G'morning ACREs!

I just posted a blog that I'd love your comments on... I'm expecting a bit of roasting since it's a post about our favorite topic - real estate compensation and the ridiculousness of determining our fee based on the price of the product "sold."

If you have a few minutes to spare, please check it out: https://activerain.com/blogsview/2387406/real-estate-compensation-does-a-full-commission-minus-referral-fee-minus-a-buyer-rebate-equal-a-too-small-payday-it-depends- and share your thoughts!

Oh, and if you meant to sign up for today's SWS teleseminar: "Setting Boundaries, Taking Control" but hadn't gotten around to it yet, there's still time (at least up til 11am Eastern time). Just go here: www.sellwithsoul.com/monkey.

Have a fabulous day... and Mollie... I'll SEE you soon!

Hey ACREs!

I haven't been around here much, but after a conversation with Mollie last week, was inspired to pop my head back in, post something controversial, and then vanish (tomorrow) to the beautiful beaches of Destin. (Yummy).

As I explained to Mollie, one of the reasons I haven't been in these here parts lately is because the tone of some of the conversations I've been following on the Exchange seems to be leaning toward the idea that the primary reason to be a Consultant is so that you can "Stop Working for Free!"

And as appealing as that sounds, it's not my understanding of the intended message of the ACRE philosophy. Oh, sure, I realize that it's a seductive sales pitch (after all, who wants to work for free?), but to my twisted way of thinking, it weakens the integrity of the ACRE philosophy by focusing more on what's "right" for the agent versus what's good for the consumer (which by default, is what's right for the agent).

Mollie's on my mailing list, so when she got this email from me this morning, she asked me to post it here! Enjoy!

Dear SWS'ers,

A few months ago, I got a phone call from a fellow real estate trainer-type who had a wonderful opportunity for me.

Apparently a bunch of trainers were getting together to cross-promote each other's products. If I were to sign up, I would agree to send out a newsletter to my (precious) mailing list recommending the other participants' products. So, say, in November, I'd tell you all about Joe Schmo's FSBO-Gettin' Package, and encourage you to buy it. If you do, I get 25% of your purchase. Then in December, I'd send out another newsletter raving about Jane Schmane's SEO Program and encourage you to buy it. If you do, I get 25% of your purchase. And so on.

By being in the program, I have to agree to do this for every one of the other members of the program, whether or not I actually know anything about their product. Of course, they'll be doing the same for me.

So... I'm supposed to commit to abuse my mailing list and risk losing subscribers to promote products I know nothing about just so I can make a few bucks and help other trainers add to their mailing lists?

I think the ACRE model is perfect for introverts (I call us "Reluctant Prospectors"). Why? Oh, let me count the ways...

1. Introverts can not effectively sell their service or product unless they believe in it. If they sell real estate, they must know what they're doing and feel confident in their skill & expertise. They're not inclined to "fake it til you make it" with their precious clients. We tend to approach our real estate careers with the hearts of advisors, rather than of salespeople.

2. Introverts can (and should) trust their gut. We have good judgment and intuition, and have the natural ability to look at a specific situation and come up with a personalized solution. Isn't that what a consultant is supposed to do instead of charging Big Bucks for a boilerplate solution?

3. Introverts are not typically natural prospectors, especially if we feel our product or service is a commodity. We have a hard time approaching prospects with a canned script or off-the-shelf marketing piece. Offering an alternative business model gives us something unique to offer!

Being an introvert is not the same as being shy, and it's certainly not a criticism. As a successful introvert myself, I get tired of well-meaning extroverts telling me how "If I work at it, I can overcome my introversion," or my favorite, "An introverted salesperson - isn't that an oxymoron?"

A lot of people don't realize they're introverts - they just think there's something wrong with them when they question traditional prospecting techniques or hesitate to venture out of their comfort zones when seeking business.

I'm doing an interview today on BlogTalkRadio on the subject; if you'd like to listen in, here's the link... would love to have the moral support - this is the first time I've been interviewed on the subject!!! It's at 11:30 Eastern Time.

Okay, here goes my first post!

On August 1st, I'm holding a free teleseminar (NO, this is not an infomercial!) on the topic of "Alternative Business Models." Mollie has agreed to be one of my guests, along with ACRE® Margaret Rome. The grand plan is to discuss four different real estate business models, with ACRE® being one, Flat Fee being another, Discount Brokerage and, for lack of a better term, "Luxury Brokerage." (That's not at all what Margaret is going to talk about, but I can't think of an alternative at the moment).

However, I've been warned by a CRS instructor friend that ANY discussion of business modeling, even without using real numbers, among a group of real estate agents is asking for trouble with the anti-trust police. Here's what she said: