I just finished watching the Miss America Pageant with my wife on TLC. She enjoys watching the pageant every year. You know, the big hair, cheesy questions and who could ever pass over the unforgettable evening gowns! I myself haven't been the craziest about the pageant, but it is something I can enjoy with my wife.
Last year, the Miss America foundation realized that the pageant was losing popularity annually. The committee knew they needed a major overhaul of a pageant that was over 80 years old. The things that appealed to the public back then were no longer popular. So, in 2008 the big hair, big dresses and long drawn out pageant disappeared. It was refreshed with a new hip, fast paced, sex appealed evening which would revolutionize the show. After watching the pageant this evening, I feel they hit a home run on the changes. The show moved along quickly and kept your attention from beginning to end.
As real estate agents, maybe we could learn a few things from Miss America. The ways that used to work over the past 10 years of doing real estate is not as effective now. Here are a few things I have learned over the past year to help increase my business.
- Increase your picture count! I wrote a post yesterday about how listings with more than 21 photos receive so much more attention from consumers.
- Increase online marketing while decreasing your print ads. The stats don't lie! More than 75% of all buyers search online before even contacting a real estate agent.
- Join the Real Estate 2.0 Revolution. Blogs and social networking is the way of effectively marketing towards the future. Sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Activerain are growing daily with the amount of members and readers. These are all great networks to increase your online exposure quickly and inexpensively.
As a buyer or seller, make sure to ask your real estate agent if they are doing these three simple things to help increase their business. If not, enjoy the big hair, puffy dresses and cheesy talent round just like Miss America of 20 years ago.
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Jeremy,
I feel very confident that your wife held you down and made you watch Miss America....just kidding....your post is so on the money....I spend so much time selling homes that are not finished and can't take photos of anything except construction that I become frustrated......
Excellent analogy, Jeremy. Newspaper ads aren't worth much these days, and cold calling can be a problem with the no call list. Folks really do like to look on the web for things.
Great post! I like the big hair analogy.
This was great Jeremy! Yes, times are 'a changing...I'm doing my best to keep up with all of the socializing it takes now...whew! It sure is fun to work now, isn't it? Found this post on Twitter:)
Hi Jeremy! Changes are needed in almost everything these days and the internet is becoming more and more an absolute must. Interesting post about the picture count, good point.
Now for "the show kept your attention", could it have not been those beautiful girls in their "new outfits" this year, along with Mario Lopez.
Good post and thank you for the tips. They were helpful.
Dona- how did you know about mario LOL
Hi Jeremy,
Good advice. Some of what I do is the same as 20 years ago, yet other stuff is 180 degrees different. BTW, I'm with Dona on Mario, what a cutie!
Hi again Jeremy - I just wanted you to know that I wrote a post based on or at least inspired by yours, and I linked my post to yours. I hope you get some more traffic from it - it's a great analogy.
I think so much has changed in the last several years with the advent of the internet and all that it has opened up to us. I know I no longer look in the yellow pages and in fact toss them when they come in because they take up too much space.
Featured in the Group "Square Pegs!"
You have my vote!
great tips and advice! never much thought of "learning" anything from Miss America - thanks for the analogy
Yes sir! I did not see it, but I love the tie in to real estate. ~GBU~
I've received more leads in 4 months of social networking than I have in a year of post cards and flyers! MY stats must be similar to the national stats. Who knows, maybe one day print will win again, but I highly doubt it.
... is it OK if I develop my Real Estate 2.0 presence AND wear big hair ?!?!?!?
Nice points Jeremey ! ... and good analogy ... and good for Miss America for getting a long overdue makeover !
Cheers !
Sheldon
Good points Jeremy. I will definitely use them. Thanks for the post.
Another great post Jeremy. And you know I might have watched the other night if I'd known there was not going to be big hair and puffy dresses.
Jeremy isn't it nice to know that most of the Internet is also free for the most part.
Jeremy-I missed it...but I'll go back and watch it...even as outodated or corny...I like it..and I like them all the pageants that is! You are a good man for sitting with the Mrs and watching it...my husband watches gossip girl with me. :) Congrats your post was selected a Bloggers Choice Selection Award Winner!
Good analogy. It sounds like I would of liked the pagent this year as well.
Jeremy!
I loved reading this one! I see why you were selected by Bloggers Choice!
Congrats!
Passion Rules!
Tom
www.yourcoach.com
Jeremy, WOW what a great analogy, I really liked it.
and.............. I would like to see Sheldon with BIG Hair! (LOL)