I received a call yesterday from a Naples builder I've had the opportunity to work with in the past while I was associated with an investment group who's primary objective was to purchase/remodel and flip. Dang I miss those days... Anyway, he called yesterday to tell me about a friend who was trying to sell his house. His instructions went something like this: This guy won't answer his phone so you can email him or text message him. He knows you text too so if I were you I'd just send him a text and tell him I told you to do it. Anyway he has a house he really wants to sell. He's been trying for awhile and I think this will be a good deal for you. 
I took the information while I was shopping for stuff for the new house and hesitated before I sent the text message. (yes for those of you who follow my blog...I was talking on the phone while shopping and nobody gave me any hassle for it. No, I was not at Target :) I realize for an 8 year old it's really NBD but for me, it felt funny to initiate conversation with a possible new client through text messaging. I've text messaged existing clients in the past but this was well after credibility was established and I knew it was a form of communication that would not be frowned upon. Well I grew some...courage...and typed my text. It read:
Hello! Chris North asked me to txt you regarding your home you're trying to sell. I'm Shannon. I can help.
It took a whole minute to get a response...the pressure of sending it was almost more than I could take wondering if I had chosen the right words or if maybe Chris was setting me up to look like a clown...then the 
response:
Hello Shannon. Chris said ur a texting junkie just like me. Would love the help.
It went on from there and fortunately for him, he has a GREAT agent already doing a GREAT job for him. Unfortunately for me I get to watch that transaction take place as a spectator because I would not in any way encourage him to drop his current agent who is a colleague of mine and is honestly kicking some serious you know what on his listing.
I guess the neat part about the whole experience was the honor of the referral from Chris North...it's really AWESOME to be the name that falls out of someone's mouth when they're giving assistance to someone they care about. The whole getting over the texting a stranger experience was interesting and then finally meeting the prospective client. He was a really great guy who listened to me when I told him he needed to stay where he was and that it was all going to be ok. It's great to have credibility from a stranger.
Serving my purpose through content rich informaton about Naples, Florida real estate!
Best Regards!
Shannon Lefevre, PA
Your Naples Smart Girl!
239-595-6223
www.ShannonLefevre.com
“The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of John R. Wood Realtors.”
JASON: Thanks! You are always so sweet! It was a little goofy feeling but if none of us do the stuff that feels wierd I guess we'd still be doing it like we were 1,000 years ago...right?
PAUL: DAMMIT, I should've sent that instead! Much more clever! :) By the way when you were typing with all those hyphens the other night were you typing hyphens in the "what does the graphic say" box like I try to include exclamation points when I'm not paying attention???!!!???
ADAM: I imagine so...hey at least it wasn't smoke signals, speaking in tongues or attempting to have a conversation through one of those people who talk to the dead...right?
DANNY: Hello Crackberry! It can be a little addictive when you get into it. I was one of the first to get a Treo how ever many years ago it was and I remember the first few text messages I received I kept thinking...how STUPID is this form of communication...you're typing on what you could be talking on....then I started talking to other people during meetings and ooohhhh the memories of childhood. The modern form of note passing as Paul said...gotta love it!!!