Elizabeth Ward Small Blog

E Z Christmas Card, Gift Card and Gift Sending using the US POST OFFICE!

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 09:37:07 -0600

SAVE TIME AND SAVE MONEY!

FREE 30 DAY ACCOUNT FOR 1st 100 REGISTRATIONS (INCLUDES ONE FREE CARD INCLUDING and STAMP)

Free Webinar at 11:00 EST Today!~

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/533254657

SAME WEBINAR WILL BE NEXT THURSDAY AT 11:00 EST as well! https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/184039320

Hope you can make one of them!

Attend this 30 minute webinar to see how easy sending your Christmas cards can be this year! Personalize with family pictures and do everything online! Cards are mailed for you with a real lick and stick stamp! COST is less than 2.00 a card including the stamp and by registering for this 30 minute class you will get immediate access to a FREE 30 day account and one card and stamp to start off with! If you can't attend the class - no problem Just turn up the volume on your computer once you get the 30 day trial account link and listen to Kody Bateman walk you step by step on how to send a card! I have used this card system since 10/07 and can assure you the quality is great and the gifts in the system that you will be able to send during this 30 day trial will help you so much with your holiday gift giving! Yes - This 30 day account will even allow you to send GIFT cards, baskets and many other gifts!

REGISTER NOW!

1st 100 to register will get an email with a link for a 30 day account and one free card and stamp! Registrations after the 1st 100 will still get a 30 day free account for Christmas use but will not have funds for a free card! The US Post office suggest that all Christmas cards be mailed by December 14th! PLEASE READ IMPORTANT: The FREE 30 day account access will appear on your screen within 10 seconds of your registration so please do not register via your cell phone. Use a PC. Once your greeting card account is set up, cards can be sent via your smartphone (IPHONE APP will be released 2010) The FREE TRIAL ACCOUNT includes ALL full features of the system including picture plus! (99.00 value) Information on how to upload contacts, create personalized picture cards and much more will be taught in the class. If you can't attend and need assistance please email Elizabeth direct at Liz@LiveBBB.com

MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY CARD SENDING!

Sample Cards that could be created using this system - Remember - this is not ECARDS!

In Loving Memory of Nickalie Christmas Small

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 22:33:10 -0500

In loving memory of Nickalie Christmas Small 9/11/2001 - 10/10/09

The very best dog...We miss you so!

A DOG FOR JESUS

I wish someone had given Jesus a dog
As loyal and loving as mine
To sleep by His manger and gaze in His eyes
And adore Him for being divine.

As our Lord grew to manhood His faithful dog
Would have followed Him all through the day
While He preached to the crowds and made the sick well
And knelt in the garden to pray.

It is sad to remember that Christ went away
To face death alone and apart
With no tender dog following close behind
To comfort its Master's Heart.

And when Jesus rose on that Easter morn
How happy He would have been
As His dog kissed His hands and barked its delight
For The One who died for all men.

Well, the Lord has a dog now, I just sent Him mine
The old pal so dear to me
And I smile through my tears on this first day alone
Knowing they're in eternity.

Day after day, the whole day through
Wherever my road inclined
Four feet said, "I am coming with you!"
And trotted along behind.

Written By: Rudyard Kipling

Learn the Best Marketing System in the WORLD! CAMPAIGN POWER with Liz!

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 23:58:58 -0500

Only 3000 REALTORS in the WORLD have access to this secret...Do you want the inside scoop to stand out from EVERY other agent? Do you want to drive business to your phone monthly, weekly, daily, hourly?

Elizabeth Ward Small shares her best secret of success, her best system on a budget and the best part is she is willing to GIVE you her hard work and hours of prep and planning!

DO NOT MISS THIS EXCLUSIVE REALTOR EVENT!

Mega Producer

Closed 154 transactions working only 32 hours a week in ONE YEAR

RANKED 51 in the Nation with Coldwell Banker for listings SOLD!

No assistance

No team

There is a secret to success and I will be laying it all out on the line!

1 hour webinar

$$LEARN HOW TO PUT MORE OF YOUR REAL ESTASTE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET!$$$

FREE

Do NOT MISS IT!

Small chance it is being recorded but no promises!

Register NOW! A FEW SEATS LEFT!

1:00 EST Wednesday, September 30th

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/709393712

Elizabeth Ward Small is a REALTOR and National Motivational Speaker Dedicated to helping YOU!

My Life TOOL! What Is It and Why Do You Have to Have it? Grab a tissue...I need one!

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:16:10 -0500

As a mega producing REALTOR I have sure been around the block a time or two when it comes to what marketing tools I have used and what has worked best. I have worn many shirts and trialed many products...

Never have I found a marketing product that fit our industry as much as the personalization of using my own handwriting and my own signatures in real greeting cards that are mailed for me! I have been guilty and closed on a home and collected a nice commission check and disappeared. I pat myself on the back to think I am a great REALTOR, however, I have been so busy that follow up was just too hard to tackle and I settled thinking it was OK to just make a phone call and check in...At least I did that...Some never do...

Since October of 2007 I have been using a mailing system that is the most powerful marketing tool I believe available today! It is great quality, inexpensive (.62 - 2.00 a card) and it has the ability for you to send gifts, baskets, books, gift cards and tons more! All of this is great for our business but tonight I want to share two personal stories on why it is also great for your life...

I discovered the power of creating campaigns within the system in December of 2007.

I thought I had breast cancer. Breast exams revealed a knot and on Dec. 23rd of 2007 I had a biopsy and went home to ponder if that Christmas would have been my last with my husband and two kids...I cried...A LOT!

I prayed a lot as well and I woke at 2 AM tossing and turning and realized that maybe...just maybe...if the results were not the way I had hoped that I could still be a part of my childrens future...You see, I had been sending greeting cards - real cards in the mail to clients for two months and I just discovered this magical button on the system called "Manage Campaigns"! So, here I am at 2 am setting up an "I LOVE YOU" campaign from mom to Garrett and McKenzie...I set the system up to mail a card each quarter for the next 4 years...If I was alive or not...My kids would know I loved them and get advice from me on "LIFE"! I paid for the 16 cards and stamps ( it was all of $16.21) for each child and POOF..The cards were set up, paid and in the system to mail while my life went on...one way or another

I went to bed thanking God for that ability and prepared for whatever he had in store...

Dec. 24th I had a wonderful day! Not only did I turn 37 that day but I got the call that the results of the lab were NOT CANCER...I had too much coffee in my system...WHEW! I felt I had dodged a bullet and life went on! Christmas came and News Years flew by and I was sending my cards each day to someone that needed to hear from me as I still try and wake everyday to do! I loved it and it was sooo easy! I still love it and it is easier now today than ever!

January 15th my daughter came running in the house and was so excited...SHE HAD MAIL! HER DAD HAD MAIL and HER BROTHER HAD MAIL...She was confused...Why did I not have mail....

I fell to my knees and cried and thanked GOD again for allowing me to find this wonderful system. I had been so busy I that I forgot about that 2 AM frenzy and wow! The system really did work! I started learning more about it and discovered the owner had founded the company in honor of his brother that was killed in an electrical accident. I also learned the power of sending cards for the real meaning of sending cards...not for business...I then realized that I could use the power of the message of sending to GIVE and put it in place with my marketing...I did this and WOW! It has been such a blessing...I started using the system to mail FSBO's and EXPIRED Listings and I had a ball setting up tons of great real estate follow up campaigns that are true GIVING campaigns...I also built some special REALTOR campaigns for Open Houses, New Listings - you name it...I built it! By the way - I give them to anyone to use...It would be crazy for you to recreate what I have done already!

I own my own company within this company and I share it at times because I really do believe in it...I also have seen so many lives changed by people sending cards and by the people getting cards....My grandfather will be 93 tomorrow! I have been sending him and my grandma personalized greeting cards using old pictures of them almost every month...He still gets around is sharp as a whip...but he is getting very tired and sometimes asks lots of questions over and over and over and over...He worries he is going to wake up and not know the little women he has loved for 61 years...Last night I went to shave him and cut his hair and I asked him what in the world could I get a 93 year old man?

He looked at me and said I needed to get him nothing, but to "Please" keep sending him his memory in those cards.

Here are a few samples of some picture plus cards I have sent them:

A trip to "The Promise Land" when they were 30

They went back and were baptized in the Jordan Lake in the 50's

Valentines Card 2009

A day after working on the farm riding his tractor all day!

___________________________________________________________

Needless, to say his words just sent me home crying but also so thankful I had the best real estate tool that had become my best life tool!

I write this blog tonight in honor of Roscoe Ward and since I own the system I can give you a free card to send someone...I have to cap it off at a certain number but my heart says to give many cards away tomorrow to celebrate the life of a great man. A man I love with all my heart...

So...I am sure some will think this is ploy to get you to use the system. No, not really. Sure I want to share it with you because to be honest it is REALLY POWERFUL! I am teaching FREE webinars this entire week at 1:00 EST (T, W, TH) about how to use the follow up system in relationship marketing and with Social Networking etc...The links to register for webinars can be found on my website: www.LiveBBB.com click on WEBINARS if you are interested...

However, the 10 minutes I ask you to take and think of someone you need to reach out too by sending a card and give your heart is really in honor of my grandpa and it is on me...This link will walk you through step by step and will allow you to send 1 greeting card (.62 value) and a stamp .44 value...

If by chance you want to send my Grandpa and Grandma a card you can - she will be 92 Nov. 8th! Please only do this if you have no one else you can think of....

Roscoe and Eva Ward C/O Elizabeth Ward Small

PO BOX 700

Alamance, NC 27201

Thanks for letting me share my heart and my special tool with you...

Here is the link: www.sendoutcards.com/LiveBBB

Me and My Grandpa sharing a protein drink before a hair cut!

HELP! I need advice fast! Have you used RADIO for marketing and advertising?

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 22:46:43 -0500

Have you used RADIO to market your personal brand? Help!

I am not saying this to brag or toot my own horn but I need to preface this question with respect to where I have been and where I am going...

I have done an excellent job of building strong name recognition in my market area since 1994. I host community events and have branded myself with Coldwell Banker very well...I have ranked nationally with Coldwell Banker for listings sold...

However, I have never used RADIO...I am re planning my entire marketing strategy for 2010 and I do all of my business planning, goal setting and budgeting by October 15th of each year...I have met with a local radio station and am considering hosting my own 30 minute radio talk show. It will broadcast LIVE each week...T

he cost is not so cheap but I feel I can get a few sponsors to cover a large portion of this...It is a 90 day contract but I am OK with that knowing that no new marketing is measurable without consistency..Curious to ask if you have ever used RADIO - did it work for you? What pro and cons do you see or what are your feelings about it...I also need to say that NO other agent in my marketplace is using this form of advertising...It feels like a win - win but even after 15 years of marketing and even speaking all over the country to help other agents...I need to ask you my fellow agents for some advice! Help!

I also am signing a contract next week for ITUNES! I am really excited about that to give REAL ESTATE professionals or anyone for that fact the ability to subscribe to Motivational Moments with Liz! -

I have thought that having the radio show will be a great way to market and broadcast that as well...all broadcast (radio and itunes podcast) will also be able to be stored on my web for people to listen to if they miss the show...

By the way...the goal is not be 51st in the nation for CB for listings sold in 2010 but to be in the top 10! I have to CORNER the market in my area...

How are you doing this? Please share...

REALTOR OF THE YEAR WEST VIRGINIA "AMY WHITE"

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 20:53:35 -0500

Congratualtions to Amy White of Coldwell Banker Home Town Realty for being chosen as REALTOR of the YEAR for the West Virginia Association of REALTORS.

I met Amy in Altoona, PA several years ago when presenting The 3 B Method Program of How to Live Busy, Balanced and Blessed. Amy sent me a letter and is one in the room that I felt if anyone could listen and put the principles into place she could and would! Guess what? She did!

This picture was taken in 2006 of Amy White and I and the Coldwell Banker Mascot at th CB Regional Rally in Altoona,PA~! Please congratulate Amy! A well deserved award!

Excellent Free NAR Tool to Enhance Listing Traffic on Social Sites

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:28:19 -0500

The National Association of REALTORS has done it again! They have worked a bit of magic to help us to market and advertise our properties! Kudos to them for working with REALTOR.com and FACEBOOK to allow a marketing box (wall tab) to auto pull your listings to be showcased on your facebook page! Once this is set up you have an easy link to post on Twitter, LinkedIn and yes, even our one and only ActiveRain!

I am impressed with the auto pull and how it was to to do! Easy as 1 - 2 -3 and it took me less than 2 minutes! Once complete you have a facebook wall tab of all of your listings an easy clickable link for others to see all of your listings!

Simply log into www.seemylistings.comand complete a few questions. You will need to know your MLS that auto generates your listings into REALTOR.com and your office and agent ID...A few simple clicks later and your listings are shared on your facebook profile page!

Now, the questions is with all of the hype about marketing your business on facebook and all of the do's and don't I have been seeing and hearing about profiles being deleted do you think that facebook has finally realized that as a REALTOR we eat, sleep and drink real estate and our business is 110% driven on relationship marketing? Maybe so!

Thank you NAR! My hat is tipped to you for a great business application that we can add to our social stimulus networking locations!

Elizabeth Ward Small, REALTOR with Coldwell Banker TRIAD is a National Motivational Speaker dedicated to helping other REALTORS make more money and have more fun living Busy, Balanced and Blessed!

Banned by Facebook!

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 23:00:16 -0500

All credit below for the reblog of Mike Mueller! Great Stuff Mike! Well worth the read!

Via Mike Mueller (Tech and Social Media Consultant):

Straight from my email Inbox

Q. “Mike, if I am in business (let’s just say I’m a real estate agent) do I set up a Facebook profile for my business or do I setup a Business Page?

A. Looking just at the Facebook Terms of Service (TOS) Section 3, Point 1:

3. We do our best to keep Facebook safe, but we cannot guarantee it. We need your help in order to do that, which includes the following commitments:

You will not send or otherwise post unauthorized commercial communications to users (such as spam).

“Mike, that’s easy! I NEVER send out Spam! NEVER!”

Hold on there Buttercup… Do you ever

Update your FB status or post listings on your Wall?

Have your Twitter Stream show up on your Wall. Do you tweet links to listings?

FriendFeed blog posts to your Wall or Notes?

My guess is you answered Yes to at least one of them (I even did). Is your stream as clean of Commercial Communications as the pure driven snow? (not sure what driven snow has to do with it). Yeah, mine isn’t either. In fact this very blog post which is commercial in nature will soon be tweeted, which will be FriendFeeded to my very own Facebook Wall. Some grumpy old guy in across the country who haphazardly added me as a “friend” might just very well interpret that as spam. I’m Guilty as Charged!

Technically speaking that’s a violation to Facebook TOS and your profile could be wiped away in a heart beat with no prior notice. All your “Friends” gone! Could it happen? Would it happen? Maybe, maybe not – but then again, why risk it?

Breaking News:

Facebook Site Governance: Statement of Rights and Responsibilities (updated 8/11/09)

Section 4, Point 2 states “You will not use your personal profile for your own commercial gain.“

“But Mike, I see everyone else is doing it. Facebook wouldn’t start deleteing profiles”.

While Facebook isn’t Flickr and isn’t Vimeo (both are actively deleting accounts that have commercial content)

Ask Matt Stigliano about his Flickr Account.
See: http://www.rerockstar.com/2009/technology/an-answer-to-where-did-the-photos-and-slideshows-go/

and http://www.socialphototalk.com/flickr-permanently-deletes-yet-another-user-without-warning/

Ask Tim Ayers about his Vimeo Account.
See: http://642blog.ca/2008/07/08/vimeo-online-video-sharing-sucks-video/

There’s nothing stopping Facebook from doing the same thing in the future.

As a matter of fact - Meet Jim Calabrese who left this comment on my blog

Consider the alternative. The Facebook Business Page. It’s easy to start, free to setup. And on Facebook’s site (http://www.facebook.com/advertising/?pages) they even encourage page owners to

STEP 4: MAKE IT RICH AND ENGAGING

The more rich content you add, the more ways users can interact with it and spread that connection to their friends. Post photos of products, employees, and customers. Add video clips of your bar or restaurant in action. ‘Behind the scenes’ content often works well. List an event for your grand opening or in-store sale. Write a note about upcoming promotions. The choices are yours and all these features are free and unlimited.

and

STEP 6: UPDATE REGULARLY

Updating your Page regularly with fresh photos, upcoming events, and thelatest promotions means your Page won’t just look like a profile, it will feel like one, and that will keep users coming back. Facebook users are used to getting information sorted by what happened most recently. If you keep your Page active, which you can do through mobile integrations and applications, you’ll find that your fans are more engaged and more interactive.

You can also send some or all of them messages by clicking “Send an Update to Fans” in the upper-left of your Page (under the profile picture). Updates are useful for sending out announcements like promotions, sales or events.

What’s the difference?

A Fan Page (Facebook Business Page) has Fans. Those “Fans” have “authorized” you to send them commercial communications – a “Friend” has not. There’s so much more reason to have a Page than just this single legal technicality. However it’s vital as Facebook, and doing business on Facebook grows that marketers understand what is legal and what is not. So the real answer is that you need to start with a Profile. That profile should be for you, your true friends, and your family. That Profile then can create a Business Page to promote you the “Professional” side of you.

PS: ActiveRain has it's own TOS - when was the last time you read that?

RELATED ARTICLES BY ZEMANTA

Import Facebook Friends To Twitter (techie-buzz.com)

7 reasons you need a Facebook Business Page (AreWeConnected.com)

Facebook Profile, Group or Page? (AreWeConnected.com)

This post brought to you courtesy of Mike Mueller.
Feel free to ReBlog or ReTweet as you like as long as you credit the source (him).
Did you know? He's for hire! He builds Blogs, Graphic Images and Widgets and Facebook Pages and besides… He knows lots of really cool stuff.

Hire Mike (925) 456-4567

Do you Blog and Run? What are your Blogging Rules?

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:50:52 -0500

A bloggers rule to live by:

You feed me, I eat...You bore me...I delete!

Just curious when are "you" writing and reading blogs? Do you read and then write? Do you write and then read? Do you post a blog and shut down your computer and then rush back over to see if anyone has responded?

I personally write at night. I try to read throughout the day and I scan over the list and am very guilty of headline judging! If it grabs me - I am in...Bore me and I just don't have time...

The problem I have is I really like to interact and respond to each and everyone that post. I also then like to go read the blogs of the people that post on my blogs...Isn't this the ethical thing to do?

It is like Twitter: Follow me and I Follow You! You feed me, I eat...You bore me...I delete!

I share this because here I am at close to midnight on the East Coast! I have toothpicks holding my eyes open because I blogged until 3 AM last night...Sounds like an addiction...Yes...it is!

But...I will be blogging and shutting down. However, you are so important to me and I just want to know what you do, when you do it and how you do it...

Do you blog and run?

Have you tested the best hours to post...Should we write and save and then post in wee AM hours so our California friends can drink coffee to our craziness?

Just curious?

P.S. Goodnight! These toothpicks are going to give me wrinkles before I turn 40!

Welcome Pam Burzynski to Active Rain!

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:32:28 -0500

I just noticed a dear friend from PA has started blogging and I wanted to send her a huge AR welcome!

Please hlep me in welcoming Pam Burzynski to the rain!

May you shower her with your post!

She has been blogging consitently! GO PAMSKY!

Life is DIFFICULT and Full of PROBLEMS....Oh really?

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 23:44:43 -0500

I hope you do not see this as just another wall of words...My pictures are not uploading so all you get are words! Oh well! So be it! I am pushing POST ANYWAY!

A MOTIVATIONAL MOMENT WITH LIZ...

This motivational moment will be just a bit more than a moment but it is something that has been strongly on my heart to share...I hope you print it, keep it, share it!

So, do you agree that life is difficult? I feel that several that read that can agree that in one way or another things are just not as great as they could be. Several read that and know exactly where my heart is and know that the answer to life's most difficult questions are only found by a true realization that difficult situations are really only what YOU make of them.

Are you going to let life's challenges slow you down or are you going to put your boxing gloves on and win the battles before you?

Are you going to sit and waste precious time by waiting on things to get better when in just a change of your own heart you can accept victory over every situation you face!

I was recently asked "Liz, how in the world do you stay positive all of the time?" Do you just fake happiness or really, please tell us - what is the secret?"

Well, I have to tell you...I never fake happiness. Those close know I wear my feelings on my shoulders and every day is a choice in being a good day or a bad day...the truth is all days are good, even really, really bad ones...just some are the "best" they can be under certain situations.

I have problems just like you. I have teens (enough said)...I have been married over 15 years (enough said)...I depend on this economy to feed our family and pay our bills (enough said), I wake up, I write, I read, I work, I play, I run kids everywhere, I work, I play, I eat, I Facebook, I LinkedIn, I Blog, I list houses, I sell houses, I travel and speak, I coach, I train, and I work...(enough said)...

Did anyone notice that work is different than the things I do that produce income? That is secret # 2 - Love what you do and what you do is never work...

Here is the Big Secret that is #1...

I want to share it with you and I hope that for someone it is the answer you needed today.

I can't take credit for this acronym...I learned this from another that learned it from another...

D.i.f.f.i.c.u.l.t

D - Dreams Awaken NOT Shaken

i - "I" can do this attitude

f - follow your heart

f - find support

u - understand patience

l - love always

t - take nothing for granted

P.r.o.b.l.e.m.s.

P - predicitons

r - reminders

o - opportunities

b - blessings

l - lessons

e - everywhere

m - messages

s - solvable

You see, we change our life when we change our heart. Lucy in the Peanuts cartoon said it best "I don't want ups and downs. I want ups and ups and ups!" Well, Lucy...I like the way you think!

Do not get lost in your problems or tied down with difficult issues~ When you do this you will lose your strength, your vision, your confidence and your security. Learn to cultivate an attitude of JOY with problems by realizing they are inevitable and they all have a purpose of growth in one way, shape or form! Know that rocks are always in front of you...Stumbles, bumps and bruises but you can be quick to get up, wipe off the dust, stick on a bandage if needed and be better, faster and stronger!

When Life give you Lemons - make Lemonade! When life throws a curve ball throw one right back by being ready! Be thankful for challenges, be thankful for growth, be thankful for the problems and for eyes of FAITH!

Have a super week of problems! Oh, sorry! I just had to end this that way~

Elizabeth Ward Small, REALTOR

National Motivational Speaker

Posted in the FB Group The 3 B Method: Living Life Busy Balanced and Blessed Fan Club add me as freind and join the Club...

I "TOOTED" and I Got "BOOTED"!

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 11:46:20 -0500

Circumstances that surround you and your own negative thinking have the ability to STOP you and keep you from being the best that you can be! I was "POOFED" today but I see it as being "BOOTED"!

I had a facebook friend actually hurt my little ole' feelings today...Well, let's say he stung me just a bit. I was posting YOU TUBE videos of testimonials which I think is a great thing for people to have out online about the business they are in...I was posting them to an event page and they all popped up on my profile page!

All of sudden his comment popped up!

"Poof" you are gone - you do too much self promotion for me"

I of course was floored because I honestly try hard to NOT SELL on facebook, activerain, linked in or twitter! I try to give advice, encourage, motivate and give people food for thought! I do promote events I am involved in and properties that I market but I also do that to TEACH others how to do the same so they can succeed in thier own business! I am not about to go into any detail as I would hate this blog to be considered a TOOT of my business! This my friend is more of a vent...

I immediatly sent him a message and feel that the bottom line is that he does not know me, nor maybe does he ever care to know me but I KNOW ME! I know what I stand for and I know who I am and also know that my one true mission in life is to help others...My message was professional. He has replied but still says too much was just too much...I put my bandaide on and starting really thinking...Can you self promote too much? Do you? Do I "throw up" my business all over peoples screens?

Do I toot my own horn every now and then...Yes - but that is limited to what I call G.I.V.E to TOOTING ratio of 10/1! I know that, but maybe today he just heard my toot a little to loud...or is he right? Either way...I found a positive light about it and I feel better now...So here I vent and BLOG about the BOOT!

Please let me tell you that ONLY YOU control who knocks you DOWN - You control how fast you get up! Just like this crazy real estate market we have been in for 2 years! Are you going to let it knock you down and send you on a downward spiral of changes or are you going to get up and stand up for what you believe in! Your clients, your market, your business - uhhhmmmm, yes and YOURSELF!

I almost turned off my facebook and shut down having an open page...I sat for a few minutes and went to my words of wisdom book where I keep all quotes that inspire me, help me and pull me through trials and hardships and I closed my eyes and opened the book and this is what was laid in front of me...

"Discipleship is spiritual reproduction. It is not in the "filling in the blanks," it is in the changing lives" that we are mentoring and teaching and sharing!

I felt that was a whisper to me...Keep changing lives! Keep giving, keep mentoring, keep sharing...

So, I urge you in the new world of Social Media that G.I.V.E is imperative....Give Individuals Value Everyday! Toot carefully....Learn to be MINDFUL of when negative talk comes creeping in and realize that "you" really are in charge of your own destiny.

Why seek happiness when it is a CHOICE?

Positive affirmations and daily feeding of self awareness are masters of our mind! Learn today to take charge of how you mold your thinking and how your energey is used in all you do: Blogging, tweeting, facebooking, listing, selling, training, educating, working etc...

Watch how you "fill in the blanks"! I would hate you to get booted!

Toot! Toot! and Blessings to you!

Liz

Change in the RAIN? What is there "NOT" to like?

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:29:34 -0500

Help! I have seen it. I have even felt it! I have taken a summer break and have come back to new faces, new names and new colors, new stars, new logos, new, new everything!

I see more ads...Ads make money and on a free site..Duuuh a requirement.

I see what looks like a reward program! Yeah - I love rewards!

I see some choices on company branding! Glad it was just a choice...

Thank God my blog format is the same or I would have had to retrain on blogging!

So, what is new? What do you like or sorry to ask but I just need to know "What is there "NOT" to like?

Don't tell me to read and discover...Please...Just give me the scoop - good old blog style! RANT, Scream, smile, share and tell! I need a good dose of comments!

Liz

Hi! My name is Liz. I am a work-a-holic...(sigh) I have neglected my active rain family! Wow, I feel better!

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 00:13:17 -0500

Work-a-holics do you relate?

Did this title give you a big laugh? I read a similar tweet from Bob Ward, an agent in CT and laughed until I almost wet my pants reading the post from others...You see. We really all do relate!

Honeslty, I have been MIA again here in the rain! The truth is that it has not been from being a work-a-holic because most of you know that I am the queen of the 32 hour work week and do that because I was once such a WAH! I have been MIA this summer from hanging out with my kids who are 11 and 14!

I assume this was my last summer of them really being kids and doing the movies with mom and holding my hand while we walk and all the things kids do until they discover the other sex!

So, that has happened and now that my son has a GF and my daughter has 24/7 text so I am not so cool anymore!

I am very thankful that I am a REALTOR and have the flexibility to add "SPY on the kids" to my to do list and visit the school to check out the new BFF and GFF! Oh it is just too much!

So, I just wanted to give you all a big shout out that school starts in 2 weeks and I will back to regular rain blogging and webinars!

I may have to vent about the tweens some, but I promise great tips and tools are spilling over in my head and are being put on paper to come to you!

I have missed you ! See you soon!

Liz

Elizabeth Ward Small is a mega producer REALTOR, National Motivational Speaker and yes, Queen of the 32 hour work week and The 3 B Method: Living Life Busy, Balanced and Blessed!

Elizabeth would be honored for you to get subscribed to her blogs so in 2 weeks she can rock your world with lots of new programs, marketing ideas and motivation to keep you at the top of your game!

You can also tweet with me at @AskREALTORLiz

If you are not improving you are falling behind! A "HOW TO" on balance and goal setting!

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:25:54 -0500

I keep posting on facebook that life is a game and the objective is and always will be YOU vs. YOU!

I suppose it is safe to say that some of us are always creating? Always dreaming, creating, reworking, re planning...I once thought that life was all about being content and appreciative. I felt guilty to want for more, dream for more, ask for more or even to be praying for more...However, I have personally learned I AM very much appreciative but that if I am not setting goals in all area of my life I am not balanced or at all growing. I personally like to grow, evolve, change and to me that is the best challenge...How to just be a better me!

I get a lot of personal emails with lots of questions on goal setting, balance, etc...I love getting your emails and they truly inspire me and give me fuel and passion to share and help others which is the core of who I strive to be! My answers are not complicated. They are really simple

Life is moving, and moving fast...To be sharp, to be cutting edge, to be at what I call "FULL THROTTLE" - requires goals and change all of the time...

Now, some reading this may never want to run at FULL THROTTLE. You may be content. You may be comfortable. You also may be completely happy with who you, where you are and where you are not going! Sorry but that is just true...You may not want to be going and that is OK! No problem by me..it is your life...This blog is for the request I had on goals and for anyone that does want to run on FULL THROTTLE AND LIVE LIFE FUN, FIT AND FAB!

Without writing a full book I will give you a touch on how I personally view and handle balance and goal setting and to share what I call the balance wheel of life with you! Balance requires a guide to achieve it and I pomise to dedicate a full BLOG just to BALANCE tips and steps!

To best describe the balance wheel you need to picture an old wagon wheel as shown above. each spoke defines an element in your life that keeps you rolling so to speak -

There is also a very important center core which on the wheel is called the hub...Your center is the base for all of your other elements....I will share more later but I will tell you for many years of my life I had me, myself and I as the center of that hub thinking I was the one to carry the load for all of the elements! NO - NO - NO! Not anymore! After years of soul searching and I found a solid hub, center, core and I am forever thankful and blessed! This you must find on your own. Purpose Driven Life was a very instrumental book for me in finding the best direction and path for where I have been, who I am and where I am going! Enjoy that read!

Now back to the elements! 5 Key Elements should complete your wheel of balance and as you look at these please know that when you sit down and do serious business planning, life goal setting or just planning a general to do list it is important to consider all 5 key elements and make time for each of these factors in your life...

These are no order of importance because you will find that the wheel only rolls steady when you have equal weight on all elements.

FAMILY TIME

CAREER TIME

PERSONAL TIME

SPIRITUAL TIME

PHYSICAL FITNESS TIME

Now, that you have this I want to leave you to ponder on it for a bit...Are you balanced? Do you dwell more in one area? Does one area take over all the others? Can you separate all five and be comfortable and dedicate time to each? Think about your core as well? Who or what is your core and why?

It is not what you do in life that defines you! If what you do defines you than who are you when you are not doing what you do?

mmmmmmm Say that 5 times! Have fun getting balanced...It is not something that will happen overnight but setting goals in each of these elements will sure be a great start!

Dedicated to you!

Liz

Elizabeth Ward Small is a mega producing REALTOR and National Motivational Speaker. She resides in Burlington, NC and beaches all over the USA!

Elizabeth would be honored for you to subscribe to her active rain blogs or her personal life blogs at www.itizwhatitizwithliz.blogspot.com

When your thoughts lead to your destiny...Motivational Moment with Liz

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:00:19 -0500

This blog has ZERO to do with your success as a REALTOR but possibly 110% of your success in life and your happiness!

I wanted to give credit to a great writer for creating the following quote that is a trail to success but I have searched everywhere and it appears the following is another one of those great thoughts that must have just came from GOD himself because no one else staked a claim to it!

"Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny."

I shared a close version to this on facebook this week and have had tons of response...I want to dig a bit deeper into each phrase this week but before I do let's look at the entire picture of what this quote really is telling us and how I see it relating to life for so many people...

Watch the following video and see if you agree with me that the song by Casting Crowns "Slow Fade" is all about the life of a family that fell into the trap of negative thoughts, leading to negative actions, habits, character and destiny...

Read the lyrics as well and learn from the quote...

"Slow Fade"

Be careful little eyes what you see

It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings

Be careful little feet where you go

For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away

It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray

Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid

When you give yourself away

People never crumble in a day

It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear

When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near

Be careful little lips what you say

For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away

It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray

Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid

When you give yourself away

People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands Is shorter than you're thinking

Be careful if you think you stand

You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away

It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray

Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid

When you give yourself away

People never crumble in a day

Daddies never crumble in a day

Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see

Oh be careful little eyes what you see

For the Father up above is looking down in love

Oh be careful little eyes what you see

Remember that happiness is not something we seek but what we choose.

Everything in life - good, bad, happy, sad...it all begins with a simple thought...

Make your thoughts positive. Take action today to think clean, clear and cast away any negative influences!

Dedicated to your success!

Elizabeth Ward Small is a Mega Producer REALTOR and a National Motivational Speaker! Elizabeth would be honored if you wish to subscribe to her activerain blogs for business and personal development as well as her personal life blog at itizwhatitizwithliz.blogspot.com. You can also Tweet along with Liz at @AskREALTORLiz or linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/realtorliz

Elizabeth has been nationally recognized for her training and successful practices of using social media for real estate marketing and her coaching and training agents to a life of living by The 3 B Method! Busy - Balanced and Blessed!

Is 2 AM Blogging just ranting or can you drive success 24/7 in the RAIN?

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:57:39 -0500

Not that I know anything about hangovers but I hear that people wake up the next day and say "what did I do last night"?

I can relate to that with these middle of the night teen events (middle only because I prefer lights out and blissful sleep to begin at 10PM) and not be woke up by sounds of talking, TV's squealing, dogs barking, cabinets closing, microwaves beeping...the list can go on and on...

Does anyone else have teens that think they know it all?

Maybe they can live off 3 hours of sleep and function through the day successfully but I can't! Forgive me for ranting but what else can I do at 2:30 AM to try and unwind again from being woke up from blissful sleep and dreams of closings and commission checks...

I even just looked at my beloved laptop with disgust here in the wee hours of the morning knowing if I push the ON button I will open the door for stimulating lights, the never ending list of things I can be doing to drive more business and be more successful and...oh...should I even dare check email to then start thinking again of this weeks projects and deadlines...

I have a headache and need to go back to sleep!

So, I ask you...In the busy world we live in and the challenge to share and communicate in the rain...is 2:30 AM EST blogging successful?

Will this pop up and generate a comment? Will I get tagged for a FEATURE! Ooooh la la that would be exciting but then I would question the merit of the selection committee because this blog does not have the key features to be tagged...it lacks:

No educational value

No real purpose as I am just typing...on and on and on...kind of like sleep walking but this is sleep writing!

No success factor to it...

or does it?

Can I prove a point at 2:30 AM that success with the ON button is possible...Is there a glitter of a chance for success with writing anything at 2:30 AM?

I need my sleep! I must go back to sleep! lol

I will wake tomorrow I promise you and say to myself...what in the world did I post last night? Did I write anything that made any kind of sense at all?

Maybe...I really want to know...Maybe we all need to know this answer.

So answer me if you are out there...

Are you out there in cyberspace wishing you had not turned ON the button? Are you sitting there with red eyes needing to crash and go to bed as well? Do you have a teen that keeps you up all night because the world revolves only around them...and oh how it does? Would you have it any other way?

Testing once.

Testing twice.

Does middle of the night blogging finding anyone? Can success really be driven 24/7?

If so...Will we ever sleep?

Goodnight!

Elizabeth Ward Small is a sleepy yet successful REALTOR in the TRIAD of NC. Happily married to Lynn Small whom is also a REALTOR and who is snoring right now and could sleep through a hurricane! Maybe if he would wake up I would...(not go back to sleep) I have two children - 14 and 11 that I can't wait to wake up at 5:30 AM!

Elizabeth is the founder of The 3 B Method Seminars that coaches and trains agents to work smarter, make more money and have more fun...the life of a REALTOR without the 3 B's is to never sleep, to only eat when time permits and make lots of money to have no money at all..

Live life Busy - Balanced - Blessed!

That can happen if you ever get to SLEEP and if you subscribe to my blogs I promise to write something of value soon to help you!

Now saving and posting to FB, tweeting and testing the 24/7 factor!

Chaos Communications: is there too much static in the air?

Tue, 14 Jul 2009 02:48:47 -0500

Is there just too much or too little going on right now! Your phone is chirping, tweets are posting, facebook is sharing, text is crashing, email is getting boring and who still even has a land line home phone?

Communication is spinning, growing and zooming by us. Is there too much static in the air. Can you even hear when someone is face to face talking to you?

Can you even slow down to see what is right in front of you?

I have a great concern for the generation that has no idea how to communicate without texting or carrying on a conversation on a real house phone (in which that is now looking like a bag cell phone to many) or the child that has no clue what a pen pal is...

I am still a huge believer in building relationships face to face with a handshake, a hand written card and phone call!

However, in the social media age that we are in businesses that are growing and doors that are being open that would have never been open before without the communication platforms that we are experiencing...yeah...Like here are just a few...By tomorrow there will be 100 more!

Is there too much or too little or is it just that

It Iz What It Iz?

My tip for the day...Work with it...run with it...but pay attention to it and do not get so caught up that you forget to communicate in other ways...the best answer to calm all of the static in the air is found in each persons own ability to control and balance it all!

Business is about prospecting, networking and staying in touch. When the doors open or the right pieces of the puzzles fall into place a masterpiece is born.

*Use communication platforms to meet new people.

*Open new doors!

*But do not forget how to open the door for others and remember how to use old school communication to work for you.

Snail mail me...I challenge you! You mail me and I promise to mail you back!

Liz Small

PO Box 700

Alamance, NC 27201

I challenge each of you to open your eyes to keep old school methods of communication in place while leaping forward with this lightening speed communication...Find a new contact on ActiveRain, LinkedIn or FaceBook.

Pick up the phone and call or send a note...teach your children to do the same, teach your employees to keep a full circle of communication open.

We are still human.

We like to see, touch, smell and feel!

Balance it...Control it...Communicate with all of it! Do you agree? Are in overload as well?

"If your house was in my hands" 2 of 10 in Top Producer Tips and Tools

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:33:41 -0500

It is Friday and that means it is time

for your bi weekly tips and tools for Succe$$!

Series one was a basic guideline to using the Presentations in Top Producer. I hope you have been able to open your TP7i or 8i and experiment with the many options you will have for buyer and seller presentations...

Today I want to jump to a very secret tool in your top producer system. I call this a secret tool because when I have been all over the US and if training on TP I can assure you that only 1 of 100 people that have TP will know about this "secret tool"! The amazing thing to me is that this tool is one of the BEST features you will have for SERVICE to your buyers or sellers!

If you answer yes to the following you already know about this tool and you can skip the rest of this blog and get back to work! If you answer NO to the following and you have TP - you are in for an exciting surprise!

Did you know that every buyer or seller that is in your TP system has a private website for follow up?

Did you know that you can assign a private user name and password for your buyer or seller to log in anytime to know what you are doing to SERVICE them?

Did you know that you do not have to have a personal TP website to make this feature work, however, if you do have a personal site with TP it can link direct to it for a CLIENT UPDATE button?

Did you know that any SERVICE you do on a listing or closing that you have set up in TP will automatically feed into this "secret" tool?

Now, regardless if you said yes or no to the above I have no doubt you will say YES to this question...

DO YOU WANT TO OFFER EXCELLENT SERVICE?

I know that my answer is yes and that is why I have been a TP user since 1994. This tool was one that I learned early and I love sharing it with others. As I have said, there are numerous tools within TP that I bet you have no idea how to use...That is why I write this blog! I hope this helps you!

So, now - HOW DO YOU ACCESS THIS TOOL?

First you have to add a contact into your system and then set up a listing or closing for the client...For this training I will assume it is a seller and you have entered a listing. Once you have set the listing up and you have a list of activities assigned to the listing (either a list of things you have personally set up or the generalized step by step process that TP gives you) take a few items and mark them as "DONE" -

Hint - When you mark an item as DONE it is best to go ahead and add details NOW not later...Reports will look better when you enhance the activity with personal comments.

So where do you find the "secret" tool? Without the icon to show you what to look for I have taken a picture of a new listing I have set up last week and will allow this listing to serve as a training guide for you! This is a new community "Partners Place Elon" and you will be able to sign in and view the follow up SERVICE just like the seller! As you look at this picture please focus on the yellow arrow and look for the little white box beside your clients name...The little box will open "manage customer web page"!

Now once you open the little white button you will get this page...

Oh - how could I forget! Be sure to hit the button Add Web Page!!!

Now, if you wish to see what this looks like you can go to our website www.wardsmall.com and you will see CLIENT UPDATE. Once you open that it will ask for a user name and a password. Please feel free to check in often to see what I do for marketing this neighborhood.

Username: PartnersPlace

Password: Elon

___________________________________________________________________________________________

A few other reasons I have loved this tool:

As soon as you get a listing lead you can set up a listing and a back end site for your new "prospect" - this will amaze them and remove the follow up fear!

It allows your listing/buyer/closing folder to be virtual and paperless ie: scan to email the listing and all docs you would need in a folder and with TP all "HISTORY" is stored with the email! Pull it up when you need it from wherever you are (Beach, Vegas...home): BE GREEN!

Sellers have loved it when I use it! I suggest you educate the client that you update it weekly or bi-weekly. Book one hour to sit and do this on line follow up as well as the "touch base" call!

I hope this just excited you TP7i and 8i users that were NOT aware of this feature! If you have any questions feel free to email me direct at Liz@LiveBBB.com or contact TP customer service...

Elizabeth Ward Small, REALTOR with Coldwell Banker TRIAD in NC is a National Speaker/Trainer and is dedicated to helping agents be a success and to work smarter and not harder! Elizabeth is a Top Producer reseller as well a vendor for only the BEST systems and tools in the real estate industry. If you are looking for a speaker or trainer to take your agents the next level please visit Liz at www.The3Bmethod.com. Elizabeth offers webinars on a monthly basis for personal training and development as well.

"If your house was in my Hands"...Series 1 of 10 by Elizabeth Ward Small

Fri, 29 May 2009 00:35:53 -0500

This week I started a new group in facebook! It is Top Producer Tips and Tools for Production$$...I have had several request to share a few things that I have learned using TP for 15 years to a merge products and save on fees in regards to home marketing as well help TP users to get the best value out of the great product they have!

If you are paying for it...

By Gosh you should know how to use it to serve Buyers, Sellers and YOURSELF!

I hope you will enjoy the 10 Part Series of "If your house was in my Hands"! I will focus on budget tools that you should be using and I will do the best I can to see that you are pointed in the best way, shape and form to know HOW to do whatever I teach...

I will be posting tips on TP8i, TP Websites and other packages that TP offers on an ongoing basis...

I will also post tips not related to TP at all...

So, if you are not a fan of TP you are still loved and welcomed!

I can assure you that if the training is done via blogging that blogging will be held right here in the good ole' RAIN, so please hit subscribe above the pic of me...However, I need you to log into FB and join the group because I will have blast to group members that you will not want to miss!

Don't forget to add Elizabeth Ward Small as your FRIEND!!!

The 1st place in TP8i that I have found to be a huge savings is the location of REPORTS and using these reports to prospect and impress buyers and sellers!

I did a great presentation walking you through the full HOW TO do a report on a hyper cam, however, 10 minutes later the ADHD in me kicked in and realized that the best way for me to share this was going to be by having recorded video of what I am teaching and share the tips in a fashion that will be fast and to the point...However, I will be leaving early for Atlanta and I wanted to get this 1st post out the door before I hit the bed...

That means you have to settle for NO video because the 10 minute hyper cam training is just too boring and would way ruin my reputation for technology training!(OHHH Please forgive me!)

So, before we hit on the reports can I please say that the biggest tip I can give anyone about learning to navigate the TP8i is to take at least one hour a day to really get in the 8i and READ! Look at the "SELF HELP" at the top of your front page and watch the video's that are found in the Top Producer Campus...This will really enlighten you on the great tools that TP does offer that you are most likely not using!

Here is the link to the Campus specific on creating a Report for your listings!

http://www.topproducercampus.com/content/view/620/320/

I assure you that when you print these out for your listing it is very professional and allows you to set yourself apart from others...I put a full set of the reports in a leather binder in the house. I also will add the sales data sheet, any banking docs regarding payment plans based on various loans, surveys on the house and the utility history and restrictions if they apply...

I was a very strong listing agent in the prime of my real estate career and I have had numerous buyers that purchased with another agent contact me back to list the house because of the professional marketing that they saw when buying the house to start with...You fellow REALTORS will appreciate your efforts as well by having all of the data in the house to help them be knowledgeable of the property.

It is important to also have all of these docs readily available to potential buyers that are not in the house...Top Producer is excellent for allowing the created presentation to be converted to a PDF for you to store on your website for others to print or just preview on-line.

For those that are familiar with the zip code code comparison company that you can pay a fee to each month for reports...Please know that if you have TP8i you can cancel that fee RIGHT NOW because you can create excellent zip code comparison reports for buyers as well as create awesome PRICE EVALUATION Packages for your listing presentations...All of these great tools are found by clicking on marketing: CREATE PRESENTATIONS...

One final thought on how to use your reports...If you have a new listing why just print the report and place it in the house with 10 other nice color copies...If you are not a fan of that you should at least share one with your seller and then run a few down to the local dentist office and place a few in the waiting room or take a few to the waiting area of a local restaurant... You know that these days you really have to DIG a little DEEPER and think out of the box!

Have a super weekend and get out there and list and sell a house or two...or three!

Elizabeth Ward Small is an active agent with Coldwell Banker TRIAD in Burlington, NC and is a highly sought after National Speaker/Trainer for the real estate and sales industry. Elizabeth has been in the top 50 for listings sold with Coldwell Banker Nationwide and held State awards as well as being the top sales agent in her office for listings sold, GCI and buyer controlled sales. While still listing and selling real estate Elizabeth is booking speaking engagements all over the US for local Boards, WCR groups and National and Local State Rallies...If you are seeking a speaker or trainer that will keep agents in the seat and have them leave with a wealth of knowledge and tips and tools that they can implement NOW contact Elizabeth today! You will not regret it!

Elizabeth Ward Small

@AskRealtorLiz

www.The3Bmethod.com

To all those up working late - this one is for you!

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:05:02 -0500

The heights by great men reached and kept

Were not attained by sudden flight,

But they while their companions slept

Were toiling upward in the night.

Henry W. Longfellow

It is either too good to be true or a scam or just possibly...A really cool FREE tool!

Wed, 22 Apr 2009 00:17:56 -0500

I have a beach house that we have bought back in the good old days! Yes back in 2005 when I never dreamed of questioning the budget of both Lynn and I having a full real estate career!

Well - I love this tropical retreat and before selling it at a price that would crush my belief in the future of my very own profession I have consulted myself like I would any client...I have weighed the options and we have chosen plan B! We will rent the beach oasis and risk the wear and tear for brighter days and college tuition for our children!

In searching for a few great places online to post the rental I have found the rental world to be a lot like our real estate world. There are by owner rental sites and of course brokers that can probably bring in far more traffic...I calculated the cost and just about paid 350.00 a year to list the house online when I discovered a new rental site that is offering FREE listings. FREE - FREE - FREE! They really have an impressive site and to be honest...I really would like your feedback! I have NO connection to this site or the owners of the site. I have just been really impressed with the look and the ease of set up...

Of course by looking at this...if Oak Island is vacation destination for you... I would be honored to have you in our beach cottage! It is really a great beach deal and only 1/4 mile away from direct beach access!

Check out the FREE listing and share your thoughts! If nothing else know this is a cool FREE site for now!

http://www.vacationpads.com/listings/68859

Thanks for your opinion!

Liz

Brenda Ballard:This Blog is 4 U and for WCR!

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 23:09:42 -0500

I arrived in Raleigh today to be the guest speaker to the Women's Council of REALTORS General membership meeting. As I entered the Sheraton I felt like I was entering a great convention for REALTORS as I saw tons of great billboards and professional agents proudly wearing NAR badges...

Before the presentation we were all asked to introduce who we were and where we were from, as well as if we were a guest or a member or if we held any significant titles with WCR. I noticed as the room was full and everyone quickly went across each aisle the answers all had one thing in common...There was no mention of what company or firm anyone represented...

It was obvious that I was amongst a group of the elite, most highly trained and the most professional men and women! You see...We all had one thing that linked us together and it was a powerful connection.

WE WERE ALL REALTORS and we all live to see our business help others for the good of all!

As the name announcements came closer to where I was sitting I had heard titles of all sorts from Governor to current and past Presidents and Secretaries of chapters. The titles were really all new to me as this is my 1st year as a WCR member at large. (I joined in January and yes I have already had two referrals just from attending one meeting!) Then, finally as the call outs were closer to me I turned to see who was next and I heard - "I am Brenda Ballard - NO TITLES"... I am NO ONE!" - Everyone laughed...and I knew why!

This was sorta like a joke because I think if Brenda were to list all of her titles we would have been there all afternoon and I would not have been able to talk! She has had LOTS of titles and has even been a past WCR National President and has done so much for this organization. Honestly, I feel almost guilty for being a REALTOR for 15 years and JUST NOW joining this powerful networking group! So, I felt today since Brenda really had not titles I would give her the spotlight she so well deserves!

I dedicate this little blog to

Brenda Ballard!

FOUR KEY REASONS WHY:

1) When I think of WCR I think of Brenda Ballard and everything I heard about her when I was not a member...

2) Because Brenda you WILL NEVER be a NO ONE!

3) Because she is subscribed to my blogs and I want to test to see if she gets this!

4) Because I know that this blog would make her day if you read it and if you would think twice possibly on why you have not joined the WCR...National Dues are only 86.00 a year and you get a free business listing on the www.wcr.org site. The reasons to join are priceless...The networking is powerful and the group is there to serve you and to help you as a REALTOR!

So - AR friends I would like to pour a few showers on Brenda Ballard! Please visit her site and add her as an associate! http://activerain.com/ballard51

She will be a great connection for you to have as she has lots to GIVE and SHARE with all of us!

WHO IS BRENDA BALLARD?

Currently a broker with ERA Tetterton Management Group in Emerald Isle, North Carolina, Brenda Ballard has been licensed since 1989 and is a consistent multi-million dollar producer.

In 1995, Brenda was elected as President of the Carteret County Association of REALTORS, and has been named REALTOR of the Year.

In December 2008, Brenda was honored as the Crystal Coast Chapter Women's Council of REALTORS Member of the Year. She has also served as Local Chapter President, State Chapter President, and Governor for the North Carolina Women's Council of REALTORS, and has been distinguished as the NC Member of the Year. Brenda is the 2000 WCR National President and continues her involvement at the national level.

Brenda Ballard has served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for North Carolina Association of REALTORS, and many other state committees. Additionally, she was appointed to the Executive Committee of the National Association of REALTORS.

Receiving unique appointments to the NAR International Operations Committee for the last three years, in 2004 Brenda represented WCR and NAR in Lima, Peru at the 1^st Andean Housing Conference. This year, she has received a presidential appointment to the International Operations Committee . An instructor for the NAR Cultural Diversity program, Brenda has also been certified as a real estate licensing instructor in North Carolina. In addition to being an educator and trainer, she is a much sought-after public speaker for various professional and civic organizations. Brenda has served on the Board of Directors for the American Red Cross in North Carolina, supports Habitat for Humanity, & the Carteret County Domestic Violence Programs. Currently serving her third term as president of the Swansboro United Methodist Women, Brenda is also active in the administrative activities of her church and chairs the Administrative Board of her church.

Thank you!

Liz

Just what will the future bring?

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 22:05:56 -0500

Do you ever wish you could see into the future?

Would you like to know that the gloom and doom is over! The answer to your success is all in your own ability to know the true secret to success. Look deep within your future dreams and you will see buyers signing offers, sellers pricing houses correctly, lenders approving loans and real estate agents finally collecting commission checks!

How? How? How...

There is a new secret to success and I hope that you hear this loud and clear and take heart to this message the next time you are with a client...You see, once upon a time you needed to have the ability really convince a buyer what house to buy, you needed to have script on everything from how to get the carpet replaced to how to handle bidding wars. Please do not get this message wrong as understanding and having scripts is very important but the base of the script has everything to do with CHANGE!

Learn what has changed and learn the passion and motivation for your clients and for yourself!

THE BUYER - THE SELLER - YOUR CLIENTS

Drop old script and focus on learning the WiiFm (What is in it for me?) No, not you - them! The buyer or the seller needs to know what you are going to do for them! The buyer and sellers out there need an agent that is really going to listen and one that is going to look at all options to help them make the best choice based on the truth. What is best for them!

THE REAL ESTATE AGENT - YOU - YOURSELF and I:

The President said it clear in a recent speech: There is a job for those that want to work...This is true for agents. In 2005 when the real estate market was rocking and rolling...Guess what? You and I still woke up everyday unemployed. We had to go out each day and get new business. Today, we do the same thing but we have to just dig a little deeper, call a little longer and hold on a lot tighter to any and every lead we can get...However, there is still enough buyers and sellers all around you that if you are working, talking, walking and dressing the part...Shazzzaaam - Chaaa - Ching - You will have closings!

The future is telling us to do a little more than look into a wishing well...It is telling us to look into the mirror.

What are you doing different? Who are you reaching out to? How do you answer people when they ask you about real estate in your area? Are you dressing and wearing your badge to stay visible as a REALTOR? Do you go to face to face social events to network and shake hands of new leads? Do you find leads on the facebook, activerain, tweeter and do you take those leads to the next level of following up? What education are you getting? Are you on the cutting edge of technology? Do you know stats off the top of your head?

Look into the future! What do you see?

I believe in you! I believe in our business and I have no doubt if you want to work there is business out there for you! DIG DEEP! GO GET IT!

Liz

I Scream! You Scream! We all Scream for...

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:36:23 -0500

I Scream! You Scream! We all Scream for...

Exactly! That is what I need to know...What are you screaming for? What are your needs for training?

In setting up webinars for the next quarter I want to key into exactly what you are needing! So please take a second and share with me what type of webinars you are needing...

Elizabeth Ward Small Blog

E Z Christmas Card, Gift Card and Gift Sending using the US POST OFFICE!

SAVE TIME AND SAVE MONEY!

FREE 30 DAY ACCOUNT FOR 1st 100 REGISTRATIONS (INCLUDES ONE FREE CARD INCLUDING and STAMP)

Free Webinar at 11:00 EST Today!~

SAME WEBINAR WILL BE NEXT THURSDAY AT 11:00 EST as well! https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/184039320

Hope you can make one of them!

REGISTER NOW!

MERRY CHRISTMAS! HAPPY CARD SENDING!

In Loving Memory of Nickalie Christmas Small

In loving memory of Nickalie Christmas Small 9/11/2001 - 10/10/09

Learn the Best Marketing System in the WORLD! CAMPAIGN POWER with Liz!

Only 3000 REALTORS in the WORLD have access to this secret...Do you want the inside scoop to stand out from EVERY other agent? Do you want to drive business to your phone monthly, weekly, daily, hourly?

Elizabeth Ward Small shares her best secret of success, her best system on a budget and the best part is she is willing to GIVE you her hard work and hours of prep and planning!

DO NOT MISS THIS EXCLUSIVE REALTOR EVENT!

Mega Producer

Closed 154 transactions working only 32 hours a week in ONE YEAR

RANKED 51 in the Nation with Coldwell Banker for listings SOLD!

No assistance

No team

There is a secret to success and I will be laying it all out on the line!

1 hour webinar

$$LEARN HOW TO PUT MORE OF YOUR REAL ESTASTE MONEY IN YOUR POCKET!$$$

FREE

Do NOT MISS IT!

Small chance it is being recorded but no promises!

Register NOW! A FEW SEATS LEFT!

1:00 EST Wednesday, September 30th

https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/709393712

Other webinars are posted at www.LiveBBB.com

Elizabeth Ward Small is a REALTOR and National Motivational Speaker Dedicated to helping YOU!

My Life TOOL! What Is It and Why Do You Have to Have it? Grab a tissue...I need one!

HELP! I need advice fast! Have you used RADIO for marketing and advertising?

Have you used RADIO to market your personal brand? Help!

I also am signing a contract next week for ITUNES! I am really excited about that to give REAL ESTATE professionals or anyone for that fact the ability to subscribe to Motivational Moments with Liz! -

How are you doing this? Please share...

REALTOR OF THE YEAR WEST VIRGINIA "AMY WHITE"

Excellent Free NAR Tool to Enhance Listing Traffic on Social Sites

Banned by Facebook!

Facebook Site Governance: Statement of Rights and Responsibilities (updated 8/11/09)

STEP 4: MAKE IT RICH AND ENGAGING

STEP 6: UPDATE REGULARLY

RELATED ARTICLES BY ZEMANTA

Do you Blog and Run? What are your Blogging Rules?

A bloggers rule to live by:

You feed me, I eat...You bore me...I delete!

Just curious when are "you" writing and reading blogs? Do you read and then write? Do you write and then read? Do you post a blog and shut down your computer and then rush back over to see if anyone has responded?

I personally write at night. I try to read throughout the day and I scan over the list and am very guilty of headline judging! If it grabs me - I am in...Bore me and I just don't have time...

The problem I have is I really like to interact and respond to each and everyone that post. I also then like to go read the blogs of the people that post on my blogs...Isn't this the ethical thing to do?

It is like Twitter: Follow me and I Follow You! You feed me, I eat...You bore me...I delete!

I share this because here I am at close to midnight on the East Coast! I have toothpicks holding my eyes open because I blogged until 3 AM last night...Sounds like an addiction...Yes...it is!

But...I will be blogging and shutting down. However, you are so important to me and I just want to know what you do, when you do it and how you do it...

Do you blog and run?

Have you tested the best hours to post...Should we write and save and then post in wee AM hours so our California friends can drink coffee to our craziness?

Just curious?

P.S. Goodnight! These toothpicks are going to give me wrinkles before I turn 40!

Welcome Pam Burzynski to Active Rain!

Life is DIFFICULT and Full of PROBLEMS....Oh really?

I "TOOTED" and I Got "BOOTED"!

"Poof" you are gone - you do too much self promotion for me"

Change in the RAIN? What is there "NOT" to like?

Help! I have seen it. I have even felt it! I have taken a summer break and have come back to new faces, new names and new colors, new stars, new logos, new, new everything!

I see more ads...Ads make money and on a free site..Duuuh a requirement.

I see what looks like a reward program! Yeah - I love rewards!

I see some choices on company branding! Glad it was just a choice...

Thank God my blog format is the same or I would have had to retrain on blogging!

So, what is new? What do you like or sorry to ask but I just need to know "What is there "NOT" to like?

Don't tell me to read and discover...Please...Just give me the scoop - good old blog style! RANT, Scream, smile, share and tell! I need a good dose of comments!

Liz

Hi! My name is Liz. I am a work-a-holic...(sigh) I have neglected my active rain family! Wow, I feel better!

Work-a-holics do you relate?

Did this title give you a big laugh? I read a similar tweet from Bob Ward, an agent in CT and laughed until I almost wet my pants reading the post from others...You see. We really all do relate!

Honeslty, I have been MIA again here in the rain! The truth is that it has not been from being a work-a-holic because most of you know that I am the queen of the 32 hour work week and do that because I was once such a WAH! I have been MIA this summer from hanging out with my kids who are 11 and 14!

I assume this was my last summer of them really being kids and doing the movies with mom and holding my hand while we walk and all the things kids do until they discover the other sex!

So, that has happened and now that my son has a GF and my daughter has 24/7 text so I am not so cool anymore!

I am very thankful that I am a REALTOR and have the flexibility to add "SPY on the kids" to my to do list and visit the school to check out the new BFF and GFF! Oh it is just too much!

So, I just wanted to give you all a big shout out that school starts in 2 weeks and I will back to regular rain blogging and webinars!

I may have to vent about the tweens some, but I promise great tips and tools are spilling over in my head and are being put on paper to come to you!

I have missed you ! See you soon!

Liz