I am the broker and owner of Austin Texas Homes, LLC. We currently have about 14 agents licensed with our company, and I have hired a few additional agents recently that are due to start this month and next month. One of these new agents with our company is a member here at ActiveRain and she contacted me because of my profile and blog.
I also wrote a post awhile back which discussed the fact that I was looking for agents. While it didn't generate anything directly, the process of writing it helped me to better clarify my thoughts for an ad that I placed on Yahoo HotJobs. In the ad, which is relatively long and allows links, I referenced this post of mine, which was my first featured post on AR back in August 2007:
View from the broker's desk - what makes a good agent?
I also included this line in the ad:
Please note that "sense of humor" is on my list. Don't contact me if you are missing this gene, because I can virtually guarantee that we won't get along. :-)
Interestingly, almost everyone that has interviewed with me as an agent has mentioned this tidbit.
- One agent told me the "sense of humor" part was the exclusive reason that he came to meet with me.
- One of the guys who came by mentioned that he had read through much of my blog. This, of course, is encouraging to me. If he liked what he saw there, we will likely get along very well.
- Another person mentioned that almost every ad that he saw was dry and boring, but mine stood out to him.
I learned how to make my writing interesting and compelling (and transparent) by blogging here on ActiveRain, so I am thankful for this experience.
If you are interested in seeing the entire ad, here it is:
I hope this is helpful for those of you who are actively involved in recruiting. Thanks!
If you enjoyed this post, why not connect with me elsewhere or subscribe via email?
If you're looking for a home in the Austin area, you can also visit my primary Austin real estate website at www.austintexashomes.com. If you're interested in social media training, visit 210 Consulting. Thanks!
The Active Rain network helps us in SO many ways! I always look at the value of blogging to the public, but as you mentioned, it helped you solidify your thought process and presentation. I am thinking about adjusting my blogging process and this tidbit you shared just might be crucial.
You are also probably one of very few folks posting a want ad that says no resume is ok! Great ad. Not surprised you got good response.
Well I can guarantee if I lived in Austin I would apply with you! There are several Texas AR members whose blogs I have followed and enjoyed and thought about someday working with them. Heck I've already mentioned your name several times when someone was looking for an Austin referral - and I only know you through AR!! (but you've made a great impression!!)
Frankly, AR is what keeps me believing that not all RE agents are secretive, sneaky, phony and suspicious creatures! Some are very helpful and generous with their knowledge and time - and those are the ones I want to work with!!! (and in return they would get my utmost loyalty, hard work FOR them, and positive attitude) I am just not a loner by nature, so I want to find somewhere where I can have guidance and build a relationship of trust, sharing and comraderie, even if that means taking home a smaller piece of the pie.
JASON - Congratulations on your next featured post! I'm predicting it before the gold star appears. Glad to see that the recruiting is going well.
Congrats on the recruiting efforts Jason. I bet you all have fun at the office. It makes for a great work environment. Good for you!
Active Rain is an excellent source of recruiting agents and it's easy to find out who has a sense of humor and who doesn't. I don't really like funny people too much. :)
Jason - You do a great job of promoting your company and yourself. If I every moved to Austin, I would want to talk to you based on what I've learned about you from your blogs. But, no plans to move. I'm staying put in Dallas.
Jason, I can see how Active Rain can definitely be a helpful recruiting tool. Pretty soon, perhaps you'll have an all-Active Rain office.
Thanks for the tip. I am always looking for good agents for my office.
Jason, great job! You've given me lots to think about when I finally leave NY. When we relocate to FL in either 2009 or 2010, I'm hoping to hook up with an excellent firm and AR will be my first stop when I advertise that I am available. Enjoy your day. Regards, C.
Jason - I like the add. Hopefully one day when I have to recruit agents, I will be able to look back on your add as a refererence
Hi Jason, read my last post then forward this post to my wife :) Robin.Perry@ColdwellBankerAtlanta.com
I think I might as well call you gold star guy!
Great ad, Jason. I bookmarked it if I ever need a buyer agent.
VICKIE - I am glad that you found this helpful. I just thought it was worth sharing.
PENNY - I never enjoyed writing/composing resumes, so I don't require them of others. Thanks for your input!
RONDA - Thanks for your terrific comments and for the compliments, too. Incidentally, I may be in Boerne on July 6th checking out a church with my pastor, who is preaching there as a guest speaker. We are starting a church in Georgetown this fall.
I have always thought that sense of humor should be on everybodies hiring list. But no!
In our office you have to have a sense of humor or you won't make it down the hallway through the barrage of rubber band fire in the trenches.
That's great, Jason. I wouldn't have thought of adding a "sense of humor" in an ad. It really is a great idea. Thanks for sharing! :)
Jason, I need a job. I need to sell real estate. Would you hire me? My name is Deb. People think I'm crazy but only because I am. I sell a lot of real estate. I want to run away. Will you take me in?
Later in the rain~Deb
DEB - You are hired already. Didn't you hear? That's why you are coming in August, to receive your signing bonus.
Jason... I totally agree.. let your personality shine through, no matter if it's a blog or an advertisement such as yours.... people want to see this and read it. Glad it's working out...
Now, on another note... I didn't know that you were the broker/owner Is this something that just took place not to long ago? Or have I been sleep walking... lol Hope all is well... it's been a while.
Congratulations on your new agents. And I'd get along great with the one who responded to your comment about having a sense of humor. Why are so many real estate agents and managers so darned uptight?
Hi Jason, it woujld be great working with someone like you! And I'd have great inspiration for blogging ideas, and fun too.
Maybe if I hang out here reading and posting I'll get better at expressing myself through my writing, too!
It has to be subtle like your approach. I hate it when brokers write hard-selling ads for their company exclusively. You truly earn their respect!
Jason, I think it goes without saying that time on here can be beneficial. Obviously, you have learned and grown from it. I think what is more important than that thoughm is that you have given back. Leadership, as you know, is not a position of being on top, but rather on serving.
Jason - What a great ad. If I lived near Austin, I'd certainly love to work in your office. I guess I have to work on that humor "gene", though!
Nice post Jason....I've received so many deals, but I also can see the ability for recruiting. You've given me great ideas. Watch my posts in the future...thanks for the encouragement.
I can see why you wrote what you did. If I lived in your town, I wouldn't want to work for anyone else. I feel I already know you and I can tell you all have fun and value your families. Other brokers have the opportunity to share the same way. It looks like they like your idea!
Please note that "sense of humor" is on my list. Don't contact me if you are missing this gene, because I can virtually guarantee that we won't get along. :-)
Hi Jason,
I like how you think. A sense of humor can definitely help in this business! :)
Jason: What a great post. And... your website is just awesome. One of the best I can remember. Congratulations on your success... and thanks for sharing with us. Take care...
Jason- We are also looking for good agents to hire. I am curious of fee structures customary in different parts of the county. What do you work out with your agents?
ADAM - I wish you had been right. This is not my month for features, apparently.
PADDY - We do have fun at our office. Thanks for your kind remarks!
AMANDA - I know you are all business, all the time, as it should be. No reason to enjoy our profession in any capacity. Keep it serious - that's my motto.
LINDA - I appreciate you saying that. It means a lot to me. If you know anyone in this area looking to make a switch to a new company, keep me in mind.
BRIAN - I would actually like nothing better than an "ActiveRain All Star" office.
MEL - Glad to be of help. Thanks for your email from yesterday.
C - I am happy to hear that this provided some good tips/ideas for you. Have a great day!
LARRY - Feel free to bookmark this post and use whatever you can in your efforts. Thanks!
KEITH - Did you want me to forward it, or were you going to? I would be happy to send her a link.
JER - That is nice of you, but this one didn't get featured. You know what they say about not assuming!
MISSY - Cool! I am glad that it gave you some ideas/inspiration. Have a good one -
LESLIE - It sounds like you should be receiving hazard pay on top of your commissions!
DEBI - I am pretty straightforward and down-to-earth when it comes to hiring. I don't overpromise, and I think I have done a good job so far of setting expectations with our agents. Have a great day, and thanks for your comments!
JEFF - I have been the owner of my own company since late 2004 - I was at another company for eight years before that. I guess I didn't realize that you didn't know this. Maybe I need to write more from a broker's perspective.
LISA - That is a great question. I have come across so many agents who are just wound too tightly for their own good. I honestly wonder how they make ANY money in this business.
SUSIE - Thanks! That was a really nice thing to say. Have a terrific week!
HOPE - I think if you spend enough time reading and writing here, it is simply inevitable.
DIANE - I am also not a fan of the "hard sell" ads that I have seen. We are just upfront and we attract the type of agent that we want.
STEPHEN - I agree completely. Teaching and sharing are the important parts of life, and it's no different here on AR.
TOM - I think you have the gene already. Anyone who is willing to hide on the floor behind a couch to surprise me is okay in that department.
LARRY - I am happy that this provided some measure of inspiration. Go for it!
NAT - I appreciate your comments so much. Wanna move to Austin anytime soon? :)
NOT YET LICENSED - Agreed. It is essential in my opinion.
KAREN ANNE - Good to see you, my friend. Thanks for your compliment about the website. We just launched the new design about a month ago. So far, it has been receiving rave reviews! Have a great week -
KATERINA - We have had a pretty traditional split (75/25 for agent business - capped at $18K to the company, then 50/50 for leads we give them), but I am moving to a monthly fee and a higher split this summer for any new agents we hire.
Jason,
You make me want to move to Auston just so we work together! The world of RE needs more Broker/Owners like you!
Susan
ps. I owe you a phone call! Sorry I missed the last one I was going to make! Forgive me?!
Jason.... well, I know you have talked about your partner, but I thought it was like a team.... good to hear. We'll talk later. And yes, maybe you should write a little more about it, as Lenn Harley does.