Owning the Malibu Community

About a month ago, I got a call from a friend who highly recommended that I give a chance to a real estate agent who is working very hard to break into the Malibu market. The idea of “owning” a piece of Malibu is somewhat irresistible to me (even if it is only the digital dirt!), so I couldn’t refuse, despite the many wonderful options (or maybe because I had too many wonderful options!)

[photopress:madison.jpg,full,alignright]Anyway, to make a long story short, I met up with the agent for breakfast, had a wonderful conversation and decided to coach him as part of Project Blogger. So, without further ado, I’m happy to introduce Madison Hildebrand and his most wonderful blog, InsideBu.com.

Probably one of the most appealing aspects to working with Madison is that he already understand how to use self-promotion in the real estate context (he could teach me a thing or two!), so our conversations really get to focus on the ways in which he can use the technologies behind online social networks (we’ve got ideas for Flickr, YouTube, ActiveRain, the Move Blogs, etc. in addition to consistent and inspired blogging!) to build up a healthy online community around a local real estate market. Malibu is an incredibly challenging market where a few big names dominate the local scene. I am thrilled to have this chance to work with Madison to bring this unique market into the digital age! 🙂

32 thoughts on “Owning the Malibu Community

  1. I was recently talking with a former co-worker about possible career paths we might consider to push past the ceiling in our profession (low-mid $100k/yr.) I mentioned how one of the easiest ways to get rich is to be around the rich and take a percentage off of some of their transactions. Sorry for sounding snarky, but Madison was the guy I was thinking of when I was mentioning that. It escapes me how much Bravo’s show said he made, but I think it was over $300k that year despite the fact he was obviously wet behind the ears and didn’t seem extraordinary in his abilities.

    That’s not meant as a knock on him as a person or his potential when he’s a more experienced realtor than was shown on “Million Dollar Listing”. It’s just amazing what kind of money you can make without an extraordinary performance when you’re surrounded by people with a lot of money.

  2. Ben,

    There’s definitely some truth to the idea that it is much easier to make money where there is a lot of money floating around! A similar reasoning got me into real estate to begin with! 😉

    You may find it amusing that I’ve never actually watch the Million Dollar Listing show and I really don’t know how well Madison comes off… (Reality starts are a dime-a-dozen in LA. LOL!) Nonetheless, he is a great guy in person and runs a smooth office in Malibu. My selection has almost nothing to do with his TV experience and everything to do with the fact that he presented such a clear desire AND opportunity to dominate his local market…

  3. Irina, I’ll definitely be posting the advice I’m giving Madison as we go along! I’m more inclined then ever to post it here on Rain City Guide, so I don’t think you’ll have to travel far to get my Project Blogger thoughts! 🙂

  4. Dustin, it’s understandable you’ve never seen the show – you’re living the dream. 😉

    Madison actually comes off fine. It was just obvious he was young and a bit green at the time.

  5. Jeff,

    Dustin and I did not “consult” on the Pretty Boy Factor 🙂 and we obviously did not use the same criteria when choosing our Apprentices.

  6. Congrats. I love watching Million Dollar Listing. Madison comes off a little “green” but he’s cute and charming and seems to be learning fast. He’s “openness” really seems to win clients.

  7. Hey Dustin,

    Thanks for being willing to share with us on Rain City the play-by-play action as you mentor Madison. With your expert Yoda-like instuction, I’m sure he’ll blog his way into a Jedi Knight Grand Master Malibu Real Estate Agent in no time (wow, say that 10 times fast…phew)! LOL :o) The rest of us will watch & learn from the sidelines.

    I’m looking forward to your posts!! 🙂

  8. Oh man. I watched that show on Bravo! I was addicted. My firm has a cosmetic surgeon on staff. South Beach gives LA a SERIOUS run for the money. I told ARDELL, I will do WHATEVER it takes to win.

    He always had on great sunglasses during the show.

    Welcome & good luck!

  9. Pingback: Remember Dustin’s Project Blogger Apprentice? | Seattle Real Estate ~ Rain City Guide

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