Brooke Wolford
By Brooke Wolford
I was recently in a task force meeting for the Minneapolis YoPros. It really got me thinking about the true value of YPN and what I feel it’s all about.
To me, YPN is about bridging the generation gap. Not to stereotype my generation, (which I am not quite sure where I fall…X, Y, Z…who’s keeping track?) but typically the younger generations are more knowledgeable about technology and communications. A lot of us feel like we have ADD and we are constantly moving to the next best thing.
With that said, there is a lot that can be learned from older generations. I thought about an agent in my office. She has been around for 30 years. She knows the ins and outs of the business. She has seen the good times and the bad and she survived.
She recently got her first Facebook account. It was cute. She seemed a little iffy at first. I would constantly see her replying to someone in her status update. It would make me chuckle a bit. But believe it or not, she is workin it! She is now posting blogs, articles and other valuable content to her page. I have been really impressed by her.
I have learned a ton from this practitioner. She knows the basics. She will tell you how it is. She still goes door knocking and she has been networking for years. She can talk the talk better than anyone else I know. That is something that you can only do after you have many life experiences like she has.
We all have the ability as YPNers to share and grow with our fellow agents. YPN, to me, is not about a number. Yes the word “young” is in YPN, but to me it’s all about combining information among several generations. Don’t be afraid of your elders. They have been there and there’s a reason they are still here!
Brooke Wolford is a real estate practitioner with Edina Realty, Hastings, Minn. Follow her blog at adventuresinrookierealestate.blogspot.com.
Comments 3
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When I first saw YPN I was a little confused… among a couple of other emotions. After all, I have 23 years in the real estate business (now 56 years old) and I want to be included. Besides, aren’t we not supposed to discriminate? But then I read some blogs and “other stuff” and I am more inclined to reach out to see if our local YPN wannabes will consider this old dinosaur to be a valuable member. Over the past 23 years I have seen a ton of people come and go and for some of them I say good riddance. There are however many Realtors that actually want to do a good job for people, they just don’t know what to do and that’s where I think I can help. I don’t mind sharing and encouraging others to succeed in the real estate business, I actually enjoy it. I will ask the local YPN if they will consider an ancient dude… I wionder what they’ll say?
Being neither young, nor having 23 years of experience I fall into a category all my own I guess. But I’ve never let a category or a label stop me from learning and growing or doing my best.
In a challenging market like we have these days, a Realtor, whether young or old, needs to have all tools at their disposal. Blogging, tweeting, facebooking, doorknocking, open housing, they’ll all work if pursued with focus and determination.
I admire the experienced agent who recognizes opportunities like Facebook and who isn’t afraid to jump in!