Tom Ferry 1 on 1 with Tech Savvy Agent: Life By Design
I had the chance recently to “sit down” with Tom Ferry to discuss social media, technology and his new book Life By Design. Tom and I covered a number of topics in our interview including how he has seen technology really evolve over the last few years, how that affects his coaching and what he sees the most successful agents doing to adapt. What I really took away from our chat was that while technology and platforms like Facebook and Twitter are important, it really still is a people business and what these platforms do are give you the opportunity to have more meaningful conversations than ever before. Bottom line is if the majority of the country is on Facebook everyday, that means you need to be there as well to listen to what they have to say and then engage in conversations with them. Notice how I didn’t say you need to be there to talk?
Social media has a certain etiquette and pumping listings and self promotion through your personal profile, as Tom pointed out, isn’t part of the Facebook culture. Tom mentioned several examples in our talk of agents doing things the right way both on their websites and with their Facebook Pages (that’s why Facebook has Pages btw for business). One of the keys is making your website about the consumer finding critical information quickly and not about your listings, areas you serve, about you, etc… This also is the case in the social media world. Realtors have for the longest time been known for shameless self promoting tactics and they are being exposed as NOT WORKING with today’s social media savvy consumers. I promise a picture of you with your cell phone by your ear or walking your cute little dog is no longer going to cut it.
As for the new book, Life By Design, it is selling off the shelfs and for good reason. I won’t get into a full book review, but the point that Tom wanted to really drive home is that it is “the addiction to the opinions of other people” that really holds us back, not lack of tech knowledge. Are you not blogging because you don’t have time or you are worried no one will read it? Scarier yet, what if no one comments or leaves a negative comment? Are you not leveraging video because you can’t figure out the camera or is it because you are worried what others will think when they watch it? At the end of the day, if we can break free from the fear of what other people think about us, we will find that life will become more enjoyable. A Life By Design!
Below are the websites and Facebook Page we covered in the interview and a link to check out Tom’s new book.
Tom Ferry Life By Design
The Gellens Team
Christophee Choo
Bixby Knolls TV
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Great interview, Tom Ferry is such a great speaker. I am ordering his book TODAY! Thanks for the inspiration to keep on going!
I loved the phrase “addiction to the opinions of other people.” I think Tom hit the nail on the head here when he used that phrase to describe what stops us from achieving greater, more imaginative things in our lives. Being afraid to step “out of the box” or “color outside the lines” means that we are following rather than leading. Fulfilling our potential requires us to stretch past our comfort zone and embrace the fear that comes with that. Facing and conquering a fear of something is the key to mastering it and supports a confident attitude going forth that: We can “Achieve What We Perceive!”
“Acknowledge what’s stopping you and get out there and kick ASS!” lol
That’s the best line I’ve heard all year second to . . .STOP being addicted to the opinions of other people.
Definitely
Wow, what a great article! Being worried about the opinions of others is precisely what’s stopping me from delving into video. I have a killer idea but fear of looking ridiculous is blocking me from moving forward. That and not knowing which HD camera to buy! (Any recommendations anyone?)