An Aretha-Miley Cage Fight Smackdown

While you can’t deny talent, sometimes talent doesn’t sell like it once did.  Aretha Franklin could possibly epitomize everything I love about music.  She sings from the deepest part of diaphragm.  Her skin is flawless.  She’s sassy and saucy.  She’s a consummate diva.  So why did her album units only sell a fraction of what Miley Cyrus’ sold in 2009?

Miley is the symbol of the pop music culture of today.  She’s young and adorable.  She sings (mostly) in tune.  She’s savvy and silly.  She’s a new diva.  Beyond that, she’s a songwriter, an actress, a clothing line, a franchise, a TV show, a movie star, a YouTube organic hit and ultimately a huge BRAND.

Is Miley’s core talent in music better than Aretha?  Uh…no.  However, she is answering the market that is currently buying.  One day, she may achieve Madonna or Sher* longevity, but only time will tell.  For now, she is what the major market wants.

The challenge is, how do you (as an agent) channel Aretha’s core foundation talent while harnessing Miley’s triple threat sellability?  I’d propose the following to create the real estate superstar triple threat:

1.  Education.  Education.  Education. Take as many CRS courses as you can.  Don’t make it about “the letters,” because as much as no one wants to admit it, the consumer doesn’t care about your alphabet soup.

2.  Serve as many people as you can.  Move forward in the mindset of service over being a constant salesperson.  Today’s financially strapped buyer and seller don’t care about your mega money making machine pulling up in the Hummer.  Buyers and sellers crave honesty and kind, but stern hearts.

3.  Connect with as many people as you can. Get involved in one board or nonprofit and make a TRUE impact there.  Forget the resume and the awards that many strive for with the service.  Make the big change in one small area.

4.  Get over your fear and hate for technology.  Embrace it.  Overcome it.  Control it.  Don’t let it overcome and control YOU.

5.  Find an agent whose business model works, but scares you. Spend as much time with him/her as he/she will allow.  When you can step outside of the comfort zone, get out of judgement and into learning, you may find the level you’re craving.

6.  Ask the consumers who didn’t choose or even consider  you why they are working with their choice.  Sometimes the truth hurts, but you’ll grow from it.  Leave your thin skin at the door.

With a little reframing of your attitude you may find the R-E-S-P-E-C-T you’ve been missing for a while and still be able to Party In The USA.