The semantics are fluid . . .
Ask any gaggle of people whose profession is “in sales” what they do for a living, and you’ll hear a veritable smorgasbord of responses.
So which is it?
In my industry, I tend to use the blanket term “Real Estate Sales Professional” which I think is plenty descriptive and offers a measure of respect and honor for the hardworking, ethical members of our profession.
Other titles out there?
Affiliate Broker
Sales Associate
Real Estate Consultant
Trusted Real Estate Adviser
Real Estate Advocate
Real Estate Broker
Real Estate Specialist
Exclusive Real Estate Buyer Agent
and the list goes on.
Then we have designations
GRI
CRS
CRB
ABR
ALC
CIPS
CPM
CRE
SRES
AHWD
BPOR
e-PRO
RSPS
SFR
and others . . .
Some of these elite professionals are also members of coaching groups:
“CORE”
“NINJA”
“SWEATHOGS”
“BOLD”
“IGNITE”
“BY REFERRAL ONLY”
and others . . .
All of the above can sometimes make for a very entertaining (and BUSY) business card and signature block which can befuddle just about anyone.
When I was in the army, I earned MANY medals during my 12 years of service. If I were to wear them all on my Class A uniform, my chest would have been very sparkly and colorful. I seldom wore my full set of “decorations” because I only wanted to wear the few that meant the most to me.
The big AHA that strikes me more than anything is that what we call ourselves professionally has very little (if anything) to do with our success.
The 80/20 Principle always applies.
Without question, everyone who has earned designations and participated in coaching programs deserves accolades for commitment to self-improvement and learning so as to increase professional effectiveness and efficiency.
What MATTERS, though, is:
What we DO!
How we behave!
Our demonstration of sound ethics.
Our generosity
Our Faith
Our caring Spirit!
Our cooperation with our peers
Our Integrity
Our commitment to a well defined purpose
Our loyalty
and more . . .
The number of years in the business, the number of transactions closed, the number of letters (designations) on the business card, the well-polished scripts and dialogues carefully crafted to “handle objections” . . . NONE of those mean anything to the prospect who needs Guidance and Leadership through an unfamiliar process.
Meet them where they are, serve them well, and they’ll reward your authenticity with enough referrals and endorsements to more than achieve your goals.
I promise.