The Prank That Went Viral
I couldn’t believe this when I first heard it.
A restaurant owner in Chicago decided to prank his wife. Nothing crazy. Just him pretending to be one of those over-the-top food influencers on Instagram.
“What up gang? We’re at Walmart today.”
Phone out, fake influencer voice, zero shame. His wife Tina’s reaction? Mortified. She wanted the floor to swallow her whole.
Her husband, Johnny Anastopoulos, thought it was hilarious — so he posted it online.
The video blew up. People started commenting, sharing, asking for more. Before long, Johnny was pumping out skits, roasting the influencer lifestyle. A year later, he wasn’t just a prankster. He was on WGN News, getting free exposure for his restaurant, Johnny’s Beef in Lincoln Park.
Cost? Zero.
Equipment? His phone.
ROI? Massive.
Now, here’s the kicker: most real estate agents think they need perfectly polished videos to get taken seriously. Johnny proved that’s total bullshit.
He used humor to grab attention — then funneled all that engagement straight back to his business.
And that’s exactly what you can do, too.
Why Attention Beats Perfection in Business
Let’s get something straight: in today’s market, attention is currency. You can have the best listing in town, the most polished flyer, the slickest brochure — but if nobody’s paying attention, none of it matters.
We live in the attention economy. The winners aren’t always the smartest, richest, or most professional. They’re the ones who figure out how to stop the scroll.
Think about your own social media habits:
- Do you stop for perfectly scripted, studio-shot videos?
- Or do you stop when something feels real — a funny moment, a quick story, an honest take?
Nine times out of ten, it’s the second.
We live in an attention economy—an environment where human focus is a scarce, precious resource. As Nielsen Norman Group puts it, in a world drowning in information, the real battle is for attention.
Here’s why: relatability > polish.
Polished vs. Raw Content ROI for Agents
| Factor | Polished Content (Studio Shoot) | Raw Content (Phone Video) |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $500 – $2,000 per video | $0 – $20 (tripod, mic) |
| Time | Weeks of planning & editing | Same day |
| Authenticity | Feels scripted, distant | Feels real, relatable |
| Engagement | Lower (scroll past) | Higher (comments, shares, DMs) |
| Conversion | Slower trust-building | Faster – people feel they “know” you |
The ROI isn’t even close.
Case Study Breakdown: How Johnny Turned Silly Videos Into Revenue
Let’s rewind Johnny’s timeline:
- Annoyed at influencers → He sees endless pizza reviews clogging his feed.
- The prank → He pulls out his phone at Walmart and acts like an influencer.
- Viral spark → Tina’s embarrassment makes the video authentic, hilarious.
- Community reaction → People comment, “Do more of these!”
- Consistency → Johnny keeps posting skits, poking fun at influencer culture.
- News coverage → WGN picks up the story, giving his restaurant free publicity.
- Business growth → All that attention funnels straight to Johnny’s Beef.
This wasn’t luck. It was a masterclass in modern marketing:
- Pattern interrupt → He did something unexpected.
- Authenticity → He didn’t pretend to be perfect.
- Consistency → He kept showing up.
- Redirection → Every video led back to his restaurant.
That’s the exact formula you can use in real estate.
What Real Estate Agents Can Learn From This
Most agents hide behind “professional” branding. Polished flyers. Over-edited listing videos. Stock-photo social posts.
But here’s the truth: people don’t connect with perfection. They connect with people.
Examples of “silly but effective” content for real estate agents:
- Open house bloopers. Show the reality, not just the glossy version.
- Day-in-the-life skits. Poke fun at your own schedule. (“Another day, another key I can’t find.”)
- Behind-the-scenes moments. Messy staging, pet photobombs, your kid crashing a Zoom call.
- Prank-style intros. Channel your inner Johnny — mock influencer style, then pivot: “But seriously, let me show you this listing.”
Content Ideas — Polished vs. Relatable for Realtors
| Type | Polished Version | Relatable Version |
|---|---|---|
| Listing Walkthrough | Cinematic video w/ music | iPhone tour w/ funny commentary |
| Market Update | Scripted, suit & tie | Casual car-video, Starbucks cup in hand |
| Client Testimonial | Studio interview | Quick selfie w/ clients post-closing |
| Lifestyle Content | Perfect B-roll montage | Raw clips of your morning routine |
The 4-Step Framework for Turning Attention Into Clients
Here’s the simple framework Johnny followed (without even knowing it).
1. Stop the Scroll
Do something that makes people pause. Humor, honesty, relatability.
2. Redirect Attention
Tie it back to your business: “Speaking of homes… let me show you this one.”
3. Convert
Give them the next step: DM you, click your link, sign up for your list.
4. Repeat
Volume beats polish. Do it again tomorrow.
30-Day Realtor Content Challenge
- Week 1: Scroll stoppers → make people laugh or double-take.
- Week 2: Redirect → tie posts back to listings or market tips.
- Week 3: Human moments → show personality (family, pets, behind-the-scenes).
- Week 4: CTAs → “Thinking about buying or selling? DM me.”
The Myths Holding Agents Back
Let’s kill the excuses.
- Myth 1: I need expensive equipment.
Truth: Your phone is more than enough. - Myth 2: Professional = perfect.
Truth: Professional means trustworthy. Relatability builds trust faster than polish. - Myth 3: Silly content makes me look unprofessional.
Truth: Silly makes you memorable.
Myth vs Reality in Realtor Content Creation
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| Need expensive camera gear | Phone + good lighting is enough |
| Only polished = professional | Relatable = trustworthy |
| Silly content = unprofessional | Silly makes you memorable |
| Must post everywhere daily | Better to stay consistent on 1–2 platforms |
Tools & Tactics to Make It Easier
You don’t need Hollywood software. Here are tools you can use today:
- CapCut → Free, easy editing for Reels/TikTok.
- Canva → Graphics, captions, templates.
- InShot → Quick mobile video edits.
- Instagram Reels → Shoot, edit, post, all in one.
Action Plan: Your First 30 Days of Content
Here’s a starter calendar for agents who want to stop overthinking:
30-Day Realtor Content Plan
| Day Range | Theme | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 1–7 | Scroll Stoppers | Funny intro, pet blooper, staging fail |
| 8–14 | Redirect | Open house walk-through, quick market tip |
| 15–21 | Human Moments | Morning routine, messy desk, behind-the-scenes |
| 22–30 | Calls to Action | “Thinking of selling? DM me” video |
FAQs About Content for Real Estate Agents
Do I need professional equipment to start creating content?
No. Your phone is enough. A cheap tripod and ring light help, but don’t overthink it.
How often should I post videos as a realtor?
Aim for 3–4x per week. Consistency matters more than perfection.
What if I feel awkward on camera?
Lean into it! Awkward is relatable. People connect with authenticity.
Won’t silly videos hurt my credibility?
Not if you redirect to business. Humor makes you approachable, not unprofessional.
What platforms should real estate agents focus on first?
Instagram and Facebook for most agents. TikTok if you want reach. YouTube Shorts if you’re consistent.
How do I tie funny or casual content back to actual real estate business?
Simple: drop one line that bridges to your listings, market updates, or services.
Can one viral video really lead to clients?
Yes. But even if it doesn’t, consistent “small” videos compound over time into trust and recognition.
Should I spend money on ads or focus on organic content first?
Start organic. Once you have consistent content that works, boost it with ads.
Closing: The Coaching Tie-In
Here’s the truth: you don’t need to be perfect. You don’t need a videographer. You don’t need to “look professional.”
You need attention. And the easiest way to get it? Stop trying to be perfect. Start being human.
That’s what Johnny did with his restaurant. And that’s what will work for your real estate business, too.
If you’re tired of overthinking and ready to start building momentum, that’s exactly what we work on inside my coaching program. Step-by-step, I’ll show you how to create content that feels natural — and actually converts into clients.