After an agent in my old office copied a brochure that I used to make for my listings, I was told that there is nothing new in real estate and that I should be flattered that she wanted to be like me. I wasn't and spent a lot of time and energy on the fact that someone else was benefiting from my work. Since then, I've taken the time and effort to to create an even better brochure.
I called an agent for feedback yesterday and wasn't happy to hear that she loved my brochure and that she would be making hers just like mine in the future.
Should I be flattered? Should I waste time thinking about it?
I was still thinking about it an hour later we (Cas and I) pulled into The Rock Springs Ridge Golf Course to practice at the driving range and it started to rain. We decided to have lunch and wait it out. I was listening to the girls who work there talk about a party for that evening and I was struck by one who said "You just have to Q-TIP"...
What?
Quit Taking It Personally...
Imagine if I didn't take things that other people do and say personally... I would certainly free up a lot of time and energy... I decided right then and there that 2008 would be the year I Q-TIP...
Can you Q-TIP?
Contact Debbie Summers, REALTOR®, ALHS, e-PRO, RE/MAX Central Realty - Lake Mary, Florida. Cell 407-758-1020 or email Debbie@CasAndDebbie.com to list your property for sale or to purchase a home in Seminole County, Lake Mary, Sanford, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Winter Springs, Oviedo, Winter Park, Maitland orApopka.
Copyright © 2008 by Debbie Summers, All Rights Reserved.
My parents bought a fixer-upper in the 60's and revamped EVERYTHING. The new front landscape included a birch tree on the right of the property and numerous plantings across the front. Shortly thereafter the next door neighbors did just about exactly the same thing, though the houses were very different. My mother's response? "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." But I have to agree with Gregg, unless these are agents far outside your immediate area and your brochures will never cross.
Debbie-
Great advice! With agents in my office, we pretty much share things without hesitation. With other agents (competition), we typically aren't so free with our ideas (except for the other organizations that I am in). It's very important for me to think "Q-TIP." When someone has requested a copy of something I'm working on, I usually give it to them but then do exactly what you do--I improve my own creation so that it's much better than the one I gave away. People will copy good ideas in any industry and we just have to get used to it. At least, it keeps us sharp b/c competition makes us improve and not settle for mediocre. Happy New Year! And here's to competition FORCING us to keep honing our ax blades to be sharper than the rest...
Gregg - I didn't know what to say... I wanted to say that you should spend time thinking of something original...
Lisa - You're right, I always strive to be better. Thank you for the encouragement
Sharon - Thank you for taking the time to read and comment on my post. A brochure is one thing... but a en entire website... I can't even imagine.
Karen - Excellent point... Thank you!
Just like Qtips, jello, and drugs, there are "generic versions" of every product. You can't stop them from trying to be like you on the surface. They may get to door, but can they deliver the promise you offer?
As long as YOU satisfy your clients and are succesul, others will copy you. You may loose some business in the short run, but when your stuff falls out of favor and another gimic comes along, it will come back to you. Consistancy is key in this business, not what the other person is doing.
Chad- Excellent analogy... You are 100% correct. Thank you for taking the time to comment.
Margaret - My dad was in the Navy and he also has a term for this... But it is unfit to print! Thank for taking the time to make a comment, I really appreciate it.