Those that know me know I am a huge Gary Vaynerchuk fan. I was as giddy as a school girl when I found out he was delivering a keynote speech at Inman Connect NYC.
And I was not disappointed.
I thought @GaryVee’s keynote was the highlight of the conference, and I told Brad Inman later that they needed to bring him back and give him more time.
Like the full three days.
Here’s a video of Gary’s talk. It’s a little rough in the first few seconds, stick with it. The opening line, “The main objective I have here today is to make sure that I never see any one of your faces on a bus bench again” is a classic.
As Gary spoke, I observed some of the crowd for reactions. He’s a brilliant speaker — funny, engaging, all that jazz. But what is pure genius is his message. There was a couple sitting next to me and I could see in their faces and body language that they just didn’t “get it”.
I spoke to them briefly after Gary finished. Here’s how that conversation went:
Me – “What did yall think of that?”
Them – “He’s a good speaker and everything. But I don’t see how how it applies to real estate.”
Me – Stunned silence.
“Doesn’t apply to real estate”??? Are you f’ing kidding me?
Transparency is crucial. Personal branding is it. “The obnoxiously bad ROI of traditional marketing”. Creating additional revenue streams. How the hell does this not apply to real estate?
This IS real estate.
Oh well, it’s their loss. Sadly, it’s also their clients loss. Selfishly, it’s my gain.
Here’s one of my favorite snapshots of the event. Me and Gary Vaynerchuk. I’m the good looking one…. 
The Phoenix Real Estate Guy was started by Jay Thompson, and I have a little blogging problem... he liked to say...
I watched @trulia's stream of this and really enjoyed it. It applies to any business that wants to move forward, but especially to us independent contractors. We are the ones who will move our own selves forward. In our arena of competition, which involves even those in our own brokerage, personal branding is vital to survival.
When I first got into real estate, my friends jokingly asked where my bus bench would be. I told them nowhere, ever. Didn't know I was ahead of my time – according to GaryVee!
Thanks, Jay!
Always enjoy seeing GaryVee's narratives, and it's no surprise Gary was asked to be the keynote @ #icny – he's freakin amazing. Someone who truly "gets it", and has CV to prove it.
Thanks so much for video Jay!
dude, I'm still talking with Realtors who don't even use a database to manage their leads. Don't let the glazed over looks get you down! There are many in the profession of real estate that "get it". You're right about the ones who don't though; it's their loss! Gary V has the goods. Whether it's wine or real estate, some basic principles transcend niche. The ones not embracing changes in the world of marketing are not going to be able to maintain an acceptable roi for much longer.
**Christian´s last blog post..Why Failure Rocks</abbr></abbr>
Jay, I can see why you are so jazzed. I rarely sit through a video longer than 5 minutes. This one was definitely worth sitting down for and focusing on for the full 30 minutes, so I thank you for posting Gary's keynote for those of us who didn't make #ICNY.
**Dru Bloomfield´s last blog post..It’s that time of year again – Time to order your Cactus League Spring Training tickets</abbr></abbr>
Jay,
Thank you so much for posting this video. Incredible. You've changed my mind on social media and personal branding.
Gary V's talk was awesome! I started personal branding 2 years ago with direct mail which has worked pretty well. My community has been hard hit with foreclosures and I was considering if I should get into the bank owned business to survive this downturn. My other option is to go full force with the personal branding creating a community blog. Now the answer is clear to "follow my DNA" as Gary puts it, and become a resource for my community. The New Year looks a lot brighter now! Thanks, Jay.
Thanks for posting that video, that is cool that you got to meet him.
You best line in the post is:
“Doesn’t apply to real estate”??? Are you f’ing kidding me?
I guess you don't have to worry about that person competing against you.
Hey, nice picture. Looks like you are losing weight. Thanks for posting the video. I only know of the guy because of your blog. Have a Happy New Year.
Jay – I love Gary… I happened upon him last year and spent an afternoon watching every post of GaryVaynerchuk.com – I can't imagine someone not getting his message, he changed my life.
Thank you for taking the time to video his speech and "link it up"…
For the record, I didn't record the video. It's embedded from Kelly Olexa's Viddler page.
Jay ~ first of all it good to discover you at Inman this week, and I'm even more pscyhed to know that you are an agent that "gets it". Any Realtor that doesn't see how you should be "channeling" the @garyvee philosophy to their business- well they won't be in business much longer, especially in this economy. I know that finding @garyvee made the most unbelievable impact on my life- both professionally and personally. I'm eternally grateful for it.
😉 Keep rocking the RE world. Kelly O
**Kelly Olexa´s last blog post..Let It Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow.</abbr></abbr>
Jay,
Thanks for posting this even if you didn't film it, you made it accessible. Everything I have seen online of Gary's has been inspirational. It's not just his message, it's also his delivery of the message. He has a way of infecting you with his unique enthusiasm.
**Dan Connolly -Atlanta Real Estate Guide´s last blog post..Disclosure: What the seller DOESN'T have to tell you in Georgia</abbr></abbr>
Great video, thanks for posting it. He seems like a pretty down to earth guy (not a total stiff like most of our industry speakers heh) and brings up a lot of good points to consider.
**Roxanne Ardary´s last blog post..Burlington County Real Estate Jan 2009 Update</abbr></abbr>
I watched this not once, but twice. I had my husband come sit through the second viewing. So many great 'a-ha's'.
I'm a little surprised that you heard people that had such a disconnect. I wonder if they have really analyzed their ROI over the last several years. It's that analysis alone that makes this right up my alley.
I was bummed to miss this in person but thrilled that I was still able to 'attend' thanks to technology.
**Linsey´s last blog post..Microscope on the Market – Rancho Santa Margarita</abbr></abbr>
Thanks for the video, I'm going to watch it right now. And what a charge it must have been for you to meet him. For those who don't get it, don't worry. As you pointed out, more for you!
I remember you had a Gary V video up a few months ago when it was announced he was going to be the keynote speaker. This one is better. Love what he has to say about not thinking local and the overall theme of the power of the internet and social networking.
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Jay,
You're awsome for posting this!
Woop, I ment awesome… you get the drift!!
**Marvin Jensen´s last blog post..Membership Down 30% at the Salt Lake Board of Realtors for 2009</abbr></abbr>
I think that anyone considering newspaper should see this video. It is the fact that he is so against it not only now but in the future that is great. His story is also fantastic which I believe only adds to his credibility.
Finally someone says that time is money and that although software doesn't cost money (aka twitter) it does cost your time which is money. So many times this is overlooked and the fact that you need to do it with a purpose.
**Joseph Bridges´s last blog post..Craigslist talks about change and democracy</abbr></abbr>
Excellent video and thanks for sharing- he is brilliant and gets his point across quickly and effectively-great stuff.
**Jamie Geiger´s last blog post..Chandler Real Estate-Market Statistics Dec 2008</abbr></abbr>
It took a bit longer to get thru the whole video – Had the phone ringing off the hook – glad I did – great stuff – thanks for getting it out here to us
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Jay,
Thanks for the great inspiring video and thanks to Kelly for filming it. Unfortunately I couldn't make Inman this winter. I knew you would have some key stuff on your blog. Thanks for keeping us who couldn't make it, in the loop.
I love this guy, he is great. I would love to start doing reviews on some of these homes on the market. I am going to start thinking about how best to do it. Lets see, I cannot give out the address of a active New Jersey real estate listing, but I wonder if I could just give out the MLS number and town and say want to know more about this one, send me an e-mail and I will get it out to you.
Jim
**James Boyer´s last blog post..Harding NJ Homes For Sale / What Sold In Dec 08</abbr></abbr>
Jay-
Thanks for posting the video. I just got done watching the whole thing this morning. I saw Gary V at BlogWorld and was impressed as was my wife. He has some great messages in there and lessons. Based on this, I think I am going to do some posts that I had been holding back on and just put some new ideas out there.
Dave
**Chandler Real Estate´s last blog post..Remodeling Your Home? Recoup!</abbr></abbr>
When I realized how long the video was, I didn't think I would be able to sit the whole time for it, but you proved me wrong. That was a GREAT share, thank you!
**Meg Zoller-Houston Realtor´s last blog post..Houston Realtor Defined!</abbr></abbr>
If.
If I ever make $1 million on this thing called "the web"…
You can trace it right back to your posts on @garyvee right here on TPREG.
I worked my day job… then my night job… and I was busy "smurfin' it up".
Thanks for posting!
**Justin McHood´s last blog post..The FHA Streamline Program: Skip A Payment?</abbr></abbr>
I have seen a few of Gary's speeches and think well of him and what he has to say. Putting all kidding aside what suprises me is how few people in the real estate business truely understand or see the vision Gary lays out. The need for transparency has long been needed and it is on its way. Those that do not understand this I hope find themselves changing professions as they are what has been wrong with the business for along time. I remember back before I garnered my real estate license dealing with agents not posting the price or leaving the address out on the MLS posting to capture my contact information. It SUCKED! I am making a concious effort to remember those days and how I hated being a "prospect" or "lead" with the hope that I do not fall prey to the same disturbing business practices that made my home search so frustrating.
@Jay – Thanks for posting this and a big thanks to Kelly Olexa for recording it. I personally think that it should be used as part of the National real estate education.
**James Wheelock´s last blog post..Villages Of Tour 18 On The Tour 18 Golf Course</abbr></abbr>
Thanks for posting this up Jay, I actually intended to go looking for this speech and woahla you have it for my convenience.
Another thing you can say about making this available here is it sure does help the bounce ratio on analytics when people watch all 30 minutes via your site. 😉
Actually that question the guy asked on it… about how does he find the time to give that personalized service… although I think it came out more abrasive than maybe he wanted it to. Is also a question I have always wondered about you! How in the hell do you find so much time to stay so active on blogs, and twitter. My time management skills, or my ability to not get distracted must really need fine-tuned. But of course, you and all your active contributors here are, who I am trying to take lessons from.
Wow..Just watched the entire video. Very motivational and gets the wheels spinning. I agree with the advertising he is against at the moment. Blogging is a great way to dominate and I have been saying that for a while. Nice vid…wish I was there.
**Scott Allan´s last blog post..Jan 28 Fed meeting & Rates</abbr></abbr>
Jay,
I've heard about the power of social media and twitter for some time now. However, I never really got it until I heard Gary Vaynerchuk speak for the first time this past summer. Since then I've obsessively followed his work, and more recently yours. In the short time I've been involved with real estate blogging I've realized that you're the man. Keep crushing it.
**Joe Stampone´s last blog post..Video of the Week – Gary Vaynerchuk Keynote Speech at Inman Real Estate Connect NYC 2009</abbr></abbr>
Hi,
I have seen a few of Gary’s speeches and think well of him and what he has to say. The need for transparency has long been needed and it is on its way. Those that do not understand this I hope find themselves changing professions as they are what has been wrong with the business for along time.
I would love to start doing reviews on some of these homes on the market. I am going to start thinking about how best to do it.
Thanks.
The video was cool and i see why everyone on here is saying great things about it. But lately i've been thinking about getting into real estate and no matter what video i see on blogs and youtube, there's nothing that can inspire me enough to take the plunge. I'm just worried about losing money mainly…lol.