the best pleasures I’ve had in my role as a leader is that the culture of the office matches me pretty well. You see, we’re all kinda funky in our own way. With my agents, I don’t need to hide. Within the walls of our lil’ Chevy Chase office, I can be just as weird, depressed, and crazed and know it’s safe to be so. Sound scary?

Well, maybe a little.

But what I think is really cool about it is that our corkiness - or our unique signature, is what makes the offices we call home special. Isn't it? But on the other hand, if you find that you are in an office that doesn’t accept you for you than you need to ask yourself.

With friends like this, who needs enemenies?*

Because, if you don't feel safe, what are we doing anyway?


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*From Finding Nemo

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The following is a You Tube vignette for consumers to descirbe how the 8k dollar first time home buyer tax credit works, and who qualifies. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly.

3 Ways to Market Yourself like Apple's Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc., is a master when it comes to branding and marketing. Here are three marketing tips from Jobs that can be applied to your real estate business.

1. Image, image, image

Image might not be everything, but don’t kid yourself, it’s a huge part of what makes a person successful vs. not! When I took over my office, I did so at the age of 32. It was a long established, traditional office in an affluent area. I knew no one. Now this may sound silly, but in the first 12 months I wore a French cuff shirt with a suit and tie all but two days. Why? Because the image a person projects means something.

Your office or company might have a different culture. Regardless, match the culture that you want to personify and never waiver! So whether it’s a black turtleneck like Jobs, or a French cuff shirt like me, be the image you want to create and the one your vision demands—because if you don’t, you're cheating yourself out of something so easily accomplished.

2. It’s all in the presentation

Every six months Steve Jobs has traditionally done a much hyped presentation about a product release. Fans and reporters come from everywhere to watch and report Apple’s newest technological mass media sensation. Why? Theatrics and a well planned event always make an impression.

My thing, for a while now, is making presentations. For me, a well-designed presentation is a dynamic way to get my point across.

Why do I really do it? I like being in my element, which for me is up in front of a crowd making a

presentation. But there is an interesting bi-product to these presentations I have given: people expect them, and what’s more they like them. These presentations have helped me recruit agents, enhance the office’s agenda, and made reflections to the bottom line. Now, you have to develop your niche!

3. Be the “now” guy

Steve Jobs does “the now” thing, better than anyone. He sells the concept that he knows people want right now, and what he knows people will pay for right now.

The question is can you sell it too? No matter what you do or who you lead, if you can define yourself as the person who understands “the now”—people will follow. You will be the person the press wants to interview on why things are the way they are. You will be the person that customers flock to and what's more …

You will have shown it, simply by touting a philosophy that you GET IT. And in business, and in leadership, there is nothing more important.

(This blog enrty was written by Darrin Friedman, but was originally published on the Nar's YPN Lounge, for which Darrin is a regular contributor. Darrin is also a 3 time featured blogger for ActiveRain.)