Carteret Community College Small Business Center is a Great Help

 

You know, I work with independent sales types a lot of in my business, and I've become re-introduced to what I consider is a first class service for anyone who is either starting a business (real estate qualifies) or is trying to expand their business.  In our community of Morehead City, NC, the Carteret Community College Small Business Center is such a resource.  With real estate competition beng what it is these days, you need every edge you can get, and this edge offers a lot of free services, like counseling and classes.  This same service is pretty much duplicated nationwide at community colleges, so don't fret, if you aren't in Morehead.

I'm a former Chamber of Commerce Exec., and I've known about the Small Business Center for some time, but I think we have a tendancy to figure they are really just for entrepreneurs.  But, actually, I know some business owners who have been at if for years to take advantage of the Center's offerings from time to time.  So, if you are thinking you'd like a confidential ear to hear your latest challenge and help you figure out a solution, you might check in with the Center where you are and give it a try.  I'm posting their link below.

 

http://www.carteret.cc.nc.us/education/cce_smallbusinesscenter.htm

Share Your Expertise and Help A Reporter

I was talking last week with a couple of fellow speakers/trainers, and had an anvil drop.  I always say that when God needs to get a message to me, he needs to drop an anvil because I can be dense sometimes.  Well, the anvil was an Internet resource shared with me twice in one week.  So, I thought I'd pass it along to you in case you'd like to try it out. 

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm all about the "biz of viz."  Generating opps for publicity where you get a chance to share your expertise is great and www.helpareporter.com is where you can do just that...for free. 

P.R. guru, Peter Shankman started this resource for reporters who were in need of success stories, examples, or "experts" to quote on a variety of topics.  The way it works is simple.  Sign up your name and e-mail address on the site.  You'll get about 3 e-mails a day with reporter queries -- writers of high traffic blogs, industry magazines, major daily papers and magazines, commercial web sites, and the like indicate what kind of person they're needing to complete their story.  Read the rules first so you know how to respond to increase your chances of getting your comments picked up - and to help maintain the integrity. 

This is the kind of opp some people pay for -- and it certainly couldn't hurt anyone's business to be quoted in a national publication.   If you have expertise to share and have an interest in getting visible with that expertise - this a good resource for you.

Asking for real estate professionals feedback

I'm currently sitting in a meeting with two collaborators on a special real estate training project.  We've titled our presentation:  The Client Project:  How to find them - sell them - keep them.  We're playing with some ideas on getting a mortgage company to "host" our presentation -- starting in the eastern NC area.  While each one of us has skills and substantial expertise in the marketing arena -- and what we generally do with training isn't your usual stuff -- we were wanting to know what a real estate professional would be looking for to help them survive today's market. We know that question may be relative to where you are -- but I'd appreciate some feedback.  What do you need or need to know?  What skill do you need or resources would interest you?  Thanks so much in advance. 

How to ask for help - The Perfect E-mail Request

This post is for all of you out there who are into direct sales of some sort.  Recently, the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce in Morehead City, NC began their first official "Ideal Network Club."  This is the unique networking club that I introduce in my book (Who's Hiding in Your Address Book).  The Club is based on workshops designed as action-oriented and results-producing sessions.  Content is provided by me and correlates to content from the book. 

Perfect for independent and small business types, the Club is also intended as an income producer exclusively for Chambers of Commerce.  Okay - the hype aside (well almost) - this first club is going fabulous - packed house - Chamber has already clearned about $1500 and stands to double or even triple that if they decide to do another this year.  Members are being "blown out of their boxes" and some were seeing bennies from the get-go.  Okay - now the hype is over.

What I wanted to get to is the meat of the first session that this Club dealt with - called "The Ideal E-mail Campaign."  Basically, this is what I refer to as a mini e-mail campaign in the book and designed to help a person get quick and targeted results with anything they need help on.  Most sales types are in need of customers/clients these days - so that was the goal for most of these members.  Because I was on the original mailing list from the Chamber to keep me informed about the Club's happenings, I got copied on several e-mails that went flying about when the members started putting into practice what they learned about doing their own "Ideal E-mail Campaign." 

First of all - wow!  Loved seeing the effort.  Some of what I didn't love:  they had a difficult time getting past the traditional marketing mindset.  They blanket e-mailed members of the Club or of their network.  Some of them didn't get the basic point of writing a perfect e-mail, which has to do with getting really clear about what/who you want before you ask - and that's not as easy as you'd think.  When you sell homes, you may be thinking "I want referrals to people who want to buy or sell a home."  How simple is that - right?  Wrong.  I may not know of someone who is thinking about buying or selling a home?  But, if you tell me you want to meet couples from the Raleigh, NC area who vacation in our area every year and are coming up on retirement, I might be able to come up with a name or two - or at least direct you to someone else who might know. 

But, I have to say, these members, no matter how confusing their beginning with their "Ideal E-mail Campaign," they were getting results - and some pretty amazing ones at that.  With some adjustments to the programming content, the next Club will be getting even better results. 

If you'd like to get some free pointers on how do your own ideal e-mail campaign, visit my Squidoo Lens with the same title as this blog.  Here's the link:  http://www.squidoo.com/howtoaskforhelp  

Agent/Bartender or Bartender/Agent?

I don't know about where you are, but where I am, many agents are wearing more than one "work hat."  A fellow author calls it "slash" syndrome or something like that.  Indeed, I am, myself, in that category. Part networking and marketing coach/author/speaker/and information marketer.  This holiday season, I've noticed more than one agent out there tending to the other side of their slash.  I know three agents who are doing direct sales with skin care lines, one selling jewelry, lots into Team National, two into some form of advertising sales, and one who tends bar at a favorite pub.  Since our waterfront community has suffered a bit with the market, I can well understand why a good many agents have made a decision to find a sideline.  In fact, the woman who is tending bar now will tell you she makes more money doing that than she did as an agent, so I'd say she is a bartender/agent instead of the other way around.  But, she also says it is a great way to meet and network with people.  Who else are you going to talk to when you are at a bar with no one you know?  She's got a genuine, outgoing personality and everyone seems to like her.  She's been around as an agent for a while and is fairly well-known.  Could be this gal is onto something.  My guess is that during this season (of heavy socializing), she'll pick up more leads and make more friends (and tips) than another agent who might send out a few hundred post cards.  There is something odd about bartender loyalty.  I've seen bar clients offer to take their favorite bartender on cruises, offer them their summer home in the islands for a vacation, bring extravagant gifts from their travels, give them their cars to drive when needed, hook them up with attorneys, and even get so attached that they propose marriage.  I'm sure there is a flip side there somewhere, but how bad could this be if you know what you are doing?  Could it possibly translate into increased real estate business?  Point is, if you've thought about adding a slash/something to your agent title, think about how the other side of that slash could actually improve your ability to network, gain leads, and generate success for your real estate business... and, how it might positively impact other areas of your life.  Any investment of your time and effort should reap a certain amount of reward.  Happy Holidays -- and I'll have a nog please...with rum.

5 Things Every High School Student Should Know When Preparing for College

Changing gears a bit on you.  Been talking to parents of young people lately who are confused about their career path.  Figured some of you might have a confused student, and with the holidays about here, you may be able to get their attention long enough to toss some useful info in front of them.  Here are five things that I've discovered as both parent and founder of youth leadership programs that will increase student success as they prepare for college.  Please read -- at the end -- you'll see a link to the expanded version of this list..."10 Things" and another list for college students.  Feel free to share.

•1.       You are not making a life commitment with your chosen career-path right now, so relax.  Did you know that many students change their major up to 3 times before graduating college?  Some universities report that as much as 38% of their enrollees apply as "undecided."  Don't push yourself into declaring a major right away if you aren't sure.  It is often better not to declare a major right away and enter what some universities call "first-year student programs."  Your classes will concentrate on getting basic requirements out of the way while you get used to college life and consider your options. 

•2.      You should have a high school resume. Writing a resume of your accomplishments and involvements in high school (and keeping them updated) will add to the smooth application process for scholarships, leadership/academic awards, clubs, college, internships, and part time jobs. 

•3.      You must take responsibility for college scholarships. Don't leave it up to your parents or your Guidance Counselor to inform you of all of the scholarship opportunities for which you are eligible.  Be pro-active in researching them and acquiring the materials.  If you have an interest and strong grades in a particular field, such as science, then talk with the head of that department about whether or not there are scholarships for you. 

•4.      Get to know some decision-makers.  Decision-makers are people who can hire, be a good and reputable reference for you, and can make things happen with a phone call.  In your world, the adult decision-makers that you know are mostly teachers.  You must now seek out people who can serve you beyond high school.  These decision-makers will be business owners, local government and civic leaders, and board members of local organizations (that award scholarships).   Ask your parents and teachers to introduce you to some.

•5.      By your junior year, if you have not participated in some fairly significant community-wide volunteer work, you could be risking your college application.  I appreciate the value of participating in high school sports, band, and other involvements that support a school, but these can be very commitment heavy and not necessarily application-boosting.  If nothing about these involvements matches up with your career interests, then you might consider doing something more in line with those interests in your junior and senior year.  I recommend considering an internship or creating a volunteer opportunity that gels with your career interests. 

This list is a shortened version.  The expanded version "10 Things..." and another free article entitled "12 Things Every College Student Should Know Before They Graduate" is available at http://www.resumehowtoguide.com/

How to find home buyers online

We're almost at the holidays my firends.  Hope you are getting prepared -- and that business is good so Santa can be generous.  Just like the unhappy person who starts thinking about changing his job when the new year comes, people think about other big changes, too.  Some of those changes include finally making that decision to relocate, retire, or list the house to sell.  Some experts think that one reason for "big change thinking" relates to the extended vacation time around the holidays -- giving people time to process thoughts.  Another reason is the heavy social networking done at this time, which influences decision-making.  Over a glass of nog, one might get a hint or even an offer about a new job.  While munching sausage balls, one could wander through the host's house, getting ideas about making a housing change.  Who knows - but it does happen.  What you want to know is where you can find these people without spending a fortune.  Actually, you can find some without leaving your computer.  People changing locations will often visit travel review sites and place requests for information about the town on the site.  They'll often indicate that they will be moving and when -- giving you information and an opportunity to post a nice reply.  I've mentioned this before in a blog - I think.  But, another place you'll find them will be message boards that relate to tips about relocating.  Also, if you check out Amazon.com -- there is a series of books about how to get your Realtor to get you the best deal -- by state and/or geographic area.  You can check out the reviews and see what reviewers indicate about their interest in moving to the area.  Post your own well-worded review to entice people interested in that book to connect with you.  If you like creative--out of the box ideas to spiffy up your online visibility and boost your web site's potential, I have a CD version of my workshop on the subject just for agents at my site.  For less than $20 - you can get the CD and I'll throw in a free copy of my book. 

Interview with a New Home Buyer - Interesting Points Revealed

What's cool about hanging out in bars that you can meet the most interesting people.  My hubby and I were having drinks (actually, I think he pretty much involved in the Yankees game) on the tube the other night, when a gentleman showed up to my left.  I was introduced to him by the bartender as newly moved to this area.  He informed that he had just closed on his house.  Since, I was obviously not getting any conversation (other than an occasional grunt from hubby), I took the opportunity to engage the gentleman in some chat.  What I learned during that chat about the man's choices regarding agent, his method of house searching, and the potential that was there for making him a referral resource was so important, I thought I should share it with the agency that he used.  I also asked the man's permission to use some of his information in my real estate agent workshops.  I'll share just a tidbit here - interview style - paraphrasing his responses.

 Q:  How did you decide on the agency to use? 

 A:  I had rented from them during the summer.  I actually arrived in town and stopped at a local bait and tackle shop (since I'm a boater).  I figured they'd know of a good local rental agency.  They made a recommendation and I took it.  When I showed up to rent the house, it was obvious to the rental agent that I had forgotten my linens.  She supplied them to me without additional cost.  I never forgot it.  I came back and connected with an agent.

 Q:  How did you commence your home search?

 A:  Got a copy of the Homes Magazine and hit the Internet.  I assumed those agents who had visually appealing, well-organized ads in the magazine would also have good sites with more information.  Not true.  Not a one of them had a user-friendly site.  The searches were too complicated -- too many forms to fill out to get information.  I became frustrated with overload of insignficant information.

 Q:  How did you end up with the house you now have?

A:  Though my agent was looking, I found the house, myself -- that was just right - exactly where I wanted it -- and the price had just dropped.

 I think most agents realize their clients start on the Internet with their search.  I'm not sure how many realize their clients continue that search on their own.  Also, there's the issue that I hear a lot about real estate web sites being user "unfriendly" and poorly developed.  In this particular case, the client never even bothered to check the site of the company he had engaged to help him find a home, as he already made his choice about using them. Had he not had reason to choose this company, he most likely would not have given them a second thought had he relied on web site comparisons.  Company sites and individual agent sites are critical in today's market.  Well, there was so much in this conversation that is useful in a general way - you can be sure I'll use it in my teleseminars and workshops.  And, while I know some of you take time to do "post buying interviews" with your clients or stay connected for relationship-building-- maybe some of you don't.  I'm not a real estate pro, so I can get away with a bit more than you could in a conversation.  But, maybe what I've shared here may give one or two of you a perspective from a client's viewpoint that you hadn't realized.

 

Reverse your thinking to attract more visitors to your home page

A recent workshop participant asked me to take a look at his web site last week.  He's in the process of rebuilding and "rebranding."  One of the first things that hit me was something I had mentioned in the workshop - and something lots of people do when they are building their own site -- they name the button that takes visitors to their bio "About me."  Well, the immediate problem for him was that no where on his home page could you find his name.  Instead of "me," he should have inserted his name.  When you are sitting in front of the computer in "first person," it's easy to write or create from that first person perspective -- just like you are writing a letter.  I'm all about real estate sites having a more personal flavor, but naming the bio button About me" screams a mindset -- one that I think should be more about the clients you want to attract. 

Changing the mindset requires you to almost set yourself aside and think more about the ideal client you want.  What information and visuals do they want?  Remember, unless they arrive at your site via your web site address, they will be finding you online because of information you are providing that they want.  It could be some special expertise that you are making visible.  It could be some particular property that you are marketing.  You (as John Doe) are just gravy.  But, if you are the  "Golf Community Expert," then you've attracted them to your business personna -- they'll see golf community photos on your home page, find a menu button with more photos and specific information about the golf communities in your area.  On your home page could be link to a fact-based list you've generated comparing the area's top golf communities with amenties listed.  If you just provide the links to those communities, then you could be sending your potential clients away -- they could trip into a competitor advertising on one of those sites.  You'll have a call to action that could be a contest to win perhaps a round of golf, club membership for a weekend, or a lesson with a former PGA pro.  You'd have a menu button that would be a list of golf tournaments in the area.  Or if you have a blog, post it there.  You get the idea -- it's all about them.  And, then they get to know you.  Separate you from your business personna and market that personna directly to the ideal client type -- clearly with what they want in mind. 

Goodness, I've had my coffee this morning.  Sometimes, I can't seem to get out of "workshop" mode.  Hope everyone has a great day. 

 

How To Use Your Active Rain Blog to Attract Clients

Hey gang, I want to give a shout out to Active Rain member, Michele Connors.  While doing some research online for a workshop I was producing for a real estate company, she kept popping up.  I was testing out different ways to gather information about getting visible for this specific area--Atlantic Beach, NC.  Although, Michele seemed to be central to several good examples for creating online visibility, there was one thing she was doing via her Active Rain blog that got my attention:  she was including information on local events of particular interest to a client base with a special hobby.  How I found this out:  I "googled"  the words fun things to do at the crystal coast and her blog entry with a list of fishing tournaments for the area popped up.  If you follow the search result to her list of fishing tournaments, she has hundreds of hits on that entry.  Needless to say, if I had "googled" Atlantic Beach Fishing Tournaments, her list would probably have popped up even higher in the results.  Because Active Rain ranks high for traffic flow, any info you provide on this site could get you in the first scroll of results when someone searches for that information. 

Any real estate agent in a seaside community knows that people interested in fishing tournaments likely have their own boats, could be investors, and have the income to play in real estate. The story here is to create valuable information specific to the type of client you'd like to attract and title the blog entry the way that the potential client would search for it.  Don't make the mistake of thinking that everyone that lands on Active Rain is also a real estate agent.  I wasn't when I found it.  People trip in and out of this site being pulled by information that they want on a subject they are interested in.  

By the way, I was so impressed with how Michele manages her visibility online, that I contacted her to use her as an example in my workshop.   If you get a chance, visit her blog and tell her I said hello and great job.  And, feel free to post your own ideas here about how you use Active Rain or other resources in getting visible.