Alright, my fellow flippers, hustlers and deal-closers! Ace Marie Abellana back in your digital ear, ready to drop some truth bombs on marketing, real estate, and why showing up is your ultimate superpower. Let's get down to brass tacks, shall we?

What's the Deal with Marketing, Anyway?

We throw that word around like confetti, but let's be real, do we actually know what it means? 

It isn’t some mystical unicorn riding a rainbow of buzzwords (well, in my case it might be, lol). But seriously, it's about getting your fabulous self (and your killer product/service) seen, heard, and loved. And as a woman juggling a marketing agency, real estate, AND title work (yeah, I know, I'm a superhero in heels), I know a thing or two about getting noticed.

Think of it like this: your brand is your personal energy drink. Mine? It's a triple shot of Cortadito with a side of "get it done" attitude. Yours might be something different, but you gotta figure out how to bottle that magic and sell it.

Let's break it down, using an imaginary drink (and a shameless plug for the marketing company), MYFRND ENERGY, as an example:

• Design (aka, the eye candy): That killer social media post? That's your visual hook. It's the outfit your brand wears to the party. Think of it as the lipstick and heels (or finely tailored suit) that get you noticed. It has to be fire. Let’s imagine for now that it’s a giant billboard for your brand. Or in this case, our make believe magic energy drink. We want it to be on the tip of everyone’s tongue, literally and figuratively. And great design is the first step to catching attention.
• Advertising (aka, where you shout it from the rooftops): Putting a giant poster, or better yet, a huge billboard where you know your clients are going to be? That's your megaphone. You're strategically placing your message where your ideal prospects are hanging out. You're basically saying, "Hey, look at me!". In the case of our example, “MYFRND Energy Drink”, let’s put that billboard in front of every college, gym, nightclub, and social hotspot in town. We want everyone thirsty and talking about us!
• Promotion (aka, freebies and fun): Setting up a booth at a beautiful park on a sunny Fourth of July, and then handing out our energy drinks & branded sparklers to everyone who walks by and then posting a reel about it? That's your way of saying, "Try me, you'll love me!" It's about creating an experience, a taste of what you're all about. 
• Publicity (aka, the cool kids talking about you): An influencer posting a video of them chugging your drink? Or, an influential person in your friends’ network sharing that post to help celebrate your win? That's social proof, baby! It's the "it" factor. It's like everyone at the party whispering how awesome you are. And if you’re here on GRID…well then, you’re already awesome! For real! Now all you have to do is network like your net worth depended on it. Because guess what? Yep. Your network IS your net worth! So schmooze!
• Public Relations (aka, the good press): That influencer from before? Now they’re setting a world record while wearing your brand's t-shirt, and then landing on the cover of a major sports publication? That's building trust, cachet and credibility. It's showing the world you're legit. That’s better than a billboard. That’s a commercial during the Superbowl! See also: Referrals, referrals, referrals…so dream BIG!
• Sales (aka, the money maker): Talking directly to customers and explaining why your brand is the bomb? That's closing the deal. It's where the magic happens. Face to face and handshake to handshake. The virtual world is powerful, but breaking bread together IRL is crucial.
• Marketing (aka, the whole damn shebang): Combining all of this to make MYFRND ENERGY (or GRID, as the case may be) the most talked about brand in town? That's marketing in action. It's a symphony of strategies working together to play to a sold out crowd that is cheering your success. 

But…here's the REAL kicker: 

YOU are the brand.

Whether you're a realtor, a flipper, an entrepreneur, a dentist, or a dog walker, you're selling you. And in today's digital jungle, you gotta be everywhere. 

Think of the social media guru and influencer extraordinaire Gary Vaynerchuk  and his concept of "Omnipresence."

Not to hit my own like button (ha) but I was lucky enough to not only meet Gary Vee, but hang out with him when he flew out leadership from Parq Nightclub, and after hanging with him and talking to him a lot, I can tell you he is the real deal! 

Instagram? Facebook? YouTube? LinkedIn? TikTok? Twitter/X? 

Yes, yes, yes, and YES! Get your face out there. This isn’t the time to hide, it’s time to SHINE!

Now, I know what you're thinking: "But Ace, I'm not perfect!"

Baby, neither am I. As you may remember from my previous blog, I'm a breast cancer survivor. And during treatment, I vlogged with a bald head and all. And I rocked that look. Why? Because 98% of success is showing up. Period. Forget "Good is the enemy of great." Just show up. Be real. Be fearless. Or better yet, feel the fear and do it anyway. Who doesn’t love someone showing up against all odds? So beat the odds, be good, and be YOURSELF!

Real talk: Failure is part of the game. Yep.

Even the best athletes have losses. In fact, some of the best athletes have the MOST losses. That’s because they get up to bat the most and swing for the bleachers, even if they might strike out. Doesn’t matter. It's all about getting back up and swinging again. And again.

Your social media doesn't have to be perfect; it has to be real. In a world of AI and fake news, authenticity is your superpower.

Look, I’ve been a professional dancer since I was a kid, so I know a thing or two (or three) about RHYTHM. And the groove you want to get into is the rhythm of authenticity. Feel the vibe. What are you up to lately? Where are you at? What are you feeling? Who are you with? Post when you get the feeling, and when the urge hits. FORGET the algorithm, and find your RHYTHM. 

As Nike says, JUST DO IT! I would then add, “JUST POST IT!”

And remember, don’t be afraid to take breaks! People will appreciate you doing a “digital detox”. It’s ok to go off social media for a bit and then come back and say hi again. In fact, it’s nice to keep your audience in suspense. Live your life, your real life, and then post about what grabs you when the mood strikes. Maybe that’s once a day, maybe it’s twice a week. Don’t force it, but also don’t ghost it. Just feel it, post it and move on. Content is king but courage is the crown.

Don’t worry about perfect timing. Think of it like a party you are invited to that has no start or end time. You want to make an appearance, be yourself, have fun and share the memories. Enjoy the vibe, feel the rhythm and forget the algorithm. 

Just show up and speak your truth. People will love it. Don't be a secret (real estate) agent! BUILD HYPE! Share and re-share, bring it back and bring it home, my friends.

Trust me, if I can do it, you can do it! 

So, here's your marching orders:

• Get your brand voice on. What makes you uniquely you?
• Be omnipresent. Get your face and brand on as many platforms as you can.
• Be authentic. People can smell BS a mile away. Get real and keep it real. Make mistakes. Make content. Keep it up.
• Don't be afraid to fail. It's how you learn and grow.
• Just show up. Even on your bad hair days. In my case, even on my "no hair" days. Seriously. Have courage!

And remember, you got this! Now go out there and make some marketing magic. 

Stay Fabulous, my friends. 

Oh, and speaking of fabulous friends and marketing magic, I MUST give a solid shout out to my creative partner in crime and my MARKETING MENTOR

The one and only, the GOAT! Pooya Mohit!!! 

I may be the one in front of the camera, but he is the Wizard of Oz behind the curtain of commerce, the magic maestro behind the camera, the editing guru, social media sorcerer, and the true Jedi Master (and beatboxer) of marketing. Check out our awesome and fun new stuff by clicking here.

And of course, thank you DUSTIN OLVERSON, for always believing in me, lifting me up and giving me a platform to post this on. You are the Superman of real estate, the grandmaster of the flip, and GRID is the greatest! 

With Admiration, 

-Ace Marie Abellana