Connecting with Clients Professionally and with Personality

Things TO DO on THE 4th of July!

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:10:07 -0700

THINGS TO DO on THE 4TH OF JULY

Light a firecracker. Plan a picnic. Watch fireworks. Take a swim. Drive to the beach. Go for a bike ride. Fly a kite. Clean out the garage. Mow the lawn. Watch a parade. Ride in a hot air balloon. Go on vacation. Eat hot dogs. Drink lemonade. Wave the flag. Light a cherry bomb. Sing "America the Beautiful!"

Wish YOU a Happy 4th of July!

Earlene Myers

Professional Greetings

www.professionalgreetings.com

Your Calls & Referrals add **SPARKLE** to my day!

Living the Dream

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 17:52:14 -0700

"Dream what you want to dream; go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do." Unknown

A business acquaintance and good friend of mine, Bev Berry from Santa Barbara, has had a lifelong dream of having her own talk show. She is now taking a giant step forward to fulfilling that dream by entering a "Talk Show Host" contest sponsored by Oprah.

Bev is a Entrepreneur with a capital "E";' having started several successful business ventures. She is a corporate trainer and coach as well as a beautiful person, kind, gentle, smart and hard working. She has an exceptional family that includes several adopted children and is a "young grandmother" of triplets!!

I am sharing her audition link; if you are so inclined, please view and vote. That would be great!

http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=video_details&response_id=7188&promo_id=1

I hope you will consider taking a few moments out of your busy day, to view her audition and if so inclined, act upon it!

Thank you for your time and consideration!!

Professional Greetings

Keep in Touch ~ Reap the Rewards!

Phone 904.278.0414

http://www.professionalgreetings.com

The Power of Flags ~ Long May They Wave!

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 15:51:47 -0700

Here's to the Power of Flags ~ Long May They Wave!

June 14th, 2010

Today is Flag Day

Check out this link to learn more about the day.

http://www.usflag.org/history/flagday.html

Show your "Star Spangled Appreciation" every day!

Professional Greetings

Helping Build Repeat & Referral Business

904.278.0414

www.professionalgreetings.com

LIFE IS GOOD!

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:33:10 -0700

Today is my youngest son's birthday. It is hard to believe how fast time flies and I told him today that he was adopted as an older child, since there is NO WAY that I could have a son this old...LOL

I have 2 sons and they couldn't be more different . My oldest son is rather conservative, holds a traditional managerial job, has a beautiful young family (blessed me with 2 lovely grandchildren), owns a home, loves football and golf .. . . you get the picture.

My younger son is the artist, graphic designer, writer (writes for a variety of music magazines), is an accomplished bassist and has his own band that went on their first major tour this past January. He's married to a lovely gal and they are both into nature, are vegans and really are not that interested in accumulating material things, love animals and have blessed us with two "grand cats!" His one nod to more traditional lifestyle is that he is a very good businessman and works for several record promotion companies.

My husband and I often laugh at how 2 people raised by the same parents could be so diverse. However, we are really proud of both of their accomplishments and the fact that they have turned out to be such really "GOOD GUYS!"

LIFE IS GOOD!

Professional Greetings

Helping to Build Repeat & Referral Business

904.278.0414

How badly do you want to stay in business?

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 09:15:36 -0700

On June 6th, Bryant Tutas Broker/REALTOR(R) Tutas Towne Realty, Inc posted this blog which really seemed to strike a nerve with a lot of people (as evidenced by all of the comments). It is a simple plan, yet very inspiring words for everyone to use (especially during difficult economic times.)

For those few who may have not seen it, I am re-blogging his post. Also, I came across a quote along these same lines that I would like to share:

"When things go wrong as they sometimes will, When the road you're trudging seems all up hill, When the funds are low and the debts are high, And you want to smile, but you have to sigh, When care is pressing you down a bit, Rest if you must, but don't you quit. Life is queer with its twists and turns, As every one of us sometimes learns, And many a failure turns about, When he might have won had he stuck it out. Don't give up though the pace seems slow--You may succeed with another blow, Success is failure turned inside out--The silver tint of the clouds of doubt, And you never can tell how close you are, It may be near when it seems so far; So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--It's when things seem worst that you must not quit." . . .Unknown

Enjoy!

Earlene Myers, Professional Greetings

Via Bryant Tutas-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc:

Hi folks. These last few years in Real Estate have been very challenging. A perfect strom to say the least.

As most of you know my market area is Central Florida. Specifically....Poinciana. Poinciana was one of the hardest hit areas in the country with values down 70% from early 2006. REOs and Short Sales make up roughly 85% of the market.

So how bad did it get? I have always been a small time Broker in a small time market. Usually closing 40-50 deals a year. In 2008 that dropped to 18 deals for the entire year!!! Add to that the fact that values were down about 55% and you have a decline in income of about 70%!! That's pretty drastic.

BUT.....instead of throwing in the towel (never an option) I made a choice to keep moving forward. I made a new plan and I stuck to it. And you can too.

Just do it. Don't concern yourself with the market being difficult or Buyers being hard to come by. If you spend time worrying about these things it will make staying positive and moving forward too difficult. Just get into the game. Do you have a marketing plan you've been wanting to implement but have been waiting for the "right time"? Well, the right time is now.

Before you go to bed tonight make the decision to get into your business. Do the things you have been procrastinating about. Make a decision to be successful in spite of the difficult market. Don't listen to the naysayers. They're wrong. Get out of bed tomorrow and start moving forward. Go find that new listing or that new Buyer. I can assure you they are out there. If you don't go get them somebody else will.

My goal is and always has been to do something related to my business everyday. Everyday, I move forward. And not only do I move forward but I do the one thing that will always give me a return. I solicit business. Listings, in my case. If I work on this one thing everyday, everything else will take care of itself. I've been in this business long enough to know that if I have enough inventory, I will sell some houses. I can't sell them all, but if I have enough listings, I can still sell 3 or 4 this month and the next month and the next month. I can keep moving forward.

I look at my business as being a "house store". I must keep the shelves in my store stocked with inventory. And it has to be inventory that is priced right, clean and has variety to it. I am trying to attract Buyers. So the more I have to offer the better chance I have of Buyers finding my store and making a purchase. And that is my ultimate goal.

This year we are on tract to close 60-70 transactions. That's a huge improvement over 2008. I now feel we have made it to the other side. I was able to hang in there, revamp our business and fight through the storm. And I know you can too. You just have to want it badly enough. Do you?

Do NOT be foreclosed on! Avoid foreclosure. Short Sales DO close.

Want to find out more? www.CentralFloridaShortSales.com

***I am NOT an Attorney nor do I play one on TV. Click the button below for my Bio.

Copyright © 2010 http://www.brokerbryant.com/ | All Rights Reserved

Carolyn Capalbo Is A REALTOR In Northern Virginia That Needs Your Help

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Thu, 27 May 2010 11:55:27 -0700

This isn't the normal "Identity Theft" story, however, Carolyn Capalbo is dealing with a similar situation. If anyone has experienced the frustration of identity theft, I think you can relate.

Via Lisa Udy Realtor Utah Real Estate Specialist (Logan Utah Real Estate The Platinum Real Estate Group):

Carolyn Capalbo Is A REALTOR In Northern Virginia That Needs Your Help

Carolyn Capalbo is a real estate agent in Northern Virgina that is being punished for having the wrong name. In 2008 a women with the same name as Carolyn Capalbo broke into the news, and it wasn't pretty. The "other" Carolyn had a daughter that was involved with a New York governor in a promiscuous way. Long story short, it was ugly, and now when you google Carolyn Capalbo, you get the results of the other women.

You can read the full story here.

Here's the deal. Because of this other women, Carolyn's business has suffered, and I thought we could help her get her name back. Clients of her's have Googled her name and found this other women intruding on her brand with scandolous news blogs and have mistaken her for Carolyn Capalbo the REALTOR.

Before you help Carolyn Capalbo You Should Know Her Story

Carolyn is a military spouse, she has family that has served this country, and I think we can serve her family with the help we can provide with this post. Carolyn has a degree in economics and is continuously a top agent in residential sales in Northern, Virginia. Carolyn is a respectable business women that goes above and beyond for her clients.

She continues to be a top producing agent in Northern, Virigina and, by no fault of her own, has had to deal with national news outlets calling her personal phone, business acquaintances, her daughters school and even her brokerage looking for the "juicy" story.

Imagine, while at work with clients, ABC News, CBS News, The Washington Post, and The New York Times calling your workplace to get the scoop on a scandal that you were never apart of. Imagine these reporters asking promiscuous questions from your co-workers and people you do business with everyday. What would it be like for your little girl having to answer questions about some women in the news asked by your own teacher.

This is the nightmare that Carolyn Capalbo is having to deal with and this is where you come in. Let's help Carolyn take her name back from a scandal that has nothing to do with her.

How do we help Carolyn? Simple. Use your knowledge that you've learned from blogging here on Activerain to push her name above the fold in the search engine results pages.

Here's How We Can Help Carolyn Capalbo Take Her Name Back:

RE-Blog this post and write a short story above the post about how you would feel if your name was tarnished by such a scandal.

Link to this post with "Carolyn Capalbo" as your anchor text within the blog and any other blog or website you have.

Push as many links and people to this post as you can. Get this post to the top and in turn we can push Carolyn Capalbo's reputation back to where it should be.

Write your own blog on how you feel about this situation and link back using "Carolyn Capalbo" as your anchor text.

I want you all to know that there is more to this story. There is a reward for having your post at the top of the search engines by August 2nd. If we can get Carolyn Capalbo's name within the top 2-4 spots for her name in Google, the poster gets a prize. I am shamelessly asking you Activerainers to help Carolyn Capalbo, while also helping my brokerage. Many people have asked for your help before and you have come to the rescue.

I am asking you to help my brokerage get this post to the top of the search engines to get Carolyn's name back where it needs to be and to help my brokerage get a new website. What's in it for you? Two things.

First: Knowing you helped someone clear their name by no fault of their own is a great feeling.

Second: For your links to this post with the anchor text "Carolyn Capalbo" I will return the favor. I have many websites and blogs that I can give you a link with the anchor text of your choice. These links will be on their own page of either my blog or, if you give this post enough love, a link on the home page of my websites with page ranks of 2+. These links will remain until my websites die. :)

So, Activerainers, I ask you to help Carolyn Capalbo get her name back. All you have to do is RE-Blog this post or link to this post with her name as the anchor text.

Lisa Udy

Platinum Real Estate Group

Please Help Carolyn Capalbo

Just "TED"

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Thu, 27 May 2010 09:34:43 -0700

"The Measure of Success"

In my business, I subscribe to a number of customer service blogs and web sites; receive tons of newsletters along these lines and I'm always on the lookout to share ideas with professionals who value this aspect of business (which should be everyone!)

A few weeks ago, I received a news item from one of my business contacts. Unfortunately, I just got around to reading it this past Monday! She recommended a web site that I found fascinating: http://www.TED.com This site has a wealth of information from experts in a number of professions and I thought I would share it with all of you.

If you don't have a lot of extra time to sit around and watch videos on the internet (who does?), check out the 3 and 6 minute videos. These little gems provide great information and inspiration in just a few minutes of your busy day.

For those of you that have children, grandchildren or a particular interest in improving education opportunities in your community, I strongly recommend a video "Once Upon a School" by Dave Eggers: http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/dave_eggers_makes_his_ted_prize_wish_once_upon_a_school.html

This presentation takes 20 minutes and starts out a little slow, but if you stick with it, you will be experiencing a few "tee- hee's" and be quite inspired to go out and do something for your community.

I hope you find benefit and inspriation in this web site as I have.... ENJOY!

Professional Greetings

Keep in Touch ~ Reap the Rewards!

(904) 278-0414

Random Thoughts on Building Client Loyalty

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Sun, 23 May 2010 10:59:54 -0700

Have you "toed" your clients lately that you appreciate them?

Regardless of how successful you may be, it is always important to keep marketing your business (both repeat and new). Here are some "random thoughts" to keep in mind and keep your business moving in the right direction:

"Merci beaucoup, Grazie, Muchas gracias, Thanks a Bunch!" However you say it . . . say it well and say it often!
When it's time to choose your method of conveying your appreciation (greeting cards, letters, etc.) your choice will tell customers, clients and employees a lot about you and your business. Quality paper, unique designs and personalized messages, take your image a step above the rest. Make sure your greeting cards and letters send a message you'll be proud to sign.
"Friendship can weather most things and thrive in thin soil - but it needs a little mulch of letters and phone calls and small silly presents every so often - just to save it from drying out completely." - Pam Brown Thinking of building Customer Loyalty? Look beyond just the client. Those that you depend on including employees,vendors and business acquaintances, also play a crucial role in creating an environment that breeds customer loyalty
Send an Article to Clients: If you come across an article that's relevant to your client/prospect, their company or industry, Send That Baby Out! Be sure to include a little note (on your greeting card, of course) that reads, "Thought of you when I saw this!" This will keep your image in front of your contacts in a personal and useful way.
Is Snail Mail still effective?: Even in today's high tech~social networking world, direct Snail Mail is still one of the most effective tools to "Keep in Touch" with clients. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal addressed today's challenges of effectively keeping in touch with client's in this tough economic climate. If you would like a copy of this article, just email me at info@professionalgreetings.com and I will be happy to share it with you.

Professional Greetings

Keep in Touch ~ Reap the Rewards!

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Courtroom with a View - Part II

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Thu, 20 May 2010 11:28:11 -0700

Several weeks ago, I received a jury summons and immediately had mixed feelings. I have been called for jury duty before and even selected, but the case was settled before it went to trial. When I received my most recent summons, my first reaction was, OH NO !! what if I get selected and get tied up on a long term basis. How am I going to keep up with my business obligations??

On the other hand, I felt a desire to do "my duty" and I do find the judicial process very interesting. As it turned out, when I called the night before I was to report, I learned that we were all excused.

Today, I received a newsletter from one of my California contacts, *Chellie Campbell, featuring a story about her recent jury experience. I definately could relate and thought I would share it with all of you. Chellie always has interesting tales and is such an entertainer; but still her messages make you think and always give you a new fresh perspective ... I hope you ENJOY!

"A COURTROOM WITH A VIEW "Oh, no! Just my luck," I fumed. I was just selected as a juror in a criminal case downtown Los Angeles. I was not happy thinking about how this was going to interfere with my work as a small business owner. But there was no help for it - I was trapped. The next day, I appeared with my fellow jurors, ready to hear the case against the young man accused of three robberies. But there was a delay. We were kept waiting outside the courtroom for quite some time when the Court Clerk appeared and told us that she couldn't tell us anything yet but that "patience was a virtue". We guessed that settlement talks were going on, and sure enough, soon afterwards we were invited into the courtroom where the judge announced that they had come to a resolution in the matter, and we were dismissed. Yay! Sighs of relief and high-fives all around.

My friend, Patricia Guentzler of NAWBO, who just happened to be selected for the same jury, and I went outside for a bit to talk. After a few moments, Elise, the Court Clerk saw us and came over to say hello. She told us exactly what had happened: the young man took a plea bargain of 27 years in prison.
Yikes! I thought, 27 years! That's a bargain?? I don't think I'd last 27 days in prison...what had he been facing?

She said that the young man was 26 years old, had two prior convictions of armed robbery, and conviction on any one of the three robberies in the current case would have been his third strike. He was looking at 115 years in prison - a life sentence. The frail older woman sitting in the courtroom was his mother and dying of cancer with only six months to live. She didn't want to die knowing her son was going to spend the remainder of his life in prison with no hope. If he accepted the plea bargain, she could die in peace knowing that there was hope for him to be released one day and have a better life. They were both crying. How unutterably sad, to see this young man and his mother crying over his wasted life where 27 years in prison was the best option.

I am not usually sympathetic to criminals. The day before, when the prospective jurors were questioned, we were asked if we or anyone we knew had experienced violence, been burglarized, attacked, or robbed. It was sobering how many people had - nearly everyone raised their hands. When I was called upon, I recited my litany: "I've had my car broken into 3 times, stolen once, been burglarized 3 times, been attacked in my home at 3:00 in the morning, and been robbed at gunpoint in my parking garage."

While the judge said he was sorry that these bad things had happened to me, the retired African American gentleman with the deep chocolate voice sitting next to me leaned over and said, "I'm amazed you're not black with all that bad luck!" I cracked up, and we enjoyed a private giggle over that.

The judge shook his head and commiserated that those experiences were regrettable, but asked if I could be impartial, recognizing that the defendant had nothing to do with any of them. "Of course, your honor," I replied, "those things happened in the 70s and 80s and I don't think he was even born yet!" There was some laughter at that, and then I said, "I don't have these experiences anymore, because I changed my thinking." I just had to give a little hint about the Law of Attraction, because I know the day I took responsibility for my experiences and consciously determined not to be a victim any more - and I haven't been since that day. I mean, when you take your valuables to your sister's house overnight because your home is being tented for termites, and she's burglarized while you're out for dinner and your jewelry is stolen yet again, you have to notice that the common denominator in all these experiences is you!

No one likes jury duty - we all have busy lives with a lot to do. It interferes with our plans, costs us time, money, and inconvenience. I had wanted to be excused - I had an 8-week telecourse coming up and needed the time to enroll more people in it. Like many small business owners, jury duty was potentially a big hindrance to my ability to produce income. I was nervous about being put on a long trial, and I was angry about this "enforced servitude." I imagined what I might say that would get me excused.

I was embarrassed out of that attitude fairly quickly. I watched as some prospective jurors made it clear that they were angry to be there and searching rather obviously for the "right answers" to questions that would result in them being excused. You could see the lie on their faces. Those who answered truthfully spoke of them later with scorn.

As I listened and learned throughout the court proceedings, my attitude shifted. Judge William Sterling honored us for our service and reminded us to appreciate our great country with its guaranteed freedoms protected by our laws and trial-by-jury-of-our-peers system. I was reminded anew of what a wonderful life I have, that I am among the most fortunate people on the planet. I felt reconnected to my community, beyond just my family, friends, and business associates. I saw how narrowed my world had become in my daily life. Here, I opened up to the sea of interconnecting people from all walks of life, seen and unseen, surrounding and affecting us every day, with their millions of stories of loss, tragedy, strength, joy, and hope.

I knew that if ever I was on trial, I would want you to show up for jury service. I would want you to be an honest, thoughtful, and caring juror. It is through the everyday actions of each citizen that our freedoms are assured and our way of life preserved. It is up to us."

*Chellie Campbell is the creator of the Financial Stress Reduction® Workshops, and author of The Wealthy Spirit and Zero to Zillionaire. She has been prominently quoted as a financial expert in the Los Angeles Times, Good Housekeeping, Lifetime, Essence, Woman's World and more than 50 popular books. She can be reached at Chellie@chellie.com .

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Just Do It!

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Wed, 12 May 2010 18:44:08 -0700

Recently I read a blog post "Overcoming Your Perfection Paralysis in Marketing" by one of my Facebook contacts, Fabienne Fredrickson, The Client Attraction Mentor. She said: "When you set yourself up to stop procrastinating and to start working to make it happen, it works every time. I too have dragged my feet on picking a date for an event I wanted to give. ‘Should I have it in the summer, should I wait ‘til fall?' Since nothing was happening, I pulled out my calendar, picked a date, gave my credit card number to reserve the space and then made it happen, and you can too! There's nothing like setting a deadline and getting in gear to make it happen."

While reading her post, I had to chuckle at how many times I have worked with clients and prospects who just could not take the next step to make a decision because they were afraid they were not making the "perfect selection." They wring their hands, look at tons of cards, discuss a multitude of options, call and email me and still cannot make up their mind; all the while, their competitors are out getting the job done!!

Even though we live in a society that demands options (think McDonalds or Burger King menus), too many options can be overwhelming. We stand in line studying those menus hoping to come up with the perfect lunch and invariably end up ordering whatever we have ordered a thousand times before. It is just tooooo scary to jump out of our comfort zone.

This same phenomena is often talked about in home decorating. People watch HGTV, pore over their copies of Better Homes and Gardens and still live in their "plain vanilla" homes for years until they decide to sell, because . .. . they cannot choose a color of paint!

Have you "Hit the Wall" in some aspect of your business? Are you having difficulty taking the next step in your professional journey? What's the worst that could happen if you do? Identify what you want to do ~ Take a deep breath and "JUST DO IT!' You may be pleasantly surprised by the results.

"In a moment of decision,
the best thing you can do is the right thing to do.
The worst thing you can do is nothing." . . . . Theodore Roosevelt

**Fabienne Fredrickson, The Client Attraction Mentor, is founder of the Client Attraction System , the proven step-by-step program that shows you exactly how to attract more clients, in record time...guaranteed. To get your F.R.E.E. Audio CD by mail and receive her weekly marketing & success mindset articles on attracting more high-paying clients and dramatically increasing your income, visit www.ClientAttraction.com.

Professional Greetings

"Increase Profits with Repeat & Referral Business!"

(904) 278-0414

School Daze ~ School Daze ~ Good Old Golden Rule Days!

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Mon, 03 May 2010 19:15:56 -0700

Even though my children are grown and on their own, I have grandchildren in elementary school and we are very fortunate to live in a community that boasts a great school system. Parents and all members of the community are encouraged to play an active role in the county schools and it has paid off in great performance results by the children.

A good school system is "KEY" when and where people decide to purchase a home (especially if they have school age children). And . . . a good school system is "KEY" to the success of our society. It is up to all of us to play a part in nurturing this very important component of our community.

In my opinion, teachers are one of the most underappreciated, yet most influential professions. (In full disclosure, my husband taught high school and college courses for 10 years of his professional life before going into industry and my daughter-in-law is currently an elementary teacher.) I know how many long hours above and beyond the regular school day a good teacher commits to working. I know how many weekends they give to their schools to chaperone, or participate in extra curricular events. I know how much of their own money they spend to provide the necessary tools to prepare their lessons. I know how much concern and sleepless nights they experience with relation to their students; it is like being a parent to 25 children each day instead of 2 or 3.

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week and tomorrow (5/4) is Teacher Appreciation Day. Did you have a teacher that played a significant role in your life? Take a few minutes out of your busy week to let a teacher in your community know how much you appreciate the job they do!

Take a Chance ~ Take A Chance on Me!

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 15:51:59 -0700

I recently attended a stage production of Mamma Mia and ever since, I have had ABBA songs buzzing on my brain! What a great show; the music had everyone up on their feet dancing in the aisles and humming the tunes as we filed out of the theater. Wouldn't it be great if we could all go through life with that background music in our head as motivation?!

For the past couple of years, many people haven't had too much to sing and dance about, however, we are seeing little glimmers of hope breaking through.

Are you ready to say to your prospects . . . . . ." Honey ~ Honey . . .Take a Chance on Me!"

Have you kept in touch with past clients and reminded them how important they are to you? OR Did you make the decision to put your client contact efforts on the back burner and neglect those people you worked so hard to please in the past?

FYI: Did you Know . . . that it is estimated that you lose 10% of your influence for every month you don't keep in contact with your database = 100% loss of influence in less than a year.

Don't let this be your WATERLOO ~ It's not too late to turn this around. Make a list of those most important business assets that you haven't contacted in awhile and get in touch! Call, write or my favorite.... "Kickin It Old School" and send an appreciation card.

Whatever you decide . . .just do it and you'll be singing and dancing again soon!

Professional Greetings

Helping to Build Repeat & Referral Business

www.professionalgreetings.com

Put Your "Sorrys" in a Sack!

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 17:05:55 -0700

Today is the 40^th Anniversary of Earth Day and a great time to reflect on what each of us can do to show Mother Earth a little love , not just today but every day.

I became much more environmentally conscious while living in Santa Barbara, Ca. Having grown up in Ohio and living most of my life in the eastern portion of the country, I was aware of the environmental movement, but really hadn't done much until moving to the left coast. In California, embracing an environmentally friendly attitude is as common as inhaling the wonderful ocean breezes.

One of the easiest "earth friendly habits' that I practice is, using recyclable shopping bags. Retailers have made it so easy with colorful bags available for purchase at their stores. I have a variety of bags, folding and tucking them all into the largest bag and storing them in my car. They are handy to pick out individually or take the entire collection along when I do my "big grocery shopping trip." They are much easier to carry, fitting twice the number of groceries in one recyclable, rather than the flimsy plastic excuses that are available. The plastic bags are horrible when they get out into nature; filling not only landfills, but also getting stuck in places they shouldn't be, affecting wildlife and hanging around forever!

Some people say, "I never remember to take them with me!" It does take a little effort getting used to using them; however, it is like any other habit we embrace, keep trying and soon you do it without even thinking AND you get a lot of satisfaction by contributing in a positive way!

It's Not Easy Being Green ~ But OH So Worth It!

Professional Greetings is proud to carry a wide variety of eco friendly

business greetings and wedding invitations.... Go Green

April is Customer Loyalty Month ~ Have you Hugged a Customer Lately?

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 08:09:56 -0700

Building customer loyalty should be an every day, year-round thing, not just something you do for one month out of the year. However, take this month of April, to think how you can improve relationships with your customers through better service, higher quality products, going the extra mile, etc.

People have a choice of who and where they wish to do business, so you need to make what you offer, stand "head and shoulders" above your competitors. You want your name to be at the top of the list the next time they need your services.

How Do You Keep Customers Loyal? Here are few ideas:

Treat Customers Well - this may seem obvious, however it bears repeating again and again. Charge a fair price for your products and service, provide friendly service at all times and deal with problems quickly and effectively. Develop a relationship of trust that will keep your customers coming back time after time.
Build a Personal Relationship - people want to do business with people they genuinely like and who make them feel comfortable. Get to know your clients and let them know that you and your staff care about them personally. "Show them the love"
Celebrate Complaints - receiving and resolving a complaint quickly can impress a customer and seal their loyalty. Celebrate the fact that they gave you the opportunity to fix the problem rather than just taking their complaint to friends and relatives (that type of news travels at the speed of lightening and can have disastrous results).
Keep in Touch Communication - Three of the most important ways to increase loyalty and make your customers feel appreciated without the pressure of "being sold" : Follow-up, Follow-up, Follow-up! Send personalized greeting cards/notes or make friendly "keep in touch" calls to check that everything is ok. These gestures show the customer how much you value them and their business. This is especially important in businesses such as real estate and mortgage lending, where long-term or expensive purchases are made.
Special Events - If your budget allows, hosting a special dinner or taking clients to the theater or a ballgame can really make a BIG impression. Even on a minimum budget, hosting a summer picnic or a wine & cheese tasting party is a lot of fun (have everyone bring a bottle of their favorite wine to share). These types of activities build your customer community and cement your personal relationship with your client base.

Remember, A Delighted Customer Makes Your Paycheck Possible... let me know how you plan on delighting your customers this very special Customer Loyalty Month!

This Message has been brought to you by Earlene Myers, Professional Greetings "Building Client Loyalty, One Card at a Time!" http://www.professionalgreetings.com

"Chamber of Commerce Day" in NE Florida

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 10:05:50 -0700

I just returned from my morning walk and needed to share the beauty of the day.

After a rather unusally cold Florida winter, these spring days are so appreciated. Warm sunny days, cool nights, azaelas in full bloom, golfers on the green, gators and turtles sunning themselves on the banks of the ponds . . . a true "Chamber of Commerce Day" here in NE Florida. You cannot help but have a song in your heart and an extra skip in your step.

Wherever you are located, appreciate the day for what it is and see the sun peeking through. Enjoy!

Still a Bargain at 42¢

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:09:58 -0700

O On May 12 the Postal Service will adjust prices for its services. Postage for First-Class letters will increase by 1- cent to 42¢. Through the end of this week, you can still purchase the Forever Stamp @ 41¢ Forever stamps will always be valid, regardless of the price you paid for them originally. So, if you have a large mailing coming up or just want to pinch a few pennies, you may wish to stock up on these stamps now (they can be purchased online at http://www.usps.com/ )

Although the First Class letter increase is the most visible change, the Postal Service has several other changes listed on their web site and some even save you money:

Reduced Express Mail prices for items shipped to addresses closer to home
Lower online postage prices for Express Mail and Priority mail (domestic and international)
Volume Express Mail price rebates for frequent shippers
Additional flat-rate box prices for Priority Mail (Note: in my opinion, these Flat Rate Boxes are terrific business tools!)

Have you seen the new 42¢ Flag stamp series? These stamps were designed by Phil Jordan of Falls Church, Virginia and each feature a painting by Laura Stutzman of Mountain Lake Park, Maryland, of an American flag flying at a different time of day: sunrise, noon, sunset, and night. They are really beautiful and a nice addition to any mailing piece.

Every time a postage increase is implemented, people moan and groan, however, in today's economy, how many things can you do or buy for 42¢? In my humble opinion, it is still quite a bargain.

This Little Light of Mine ~ I’m Gonna Let It Shine!

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 10:58:58 -0700

I am sure there are some of you who learned the song, "This Little Light of Mine" . . .

when you were wee little. It was and still is a favorite with the little munchkins that love singing their hearts out, especially if it involves hand motions!

Many of us, who fervently sang that song growing up, were taught to not shine the light on ourselves too brightly. Parents in the 50's and 60's tended to raise us to be humble, not bring attention to ourselves, etc. (which isn't a bad thing). However, when we grew up and started to position ourselves as business professionals, one of the most difficult things to learn was to "sell ourselves"; aim that spotlight directly on our eager faces . .it just didn't feel quite right! But, no matter what type of business profession you practice, you must believe and sell yourself first. If potential clients feel your confidence, sense a connection and feel comfortable with you, they are going to do business with you.

Working in the corporate world, I always felt that my strengths were in my customer service skills; going above and beyond what was expected. I really got satisfaction from a "job well done." Not so much for the praise, but rather the "good feeling" that I really was helping someone. It came easily when I was selling someone else's products or services; however, when I started my own business, it was a new ballgame. I had to place more focus on ME, which was out of my comfort zone. I had to learn that it was OK and necessary to toot my own horn if others were going to take me seriously and have confidence that I was the person to get the job done. After operating my own business for 10 years, I have gotten better at it, but it still feels a little funky; but today, I am going to "shine a little light on me."

We all revel in that "warm fuzzy feeling" that comes with being recognized and thanked. I recently received a thank you from one of my long time clients that just made my day, he writes: "Earlene, The cards turned out even better then I thought they might; the golden colors in the Lady Liberty photo actually "work" and look great. I love the high photo quality and most of all, the very original and unique look of it, something I constantly strive for and not always easy to find. But with your resourcefulness, it always seems to come through. I really appreciate that you go out of your way to offer multiple choices. That's one of many unique characteristics that make you stand above anyone else! Excellence! Thanks, Russ"

In today's business environment, with stiff competition, and many people selling the same products/services at competitive pricing, how do you make yourself stand apart? Each of us must find our niche, our comfort zone; whatever is our strong suit. We can't be "All Things to All People"; however, it is critical to identify our very best attributes (whatever makes us stand apart, attractive to our audience and head and shoulders above the rest) and focus that spotlight to shine bright. "Put it under a bushel basket...NO! I'm going to let it SHINE!"

I would love to hear what makes YOU shine and stand apart from your competition!

CHANCE MEETINGS - May the Forces Be with You!

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:00:28 -0700

Recently : Ed Rybczynski - Mortgage Fraud Speaker & Expert , posted a message, Chance Meetings , where he discusses how our paths cross with so many people in day to day activities and how forces seem to work in mysterious ways.

As another example of these "forces at work" , I invited a new contact that I met on-line through another networking site. Her name is Jennifer Jones, photographer extraordinaire, from the LA/Santa Barbara, California area. Jennifer contacted me and we started a dialog which revealed how our paths have crossed in several ways.

She recently moved from Tampa, FL to Los Angeles, CA.
Several years ago, I moved from Santa Barbara, CA to Fleming Island, FL.
She has a large client base in Florida and frequently comes back here to visit family and do photo shoots.
I have a large client base in California and try to get back there once or twice a year to see friends and clients (my husband still works for his Santa Barbara company, so we have strong ties there.)
She does photo work with "Real Estate Agents, Mortgage Lenders and More" and is looking to find more clients so she can make them look "really good!"
I work with "Real Estate Agents, Mortgage Lenders and More" and work to make them "look really good" with their clients and business associates.

I hope you all will take some time out of your busy schedules to welcome Jennifer to the Active Rain network and take a look at her profile and web site.

May the forces be with you!

Jennifer Jones Media: http://activerain.com/jenniferjonesphotographer

For assistance with all of your business greetings, holiday greetings and client contact needs, please remember to contact Professional Greetings

For A Good Time, CALL - Tickets Going Fast . . . . .

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 09:25:15 -0700

OVER 300 Tickets Sold - Just a Few Left - CAll for yours TODAY!

Looking for a Good Time?

Come to the Jacksonville, FL

WCR Fashion Show

Friday, September 7, 2007

11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Marriott Sawgrass Ponte Vedra Beach Resort & Spa

1000 PGA Tour Blvd., Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

Plated Lunch ~ $40.00 ~ Ticketed Event Only

Entertaining Pre-Show . . . .

Calendar Girls as You've Never Seen Before!!!

Sponsors

First Florida Credit Union

Home & Land of N.E. Florida

People First Community Bank

Title America of Jacksonville

Fashions by Stein Mart

Contact Evelyn Hopkins for Tickets

Phone (904) 262-7400 Evelyn@TitleAmerica.us

AHHH! The Good Old Days When Buying a House Meant Buying a Home!

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 18:34:46 -0700

$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ MONEY $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ MONEY $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ MONEY $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

I am a long time home owner and have bought a number of properties over the years (in both up and down markets). Reflecting on the past weeks of craziness in the stock market, the mortgage market meltdown and months of slowing home sales, etc.; I was thinking "just how did we all get here??"

Years ago, people scrimped and saved for years to buy their little piece of "The American Dream." The # 1 reason to purchase a house was because we wanted to make a house a HOME to live in ~ raise a family ~ enjoy life!

Somewhere along the way, we got off track. Money became easier to get and the priority seemed to change to "I want to buy a house and is this investment going to make me lots of MONEY?"

Don't get me wrong . . . I'm all for making money! However, in my humble opinion, this should not be the #1 goal for the average person to buy a house.

As with anything, people get caught up in the giddiness of the current "get rich" frenzi; some become greedy, some are encouraged to buy beyond their financial means and then the bottom falls out from under them and the pendulum starts to swing the other way. Hopefully, not too many people get knocked down during this process and can recover; but for many, it is devastating and many never recover.

If you are haven't done so as yet, check out these recent AR posts. They address some reasons of what has happened over the past few years that got us where we are today:

Carole Cohen posted an interesting blog and hosted an ensuing discussion on "Can Someone Seriously Explain to Me How Prices Skyrocketed" http://activerain.com/blogsview/172059/Can-Someone-Seriously-Explain
Len Harley posted "Hey Mom, Where's Fannie Mae?" http://activerain.com/blogsview/170985/HEY-MOM-WHERE-S

You would think that after the dot.com bubble several years ago; and then this most recent real estate frenzy, we would be a little smarter. I hope we all learn from the past and use common sense in the future (at least until the next HOT investment comes along!)

Professional Greetings ~ Your Client Connection ~ Building Client Loyalty, One Card at a Time!

http://www.professionalgreetings.com

Have You Told Your Clients Lately That You Love Them?

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 19:11:46 -0700

"With a Show of Hands, How Many of You are Having an Affair?" I have used this line when giving presentations to prospective clients. It usually gets a few nervous chuckles; however on one occasion, a gal just about fell off her chair! I go on to explain that I am not trying to get personal and I'm not talking about an affair as in the "Hollywood or Political" variety; but rather about developing and nurturing their client, employee and business relationships. Every relationship, whether business or personal, takes work and constant attention, however, we all get busy or apathetic and neglect telling those who make our business successful, how very important they are.

There have been numerous blogs written here on AR about the power of the handwritten thank you note (see bottom of this post) and I am the #1 champion of writing those personal notes - nothing trumps the power of "wet ink" on any correspondence! However, keeping in contact with clients on a regular basis is difficult and most business professionals just don't have the time. When you outsource this type of task, with your direct input, you have the best of both worlds; a consistent, personal client contact mailing program and the time to devote to your business.

Since my "tool of choice" is the personalized business greeting card, here are some tips that will make your personal client contact mail campaign more effective:

Consistency ~ mailings should be at well-timed intervals. Don't over mail this type of piece (I have found quarterly to be the most popular). In today's society of direct mail, email, advertising, etc., we get sensory overload. You want your special card to get opened, appreciated and remembered.

Humor ~ many business professionals are very leery of using humor, however, it is one of the BEST ways to connect with people. Make it clever, not corny. It should bring a smile, a chuckle, a guffaw - not a wince or groan. If you use a clever image and message, it will tap into the "emotion quotient", have shelf life and be shared.
Quality vs. Quantity ~ When mailing a personalized card, remember it is a reflection of YOU. You don't need to spend lots of $$$, but make sure it isn't too generic, flimsy or cheap looking either. You may argue that "it's the thought that counts," and that is true; however, if you skimp on the quality of your mailing piece, your client may get the impression that they have little value to you. Remember, not all business greeting cards are equal . . . Choose Wisely!
Minimize Sales Pitch ~ the personalized greeting card should be used primarily for expressing, appreciation, thoughtfulness or to keep in touch. It can also be used for announcements and prospecting, but when used for that purpose, make your message short and sweet. One of the biggest challenges that I encounter are clients that want to fill every blank space on a greeting card like a billboard; advertise but with restraint. And always add some type of appreciation/thank you.
Special Holidays ~ the value of the "unexpected." Mail a holiday card at Thanksgiving rather than Christmas. It is the perfect time to express appreciation and few businesses mail at this time. Send a "Happy Spring", 4^th of July, Halloween, or New Year's message. Non-traditional holidays give you a great opportunity to tap into what is going on in the "outside world.". Unless you know your clients VERY well, be cautious of mailing on personal holidays (Mother's Day, Father's Day, religious holidays, etc.) You may not always be aware what is going on in that person's life and the wrong card could trigger an unfavorable response.
Don't Save for a Rainy Day ~ when you purchase greeting cards, newsletters, brochures, etc., "MAIL THEM!" They are not valuable heirlooms to be saved in a drawer. Get them in circulation so they can go to work for you! I have had a number of realtor clients tell me that they have spent "much moola" on fine printed items, set them in the corner of the office and by the time they got around to using them, they had out-dated information or were no longer relevant. . . what a waste!
Remember, personalized mailings should be done "in addition to" NOT "instead of" other types of marketing (i.e. business letters, direct mail campaigns, networking, phone calls, etc.)
Have you told your clients lately that you "LOVE THEM?"

http://activerain.com/blogsview/120463/The-Art-of-the-thankyou

http://activerain.com/blogsview/Thank-You-Cards?

http://activerain.com/blogsview/118439/Sending-Thank-You-Cards

JACKSONVILLE WCR EXPO ~ Would Love to See You There!

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 11:42:17 -0700

If you are located in northeast Florida, Southern Georgia OR you just happen to be in the Jacksonville, FL area on Monday, June 25th, please consider stopping by the WCR EXPO scheduled to be held at the University of North Florida that afternoon.

Event Details: Jacksonville, FL WCR EXPO

WHERE: University Center, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL

WHEN: Monday, June 25, 2007 Time: 4 PM- 7 PM

Speakers include: Andrew Wooten, Safety & Security Consultant, Ron Stephan, Executive Vice President of the Northeast Florida Multiple Listing Service, and Deborah Thode, Business Coach.

Admission is FREE Refreshments will be available at a cash bar.

For more details, go to the WCR website at http://www.wcrjax.com/

There will be a number of exhibitors including Professional Greetings ~ If you are attending, please stop by and introduce yourself!

Interested in being an exhibitor at the Trade Expo? Contact Expo Chair: Bassel Jadaa - 904-642-9005 bassel@basseljadaa.com or Go to WCR website for Application Info

Jacksonville WCR: http://www.wcrjax.com/

Directions to UNF: http://www.unf.edu/admissions/visitors/directions.html

What I Did on My Summer Vacation

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Tue, 22 May 2007 00:05:11 -0700

School's almost out, graduation ceremonies abound and we are heading into the official "kick off" of summer vacation season. My family has enjoyed living and visiting a number of interesting places over the years and here are a few of my favorite vacation spots:

St. Augustine, Florida ~ since I live in the "sunshine state", we are blessed to be on vacation everyday ! Outdoor activities are enjoyed all year long (with possibly the exception of July and August - Yikes!) One of my favorite places to visit is only about a 30 minute drive from my home, St. Augustine, FL! The oldest city in the nation is a mixture of history, interesting architecture, art shops, fine restaurants and boutiques. If you haven't been there yet, put it on your "to do" list.
Washington, DC - One of my favorite parts of the country. You are within an hour or two drive to the mountains, the ocean, great historical spots such as Mount Vernon, Monticello, Williamsburg, VA. Take advantage of all our nation's capital city has to offer: the Smithsonian museums, monuments ( be prepared to shed a tear at the Vietnam Wall- it is quite overwhelming) and the center of the most powerful nation in the world.
New York ~ New York! What a fabulous town this is. I get giddy just thinking about going to a Broadway show (nothing like it!), take a ride on the Staten Island Ferry, or just walking the city streets soaking in the excitement.
Santa Fe, NM - This is a really unique area. A mixture of challenging geography, wonderful culture and a history all its own. If you like bed and breakfasts, check out The Highfeather Ranch ; this is such a great spot and the innkeeper is a really interesting person and makes you feel right at home.
Asheville, NC - what a beautiful area. The cool mountain breezes waft nostalgia and take you back to another time. Of course, check out the Biltmore Estate, but there is so much more!
Pittsburgh, PA - this may seem like a strange choice, but it is a hidden gem. People still think it is a polluted steel mill town, but those days have all but vanished. The downtown area is made up of a rich mixture of ethnic neighborhoods populated with great little restaurants and people. Wonderful cultural resources like Heinz Hall (best acoustics ever), sporting events, and gorgeous terrain (go though the Ft. Pitt tunnels and view the emerging downtown skyline at night - you will think you are in a movie trailer!). A very fun city.
Seattle, WA - No it doesn't rain everyday in "The Emerald City". We were there a few years back for a week and I don't think it rained once! Again, beautiful hilly terrain and water, gritty urban city feel - great place to enjoy those coffee houses.
Ogunquit, ME - What a nifty little village this is. You will think you have stepped back to 1950. Beautiful rugged seacoast.
Santa Barbara, CA - This was home for seven years and has the most perfect weather ever! (sorry Hawaii) The proximity between the mountains and the ocean, make this truly "The American Riviera." Always something interesting to do, from the farmer's markets, to the outdoor cafés, beach days, or exploring the wonderful hidden gardens and parks of the city. This is a city of festivals and the best are The Solstice Day Parade (nothing quite like it), Old Spanish Days (beautiful dancing, delicious food for 2 weeks!) and the I Madonnari Festival
Bermuda - Just thought I would throw in one spot off the mainland. Bermuda is a very unique island - quaint houses, local charm with that bit of British formality, great sea escapes (ever try helmet diving?) all within a short plane ride from the east coast!

Wherever you go this summer, near or far or even "porchview," stop and smell the roses and stay safe. I hope you will share your favorite vacation spot.

It’s A Beautiful Day in The Neighborhood!

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Wed, 16 May 2007 19:31:28 -0700

WOW! We were blessed with a gorgeous day here in northeast Florida today. Sun shining, temps in the low 80's, low humidity and no smoke in our neighborhood. Of course we could use some rain in this "neck of the woods," and I think there may be some in the forecast tomorrow. But, it's days like this that make you sing!

We have quite a few homes up for sale in our area and they are selling, just at a much slower pace than what everyone had grown accustomed to. While I was in my yard working this evening, a car stopped by next door to pick up one our neighbor's 4-Sale flyers, so hopefully they will get some good news soon as they are heading for Raleigh, NC at the end of this month.

Over the years, I have bought and sold a number of properties around the country and seen the full spectrum of real estate markets. I had a home sell in less than a day, (before the realtor even put up their sign in the Washington DC area) and have also had a house on the market for 8 months when interest rates were in the teens. But in the end, everything seems to cycle around and work out. So even though the market isn't booming like it once was, it is probably a much more realistic market now.

Think positive and let the sun shine! Wishing all of your hard working realtors and mortgage lenders renewed activity and much success in the coming months.

OUTRAGEOUS CUSTOMER SERVICE ~ Do You REALLY Walk the Talk?

Earlene Myers, Your Client Connection (Professional Greetings) — Wed, 09 May 2007 15:29:26 -0700

In today's busy world, we have grown accustomed to unanswered phones and emails, people not showing up or arriving late without apology, etc. Good business manners and the customer service bar have been placed on the "lowest limbo notch." At my previous employer, we called this behavior "The Donnie Phenomena."

Let me explain . . . "Once upon a time" at ABC Company, there was a person on staff, by the name of Donnie, who didn't quite "get it" when it came to good service and quick response. He was a super nice guy but he was the world's biggest procrastinator. When his assistance was requested, he was always congenial and said he would "look into it"; however days and weeks would go by without a response. Frustrations would mount, tempers would flare, and hair was pulled from heads, as expectations sank lower and lower. When his associates finally got an answer, they were sooooooooooo grateful for the tiniest tidbit thrown their way; thus, "The Donnie Phenomena."

We all face similar situations in the course of a day. Articles and "blogs" galore have been written on this subject; however, there are many out there that still have not embraced the concept!

I am probably more sensitive to this issue, since I have been involved in customer service for so many years. When I find someone that REALLY ~ REALLY cares, values and responds to their clients, it makes a BIG impression! It is hard to describe my giddiness when a delivery or service person arrives on time OR when I actually get a real live human on the other end of a phone call. Even if I don't get the answer I want, the fact that they showed the courtesy of calling me back or answering an email, has me smiling all day ~ I'm in LOVE! If that person is empathetic to my needs and cares about doing a good job; it is icing on the cake. These small acts of courtesy, take little effort and few $$, so it just amazes me that they are so rarely practiced.

TIPS : Listen and promptly respond to your prospects, clients, employees and business associates. Sincerely convey your interest in what they have to say and understand their needs; insincerity and indifference are easy to spot and almost as bad as unreturned messages! Make sure your clients are satisfied and "happy campers" with consistent client follow-up. If you are not the right person for the job, be honest and offer possible alternatives, another resource, etc. A little attention and caring go a long way to long term results!

REALITY CHECK: : Do you practice outrageous customer service and "walk the talk" during your business day?