Jay,

Amen to that! One bad apple makes the whole bushel suspect!

Then when these gullible people fall into the trap, they ultimately blame every person in the entire real estate industry!

Just like when 'Multi Million Dollar Producer' is all over someone's advertising. It perpetuates the public perception that we're all rich and is it any wonder we get so many hands reaching into our pockets?

The good news is his banner is so hard to read, maybe few will even see that....

Jay,

We have one of those in our area. The Realtor has a huge billboard at the entrance of a city from the main drag bragging the number one Realtor position for years in the area. Needless to say, the person is not very well liked by most agents.

Greed and ethics cannot exist together.

Phil, good to see you back.

This type of advertising is blatantly saying "I'M IT" with nothing to back it up.

Old Indian saying " Big cloud, no rain"

You have to admire someone though that can wear that "one man band outfit with knee cymballs, horn to toot, etc."

Avis Car Rental used to have an ad campaign that said, "We're number two, so we try harder!" because Hertz was number one for years. I always thought that was a great ad campaign. People don't really care if you are "number one", but rather "are you going to pay attention me and my listing?"

I think people would be more attracted to a Realtor that says, "Here, YOU are number one". Hmmm, new slogan for my website!

Hey, Bill!  That's great!   I may "borrow" it..... thank you?....

This post made me sit up and pay attention since I'm actually thinking of doing something similiar. I have been #1 in my area for the term St. John's real estate for about 10 months or so, and thought there might be some way to profit from that fact. Although over the last month I have been bouncing between #1 and 2. I haven't checked today but last week I was also # 1 on Yahoo and MSN as well. So while I wasn't going to say I'm the top producer or the #1 agent in town, since I'm not, I would like to work my placement. Do you think publicizing (sp?) that fact will create a negative opinion in the minds of the consumer?

I know placement is always a moving target, but my placement does seem to be stable for the time being. But who knows what whiz kid could be gaining on me fast.

Maybe I should just talk about # of unique visits per month. Feedback on this would be welcome.

Phil, sure use it.

Larry, I would say something like, "We always make our clients number one, now you have returned the favor. Thank you!"

Another company had 2 teams, each with ads in the local paper. Each claiming to be the top producing team in their office. Both ads ended up on the same page. :)

I'm number one in my own mind. That is why I stopped listening to my wifes opinion of me - ROFL

I like Bill's idea.

Jay - Somewhere in that FSBO sites organization has to be a licensed agent. The problem is, if he/she is not a Realtor(r) it's hard to file a complaint for misleading advertising based on the Articles in the COE which is something that I would pursue if they were in my area saying that.

Larry - I indicate on my (AA) website that it is "Ranked #1 on Google for Northern Illinois Real Estate" although I sometimes drop to 2nd with the regional RE/MAX site being ahead of me (which I am also a part of)

I'm jealous ;-)  Jay ranks #1 in the entire world.   I'm only #2 in my state and 173rd in the world.  I want to be Jay!!! 8^)

Seriously, I do use my keyword positions on the search engines (I will start to use Jay's method of a printout -- good idea) and my P2A rank (at least the state portion) in my listing presentations.

We have one in our area too.  His says "I sell a house every 9 hours" well that guy has Pulte homes.  Now it should say I sell a house every 2 months.  Also, he does not follow the advertising rules and his company logo is so small you would need a magnifying glass to see it. Everyone must have one in their city.  It makes me crazy but I concentrate on giving great service and working for my clients best interest.  

Also, I meant to say you are my favorite agents in Phoenix.  You rank #1 with me.

Jays is number one in the whole world?? Wow

I am number 2 in AZ (behind Jay).  

Well at least I am number 1 - according to 5 year old Sky - my daughter.

People on the freeways tell me I'm number one all the time... only they use a different finger than you might think. :-)

Matt Pellerin

PhoenixHomes.com

Matt...that is priceless!!!!!.....

I fluctuatute between numer 6 amd no7 in my state in the p2 agent system .Man thats an awful lot to put in my advertising .I think people may be looking for 12345. It is concievable that the number 1 position can fluctuate between more than one broker. But what really determines the nukmber one position,The guy who gets the most listings? or the guy who gets the best average prices for his listings or the guy with the best service or yet even the most honest guy ? So what do we want to be no 1 in ? Is he or she no 1 in coops condos apartments, in property managment or commercial. In my book guys your all number 1 with me.

I'm glad this subject came up.  Sellers and buyers don't give a darn if you're #1 or #100 in whatever you want to brag about.  All they care about is the benefit to THEM if they choose you to sell their home.

When you market to people, you must show them WHY it would be to their benefit to choose YOU.  Everything else is fluff.

When I bought a home in 2001, I went with the company who paid my closing costs.

When I sold my home, I went with the company who charged me the least.

All the rest is fluff.

Gloria,

You are looking to have some more signs stolen aren't you?!

Anyway, everyone is number 1 with God, so in that regard you are all Number 1!

As far as real estate is concerned, I think the adage "I'm number 1" should be held in reserve until you are one on one with a prospect and you have demonstrable documentation to back it up.  Actually I let the documentation bring up the subject.  I have copies of my training certificates and awards in my listing presentation and I just briefly go through them to demonstrate my education, experience and ability.

If other agents cannot demonstrate the same level of professionalism then I guess I have a better chance of convincing the prospective client that I am the best person for the job of selling their home.  

It also lets them know that I am serious about my profession and worth every penny of the fees that I collect for services rendered.  In other words, they understand why I say no if they ask me to cut my fees.

It helps to demonstrate your track record, show them, don't just blow smoke!

Jay great thread as always.  I'm just another Phoenix Realtor constantly looking at Jay's backside and for that matter Yalda's also when it comes to rankings.  I currently have no ranking in Google, they dropped me about 3 months ago and the same with MSN, these guys act as if I don't exist.  Within the last week Yahoo has brought me back from the dead and I now rank 19th for Peoria, Arizona real Estate and darn proud of it.  One of these days Google and MSN will realize what they're missing.  I have focused my attentions down to the sub-division level and rank number one on Yahoo for many, many sub-divisions.  It just seems like the broader based searchs are very tough to crack.  So in many instances I call myself the neighborhood expert and the number 1 ranked for certain areas.  I love the "I'm number 2 thing".  So many talk about being number 1, I think they would get my attention saying number 2 but striving for number 1 much faster.

Anyway great topic.

May the RE Force be with you always!  

Anyone can calim to be #1 at something....

But, people don't care if you're Number 1, Number 2 and Try Harder, or whatever.  

People tune into WIFM. If you don't deliver the "right" message, they won't call you. What's WIFM? It's "What's In it For Me." What does that mean? It means you have a way for renters to stop paying a rent and buy a home for no money down. You have an advertising program that brings in buyers. And more.

I don't worry about the "I'm Number 1" advertisers - because they're anything but!

I have that #1 person also. It has come to life size banners of him on the side of buildings he is marketing. UGH!!!

Talk about scary...

One more amen from the crowd!!!

Back in high school I worked at a seafood restaurant that claimed they were the "Number 1 Seafood Restaurant on the East Coast!"  I asked the owner about that claim one afternoon, and his comment to me was that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder...and that in SOME people's opinion, we were the number one seafood restaurant."  No marketing info to substatiate his claim...just some customers opinion!

I'd like to think that I'm Number 1 in my customers opinion, as well....but, I'm not about to boast this in my advertising!

If you are number one with each of your clients, one at a time, one after the other . . . you are number one period, exclamation point.

Ditto...

I'm behind in my reading, but it is funny to read the tag line of a site on page 50 of a Google search that says "I'm Number One".