There’s so many stories in real estate: single moms who are providing for their families, people digging deep into their zip codes and become the go-to experts in their area, and those who have grown their businesses from nothing.

 

Sharing your story means that you’re disrupting the norm: you’re not just posting photos of “3BR, 2BA” and talking about neighborhoods and proximity to schools. You’re real, and you’re sharing that story with others. You’ve disrupted the norm.

 

When you start disrupting the norm, people start talking.

 

They talk to you, and they talk about you. You’re going to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue!

 

Whether it’s a strategy like tossing your business cards on the floor of every room in open houses, or showing off a full sleeve of arm tattoos, or creating social media content and freely sharing with others, you’re getting attention, and lots of it.

 

Disrupting the norm means that people are going to talk to you and share their perspective on what you’re doing.

 

But should you listen? Should you take their words to heart?

 

Sure! You can listen.

 

But do you need to implement their suggestions? No!

 

At the end of the day, ask yourself this: are you sticking to your core values that you have created for yourself and your business? And are you happy with the life that you have created?

 

If you can answer YES to both of these questions, and you’re seeing success in your business, then stick to what you’re doing.

People will always question what you do: and you should be prepared for that.

 

That’s what happens when you disrupt the norm, and share your story.

 

Are you ready to tell your story and get more leads from being yourself? Andy Dane Carter is here on this episode of #REalAdvice to help inspire you to be yourself, and focus on serving your clients and leads instead.

 

Guest Introduction:

This episode’s guest on the #REalAdvice podcast is Andy Dane Carter. He dove into the working world at the age of 12, because he wanted to buy a wetsuit so that he could go surfing with his friends. He quickly discovered the thrill of achievement, and excelled in every business venture that he touched, from scooping ice cream to working with real estate investors.

 

Highlights of this episode:

• Jonathan introduces Andy and his business.
• Are you just starting out with storytelling on social media? Then try using Facebook or Instagram stories! This will help you experience a shift in your brand and what you are presenting.
• By using stories, you’re not showing the fancy shots of yourself in front of a house for sale: you’re showing real life.
• Don’t be afraid to be a local expert: dig deep into your Zip code!
• You don’t need an ad to sell a house. Brand yourself, become the expert in your area, build trust, and share your core values.
• National Association stated last year that 96 percent of agents did not follow up with a client after closing. However any person who has bought a house, on average, should be generating 5.7 referrals. If you simply followed up, and built those relationships, imagine what that could do to your business? Be old school; pick up the phone, and call them!
• If you’re using social media, make sure that you are engaging in the conversation. Don’t just use an emoji to respond to people, actually dig in and comment and build that relationship.
• Andy’s entrepreneurial journey started when he started working to save money for a wetsuit, so that he could go surfing with his friends. He started out poor, and worked hard to build the life that he wanted.
• Be real with clients! Andy would tell them that one deal wasn’t going to make or break his business: his only purpose was to be there to help them get the best deal that they could for selling their house. His focus was on providing the absolute best value.
• We talk about building boundaries in business. What is the point in building a life that you love, if all that you do is work? Using the do not disturb function for your phone, or taking a day completely off means that you get that free time with friends and family, and get to enjoy the life that you love. As Andy says, unless he’s losing a million dollars a second, he’s not going to be reachable on his time off!
• Everyday is a choice: you can choose if your clients are going to run your life. Set expectations and boundaries, and they WILL be respected!
• Audit your circle, and make sure that the people who surround you are the right kind of people. You only have a limited amount of time and energy: make it count!
• Self-awareness is so important. You have to know what is going to make you happy, and comfortable in your own skin. Often, we change ourselves and how we present ourselves out of fear of what others would think, and the truth is, their opinion doesn’t really even matter!
• “Anytime there is a disrupt in your norm all the people that are around you were gonna freak out not because they don't believe in you because they're afraid for you … But if you latch on to their fears they can be really really really catastrophic to your growth because you care about what they think. Yeah I take their opinion into consideration. I just don't do anything with it.”
• When it comes to continuing a relationship with a buyer, there are many things that you can do after a sale. Check in with them, and ask how things are going. Have a vendor list of local businesses, and share that with them in case they need any services.
• Podcasting is BIG - Andy believes that everyone should have a podcast, and stick with it! Most podcasts don’t make it past episode 11, so don’t give up!

 

Special shout out to Andy Dane Carter for being this episode’s guest for #REalAdvice! You can connect with him here:

• Andy’s website
• Facebook
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

 

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Special thanks to YOU for listening, especially if you made it all the way to the end! It would mean the world to me if you rate, review, and subscribe, and if you find this helpful, please share with your real estate friends. If you have any questions about this episode, send me a DM, or use any of the social media links below to reach me.

 

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