Why Pick You?

Written by on April 21, 2011 in The Blog - 4 Comments
blog_featuredEspresso2

After watching this video, there’s no doubt I’m going to Intelligentsia for coffee next time I’m in L.A.
They did it right. They found art in their business of making coffee and created a video that’s interesting, educational and inspiring. Read more…

A Night of Innovation

Written by on March 31, 2011 in Popular, The Blog - 3 Comments
A Night of Innovation

Ignite Event - InnovationAlmost 2 years ago I co-created a new group here in Steamboat to help cultivate Steamboat’s innovation economy. At the time we didn’t have a clue where to start or what the group should be about. But, we did have an insight that there was an opportunity to provide a venue for forward-thinkers, entrepreneurs & tech junkies to meet, socialize and hopefully create something meaningful for our community.
Read more…

Smokehouse Presentation – Why Your Website’s Not Working and What to do About It

Written by on October 9, 2008 in Experience, Marketing - No Comments

Hey Everybody,smile_64x64

Thanks for coming today! It was really a pleasure getting to present and interact with you. As promised here are the slides & links to resources that can help you improve your web presence.

Slides – PDF Format

Slides – Flash Slideshow (Broadband helps)

Online Resources

Blogging – WordPress

Online Meetings – DimDim

Auto Dealer Demo

Outdoor Company Social Network Demo

Flickr Demo Software

Feel free to subscribe to this blog. You can subscribe in a reader by clicking the big orange square at the top of the page. If you’re not sure what that mean watch this short video. You can also subscribe by email in the box to the right.

And hey, if you have any questions give me a call 870-0467.

Here’s a few posts from this blog you might like:

Video of the Week – Prime the Pump

I’m a Great Lover

5.5 Questions to Ask Your Web Designer

All Alone

Written by on July 24, 2008 in Experience, Marketing, Photography, Steamboat Springs - 1 Comment

All Alone

Hahns Peak & Steamboat Lake

Every Picture Tells A Story Baby! Well… some do.

Written by on April 7, 2008 in Experience, Marketing, Real Estate, Steamboat Springs - No Comments

It turns out that many brokers have things a bit backwards when it comes to marketing properties. At a recent conference I learned that a study of real estate buyers shows that 80+% of buyers prefer great photos over virtual tours (the “spin-around-to-see-the-room’ kind) and 80+% of brokers prefer virtual tours. A bit backwards wouldn’t you say?

So in reorienting some to the reality of what buyers want, great photography is something that brokers should require of themselves as a minimum. I’ll try to illustrate some differences between really good pictures and the uninspired, drive-by point & shoot photos we see way too often.

I was recently on a trip and took a picture of some super colorful shops. Online, someone else had posted the same shot but with very different results. Take a look & imagine yourself in the market. Pay attention to how these photos make you feel.

This first version was taken by someone else with a simple point & shoot.

Point & Shoot Photo
Click for Larger

I took this picture with serious camera gear and an inspiration to get a great photo:

Pro Gear Photo
Click for Larger

Big difference. Or how about this photo of a ranch:

Boring Ranch Photo
Click for larger

Compared to this one I took last fall:

Spectacular Ranch!
Click for larger

Which one would interest you?

Photos are such an important asset for real estate agents and here in Steamboat there’s almost no excuse in having crappy pictures. Hire a great photographer and smile when you pay them knowing that you have awesome photos that tell a story and sell property much more effectively. Great photos will pop on the MLS and can be leveraged in many ways.

Kim Keith is an excellent local photography resource. She’s a real pro and puts art into her photos. What this means to you is you’re likely to get photos that evoke emotion. More emotions equals more sales at higher prices.

Kim Keith Photography
Studio K
2550 S. Copper Ridge Rd, suite #204
Steamboat Springs, CO 80477
(970) 846-3680
kim@steamboatgallery.com

Video of the Week – Memorable

Written by on April 2, 2008 in Experience, Real Estate, Video of the Week - No Comments

Following up on the last post, the only clips included here are either exceptional plays or huge screw ups. Those are the things we remember.

The Most Memorable College Football Plays of All Time
YouTube Preview Image

Click here if you can’t see the video. 

Memorable

Written by on April 2, 2008 in Create Value, Experience, Marketing, Real Estate, Steamboat Springs - No Comments

I mostly remember either the stuff that was really exceptional or the stuff that was really bad. I remember stuff like Dan from back in 1988, the exceptional Nordstrom sales guy, who mailed me birthday cards. I remember the awful boat rental shop in Lake Powell called “Do Powell” from back in 2003. However, I can’t tell you the name of the title exec that helped us close on a property just a few months ago. She didn’t do anything wrong and didn’t do anything exceptional either.

With so many brokers concerned about referrals are you memorable enough?

There is so much average stuff in the middle there’s not enough room to remember it all. I suppose it’s a bit like this graph with the painful experiences being a little more memorable:

Memorable
Click for larger

If you do everything right & meet expectations, you’re average.

So many Steamboat Springs brokers are concerned with referrals but I wonder if they’re really doing the stuff that’s memorable. Are you memorable enough? 3 years from now will your clients remember the exceptional experience they had with you. 3 years from now what will your clients say? Will they say you were average? If you’re truly average, I doubt they’ll remember anything at all. And in today’s world truly average is actually a pretty high bar.

If you do everything right & meet expectations, you’re average. It’s only when you exceed expectations or really screw things up do you become memorable. Going with the flow, blending in, doing what everyone else does feels safe but we won’t remember you come referral time.

Buying & selling a home is such a life changing experience for your clients the goal should be to make it THE most memorable experience of their lives so there is no way they could forget you.

Love My Kids

Written by on March 12, 2008 in Create Value, Experience - No Comments

I had a family dinner at Rex’s recently and because we have a daughter a key factor in our decision to eat at Rex’s was the fact that they have cool little coloring kits for kids. Princess kits for girls & train kits for boys (I think – we only have a girl).

Happy Kids
(Not my kids)

Just as we expected, we had a great dinner and our daughter wasn’t fidgeting or dumping salt all over the table. So the question is, what kid friendly stuff do you have to occupy kids when you’re clients bring them along? It might be a good idea to have a “kid kit” in the trunk with an assortment of activities for boys and girls.

Love my kids and I’ll love you forever.

Winter Photo – Guess Where?

Written by on February 20, 2008 in Experience, Marketing, Steamboat Springs - No Comments

The conditions for photos were pretty amazing last Saturday morning. I took a few around Steamboat & uploaded them to our Flickr account. Here’s one that makes a fantastic desktop for your computer (click photo to download):
No shoveling required
Can you guess where this is?

See the rest on our Flickr account
FlickrLogo

Video of the Week – New Year, New Outlook

Written by on December 30, 2007 in Experience, Video, Video of the Week - No Comments

This is one of my favorite videos. Starting off a new year always brings the thought of a fresh perspective. This video is sure to help you see things in a different light. Happy New Year!

This video is from Michael Bungay Stanier

Get the Flash Player to see this content.

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