Episode Summary:

In this powerful episode of Loan Officer Life: Hustle, Heart & Homeownership, Brian sits down with social media prospecting coach @michellebermanmikel , founder of Berman Media Social. Michelle unpacks the true meaning of leverage on social media—not for vanity metrics, but to create real relationships that turn into real clients.From her background as a collegiate swimmer to CrossFit athlete, wife, mom, and entrepreneur, Michelle shares how discipline, storytelling, and authenticity have built her brand—and how loan officers can do the same.Michelle also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her upcoming book, The Black Line, a metaphor-driven guide to navigating life and business with purpose, persistence, and perspective.Key Topics Discussed:What it means to truly "leverage" your social presenceWhy authenticity wins over going viralReverse engineering content to earn trust and create conversationsThe mindset shift from chasing followers to generating qualified clientsMichelle’s journey, resilience, and inspiration behind her upcoming bookConnect with Michelle:Instagram: @bermanmediasocialLinkedIn: Michelle Berman-MikelWebsite: www.bermanmediasocial.comYouTube: https://youtube.com/@michellebermanmikel?si=k7YtNcypYOlsn0gsEpisode Highlights:“Your content should make people feel like they already know you.”“Leverage is the bridge between the people you know and the people you need to meet.”“You have to earn the right to talk about mortgages.”🎙 Don’t forget to subscribe to Loan Officer Life and leave a review if this episode hits home!

Summary:In this episode, the conversation revolves around the journey of Carlos Scarpero, a loan officer who has successfully leveraged YouTube to connect with veterans seeking VA loans. Carlos shares insights on understanding the audience, creating relevant content, and using YouTube as a business development tool. He emphasizes the importance of answering specific questions from the audience and discusses his strategies for converting leads into clients. The episode also touches on the continuous improvement of content organization and the significance of building a community through valuable content.Takeaways:YouTube is a powerful platform for connecting with your audience.Understanding your audience is crucial for content creation.Focusing on specific topics can help you stand out.Answering specific questions can drive engagement.Using YouTube for business development is effective.Conversion strategies should be simple and direct.Building a community through content fosters loyalty.Continuous improvement of content organization is key.Don't overthink the technology; just start creating.Specialization in a niche can lead to more opportunities.Sound Bites:"Answer specific questions, ASQ.""I found you on YouTube.""Just record whatever you got.""I love your mission to serve veterans."Chapters:00:00 Introduction to YouTube Success03:10 Understanding Your Audience on YouTube06:09 Creating Content That Resonates08:57 Leveraging YouTube for Business Development12:02 Conversion Strategies for Leads14:47 Building a Community Through Content17:57 Continuous Improvement and Content OrganizationCarlos Scarpero is a creative Mortgage Loan Officer with Edge Home Finance based in Dayton, Ohio who specializes in VA and Non QM Mortgage Loans. He also teaches classes to Realtors in the Dayton and Cincinnati area. For more information, visit https://www.Scarpero.comLicensed in multiple states. NMLS #1674385Edge Corporate NMLS #891464Personal NMLS Consumer Accesshttps://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/INDIVIDUAL/1674385Company NMLS Consumer Accesshttps://www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org/EntityDetails.aspx/COMPANY/891464Contact infohttps://www.scarpero.comcscarpero@edgehomefinance.com937-572-3713

Keywords:NextGen Homebuyer Report, financial literacy, trust in lending, Gen Z homebuyers, mortgage industry insights, homeownership education, loan officer strategies, First Home IQ, housing finance, community engagementSummary:In this conversation, Kristen Messerli discusses the latest NextGen Homebuyer Report, highlighting key insights about the current state of homebuyer trust, financial literacy, and the differences between Gen Z and Millennials in their approach to homeownership. The discussion emphasizes the importance of education, community engagement, and the role of technology in building trust with potential homebuyers. Loan officers are encouraged to adopt strategies that focus on financial literacy and to leverage partnerships within their communities to better serve the next generation of homebuyers.Takeaways:The NextGen Homebuyer Report reveals declining trust in the mortgage industry.95% of Gen Z want to own homes, but 35% see it as a dream.YouTube remains the top source for homebuyer education.ChatGPT is emerging as a new tool for homebuyer information.Gen Z prefers financial advisors for holistic financial guidance.50% of respondents lacked financial literacy education in school.Loan officers should focus on building trust through education.Community engagement is crucial for loan officers.Old school tactics can still be effective in modern marketing.Technology can enhance the educational experience for homebuyers.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the NextGen Homebuyer Report02:05 Key Insights from the Report05:12 Trust Issues in the Industry07:52 Understanding the Homebuyer Cohort08:14 Differences Between Gen Z and Millennials10:50 Financial Literacy Gaps12:11 Strategies for Loan Officers14:46 Old School Tactics for Modern Engagement17:27 The Importance of Early Engagement19:21 The Mission of First Home IQ21:51 Empowering Loan Officers with Content24:49 Building Trust Through Technology26:57 Reaching Diverse Communities29:36 Advice for New Loan Officers31:52 Final Insights and Closing Thoughts