Excellent idea. Thanks!

And if you look at the two questions, the immediate difference is that you cannot answer the second with a simple Y/N. That opens the door to dialogue.

Good one Shelly! That's why we all hired you as our favorite BIC!

Shelly, a subtle but important point. Thanks.

Shelly, You have great communication skills. I like this thread.

You referred to Gray's thread about smiling, etc. I like the way he took a back door approach. He asked how they like the area where they live and mentioned he has a client interested in that area. This leads them to ask, "Are you in real estate?" I really like that back door, sublte approach. That is how I like to communicate also. Show them I am a friendly, outgoing professional that is always looking for information that will be helpful for my clients. This impresses people much more than an "in your face" self promotion. Personally, I am turned off by blatant self promotion techniques, you know guys that wear something goofy just to get attention, etc. (Kilts aren't goofy are they? ;)

I like your example of turning a phrase here, also.

Good job Shelly, your BIC status is not in jeopardy.

Enlightening.  Thank you!

Shelly good point.  

If you want to even take the communication analysis a step further, you might want to invoke a value proposition before asking the question.  Failing to do so may come across as a sign of a desperate Willy Loman, if you will.

For example, if you are a buyer agent...

"I'm currently working with a number of buyers in Anytown at the moment...Who do you know of that is selling real estate."

Likewise, if you are a listing agent...

"I have a number clients whose homes I currently have listed....Who do you know of that is buying real estate."

Again, subtle but in either of these two cases, you are doing two things quite differently.  One, you are demonstrating that other clients have confided in your qualities and abilities (ie Testimonial)  Secondly, you are conveying a benefit to be received by the prospective client (ie the potential home your client may buy from them, or the one your client may sell to them) not YOU.

Naturally, putting aside dual agency concerns for a moment, the possibility of a new client is the inherent hope.

Shelz that is why you are the BIC. Open ended questions always end up with more conversation. Great point!

Hi Shelly !