Ah-Ha plus Duh equals Just Do It

How's that for an equation?  My Ah Hah plus Duh moment came the other day while I was working.  I have become quite obsessed with stats lately.  O.K., back that up, I've always been crazy about the numbers.  I am a salesperson at heart.

I was reviewing the analytics of my blog.  You know, those nitty gritty things, like where people come from, what they viewed, and what links they click on when they come to my blog.  And then it hit me, less like a jolt of lightning and more like a hmm...aha...duh.

It was a moment when I realized I could be doing something a little differently to get better results.

I won't bore you with the details.  It had to do with tweaking my tags and keywords more effectively.  I won't write a book on it, it won't be featured in a post, and I won't win my golden ticket to the Oprah show.  But the improved process is already helping improve my search engine results.

I call it my aha plus duh moment because the answer had been staring me in the face the whole time.  I'd read many posts and pages from books discussing keyword analysis and improvement as well as effective tagging methods.  I'd commented on posts about the subject. 

But up until now, I hadn't taken the time to put the simple basic principles into practice, even though by implementing them I am already seeing results.

It doesn't always take an epiphany to turn the results of your business around.  The turnaround can come from farming your market, concentrating on a niche, working on your SOI, hiring a business/life coach, or "getting adopted" by a mentor.  These are not new concepts, but today or tomorrow, they might just hit you over the head.

AH-HA PLUS DUH EQUALS JUST DO IT.

Independence Day Reflection: When freedom rings, Schapelle Corby will be free

This past Thursday I wrote a post for my corporate blog on celebrating the Fourth of July with my family.  Late that evening, while unwinding from the day and preparing for the Fourth of July holiday I watched a documentary on HBO about Schapelle Corby, "Ganja Queen".  Even typing these words, I have an overwhelming feeling of unrest creep up on me.

Schapelle Corby was a 27 year old Australian woman who was taking a vacation to Bali to visit her sister for her birthday.  She was searched at customs in an Indonesian Airport and was found with 4 kg of pot in her boogie board bag.  The documentary of Schapelle's trial, supporters, and the controversy surrounding her case was more than moving.

I was glued to the t.v. screen watching as this woman's way of life was torn apart.

Schapelle Corby is now 30 years old.  Her sentence was a life sentence of 20 years.  She has already been through her final appeal and was denied a more lenient sentence/acquital.

Regardless of the severe tampering of evidence and lack of burden of proof Schapelle's life as she knows it was stripped from her.

I won't rehash all of the details of the documentary.  The film will air again on HBO this Sunday. It was amazing to see how everyone comes out of the woodwork, wanting their 15 mintues of fame.  The rumors, the supporters, and the naysayers all wanting a voice.

Meanwhile, this woman fought to hang onto her voice and her sanity throught his heartwrenching course of events.

We speak of homes all the time on Active Rain; We speak of the comfort and strength the right home gives to a real estate buyer.  We speak of how stressful it can be for a homeowner to sell their home.

Imagine the stress that Schapelle is under right now.  She left her home four years ago and hasn't returned. 

I can only imagine at the age of 30 with 17 more years in her term to go how she can be feeling.  By this time in my life I had a career and two wonderful children.  

I urge you to view the HBO documentary.  Once you watch it I am sure you will be touched. If you would then like to extend a hand of support, visit the officical website for Schapelle Corby .

On this Fourth of July weekend I am grateful for my freedom and the freedom of my children.  I am grateful to be an American.

Differing opinions and my motivation for a less selfish motive

Today I was going to post on a topic regarding email and marketing that has been swirling around in my head for the past couple of days.

Then I read Ruthmarie Hick's post, "Personal Note" and my fingers automatically went to my keyboard and started flying. 

You see, Ruthmarie has been a steady reader of my blog.  While Ruthmarie and I have had a difference of opinion when it comes to lead generation, I value her contribution to any discussion that arises on my posts.  She is a woman of opinions, and in the end I feel her intentions are to express rather than demean or repress.

I respect that she has a point of view.

Recently Ruthmarie has posted a series on the point system of Active Rain, "Pointless Panderings 4 Points".  As with all good discussions there are a lot of conversation surrounding her four posts.  Agree or not with her opinion, it is the discussion and the conversations themselves that help the very community of Active Rain to evolve. 

As long as it's kept respectful, this can be the best kind of "keepin' it real".

Back to Ruthmarie's personal note.  She is going through a tough time right now.  Her father has Stage 4 Colon Cancer and the increasing costs for medical treatment are making it a difficult go for her.  He recently had a fall as well, so Ruthmarie has been one busy lady.  In spite of all of this, she came back to her blog to post of the situation and why she hasn't been able to respond as quickly to her comments as she would have liked.

She is committed to the art of the blog- good conversations and reciprocity.

Regardless of our differences, we are all a community here at ActiveRain.  As such, I wanted to encourage all who read this blog or who might follow Ruthmarie, as well as those who might not, to head on over and shout out some words of encouragement.

Our differences can unite for a common cause. Our differing opinions can be motivation for a less selfish motive.

Push the easy button to prevent buyer's remorse

I have spoken to hundreds of agents over the years and many have been disatisfied with their website provider.

Bones of contention include:

• Not enough website traffic.
• Not enough design options.
• Listing feed is limited or nonexistent.
• Prices increase drastically year after year.
• Long term contracts.
• Lack of responsiveness by website service provider.
• Search functionality for consumers is of poor quality.
• Not closing enough business from the website.

Some real estate agents I have spoken to have been personally upset over the situation.  Some real estate agents have vowed never to trust another vendor again or to not get involved in online advertising.

There is a huge window of opportunity left for those embracing the internet.  For every real estate agent who has a website, there are many more who have websites that are not effective. The information is outdated, the searches are "immature" for web 2.0 offerings, and community information and local happenings look like they have been ripped out of a Chamber of Commerce book from 1998.

I was surprised to see last week in studying various top producing real estate agent websites that the same seems to be true. Some real estate agents have kept up with their websit by regularly feeding it orginal content.  Other real estate agents still only have a webpage on their real estate broker's website.  

There are even some real estate agents who had a domain name setup with a template and that was it.  There was no other information on these blogs and webpages- not even a photo or a name and phone number.

That just floored me.

When you build a business you need to you put a plan in place. Successful real estate agents know and practice this. They are successful because they treat their venture into real estate as a business.  It makes their clients and prospects see them as respectable business folk.

You need a plan when you market your business. A big portion of your marketing plan should include your internet marketing. There are businesses that have separate marketing plans just for their online marketing. For Real.

This is why they are highly effective online.

So back to the widespread disappointment real estate agents have with their websites. Here's the deal. You need to know what you want before you buy it. You can't have any expectations when you don't have any predefined goals before the purchase.

You need to have a plan.

Start by viewing this video, "Creating an Online presence" from SCORE (counselors for small business). This video will help you determine your goals for your website and what types of services a website provider can offer. It will also help you to determine a maintenance plan for your website.

Yes, I did use that dreaded word "maintenance".

A good website and online plan that draws results will require some maintenance on your part. There is no such thing as maintenance free online marketing. Eventually, though, the maintenance will become easier and might even lessen when you've got it working for you.

Once you have your plan and you have your questions prepared- ask for a referral. Ask successfully wired real estate agents (probably best to do this outside of your local real estate market) who they use and why. If their online goals match yours, and they are happy with their website provider- BINGO- you might just have a match.

Recap. The formula for Prevention of Buyers Remorse is: Get An Online Marketing Plan. Ask Questions. Demand Answers. Don't settle for products that can't meet your goals.

Easy button pushed. The End.

Sowing the seeds by sharing my real estate story

Many people mistake me for a real estate agent. I think they are taken aback that I know a general thing or two about real estate and that I have an inquisitve nature for what is going on with real estate today.

The biggest reason I believe that people think I am a real estate agent is because I have a huge respect for the profession. Unfortunately, aside from other real estate professionals, it seems like in the big wide non-real estate world, this respect is lacking.

Yesterday I was reading Daniel Rothamel's request to Spread the Love. A good pay it forward viral fest and it got me to thinking about why I haven't ever left the real estate industry, so bear with me while I rewind.

I started working in the real estate industry in 1992. I was 18 years old and I was taking off a semester from college at the time. I worked for a real estate attorney who was rarely ever in the office and really only showed up at closing.

His practice was busy and all day long I hauled butt. I worked on home inspection and attorney's approval negotiations, retrieved documentation to clear title, worked with buyers to clear the conditions on their approval letters with their lenders, begged title companies for my buyers closing figures, and worked through last minute closing issues.

By the end of the day, my head was cocked to the side from being on the phone so much (no wireless headsets or modern technology for this office chick).

Although sometimes I felt that it was the work of the insane and zombies got more sleep than me, I loved it. I helped people close on a house that would become their home. It felt like very important work and I was honored to do it.

I ended up staying on full time with the law office and ended up going to school part time. I wouldn't encourage anyone to give up a formal education, but I was following my heart on this one. And I knew that I would never stop learning.

I worked for the Northwest Suburban Illinois attorney for seven years. At the age of 23 I gave birth to my first child, a beautiful girl named Zoe. Zoe took her first steps in the law office.

My daughter spent her first three years in this world working side by side with mommy. All of my regular real estate agents, lenders and title company personnel were a part of my daughter's upbringing.

I earned an income and never had to put my daughter in daycare. It was the best of both worlds.

I left the attorney's office and spent a year in corporate relocation. I then gave birth to my second child Zachary. It was at this time that I knew I needed to work from home so I could raise my two children. It took me 6 months of diligent job searching but I found a company that was willing to let me telecommute.

As luck would have it I would still be working within the real estate industry. I would be selling lead management software systems to real estate brokerages and forming alliance partnerships with other service providers. It was exciting, fun, and new. I only knew how to search for jobs on websites and send email. This is where the world of online real estate showed its face to me.

Here I sit today. Working on another chapter of my online real estate experience by blogging. Last August I didn't know what the word blog meant or why people spent time doing it. I was still entrenched in the flat worldwideweb. I am happy to say I understand now that www. land is round, multi-faceted, conversational and so many other things.

Fastforward to Spread the Love Day. I have a genuine love for the real estate industry even though I am not a real estate agent. I have made an income from the industry for the past 16 years. More than money, the real estate industry allowed ME to be the person who raised my children.

When people told me 7 years ago it would be near next to impossible to work for a company virtually and raise my kids, the real estate industry gave me the opportunity. I have been married, had a third child, got divorced, and the industry has been there every step of the way.

It is still allowing me that priceless opportunity to be with my children.

Aside from sharing my real estate story, I wanted to share the love by sending readers of my blog to a post that Fran the Title Man wrote, "Rainers of the Lost Art...of Mentoring!!!"

I hope that others can stay in this industry if they have a desire for it.  I hope that they are able to leverage the freedom that the industry can give you to work smarter, make a living, and take care of your family. Sometimes all it takes, if someone has the will and desire, is a kind and guiding hand.

I also wanted to sow some seeds and point anyone reading this post in the direction of A/R member Sally Hansen's post, "Hey AR... How about starting national Them Them Day...We Can Do It!  There are consumers still kindling a dream of homeownership.

If a little honest help can make a difference- It's a feel good no brainer.

I am not a real estate agent, but I love the real estate industry.  I am honored to be mistaken as a real estate agent and when my children are older that might just be my next journey.

How did you get into real estate and what made you stay? I'd like to hear your story...feel free to share by commenting below, or post to your blog and let me know. I would love to read your story.

You don't have to bend over backward to pay it forward

Today I attempted to setup my new laptop on my home wireless network. It was supposed to be "plug and play", but it was more like "sluggish and slow". Armed with my phone, I sat down to make that "dreaded call" and try to zero out to a live operator.

After one hang up, I got a live person. Her name was Karen.  She not only helped me with a temporary fix so I could connect my laptop on the internet while I waited for a service appointment from a technician, but she also ran through my current services and promotions.  Karen also informed me of with me of the new promotions available.

I have three services with my cable company: phone, internet, and cable. As you can imagine, this was a lengthy call.

Karen was not even a bit pretentious on the phone. If she didn't know the answer she put me on hold (asking for my permission first) and then came back and gave me the answer. She laughed and made small local talk (yes she was local) crunched numbers and gave me her full attention and time.

By the time the phone conversation was over, I was a Karen evangelist and even liked my internet provider more.

Instead of rushing off to use my newly wired laptop, I asked Karen if there was a manager I could speak to and praise her services. She asked to put me on hold while she scoured her call center for one. About 5 minutes passed and she came back online to let me know she had just found her supervisor. Another few minutes and he was on the line.

It took a mere extra 10 minutes of my time to give Karen her due props. In the internet era the margins on ole fashioned customer service are chopped away by infringing measures to maximize "time efficiency".  It forsakes the customer.

It is imperative to take the extra 10 or 15 minutes to recognize good service.

• Not because good customer service shouldn't be second nature.  It sure should.
• Not because the employee will be given a 20% increase in salary.  It's not likely.
• Not because you wanna be a kiss a_ _ .  Stop raising your hand:-)

Because if you appreciate the dinosaur that is becoming good ole fashioned customer service, seemingly reserved for small town shops and mythical fairy tales, then you should take the time to commend it when you see it.

10 or 15 minutes is all it takes.

You don't have to bend over backward to pay it forward.

Just wondering...Where are the real estate bloggers in my town?

I seem to be in an observatory mood as of late, or admittedly, always, but honestly, where are the bloggers in Lake Geneva Wisconsin and Walworth County?

As a Lake Geneva Wisconsin resident, I have one thing to say, "We are a resort community guys so you can bet people are looking for information about our lovely town on the internet".

What better way to showcase your skills, services, and knowledge then by jumping in and blogging.  It doesn't have to be perfect, it just has to be informative and it should be written conversationally.  It's like my son said to me about jump roping the other day, "I am really not very good right now mom, but I know if I practice I will be one of the best".

It's wide open now, I can find hardly anyone who is doing it.  You have the opportunity RIGHT NOW to be the best.

If you are wondering what you can write about, think about:

• Our lovely recreation:  Resorts, golf courses, water activities, biking and running events, and more.
• The history behind our town.
• Local events- 'Tis the season in our lovely town with happenings going on all the time.  There is a reason why the call Lake Geneva "Chicago's Playground".  How 'bout letting people know why.
• New real estate listings.
• Market conditions
• Mortgage programs
• You and your business
• Closing stories
• Funny stories
• Local businesses- I am sure given the opportunity, the would love to contribute and get some free press.

My little post on Wi-Fi in Lake Geneva Wisconsin got 382 views and 96 clicks.  Imagine what kind of traffic you could get from more popular topics.  Check out localism to see how the other half is making it work.

As the old cliche, You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

Write about lake geneva and walworth country real estate and local happenings and watch them come.

Cookie cutter matches don't work in agent selection

This evening I toured a few newer real estate agent matchmaking services that are proclaimed as web 2.0 real estate offerings.  I was ready to buckle up, learn a few things, and let my mind start brainstorming.

What I learned was disappointment.  These sites offered: 

• A simple checklist of preferences to find an agent in your zipcode/town.
• A ranking of agent's based on consumer feedback.
• A list of a ton of agents with simple listings and small print that would make me click off the screen (ouch my eyes)
• A reference check on agents by contacting their previous clients and asking about their sales perfomance- "Did you get what you wanted for your house?" oh, by the way, "Are you happy with your real estate agent"

A few things I humbly feel these companies don't understand:

Ranking an agent based on customer recommendations and surveys isn't new- there is a designation- Quality Service Certified- Check it out.

Asking if a real estate agent is a great agent after asking about list vs. sale price?  How many real  estate sellers would've like to get more money for their house?  How many real estate sellers do you think feel they should have gotten more money for their house? 

See where I am going with this.

A simple list of preferences does not a match make.  Consumers most often choose real estate agents because they feel a connection with them- personal or a certain je ne sais quoi, next would be expertise, and then of course knowledge and all that good stuff.  Simple matches don't help the consumer get to know the agent. 

In depth interviews, blogs and answers to questions on social networks do.

Long lists provide no value.  It is true that consumers like choices, but unless you are going to pair the real estate agents in these lists with some pretty sophisticated listing technology, like streetviews on steroids, I am going to click out of your site.

What's the fun in teeny tiny words and photos that are no bigger than a dime?  Call me homer, but I'm just not getting it.

So I am packing my search in for the night.  What I learned?  Everything new seems old again.

Plea to real estate vendors: Deliver the Goods

Dear Mr. Real Estate Vendor,

This is the letter you don't want to get:

When real estate was good you charged what you could

You dominated organic links, no need to knock on wood

Taking a me first attitude didn't seem alarming

In fact you probably believed you were charming. 

Clients were lining up to take a space, a deal, a special price

At the instant you wound up and pitched, cause it wouldn't be offered twice

Then the market started winding down

And clients started to frown

What about the promises made before last year's renewal?

Where are the services you promised to render?

Or was that just a load of bull?

I paid you good money that I cannot seem to get back.

And ever since I gave you my credit card it seems your company has fallen off track.

Signedxxx

Every Burned real estate agent

So Many real estate vendors have entered the online real estate space since I started working in online real estate advertising in 2001.  It's a different ball game then it was back then, for both real estate agents and service providers.  In 2001 there were many real estate agents who didn't have business websites, nor feel a need to advertise online.

Times they have changed, and online is the name of the game.  But with the increase in acceptance has also come an influx of every tech internet guru wizard or real estate broker turned technology entrepreuner with a widget, network, or website.  And they are all ready to give real estate agents unparalleled results.

New enterprise is a good thing.  It keeps the market competitive and hopefully brings innovatiion, high quality products, and competitive pricing to the front lines, where it didn't exist in the early 2000's. 

Keeping this in mind, I have a plea (7 simple requests) to real estate vendors:

• Get out from behind the Iron Curtain- Become transparent and show thyself.  If McDonald's can do it, so can you.
• Continue to ask for feedback from your customers- Don't fear the unasked question, ask it.  It's better to have the knowledge so you can make informed changes.
• Underpromise and overdeliver- Goes without saying.
• Reject clients who are not a good fit for your program- You might even consider refering them to a company in the same space.  Keeping your integrity by not bringing a client in who doesn't want what you have to offer can only help to put a shine on your reputation.
• Keep your language clean- Don't bash your competitors to a prospective or current customer.  Really, this just reeks like a dead skunk on Route 66.
• Respect your bread and butter- Bottom line is your clients allow you to put the clothes on your back and the food on your table.  Stop dissin' and start helping.  No one really likes to be talked down to.

So Mr. Vendor, as one fellow service provider to another, can you please help me out?  If you can try to adhere to these six principles we will both have an easier time of it.  As with the real estate industry, every time one company steps in the mud, it make the water dirty for all of us.

Sincerely,

Rebecca D. Levinson

Corporate Blogger/Community Leader

Connect2Agent

Friday freebies for budget savvy wannabes

Have a yearning to learn, network and be entertained, but not quite sure you want to push the fold of your wallet too far? Here are two budget friendly conferences and one magazine that have two things in common- high quality and a price tag of free. 

2008 CyberConvention and Expo from the Real Estate CyberSpace Society

Relax and put your feet up for this one.  If you missed the convention this past winter be sure to check out the summer version.  The Real Estate CyberSpace Society has been providing internet tools to real estate agents since 1997 and I have been attending their conventions since 2001.  They are chock full of good tips and are complete with exhibitors and speakers.  Handouts are available at most of the speaker sessions and you can visit day or night. 

The not to be missed speaker session is Dave Liniger's "Send your sales curve up up and away" where he talks about survivial of the fittest real estate agents and places an emphasis on finding your niche.  This session alone makes it worth your time.

ETail Expo and EcomXpo for ecommerce marketers 2008- July 9-10th

Some of the best learned internet habits will come from crossing industry lines and expanding your horizons.  I attended last year's EcomXpo convention and the caliber was outstanding.  The speaker sessions were live and by webinar so it was easy to ask questions and get feedback.  The layout of the convention was easy to navigate AND I learned more than a thing or two that I was able to fit into my real estate blogging and internet marketing.

Past presentations include SEM marketing, Blogging sessions, longtail keyword and more.  Seth Godin has been a past speaker at this event.  Want a taste now?  Here's an archived session, "Link Building Strategies For Google"-Moshe Morris - SEM Basics.

Register for this event and make a date for an internet self-improvement session on your calendar today.

LORE Magazine

What could be better than a magazine about the lives of your fellow real estate professionals?  Now what could be better than a subscription to a high quality magazine delivered to your door for free? 

The Lives of Real Estate Professionals Magazine has been in circulation for a mere 4 years but has gained tremendous recognition in the publishing industry.  You won't be surprised after reading an issue that the Editor behind this brainchild is Steve Murray, the same Steve Murray of REAL Trends who is by his own right an expert in Real Estate industry trends.

LORE will also serve another purpose to your real estate business.  If you take the time to kick back and read the stories, you will gain some great insight into how personalization and transparency are better hot buttons than the pomp and fanfare of the past. 

Looking for some inspiration?  Read these two stories from the Archives of LORE Magazine:   "Maids to Millionaires" and "Life Lessons on Prosperity Way." These are two stories you will want to turn to time and again, so get your printer ready or at the very least, put you pointer finger on your bookmark button.

Share the Love and Dish about your Favorite Freebies

Have any budget friendly conferences or magazines that your fellow real estate professionals should know about?  Please share by commenting below.

Happy Friday Active Rain.