I was recently introduced to the music of an Australian rock band called The Beards. There’s a lot to like about them: Their tunes are catchy, they are talented musicians, and their lyrics are terribly witty. But what sets them apart from your average talented, hook-heavy folk-rock is their single-minded focus on subject matter. This band writes and performs songs exclusively about beards and the people who grow them.
Yep, you heard me right. Their third album (Having a Beard is the New Not Having a Beard) features such proto-hits as I Think Beards are Great, The Beard Accessory Store, and There’s Just Nothing Better Than a Beard. I think they’re pretty clear about where they stand on the subject.
The Beards have committed to doing one thing, and doing it extremely well. I think Gary Keller would approve. See, that single-mindedness is the focus of Keller’s new book, The One Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results.
The best-selling author and Keller Williams International Realty co-founder teamed up with the VP of his company’s publishing arm to write The One Thing, which will be available starting April 1, 2013. Functionally, their suggestion is a good one to follow. It’s important to have a focus in your company, just as it’s important to know what the core of your value proposition is. Even if the whole purpose of your company is creating and selling songs about beards, you’d better be off on a world tour trumpeting your beard songs to the heavens if you want to achieve the kind of extraordinary success that Keller talks about (and, frankly, has experienced himself). Continue reading »
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey
Heather Oberhau
Favorite Pick: Sell with Soul: Creating an Extraordinary Career in Real Estate Without Losing Your Friends, Your Principles or Your Self-Respect, by Jennifer Allan
“Jennifer is such a nice change from the regular ‘numbers game’ authors. Her message is simple: be good at what you do and spend time and keep in contact with your SOI. No need for begging for referrals, they’ll come naturally.”
—Heather Oberhau, e-PRO, Prudential Fox & Roach REALTORS®, www.SoldbyHeather.Blogspot.com
Favorite pick: I’ve Heard it All and so Should You: Confessions of a Real Estate Columnist, by Edith Lank
“There are not many real estate books that tickle the funny bone as much … while consistently revealing human nature at its best (and worst), as well as a confirming the general lack of knowledge about most things related to residential real estate as does I’ve Heard It All And So Should You: Confessions of a Real Estate Columnist by Edith Lank.”
—Jim Zirbes, a Phoenix real estate associate broker, writes on his blog, The Realty Blogger – Jim’s R.E. Journal.
Ann Grant
Favorite pick: The Millionaire Real Estate Agent, by Gary Keller
“This book gives you step by step tips to help enhance your career. If you are new to the business or have been in the business many years, this book can help you maintain your focus and become goal driven.”
—Ann Grant, SRES, Keller Williams Realty, White Plains, N.Y.,
www.AnnGrantRealty.com
TELL US WHAT YOU’RE READING. Send an e-mail to bookblog@realtors.org that includes the title of the real estate book and its author, along with your name, contact information, and what you like or dislike about the book.
Gary Keller
By Melissa Dittmann Tracey
Gary Keller, best-selling author and founder of Keller Williams Realty International, responds to your questions about the real estate market and his new book, Your First Home (McGraw-Hill, 2008), which he cowrote with Dave Jenks and Jay Papasan.
Why did you decide to write a book targeted specifically to first-time home buyers?
KELLER: I launched my career helping first-time home buyers and even called on newlyweds I found in the local paper’s wedding announcements to generate business. So, I have a soft spot in my heart for this special class of buyers.
We also wanted to focus on a group of buyers who represent the economic foundation of our industry. In any year, first-time home buyers constitute about a third of the real estate market. As they make their purchases, sellers are able to trade up, triggering more sales — building momentum from the ground floor up. First-time home buyers are an important catalyst for a healthy real estate market. Continue reading »
Best-selling author Gary Keller will be stopping by The Weekly Book Scan to answer your real estate and book questions. Keller is the founder of Keller Williams Realty International, one of the largest real estate companies in North America. Continue reading »
Real estate pros share with us what books they’re currently reading and whether it’s worth the read.
- Trump-Style Negotiation: Powerful Strategies and Tactics for Mastering Every Deal (Wiley, 2008), By George H. Ross
“I find that reading always expands your knowledge and you can always find something in these types of books that you can incorporate into your daily deals.”
— Yvette G. Valdes, e-Pro, ABR®, Lexi Realty, Homestead, Fla.
- Real Estate Agent’s Field Guide: The Essential Insider Advice for Surviving in a Competitive Market (AMACOM, 2004), By Bridget McCrea
“It’s very well-written and contains interesting advice from different agents … Although it addresses changes in our market, it reminds us of the other things we need to improve upon. Looking around today, I see too many agents whining about the market instead of applying practical advice suggested by McCrea’s book. I can’t do much about the market, but I can read how to compete against discount brokers and that will get me more listings.”
— Mary Zentz, CRS, GRI, RE/MAX Suburban, Arlington Heights, Ill.
- The Success Principle: How to get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be (Collins, 2006), By Jack Canfield and Janet Switzer
“It’s a great read for anyone who wants to be successful in real estate — or any other field.”
— Ron Reed, Sellers Financial Group, Nashville
- Endless Referrals (McGraw-Hill, 2005), By Bob Burg
“This book is great for ideas to build your database. It helps you to ask the right questions and get a solid response, and shows your client that you are listening. I can pick it up from time to time to get some great tips and I don’t forget what I have read — it’s that practical. It’s a great book for those starting out in the business to form great habits from the beginning or for the veteran real estate agent to fine tune better practices. I highly recommend it!”
— Tina Belazeros, RE/MAX Specialists, Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
- The Millionarie Real Estate Agent (McGraw-Hill, 2004), By Gary Keller
“This book is well thought out and I especially like the creating teamwork ideas — although we are in a very different market in Mexico a lot of the information can apply.”
— Linda Wright, The Wright Team, Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico
Tell us what you’re reading. Send an e-mail to bookblog@realtors.org that includes the title of the real estate book and its author, along with your name, contact information, and what you like or dislike about the book.
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