Connecting The Mortgage Dots is something that all buyers and sellers need to do in a real estate transaction.
If you are selling a home, you need to know how the mortgage process works and how you fit into the plan. Appraisals and inspections are something that is part of almost every transaction and you need to be prepared for the journey ahead if you are in the market to sell.
If you are a looking to buy a home, you need to know where to start and how the dots all connect to get to closing. Guaranteed there will be many cow pies you need to navigate to get to complete your transaction.
Gene Mundt, Senior VP with Chicago Bancorp will be my guest on blogtalkradio Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time. Call in at (347) 994-1903 or set a reminder to listen on your computer and join the chat room.
Gene has 30+ years in the mortgage industry plus he has people skills that will make you feel so comfortable in the transaction you will think you have been friends forever.
His experience includes:
Appraiser
Savings and loan branch manager
Licensed Mortgage Originator/Banker
Certified financial planner
Trustee on the Village of Mokena, IL Board
Mokena, IL Chamber of Commerce President for 3 terms
Little league coach and middle school basketball coach
Avid golfer
Married 35 years and father of 2 sons in Chicago and he is a new grandparent
Questions we will be addressing a home buyer or seller would like to know about:
What are the lowest down payment loans available?
What are the qualifying ratios and FICO score requirements?
How does an appraisal fit into the loan process?
What if the house does not appraise?
How can I know what I can qualify for if I do not have a property selected?
When will I know how much down and how much a month for payments?
When will I know how much I need to bring to closing?
What about inspections and who pays for problems on the house?
What if I have bad credit?
What if I have let a home go back to the bank?
Can I get a co-signor?
How long does the loan process take?
Connect with Gene Mundt, Senior VP Chicago Bancorp Direct: 815.277.4036 Cell/Text: 708.921.6331 Email: gene@chicagobancorp.com Website: www.genemundt.com Skype: 630.219.1316
Please listen to the show with Gene Mundt and start asking questions about the process so you can navigate all the cow pies that will come up during the process.
Sellers NEED to know the loan process because it will help when they get feedback from agents and the response has to do with financing, inspections or appraisals.
Buyers need to know about this as the journey will be much easier when they know what to expect along the way.
Remember the Cosmic Cow Pie Blogtalkradio show. Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time. Call in at (347) 994-1903 or set a reminder to listen on your computer and join the chat room.
This show will be the 2nd in a series to help buyers and sellers get through the home buying and selling process. We will be interviewing agents from around the world talking about specific markets and sharing how toady's agents are communicating.
Our first 2012 agent interview was with Rich Cederberg from Albuquerque, New Mexico. You can listen to the archive of the interview and hear some of the questions asked about the Albuquerque market.
Each area will have unique market traits so knowing the questions to ask to make a confident decision is an important part of the process of buying or selling a home.
Got more questions? Leave a comment or join us on Cosmic Cow Pie blogtalkradio as we talk with agents, lenders and inspectors from around the world.
It's always important to recognize the people around us when they do a great job, but it's an extra special pleasure for me to recognize someone who's a member of our ActiveRain community!
This week I've had the pleaure to work with Carra Riley, the author of Cosmic Cow Pie.
I can't remember how we first contacted each other, but I think it was when I was trolling around the newest and coolest social media site, Google+, looking for someone to interact with. After a trading a few +1's, commenting on each other's posts and sharing some circles of friends, we made contact via phone.
In our first conversation Carra took plenty of time showing me around Google+ helping me strategize, teaching me some cool tricks and helping to find some fun people to follow. She encouraged me to fully complete my profile and how to create my business pages. I recognized right away that her level of comfort with Google+ was very high, so I encouraged her to write this guest post about Google+ for my blog ExpertRealEstateTalk.com.
One thing led to another, and before you know it she had invited me to appear as a guest on Carra's BlogTalkRadio show.
We talked several times over the next week preparing for the radio show, plus we did a Free 1/2 Hour Plan of Action Consultation. Use the link and you can have your free consultation too!
During my Plan of Action Consultation it was very clear that Carra's expertise was not limited to Google+ and in fact I learned that she was once a top producing Realtor in Colorado. She listened attentively as I described my successes and my failures as a real estate agent, then made some great suggestions about how I could improve my real estate business. I'll admit, I'm not the most coachable person out there, but Carra was not fazed and took my stubborness in stride.
Whether you're looking to increase your understanding and participation in social media or blogging, or if you're looking for a real estate coach, I would highly recommend that you contact her.
2012 is going to boil with business and a HOT list will fuel the steam engine that needs to get to 212 to move. It's all a function of having the right tools to run the machine.
This is the 4th Tip in a 30 day program of sharing ideas to help develop new strategies and habits to stay on track.
Each day there will be a post with one idea that might help with creating balance and reducing stress!
Creating your HOT list.
Do you have a sphere of influence list which should include:
name
address
cell phone
home phone
e-mail
social media links
website
The sphere of influence list should be a list of everyone that you know including teachers, club members, doctors, dentists, house keepers, lenders, service providers etc. Someone you know and could call if you needed something.
This list is beyond your holiday card list and should include anyone you would recognize and could talk to at the grocery store. This IS your sphere of influence list NOT your HOT list.
If you don't have one of these lists you NEED to create one. Make some forms that you can have with you in your purse or computer case. When you are talking with someone, ask yourself "Do I have all their current contact information?" If you do not, then have them fill out the form or take out your smart phone and add them to your contact management program.
Every day you should be adding at least 2 to 5 new people that you meet personally to the list. Yes, that should be an HVA (High Value Activity) daily if you have a business product or service you have to sell.
Don't forget about meeting new people in social media... another Cow Tip on adding new contacts to Google+, facebook, twitter, foursquare and linkedin.
Have a value added subscription program like a newsletter, video blog or tips on your business, product or service as a door opener to be able to get the new information from the contact. This concept will be discussed in another future Cow Tip.
The HOT List!
The HOT list is a sub category from your sphere of influence. These are people you have lunch with or do things socially. These are people that love you, support you, will help you unconditionally and you would do the same for them.
Go through your sphere of influence and select the people that should be on your HOT list. Create a letter that, you will hand address specifically to them letting them know they are on your HOT list and that you want to know what you can do to SUPPORT THEM. You might want to have a form in the letter for them to update social media connection links, websites and e-mail. Make it fun.
Send the letter in a colored envelope with a fun stamp. The post office has Love stamps, Celebrate Stamps and all kinds of causes. Pick a stamp the friend will look at and think they are special. Maybe a cartoon stamp would work better for you. Decide what stamp works from you and your personality.
Use your home address as the return and again, HAND address this letter.
Think about the impact of getting a letter in a colored envelope with an interesting stamp hand addressed. What about including a $2.00 certificate to Dairy Queen or Mc Donalds for an ice cream.... they will laugh and should think you are a fun person. Be creative and be yourself. Come back and let us know if you think of something else to add.
In the letter encourage your HOT list friend, to call you and set a time for you to get together to have coffee or lunch to talk about supporting each other in 2012.
Personal referrals are the key to success in any business so to make 2012 the year that boils at 212 degrees you need to do something different. Creating your HOT list is going to work. Create your own specific dialog in print and think about what you will talk about when you get together. Each business, product or service is unique just like your networking style so develop conversation that you feel comfortable with.
Fishing in the pond of people who know you, love you and will refer you is the place you want to be. Your HOT list can be the source of new people to connect with and the job is much easier if someone has given a referral as an introduction.
Think about this concept. Take it and work it. I would be honored to give you individual ideas to help 2012 BOIL with your HOT list!
Please Sign up for our weekly VIDEO cow tips which cover a vast array of unique topics.
Take the ideas then make them into something that sounds like you! I believe that copying is the highest form of flattery and I encourage you to copy any of my ideas to help you achieve success.
Get immediate access to the past 52 weeks of videos in the archive barn for many different ideas.
If you have something that will help others, please let us know and we might be able to feature you, what you do and your idea on a weekly video Cow Tip.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Take advantage of talking to Carra Riley for a 30 minute FREE consultation on any type of planning,
Also check out Carra's Cliff Notes (Social Media 101) Connecting the very BASIC Dots for those wanting to learn and integrate twitter, skype, linkedin, facebook, and google+ into their business.
2011 was the best of times and the worst of times for my family and me.
We took a trip around the world for the best of times checking off many countries on our Goddard list (aka bucket list).
A near death experience with a young family member made it the worst of times. I won't go into the details at this point but in my 58 years I never had family issues that I could not put aside to do my work and be productive. This was a hard feeling to overcome and set back some productivity. The positive outcome from this "worst of times" 2011 experience gave me real empathy for the physical emotion which accompanies personal life issues. I am so grateful this is a new day, a new year and I can implement new thoughts and share with you. I feel even better equipped to help people through difficult times and stay on track with implementing a business plan. Having a routine to keep going is the key to staying on track during a time of emotional unrest.
Ten years ago our family went through financial difficulties where we even sold our furniture to eat so I know the pain of having no money and not knowing where your next meal was coming from. We were basically on numb getting through each day one moment at a time. Getting over the embarrassment and humiliation of this difficult financial life experience in 1992 helped me relate to buyers and sellers in similar situations. I could look them in the eye and say "I KNOW how you feel and this is what we did." I am happy to report we worked through it one step at a time never declaring bankruptcy and paying back every dime we owed through Consumer Credit Counseling.
This current family issue was a new "cow pie" for me to process. Everything had always been a pretty even keel in our lives. When we did get to some piles of "cow pies" we could usually get through them without being on numb and we would reach a resolution in a short amount of time. I am happy to say that with the end of 2011 I "kicked those old thoughts to the curb" and am ready to soar at a new altitude that was always there. It appears we all have some issues to deal with in balancing work and personal life and the 2011 lesson has been invaluable to me in helping others.
Controlling thoughts and emotions can be a challenge throughout life and this is the year.... 2012 where things are going to boil (212 degrees).
Pondering the concept of turning up the heat made me think of separating the silver and gold from the dross. Things have to get heated up to purify and refine the silver and gold to get to the pure substance. The dross or the imperfect materials have to be purged to get to the gold. To move a steam engine the heat has to be up to the 212 to make it run! Turning up the heat in 2012 to refine the gold and run the engine is going to be exciting.
As members of the human race we are all connected in one way or another. It is my humble opinion we are all one through the creator. We are in charge of our thoughts and have complete control of where they go. Life is about demonstrating the skill in exercising what we will and won't think. We can dwell on the positive or we can emerge ourselves in the negative. We do manifest what we believe. This concept became crystal clear to me in my real estate experience starting in 1979 when the agents in the office wanted to trade floor time with me as the phone always rang with someone to help when I was on floor. You see I believed I was there to help people with their real estate and it manifested in my experience. I was able to sell new homes in a project our office was working when the market was down and no one was buying because the interest rates were at 12%. It all boiled down to my beliefs. Getting to that altitude that changes how you process life will make all the difference in the outcome of personal and business productivity.
Our cup can be half empty or it can be half full. When you think about it... whether the cup is half full or have empty with liquid, it is ALWAYS overflowing with air. You see your cup runneth over no matter what, you just have to decide to accept that fact or not. You are in charge!
This year I am going to try each day to only listen to positive messages and know that my cup is running over being grateful for what I have and my ability to read, think and reason through any cow pie out there. I look forward to sharing with you on our 2012 journey.
A trip around the world was on our "Goddard List" (aka bucket list) and we saw the world for the best of times. We started to think global and act local.
On the voyage around the world I took lessons from the universe and completely listened as we embarked on foreign ground. A new book from the Cosmic Cow Pie series is emerging with the global lessons which should be launched in 2012 "Connecting The Dots Around The World." It will inculcate lessons from major land marks we visited. The book will have pictures from sites that have been photographed by thousands and I will share a message to help trigger a change of thought when experiencing a stress situation. The book will take global icons and the message should help the reader think about new "coping skills" to navigate the cow pies of life that continue to be in the way no matter what year it is. Check out the lessons from Brazil and India. Life really is about how we put our boots on and get through those piles. SSDD Same Stuff Different Day applies as nothing is constant but change. The Same Stuff IS the constant change.
One of my favorite quotes applies to everything happening today in a most timely manner:
"You can't change the wind you can only adjust your sails."
As the winds of change blow they bring new challenges and new ways of thinking. When trying to modify your thoughts to stay with the positive you have to build a bridge, walk on over it and never look back.
Taking control of your thoughts requires forgiveness. If you are trying to think only positive and good thoughts in 2012 so you can get that steam engine running you can't have negative energy coming in taking away from your ability to go forward. Whatever was in the past needs to be in the past and you need to forget it. Throw it over that bridge and don't think about it again. Forgiveness means that you forget it ever happened. If you keep bringing up the past you can't live in the present.
The present is here and now and will reflect the way you think.
Don't be thinking about old issues. If you can resolve a conflict just DO IT. If you can't, simply build that bridge and walk on over it.
Let's make 2012 the best of times together.
Join us on Google+ or facebook for 30 days of VALUABLE Cow Tips to reduce stress and create balance as we embark on 2012 together.
This time of year is the perfect time to start new behavior and pay it forward in some small way every single day!
We hear a lot about children and how we can help which is a wonderful and very important activity.
Let's add our seniors to that list of people who would really appreciate some special treatment.
A holiday or New Years dinner, some cookies, a bouquet of flowers... something sweet to tell them they are important and valued.
It is my understanding from a long time ago, Tony Robbins tape that Shaquel O'Neil and his dad asked 3 questions every day which my family and I have enjoyed subscribing to.
The three questions they asked daily, were:
1. Who were you nice to today?
2. What did I learn today?
3. How was I better to day than yesterday?
A great way to keep track of progress is to actually keep a journal on each daily question.
When reviewing your week there is no better inspiration for the next week than reading about the good you have done, what you have learned and how you have improved.
This holiday season we took a turkey dinner to senior friends in Flagstaff, Arizona along with cookies and a floral arrangement. We made a Christmas dinner for some senior friends in Aurora, Colorado at their home with everything from the ham to cherry pie. The icing on the cake for us was making the pea soup from the ham bone which was their favorite soup and putting all the left overs in bags they could freeze.
The slide show below shows you just how easy it is to make someone's day special and make them feel important and valued.
There is still time to go to your favorite grocery store... get a roasted chicken, turkey breast, ham and the fixin's with a little sizzle to start the New Year out right!
As we roll into 2012 think about a daily good deed.
Consider the idea of sharing the three question program in your home, your school, your faith organization or philanthropic group.
By paying it forward, we all make the world a better place.
It has been said: "people remember how you make them feel and not what you say."
No matter what sales or service industry you are in, lessons can be learned from the way Lexus treats it's clients.
Leading by example the Stevinson Lexus group in Frederick, Colorado is setting the bar in customer satisfaction. The opening of their new store made me sit up and take notice of how important every single detail is creating the feeling that lasts and generates raving fans!
Making a long story short, our car ownership evolved from the Mercedes family to Lincolns, to the Lexus group over 32 years in real estate and small business consulting. The Lexus story begins with a friend of mine from my life guard days in Thornton, Colorado when I was 16 years old. My friend sold cars for Lexus and kept me on his contact list. His service went as far as ordering our latest SUV over the phone in Colorado and having it delivered to Lake Havasu City, Arizona at the Home Depot parking lot. He took care of every detail including the call for us to meet the driver to take delivery of our new car.
We now live in Williams, Arizona so the closest Lexus dealership is Las Vegas or Phoenix both are about a 3 hour drive from our home. It never bothers us to go to Vegas to have our car serviced as we can meet friends and have fun at the same time. What is consistent about the Lexus dealerships all over the country is the way the team treats the consumer. We can always make an appointment and have a loaner car to be able to do what we need to do while in the big city.
This past October we were in Colorado and I called my friend at Lexus to make a service appointment at the new store in Frederick. Again, as a Lexus owner I am never concerned about the quality of the service as I know it is going to be top quality no matter where I am. Our original sales friend had made a move but my new best friend in the service end, Andy Anderson, took over and got us all set up with the loaner car and an orientation of the new store.
The new store in Frederick is amazing. There is a new Mac in the waiting room for customers to use sitting around the big screen or enjoying a roaring fireplace which makes you feel like you are in a 5 star resort. One of the very favorite unique branding tools I found at Stevinson Lexus in their west store was the waterfall faucets in the magnificent bathrooms. The labeled towels and mouthwash are icing on the cake in a Lexus restroom. Many stores have nail boutiques, hair booths and shoe shine stands for the consumer as you wait for your car. The coffee bar with fresh pastry, fruit and juice again, make you feel appreciated as a customer.
I created a simple foursquare check in talking about the new store after getting the tour. Within 15 minutes of leaving the store we received a call from our service consultant, Andy Anderson, letting us know that the post on foursquare had been noticed by Lexus corporate and they appreciated our "shout out." Now, think about how I felt as a customer receiving a call about my post on twitter and facebook about the great new store in Frederick, Colorado. I felt like a valued client who meant something to the Lexus organization and I feel like supporting the Lexus team in every way possible.
Do you think we have a mutual admiration society? I think so and am looking forward to going to Stevinson Lexus of Frederick tomorrow for the 5,000 mile service again.
I can't say enough good things about Lexus and the team at Stevinson in Frederick, Colorado. I hope you will think about a Lexus, go into a showroom, talk to the professionals there and create your own team of supporters. Listen to the video and what Andy Anderson has to say about consumers on social media.
It's December to Rememberat Stevinson Lexus of Frederick
More great Lexus news. As I posted this to twitter and checked out the @Lexus tweets I see they are giving $5.00 for each tweet with #LexusBigRedBow or sharing on facebook to Toys for Tots so check it out and share the #LexusLove
Just returned from the NAR 2011 Convention with some great information.
2012 is less than 45 days away. The five best practice concepts might be a jump start on business or personal plan ideas.
The Anaheim Convention Center is located on the outskirts of Disneyland Over 20,000 members of the National Association of Realtors and service providers came together to learn and share with one another in this ever changing new world.
Take Away 1. Stay in budget: from Michael Eisner.
One cannot think of Disney and not think of the name Michael Eisner. His accomplishments speak for themselves and his ability to lead a team to success.
Michael Eisner has been a leader in the American entertainment industry four decades. He began his career at ABC, where he helped take the network from number three to number one in prime time, In 1976, he became president of Paramount Pictures, turning out hit films such as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Saturday Night Fever, Grease, and Terms of Endearment. This string of critically acclaimed and blockbuster films led the studio to become number one in box office and profitability in both theatrical movies and network television production.
In 1984 Michael assumed the position of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company and, in the ensuing 21 years, transformed it from a film and theme park company with $1.8 billion in enterprise value into a global media empire valued at $80 billion.
In 2005, Michael began the “next act” of his career by founding The Tornante Company, a privately held company that invests in, acquires, incubates, and operates media and entertainment companies.
Michael emphasized working within financial boundries.. make things happen within the framework of what you have. Don't overspend, keep it in the box as far as the cost and out of the box as far as thinking. I have been using the Disney "box" planning formula since 1979 and use it every year to create a plan that ALWAYS works when the boxes are followed in the action footsteps.
Identify a budget for your business and stick to it. Think of creative ways to achieve the goal within your budget to stay on track and take your business to the top like Michael has done four decades.
Michael Eisner shares: "Everyone has growing pains it's just part of the process." Keep seeing the green and going forward.
Take Away 2. Rule of 5: Jack Canfield
Jack Canfield and Carra Riley with "Know Your Monkey™" in hand.
Jack shared J. Paul Getty's Success strategies.
Rise early
Work hard
Strike Oil
Motivate yourself to do something different. Change your behavior, do something different.
Walk away from negative talk or behavior.
Change the word can't to won't and see what a difference that makes.
Drop the word can't, change to: I wish I was able to.
Television is an income reduction box. Watching it reduces your income!
Chicken Soup for the Soul aka Jack Canfield series..... was rejected by 144 publishers so when you think of quitting think of the dedication it took to present his book to 144 publishers.
Now this is interesting.... who do you hang out with? "You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. Hang out with people making more money than you."
Rule of 5: Do 5 things a day to help you get to your goal. Your self talk should be "what 5 things am I going to do to day to achieve my dream?"
Take away 3: Learn about personality types and how different people fit with your traits.
Every business could be considered a team and a very helpful idea to increase productivity and consumer satisfaction it is to learn about different personalities and how they work together in a DISC assessment test.
The typical American company bases 80% of their hiring decisions on the "intellectual" aspect of an individual: skills, resume, training and experience.
The National average rate of successful hiring is less than 50% because of Behavior or Style incompatibility. Here in lies the major disconnect or wrong hiring practice. The person can do the job but it is not getting done. By using the DISC assessment method an employer can better understand the thinking process of the potential hiree and see if the person is a good fit with the vision and direction of the company.
The important take way is to really learn about how different people think and adjust what you do and how you present what you have to share accordingly if you are in sales. The DISC study does require an action item on your business plan to help balance the way the work flows in all environments and the type of communication that will be successful.
CRB is just completing some major modifications in their courses and have added many new trainers to their instructor cadre. I am delighted to share the fact I am a new CRB instructor and look forward to talking to you about the classes and the program designation that can be presented in your area.
Technology Super Stars Bill Lublin, Jay Thompson, Chris Smith, Nobu Hata, Todd Carpenter shared the latest web sites and tools to know about today. Check out Bill and Chris on their mobile devices during the presentation. If you are not mobile... you should be!
"Inducted into the Apple "App Hall of Fame", NY Times "Top 10 Must-Have Apps", Winner of the Best Mobile App Award from TechCrunch, Mashable and the Webbys."
Evernote turns the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad into an extension of your brain, helping you remember anything and everything that happens in your life. From notes to ideas to snapshots to recordings, put it all into Evernote and watch as it instantly synchronizes from your iPhone to your Mac or Windows desktop. See why millions of people worldwide use Evernote:
Now get your own Personal Cloud! File sync and online backup for all your devices including PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android, BlackBerry, and more!
In a head-to-head review of SugarSync, Dropbox, Apple’s iCloud, Amazon’s Cloud Drive, Google, and many others, SugarSync was named the “Ultimate Victor” as the best online storage solution of 2011.
Track this now to see what people are saying about you, your company and your brand.
Twittrratr How do you rate and is it positive or negative, what are people saying?
Search.twitter.com search any thing you want like: buying a new house in Phoenix Arizona. Buying a ______ (whatever you sell) and see who is tweeting about what you do.
Walkscore.com Type any address to get a walk score and see what is nearby and how far you are from aything.
localmind.com iphone app to see what is going on around you locally.
NOW foursquare matters: localmind connects with "local check ins" to help you find out about where you want to go.. how crowded a place is and what the hours are etc.
Localmind is a new service that allows you to send questions and receive answers about what is going on—right now—at places you care about.
MUST be in Google Places! Must get past clients to give you reviews. Participate and share the Google Connection. 40% of mobile searches are local in nature.
Google+ BE there... "get past the Google Creepyness and just say 'What's Next?'"
Scott Carpenter, social media expert from NAR says the most important aspect of social media is to:
"Prove to me that I can trust you." Create relationships in social networks and do business on your website. Spend more time on Linkedin. Get recommendations online for Linkedin. Make sure your profiles are correct on Zillow, Truilia, and Realtor.com
Take Away 5: Be part of making the world a better place!
NAR President Ron Phipps led the keynote session with poise and inspiration. He honored our men and women of the armed services and requested us to take action in expressing gratitude.
"If you see someone in uniform, stop and THANK THEM for service to our country."
Ron also presented the REALTOR Good Neighbor Award Winners and encouraged each and everyone of us to join the Good Neighbor Society.
"Capture the good neighbor heart and put it into action. We have 1,000,000 Realtors... see what 5 did!"
"For the past 12 years the Good Neighbor Awards program has recognized Realtors® who are devoted to strengthening communities through volunteer work and helping those in need. The five individuals named as this year's REALTOR® Magazine Good Neighbor Award winners are leading examples of how Realtors® value service and are committed to improving communities.
The 2011 Good Neighbor Awards winners are:
LeRoy J. Bendickson, Edina Realty, Edina, Minn., for National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Minnesota Chapter
Marta Karpiel, Alain Pinel Realtors®, Carmel, Calif., for Freedom Fields USA
Vito A. Pampalona, Vito Anthony Homes, Rochester, Mich., for the Yellow Ribbon Fund
Judy Pitt, Wright Kingdom Inc., Boulder, Colo., for Kazi Yake (His Works)
Wayne J. Shaffer, Shaffer and Associates, Santa Cruz, Calif., for St. Francis Catholic Kitchen, Siena House Maternity Home, and Jesus Mary Joseph Home
The Good Neighbor Awards have been granted annually since 2000 and are presented by NAR’s REALTOR® Magazine. Winners receive a $10,000 grant for their charity and a $2,000 Lowe’s gift card, and are profiled in the November-December issue of REALTOR® Magazine.
Ron leaves us with the vision of going out to help our world and make it a better place!
"We are at the tipping point of changing the future in so many ways... go back to the problem and leave a bright future for our children and grand children......
We fail if we give up. "
To get our country back on track we have to help one another.... what do you think?
Mobile Marketing is a place you need to be and something you need to know about!
If you have not "connected those dots" you need to meet Susan Rice-Lincoln on Thursday, November 3, 2011 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on the Cosmic Cow Pie Blogtalkradio show. Call into the show on (347) 994-1903 or join is in the chat room.
The more you learn about mobile marketing and where today's eyeballs are the better off you will be in adjusting as the Cosmic Shift Happens™.
Susan Rice-Lincoln is a Mobile and Social Media Marketing Expert and author of "Mastering Web. 2.0." Currently living in France and connecting all over the world.
Individuals, small businesses and non profit organizations will want to listen to this life changing information. Susan will be sharing secrets to fund raising using mobile donations.
She will go in detail on M-commerce, mobile websites and show how a little work can make a big difference to increase the bottom line.
Learn about "talking book marks" and how real estate agents AND authors can take advantage of QR Codes in getting their message out.
"Did you know that there are now more citizens in the United States with a smartphone than people with a university degree?
In 2012, there will be more people with a smartphone than any other kind of mobile phone." Susan says…" well over half of all social media is now happening over the mobile phone and that the power of mobile to touch people is almost limitless."
In a recent tweet Susan posted: More likely than not, the emails you write today will be read on a mobile phone, not on a PC. For more go to this blog post .
6 elements you need to be sure are included in your mobile marketing program if you want success:
40% of US smartphone owners compare prices on their mobile device when they are shopping inside a store (HubSpot). So, the moral is, if your site isn’t optimized for mobile use, you could definitely be missing out on sales.On your mobile site, make sure you put in some ‘mobile magic’ (i.e. the information consumers are most interested in) such as your hours, location and directions.
Email. Long gone is the world when emails were only read on a PC. Now a big percentage of emails are being read on mobile phones. This means that you need to keep the subject line short and make sure that you make your message, brand name, offer and call to action as brief and to the point as possible. Equally, the design of your email should be simple and not too dense. Don’t forget to include a link to your website (preferably mobile!) or Facebook page.
Invite the visitors to your establishment to get on your mobile list so they can get special coupons. You might even want to put a sign at your cash register inviting them to do so. Give them a little extra incentive with a savings coupon or special offer.
Social media is a perfect fit with mobile; almost 50% of social media is consumed on mobile. Encourage your customers to join you on Twitter or Facebook.
Location-based services like Foursquare also work really well with mobile. Encourage your customers to ‘check in’ to your business by offering a special offer.
Customer reviews are a great way to build your reputation on both location-based services and social media. Invite people to share their experiences with you whenever possible.
Tune in to hear Susan Rice-Lincoln discuss going mobile to help attract more clients, money and success.
Tune in to hear Susan Rice-Lincoln discuss going mobile to help attract more clients, money and success.
Meet Susan Rice-Lincoln, Thursday, November 3, 2011 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time on the Cosmic Cow Pie Blogtalkradio show. Call into the show on (347) 994-1903 or join is in the chat room.
Do You Know Amy Stoehr And The Real Estate Masters Guild?
Amy is someone you really want to know!
2011 is almost over and 2012 brings with it new hope and opportunities!
Amy Stoehr has some ideas to help you "Connect the dots" in real estate sales. Amy left as the Executive VP of Howard Brinton's STAR POWER Systems in 2008 to launch a consulting business that focuses on the inside-out model of coaching.
Please join me on blogtalkradio Thursday October 27, 2011 9:00 a.m. PDT to meet Amy Stoehr CEO of Real Estate Master Guild. Call into (347) 994-1903 or join us in the chat room!
Amy Stoehr can get you up running and back on track in no time. Amy is the founder of REMG Real Estate Masters Guild, an independent source for real estate education, coaching, networking and support. REMG is a very special community that is "guru-free" and not devoted to promoting a particular leader.
"We build deep and lasting relationships with and among our members. The strength of the family we've created and continue to grow, through top-notch solutions and quality interactions, represents a profound advantage for our group.
With all the changes taking place on a DAILY basis we need to have some humor with "crabby people!" This is what Amy says about crabs.... .
"Do you know why you boil two crabs in a pot, and not one? Because they'll hold each other down and die together."
Join us to talk about getting back on track and sharing ideas on social media, individual mentoring, actionable strategies, powerful networking and ongoing support.
Remember blogtalkradio Thursday October 27, 2011 9:00 a.m. PDT to meet Amy Stoehr CEO of Real Estate Master Guild. Call into (347) 994-1903 or join us in the chat room
Have you asked the question, will my real estate business be around in five years? What will it take to stay in the game?
Meet Erik Qualman: called a Digital Dale Carnegie and author of the best selling book Socialnomics. Erik describes how social media transforms the way we live and do business. He shares how survival of ALL business today needs to address social media and what it takes to survive in this volatile market.
A frequently requested International speaker, Qualman has been highlighted in numerous media outlets including: Business Week, The New York Times, WSJ, Mashable, USA Today, Financial Times, Forbes, Fortune, CBS Nightly News, and The Huffington Post. He has been fortunate to share the stage with Julie Andrews, Al Gore, Tony Hawk Sarah Palin, Jose Socrates (Prime Minister of Portugal), Alan Mulally (Ford CEO), Lee Scott (CEO/Chairman Walmart), and many others.
Currently Qualman is an MBA Professor at the Hult International Business School. For the past 16 years Qualman has helped grow the digital capabilities of many companies including Cadillac, EarthLink, EF Education, Yahoo, Travelzoo and AT&T. He is the founder and owner of socialnomics.com which PC Magazine ranked as a Top 10 Social Media Blog. He sits on the Advisory Boards of Manumatix, ShopVisible and Bazaarvoice Inc. Qualman holds a BA from Michigan State University and an MBA from The University of Texas. He was Academic All-Big Ten in basketball at Michigan State University and still finds time to follow his beloved Spartans while living in Boston with his wife and daughter.
Qualman has recently advised/given keynotes with the following: Coach, Facebook, UGG Australia, Starbucks, M&M/Mars, Cartier, Montblanc, TEDx, Polo, UGG Australia, Nokia, Google, and more. Qualman gave the commencement address to the 2011 graduating class of McCombs Business School (University of Texas.)
Meet Erik on Cosmic Cow Pie Blogtalkradio show Friday, October 14, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. PDT. Set a reminder here and tune into the show with the link. Call in with questions 347-994-1903 or join us in the chat room as we discuss Socialnomics and what business needs to do to survive as the Cosmic Shift Happens™.
Qualman produced "Social Media Revolution" which is one of the most watched social media videos in the world. He has a great story about having to take down the 1st version of the video and you will hear it on the blogtalkradio show. If you do any sharing of social media this youtube link tells the story in an easy to follow format. Fast Company Magazine listed him as a Top 100 Digital Influencer so be sure you tune in.
Don't miss our discussion with Erik Qualman, author of Socialnomics as we talk about:
Digital Dale Carnegie… where did that come from?
What he talked about with the employees at facebook?
Why was he on the stage with Julie Andrews, Al Gore and Sarah Palin?
What are the best social media venues to be participating in as a business?
What is going to happen to businesses that do not get on the social media bandwagon?
What three things should a business be doing today to survive?
What people are saying about Erik Qualman's book:
“In Socialnomics, Qualman brilliantly prescribes that the key to social media success is doing rather than deliberating. This is a must read for anyone trying to leverage the social graph rather than be squashed by it.” – Steve Kaufer, CEO, TripAdvisor
“Erik Qualman has a very bright future.” – Angelo Pizzo, Award-winning writer and producer of Hoosiers and Rudy.
“Qualman makes a powerful case that social media has forever changed the way we live and do business. Socialnomics helps make sense of it all.” – Dr. Stuart, Levy, Professor, George Washington University
“Social Media isn’t just for the Next Generation – it’s for every generation. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a media professional, a college student or a mom, social media will shape your future. Don’t be overwhelmed by it; read Qualman’s book instead.” – Jane Wooldridge, Award-winning journalist, The Miami Herald
Talk to Erik on blogtalkradio 347-994-1903 October 14th 9:00 a.m. PDT or join us live in the chat room.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
Mountain Time. Call in at (347) 994-1903 or set a reminder to listen on your computer and join the chat room.
me to recognize someone who's a member of our ActiveRain community!
all kinds of causes. Pick a stamp the friend will look at and think they are special. Maybe a cartoon stamp would work better for you. Decide what stamp works from you and your personality.
France and connecting all over the world.
A frequently requested International speaker, Qualman has been highlighted in numerous media outlets including: Business Week, The New York Times, WSJ, Mashable, USA Today, Financial Times, Forbes, Fortune, CBS Nightly News, and The Huffington Post. He has been fortunate to share the stage with Julie Andrews, Al Gore, Tony Hawk Sarah Palin, Jose Socrates (Prime Minister of Portugal), Alan Mulally (Ford CEO), Lee Scott (CEO/Chairman Walmart), and many others.
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