If you’ve ever wondered how to move beyond gimmicks andtruly integrate AI into your business, this conversation is packed with insights, practical advice, and a glimpse into the future of real estate tech. In this episode of In the Blue Zone, your hosts Jeff Geoghan and Betsy Stecz talk with Ryan Bruen of Coldwell Banker Realty, Morristown, NJ. Ryan was a finalist at the national GenBlue conference for "AI Innovator of theYear" in 2025. He shares his journey from accounting and entertainment to leading a family real estate team, and how AI became a game-changer for his business. Topics include:
• Ryan’s career path and lessons learned from family in real estate.
• Why adaptability matters more than ever in today’s market.
• How Ryan uses AI beyond social media—building custom tools and transaction platforms.
• Practical advice for agents: identifying opportunities, experimenting with AI, and avoiding “shortcut thinking.”
• The rise of specialized AI tools for video, virtual staging, and client engagement.
• Predictions for AI’s role in real estate over the next year.
Resources & Links:• Follow Ryan on Instagram: https://instagram.com/BruenRealEstate
• Related article: AI Innovator of the Year Finalists on Blue Matter Blog
• Recommended podcasts by Ryan: Diary of a CEO, Knowledge Brokers Podcast, Broke Agent Media
In this episode we interview Seth Price the Chief Marketing Officer of Realscout, an innovative offering in the real estate space that focuses on effective engagement of your contact database using a blend of automation and AI enhancement. We love Realscout here at Coldwell Banker and wanted to hear Seth's breakdown of how the team there stays on the leading edge of technology for our agents. We go through the specific ways the tool assists in cultivating buyers and sellers through to the transaction.
Seth Price has a long history of leadership within the real estate industry and we talk about some of his personal productivity habits and viewpoints on the direction Artificial Intelligence (formerly "Machine Learning") is going to take in our industry and homes.
Great interview!
Learn more about the Realscout/Coldwell Banker partnership here:
https://learn.realscout.com/coldwell-banker/
You can connect with Seth here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sethkprice
Recommended by Seth - Playmaker Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/playmakers-with-andrew-flachner/id1811011157
Did you know that "You're not the hero" in this story?
In the latest In Blue Zone Podcast episode, David Marine, Chief Marketing Officer of Anywhere Franchise Brands, discusses the importance of storytelling in real estate marketing. He highlights the "Hero's Journey" framework, where consumers are the heroes and agents act as guides, akin to characters like Dumbledore or Gandalf. Marine contrasts this with the traditional "damsel-in-distress" approach, where consumers are portrayed as helpless and agents as saviors. He shares personal experiences with moving recently and encourages agents in community involvement, emphasizing the value of being active and dependable in local communities. This episode offers practical insights and relatable stories for anyone interested developing an effective "value proposition" for their real estate business.
Recommended by David: Nate Bargatze: https://www.facebook.com/natebargatze
Follow David on IG: https://www.instagram.com/dmarine40/
And on FB: https://www.facebook.com/davidmarine
In a world where social media algorithms can feel like the dark side, Matthew Ferrara shines a light on the enduring power of email marketing. With over 33 years in real estate, he emphasizes that email remains a reliable and cost-effective tool for agents looking to connect with their audience. While social media's reach diminishes and costs rise, Matthew advocates for building a quality email list of personal connections rather than a vast, impersonal database.
By focusing on authenticity and sharing personal stories, agents can forge genuine relationships that stand the test of time. As he puts it, "Email is not just a tool; it's a bridge to meaningful engagement." Join us in this episode to discover how to make your email strategy a powerful ally in your real estate journey!
Subscribe to Matthew Ferrara's "Always Inspiring" newsletter on Substack to stay updated with his content.
Links to Jim Rohn, Zig Ziglar, Les Brown, and Brian Tracy's motivational recordings on YouTube
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The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speakers' own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Anywhere Real Estate Inc., its subsidiaries or employees. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "Coldwell Banker" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.
As an independent contractor sales associate, your participation in or use of any Coldwell Banker Realty materials, programs, or meetings is completely voluntary. Your participation in or use is not required for your continued affiliation with the Company. Any affiliation by you with Coldwell Banker Realty is intended to be that of an independent contractor sales associate, not an employee.
Feeling like you need fresh motivation to carry on in your real estate career? Wondering what 2025 will hold for your business?
We had the privilege to interview two of our recent Rookie of The Year award recipients and pick their brains on what motivated them to succeed in their first (and second) year of real estate sales.
Alberto Mateos was the 2022 Rookie honoree and built his business on being himself in video and on social. Even though his sales are great now, he considers his first year the most important in shaping him.
Johanna Orosa was the 2023 Rookie award recipient and has enjoyed giving back to her community by putting on educational events and forming partnerships within the home market that benefit her clients.
Both of our guests are Latino, and we delve into how their backgrounds have shaped them as well as giving them additional motivation to succeed in business.
We hope you enjoy the conversation as much as we did, and take away some actionable ideas to you own real estate career!
You can find them here:
Alberto Mateos
https://www.instagram.com/alberto_pa_md_realtor/
https://linktr.ee/amateosrealtor
Johanna Orosa
https://www.instagram.com/johannaorosarealtor/
https://johannaorosahomes.com/
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Ep 22 Edición Novatos del Año con Alberto Mateos y Johanna Orosa
¿Sientes que necesitas una nueva motivación para continuar en tu carrera inmobiliaria? ¿Te preguntas qué te deparará el 2025 para tu negocio?
Tuvimos el privilegio de entrevistar a dos de nuestros recientes galardonados como Novatos del Año y conocer qué los motivó a tener éxito en su primer (y segundo) año de ventas inmobiliarias.
Alberto Mateos fue el homenajeado como Novato del Año 2022 y construyó su negocio siendo él mismo en video y en redes sociales. Aunque sus ventas son excelentes ahora, considera que su primer año fue el más importante para formarlo.
Johanna Orosa fue la galardonada como Novata del Año 2023 y ha disfrutado de retribuir a su comunidad organizando eventos educativos y formando asociaciones dentro del mercado inmobiliario que benefician a sus clientes.
Ambos invitados son latinos, y profundizamos en cómo sus antecedentes los han moldeado, además de darles una motivación adicional para tener éxito en los negocios.
¡Esperamos que disfrutes la conversación tanto como nosotros y que te lleves algunas ideas prácticas para tu propia carrera inmobiliaria!
Puedes encontrarlos aquí:
Alberto Mateos IG: @alberto_pa_md_realtor
Johanna Orosa IG: @johannaorosahomes
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The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speakers' own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Anywhere Real Estate Inc., its subsidiaries or employees. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "Coldwell Banker" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.
As an independent contractor sales associate, your participation in or use of any Coldwell Banker Realty materials, programs, or meetings is completely voluntary. Your participation in or use is not required for your continued affiliation with the Company. Any affiliation by you with Coldwell Banker Realty is intended to be that of an independent contractor sales associate, not an employee.
In this episode of "In The Blue Zone" we're excited to interview an industry leader & influencer, Chris Linsell with Luxury Presence. With Chris, we dive in to the latest trends in real estate marketing, focusing on the shift from social media to professional business websites. We discuss the Luxury Presence "State of Real Estate Marketing" Report, which reveals that 78% of agents plan to increase their marketing budgets in 2024. Chris emphasizes the importance of building a unique brand and voice through a well-designed website, which has become the most crucial marketing tool for agents. He shares tips on leveraging local SEO and creating targeted content to stand out in a crowded market. Additionally, Chris highlights the growing role of AI in real estate websites, enhancing lead generation and content optimization. Tune in for actionable insights and strategies to elevate your real estate marketing game.
Enjoy our conversation as much as we did!
Find your own copy of the "State of Real Estate Marketing" Report here:
https://www.luxurypresence.com/state-of-real-estate-marketing-report/
Suggested by Chris:
Read Write Own by Chris Dixon
https://a.co/d/afAhH4n
The Forest for the Trees by Betsy Lerner
https://a.co/d/7je2KmU
And by Jeff:
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
https://a.co/d/7je2KmU
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The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speakers' own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Anywhere Real Estate Inc., its subsidiaries or employees. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "Coldwell Banker" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.
As an independent contractor sales associate, your participation in or use of any Coldwell Banker Realty materials, programs, or meetings is completely voluntary. Your participation in or use is not required for your continued affiliation with the Company. Any affiliation by you with Coldwell Banker Realty is intended to be that of an independent contractor sales associate, not an employee.
Are you ready to do what it takes to succeed this year in real estate? In this wide-ranging conversation with East Regional President Rob Norman of Coldwell Banker Realty, we discuss his roots in the industry and how he come to Coldwell Banker as a young manager, looking to leave his mark. Rob shares his passion for empowering agents to reach their potential in yet another year of transition that demands change. Use this time to plot your course for 2024!
Watch the video interview on YouTube Books recommended by Rob: Read Faster with BlinkistThe Daily Stoic Four Habits of Practical & Personal Freedom
Atomic HabitsRich Dad, Poor DadThinking, Fast and SlowNo Excuses!: The Power of Self-DisciplineHow the World Really Works: The Science Behind How We Got Here and Where We're Going You can connect with Rob here Your hosts Jeff Geoghan & Betsy Stecz from Coldwell Banker Realty marketing bring fun and engaging interviews from around our amazing company - and beyond - to help you grow your marketing savvy and be a better businessperson! We'd love to hear from you! Please use the comments for each episode and remember to like and follow our content. __ The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speakers' own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Anywhere Real Estate Inc., its subsidiaries or employees. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "Coldwell Banker" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. As an independent contractor sales associate, your participation in or use of any Coldwell Banker Realty materials, programs, or meetings is completely voluntary. Your participation in or use is not required for your continued affiliation with the Company. Any affiliation by you with Coldwell Banker Realty is intended to be that of an independent contractor sales associate, not an employee.
What exactly is a real estate agent brand, and why would someone want one? How does an effective brand capture the personality of the agent and attract a target market while remaining approachable by others? Is it important for a brand to have certain fonts, colors and images to support the value proposition for the agent?
These questions and many others are found in this episode of "In The Blue Zone" with guest Michael Gaudreau, National Account Services Manager for Coldwell Banker's Design Concierge in-house agency. It's a great exploration of branding with someone uniquely positioned within Coldwell Banker who has conducted hundreds of agent brand consultations! We hope you learn something about building or expanding your own real estate brand. Your hosts Jeff Geoghan & Betsy Stecz from Coldwell Banker Realty marketing bring fun and engaging interviews from around our amazing company - and beyond - to help you grow your marketing savvy and be a better businessperson! We'd love to hear from you! Please use the comments for each episode and remember to like and follow our content. __ The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speakers' own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Anywhere Real Estate Inc., its subsidiaries or employees. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "Coldwell Banker" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. As an independent contractor sales associate, your participation in or use of any Coldwell Banker Realty materials, programs, or meetings is completely voluntary. Your participation in or use is not required for your continued affiliation with the Company. Any affiliation by you with Coldwell Banker Realty is intended to be that of an independent contractor sales associate, not an employee.
This week we had a great guest in the Blue Zone - Andrea Ferry with Rookie to Rainmaker and Exactly What To Say has been coaching - and doing - lead generation techniques for over 20 years. Together we unpack some of the common hurdles that real estate agents need to find the unrealized business opportunities in their life. Questions like:
Who can I serve today and what am I solving for? What conversations am I currently having that I haven't capitalized on? How do I get more referrals with seeming to ask for them? Can I teach my clients HOW to refer me? We think you'll enjoy this conversation! Learn more about Andrea Ferry and contact her here: https://exactlywhattosay.com/andrea-ferry/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-ferry-daniels/ Your hosts Jeff Geoghan & Betsy Stecz from Coldwell Banker Realty marketing bring fun and engaging interviews from around our amazing company - and beyond - to help you grow your marketing savvy and be a better businessperson! We'd love to hear from you! Please use the comments for each episode and remember to like and follow our content. __ The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speakers' own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Anywhere Real Estate Inc., its subsidiaries or employees. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "Coldwell Banker" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. As an independent contractor sales associate, your participation in or use of any Coldwell Banker Realty materials, programs, or meetings is completely voluntary. Your participation in or use is not required for your continued affiliation with the Company. Any affiliation by you with Coldwell Banker Realty is intended to be that of an independent contractor sales associate, not an employee.
With his extensive experience as a real estate agent, and his expertise in marketing and digital media content creation, Drew Thompson with Coldwell Banker Realty in New Jersey brings a fresh perspective to the discussion on artificial intelligence and authenticity. His deep understanding of leveraging technology while staying true to one's authentic self makes him the perfect guide to explore how AI can help agents create genuine connections to grow their business. Get ready to be inspired as we share valuable insights that can help propel your real estate business to new heights! Resources mentioned in this episode: ChatGPT https://chat.openai.com
https://vidyo.ai
https://www.descript.com
https://www.opus.pro
https://runwayml.com Your hosts Jeff Geoghan & Betsy Stecz from Coldwell Banker Realty marketing bring fun and engaging interviews from around our amazing company - and beyond - to help you grow your marketing savvy and be a better businessperson! We'd love to hear from you! Please use the comments for each episode and remember to like and follow our content. __ The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speakers' own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Anywhere Real Estate Inc., its subsidiaries or employees. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "Coldwell Banker" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. As an independent contractor sales associate, your participation in or use of any Coldwell Banker Realty materials, programs, or meetings is completely voluntary. Your participation in or use is not required for your continued affiliation with the Company. Any affiliation by you with Coldwell Banker Realty is intended to be that of an independent contractor sales associate, not an employee.
If there's one individual who stands above the rest in real estate for social media savvy, it's Katie Lance. From her early days with Inman to keynotes on virtually every stage of consequence in the industry—including Coldwell Banker's Gen Blue—Katie's grasp of the social space is immediately apparent. She is the author of "Get Social Smart," and KatieLance.com is an excellent resource for agents looking to build or reboot their online marketing strategies. We were thrilled to have some time with Katie to discuss the value of social media marketing to an agent's business. It was a great conversation, and we hope you take as many notes as we did! Free social resources on Katie's website: Recommended by Katie: "Known"
Watch the video interview on YouTube Your hosts Jeff Geoghan & Betsy Stecz from Coldwell Banker Realty marketing will be bringing fun and engaging interviews from around our amazing company - and beyond - to help you grow your marketing savvy and be a better businessperson! We'd love to hear from you! Please use the comments for each episode and remember to like and follow our content. __ The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speakers' own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Anywhere Real Estate Inc., its subsidiaries or employees. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "Coldwell Banker" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. As an independent contractor sales associate, your participation in or use of any Coldwell Banker Realty materials, programs, or meetings is completely voluntary. Your participation in or use is not required for your continued affiliation with the Company. Any affiliation by you with Coldwell Banker Realty is intended to be that of an independent contractor sales associate, not an employee.
It's difficult to have a conversation about the very best Coldwell Banker agents in the United States without mentioning Chicagoland powerhouse Dawn McKenna; in almost every category of sales performance, Dawn's achievements speak for themselves. Her team was collectively the #3 team in Gross Commission Income across all of Coldwell Banker in 2021 and, more impressively, the #10 team in GCI across all brokerages in the United States... ...And we got her all to ourselves for an exclusive hour of digging into her "why" and "how." From modest beginnings in the Chicago suburbs, Dawn forged a path into the luxury real estate industry through loyalty to others (and herself), devotion to learning and improvement in her craft, and following her business (literally) wherever it took her. And so, after a decade of growth in the northern climes, Dawn set her sights on Florida and the market opening up to her there through her loyal clients. Now, with her Naples market share solidifying, she is looking to new horizons around the country to conquer with a proven model of business. Enjoy this very special conversation and we hope it motivates you as much as it did us! Recommended by Dawn McKenna: Make Your Bed - she reads it over often and shares it with her family and team Your hosts Jeff Geoghan & Betsy Stecz from Coldwell Banker Realty marketing will be bringing fun and engaging interviews from around our amazing company - and beyond - to help you grow your marketing savvy and be a better businessperson! We'd love to hear from you! Please use the comments for each episode and remember to like and follow our content. __ The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speakers' own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Anywhere Real Estate Inc., its subsidiaries or employees. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "Coldwell Banker" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. As an independent contractor sales associate, your participation in or use of any Coldwell Banker Realty materials, programs, or meetings is completely voluntary. Your participation in or use is not required for your continued affiliation with the Company. Any affiliation by you with Coldwell Banker Realty is intended to be that of an independent contractor sales associate, not an employee.
Even when all the news about the market has you worried, and the tech in real estate seems overwhelming, refocusing on the basics that haven't changed in the last forty years will pay you back more than any other "get rich quick" gimmick out there. The business may be moving for you; you need to move to where the business is today and in the next six months... We're excited to bring you a great conversation with real-life guru Chris Leader, all the way from Canada! Chris is a huge Coldwell Banker supporter and his team is almost always presenting awesome classes and coaching somewhere within the CBR network around the country. He shares some of his journey as agent, broker/owner and coach over the past few decades. There is a good conversation about being able to read people and recognize key "tells" that prove you're on the right track to a sale – or not so much. Enjoy the episode! Recommended by Chris: "Six-Minute Xray" Rapid Behavior Profiling
Watch the video interview on YouTube Your hosts Jeff Geoghan and Betsy Stecz from Coldwell Banker Realty marketing will be bringing fun and engaging interviews from around our amazing company - and beyond - to help you grow your marketing savvy and be a better businessperson! We'd love to hear from you! Please use the comments for each episode and remember to like and follow our content. __ The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speakers' own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of Anywhere Real Estate Inc., its subsidiaries or employees. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "Coldwell Banker" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. As an independent contractor sales associate, your participation in or use of any Coldwell Banker Realty materials, programs, or meetings is completely voluntary. Your participation in or use is not required for your continued affiliation with the Company. Any affiliation by you with Coldwell Banker Realty is intended to be that of an independent contractor sales associate, not an employee.