What’s Your Mental Age?
Six years ago George Johnson arrived at work to receive his birthday greeting. He's still showing up for work. (If housing market doesn'te get better soon, we'll all be working at 96!
The real estate marketing world is changing at a fiber-optic space. The newest uses of technology invented yesterday are spreading like a viral video of Susan Boyle.
New business models are being designed around Twitter, which itself is only a little over two years old. (I blogged earlier this week on “what” Twitter is.) Ponder for a moment these life questions: Are you ready to change everything? Are you mentally and emotionally agile enough to plunge into the Internet age with wild abandon?
If you’re in your 40s, 50s or 60s do you sometimes question your place in the Internet era of marketing and selling new homes?
To find the answer we had to find America’s oldest realtor.
Our Internet maven, Carleigh, lives in a charming Seattle neighborhood called Ballard. It’s known for its roots in lumber and fishing, both industries attracting a hardy Scandinavian stock from the Old Country, particularly Sweden, Norway and Finland. I grew up there in the 50s and 60s when a Volvo was known as a Swedish Cadillac. Our high school yearbook listed many Erics, Ingas, Svens and Torvolds.
It just happened that Carleigh spotted a local Ballard blog article and television feature about George Johnson, 96 years old, and still going strong. George has been selling homes since 1937 and still shows up at his Ballard office, dapper as ever in a suit and tie. He lays claim to being America’s Oldest Realtor. Who’s to argue?
George Johnson has a website and an email address. I do believe therein lies the answer. It’s not chronological age, it’s mental age and an understanding of the principles of real estate and people — principles that transcend technology. People want the honest truth. So if the Internet helps you provide the facts faster and more completely, embrace the technology. People want prompt, polite, caring human interaction. If email, instant messaging and text messages make you a better communicator, claim it! Can a Tweet from you on Twitter about a new listing, or open house reach your following of several hundred local agents — then become a Twit!
I encourage you to read the My Ballard blog article about George, and watch the KING TV interview. George is a cool guy and an inspiration to all of us!
Posted by: Al Doyle | Permalink
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: Great story Al. As a I too look around and see the work needed on my place, I want a new home, now.
: i remember cold calling real estate agents and pitching them websites. it was only 5 or 6 years ago...
: Thanks, Murray. You know “restraint” is my middle name. NOT! Another well known builder asked...
: Amen. Though I thought you showed too much restraint! How do we replace the whole lot of them is what...
Way to go George! What a great story and an inspiration for us all, especially those who don’t understand (yet) the value of the internet and online marketing. More leads translates into sales and what better way to generate more leads than by connecting on-line. Diana
more leads=more sales… definately something from George’s era that applies to ours!
When he was my current age I was selling Christmas trees for the Boy Scouts in his parking lot. Thanks for posting.
And he’s still in Ballard and we made it out!
George loves what he does! That’s the secret. I am hopeful for a real estate turnaround shortly. We’re already seeing glimmers.
Onwards and upwards,
Mel
P.S. Let me know if you’d like to see any broadcast or cable schedules. The March book is out and HUT levels are holding. People are using TV as entertainment vs going out. Reminds me of the old story of Kelloggs and Post at the depth of the Great Depression in the ’30’s.
Post pulled back their ad spend, Kelloggs increased theirs. Kelloggs moved way ahead of Post in breakfast cereal sales and remains there to this day.
Mel Weipert
MGW ADVERTISING
p 206-545-4258
mgw@mgwadvertising.com
Right on Mel! I remember a post from my youth in my dad’s Ballard cabinet shop that painted a picture of a business person creating their own personal depression by making a series of choices because they “heard” we were in a depression. We are where we are and need to act accordingly. And the operative word is ACT! Not REACT!
Great artical Al, I love the fact George still shows up to work each day and uses the things in our world that life has to offer to keep his business moving in the upward motion. What a wonderful inspiration to all in business in this day and age. Keeping up with the times is a sign of the times in itself.
Cory- George is an inspiration. I want to be him when (and if) I grow up!