marketing: In the Beginning of Web 2.0 ... Building Community
- 11/22/08 12:53 PM
In the beginning, there was Web1.0 – it was a read only atmosphere. Websites became the “in” thing and dot com companies ran vapid. Then Web2.0 was born - the era of read-write philosophy. Blogs (or weblogs) are now “in” - and the phases of social networking and marketing is in full swing. Not to be confused with traditional marketing, social networking is more than a face to face meeting. It’s more than sending out an email once a month and letting your clients know what you’re doing. It’s so much more … Web2.0 is a world of transparency. It’s … (9 comments)
marketing: An Open Letter to All REALTORS - from a Prospective Buyer (and Potential Client)
- 11/19/07 10:01 AM
Dear REALTOR, Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Prospective Buyer. I am the person that all of your marketing and advertising dollars, when applied properly, appeal to. If all the stars align, I’m your client. I’m even already pre-qualified to buy a new house. While my credit score is not quite perfect, it is in the excellent range. Quite unexpectedly, I found myself in unfamiliar territory (outside of the state that I currently reside in) looking for a new home. As the majority of today’s buyers do, I started my search on the internet. I looked through the … (62 comments)
marketing: It's Time To TOOT - A Little Bit Louder Now!
- 08/06/07 08:25 AM
Why? Why? Why? I just have to ask, "Why?" WHY is it so hard for home stagers to stand up and be heard? Why are we so quiet about the service we provide? What's the big secret? With first hand knowledge and personal experience behind you, think about it this way - A vacant home is empty, uninviting - sitting there waiting for someone (anyone) to pour some attention on it.
But a staged home offers possibilities, potential and promise.
What picture is coming to your mind? Do you really want to be thought of as a home where "no … (22 comments)
marketing: Cool SEO Website - websitegrader.com
- 06/23/07 03:32 PM
Website SEO Score - Website Grader First off - let me preface this blog by saying I know NOTHING about search engine optimization. I know just enough to be considered dangerous, but I am learning more every day. If you are an seo guru, like our own Karen George, then this is probably not news to you. However, for those of us who are just getting started, this website is actually pretty cool. Website Grader is a tool that helps measure the effectiveness of a website, from a marketing perspective. It assigns a numerical score (a "grade") from your website ranging form 0-99. The grading is … (20 comments)
marketing: What's Your Price? The Value of Your Service
- 06/22/07 04:06 AM
Staging Arizona Real Estate: Value of Your Service: Putting a price tag on what you do If someone called you and asked you "How much does it cost?" or "What is your price?" What do you say? Do you put a dollar amount on the "perceived value" of your service or are you hourly? What is the value of the service you offer? If you had to put a price tag on your service, do you get enough? If not, are you doing your "job" because you enjoy it and are passionate about it? Brian Tracy sends me a daily email with a "Quote For The Day". Today's thought really … (0 comments)
For those of you who shop at IKEA - you get it. It's not just another "store" - it's an experience. Drop the kiddies off in the kiddie-care area for a couple of hours and begin your adventure. Heck - sit down and have a nice lunch too (meatballs anyone?). So, for those of you depend on IKEA for your life or business needs, I wanted to make sure you knew about .... IKEA has launched a new website devoted to small business owners - "A Better Life At Work: Small Business. Big Dreams Furnished By IKEA". To commemorate this new venture, … (11 comments)
Let me be the first to admit it - I love staging and it's been very rewarding journey. But ... it's not all fun and games, is it? We have nannies and before/after school care. We drive mobile restaurants and have DVD players in our cars. We carry "inventory" with us every day and lug heavy boxes in/out of moving vans. We even spend countless hours searching for just the right accessory. The business of staging is hard work. The physical act of staging is back breaking hard work. When it's 110degrees outside or there's snow on … (14 comments)
marketing: Your MARKETING efforts is what sells your listings ... Even Tony Marriott agrees!
- 06/14/07 03:45 AM
While surfing around A/R this morning, I came across one of the pillars of A/R - Tony Marriott's blog entitled "Getting Ready For Showtime" Tony's Blog includes a Top 10 Checklist of things to do prior to "showtime"- that is before putting your house or listing on the market or MLS. As a self-proclaimed marketing junkie, I find it absolutely, positively reaffirming that 8 out of 10 of the things to do are MARKETING. Title Inspection & Home Warranty Home Inspection Home Staging Measurements and Description, Features to highlight Digital Photos and Virtual Tour MLS Data Entry Internet Marketing Toll Free Audio Tour … (12 comments)
marketing: Want more business? Take Note
- 06/11/07 02:09 PM
Want more business? How about more referrals? Then consider the power of a hand written note. I am almost fanatical about writing notes. Right after an appointment with a perspective client, I send them a note expressing my appreciation for their time. When someone says something complimentary about me or my business, I'll send a note with a token gift card. Send me a referral? Yep - you're going to get a hand written Thank You card and a gift card. Any other reason I can think of - I send a note. Haven't heard from a Realtor in a while? Send a hand written note. Just finished a job? Send a hand written … (32 comments)
marketing: Everything I learned about selling ... I learned from a Car Salesman
- 06/11/07 10:23 AM
Today, tomorrow and yesterday - everyday is a day filled with learning opportunities and if I keep my eyes open, I may just happen to recognize them. If I'm smart, I implement them. So, when I went to buy a new car, it dawned on me that I could learn alot from this entire experience. "So, what did I learn?" you ask. Thanks for asking, I'm glad to share with you. 1) Don't be afraid to introduce yourself to prospects (and everyone is a perspective client). Our salesman met us at our car, hand out and offered her name. "Hi, I'm Donna" Even … (12 comments)
marketing: USPS Postage Rate Increase - Effective May 14
- 05/07/07 01:30 PM
Just a reminder that in one week, the postage rates are going up. A first class postage stamp will be 41cents. Now would be a really good time to go out and stock up on 2cent stamps. Remember what happened last time? The Post Office ran out of 2cent stamps. It was a mess. I would like to encourage you to go ahead and take a few extra minutes before the end of the week and go get some 2cent stamps to go with your supply of 39centers. This would be an ideal gift to give your clients with "We've Moved" postcards or the preinked stamp … (4 comments)
marketing: Are You Approachable or Avoidable?
- 03/29/07 01:51 PM
I recently ran across Benjamin Jenk's blog about name tags and it got me thinking about the approachability or even the likability of the successful people in the real estate industry. Is there truly any way to succeed without having an approachable attitude or a like-able personality? I receive a e-newsletter from this guy named Scott. Scott's made it his life's mission to define approachability and improve the day-to-day encounters that he has with others. As of today, he's been wearing his "Hello, My Name is Scott" name tag for 2,339 consecutive days. WOW! To me, that truly proves that he is passionate about … (6 comments)
marketing: Excuses or Reasons to Lower The Price, Instead of Stage?
- 02/28/07 02:37 AM
Just this morning - IT happened. I received an email from an agent letting me know that her home seller had decided to lower the listing price instead of stage the property. WHAT?! Tell me how a home seller can lower the price of their property, in this case $30,000, instead of spending a thousand for staging?! In my quandry of denial, here's what I've come up with ... 1) The house is priced too high. 2) They're using home staging as the scapegoat - instead of stage, lower price. 3) Seller doesn't fully understand the benefits of staging. 4) Seller doesn't want to spend the money. 5) Seller doesn't have … (6 comments)
marketing: Remove Your Vehicle Advertising Upon Request?
- 02/27/07 05:25 AM
OK - so I'm spinning off from yesterday's blog. A/R member, Elaine Reese, brought up a really good point that I think deserves some additional consideration. Let's chat about clients (or perspective clients) requesting that all vehicle signage be removed before visiting the property. Car wraps, aside, if we have magnet signs that are easily removed, would you take them off before your appointment? I, too, have wondered about home sellers who are going through circumstances that perhaps aren't ready for their neighbors to know about (i.e., divorce, relocation, etc). While I think we all want to be respectful, is it too much to ask (us) … (19 comments)
marketing: Staging The Stager
- 01/17/07 08:48 AM
As I finished my presentation this morning and walked to my car, I noticed that not just one car - but every car in the parking garage was a luxury car. This was not an economy car type of audience that I had just spoken with. This was a Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar, Hummer by the dozen type of crowd. You want to know what else I noticed? There was not one dust bunny or dirt mark on any of these vehicles. They were immaculate - inside and out. As I continued to walk, I thought about staging (which is a constant). What … (7 comments)
marketing: Educating Sellers is a Must - Benefits of Staging!
- 10/25/06 02:34 PM
Is today's real estate market not different than last year? Is it me or has everyone felt the difference? Last year we were staging homes for cutting edge investors and agents, who were asking $40,000+ over asking price. This year - we're staging homes to give buyers a memorable impression. We're staging homes so sellers can justify asking top dollar...and yet - every week, I run into at least 2 or 3 home sellers - who don't want to do anything to prepare their home for sale. "My neighbor sold their house last August for over-the-top asking and my house is no different!" … (1 comments)
;)
;)
