I completely by-passed the NAR, Orlando is big enough to do that. I was in Orlando for BHBU, and as a participant in both BHBU I and BHBU II, I can say that Orlando out-rocked Phoenix, but wait, there’s more! Greg and Brian are about to blow your mind. How do I know? I experienced it myself.
The presentations were great, but the scenius rocked my world.
You ever walk into a room that crackles with energy? Ever had the privilege of hanging out with the very best at anything? You know that synergy that ignites and sparks ideas and discussion? Hanging out with the Bloodhounds was an incredible experience for that. Watching these minds toss out ideas and information to each other was a real treat. Yeah, I was there, but I felt like a fly on the wall most times- I can’t keep up with these guys. They would dial back occasionally, just as my brain exploded, tangent off to another subject and- cue the squealing tires- 0-60 in 3 seconds. They have Ferrari brains and Lamborghini brains, while I have a minivan brain.
As the resident X chromosome, it was a joy to not have to suffer through a pissing contest. These guys seriously respect each other for their unique outlooks, their unique strengths, and most wonderfully, they respect an atmosphere of sharing. If you are used to a world where hording information and knowledge is the norm, Bloodhound is a luxurious foray into a rain forest of ideas.
I was lucky if I got 4 hours of sleep a night, but I am energized by the weekend, and ready to tackle the work that I need to do and take on the world- that doesn’t happen too often at a conference, not to me anyway.
I am a very fortunate girl, I understand that more than anyone else. But you have an opportunity to put yourself in my shoes for a few days. If you’ve ever thought that one-on-one training or hanging out with the resident brainiacs and salesmaniacs sounds like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it is- then jump. Unchained is now truly unchained. This is a whole new way of real estate training, and having just experienced a wee bit of it, I can share that it’s going to blow your mind. Greg and Brian are trying to replicate the circumstances that allowed the Swallow Hill Scenius to happen, so more people can participate, share, learn, have their brains explode, and walk out of Phoenix bigger, better, and badder than when they came in.
They are developing a real estate workshop that is not about creating rock stars in the RE.net. Who cares about that shit? What about you? What about giving you the tools you need to be the best real estate agent or lender you are capable of being in your neighborhood? It is raining soup. Are you catching it with your bare hands, or have you carved out a bowl? What if your bowl could be crafted by true artists?
I’m like Sean, still processing everything I learned, still working through my notes- but truly, my biggest take away was that I can take on the world, and every Bloodhound on that sidebar wants you to take on the world, too.
And that’s a pitch of sorts, I suppose; for that I apologize. I promise you that this post is uninitiated, unrequested by either Greg or Brian, just coming straight from my heart to your head…
But now that I think about it, I take that apology back. BHBU Orlando was incredible and BHBU Phoenix is going to make your brain explode, and for imploring you to experience that, I will not apologize.
You can thank me later.
Brian Brady says:
“And that’s a pitch of sorts, I suppose”
Kindofsortof but it’s also an exercise in what you learned about long-copy DM pieces for landing pages.
“But now that I think about it, I take that apology back. BHBU Orlando was incredible and BHBU Phoenix is going to make your brain explode, and for imploring you to experience that, I will not apologize.”
That should be a PS
“You can thank me later.”
That should be a PPS
You’ve become that which you formerly despised…
…and you’re damned good at it
November 11, 2008 — 1:21 pm
Sean Purcell says:
One other piece missing: the testimonial.
Copy and paste:
I thought I knew what creating a blogging community was… then I had the opportunity to listen to Teri. She shared how to “make a meaningful contribution” and what to talk about (and what not to). She was honest, funny and knowledgeable – by far the most engaging speaker there. Don’t miss her and don’t miss BHUC!”
Sean P
November 11, 2008 — 2:07 pm
Greg Staker says:
Your presentation was fantastic, informative and offered real time suggestions that I will be putting to good use.
That being said, when I had the opportunity to speak with you during the breaks it was a real pleasure to find myself speaking to a real estate agent who understands and cares about their market. To me it was a win-win to meet such a nice person with so much good information to share.
Thank you!
November 11, 2008 — 6:22 pm
Teri Lussier says:
Brian and Sean-
You both just reminded me of one more reason the weekend was so delightful- blarney! You Irish boys are fun to talk with, no doubt about it. 😉
November 11, 2008 — 6:50 pm
Teri Lussier says:
Greg-
It was a pleasure to meet you as well! I can’t express enough how much I learn from you and other frequent commentors on BHB. The knowledge you shared with me- your calm sharing of market highs and lows for the past 24 or so years- that’s where I learn to hang tough, keep on keeping on, and provide service to my clients.
I said it at BHBU, but I’ll repeat it here, honestly, speaking for myself, the readers, you Greg, make this such a tremendous place to write and learn. Thank you!
November 11, 2008 — 6:58 pm
Wayne Long says:
Teri – It was great to meet you at BHUC in Orlando. I agree that your presentation was on target as we all need to learn how to participate and communicate in communities and to be “respectful” when we are in someone else’s house.
November 12, 2008 — 5:49 am
Brian Miller says:
Teri,
Your presentation in Orlando was GREAT. Thank you. You presented a down-to-earth means of growing my blog community. I am eagerly searching and jumping into local blogs for my area. It might have been during your talk where someone stated “this is the chamber meetings of today..” that really drove the point home to me….
November 12, 2008 — 9:28 am
Jeff Brown says:
I’m beginning to think my high sounding recommendations to those who asked me about Unchained may have been understated. 🙂
November 12, 2008 — 10:30 am
Eric Blackwell says:
Teri-
a) It was GREAT sharing time with you and learning FROM you. Part of the fun was the energy level that we all brought to the equation. And Sean’s right…we all can learn from you about building communities.
b) I am SSOOO looking forward to doing this again. One of the big reasons for that is you.
Thanks for being a great friend.
Eric
November 12, 2008 — 12:37 pm
Teri Lussier says:
Wayne-
Brian-
Thanks for that feedback, glad you both pulled something from my presentation. I think we sometimes forget who we are blogging for and need to focus on our geographic communities more than our online communities. I know that I get distracted, easily I’m afraid, from those things that would benefit me most, to spend time talking to those people who might be easiest to communicate with, but it is very rewarding, emotionally and monetarily, to connect locally.
November 12, 2008 — 3:45 pm
Teri Lussier says:
Jeff-
Man oh man… You would have been right in your element on Swallow Hill… 🙂
November 12, 2008 — 3:47 pm
Teri Lussier says:
Eric-
Take everything you said, and direct it from me to you.
There are plenty of people in this world who know how to be nice, but being a friend is a bit harder. It’s an honor to know you as my friend.
November 12, 2008 — 3:50 pm
Wayne Long says:
“I think we sometimes forget who we are blogging for and need to focus on our geographic communities more than our online communities”
That was one of my big take aways. I need to focus my marketing efforts in all the social networks more to my potential clients. I tend to want to friend other Realtors online rather than looking for potential clients and local online communities to get involved in.
I plan to improve in this area. Thanks for the insights. 🙂
November 12, 2008 — 3:57 pm
Teri Lussier says:
Wayne-
>I tend to want to friend other Realtors online rather than looking for potential clients and local online communities to get involved in.
Exactly the problem I run into with Twitter, which could be used quite well to connect and provide value to local twitterers, but is often used by me to waste time.
But, admitting you have a problem is the first step, so my public declaration of Twitter crack addiction should be helpful… We hope…Oh god do we hope… 😉
November 12, 2008 — 4:29 pm
David Shafer says:
Teri, it was great getting to meet you. My takeaway from your talk was to connect with folks in organic ways. If you like food, then go to food blogs, etc.
Treat twitter and the others like any other community you might be involved in!
November 12, 2008 — 6:50 pm
Teri Lussier says:
Hi Dave!
It was a very pleasant surprise to finally meet you, and I thoroughly enjoyed our dinner.
And yes, I think you understood me quite well- just like the sales training realtors receive, join groups, join clubs, get involved in your community in those ways that are natural to you…
November 13, 2008 — 2:48 pm