Dateline: Motel room in Georgia on my way home
While many of the rest of the BHB gang are still in Orlando after BHB Unchained, I started my journey home yesterday. Since I stopped in Georgia to get some rest before driving the rest of the way to Louisville, thought it would be only appropriate for me to offer some thoughts and observations for those who might not have been able to come.
First off, I would be an ungrateful soul if I did not thank Greg Swann for letting me crash the party and stay at the house they rented. That was fun! It was a pleasure to finally meet you in person. I found you to be everything that I had hoped and more…and I had high expectations. Bless you, sir.
Secondly, Brian, Sean and Teri. You guys have been friends of mine for quite a while. It was so nice to finally meet and hang out with you. I learned so much from you guys and had a great time talking with you until 3am…hehe. For those who may wonder if the hounds that contribute here are real, honest, genuine, good people and that they care about others…just spend some time with them. They are purely authentic. Brian – pleased to hear about your success on Facebook.snort.
The 12 hours of Unchained was fun. If you were not able to be there to hear Mitch Riback, Kelly Kohler, John Rowles and the others that were speaking (I know that’s not a complete list, but hey, I am in a hotel in Georgia someplace-grin), you missed out.
I know the economic conditions crimped a lot of peoples’ travel plans and in many cases you’d have been there but for that. Not your fault. I think a lot of us felt that the travel and expense was a tough choice these days and we all have to make those decisions. It is part of being in business.
Well, maybe you didn’t miss out…they must have clipped the microphone to us for a reason…grin. I am sure they will let us know if / when stuff is available. At least I hope so.
My biggest personal “take home” from Unchained? Mitch Ribak. I am in a position where our site is getting LOTS of leads so I NEEDED him to kick me in the butt on converting them into clients for life. They don’t count unless they close. Thanks Mitch. I pulled about 100 things that I need to do out of your presentation. Step 1: Treat it like a business….
Saturday morning, Greg and Brian and I got to speak at a breakfast meeting with a group of tech savvy real estate professionals (I will speak for myself–it was a blast). If you are one of the Cyber-Professionals and are reading this, please know how fun it was for me / us to meet you all. I felt “at home” and “among friends” as soon as we met you. Maybe it was a RE/MAX thing, but I think it was more just the fun of meeting great people striving for excellence in their businesses. Please keep in touch with us! You guys are great.
Thanks again to everyone and I owe quite a few people emails…I’ll get cracking on those as soon as I pull in the driveway. Actually, thinking about it? My biggest take home? New and strengthened relationships with great people. There is no price tag for that.
Greg Swann says:
Bless you, sir. Your own contribution to our siege upon the citadel was crucial and of enduring impact. It was wonderful to meet you and to be a part of the Swallow Hill scenius.
November 9, 2008 — 6:09 am
Shawn says:
I’m a new to real estate so I’m looking for blogs that have good info for me to learn from. This looks like a place I’ll be returning too often. I’ll be reading older posts to until you get back into full swing from your travel.
http://www.inexpensiveinvestinginflorida.com/
Thanks
November 9, 2008 — 7:53 am
John Sabia says:
I’m glad I decided last minute to drive up. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Found out I’m a Greek! I’m working on my notes.
November 9, 2008 — 11:13 am
Greg Staker says:
Eric I want to thank you again for not only your great presentation to the group but for also taking time during your lunch to answer questions and offer your insights. I enjoyed meeting you.
It was a fantastic event!
November 9, 2008 — 1:25 pm
Al Donohue | Ridgewood Real Estate Guy says:
Eric – Mitch Ribak’s presentation sounds like it was just what the doctor ordered. Will there be any other opportunities to see it or will someone be posting some of the key takeaways from it? Hope so.
November 9, 2008 — 2:23 pm
Joshua Hanoud says:
To get the gist of Mitch’s ideas, head over to his website, http://www.EHomesRealtyNetwork.com – definitely good stuff.
November 9, 2008 — 3:16 pm
Greg Staker says:
Mitch’s lead generation/lead capture tips were right on and backed up by his ongoing success. The entire session was great. For the admission fee charged, it was a steal.
November 9, 2008 — 3:29 pm
Mark Madsen says:
Eric, Greg, Brian – Sorry I missed you this trip. I did encouraged one of my mortgage blogging partners to go and find a way to meet you guys though.
Just wanted to say thank you for the hospitality and positive support you showed him. One of the biggest barriers that I think prevents people from joining the RE.net community is their intimidation of the seasoned bloggers.
Based on the positive feedback that I got about your event, it appears as though it was a success. Looking forward to the next one you hold closer to Vegas.
mm
November 9, 2008 — 3:57 pm
Brian Miller says:
I signed up way back in July and almost had to cancel, but am VERY glad I didn’t. That was the most thorough (and intense) training/seminar I’ve probably ever attended. After driving eight plus hours to get there, sitting for 12 hours of sessions, and another eight hours back, my butt is calloused, but WOW… that has to be one of the best investments and most useful events I’ve been to.
My head is spinning from the information. I honestly am not sure which idea to implement first. I take that back, Eric showed us a quick thing to check on SEO and I’ve alread found a problem with my blog.
Many thanks to Brian and Greg for organizing and more to the outstanding speakers. Incredible depth of information…
November 9, 2008 — 5:11 pm
Brian Brady says:
Where do I begin?
Thanks to all the contributing speakers; you all made Unchained Orlando an amazing day. While we crammed 18 hours of content into 12 hours of time, I think we gave the folks something useful to help them DOMINATE their market. I can’t wait to see you all do just that.
A special thanks to you, Eric, for delivering a knockout punch. While we don’t necessarily “promote” on BHB, I would be remiss if I didn’t let everyone know that Eric Blackwell should be a part of your marketing plan. Call him and see how he can help you win the online game.
Mitch Ribak was everything I expected. While he is a VERY tech-savvy man, his “old-school” suggestions about how to deal with a prospective customer are just what the doctor ordered for so many of us working the online game. I was amazed at his ability to cram weeks of training into 90 minutes. Attendees should attend the two free webinars he offers to our group.
Kelley Koehler was the “rookie of the year” in my mind. Her presentation was astounding. Her ability to translate complex practices into simple explanations can help thousands of agents as they try to drive more traffic to their website.
John Rowles shared a VERY big idea with everyone. We would be unwise not to watch and participate in his project.
Sean Purcell showed you the Bloodhound Way of listing AND SELLING property. While the details are on the pages of BHB, if you were paying attention, he taught you how to cut your marketing time to under 30 days.
Sherry Chris gave us an inside glimpse in her efforts to jumpstart an established brand. My money is on BHGRE leading the Web 2.0 revolution for offices that are stranded in the desert.
Teri Lussier taught us all how to build a community through a weblog. If you paid attention to her, she gave you practical advice about how to connect with people online.
All this was less than a hundred bucks.
If you’re a CyberProfessional, or someone I spoke with on the airplane ride (Pat…that’s you), we’re bringing a VERY big idea to Unchained Phoenix. I’m bubbling with enthusiasm about our May offering but I promised Greg Swann that he gets to announce it.
DON’T TOUCH THAT BROWSER! Greg’s going to tell you all about it soon
November 9, 2008 — 7:43 pm
Teri Lussier says:
Eric-
You rock, you rock, you rock. You do more than get it, a term I really dislike, you are it. Every fiber of your being crackles from knowing that sharing information and giving to someone else benefits everyone. You, dear friend, are one of a kind.
November 10, 2008 — 7:14 am
Eric Blackwell says:
@Teri–
aww shucks.. I feel the same about you. Who I met when I came to the door Thursday night was exactly who I had come to know online.
Please send Jamie my best. It had to be a little difficult with all of the RE chatter until 3am…hehe.
Take care sista! (grin)
Eric
November 10, 2008 — 10:30 am
Linda Davis says:
As the “community organizer” of the CyberProfessionals, I’d like to convey my thanks for your attendence at our breakfast on Saturday. I’m looking forward to what you are cooking up for Phoenix! We’ll be there!
November 10, 2008 — 2:37 pm
Greg Swann says:
> I’d like to convey my thanks for your attendence at our breakfast on Saturday.
Thanks so much for inviting us! I can’t remember ever having so much fun in a presentation. It was like being reunited with family we’d never known.
> I’m looking forward to what you are cooking up for Phoenix!
Brian and I flew to Phoenix together last night. The plane was packed, and we were able to sit near each other, but not together.
Mr. Brady, the extrovert, worked the room for the whole flight. To his right was an officer of the Women’s Council of Realtors, and he sold her on social media marketing — to the extent that he has gotten us invited to speak at one of their events. To his left was a percussionist for a reggae band. Brian sold him on home-ownership for his young family, pitching his own company for the loan and my brokerage for representation. The man is a wonder to behold.
Meanwhile, Mr. Swann, a natural introvert, public appearances to the contrary, worked out the details for BloodhoundBlog Unchained University in Phoenix. My notes are chicken scratches on napkins for now, but it looks like we’ll be able to cram 28 hours of hard-headed content into three very busy days, while leaving plenty of time for little scenius scenes to erupt throughout the conference.
Brian and I complement each other perfectly, so even though we have a lot of planning left to do, I can make this promise to you and to your fellow CyberProfessionals:
If you will lend us your minds for three days in May in Phoenix, we will send you home with a brand new marketing profile, complete and ready to compete against the best you will run up against in your home market.
Having done this twice now, we were tuned right in on what we’ve been getting right — and what we’ve been getting wrong. We showed up Saturday morning knowing what we had to do to make Unchained really work. But it was the questions and suggestions from your members that put us over the hump. In that little breakfast room, a volatile solution of good ideas crystallized into a firm and fixed plan of action, and it was that plan that I penciled out on the way home.
Brian and I had a blast, and I don’t think Eric Blackwell has ever played that style of basketball before. I’ll begin posting our ideas for Phoenix later tonight, but do not ever doubt the debt we owe you. You pushed us just where we needed to go, and we look forward to having a chance to push you back. 😉
November 10, 2008 — 3:17 pm
Eric Blackwell says:
@Linda- Greg’s right that this was a new thing for me. And I am hooked.
The thing that struck me about your group is that they are out there taking steps toward success. While it was great fun being with Greg and Brian, your group’s direction, enthusiasm, and energy was really neat.
I left that room thinking..”I have GOTTA find a way to do this type of thing more often.”
In short…thanks Linda and I look forward to seeing you in Phoenix.
November 10, 2008 — 3:34 pm
Sean Purcell says:
Eric,
You were a rock star this weekend. Don’t know if you expected that or were ready for it, but you had better be prepared going forward. Sort of like everyone all at once said “Look, up in the sky. It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s that guy with the diabolical ‘eye glasses’ disguise… He’s actually Superman!”
November 10, 2008 — 5:46 pm
K2 Group says:
Eric’s a rock star all the time. 🙂 One thing though: Eric, why were you writing @ 4:00 am? You should have been getting some sleep!
November 11, 2008 — 12:20 pm