I just arrived in Walla Walla, Washington on Sunday afternoon. It is my fourth visit to this amazing little town in the high desert of southeastern Washington since my inaugural visit in 2016. I’m in town again to speak with the amazing Coldwell Banker company here in town, led by broker/owner Dennis Ledford, and I am so excited.
Oh, I’m excited to share some more ideas, information, and inspiration with the agents and staff. It’s something I am so thankful for, Thankful for the opportunity to talk about ways to build relationships, solve problems, and have fun. Thankful for the chance to reconnect with old friends that I’ve known since coming here in 2016. Thankful for the creativity to deliver new content that will be both relevant and impactful.
I’m also thankful that I am finally starting to learn my way around town here in Walla Walla. Trust me, I’m no expert on the town of more than 32,000 people, but I do know the main roads, I can find the amazingly walkable downtown district, and I have discovered a few local craft breweries. But it’s nothing like the “local knowledge” every Realtor should make one of their flagship offerings to their customers and clients.
This trip is the first time I have actually flown directly into Walla Walla (trivia nugget: Airport code for Walla Walla Regional Airport is ALW). The last few times I have traveled from Spokane, Portland, and Boise. My friend Stephanie suggested a few restaurants and breweries for me to visit. Ashley traded some texts about local spots as well. Kimberly at my super comfortable Courtyard suggested another spot for me to check out. I’m sure if I talked to every local Walla Wallian (?), they would each have a local recommendation, referral, or suggestion. That’s because they are local…and they know what non-locals don’t know.
Tourists and visitors can use Apple Maps, Yelp!, and Google…but it’s the locals that know the backroads, the best times to go, and the waiters, waitresses, and bartenders to ask for. They know the places to avoid and the people to connect with. They know local because they are local.
The old cliché is “all real estate is local” so why don’t we start talking about this more? Make sure your local clients know that you know the neighborhoods, cities, and markets that you serve but don’t stop there. Find ways to make sure more people know that you truly “know” the neighborhoods, cities, and markets that you serve.
If someone came into your town for a few days, where are you sending them? Who are you connecting them with? What are the things that they MUST have on their “to-do lists”? The best pizza? The most amazing burger? The #blogworthy dessert or cocktail? What local brewery would you send me to? Better yet…do you know the name of the brewer or bartender and can you make an introduction? Imagine the “local cred” you could gain when you become synonymous with your (neighborhood/town/city/region/state)?
Walking Around Walla Walla
Today when I woke up, I went for a walk around downtown Walla Walla and through the campus of Whitman College. I traveled the same local streets I have traveled on my other visits to town, stopped at the same Starbucks as I have in the past, and will probably end up tonight at one of the local watering holes in town.
Trust me, I’ll keep building relationships with people who live and work here, solve any problems I can, and have fun along the way. Those of you that know me, know that’s what I do every day, regardless of where I am or who I’m with.
I’ll also remind myself that I’m a tourist. A visitor. I’m just a guest here in town.
I can’t call myself a local. That’s what they call the people who truly know the area.
Photo courtesy of Dallas Reedy