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Do You Believe in Sharing Ideas? Strategies? Even to a Competitor?

Active Rain - The Real Estate Network: Where thousands of agents are able to have their voices heard through today's technology - "blogging". Do you believe in sharing ideas? Even sharing ideas online to your competitors? Ideas that could be used against you, possilby enabling another to steal away a larger share of the real estate market from you? Hmmmm. Why are so many real estate agents sharing their ideas here, online, at Active Rain?

Real Estate Agents are a competitive breed - always on the search to sharpen skills, while keeping a close eye on what their competition (local real estate agents) are doing. But what sets real estate agents apart from many other professions, is their willingness to share key business strategies, even if it means possibly losing market share. I see examples of this more and more everyday, especially now...at a time where the economy has forced some real estate markets to tighten up, where real estate agents are getting discouraged, with thoughts of leaving the real estate profession. Instead of being close lipped or turning our backs against those agents who are in need of encouragement, agents who feel lost in this real estate puzzle...I witness top real estate agents across America, sharing...giving...offering their help & expertise, knowledge & teachings, free e-books, even coaching...to keep our industry going & growing, not wishing any harm to another agent, but freely offering words of wisdom, making weak agents strong again, encouraging positive attitudes & so much more.

Real Estate Agents are Winners! I am proud to be associated with my real estate family, as a licensed agent here in Ohio. When times get tough, hard...don't let yourself get into a "state of quit". Remove the option to fail - keep climbing the ladder, you will find success. If you find yourself overwhelmed...stop the clock! Look around - log in to your active rain real estate family. Answers can be found here, online, that can honestly turn yourself around with a new outlook & fresh ideas. Don't be afraid to blog, share your voice, share your knowledge. Let's work together & have a great 2008!

Posted by Carla Harbert - RE/MAX Pros on 03/08/2008 11:59 PM

Comments (10)

blogging, real estate strategies

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10 Comments on Do You Believe in Sharing Ideas? Strategies? Even to a Competitor?

My first real estate mentor shared the wisdom of the ages with me early on. She stated plainly, 'your only competition is yourself. Don't worry about any one else, just do your best and run your business how you see fit.'

I don't see sharing info as a negative, I see it as a way to raise the bar for all of us and better serve the community.

03/09/2008 12:27 AM

by Laurie Logan-South Central WI Real Estate (RE/MAX Preferred - Broker Manager)

Exactly, I totally agree with you 100% Laurie. Thanks for responding!

03/09/2008 12:46 AM

by Carla Harbert - RE/MAX Pros (www.LorainCountyHomeSales.com)

Carla, When I was 19 years old (3 decades ago), in a very upscale but small restaurant in Montauk, NY (Long Island), I was instructing someone else how to do part of my job since I was overwhelmed at the moment with orders needing to be delivered. The owner/chef later commented on that and said it was only someone very confident in their position who would have done that. I think it is the same for realtors here on AR. We are not giving our businesses away - we are helping others grow their businesses and the profession benefits from qualified practitioners. Good point you brought up. I know Ohio is as challenged as Michigan - or at least close.

03/09/2008 01:16 AM

by Susan Walters (Keller Williams Realty, Ann Arbor, MI)

Great post! I personally don't mind sharing ideas with competitors because usually what ends up happening is they share ideas with me, and it's a win win situation.

03/09/2008 06:14 AM

by Ryan Vivo, Realtor Solano County Gateway Realty (Gateway Realty)

Carla, sharing information with our competitors is raising the bar for our profession. By helping others, in the long run we are helping ourselves. It's also a good feeling to give back. We tend to forget that we were once new in this business.

Great Post!

03/09/2008 10:38 AM

by Michael Setunsky (Michael's Commercial LLC)

Great post, Carla...I think this is EXACTLY why I have become a member in this Active Rain community. Albeit a rookie with Active Rain, I find it a very useful tool in my marketing toolbox.

Thanks!

-=Dan

03/09/2008 10:45 AM

by Dan Grammar, Professional REALTOR® - Tucson Arizona Real Estate (RE/MAX All Executives)

That is what I love about AR. There's tons of advice here! Not just advice but motivational posts, a place we can commiserate sometimes, brag about successes, cry in our beer at failures, and just plain socialize. I love logging on in the morning to see what is going on here.

03/09/2008 10:48 AM

by Erica Ramus - Realty Executives - 570-622-6006

In response about sharing ideas with competitors. I received a great cd from Bill Barrett that shares one tip from over 100 top producers in and around the United States Real Estate Community. Has anyone else reviewed these tips? Perhaps I should put this into a new post?

04/09/2008 03:30 PM

by Carla Harbert - RE/MAX Pros (www.LorainCountyHomeSales.com)

You can succeed together or fail alone. I don't lose business because I shared an idea. I lose business because I didn't go for it.

04/09/2008 05:12 PM

by Peter Wolf (Coldwell Banker)

Well said, Peter. And that is an absolute truth. Thanks for commenting. - Carla

04/17/2008 11:37 AM

by Carla Harbert - RE/MAX Pros (www.LorainCountyHomeSales.com)