Real Estate Coach Blog

REBarCamp San Francisco - 5 Social Networks for Real Estate Agents

2008-07-24T15:58:25Z

Blogging from ReBarCamp in San Francisco... 120+ participants, lots of energy, networking, great conversations on a variety of topics (from Foreclosures 2.0 to everything blogging and social networks).

An informative and thought-provoking session entitled: "What are the 5 Social Networks Every Agent Should Participate In?" brought out some key points to explore before deciding what social networks to join.

What is your objective, outcome, goal? And it should not just be about the sale! The power of social networking is connecting with others and building relationships. It's about the community and sharing. It's about you being authentic and transparent and not just another salesperson. The same basic principles of traditional networking groups apply to online networking - it's about meeting people, having a conversation and socializing!
Find social networks that fit your lifestyle, hobbies and passions. What do you like to do? What are your interests? Real Estate Agent Teresa Boardman is an avid photographer. She shared her success with Flickr - using photos in her blog and being actively involved in the Flickr community. She goes on group photo walks set up by local members, for example. For Teresa, it's all about meeting people, building the trust and relationship first - sales and listings will be the ultimate result.
Leverage the power of your profile. All of these networks have a profile - complete it fully! This is your opportunity for people to get to know something about you right away.
Keep it Local. Research and join social networks that have a local connection. You could join Yelp.com and contribute reviews of local restaurants or businesses for example. Or, join a Meetup.com group (or start one) that you are interested in to meet new people and build community.

By the way, the consensus from the group to answer the initial question of which 5 Networks to participate in...

LinkedIn - the best professional, business social network; online resume service
Facebook - started out as a college crowd network and has really grown up; stay connected with your groups and contacts
Flickr - share photos - including your listings - make sure to optimize for search engines by including titles and tags for all of your photos
Active Rain - largest social network for real estate professionals; great starting point for new bloggers
Twitter - spontaneous blogging; you can use your cell phone to post brief comments(140 characters or less); answers the question "What are you doing now?"; broadcast to your network quickly and easily

RE Blogworld & Blogworld Expo in Las Vegas, September 19-21

2008-07-24T15:51:54Z

I am excited and honored to be a part of the RE Blogworld Conference on Friday, September 19, 2008 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. I will be joining Pat Kitano of TransparentRE and Kevin Boer of 3Oceans Real Estate as moderators for this full-day conference kicking off the Blogworld & New Media Conference set for September 20 and 21 in Las Vegas.

Todd Carpenter and Jason Berman are the organizers of this full day event for real estate agents, mortgage brokers and other real estate professionals. Learn from the leaders in the RE.net about how to leverage the power of blogging and other social media to enhance marketing efforts and your overall business.

The BlogWorld & New Media Expo is the world's largest blogging and new media trade show. I attended the Blogworld Expo last year and totally enjoyed the experience. There was something for everyone - a variety of tracks to choose from blogging for beginners, advanced blogging, to video and podcasting. Here's a link to my blog posts and reviews of the Blogworld 2007 sessions I attended.

Registration is now open for the 2008 event! Save $200 and sign up before June 20th and receive full access to RE BlogWorld and BlogWorld & New Media Expo for the combined price of $250!

BlogWorldExpo 2008

BloodhoundBlog Unchained Conference - Bonus Day - A Recap

2008-05-19T10:52:24Z

Sunday, May 18, 2008 in Phoenix and 100+ degree beautiful sunshine - what a great day! The pre-conference day of the BloodhoundBlog Unchained Social Media Conference hosted by Greg Swann and Brian Brady was packed full of cutting-edge tips and ideas for bloggers and Realtors. Visit my post BloodhondBlog Unchained Recap for all the details. Also, visit the Unchained You Tube Channel for video clips.

The speakers included:

Mary McKnight of RSS Pieces covered search engine optimization and lead generation strategies.

Ron Cates from Constant Contact presented a thorough session on the power of email marketing.

Laurie Manny shared a ton of her secrets to how she rules Long Beach Real Estate and other key search terms for her market using her blog.

Russell Shaw gave an impromptu session on marketing and beciming a better listing agent. He shared his strategies for success and thoughts on what works in his business.

Short Sale, REO, Foreclosure Tips and Resources

2008-04-30T18:12:55Z

Mark Stark, CEO of Prudential Americana Group Realtors in Las Vegas has just posted some excellent tips and strategies for short sales. This post is a summary of the major points he covered at a recent seminar attended by over 120 people in Las Vegas (consumers and real estate agents alike).

Mark includes valuable information geared to the consumer about:

Why consider a short sale?
The decision-making process and mindset of the seller
Positioning yourself for the future
Options and Solutions

Here are links to more great blog resources on short sales, REOs and foreclosures from the legal blog of Prudential Americana Group's in-house attorney, Darren Welsh:

REOs:

http://ameglegal.wordpress.com/2007/11/09/tgif-legal-tip-resale-packages-for-nevada-reo-sales/

Foreclosures:

http://ameglegal.wordpress.com/2007/04/27/tgif-legal-tip-foreclosuredeficiency/

Short Sales:

Listing Agent Perspective: http://ameglegal.wordpress.com/2008/02/08/tgif-short-sales-from-the-listing-agents-perspective/

Seller's Perspective: http://ameglegal.wordpress.com/2007/05/04/tgif-legal-tip-short-sale-seller-perspective/#more-40

Mortgage Debt Relief for Foreclosures and Short Sales: http://ameglegal.wordpress.com/2007/12/21/tgif-legal-tip-mortgage-debt-relief-for-foreclosures-short-sales/

FHA Loan Limit Raised to $400,000 in Las Vegas

2008-03-15T21:54:15Z

Las Vegas Real Estate Career Tip: Discover the benefits of the FHA loan.

HUD’s Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is temporarily increasing its loan limits (until December 31, 2008) in Clark County, NV to $400,000 (from $304,000) as part of an economic stimulus plan that will enable more families to qualify for a safe, affordable mortgage.

FHA loan guidelines are more relaxed than conventional loan guidelines; this includes less strict regulations about past bankruptcies and/or foreclosures, job requirements, use of alternative credit, and debt-to-income ratios.

FHA Loans have several advantages over conventional loans, including lower down payments and more relaxed credit-qualifying guidelines. The federal government created FHA loan programs to encourage homeownership throughout the country. The FHA does not supply the loan; it simply insures the loan to limit the risk to the lender.

Benefits of an FHA loan include:

A 3% down payment, as opposed to a 5% down payment on traditional loans
Low monthly mortgage insurance
Low closing costs, which are regulated by HUD
No credit score requirements
Qualify for a loan two years after a bankruptcy
Qualify for a loan three years after a foreclosure
A non-occupant co-borrower can help buyer qualify for purchase
Buyer can receive 100% gifted funds for down payment and closing costs from family member
Seller can contribute up to 6% toward closing costs

For more information, visit these websites:

vFlyer.com for Online Marketing of Your Listings - Real Estate Agent Success Strategies

2008-03-12T15:44:43Z

Real Estate Agent Success Tip and Online Marketing Strategies series

Here's another great online marketing tool to consider for maximum exposure for your listings, lead generation and personal promotion - vFlyer.

vFlyer is an online service that enables you to create a quality eflyer / classified ad and post it to the leading classified websites. Prices start at $12.95/month. Watch this 95 second demo video to see the power of this online marketing service.

You can also use vFlyer to distribute via:

email
Printable PDF format
Embedable widget for your blog
Posting to Craigslist
Zillow, Trulia, Google Base, Oodle, Lycos, Vast, Hotpads, Olx, and Geebo

The vFlyer blog has tips and marketing ideas on how to get the most from their product.

Real Estate Agent Online Marketing Tips - RealEstateShows.com

2008-03-12T15:33:20Z

Las Vegas Real Estate Career and Online Marketing & Promotion Strategies.

I am expanding on a previous post http://activerain.com/blogsview/415259/Marketing-Your-Listings-Online and highlighting some of the onlne services for your listings and personal promotion.

RealEstateShows.com is a wonderful, user-friendly and affordable solution for Virtual/Visual Tours for your listings.

You pay $125 per year and get unlimited tours
Free 14 day trial - take it for a test drive
Use your digital photos to create Internet Shows in less than 5 minutes
Very easy to use - simple tutorials to walk you through the entire process
Create a 30 second (5 photos) or 60 second (9 photos) video
Create internet flyers and distribute free to Google Base, Oodle, Trulia, Zillow, Vast Hotpads, Geebo
Embed (post) your video on your blog, You Tube, craigslist

Real Estate Shows resources: Blog How to Videos

Think outside the box, get creative and use this technology to also:

create personal promotion and branding videos,
showcase community amenities and information,
send just moved announcements for buyers,
market yourself as the niche or neighborhood expert,
promote your success, recent homes sold or other accomplishments.

You can also follow the series at www.LVRealEstateCareer.com

Marketing Your Listings Online - A Resource Guide - Real Estate Agent Tips

2008-03-10T00:30:38Z

Looking for online services, classifed ad sites and tools to market your listings on the web?

I've compiled a list of websites (most free - some come with a posting fee). The list includes links to Zillow, Trulia, Wanna Network, MLS Online, Propsmart, vFlyer, International Listings , craigslist, Oodle, Google Base, Yahoo Real Estate, Vast, Edgeio, LiveDeal. Postlets, and Hotpads... so far.

Anyone have any other additions or recommendations?

Market Your Listings Online Resource Guide

If you are having a problem downloading the PDF above - try getting it from these posts:

Online Lising Services:

Classified Ad Sites and Resources:

Las Vegas Real Estate Career

2008-03-09T22:22:05Z

Interested in a Las Vegas Real Estate Career?

I recently launched a recruiting blog at LVRealEstateCareer.com to showcase our innovative real estate business model at Prudential Americana Group, Realtors in Las Vegas. We are a locally-owned and operated brokerage with 6 branches located throughout the Las Vegas valley. As an avid blogger, I am excited to use a blogging platform and all the SEO benefits for a company recruiting website. To all my fellow Brokers and Agent Team Leaders, I highly recommend using a blog to attract quality professionals to join your organization. In just a few short weeks, our blog is climbing in the search engines for our targeted keyword searches.

Prudential Americana consistently leads Las Vegas in market share as well as the average highest sales price.

For more detailed information about our company, I invite you to visit - www.LVRealEstateCareer.com

Real Estate Career Tip - Back to the Basics - Preview & Know the Inventory!

2008-03-09T14:28:11Z

I've recently launched a combination blog/company recruiting website for Prudential Americana Group, Realtors in Las Vegas - http://www.lvrealestatecareer.com/. This collaborative blog will be posting real estate career tips, legal updates, Las Vegas Market Updates and more.

Here is a recent post:

It's a basic yet often overlooked ingredient for success in the real estate business...previewing and knowing the inventory. In this fast-paced, immediate gratification world, many real estate agents have simply gotten away from previewing available listings and really knowing what's happening in the market.Excuses abound, "There's not enough time in the day"; "It's not the best use of my time"; "Isn't that what MLXchange, pictures and Virtual Tours are for?" The bottom line is you can't afford to not know the inventory. It is after all the product you are selling - take the time to be the expert in your niche market, farm area, price range, and/or geographical area of town you choose to work.

Major benefits to previewing and knowing what's available right now:

You convey confidence, knowledge and expertise with prospective clients when you can talk about properties you have recently shown or previewed.
You will be able to convert more ad and sign calls when you can discuss the details of a property the prospect called about and elaborate on other properties that may fit their needs better.
It is the quickest way to learn a new target market or become an expert in an area you intend to farm.

Make Previewing an Ongoing Success Tactic- Try These Ideas:

When holding an open house, preview all the available listings in the neighborhood
Schedule at least an hour a week to preview listings, new homes, high-rise projects of interest
Prior to a listing appointment, take the time to preview the competition
Attend broker Open Houses and support office caravans or car tours

How to Thrive in the Current Real Estate Market - Seminar Notes

2008-01-09T01:37:30Z

I recently conducted a seminar in Las Vegas with Matthew Hardy of REST - real estate software I use and highly recommend! The seminar was entitled "How to Thrive in the Current Real Estate Market".

If you are interested in the outline and links to resources and other materials - just go to the REST-Event link at www.CareerRealty.com - How To Thrive in the Current Real Estate Market.

Matthew and I reviewed key lessons and business applications of 4 excellent books:

    * E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber
    * You Can't Teach a Kid to Ride a Bike at a Seminar by David Sandler
    * Millionaire Real Estate Agent by Gary Keller, Dave Jenks and Jay Papasan
    * Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

We also detailed Seven Secrets to Thrive in Real Estate... a condensed version of an earlier post on the subject.

   1. YOU Are the Creator of your Reality.
   2. Educate yourself about the market and learn how to better present the current market story.
   3. Get back to the basics NOW.
   4. Develop and implement an Action Management System.
   5. Adopt a daily ritual to start your day in a positive mindset.
   6. Have a daily activity plan, show up and work it.
   7. Ask for help. Get an accountability partner or hire a coach,

3 Steps to Creating a Real Estate Business Plan and Obtaining Your Goals

2008-01-08T00:11:28Z

It's that time again - time to manifest your success for a Great 2008! It all starts by writing your goals or desired outcomes, creating a written business plan and updating/revising your business budget then measuring and tracking your results.

All of the business plan and goal setting forms I will discuss can be downloaded at www.CareerRealty.com. You will also find a more detailed Real Estate Business Plan and Budgets in Excel format - on the Business Plan downloads page at CareerRealty.com.

Step 1 - Set Your Goals (Outcomes). For a review of how to set powerful goals - here are three blog posts from earlier in 2007:

Now you are ready to download this document and start writing your outcomes for 2008:

Download Keys-to-an-Achievable-Outcome.pdf

Step 2 - Create Your Business Plan. Documents to download for writing your Business Plan:

Download a_review_of_your_business.pdf Start by analyzing your previous year's business - this form will help you gather and calculate key factors for your specific business. Everything from sources of business to average days on market and listing to sale ratios. Before you launch into your 2008 plan, it's critical to review what worked last year and to know your basic numbers.
Download basic_real_estate_business_plan.pdf This is a 2-page easy-to-use, basic real estate business plan. Just follow the step-by step formula to turn your desired income goal into the number of listings, sales, contacts and appointments required to obtain it.
Download allocating_time_to_build_your_business.pdf An eye-opener exercise about the value of your time.
Download DailyWorkPlan.pdf A simple daily planner page that also helps you track productive activity.
Download Attitude-Affirmations-TimeMgmt.pdf A good review of what you already know!

Step 3 - Measure and Track Your Results. You can’t improve what you don’t measure. An excellent tracking system will allow you to make necessary course corrections and adjustments as well as gage your overall success.

Download income_statement.pdf
Some excellent tools to track and measure your performance and results - Performance Dashboard, Commission Tracking and Budgets - can be downloaded at this Business Plan downloads page

Why Goal Setting is Important - Which group do you choose...

"In a fabled Harvard University study only three percent of Harvard students asked set and wrote goals on a regular basis. The stunning revelation of this study is that 30 years later, 50 percent of the total net worth of the group was held by just three percent of the group. You guessed it! They were the three percent that had a habit of setting and writing goals as students, then continued to write goals and review them regularly. " Read more at How to Set and Attain Goals for Success

Getting Things Done - A Must Read/Listen

2007-12-10T19:07:32Z

I recently re-read and listened to the audio book by David Allen Getting Things Done - The Art of Stress-Free Productivity. The difference this time - I was ready to put the techniques to use and have discovered a system that works for me. The major aha for me was realizing my "to do" list is not enough. The key step I was missing was taking the time to think about and record the "next action" to take in order to move a project forward to my desired outcome.

The basic premise of the book is to get everything out of your head, off your mind and into a trusted system you know you will use. Older time/resource management systems are inefficient in today's fast-paced, multi-tasking world. Our minds are powerful instruments - constantly reminding us of things to do, unfinished projects, seemingly endless "open loops" of information. Our stress levels are increased when we don't have a method of emptying these thoughts and collecting them in a system that we individually trust and know we will use. The book goes into detail on how to do exactly that.

A review of key principles that I've integrated into my Action Management System:

Two key questions to ask for all projects and to do.

What is the successful outcome? What has to happen so this can be checked off as completed? If it takes more than one step it's a project.
What is the next action? If this was the only thing you had to get done, what is the very next physical thing you would have to do?

5 Phases of the Workflow Process

Collect - capture everything you need to remember, track or act on in a container or bucket - a physical inbox, to do list, PDA, recorder, eamil inbox. You must empty the buckets regularly. Keep the collection buckets to a minimum.
Process - Deal with one item at a time. Never put anything back into "in".
- If the item requires action:
  - Do it (if it takes less than two minutes) OR
  - Delegate it, OR
  - Defer it
- If the item does not require action:
  - File it for reference, OR
  - Throw it Away, OR
  - Incubate it for possible action later
Organize and keep track of items awaiting action
- Next actions - every project always has a next action to move it forward
- Projects - every "open loop" that has more than one action meeded to accomplish it
- Waiting for - Items you have delegated to someone else
- Someday/maybe - Things you want to do at some point in the future
Review - as often as needed to keep your head empty
- Loose papers
- Process your notes
- Calendar items
- Projects, Next Action lists, Waiting for lists, Someday/maybe lists
- Empty your head
Do - in the moment, guided by intuition, supported by the four previous phases, influenced by the reality of current situation
- context
- time available
- energy available
- priority

There are abundant resources, blogs and fans of GTD on the Internet. Here a few I recommend:

David Allen's Website Be sure to download the free Advanced Workflow diagram
43Folders - Getting Started with "Getting Things Done"
What's the Next Action
ZenHabits
Simply GTD
Lifehack.org
The Ultimate Getting Things Done Index
GTD software list
List of GTD resources and blogs

How To THRIVE in the Current Real Estate Market

2007-11-10T16:28:58Z

Our current real estate market in Las Vegas (and around the country) presents an interesting test for all involved... from the buyers, to the sellers to the practicing real estate agents and also for the brokerage firms I've been living and working in Las Vegas since 1992 and this is my first experience in a "challenging market". Fueled by local and national media with a slant to reporting the negative, "newsworthy" hype of doom and gloom, buyers are afraid to purchase, waiting for the elusive "bottom of the market" before jumping back in. Sellers are holding on to every ounce of equity and hope which has led to only about 30% of the current Las Vegas inventory of available homes to be priced properly for a sale based on current supply and demand. And real estate professionals are either thriving, surviving, trying to adjust or in many cases giving up.

The following points are my observations and best advice on how to Thrive (not just Survive) in Today's market.

You ARE the Creator of your Reality. Check in with yourself often. Are your thoughts positive or negative - towards or away from what you desire? Do you find yourself slipping into the negative muck and mire - from the media or the glass is half-empty real estate agents around you? Be deliberate and intentional in your thoughts and actions. Focus on what you want not what you don't want.
Educate yourself about the market, understand the stats and trends. Become an expert in short sales, REO, foreclosure process. Make sure you are receiving current market data from local sources. For Las Vegas, I recommend the Equity Title Market Condition Report and Salestraq Fast Facts. Read Forrest Barbee's recent post on the Las Vegas Market October 2007. Check out the great information including audio conference calls on Mark Stark's Blog.
Learn how to better present the history and current market story to your buyers and sellers. Update your buyer and listing presentations with supporting graphs, statistics, etc. Take sale-able, properly-priced listings! Use all of your available company marketing and advertising tools.
Get back to the basics now. Do you have a solid SOI/Referral system in place? Are you prospecting daily?
Have a written business plan with specific goals. Track your expenditures and return on investment. Know what's working and what is not and make the appropriate adjustments.
Adopt a daily ritual to start your day in a positive mindset. Some suggestions...morning meditation, prayer, exercise, read your affirmations, review your goals, eat breakfast, review your day's tasks and schedule.
Exercise and eat properly for you. I recommend yoga!
Show up - Mentally, Physically, Emotionally and Spiritually. Now more than ever it's important to get up, do your morning mindset ritual, get dressed for success and go into the office or that first appointment.
Have a daily activity plan and work it - know how many calls, face-to-face contacts, emails, mailers, contacts you must make before you call it a day. Challenge yourself with daily goals - don't go home until you have at least one appointment for example.
Get an accountability partner or hire a coach. Ask for help. Help each other. Form a support and accountability group.

What I Learned at Blogworld and New Media Expo in Las Vegas

2007-11-10T12:45:19Z

I attended the exceptionally well-organized Blogworld Expo in Las Vegas, November 7-9, 2007. The sessions I attended ranged from understanding your blog stats and analytics to search engine optimization for blogs to podcasting and video podcasts. Here are links to the posts:

One of the common themes discussed throughout the conference was the rapidly evolving New Media World. Text-based blogging is moving to more multi-media with the integration of audio and video within the blogging platform. It is relatively easy to start using either audio or video on a low budget and produce effective, quality media content.

For Real Estate Professionals, there are a variety of video services to promote your listings, your services, create client testimonials, etc.

RealEstateShows.com Use your own digital photos to create video tours of properties or commercials - $125/year, unlimited use, easy to use

TurnHere.com Full service internet video solution provider

WellcomeMat.com Put your place on the map - users can upload video, send us video tapes for upload, or hire a videographer

YouTube.com Use your own video camera or hire someone to do it for you and post one YouTube. You can embed the video in your blog

Blinkx.com Another site to upload and display your videos, video search engine

Blip.tv A free service to host your video show or series - for those more serious videobloggers

Vimeo.com Upload and share your videos online

TubeMogul.com A free service that provides a single point for deploying uploads to the top video sharing sites, and powerful analytics on who, what, and how videos are being viewed.

Slide.com Free service to make your own slideshows and share online

Slideshare.net A service to post and share presentations and embed them in your blog/website

How to Blog - A Series of Posts for New Bloggers

2007-08-22T23:22:37Z

I have received numerous comments from AR members who are new to blogging and thought I would share the How To Blog Series I have posted at http://www.janobrien.com/. I have been coaching and training real estate and other business professionals in Las Vegas for 15 years on everything from real estate business systems, team building, and technology to most recently - blogging. I decided to start with the basics as I have found so many people are just discovering blogs and social networking and have so many questions. I recently completed Part 1 in the series - The Basics of Blogging.

Blogs Part 1 - The Basics

Here's what's coming in Parts 2 and 3 of the series:

Blogs Part 2 - Create and Maintain Your Blog

Blogs Part 3 - Marketing & Publicizing Your Blog

Real Estate Appendix

Real Estate Blogs to read
Real Estate Blog packages/platforms
RE Communities, Directories & Networks
Marketing Yourself and Your Listings Online

Recap of Real Connect SF 2007

2007-08-06T01:06:27Z

Real Connect San Francisco was a great experience: networking; learning about the latest technology innovations; an interesting mixture of young innovators and traditional real estate professionals.

The overall theme emerging from the conference was the power of Web 2.0 and social networking. It was clear that if you are an individual agent or a company that wants to be able to relate to the consumer who has already embraced this move to collaboration and user-generated content - you better get on board the train and catch up!

And it's not just the younger generation...current and future buyers and sellers of real estate! Consumers of all generations are creating online communities via the myriad of social networking sites popping up almost daily. Three key social networks to check out for real estate professionals include - Active Rain (of course!), LinkedIn and Facebook.

There was so much information relayed - analysis of data and stats, trends, ideas, opinions, conversation, collaboration, sharing...exactly what Web 2.0 is all about. I have already integrated so many of the ideas and strategies - one being letting your experience translate to posts on your blog. I have at least a dozen ideas and content for future posts on blogging and also how it relates to the real estate industry, More to come - very soon.

From my other Real Estate Coach Blog - here are a couple of post highlights:

Real Connect San Francisco - Connect Duets Provide Compelling Content

Key highlights from Real Connect 2007 for me:

The conference answered the questions: What is Web 2.0, social networking and media, and blogging? Why do we need it and how to integrate it into our companies and business models.
For a great anecdote about how the generations interact & communicate differently (and a great, simple explanation of why it's critical to understand the changing web, social networks and blogging) - read this post from Brad Inman about the young innovators and "New Kids on the Block"
Hugh MacLeod of gapingvoid delivered a very direct and entertaining keynote address about Web 2.0.

Continue reading more...Recap of Real Connect San Francisco 2007

25 Top Tips & Best Ideas About Blogging from Bloggers/Real Connect SF

2007-08-02T18:49:01Z

It's day three at the Inman Real Connect and I'm almost in information overload but loving every minute of it. The event is well-attended and fast-paced. I've attended Bloggers Connect and two days of panel discussions and lively "Connect Duets" with industry leaders, bloggers, and technology innovators. Here's my list of the 25 top ideas and tips about blogging I've gleaned so far...

Keep it Local! Write about your neighborhoods, local market, what customers/consumers want to know about.
Write for the audience you want to have. Know your audience.
There was a consensus that Monday is the highest traffic and readership day among numerous bloggers.
Your blog is a component of your overall web presence.
Adopt a mindset and awareness of how your experiences, questions from clients and comments on your blog can translate to content for compelling posts.
Many of your posts when sanitized and timeless can build a library and knowledge base. Consumers and prospects will be able to find you via keyword searches for the topics you've written about. Also, you can send a link to a post you've already written when a new client has the same question or concern.
For search engine optimization - use relevant key words in post titles, tags/categories and the body of the post.
Your personality and voice are interesting - you are not! My translation: keep the personal stories and details to a minimum. Let your voice/personality shine through your writing style.
Use interesting pictures and images in your blog posts. Your own photos, Flickr, Google Images, various sites to purchase stock photos. Remember to name your picture files and use the alt tag and description feature of your blog software for further SEO help.
Link, link, link! Link to other bloggers, sources, websites. Post comments on other blogs.
Persistence and perseverance! Keep at it. Audiences take time to build.
Don't force it - wait until you have something to say. Quality not quantity.
The best bloggers are transparent and authentic...
Clearly display your call to action on your blog. MLS Search, contact form, CMA, for example.
Read other blogs and comment. Participate in the community. Join Active Rain!
Consider using questions as Post Titles when appropriate. Many people search using what, how, where, why, etc. Example post might be: "How to sell your house with a short sale"
Clearly define your core topics and focus for your blog and stick to those subjects.
Use a schedule as a commitment for what topic to write about on certain days. Zenhabits is a great example of this idea in action.
Posting frequently will help placement in search engines... a post a day is optimal according to many bloggers here.
Use Google Alerts feature to stay updated on topics that interest you. You can also use this cool tool to find out who is writing about you and what is being said about you or your company!
Become aware of online reputation management. Besides idea #20 - Check out review sites such as Yelp.com (review people, places) and Homethinking.com (Helps you find real estate agents by showing you what each real estate agent has done in the past and what customers have said about the job they did)
Use Google Analytics to track statistics, traffic and detailed information about your blog
Social networks are the next generation Rolodex! Consider joining Active Rain, LinkedIn, Facebook, MyBlogLog or do your own discovery and see what works best for you based on your particular goals.
Real Estate blogging is about having a conversation with your customers/visitors; building trust; showing your expertise and market knowledge...which, when done right, translates into leads and closed sales.
Blogging is not for everyone! It is a commitment - your time primarily. Before you start blogging...Ask yourself if you enjoy writing and are willing to be yourself, be transparent and let your voice be heard...to the world?

Creating a Saleable Asset & Designing Your Exit Strategy - Part 1

2007-07-26T00:49:40Z

The primary focus of much of the coaching I conduct with real estate agents is how to set-up, operate and ultimately exit from their successful real estate business. In this multi-part series I want to discuss some of the key points and strategies for making that happen. In my experience as a broker-manager and coach for the last 15 years, it amazes me how many top-producing agents are unbelievable rainmakers and not always the best at managing their finances or their team, setting up and utilizing effective systems and running the business like a business.

As an industry, training is primarily focused on basic sales skills, prospecting and how to generate and convert those leads or build referral business. Of course, all these skills are critical to a successful real estate career. In my opinion, what's missing is training and coaching on the basic and advanced business and financial structure and systems that any successful business uses on a daily basis. Where is that training?

At Prudential Americana Group, I've been fortunate enough to be part of the development of a model that does just that - assist the real estate professional who wants to start-up, operate and eventually exit from the real estate business.

Here's what I will be covering in this series:

Determining the value of your real estate business
The Essential Real Estate Business Systems
Real Estate Team Building Systems - an overview
Establishing metrics to measure your business health
Exit Strategy - from training your replacement to buyout considerations

Factors in determining the value of your real estate business.

Without a strategic action plan and clear exit strategy, an agent desiring to leave the real estate business generally has this an option: Find another agent to takeover their client database and give them a referral on any business generated. Some agents have negotiated a "purchase price" for their database. But here's the issue - how do you determine the value of your database? Does the agent who's "taking over your business" have the rapport and relationship with your database? Later in this series I'll share some ideas for finding and training your replacement as an exit strategy which if leveraged with other strategies can result in a much higher purchase price or residual income agreement.

Here are some considerations to help determine the value of your real estate business:

The quality and size of your database.

What kind of historical data do you have on your clients? Is it more than just their names, addresses, phone numbers and email?

Do you know....
Favorite Restaurants?
Favorite free time activities?
Children's favorite activities?
Children's schools/grade levels/ages?
Where did they move from?
Do they have plans to relocate to another city in the future?
Place of worship?
Favorite charities?
Investment wants?
On-going information requests?
Where they like to shop for clothes and food?
Their passions? Hobbies?
Where they vacation?
Marital status?
Place of employment?

What software program do you use to maintain your database?

Have you categorized and sorted your client database? I recommend the Brian Buffini system for maintaining and building referrals. This is the category description from Buffini:

A+    Have given you multiple referrals and you love working with them
A      Have given you a referral and you want to receive more referrals from them
B      People who would refer you, if they were asked and shown how
C      People who might refer to you in the future
D      People to be deleted from your database
Do you have lead generation systems in place that can easily be transferred and taught to a replacement?
Have you implemented effective and duplicatable real estate systems? Listings, Buyers, Escrows, Lead Generation & tracking, Business Plan, Personal Branding & Promotion, Advertising & Marketing, Referrals
Do you know your numbers? Can you clearly show your track record for production currently and in the past to include income, expenses, sources of transactions, return on various marketing venues and target markets?
Do you have a real estate team in place? What do the team members contribute to your bottom line?

Next in the series, I'll get in to more detail about the essential real estate systems and share some ideas for implementing those systems in your business.

Think and Grow Rich - The Original Version Restored and Revised

2007-06-29T15:46:42Z

I recently received an email from Ross Cornwell who is the editor of "Think and Grow Rich!" (subtitled) "The Original Version, Restored and Revised". Ross came across my post on The Power of Affirmations where I had referred and linked to an earlier edition of this classic book.

This book is truly THE classic self-help, inspirational, and success book of all time. If you are going to read only one book on this subject - make it Think And Grow Rich. Napoleon Hill's classic started it all and has influenced just about every author and book written on the subject since then.

Think and Grow Rich was one of the first books I read that greatly impacted me personally and professionally. It started me on my continuing journey of personal development. I have read it numerous times. One of my favorite quotes of all time is from this book: "Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve."

Ross Cornwell has done a fantastic job of updating and editing the text and restoring some original content. In his own words - here is a synopsis of the revised edition:

This new 412-page trade paperback edition (versus 250+ pages for other editions) has an appendix, extensive endnotes (more than 50 pages), and an index -- features no other version of the book has ever had. The book has been restored to its complete original (1937) content, then "gently" edited and revised to eliminate errors, outdated terminology, and to change a few statements that today would be considered racially and otherwise offensive to most readers.

If you would like to learn more about this project, a brief visit to http://www.tgr-restored-revised.com/.com will give you some details. The "Editor's Foreword" provides more complete information, and the "Testimonials" page will demonstrate how well-received this new book is around the world.

Our new edition of TGR! is superior in every way to other versions on the market. It looks better, feels better, reads better. If you examine "Think and Grow Rich!: The Original Version, Restored and Revised," I think you will see why we believe it is fast becoming the favorite version among Napoleon Hill devotees, entrepreneurs, and other students of success and high achievement.

Ross Cornwell, Editor

Keys to an Achievable Outcome

2007-06-21T19:42:37Z

I have found the following questions to be useful to both me and those I coach when contemplating and writing goals or outcomes. This series of questions are the keys to achievable outcomes. When you take the time to consider each question after stating your desired outcome you will enhance the overall power and clarity of your written goals or outcomes.

1. What specifically do you want?

Stated in the positive, present-tense, as if you already have it.
Clearly defined, vibrant, written goals in all areas of you life. (Spiritual, Personal, Family, Business, Financial, Fun-Hobbies-Travel)

2. Where are you now in relation to the desired outcome?

3. What will you see, hear, feel, etc when you have it?

4. How will you know when you have it?

5. What will this outcome get for you or allow you to do?

6. Is it only for you? Or is it for others also?

7. Where, when, how and with whom do you want it?

8. What do you have now, and what do you need to get your outcome?
   Have you ever had or done this before?
   Do you know anyone who has?
   Can you act as if you have it?

9. For what purpose do you want it? What will you gain or lose if you have it?

The Power of Affirmations

2007-06-21T01:00:43Z

I was talking to a friend yesterday about the power of affirmations. She shared one of hers with me:
"Make decisions where you are going instead of where you are."

It reminded me of my NLP Coach training. One of the many things my trainers, Tad & Adriana James, discussed was how so many people focus on what they don't want rather that what they really want. They also introduced this powerful equation: C > E and this key question - "What side of the equation are you on...CAUSE or EFFECT?

Do you take 100% responsibility for your actions, your life, where you are now?
Or, do you blame your current condition, state of being, attitude, life on someone or something outside of yourself?
Is it your environment, the market, your boss, the economy, the kids, the war that's responsible for where you are now - mentally, physically, emotionally or spiritually?
Are you the Victim or the Victor?

And, if you are not happy about where you are right now - what action are you taking to move toward your desired outcome? Volumes and volumes have been written on this subject - from the classic "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill to the recent viral marketing phenomenon - "The Secret." I loved the message of The Secret and how it really appealed to the masses with this one caveat....you must take action.

It's not enough to just think about what you desire. Positive thoughts with real feelings behind them (or in the words of Napoleon Hill "a burning desire") is the first step. The next powerful step to manifesting your reality - your outcomes or goals - is to take the right and appropriate action toward not away from it. If your thoughts are dwelling on the fact that you don't have it yet, things never work out for you, or other negative self-talk - you are moving away from what you want. Simply recognize the negative thoughts and change them! Practice makes perfect.

Call it what you will...

Thoughts Become Things - subscribe to the daily Notes from the Universe from Mike Dooley
Perception is Projection
To Think is To Create
The Law of Attraction
Energy Flows where Attention Goes
The Power of Positive Thinking

...the bottom line for me is that affirmations and visualization just plain work! My visual goal board and affirmations help me stay focused and moving toward my outcomes and where I am going!

A few of my personal affirmations:

I Live What I Teach
I Live My Life To My Full Potential
I Am Healthy, Fit, Intuitive and Happy and I Exercise my Body, Mind and Soul Daily.
Believe, Ask, Receive

5 Principles of Success

2007-06-15T12:10:00Z

I'd like to share a tool I use when coaching real estate and business professionals - the 5 principles of success. It's adapted from my NLP coach training and have found it is very effective in a variety of ways - goal setting, business planning, coaching & managing team members.

1. Know Your Desired Outcome. Have a Plan. A Written Business Plan with clearly defined, vibrant goals. Make your goals S.M.A.R.T.

S Specific; Simple
M Measurable; Meaningful to You
A As if Now; Achievable; All areas of your life
R Realistic; Responsible/Ecological
T Timeframe; Toward What You Want

2. Measure & Track Your Results. You can't improve what you don't measure. Identify the method for determining achievement of your goal/outcome and track your progress. An excellent tracking system will allow you to make necessary course corrections and adjustments as well as gage your overall success.

3. Take Action. Be willing to do what it takes to accomplish your outcome. Master behavioral flexibility. The Law of Requisite Variety states that the person or system with the most flexibility of behavior will control the system.

4. Operate from a Physiology and Psychology of Excellence. Be in control of your mindset(attitude). Choose to be in a powerful, positive state. Take Personal Responsibility for your actions. Be on the Cause side of the Equation -not the Effect side. Be aware of your constitution, health and physical well-being. Ingest healthy, nutritious foods that uplift you and give you energy.

5. Ask for Help! Find someone - a mentor, coach, consultant, expert, professional - to assist you in reaching your desired outcome. The right person can offer a third party perspective; provide necessary guidance, accountability and expertise.

Remember: "Perception is Projection" and "To Think is to Create"

Ask yourself this question often: "What am I focusing on right now?" "Am I focusing on what I want or what I don't want?"

To maintain consistent results:

Choose the "Cause" side of the equation ( Cause > Effect) You are responsible for your actions, attitude, life. You are not at the effect of everything outside of you.
Focus on what you want
Take appropriate action toward your desired outcome

Top 10 Team Leader Best Practices

2007-06-15T01:37:57Z

Mindset Adjustment - You Are Your Team! Your team members are ultimately a reflection and extension of your reputation and business. Choose team members who match your core values and business model.
Hire and retain a compatible, qualified Team Manager (TM) or be prepared to be the TM yourself
Hire talented office support staff and delegate effectively
Use clear, concise Team Associate & Manager Contracts/Agreements
* Commission structure defined
* Separation from the team policy
* Define your performance/productivity expectations
Have written team policies and procedures
Implement effective team building and real estate systems
Communicate regularly with your team members (Scheduled team meetings)
Attend office sales meetings to stay up-to-date with office, company policies, events and market conditions
Review all contracts and paperwork for sales and listings
Continually Educate Yourself and Your Team
* Office and company training programs
* Team training
* Leadership training
* Broker Training Courses
* Obtain the Risk Reduction Graduate (RRG) designation

7 Year Study of Real Estate in Las Vegas

2007-06-15T01:30:48Z

Equity Title of Nevada has compiled a very comprehensive and informative 7 year study that tracks the number of homes sold and average sales price of homes by zip code from 2000 to 2006. The chart is a useful tool ilustrating the overall picture of what happened in the Las Vegas real estate market over the past 7 years.

Download 7_year_study_compiled_2007.pdf

For example, take a look at the number of homes sold year over year since 2003 - it clearly illustrates the dramatic shift and appreciation that occured in 2004-05. I t also indicates the adjustment in the market in 2006 that continues now in 2007.

2003: 37,273
2004: 45,479
2005: 71,740
2006: 59,052

Overall, the big picture is - "the sky is not falling!". We are simply in a cycle - adjusting back to what, I predict, within the next 12-18 months will return to the historical annual appreciation of 5-8%.