I am Rich Levin's assistant, Rebecca, I am having a problem and was hoping someone could help. I use Windows Movie Maker to edit videos, all of a sudden it won't save them (Actually converting back to a .wmv file) It freezes up at 79%. I had jsut finished saving one video which worked fine, went to do another one and now it just won't work. I have tried all the troubleshooting, gone to Movie Maker Forum etc and nothing is working. Anyone have a simple solution to the problem? Or possible another idea for software I can use? I have heard of Vegas Maker but looking for something without all the bells and whistles.

Any information would be helpful whether to fix Movie Maker or other software. Thanks Rebecca

Great expression I just read from Eben Pagan.  "You are not in business.  You are in marketing."  I love that.  I am continuously teaching groups and my individual clients that marketing is the lifeblood of your business.  I am not using that "lifeblood" expression easily.  Just like your life depends on your blood carrying everything your body needs to every place that needs it.  Your marketing done right carries your message to every one in your markets that might need your service.  For many of you I'd put it on the wall.  YOU ARE NOT IN BUSINESS.  YOU ARE IN MARKETING.

"I'm overwhelmed!!!" 

A Coaching Client called me last night and said, "Rich, I'm in that place again where I'm immobilized by the feeling of overwhelm.  Can you HELP?  Please."

There is a principle here that will transform your business and perhaps your life.  When you are confused, overwhelmed or even just unmotivated and lethargic, it is because you are not clear on what you want and more importantly your driving force behind it, why you want it.

As soon as I asked what he wanted I knew the feeling of overwhelm could be solved because he hesitated, indicating that he was not clear on what he wanted.  So, I probed and after about ten minutes we were clear on what he wanted and a measurable way to get it.

Then I asked, "Why?  Why do you want those things?"  This conversation lasted over fifteen minutes and ranged from very general to very personal.  But the whole conversation lacked passion.  It was flat.  Until, in frustration he said, "All I want is to have some fun!"  And he said it with passion.

My instruction from there was to focus on the why, in this case the fun as a context for all his decision making.  By being led by the measurable, he distinguished what would satisfy his wants and be sure at every step to make it fun. 

Now fun isn't the answer for everyone.  Fun is his ‘Why."  It may not be yours.  But the answer to your and anyone's overwhelm lack of motivation, lethargy etc, is to focus on the ‘what and the why' before and as a context for the how to. 

Live with passion! 

Chunking is good.  Both kinds of chunking work for me.

One kind is a time management tool that I learned from Tony Robbins and I taught it today on the planning webinar that I recorded for NAR's Learning Library
That kind of chunking is managing your time by type of activity instead of individual activities.

So, I coach and teach that Monday and Tuesday are Prospecting chunked.  Wednesday is marketing, all kinds.  Thursday is Service to contact all listed Sellers and Pending Clients.  Friday is Leadership to think and strategize.  And Saturday is chunked for luxury, as much time off as possible. 

Not the whole day is dedicated to the chunk, although it may be a whole day mindset.  At 9 am you schedule an hour dedicated to the chunk for the day.  And you may do some of those things on other days but the goal is to limit that other day stuff.

On our daily webinars (www.1stFifteen.com, try it, it's free... for now) we remind people of the chunk for the day. 

The other kind of chunking is breaking down a topic into small pieces.  Since our daily webinars are only fifteen minutes and I cover three or four topics each day, I have to chunk a topic into a few minutes. 

It is having a really interesting and valuable effect on my work.  This week's main topic is Presentations.  So, I have to choose five ideas on the topic of presentations that can be taught in three or four minutes each.  I want each topic to be soooo interesting that it makes the 1st Fifteen participants think about it all day and ideally incorporate it into their business.

It is a really interesting challenge for me and it's valuable because I find myself thinking about topics in a type of detail that I hadn't previously.  

Chunking a topic may be more of a Coach/Speaker thing.  Chunking your time is really the best time management advice and methodology I have ever learned.  Try it, become a chunker.  Oooh, I think I just invented a word.  Become a chunker, today.

Join Rich this Thursday (October 8) at  1:00 PM EST for a very edcuational and interesting training webinar. This webinar is conjunction with Realtor University a part of NAR. Register Now.

Rich just put this webinar on sale so more people can partcipate in this jam packed event. A full hour of coaching with Rich for just $19.99. If you have been on his 1st Fifteen Daily Webinars you know how much information Rich provides. Just think of what you will learn in a full hour with Rich. Register Now.

There is a path to success in a Real Estate career that has been paved by top Agents; specific strategies, scripts, skills, tactics, and campaigns.  In this webinar you learn the step by step details along that path to your success.

Agents, too often, struggle and fail.  They flounder around with little structure.  The Agents that succeed and excel follow a direct path of skill development.  In this webinar you learn that direct path to success from an expert who has led thousands of Agents to levels of business they only imagined.  You learn the key concepts at each step to guarantee you succeed with confidence. 
 
         Two Success Strategies That Keep You Focused and Motivated

         The Top Producers Script That Turns Leads Into Loyal Clients

         The Three Skills That Create Winning Presentations

         Five Immediate Tactics to Negotiate With Confidence and Why These Are Critical to Your Success

         The Single Marketing Campaign to Become the Only Agent They Call

         The Single Measure That Turns Your Goals and Plans into Results 
Register Now.

My work puts me in touch with Real Estate Agents all over the country.  So, people often ask me what makes the best Agent.  The answer is always the same and is very simple. 

The best Agent is one who is sincerely committed to their goals.  An Agent who is smart enough to ask about and discover their personal and professional goals and then commit themselves to them.  When this focus on your goals is combined with intelligence, experience, and knowledge, you have found one of the best Agents.

Now is the time of year to start thinking about and planning to have your best year ever. Start by creating your vision. Visualize what you want 2010 to look like for you. Either professionally, personally or both. This is the first step in creating a comprehensive and achievable set of goals that will keep you motivated all year.

The best Agents will start this process now in October so by the time 2010 is here they will have a clear and concise business plan in place. This includes the systems and tools to achieve these goals and the method for tracking them.

The following is an excerpt from an email I received from a client.
I have consistently and systematically used your open house techniques and strategies, and the simplicity of the plan works EVERY time.  I am asking for the appointments AT the opens, and people are saying yes...in fact I did a pre-qualification meeting last evening with a couple whom I just met Sunday past.

My broker mentioned my four July sales, and asked where I obtained the leads.  I told him it was an "overnight" success from doing open houses for 18 months worth of weekends! I jsut wanted to say Thank you.

Here is a bit of what this Agent is doing to succeed.

The goal of the Open House is to sell the property. As soon as you determine that the Guest is not interested in the property the goal becomes making an appointment with the Guest to meet with you for a buyer presentation.

Here in part are some ideas for Effective Open Houses
1.  Have the seller make the house look its best. If you have to, do some tidying up yourself.

2.  Send invitations to portions of your Sphere of Influence/Clients and Farm Markets. Ask the Sellers if they would like to invite the people on the block.

3.  Turn on every light. Open every curtain. Make the house look, smell and sound great.

4.  Bring fact sheets, switch properties, closing cost worksheets, business cards, personal brochures, a sample purchase offer, and anything that makes the buyers pause.

5.  Consider posting some professional looking small placards with notes like:

· New energy and cost savings Pella Windows
· Trash compactor
· Peak around the corner for the jacuzzi bath 
· Central vacuum
· High energy efficient furnace
• Intercom

6.  Put different groups of switch properties in order of location, price, style, and any other feature that may be an attraction to buyers of the subject property.

7.  Greet each buyer. Thank them for coming. Tell them your name and offer your hand. Offer a fact sheet. Tell a few key items about the house and tell them to feel free to wander on their own.  Then ask, "May I have your name and phone number please?"  Or, ask them to sign an Open House Register or complete a registration card.

8.  Gently ask ... "Do you live in the area?"

9. Let them wander. Give them some space and time. Then catch up to them, and ask: "What was it about this property that attracted you to the Open House? Would you like to see some information on other houses with (had whatever they were attracted by)?"

10. Write private, detailed notes so you can recall them,

11. Ask for an appointment at the open house!
Most importantly, ask each Guest to meet with you to discuss helping them in their efforts to find, finance, and purchase their next home.

First,  THANKS!!! to all of you who were on todays NAR webinar.  That was fun to know that there were so many people hanging out with me.  It is possible to have a business in which you lose fewer deals, in which there is less stress, more referrals and more satisfaction.  And... that business is available to EVERYONE.  It does take work.  Just like getting your health in shape, your body in shape; your business takes consistent effort.  Today's webinars gave you the structure to make that occur in your business.  I'd love to hear your feedback.  If you were not on today's webinar.  Watch for the next one and everyone, send your comments and questions on through to me at Rich@RichLevin.com so we can create this conversation.  Make a great day!
For more free real estate coaching register for my Free Daily Webinar at www.1stFifteen.com

Wow my 1st Fifteen Daily Training Webinars are becoming a huge success!  Each week  more and more Agents are logging on to see what all the hype is about. Once they experience the positive results these 15 minutes generate for them they are hooked. Where your focus goes your energy flows. This is fifteen minutes that shifts your focus and directs your energy to ensure your success for the day.

I cover a different topic each week. So take a moment to register and join the growing number of Agents that take advantage of this FREE coaching.

Register NOW
 
"Please let Rich know that his First Fifteen is worth waking up at 5:30 am for!  Yep, I used to listen to the recorded versions, but the energy from the live web meetings is too good to miss. I hope he  knows just how valuable these morning times of encouragement are to those who are struggling in California's Central Valley."
Bev Willard
 
"You are awesome, motivating, encouraging, uplifting, smart, a great salesperson and that I'm so blessed to have you and the 1st Fifteen's in my life."
Kelli Braydene

I had a call with a coaching client today that is struggling with family issues and her business is faltering because of it. Here is an excerpt from a response I sent her.
As my own boys go through these "learning experiences" I, so much, want to protect them.  Then I remember and realize that what they are learning and how they are growing will provide much more protection than my "protection" would provide.  In fact my "protection" would make them more vulnerable.  So, I am really pleased and impressed with your decisions and your development. 

As for your business struggles; I define integrity as keeping your word, particularly to yourself.  Raise your integrity.  I am sure you take pride in following through when you tell someone you will do something.  Clearly that is keeping your word.  What about when there is an implied follow through, like when you have spoken to someone at an open house or about selling their house and it is clearly implied that you will follow up.  That is your word also. 
As your level of integrity in one part of your life rises so goes your life and your business. 

Make those calls.  Act immediately on messages.  Make your Exceptional level of appointments each week and enjoy the hell out of your life.