I have been a Real Estate Virtual Assistant since January 2007. I have had the pleasure of meeting an abundance of Real Estate Agents, both online and in-person. It never ceases to amaze me how many agents still give me that look of a deer caught in the highlights when I say: "I'm a Virtual Assistant". The look remains and they respond with: "Ok. But, what DO you do exactly?"
REAL ESTATE VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS (REVA) HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE THE 80's
The term Virtual Assistant isn't new, yet too many agents still don't grasp what a Virtual Assistant can do for them. In an attempt to bridge the waters, I wanted to write this blog post in hopes that I could further explain what exactly a Real Estate Virtual Assistant can do for real estate agents worldwide.
THE FREEDOM TO CHOOSE
Unlike an in-house assistant, a virtual assistant works from their own office. Office space is not required thus, reducing your over-head expenses significantly. In addition, virtual assistants pay their own taxes, benefits, sick leave, vacation time, etc.
When partnering with a Real Estate Virtual Assistant, you have the flexibility to choose when you will delegate work to your REVA. In most cases, they'll work part-time, full-time, on-call, per week, per project, on retainer, or even just a one time basis.
INDEED WE ARE PROFESSIONALS
A Real Estate Virtual Assistant is a trained professional. They have the experience, the background, and the knowledge to be the leverage you need in your business. You don't have to worry about someone who is fresh out of high school, or someone who hasn't worked in your industry before. Real Estate Virtual Assistants are familiar with real estate lingo, the dos and don'ts and the standard rules and regulations. You can be rest assured that when partnering with a REVA, you'll be satisfied with the end result.
A PICTURE IS WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
Picture this: Your sitting in your office. It's 10:00 am. Your desk is full of paperwork. You have a newspaper ad that needs a once over before sending to the publisher. You have a personal brochure that you need to create to give to new prospects. You have a website that needs updated or worse yet, you don't even have one yet. You need to get your just listed/just sold cards mailed. You have new listings that need to be uploaded on the internet. You have a client that needs feedback on their showings for the past week.
If this wasn't enough on your plate, you have 3 listing appointments booked this afternoon, 2 buyers that want to sign a contract and heaven forbid you forget to meet with Sally who has an offer on one of your listings.
While you're worrying about all of the above, your subconscious comes creeping upon you; reminding you not to forget to pick up clothes at the dry cleaners, feed the cat, and meet with your Mom for dinner. Exhausting isn't it?
THERE IS A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL
This is exactly when a Real Estate Virtual Assistant would come in and save your day, week, and perhaps your career. A Real Estate Virtual Assistant company like Ness Lindsay would be the leverage you need to work smarter, not harder.
You could email over your newspaper ad and we'd proof it for you AND email it to the publisher on your behalf. We have a graphic designer on our team that will complete the personal brochure for you. You send over your pictures and logo and leave the rest to us. We'll even have them printed and shipped directly to you if you're not in our general area. We can either update and maintain your website or create one for you. We have for past clients, called agents to receive their feedback on the showings of listings and reported back to our client's sellers... we can do this for you too! Our team of professionals can ensure your just listed/just sold cards are designed, printed and mailed to your target area and ensure all your listings are uploaded onto the internet in a timely fashion.
So, while you're sitting at your desk feeling overwhelmed and not sure if there is a light at the end of the tunnel, learn to delegate your work load to professionals who can ensure your work is done exactly the way you want it. Now that we have taken away over half of your work load; you now have the time to meet with your clients, prospects and colleagues. We're sorry but going to the dry cleaners, feeding the cat and meeting Mom; you'll have to do on your own. Unless, she's making something good for dinner...we may reconsider!
Don't be afraid to seek assistance of professionals ~ we're here to help and we are passionate about what we do.
In my personal life I believe that it is important to remember special occasions for my family and friends. I have carried that belief over to my business life as well. I make a point of sending personal hand written cards to my clients for special occasion that I am aware of but most importantly hand written thank you notes. I always send the cards with the hope that it puts a smile on the face of the person reading it. Last month the tables were turned.
A TASTE OF MY OWN MEDICINE:
Recently, l received a hand written birthday card from one of my clients with a gift certificate for dinner at a local restaurant. I was surprised as usually I am the one making note of special occasions. I usually communicate with this particular client via text so I quickly sent a text that said "Thank you" to which to reply came... "You're worth it"!
MORAL OF THE STORY
I can still remember how important and appreciated I felt at that moment. Remember it doesn't take thousands of dollars to make an impression on your clients, Sometimes it can take just a small personal touch or a token of appreciation to make someone's day, and the impression it makes will stick with that person for a long time to come.
All agents want to be successful; all agents want to be recognized within their target area as "the" go-to agent when buying or selling real estate.
HOW CAN YOU STAND OUT?
In addition to marketing your business on a daily basis, we have composed 5 insider tips that will help add leverage to your business and gain a higher level of success. These tips have been gathered by our company as we have observed top producing real estate agents run their business.
1. Branded identity: Top producing real estate agents have a branded identity. This consists of creating a banner or logo as well as the design material provided by their real estate brokerage. Being an agent of a recognized brokerage will certainly help with your visibility among prospects. However, successful agents create their own unique brand that is consistent across all marketing material.
2. Show them...Don't tell them: It is great to sit and talk about yourself. You could tell them how great you are, tell them how many homes you've sold and tell them why they should choose you over another agent. Top producing real estate agents SHOW their prospects how great they are. They compile visually stimulating presentations that are jammed packed with web pages, awards received, cutting edge videos and testimonials from past clients.
3. Social Network: Social networking is the formation of individual or organizations that come together and discuss common interests. Market your business for FREE on social networking websites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Activerain.
4. Add Flair: The majority of agents we observed, added flair to everything they did. Through creative channels, being unique and using high resolutions photos. Clients can be sure to notice you if you continue to raise the bar.
5. Consistency, consistency, consistency: Last yet just as important. All agents who work for success are consistent in everything they do with their business 365 days per year!
Communication is such an integral part of our everyday lives. We use it to express our emotions and convey our thoughts. If we're not fully equipped with essential communication tools, it will hinder us from effectively interacting with prospective clients thus, preventing us from landing new clients.
The Ness Lindsay Team is in the process of writing an e-book on this very topic! We'll explore communication in general, discuss different communication styles and provide you with tools to implement; giving you the leverage you need to succeed in the real estate industry. Our cutting edge e-book will also include worksheets and exercises to help you master the techniques discussed.
Sounds exciting right?
Before we release our state-of-the-art e-book, we'd like your opinion of 3 key questions. Please take a moment to fill out our Communication Survey. Your time and opinion is greatly appreciated.
A handshake is more than just a simple gesture we share with family, friends, business acquaintances and with strangers.
A handshake can and most often is part of our first impression we portray to others. It is extremely important to ensure your handshake is firm, effective and shows confidence.
A handshake does matter and a strong one can make a big difference the next time you set out to meet your next prospective client.
I am writing this post today to remind us all to stop and embrace life's precious moments. All too often, we tend to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our busy professional lives. We forget to stop and smell the roses if you will.
This past weekend, I visited my local butterfly conservatory and was astonished with the beauty of it all. I was able to slow down, unwind and rejuvenate from my professional career as a real estate assistant.
Don't let life simply pass you by, take time to enjoy things that matter to you. Whether you're spending time with your children, loved ones, reading a book or visiting your local butterfly conservatory; take time for you. Embrace and enjoy it!
In today's economy, everyone is discovering or looking for new ways to cut costs while still being productive and maintaining a high level of service.
Michael LaPeter, a real estate broker in San Francisco recently published a press release entitled: "Starving Real Estate Agent? Seven Ways to Cut the Fact and Start Saving". He describes seven easy marketing tips that will assist buyer agents in making their business more productive while 'trimming the fat' in today's economy.
7 Easy Marketing Tips:
1. Use Free Online Office Software.
2. Use Free/ Low Cost Online Transaction Management Software.
3. Use Low Cost, High Impact Single Property Websites.
4. Use Free/ Low Cost Online CRM Software.
5. Track Your Expenses.
6. Instead of Advertising, Try Picking Up The Phone
I have heard so many people comment on their inability to blog. They just can't think of anything to say, they suffer from writers block, or they simply can't find the time.
I hear you LOUD and clear! Blogging can be quite tedious for some. Finding new content, or more importantly; quality content, tends to set people back. I too sometimes find this difficult and in the beginning of my business start-up, I put on my fastest running shoes and ran in the opposite direction when someone said "blogging".
Trust me. Don't run. Embrace blogging with a new outlook - it can be fun!
So, let me share some tidbits with you. Here are a few questions to ask yourself BEFORE you begin to tackle the world of blogging.
1. Who is your target market? Who you do want to speak to when you're writing?
2. What areas or topics do you want to talk about? Marketing to clients, tips for other agents?
Once you are able to define who you want to reach out to and what you want to discuss, it will give you a more defined area to start with.
Some tidbits to help you tackle your topics:
1. When you are in the mood to write and your creative juices are flowing, sit down and write. Don't stop until all your ideas are on paper. You can keep a blogging book or simply type them into Microsoft. Keep these ideas and blog posts on file. This will help you alleviate your stress when you have writers block. On the days you don't feel like writing or can't come up with a topic, just pull a blog post you've previous written about and submit it.
2. Try and write when you can give your undivided attention to your thoughts. Don't try to write on a busy day when you know you won't be able to concentrate.
3. Keep a ‘blogging' book with you at all times. Write jot notes for ideas down wherever you are. You just never know when an idea will come to you.
4. Search the internet and other people's blogs to get ideas of what people are talking about.
As some of you are aware, I am a member of the Virtual Assistant Forums. A forum that is truly one of a kind and a great place for virtual assistants.
For the entire month of April, I am a feature interview with this great forum. To learn why I LOVE being a virtual assistant and working with the real estate industry; check out the interview here.
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.
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