Dear Home Seller,

I’ve been helping some friends look for a home this past month. We managed to find a great place for them, and we even got multiple offers on their home, which sold in less than two weeks, thankfully. We looked at a cross-section of neighborhoods in Round Rock, and we saw a number of places that were vacant. From the properties that were occupied, the vast majority were exceptionally flexible with showing times, and a couple of them allowed us to take a look even though we hadn’t arranged anything in advance and spotted the home while driving around.

And then there was your house.

At first glance, I was looking forward to showing your home. It was well-priced for the area, and it appeared to have a spacious, open back yard and nice upgrades inside.

I only have one question: Why did you make it so darn hard to show the place?

The first weekend that I attempted to bring my buyers, I gave 13 hours notice. When we arrived at 10am Saturday morning, it was clear that we woke you up. You said it wasn’t a good time because your son had a sleepover the night before, and they were all asleep upstairs. I certainly understand that – I have four kids myself. After awkwardly standing at the door with my buyers for a few more seconds, I simply said, “Well, thanks.” You didn’t offer any alternative times for us.

I called later that same day (1:20pm) and asked if we could come see it in an hour or so.

“Today just really isn’t a good day”, you replied.

Um…..okay. it’s a Saturday afternoon in March, which is the heart of the spring selling season here in Austin. This is one of the heaviest traffic times of the year. Godspeed.

The following weekend, I found myself in your neighborhood again with my buyers. They asked about your house. Despite my mental resistance to do so, I called again, on the off chance that we could see it. Ironically, you said, “I can’t do it right now. If I only had some notice…”

I couldn’t help myself. I said, “Well, last week I gave you 13 hours notice.” Once again, you offered no alternative times or plans or days that we could possibly see the house.

So, I did what I felt was the right thing to do. I told your listing agent. I don’t like to tattle, but I felt that she deserved to know that you were unwilling/unable to show the house on two consecutive Saturdays.

Amazingly, she was able to arrange a showing 3 hours later for us, and we did come by to take a look. The buyers weren’t interested, and I have a feeling that part of this was the hassle of showing in the first place.

I’m not Kreskin (Google it), but I understand why your house is sitting with no offers. I understand why you’ve reduced it multiple times, and why you are offering a commission bonus to try to entice agents to show it. Here’s the thing: commission bonuses can certainly help ensure that all of the qualified buyers looking in the area will see your home, but they have to be ABLE TO SEE YOUR HOME.

I apologize for waking you up, but give some thought to checking your cell phone messages before you go to bed. I wish you well with your sale. Unfortunately, I have another set of buyers looking in your subdivision soon.

I think I’ll just call your agent to set things up for us next time.

Photo credit: Via Flickr.com from Eli R Brown

We’ve all dealt with frustrating phone systems when we’re trying to accomplish something with a bank, large corporation, customer service issue, and more.  A few days ago, I was dismayed to realize that dialing “0″ even got me into a series of options, one of which was to dial “0″ again to speak to an operator.  I am not making this up.

My wife was trying to transfer some funds today from a bank in another city. It was like pulling teeth, only less pleasant.  It was much like speaking to someone who was trapped in a concrete box with earplugs in, maybe?  I don’t think I’ve ever heard her get that loud on the phone when repeating herself.

It made me think of a few choice options that should probably be added to corporate phone systems worldwide:

• Press “0″ to speak to someone with a higher IQ than the person you’re currently speaking with.
• Press “1″ to speak to an operator who is not hearing-impaired.
• Press “2″ to apply a mild electric shock to the operator.  A nominal fee will apply.
• Press “3″ to apply a severe….well, you get the picture on this one.

On a serious note, I really wish that the people who design these phone menus were forced to use them and test them frequently, as I think that would cut down on a large part of the problem.

Here’s another pet peeve while we’re on the topic – I don’t like the ones that make me spell the person’s name to speak with them. I’m a good speller, but I seem to have a knack for getting this option when I don’t even know the person’s last name, and this is the requirement.  In other words, if I need to reach Sherry _______ at the title company, it’s asking me to spell her LAST name.  Dang it.

One company that I’ve called a handful of times (they shall remain nameless here, since it might deserve a post of its own) has one of the worst phone experiences around.  You get one person on the phone, explain fully what your issue is, then they try half-heartedly to help before transferring to a specialist.  Upon reaching the second person, you must RE-EXPLAIN EVERYTHING again, since they can’t access the notes of the first operator.  Ugh.

I’m sure that companies pay big bucks for these labyrinthine systems. I think I might develop a program to navigate these menus on my behalf, perhaps with an “auto-escalate” feature, since it seems like the most common outcome (“Can I speak to your supervisor?”).

Thanks for reading my semi-rant.

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mwichary/2276533956/

Thanksgiving is the time of year when I thank God for the blessings he has bestowed upon me and my family, but I typically find myself in a more reflective mood as years end (and begin, of course).

With that in mind, I wanted to take a minute to reflect on 2010 and what it has meant for me.

As I’ve written here and elsewhere many times, I am truly thankful for my wife and four children.  In a couple of days, we’ll be celebrating our 18th wedding anniversary.  Frankly, it feels like a lot less time has passed, and that makes me happy.  I love her deeply.

My son just turned 12, so before 2011 ends, we will have a teenager living in our house.  I remember when my wife took me to the Chinatown restaurant in Austin to tell me that she was pregnant the first time, and how happy I was when I found out we were having a boy.  Since then, we’ve been overjoyed to welcome three daughters as well.  My son and I are very close, but my little girls have a way of wrapping me around each of their individual little fingers.

My mom remains an important part of my life, and that of my kids. She had a minor health scare a few months ago, but it seems that all is well now, and for that I am certainly grateful.

2010 brought a couple of interesting milestones in my personal life. I turned 40 in August, but it didn’t really faze me.  I think the blow was softened by the fact that I lost quite a bit of weight this year (56 pounds as of this writing).  Today, I was able to give myself a welcome surprise gift, since I had to get a smaller pant size again.  My waist went from a 40 to a 33.  I think the last time I wore pants that size was when I was in high school.

Business was good overall, but I’m hoping for a far better year in 2011.  The economy seems to be showing signs of big-time improvement, and this fall was our best in four years for my real estate firm, which could be a terrific indicator.  I’m planning to expand our company this next year, assuming I find the right agents to do so.  My marketing business also continues to thrive, but this is also something I hope to grow and hone as time goes forward .

I learned a lot about what really matters to me this year. I remain highly involved in the church that we helped to start a couple of years ago, and I have some ideas for charitable/outreach/mercy projects that I would love to expand upon in the upcoming months on my own.

I enjoy teaching and writing very much, so I might seek more opportunities to conduct classes in my areas of expertise, both locally and nationally via webinars and perhaps recorded audio/video.  With regard to the writing, I hope to re-focus my blogging efforts again.  This seems like as good a time as any, right?

I would love to hear what you have in store for this new year and beyond.  I welcome your input below. 

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuckincustoms/

Earlier today on Social Media Edge (our long-running BlogTalkRadio show), we were discussing the importance of connecting “in real life” with our online friends. This includes both phone conversations and face-to-face time.

Over the past couple of years, I’ve said many times that the goal of blogging and social media is not to replace the real world interaction, but to enhance it. Additionally, when you connect by speaking, it adds depth to your online interactions thereafter. In other words, if we talk on the phone or meet at a conference and chat, I’m more likely to care more about your blog, Facebook status updates, tweets, etc.

With that in mind, I was inspired today to issue a challenge to my online friends:

Pick up the phone and call someone.

That’s it. Just call. If you feel especially ambitious and you can make it happen, meet with one of your online-only friends in person. Maybe it’s someone whose blog you admire and read regularly. Perhaps it’s someone whose tweets always make you laugh or think, or it’s a friend-of-a-friend on Facebook that seems interesting. Whatever the case, this “old school” method will make you stand out in a world of overwhelming social activity online. It’s a great way to distinguish yourself from the crowd.

I promise that two things will happen:

• The person on the other end of the line will be pleasantly surprised that you called
• You’ll probably make a new friend

In the real estate business, as with most other industries, people always prefer to do business with those that they know, like, and trust. This is an opportunity for you to become that person and to gain “top of mind” awareness.

I’ve done this for years, but I never thought about blogging on this topic until today. I’ve made some very strong friendships using this technique, some of which have resulted in later referrals. Regardless, if you care enough to interact with someone online, you’ll probably hit it off over the phone or in person.

If you’re feeling hesitant and you want a test case, call me first. I promise to make it a fun experience for you. My cell phone number is 512-796-7653.

Just do it.

Here’s a video to get you inspired. Thanks to Ben Kinney for sharing this at Raincamp Houston last week. I was highly flattered that it was used as part of my introduction and a seque when I was interviewed onstage that day by ActiveRain’s Bob Stewart.

Back in March, right here in Austin, I made a new friend during SXSW. His name is Nate Davenport, and he’s a singer/songwriter from San Antonio.  He was booked to play the after-party for a barcamp event that I had attended, and our paths crossed a couple of times during that week.  We had lunch on the last day of the Interactive festival, and I saw him again once or twice after that.  Since then, we’ve maintained contact via Twitter.

After spending some time with Nate, I learned that he’s a good guy and a supremely talented independent musician.  I have little doubt that he will be successful in the music industry.

Nate let me know that he’s trying to land a very cool gig for 2011 with http://iwearyourshirt.com.  The basic concept is that anyone can purchase a day on the calendar, and, if he is chosen, Nate will be one of five people wearing “your shirt” that day.  January 1st cost $5, then $10 for January 2nd, adding $5 increments throughout the year.  I looked tonight, and they’re already booked through May and most of June!

Here’s how you can help:

1. Watch the video below.

2. There is not a second step.  It’s really that easy. 

After you watch, check out Nate’s YouTube channel for some cool tunes and leave him a comment if you like what you hear.  He does a regular segment each week called “YouTubesdays”.  You might also want to grab a copy of Nate’s self-published CD (my wife and I each have one – it’s worth getting).  It’s available on Amazon for Mp3 download: http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Disaster/dp/B001U44WTA/ref=tmm_other_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1289706011&sr=8-4

Thanks for helping my friend!

I debated over whether or not to write this post, but I figured it’s better to risk a part of myself if I stand a chance of helping even one kid (or adult) who is undergoing a traumatic experience in his/her life.  It’s one of the longest I’ve ever composed, and I made myself cry at least three times while writing it.  Hope it helps.

My childhood up to the fifth or sixth grade was pretty uneventful, other than the fact that my parents divorced when I was a toddler, and my mom remarried a few years later. I played soccer, had a few close buddies, and sometimes laughed until milk came out of my nose.

When I was about 11 years old, my relationship with my stepfather changed, for a couple of reasons. Namely, I was pretty emotionally needy, which meant that my mom had to spend more time with me, especially getting me to sleep each night. I was filled with various anxieties, so she had to stay in my room until I was asleep, which often took way longer than she would have cared to spend, I’m sure. As a result (and I understand this now, as a father of four), this cut into any “alone time” that they would have had at night. I also wet the bed until I was 12 or 13, which kind of made sleepovers less likely to happen.

My stepfather was a prime example of something which is known as the “Peter Pan” syndrome, meaning that he didn’t really ever grow up, and he had his own baggage from his childhood. As a result, he treated me more like a little brother than his son, even though he legally became my father when I was five and he adopted me.

Here are some of the things that we endured:

• I will never forget the time that he told me (when I was 11 or 12 and changing clothes to go out somewhere), “You take off your pants like a faggot.” I could think of a lot of comebacks to that statement now, but his remarkably hurtful comment stuck with me ever since.

• After my mom and he divorced a couple of years later, I remember that almost every door frame in the house was cracked from repeated slamming. Their bedroom door also had a hole in it from me punching it in anger.
• Once, after he said something to jar me, I threw a dictionary at his head, which made his glasses cut into his face and he bled quite a bit. He held me down and screamed in my face and scared the crap out of me.
• On another occasion, he chased me into my room and grabbed me, and I smashed a jambox over his back.
• He would rarely put on clothes when my friends came over, preferring to wear his underwear, or perhaps just a towel draped over himself while he was on the couch watching TV. Yeah – pretty gross, huh? Pretty embarrassing, too.
• He didn’t seem to have any issue exposing me to inappropriate movies, such as the time when I was barely nine and he took me to see “Guns, Sin and Bathtub Gin”, which had garnered a solid R rating.
• The cussing that I learned and heard for the time I lived under the same roof with him has yet to be exceeded in my adult life.  He was an especially creative curser, it seemed.
• I once saw him get arrested (and so did all of our neighbors) for running a stop sign and trying to “outrun” the police and get home.  He spent a night in jail for that one.  Idiot.

Around the same time that this stuff was happening at home, I changed schools, graduating from elementary school. Since I was private school-educated, my friends from grade school ended up in a bunch of different places, so I didn’t really know anyone when I started at the new place.  As a new student in a new environment, I was pretty bookish and sensitive, neither of which are considered high on the list of qualities that the average 12 and 13-year-old wants in a friend. So, I was harassed at school by the “popular” kids – nothing overly abusive, although I had one memorable and brief fist fight with my locker partner. Namecalling, general harassment, not as much physical bullying, since I was tall, thankfully.  I remember feeling physically ill at the thought of school many days. Mainly, I felt excluded, possibly because I was more introspective than outgoing and assertive. Making straight A’s is not a quick way to popularity, as it turns out. The teachers loved me, but the kids – not so much.

As you may have already pieced together, things had become bad for me at school AND at home at the same time. I was angry at the kids at school and angry at my stepdad, although I didn’t have much chance to express this outwardly. As a result, I became depressed instead. This wasn’t just a passing thing for me. It led to several years of therapy and anti-depressants.

One night in March 1985, when I was 14 years old, I stayed up much of the night and told my mom that I didn’t want to live anymore (and meant it). She did the only thing left to do, by hospitalizing me at Baylor Psychiatric in Dallas. As it turned out, this was one of the best things to have ever happened to me, because I learned how to talk about my feelings, and to recognize and express my anger and sadness, rather than stuffing it deeper and deeper inside. I was there for three full months, and I witnessed some rather serious mental illness, restraints on several patients, electro-convulsive therapy, and one lady who used to urinate on most of the chairs.  In a nutshell, it was unlike anything I had experienced, but I wouldn’t trade it now.

If I could talk now to the 14-year old Jason, I would tell him (me) that things will get better. I would tell him that his life at age 40 is just about as close to perfect as it gets. I would share photos of his wife and children, and tell him of his career. Most of all, I would tell him not to give up, because the jerks you encounter and the everyday problems aren’t worth giving up your life.

Here’s some other stuff I would tell him about why his future life is worth living:

• You haven’t had sex yet. It’s worth sticking around for this, I promise.
• Your beautiful wife is also cool, smart and a great mom.
• Your kids will make you laugh out loud almost daily.
• It would kill your mom and grandparents if they had to identify or find your body.
• You are deeply loved, more than you could possibly know, by your family and by God Himself.
• You’re a good dad.
• Your marriage will last.
• You like what you do for a living, even when times are harder.
• Many of your friends consider you to be their best friend.
• You will save the lives of at least two friends (subject of another post).

At any rate, you get the picture. I’m happy to have endured that time in my life. I don’t use it as a crutch now, and I rarely even talk about it, but it helped form the person I am today.

I’ve been married for almost 18 years now, and my wife and I have four awesome children (11, 9, 4, and 18 months). I’ve talked to my older kids about my past at some length, because I want them to understand that if things get bad for them, I am always available to talk, and that I will love them unconditionally. Yes, I mean it. My son has tried to test me on this a few times, “What if I ______? Will you still love me then?” The answer, then and now, is yes.  I’m happy that they won’t have to work uphill against a father whose love can never be earned.

If you happen to stumble across this post, and you’re enduring something that seems so traumatic or earth shattering that you want to die, please keep in mind that things will get better over time. I remember when I was in the hospital at age 14, they told me that nothing truly traumatic ever lasts more than about 6 weeks.  I recommend that you find someone to talk to that you trust.

If you want, you can email or call me. Yes, I really mean it. This goes for adults and teens, too. My email address is jason@jbcmedia.com and my cell phone number is 512-796-7653. I’ve been at some very dark spots in my past, and I’ve come through on the other side.  Looking back over the past 25+ years, it’s hard to imagine how hard it seemed back then, and it’s hard to think that I didn’t even want to keep going.  I’m glad I did.

As part of our ongoing efforts to lose weight, I promised my son that he could have “special time” with me or my wife for every 5 pounds he lost.  I’ve lost roughly 50 pounds and he has dropped 35+ so far – we feel great!  About three weeks ago, he wanted to go for a hike at Zilker Park and explore a little bit.  I intended to make a longer video, but it was HOT that day!  Enjoy:

This is the third post in a series about how to use Twitter to form relationships for business and personal connections (which could lead to business, too, right?).

One of the quickest ways for me to explain how to properly use this platform is to use a real-life analogy.  Pretty much everything you can do in person while networking can be done online now, with the notable exception of a handshake or hug.  Video conferencing even allows you to make eye contact with the person you’re getting to know.

If you’ve read Dale Carnegie’s classic “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, you may recall that the first of his “Six Ways to Make People Like You” is this one:

Be Genuinely Interested in Other People

In fact, if you spend your time asking questions of others at a networking event rather than talking about yourself, they will later describe you as one of the most interesting people they met that day.  Simply put, being interested makes you more interesting.

When I’m working with real estate clients or interacting at a networking event, I have used a “talk show host” mindset for years.  I ask questions and sincerely listen, in an effort to learn more about them and their needs.  If you want to see a true master of this craft, watch Johnny Carson via DVD or online sometime.  Here’s a link if you would like to see a good example of his skills in action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu9cSMy-k4Q (interviewing a then-22-year-old Michelle Pfeiffer).

One of the other reasons Johnny Carson had such a long career was because he was a tireless promoter of others.  His show provided a stage for comics who were virtual unknowns and he could instantly put them on the map.  Over the years, he met pretty much everyone who was worth knowing in entertainment.

With that in mind, when you’re using Twitter or any social media platform, think about ways to help promote other people and their work.  If you retweet interesting and entertaining stuff, those whom you’re helping will take notice.  DON’T overdo it, however, because you want your efforts here to be authentic, not forced.

I tweet more than average.  Okay, I tweet a lot more than average.  I have over 29,000 tweets at this point.  That being said, I ALWAYS notice when someone takes the time to retweet what I have shared.  I try to remember to thank them each time, too, although I don’t always remember to do so. Consequently, I would be more willing to help someone that I already “know”.  Become a known entity.

As I mentioned before, this is the type of thing that will come in handy for you and your business in general, not just online.

In a nutshell, if you take the time to help others get noticed for their work, blog, event, or cause, and you will be noticed, too.  Don’t focus on the superstars exclusively – they have ample support.  Don’t forget to help the people that seem worthy of attention who don’t have a huge following already.  That being said, doing both will help in the long run.

Thanks for reading!

Here are the first two posts in this series if you’re interested:

How to Use Twitter – Tip #1 – Start or Join a Conversation

How to Use Twitter – Tip #2 – Panning for Gold Nuggets

Originally Posted at: 210 Consulting- Social Media Advisors

This is one of the most touching videos I’ve seen this year.  It’s a montage of various members of our troops returning home and surprising their loved ones. 

Quick warning: I would highly suggest having Kleenex nearby.  I watched most of it with tears in my eyes.

Interestingly, they used the exact same music as one of my all-time favorite videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlfKdbWwruY

Enjoy!