Surveying Scottsdale and the greater valley beyond, I was struck by the absolute lack of desperation in the vista. I don't know exactly what I was expecting, but the serenity of the open desert, whose tide washed through the sea of rooftops, wasn't it. I was braced for a visual manifestation of sorts of the turmoil which I knew swirled inside all of those stucco walls.
A fortuitous set of circumstances allowed for the diversion in an otherwise wall to wall day. Ostensibly at the vacant home that my client has under contract to ensure that no additional components magically walked off in the past week, I would have taken the detour just for the brief glimpse of perspective that it offered. Funny, but from way up the hill, a fettered existence looks much the same as an unfettered one.
The majestic saguaro knows nothing of short sales. The mountains, which take on a violet hue as the sun fades into the western sky, know nothing of foreclosure.
The life cycle of a Realtor is an interesting one. Much like the tectonic shifts that gave rise to these mountains eons ago, some agents will burst into their careers forcefully and gradually settle into their respective niches. Once a certain magnitude is reached, they tend to stay the course as the denizens of the valley below occupy themselves with seemingly lesser pursuits. Once they've arrived, they forget to keep arriving.
Other agents tend to more closely resemble the tumbleweeds that I don't see on this particular afternoon. As cliche to the West's Most Western Town as they are to our industry, the tumbleweed tends to flitter about with no discernible course. Bouncing from gimmick to gimmick or brokerage to brokerage, such an agent is a restless kind of soul whose creative heart and crooked spine are always at odds: the inability to follow through on the conceptual bursts of genius a constant saboteur.
Most of us fall somewhere in between.
This is a time of both unprecedented opportunity and danger. We are all making daily decisions as to which courses should be stayed and which abandoned for a more worthwhile approach. Every single choice feels fraught with consequence. Stick it out with the same business model or look to reinvent yourself as some newfangled specialist of sorts? Maintain an affiliation with the same brokerage that has served you well over the years or cut cost by moving to a more streamlined virtual operation? Get back to basics or blaze new trails? Original Kraft Mac & Cheese in the box or the kind that comes in a pouch?
I've always been a basic box kind of guy. Do the job right and cultivate genuine relationships that promote career longevity and peace of mind. This nuts and bolts approach has served me well over my first decade in the business, and I am wont to dance with the girl I brought. I've always preferred proven effectiveness over the all too often unsubstantiated flash of the next great thing.
Show me the numbers, not the infomercial.
And yet, this is not the time for mountains. As strong and sturdy in appearance on this day as any before it, there exists an undercurrent that threatens to erode the rocky foundations while all eyes remain focused on the pinnacles. A flash flood is coming to our industry. It's best not to remain sedentary.
Forced to look further around the bend than ever before, I will not be a casualty of this market. Too many are in pure survival mode at present and are forgoing the tools they will need to survive the future. They are focused only on the next sale. Not me, partner. Not me.
I blog, I Twitter, I Facebook, I Link-In ... I create verbs out of thin air.
As a newly cast tumbleweed in this virtual desert oasis, however, I have tried to be judicious as to where I invest my resources. There is always opportunity amidst chaos, as evidenced by the housing bargains to be had at present, and that truth extends to charlatans. Credit repair, loan modification services, foreclosure prevention specialists ... the general public has its fair share of snake oil salesmen of whom to be wary. We agents are likewise deluged with upstarts who would put us at the top of the search engines, guarantee "x" amount of closed monthly leads or turn us into overnight short sale or REO specialists. All for a modest fee, of course.
With a skeptical hand over my wallet, I take each new come-on with a Costco sized grain of molecularly engineered salt. Thus, when the notion of paying for a product that I already utilized for free originally came down the pike via our good friends at ActiveRain, I couldn't understand the benefit. Post after post from bloggers touting its genius failed to make a dent in my dubiosity (I invent nouns now, too).
Until I spoke with Brad Andersohn this morning, that was. After Brad walked me through a few simple benefits including the vastly improved link structure, I spent the morning tweaking my very own individual blog. There are no guarantees of increased success, but I believe my business horse has been led just a little closer to water. That's all I really ask. I'm confident in my ability to make it drink.
I will always invest in me.
So without further ado, I give you ScottsdaleHousePeddler.com.
Because you can't pack too many canteens when you live in the desert.
Your source for Scottsdale Real Estate since the dawn of time ... or thereabouts.
Launch your Scottsdale Home Search now!
Paul I absolutely would have done an AR outside blog if I hadn't paid Dakno money to design one for me in December. AR is a good thing, but my outside blog gets me much higher than AR does. You won't regret it.
Just be prepared that as your blog climbs the rankings, the spam comments are just insane...
Active rain and all other blogs are just a way for me to drive people to my website and landing pages. It increases my traffic
I resent you labeling my comments "spam," Melina.
Russ - Frankly, that was my initial intention, but I actually derive more direct consumer contact through my blog than my site. My blog also outranks my site. If I had IDX on my blog, I wouldn't even keep my page.
Don't miss the trees for the forest in other words? You're right on...our business still has to grow and we owe it to ourselves to investigate new opportunities. I'm still holding out on Growth/Market Leader though. Been there, done that!
Paul - What an eloquent post. And, as for the AR Blog - You are so right, "Because you can't pack too many canteens when you live in the desert."
Have an excellent week!
Marlene
Colleen - This is just the tip of the iceberg, too. To those who simply want a web designer or similarly charged tech geek to do all of the work for them, I think they may be missing the boat. The internet is not just a new tool, it is a completely new methodology that will constantly change in terms of products and avenues. Better to start learning now and remain at the forefront. Playing catch up when all of this stuff is mainstream will be too late.
Marlene - Thanks for visiting. You have yourself an excellent week as well.
Okay Viagra Boy I take it back. &**()(JKNJH*(&()*_)IQ#$UE()@U$(OHFOKDSN to you to...
By the way, I just won the Netherlands lotto according to a recent email. Sayonara, suckers!
I thought you were telling us it was time to start seeing other people. I was prepared to remind you that you are other people.
I'm other people and their crazy aunt Gertrude, Amanda.
I was a bit skeptical too at first. Then after reading a few posts, I decided that the benefits seemed tangible and the risk was fairly low. Lord knows I've parted with $19 much faster and with much less to show for it. What I neglected to read was how easy it was to setup your OB through AR. Instead, I went to godaddy, bought a domain name and then registered it through AR. I think I'm on day 7 of limbo now. Just sitting here in the dark waiting for someone to flip the right switch so that I too can bring my OB to light. For added fun, posts keep popping up extolling the virtues of that which is apparently beyond my reach. So, thanks and good luck. I really mean it. Seriously.
That sounds maddening, Erik. Fortunately for me, I had already purchased the domain for the previous version of the outside blog (I ,too, did it via Godaddy back then), so I didn't have to share your limbo experience. The link structuring is awesome. It might take some time, but I expect it will outrank my general AR blog within a few months.
Erik: Being in limbo is no fun. I flipped some switches and your Outside Blog is working now. You shouldn't suffer in silence — bug Brad, Bob, or Jeremy until you get an answer!
Thank you, I am trying to get mentally get where you are. And I won the Netherlands lotto.
Jorgen - I have a squeaky set of rear brakes ...
I land into Active Rain with high hopes that my website will be read and seen by lots of people @ http://www.howtoslimdown.net/. I also want to meet lots of people here. I hope I really do. Have fun everyone
Lisa - Anyone who has been around here for awhile will tell you that getting to where I am mentally may not be the wisest of tacts ;)
Paul - I see you took the "long way home" on this post (I'm sure you appreciate the Supertramp reference). I also expect great things from the new AR outside blog - cool options and easy to edit stuff there!
Uh ... Cindy ... You set up a profile on a Real Estate network to pimp a weight loss website? Sure, why not? There was a guy who used to write about mobile carwash franchising, so knock your fat-fighting self out. Have fun storming the castle.
Jason - Indeed. This offering didn't just wind on down the road, but it went over the hills and far away. Open keyboard, start typing until out of words. Check.
Interesting. I may have to try an outside blog, but I do not want to stretch myself too thin with all the blogging and social media sites. I limit myself to an hour a day for these activities.
Outside blog is on my agenda. . great post
Yours is the first branded Outside Blog I have seen.
I have been working on my old posts and adding them as I add more tags. The horse can made to drink when we find water.
Oh so eloquent...can I hire you to write my outside blogs? I feel like I'm climbing the stairway to Heaven...
Paul - How is your blog doing in google rankings? Bob has been pushing me to get going on this and it has been on my "to do list" for a couple of weeks now. After reading your post moving it higher on my list.
Slaybaugh - You're on a roll man. Looks good. Now if you can just work on that vocabulary or yours;)
Genius Paul. Your words flow so smoothly. I don't think it matters what you say but you do say a lot here. Wishing you continued success.
Well Paul, I guess I'm going to have to get busy. I barely know how to blog on AR but I know I need to keep learning and growing so thanks for the inspiration.
Paul...growing up in Peoria...this blog gave me a detailed picture of home. :) I am like you in that I just started my outside blog also. I have seen it work once so far when someone googled me and found my blog then clicked on my website link. I do think I will see more results the more I blog. Thanks for the good post
Thanks for this post. It has inspired me to GOMA..get off my apples. Need to correct my outside blog and do some linking and a bunch of other things. It seems that it will be worth it. Keep the faith and stay the course.
Paul, hope it works for ya. Let us know the results :)
btw: i didnt' include that invented noun. sorry.
Paul...
If you were to quit creating those damn verbs I wouldn't need word web to know what you just said :)
Sorry. How could I have resisted it? You teed it up nice and pretty. I love pretty :)
TLW...ROAR!
Oh and if it's any consolation...
I'm having the same trouble with a Pat Conroy book I'm reading. Must be that whole Blond thing I have happening :)
TLW...ROAR!
Paul...I enjoyed reading this great post. I've had my outside blog for about a month now....waiting for the horse to drink....
Paul - nice writing... very creative writing! I like.
Paul, nice job on the outside blog. Would love to follow your progress on how it works for you moving forward. And as always...you do have a way with words. :)
Very creative writing and great job with your blog. You are right on that we cannot forsake our future in our industry for the "next big thing."
Paul, I worked on mine yesterday, but it certainly does not look as good as yours. (YET). I will be asking the talented Mr. Andersohn for some of his magic.
Great job, and best of luck.
"I always invest in me".
I always agree with this statement. It is a long term investment, but it is one that I will always make over any other. :)
I will always invest in me.
Hey Paul,
That's always a good strategy! You have tons of content so I'm expecting Google will quickly recognize your new digs. :)
We spoke?? :-O
I Better go see what you did...
I Love the new ActiveBlog Paul, and especially the domain name.
ScottsdaleHousePeddler
continue to invest in you my friend!!!
Looks good. I need to work on my outside blog a little more.
words...too...BIG...*gasp* brain can't take it...need dictionary...
You are one sharp and very funny mo-jama. I loves my outside blog too and glad to be in such articulate company! Oh, and in our family it's "Aunt Ethel"...NO Kidding!
Like the word inventions...and the canteen advice...and the domain name! Great post, Lisa
Paul,
I simply agree with your prose and I too have a paid Outside Active Rain Blog. I can't imagine not trying to find the $19/month for it.
Paul, I enjoyed your post - you have a nice, creative writing style. I usually don't actually read longer posts like this one. I tend to move to the next and shorter post.
Wow, that was a pretty deep post for my lunch break reading! You definitely have some fun with it!
Best of luck with your blog!
Wonderful, as always!
I had to hear about this from the neighbors? You never call...tsk.
I finally dug in and purchased the upgraded blog today as well...if I'm telling my clients to do it, I figure I had better practice what I preach, right? LOL I already owned the domain name, so I just went in and changed my nameservers over to the AR servers...and now we wait. According to the whois, they are already changed...so now I'm just waiting for it to all work so that I don't get the dreaded 404 error when I type it in. For those interested, it WILL be at www.The10HourVA.com - but UNTIL THEN, you can see it at http://the10hourva.activerain.com.
Jorgen - if there's a wonderful little switch that you could flip for me too, that would be fabulous!!!
Hi Paul. I like the url. Not too far off the wall. I didn't make my trip to the valley of the sun this year. I'm confident that you will endeavor to persevere and next February we'll discuss real estate over coffee.
Paul - this post is probably the most eloquent post I have read here on AR. Gorgeous literary work of art. But, I'm wondering what other little tricks you learned in your conversation that you can share with the rest of us? What did Brad say? Congrats on a well deserved feature!
Paul,
Great minds must think alike because I did the exact same thing today.
www.OparkBlog.com
Paul - Way to go!! I see you got your "Brad Brainwash".....welcome to the club!! "The OB Club"
AHHHHH I knew you would break down and do it:)
Hi Paul and Congratulations on the feature. Most deserving. I can't help but reflect from the descriptions you have used in this article and how much you have grown over the many months of our friendship. Your language, choice of words and style have matured beyond your years. You are very much the writer and with a flare that is exceptional. I hope your new blog site pays so many dividends and that success is reaped on you in bountiful measure. Well done and so well said.
I'm hoping that I was a teensy weensy bit responsible for this? Would love to be able to say I gave back to the Rain Gods!
Here's to great success with your upgraded outside blog! Cheers!
Wow Paul, you're so poetic and eloquent today! If it wasn't for my kids bickering in the background, I would have read it a second time, just for fun! The desert we live in is beautiful though isn't it! Congrats on the new outside blog too! I'm still trying to get a hang of my AR blog :)
I'm hopelessly buried under another comment avalanche again. Just sticking a straw through the verbal snowpack to sneak a breath or two and hope the rescuers key in on my location. I am completely whelmed and very nearly overly so. Not even going to try to be a hero here. Can't ... keep ... up. No mas! No mas!
Thanks to all for stopping in with a thought and a kindness. I promise to be a better host next time. Scout's honor.
Love the title of your new outside blog! Suits you!
It is wonderful to read a well written blog that flows like a novel. Were you an English major. thanks for the small fire you have lit. I will get the upgrade mania!
Paul - Way to go and jump in. You won't regret it. I'm sure. Wonderful writing and best of luck with it.
Out of water - must have water - mouth too dry too speak. Scrawling into sand... Congratulations and best of luck! Will be joining you in your beautifully painted sunset soon. After I find my canteen of course!
Love the look! very clean and web 2.0! I am sure you will love it Scott! Good luck with your new Outside Blog, Scottsdale is ready for you!
Paul, I admire your eloquence and being such a rookie in the social-media world I was unable to discover your linkedin or facebook links, let alone twitter on your inside or outside blogs, duh, where should I have looked? Great encouragement for us oldsters that are having a hard time catching on and keeping up too, thanks.
I only signed on to make one comment today...HERE...I just might be on my way to the ER after this...but I have to tell you THANK YOU for transporting me to the desert view with your ever so arid humor and ancestral perspective...it's just so nice, for a moment, to hear something meaningful, soulful---even intelligent (after this day)...Glad to have another great neighbor in the Outside Blog World, too! What a cool look...everyone's gonna want to hang out in this hood...I just know it. NICE!
It's already a success I'm sure. When you know your calling, it's hard not to do it well. Elegant writing . . . thanks for sharing!
Great post, Paul. Based on the comments, I'm sure your outside blog will rock!