How can watching a TV program make you a more successful real estate agent? There is one reality show on right now that exemplifies referral marketing like no other. I am talking about Survivor. This year the producers of Survivor decided to create two teams: one comprised of fans of the show (think of them as clients) and one comprised of favorites of past shows (think of them as agents). In almost every interaction the two teams have, the fans defer to the favorites. They look to the favorites with an almost rock star adulation. Why is this? Because the favorites’ perceived level of expertise is high in the fans eyes simply because the favorites have been on the show before. That’s it really. By virtue of their (limited) previous experience they are considered experts in this game.
Here is the interesting part: there is no real difference between these two groups of people. The favorites have some experience but they are not professional Survivors. They have never seen this local or these particular challenges, so their only real experience is in creating strategy (which, for most of them, was wrong at least once more than it was right!) The reason the fans defer so readily to the favorites is a perfect example of how people react to those that they perceive as having expertise. The goal of all referral marketing is to increase your perceived level of expertise in front of your clients. If they are already fans of yours (whether from watching you on TV or reading you on a blog) your job just got that much easier.
Blogging is all about creating your community and running for mayor. The goal is an endless stream of referrals. I do not know who will ultimately win this season of Survivor. But I already know who owns the high ground. If this game were about referrals, it would be all over but the crying. Your tribe is speaking…
Filed under: LIFE THAT POPs, MARKETING, REALTORS , blogging, Mayoral Marketing, Success
Very interesting, still a lot to learn about Blogging…
Thanks for your Presentation!
Christine,
Your are so welcome. The real reward for me, of course, is seeing you out here getting your feet wet in the blogosphere. Have fun with it!