Market 4 Real!

New ActiveRain Group for NAR 2009 Convention in San Diego

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 08:07:39 -0500

Jim has started a new group here in the Rain for those interested in the 2009 NAR Convention. Rather than write what he's already written, I thought I'd just reblog his post!

Via Jim Frimmer, San Diego Mission Valley Realtor (Century 21 Award):

The site of the 2009 National Convention for the National Association of Realtors will be right here in downtown San Diego at the Convention Center.

My marketing guru (Russel Ray) and I are hoping for good great atttendance from the ActiveRain community. So I have created a new ActiveRain Group for those coming to, or thinking they might be coming to, the Convention.

Feel free to post questions about San Diego, or to ask us for pictures or opinions of hotels you are considering, places to go, things to do, wildlife to see, etc.

As the Convention gets closer, and during the Convention, this can be a place to make contact with each other, arrange to meet, etc.

Russel and I are hoping to host at least one trip to the San Diego Zoo on one of the four days of the Convention. If you come to San Diego earlier, or stay later, let us know and we might be able to go out for a meal or play docent for a day.

Click here to join the new NAR 2009 Convention in San Diego Group.

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Click here to review the entries and vote!

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Jim Frimmer, Realtor
Century 21 Award Mission Valley
California DRE License #01458572
619-729-5701
jimfrimmer@century21award.com

*****

Buy your own piece of paradise in Mission Valley, the heart of San Diego.

I can help you find the best just the right home or just the right buyers
to meet your real estate needs, wants, and goals.

I'm available 24/7, so feel free to contact me by phone or email.

*****

15 recent blog posts:

San Diego Convention Center expansion

Twit Warning, Twit Warning

U.S. Open Tennis Championships start Monday, August 31

Things I don't understand: Sunday musings

If it can happen to Ben, it can happen to you....

Things I don't understand: Do you want it now? Or later?

Things I don't understand: Dog fighting, cock fighting, boxing, and horse racing

Mission Valley condos, San Diego CA: Condo living - Dues, fees, and special assessments

It came to a sad ending....

Mission Valley condos, San Diego CA: Condo living: Parking, or lack thereof

I might still be able to make something out of this....

Who dreams up these things for children?

What do these have in common?

Mission Valley condos, San Diego CA: Condo living: Sharing space

Public art along the San Diego Harbor

Inspired by nature? Join the Inspired By Nature Group.

Classical music lover? Join the Classical Music Group.

Want to share a good book? Join the Active Rain Book Club.

Teaching Them To Praise the Lord - At An Early Age!

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:18:48 -0500

Teaching Them To Praise The Lord - At An Early Age

I read a post recently written by Loreena Yeo called If You Teach Them, They Will Learn. She talked about teaching her young son to love the Lord. When I read that post, it made me think of my own children and my goals for them.

We regulate their music so they only listen to songs that are appropriate for their ages. Remember this song?

Oh be careful little ears what you hear
For there's a God up above
Looking down on you with love.
Oh be careful little ears what you hear!

The other verses are:

Oh be careful little eyes what you see
Oh be careful little mouth what you say

This picture is of our youngest when we were on our way home from church one day. They are 17 month old identical twin boys, praising the Lord. We were listening to 95.5 The Fish, a Christian radio station.

My hope and prayer is that we raise all 6 of our children to love the Lord and to be contributing members of their society! I know that teaching them to praise the Lord now will have many benefits later!

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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Need help with consistently marketing to your leads and your listings? Don't put it off! Contact us today for assistance and get started on the road to turning your leads into clients and your listings into SOLD properties!

Should I Jump For Joy or Start Crying? School Is In Session in Garfield Heights, Ohio!

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:44:16 -0500

Ok, Should I Jump For Joy Or Start Crying? School Is In Session in Garfield Heights, Ohio!

I have a dilema. School is back in session in Garfield Heights, Ohio! We now have a high school student <gasp!> who started yesterday, a middle school student who started today, and 2 pre-school students who start on Monday. For the most part, all of them are excited about returning to school (good for us!). Our eldest son has no feelings about school one way or another other than that he has "a lot of goals to accomplish this year so I have a lot of stuff to think about" (probably not so good for us).

One thing I noticed while driving my son to and from high school today was the number of drivers who were speeding. I just wonder sometimes... Do people remember what a school speed limit is? I mean, those slower speeds are set for a reason. Mostly, to ensure that my sons and my daughter - and everyone else's son and daughter - get back home safely. It really isn't set to give you a hard time (I promise).

Anyway, I'm happy about school because my children are in a great school system and they are learning and growing a lot! So I'm looking forward to how they will develop this school year. Also, with all 6 children home, it has been a very long summer. Lots of fights and arguments, aggravated children, and major meltdowns which overflowed to the other children. So the first day of school is usually a day of jumping up and down for joy in my house!

I wonder this year if I should actually start crying though. You see, we have 3 children at 3 different schools (and possibly a 4th who is on a waiting list for pre-school). 3 different schedules. 3 different start and end times. 3 different learning levels (not to mention styles). Projects and studying and homework and bears...oh my!

And thus another year begins, wondering if I should jump for joy or start crying... School is in session.

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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Real Estate Marketing Series, Part 4 - 5 Ways to Market to Your Leads to Grow Your Real Estate Business

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:46:22 -0500

Real Estate Marketing Series

Welcome to the fourth installment in my Real Estate Marketing Series, "5 Ways to Market to Your Leads to Grow Your Real Estate Business." In the first installment, we discussed 5 Things To Do To Jumpstart Your Real Estate Business. That was basic information, things that all real estate professionals should do on a regular basis but if you're just starting out or need a business boost, that's the post you should start with. Next, we covered 5 Unique Ways to Market Your Real Estate Business. Then, we talked about 5 Unique Ways to Market Your Real Estate Listings. This time, we're going to discuss some unique ways to make your listings stand out from the crowd! So let's discuss 5 Ways to Market to Your Leads to Grow Your Real Estate Business!

5. Are you really focusing on buyers when you market your listings?

When you market your listings, ask yourself this question: Am I presenting this listing in a way that will catch the eye of buyers? Posting your listing on Craig's List with just text isn't focusing on the buyer. Buyers want pretty. Buyers want unique and unusual. It takes only a few minutes to set up a listing on a service such as Postlets or vFlyer so that when you post it on Craig's List with the html code, it will be presented in the most favorable light possible. When you pick up a new listing, are you sending information about it to the contacts and leads already in your database? Buyer leads that you receive through LeadStreet and Market Leader and Arch Telecom (or whichever 800 system you use) should all receive information on your new listing. These same buyers should also receive personal invitations to your Open House events. When you receive a new listing in your farm area, you should send information about that listing to everyone in that farm. Why? Because there may be buyers in your farm who want to live in that same area but no longer want to rent.

4. Farming is Key

I've said it already in previous posts but I'll take this opportunity to say it again. If you don't already have a farm area, find one and start marketing to that farm area! Get to know the people living in that area. Learn all there is to know about that area. Become the go-to person for that area and believe me - they'll come to you when they are ready to make a real estate move! Your marketing plan for your farm should include, but not be limited to:

an initial introduction (if you haven't already done so), preferrably in person;
periodic personal visits;
events hosted in your farm area and for those people living in your farm;
regularly sent postcards to keep them informed of important real estate-related information.

3. Keeping past clients in the loop pays off!

Where are your past clients? What's going on in their lives? Past clients should be kept on a marketing campaign that continues to keep your name in front of them. The purpose is so that your past clients don't go out in search of a new real estate agent when they are ready to move up (or down), invest, or get a vacation property. The last thing you want to have happen is that you finally get around to contacting your past client only to find out that they've sold the 2 bedroom starter home you sold them and bought a new 4 bedroom. Not only should you send regular letters and postcards but you should also actually pick up the phone and call your past clients at least once per quarter. Your voice makes a connection that a letter or postcard just can't compare with.

2. Don't forget about partnerships

Have you picked a moving buddy? No? What about a general contracting partner? A mortgage lending partner? In the immortal words of Woody from Toy Story, "If you don't have a buddy yet - GET ONE!" Partnerships give you an opportunity to do things that you may not be able to afford doing by yourself, such as first-time home buyer seminars or first-time home seller seminars. You can share the expenses of such an event with your partner and both of you can benefit from the leads you receive as a result of hosting the event. Also, your partner can share in the expense of a postcard marketing campaign to your farm. Aside from sharing expenses, your choice of a partner can also help with cross-promotion. A mortgage lender can promote your services to their leads and you can promote the services of your preferred mortgage lender to your leads. Moving companies are great for this as well - renters move with moving companies just as buyers do. You want to get the lead while they are yet renters because they may not want to rent forever and that's where you come in. Similarly, any moving company would be downright tickled to cross-promote with a real estate professional because those are sure leads - if you are buying or selling, at some point you are going to have to move either into or out of a house!

1. Social Media Marketing Works - So Use It!

Do you have a profile set up on Facebook? LinkedIn? MySpace? Twitter? If not, you best get hoppin'! Social networking is all the rage these days. And let's be honest - your target audience are buyers, sellers or both. Whatever profession they may be in, be it trash collectors, lawyers, or the folks who clean up animal poop at the zoo - if they are going to buy or sell one day, they are your target audience. I say this because many times, my clients have wanted me to not friend or connect with someone because they didn't know the person. My response to this is: Do you always know the walk-in who comes during your floor time? Do you always know the person who called from one of your signs? Do you always know the person who filled out a contact form on your website? The answer typically is a resounding NO. So don't limit yourself on the social networking sites. Make use of the fact that you love gardening - people connect with that. Talk about how much you love bike riding - people connect with that! Don't forget to discuss the charities you support regularly - people connect with that! Making connections is what it's all about, folks. Getting people who don't know you to feel as though they know you, which leads to trust, which leads to new clients. The point is, social networking doesn't seem to be going anywhere any time soon. In addition to telephones with internet capabilities, social networking sites such as Facebook are increasing in popularity exponentially. Don't get left behind!

Want to market to your real estate leads by implementing these and other real estate marketing ideas but you just don't have the time? The best thing you can do for your business is to contract with a Virtual Assistant. Ask me all about it!

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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Real Estate Marketing Series, Part 3 - 5 Unique Ways To Market Your Real Estate Listing

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 20:04:38 -0500

Real Estate Marketing Series

Welcome to the third installment in my Real Estate Marketing Series, "5 Unique Ways to Market Your Real Estate Listings." In the first installment, we discussed 5 Things To Do To Jumpstart Your Real Estate Business. That was basic information, things that all real estate professionals should do on a regular basis but if you're just starting out or need a business boost, that's the post you should start with. Next, we covered 5 Unique Ways to Market Your Real Estate Business. This time, we're going to discuss some unique ways to make your listings stand out from the crowd! So let's discuss 5 Unique Ways to Market Your Real Estate Listings!

5. Use a Property Website with a Creative Domain Name

Setting up a property website has unique advantages over just having the property listed on your "Featured Listings" page on your website. First of all, you will be able to take advantage of keyword usage in order to get that site high up in the search engines for "2 bedroom condo" or "4 bedroom home for sale in Pittsburgh, PA." Also, you will be able to place that website address on your marketing material to give it even more exposure. Creative domain names can also be redirected to another website once the property sells so that you can use it over and over again.

4. Center Your Open House Around an Event or Theme

Let's face it. Most Open Houses are boring events at which you may not always get attendees. So change it up! This will work best if the property is vacant but many sellers want their property to sell so they will most likely be willing to go along with you on this idea. If you center your open house around a theme (such as "Spring Fling" or "Summer Splash" or "Winter Wonderland"), then send out invitations to your Open House Party, you'll get a much better turnout! Your newspaper and internet announcements can focus on your event as opposed to the same old Open House announcement.

3. Throw a Party for Your Farm at the Listing Address or at Several Addresses

Your farm is an excellent source of new buyer and/or seller clients, depending upon what type of farm you are working. So, if you host a party for your buyers which either showcases the listing as the focal point or the does a round-robin for several listings, that would make an excellent way to not only connect with your farm but to make you more "real" to them. You will go from being the real estate agent who just leaves junk on their doorstep to someone who they can connect with!

2. Socialize It!

Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter are real and here to stay. So make the best of them to promote your listings! On Facebook, upload photos of the listing into a separate photo album. Be sure you have your seller in your contact list and then tag them in the photo album. Make comments on the album about the different rooms to entice your friends to look at the photo album as well. Also, set up groups on Facebook and LinkedIn that are specific. You don't want groups named "Real Estate in Tampa." You want groups that people will be able to connect with. Try "I Want A Condo On Long Island" or "My Dream Home is a Luxury Home on the River in Michigan." Your groups should be something that the person joining can really identify with. Then, when you have a new listing, you can post about it to the appropriate group and know that everyone who sees that information are your real target audience. If you use Twitter, be sure to tweet about your listings but not in the "I just listed a 4 bedroom home" way. Be creative! Be unique! Tweet something like "I just love the double ovens in my new listing on Park East Drive! Wanna see it?" or "I just listed a home with 2 built-in fireplaces. You've just got to see the finished basement, too!"

1. Virtual Open House

A virtual open house is a great way to not only show off your property but also to show potential clients just how tech saavy you are! As you walk through the property, film from the outside in, slowly highlighting aspects of each room. As you talk about the features in each room, ocassionally intersperse your own commentary to make it feel real to the viewer. Not only will it show that you know the home inside and out, but it will also show that you care enough to ensure that viewers see every single thing about the house and miss nothing, as though they were actually alking through the property themselves. Post this tour on your website and make mini-cds of the tour so that you can hand them out and mail them to leads who request them either directly or through your website.

Want to uniquely market your real estate listings by implementing these and other real estate marketing ideas but you just don't have the time? The best thing you can do for your business is to contract with a Virtual Assistant. Ask me all about it!

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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Real Estate Marketing Series, Part 2 - 5 Unique Ways To Market Your Real Estate Business

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 20:04:41 -0500

Real Estate Marketing Series

Welcome to the second installment in my Real Estate Marketing Series, "5 Unique Ways to Market Your Real Estate Business." In the first installment, we discussed 5 Things To Do To Jumpstart Your Real Estate Business. That was basic information, things that all real estate professionals should do on a regular basis but if you're just starting out or need a business boost, that's the post you should start with. This time, we're going to get even more involved with ways to make you stand out from the crowd! So let's discuss 5 Unique Ways to Market Your Real Estate Business!

5. Door knock (and leave something seasonal)

Let's face it... Most agents are NOT door knocking. (I've mentioned this before!) It is time consuming and doesn't often yield the results you would like. However, I'll say it again. Most agents are NOT door knocking. That means, if you DO, you'll be ahead of the pack. The whole point is to do something that other agents are NOT doing... to make them remember you. And, uh, that would be door knocking. When you door knock, though, be sure to leave something seasonal. If you door knock during the fall, that's the perfect time to leave items such as weather stripping or plastic for windows. If you door knock during the spring, that's the perfect time to leave things like flower starter sets (just one or two). Coupons are great, as are gift cards (if you want to spend that much). Remember, the point is not to leave so much that they can plant an entire bed of flowers or weather-proof all the windows in the entire house. It is just a little to get them started! (And don't forget - many home improvement stores are willing to work with you to give you the products with their coupons or give you big discounts for buying from them!)

4. Send sweet treats

Choose your top 50 or 100 contacts and send them an envelope filled with Hershey's kisses or Starburst candies. Let them know that they are the sweetest contacts you know and you really appreciate the referrals they send your way. The point? To make them remember you! When is the last time you received an envelope in the mail that contained candy and a hand written note? Probably not since you went off to college and your Mom sent you a care package. So be the first to send sweet treats to someone else. They will likely remember you and think sweetly of you thereafter!

3. Host a coloring contest

Pick a farm area and send out flyers and postcards that you are hosting a coloring contest for children ages 15 and under. Be sure to have your age categories set (for example 12-15, 9-11, 6-8, and 5 and under). Additionally, put up a page on your website to promote the coloring contest. You should also be able to advertise the coloring contest in your local newspaper either free of charge or at a discount if you make the newspaper a sponsor of the contest. Prizes can be secured from companies at no additional cost to you through a mutual agreement with the company. For example, gift cards to Build-A-Bear, a local toy store, and/or a department store (Wal-Mart, Target, etc.). The key here is to also get gifts for the parents of the winning children! Home improvement stores, department stores, grocery stores, etc. will all work! As "sponsors" of the coloring contest, with free advertising on your website, most companies will be happy to donate prizes! Then, host a luncheon or brunch or just an award ceremony program for the entire farm area to announce the winners! (If you don't have many entries, let everyone win, depending upon how many prizes you secure.) The point? To make them remember you!

2. Host a brunch for Working Parents Day (Sept 16)

Working Parents Day is always September 16th. This is a perfect opportunity for you to show the working parents in your farm area, community or your database just how much you appreciate how hard it is to be a working parent. (Even if you aren't a parent yourself, you had some at some point in your life so you know how hard it is!) Host a brunch, luncheon or just cookies and punch for the working parents. You want people to see your name and see you active in your farm area or with your sphere, leads, and other contacts. If you go in on a Working Parents Day event with a mortgage lender, the cost of the refreshments won't cost that much at all. And what's the point? Let's say it together: To make them remember you!

1. Create a Community Website

Where is the first place people will go when they are interested in a particular community? The internet, of course! And you want them to find you. One of the best ways to do that is to become the "go-to" person for that community. By creating a community website, you can become the IT website owner for that area. Your community website can include upcoming events in the community, important dates to remember (such as the first day of school, no school, city council meetings, etc.), highlights of the community, condo association information, virtual tours of available properties in the area, listings of available properties only in that area, and information about your preferred home staging company and mortgage lending partner. Have a community newsletter with information about both old and new businesses in the area and also with relevant news on your community website. Also, you can highlight the neighbors on your community website. Take pictures of the homes in your community once they've started decorating for holidays or planting flower beds for the season. Anything and everything to make your name prominent in their minds because, after all, what's the point? To make them remember you!

Want to uniquely market your real estate business by implementing these and other real estate marketing ideas but you just don't have the time? The best thing you can do for your business is to contract with a Virtual Assistant. Ask me all about it!

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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Real Estate Marketing Series, Part 1 - 5 Things to Jumpstart Your Real Estate Business

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 22:03:39 -0500

Real Estate Marketing Series

Welcome to the first installment in my Real Estate Marketing Series, "5 Things To Do THIS WEEKEND To Jumpstart Your Real Estate Business." Now, this weekend is starting soon but these 5 tips can be done to jumpstart your real estate business by anyone, any time - so have fun!

5. Send out 10 greeting cards

Choose 10 leads and/or top contacts and send them a greeting card. The goal here is to refresh your name in their heads. You want referrals and leads. Alternatively, you can include a gift card to Starbucks or for gasoline or something similar. If you choose to do a gift card, check into Starbuck's customizable gift cards onto which you can have your company name and logo placed. (Although you won't be able to get these for this weekend!)

4. Call 5 past clients for referrals

Checking in with your past clients periodically is definitely a MUST on your past client action plan (you do have a past client action plan, don't you?) but you can use this weekend to give 5 of them a call. Ask about the house, ask about their neighborhod, their family, their friends. It may be just the ticket they need to make a move.

3. Knock on doors for 1 hour

If you already have a farm area, knock on doors for 1 hour. Just ONE HOUR and you'll be amazed at the results! Not only will you be extremely visible in the neighborhood but you will make actual (real) connections with the residents. Take dessert-size plates of home baked cookies, covered in plastic wrap (or store bought that you took home, dumped out of the box and re-wrapped on the plates - that still counts). That gives you a talking point to start the conversation!

2. Choose an area to farm

If you haven't already done so, choose an area to farm and then develop a plan for marketing to that farm. Farming an area is extremely beneficial. The residents of that area get to know you more than other agents. You also will learn so much about that area that you will then be able to blog about it as the area specialist. Now, I'll admit that this task will not yield you immediate results this weekend but it WILL yield long-term benefits.

1. Decide on a niche market!

Once again, this task will not yield immediate results this weekend but deciding upon a niche market has the potential to explode your business. Doctors specialize. Electricians specialize. Lawyers specialize. Most professionals who are really good at what they do, focus on a specific niche within their area of expertise. This not only drills down what area you focus on (waterfront condos, first-time, entry-level home buyers, vacation properties in the mountains, golf amenity properties) but also the type of leads you are looking for! Imagine the endless possibilities of focusing on waterfront condos on Lake Michigan. Not only can you learn everything there is to know about said properties but you'll know that 98% of the leads you get are high-quality -- they are searching specifically for waterfront condos on Lake Michigan! (Of course, you'll then need to develop a marketing plan for your new niche but first things first!)

Want to jumpstart your real estate business by implementing these and other real estate marketing ideas but you just don't have the time? The best thing you can do for your business is to contract with a Virtual Assistant. Ask me all about it!

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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Twitter Friend of the Week: Meet The Element!

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:14:03 -0500

I absolutely love the idea of promoting one another when we can! As a result, I have a project called "Twitter Friend of the Week." Each week, I'll showcase one or two of my Twitter Friends so that you can "meet" them.

This week, my featured Twitter Friend is Brad Bechler author of ”When Will The Sky Fall”. Here's what Brad had to tell us:

What is your primary business?
I’m an Author/Writer of various genres, namely Fiction, Poetry. My new and current release is, “When Will The Sky Fall?” It is about my experience with Hurricane Katrina. As a Survivor, I write about the shock, fear, loss, anger, isolation, and restoration. I’m also a Ghost Writer for Select Clients, Motivational Speaker, and Life Coach.

What is unique about you or your business?
I travel extensively and place myself in positions of research in order to bring life to my writings.

What is one fun thing about yourself that most of us don't know?
I love to watch birds and act like a kid at Disney World every week when I visit.

Do you work from home or an outside office?
My office is usually in coffee shops, bookstores, Whole Foods Markets, Beaches, and at a Disney World Resort.

What is your favorite computer application?
GreaseMonkey

What is your favorite food?
Sushi, Mama’s Pancakes from Cracker Barrel, and Fresh Pan-fried, broiled, or stuffed Grouper

If you could be a super hero, what would you be called and what would your super powers be?
The Element. My powers would be to possess the element of fire, water, wind that can be used where needed for balance.

What one piece of advice would you give someone who wants to get into your line of business?
Write what you know and have passion about, not just the flavor of the day. Be prepared for rejection, but giving up is not an option. Align yourself with others who love the art of writing.

What is the follow link for one of yourTwitter Friends who you think everyone would benefit from following and why should we follow them?
@EdWorksAcademy

As you can see, Brad is extremely intriguing. As a Hurricane Katrina survivor, you really do want to check him out! Follow Brad on Twitter at @bradbechler.

Brad Bechler
Author
Website
E-mail
Twitter
Friend On Facebook
Check Out His Blog
Brad’s Books

Want to be an upcoming featured Twitter Friend of the Week? Follow me and then send me a message that you're interested! TFOTW - Gotta LUV Twitter! Gotta LUV Twitter Friends!

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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Considering a Real Estate Virtual Assistant? Know What You Are Paying For? Read & Learn

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 19:45:58 -0500

I stumbled across this little nugget while trying to catch up on some of my favorites on AR. When you contract with a Virtual Assistant, you aren't getting someone who can just answer the phones and file. You are getting a highly-skilled, highly trained real estate assistant. Read on to understand the "whys" of the pay rate!

Via Laura Monroe- Real Estate Virtual Assistant (Creative Agent Solutions.com (916)343-3823):

So you've heard about using a Real Estate Virtual Assistant, you've heard how its a great way to amp up your productivity and allow you to do more business.

You've heard that you can use a VA only when you need one..sort of pay-as-you-go and that sounds like it actually might suit your budget. All you need now are some hot prospects and to shop some pricing and rates..easy enough. You are are sure you can find your VA for $10-$12 an hour real quick.

But...you get a rude awakening. Your ideal VA is going to cost you between $30-$55 an hour, depending on the service.

Why? I bring this up only because of a common MISCONCEPTION. The word "assistant" is giving you the wrong impression.

Running a real estate business takes business savvy. Tech savvy, Marketing savvy, Financial savvy, Internet savvy, Social savvy and think outside the box savvy. It takes alot of talent to keep the momentum going..contacting leads, managing your database well, planning and EXECUTING marketing campaigns, learning all the new technology and staying on top of your online precense. All of this is an investment in your time..time that could be overwhelming you, to the point that you are having a hard time keeping up the momentum. I won't even mention balancing your people skills, phone skills, sales skills..that is your department.

So in the corporate world, busy executives like you know that having team members that can handle some of the time consuming tasks is what it takes to be the best CEO of their companies. They don't do it all. They have people. Talented and effecient people. Let's take a look at some of the salaries of these talented individuals who keep the CEO on top of his or her game.

From PayScale.com

Executive Assistant: Salary: $40,000-$60,000 annually plus benefits

Internet Marketing Specialist: $50,000-$70,000 annually plus benefits

Social Media Marketing Manager: $60,000-$120,000 annually plus benefits

Transaction Coordinator: $30,000 annually

Webmaster: $45,000-$55,000 annually

Photoshop Professional: $40,000-$55,000 annually

Website copywriter: $50,000-$60,000 annually

Add in for free: real estate knowledge, training and experience

The above positions are the basic specialties that you will find in my particular business and many VA's like me. We are trained, we are experienced and we run our own companies as our own CEO's. We pay our own taxes, our own insurance etc. just like you. We pay for our office equipment and supplies. We pay for our training. All of it..just like you! We are worth our pay-scale just like you!

40 hours per month with a VA is an average of $1400. $1400 equals $16,800 a year. No employee taxes, no office equipment, no benefits. So when and if you start looking for your "assistant" ....get that word out of your head, and look at what you are really getting. You are getting a full fledged professional who takes their business very seriously..as much as you do.

Get to know your partner, they will get to know you, and after a while you will be amazed at the fabulous and effecient business you are running. Partnering with a real estate virtual assistant is an investment, an investment in you!

Ready to Get Creative? Laura Monroe | Real Estate Virtual Assistant | Creative Agent Solutions.com| Copyright 2009

Some days you sigh...

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 22:45:05 -0500

As a parent, have you ever noticed that some days you just have to sigh. And I don't mean a light, airy little sigh. I mean that great big SIGGGGGGHHHHHH!

Why? Lots of reasons. The kids were fighting all day. The washer decided to spill water all over the basement floor. The oven decided it will no longer preheat. The dishwasher leaks water all over the kitchen floor. One of the kids got into the bathroom, turned on the faucet in the tub and left it running (spilling water all over the bathroom floor as the tub overflowed). Lots of reasons.

Then, the end of the day comes and you sigh. Not that frustrated, aggravated, I-have-to-deal-with-yet-another-crisis sigh. The sigh of relief. The sigh of contentedness.

Why? Mainly because one (or more) of your kids comes in and says the magic words: "I love you, Mama." Everything else is forgotten. Everything else melts away.

Yep. That does it.

SIGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!!

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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Friday Foto: Two of a Kind...Uh, NOT!

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:58:09 -0500

These two love to dress up, even when it is just their faces that get dressed up!

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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Friendly Video Rental Service in Garfield Heights, Ohio

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 21:47:16 -0500

Friendly Video Rental Service in Garfield Heights, Ohio is right around the corner!

If you like to watch movies at home, then you've undoubtedly rented videos from time-to-time. Depending upon where you rent, the service can be anything but welcoming. Well, all that has changed with York Video, a friendly video rental service in Garfield Heights, Ohio.

York Video may not be as big as many of the more well-known video rental services, such as Blockbuster, but they hold their own. From timely new releases to old favorites, kids movies to documentaries, you'll find what you're looking for here. But that's just the general information about this store. What I really wanted to tell you about is their friendly service!

Each time I visit York Video, I've been warmly greeted by the cashiers. Each time I've visited York Video with questions about a movie, the cashiers have done their best to find the answer for me, without making me feel as though I'm invading their time. They've looked up release dates for movies I want to see, helped me find old movies I was looking for, and recommended movies to me based on what I was currently renting. Like I said, very friendly service!

In addition to their low rental rates, they often have rental specials during certain days of the week. You just can't beat it!

So, if you're looking for a friendly video rental service in Garfield Heights, Ohio, give York Video a try. You'll be glad you did!

~Renae - blogging about home
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Hiring a VA is a Lot Like Potty Training

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:01:05 -0500

Hiring a VA is a Lot Like Potty Training when you think about it.

Typically when I write posts about my family, I start off by saying that I've got 6 kids. That usually gives people quite a jolt so I like to say it first so that everyone can digest it and then get the shock out of their system. (Yes, they're all mine. Yes, they're all by my husband.)

One of our children is 2.5 years old. He doesn't want to grow up - EVER. We had to forcibly remove all the pacifiers from the house in order to get him off of them. We had to remove all bottles from the house in order to get him to drink from a cup. We have to force him to put his own clothes and shoes on. He wants to be carried around. In spite of the fact that we have 1 year old twins, he insists that HE is the baby. (Just ask him.)

Well, the time has come that he shed the diapers. As he sat on the potty chair, saying "I don't want to use the potty," it made me think of how getting to the point where you need assistance in your business is so much like being potty trained.

How Hiring a VA is a Lot Like Potty Training:

You don't understand why things have to change. You may realize that operating your business has become increasingly difficult in keeping up with administrative and/or marketing tasks but that's just the way it is, right?
You have a hard time figuring out just exactly what you're supposed to do. The initial period of working with a new assistant is filled with uncertainty. What can he/she actually do for me? How do I get tasks to them? What tasks should I turn over to them?
You don't want to change because you've always done it this way. Resistance to change is normal for everybody! However, there's that old saying to consider: "If you always do what you've always done, then you'll always get what you've always gotten."
It takes a little while before you start to figure it out. Just as potty training doesn't typically happen over night, working with a Virtual Assistant does not become a synergystic relationship immediately. It takes some figuring out to really get into a groove.
There are accidents along the way. The bumps in the road (or pull-up) are typical. Starting your VA on tasks that you have never given them before is typically where the accidents happen. However these are simply learning opportunities!
Eventually, you figure out how this can be a good thing, a really good thing! The lightbulb goes off and you realize that no matter how difficult and disruptive it may seem initially, this Virtual Assistance thing could be just the ticket! Now you see that it will open up other possibilities for you and your business.
Success means you're on to bigger and better things! Once the transition is completed, you can set new and bigger goals for yourself and your business. The possibilities become endless!

Just as potty training can be a stressful, frustrating, aggravating event, the end results bring entirely different emotions - satisfaction, joy, and pride! Don't let your resistance of change stop you from getting to the end result. If you've been on the fence about contracting with a Virtual Assistant, go ahead and give it a try. It is so worth it and can change the potential for your business!

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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Twitter Friend of the Week: Story of My Life

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:21:39 -0500

I absolutely love the idea of promoting one another when we can! As a result, I have a project called "Twitter Friend of the Week." I'll showcase one or two of my Twitter Friends so that you can "meet" them.

This week, my featured Twitter Friend is Story of My Life. Talk about unique! Read all about them:

What is your primary business?
I’m one of the co-founders of the www.StoryOfMyLife.com website. We are the world’s largest online collection of life stories – collecting stories today and preserving for the future. We’re at the cusp of a rapidly changing digital world – the first generation has been born who will have always had the internet and their lives recorded digitally. We want to be sure that folks understand that leaving some digital footprint behind, i.e. what your future ancestors are searching about you, is actually what YOU want them to read, not what other people say. You should control your own legacy – through written stories, audio or videos, pictures, etc.

What is unique about you or your business?
We’re the ONLY ones who actually make a legitimate effort at creating a “forever” digital archive. Others use the word “forever” cavalierly, but have absolutely no mechanism for doing so. Companies come and go, even technology has a limited lifespan (i.e. a DVD lasts only 20 years) and are also prone to loss or destruction. We have a separate, 501(c)(3) Foundation whose sole purpose is to store Stories, pictures, videos etc in perpetuity in its digital vault. Kind of like an insurance policy and an archive for you.

What is one fun thing about yourself that most of us don't know?
I have 3 novels inside me that are dying to get out – the urge to write is strong. Just need a few more hours in the day. Or maybe I just suck and use that as an excuse…

Do you work from home or an outside office?
Both – California traffic is awful, so when I can call in “sick” I work from home as much as possible. The downside? I work WAY longer when at home because I feel guilty… ha

What is your favorite computer application?
Our site, but Twitter is a lot of fun too – to us, MySpace is the rock concert, Facebook is the class reunion, Twitter is ‘happy hour,’ LinkedIn is the corporate water cooler, and Story of My Life is the family backyard bbq! But there is a lot of bad, really bad software out there.

What is your favorite food?
Actually my favorite time regarding food is feeding my dogs – they’re so funny to watch eat. One dog doesn’t care, the other wolfs it down, then slowly tries to slide to get the other one’s food. Then he realizes what she’s doing and gobbles it down before she can get it….. People food – Shari’s Berries!

If you could be a super hero, what would you be called and what would your super powers be?
I’d have to make up a super hero who had a memory like the world’s fastest super computer to store all the life stories about people, remember the details and be able to play them back (ok that’s starting to sound a little creepy – wasn’t there a movie with Robin Williams about that??).

What one piece of advice would you give someone who wants to get into your line of business?
You must have a passion for life stories and believe that everyone has a story worth telling. Everyone.

As you can see, Story of My Life is extremely interesting! Check out Story of My Life on Twitter at @storyofmylife.

Kristen Kuhns
Story of My Life
Website
E-mail Me
Twitter Me

Want to be an upcoming featured Twitter Friend of the Week? Follow me and then send me a message that you're interested! TFOTW - Gotta LUV Twitter! Gotta LUV Twitter Friends!

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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"What To Do With The Empty House Next Door?" - Publicity Opportunity

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Fri, 08 May 2009 19:11:42 -0500

I received the following information from a very well-known and well-respected Public Relations firm yesterday. It was right up the alley of a lot of you so I thought I would post it here to give it a wider audience. We all know that funds are tight for many these days but sometimes, a little money spent is well worth it, isn't it?

Read on for the search Annie's team is conducting:

Annie Jennings PR is working on a Real Estate Article with one of the TOP national financial newsmaker sites in the country.

If you can comment on the topic below, please email us with your interest and suggested ideas/comments ASAP.

The journalist is writing an article on "What to Do With the Empty House Next Door?" For example, what are your rights as the neighbor to an empty house with an unkempt yard? Can you maintain it? Ask the city/local government to get involved? Get the HOA involved? What can you do to prevent the eye-sore from bringing down property values or worse, increase neighborhood crime?

This is a terrific site to be associated with because of its excellent Alexa ranking! This means there is a huge audience and it's a tremendous way to increase your exposure and media platform.

Please let me know your interest asap. And of course, this placement falls under the Annie Jennings famous Pay for Placement business model, where you only pay for PR if we are able to get you into the article as a quoted expert!

Looking forward to hearing from you – please email me if you have any questions.

All Heart, Susan
National Publicist 908.281.6201
Annie Jennings PR
National Publicity Firm
susan@anniejenningspr.com

***Thousands of Experts Booked With The Media***

Media Testimonial: "Annie Jennings does a wonderful job of grasping the essence of the story and finding exactly the right people."

- Peggy Noonan, Journalist, USA WEEKEND Magazine

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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He Said I'm Not Cool - Can You Believe It?

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:03:26 -0500

As of 9:08 p.m. EST on Thursday, April 30, 2009, I am officially no longer cool. I know - it's a shocker!

While talking to our 14 year old about the Garfield Heights Middle School 8th Grade Dance, I started talking about what he was going to wear. He wants to wear a suit (a NICE one, Mom!). He wants his Dad to take him (NOT you, Mom!). He does NOT want me taking pictures outside or showing up at the dance to take pictures of him (only in the house, Mom!). I look at my husband and calmly asked "What's HIS problem with me tonight?" Instead of letting his Dad answer, Kennyth pipes up with "Because you are SO not cool and I don't want people to know!"

I suppose that should have hurt my feelings, huh? I suppose I should have come back with something snarky like "Right back atcha, bub!" I didn't though.

I realize that I am not as young as I was when I suffered through labor and delivery with him (isn't that what all mothers are supposed to say about their childbirth?). I realize that I don't wear the latest trendy outfits anymore, if I ever did - but that's probably a topic for another post. (I spend my days in sweats or jeans and t-shirts, covered in milk stains, various food residue, baby spit-up, and other things that I don't want to go into here.) I realize that I'm strict - my kids aren't allowed to free-roam. (They get taken to and picked-up from wherever they go by either me or their dad, they can't walk anywhere that is more than a block from our house, they've never ridden a bus alone except the school bus, they don't spend the night at just anybody's house, we monitor their telephone usage, they don't watch any movie unless we've seen it first, and they are not allowed to use the Internet unless one of us is monitoring. All my rules.)

Instead of that quippy comeback, I simply said, "That's fine. You may think I'm "SO not cool" (yes, I used the finger quotes) but guess what? I don't have to be. But when you bring home your first real girlfriend, I'll be "SO not cool" and tell her all the great stories I have lined up about her "SO cool" boyfriend. So talk to the hand! HOLLER!"

That didn't go over so well. But YOU think I'm cool, don't you?? (Just say yes, make me feel better!)

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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Twitter Friend of the Week: Meet Erin the Vibrant!

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Mon, 04 May 2009 08:34:35 -0500

This week, my featured Twitter Friend is Erin Blaskie of Business Services, Etc.. Here's what Erin had to tell us:

What is your primary business?
My team & I provides businesses with online marketing solutions to help take an offline business online or grow the existing one to develop a much larger web presence thus increasing sales, building lists and achieving business goals.

What is unique about you or your business?
I started my business very young, I was 21, so I feel that I combine the perspective of someone who is young and immersed in the current technologies from head to toe with the experience I have through working with over 150 entrepreneurs around the world. We also come from a "doing" background as we were a virtual assistance company before we became a strategy and support company. While what we do now is similar, I get to use my experience with the tasks to help with strategies for my clients.

What is one fun thing about yourself that most of us don't know?
I can never be more than three feet away from a bag of Teddy Grahams :)

Do you work from home or an outside office?
I currently work from home but beginning this month, I'll also be sharing a co-work space.

What is your favorite computer application?
Wow... I have far too many to name just one! On a daily basis I always have open: Firefox, Dreamweaver, PhotoShop, SnagIt, Skype and Project Recon (Basecamp).

What is your favorite food?
Hmmm... I am one of those people that doesn't actually LOVE food the way some people love food but I would have to say sushi.

If you could be a super hero, what would you be called and what would your super powers be?
Erin the Vibrant... My super powers would be to make everyone around me positive and happy regardless of their previous disposition.

What one piece of advice would you give someone who wants to get into your line of business?
To just go for it... Have the drive, determination and tenacity to make it successful and you will. The only thing stopping you right now is yourself.

What is the follow link for one of yourTwitter Friends who you think everyone would benefit from following and why should we follow them?
@unmarketing - Stratten is hilarious, honest and opinionated as well as talented, intelligent and brilliant.

Erin’s definitely got it together! Check Erin out on Twitter at @ErinBlaskie. You’ll be glad you did!

Erin Blaskie
Business Services, Etc.
Website
E-mail Me
Twitter Me
Friend me on Facebook
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Every Friday LIVE

Want to be an upcoming featured Twitter Friend of the Week? Follow me and then send me a message that you're interested! TFOTW - Gotta LUV Twitter! Gotta LUV Twitter Friends!

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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I've Done It 3 Times Already, So Why Can't I Do It Now?

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:53:05 -0500

I'm talking about potty training. Thought I'd say that up front lest your minds wander...

Our eldest child potty trained rather easily. He is often told the story of how one day he brought me a diaper, powder, and wipes, lay down in front of me and threw his legs in the air to be changed. After changing him, I had him face me and said "Kennyth, tomorrow, no more diapers." He said "No more diapers?" I said simply, "No. You are a big boy. No more diapers for you. You're going to use the potty." And Kennyth simply responded "Ok." He never wore a diaper again. He was 19 months old.

Our second child fought me at first but then decided to just go with the flow. He didn't want to use the potty. He didn't want change. But when he saw that he could pee-pee in the potty like Daddy and Kennyth, that was all she wrote. Joseph was 2 when he decided to play "follow-the-leader."

Our one and only daughter out of the bunch of 6 was QUITE difficult to potty train. She resisted with all her might and with all her strength and with all her will. And let me tell you, she's got a lot of might and a lot of will. She did not potty train until she was 3.5 (is that awful or what?). Of course, she didn't walk until she was 2 and didn't speak any words at all until she was 2.5. Now, she quite happily proclaims to the world that she's a big girl because she uses the potty all by herself.

On to the object of my dismay. Elijah is now 2.5 years old (32 months) and is giving me grief about potty training. Let me clarify that the reason I started potty training him in the first place is because he complains terribly about wearing the diapers, he stays dry for long periods of time throughout the day, and he kept saying he wanted to use the potty. Now that we've started, he insists he doesn't want to do it. I mean, like how he screams and cries that he doesn't want to use the potty. How he sits on the thing and looks at me with those pitiful eyes begging me to let him get up. At which time he conveniently pees in his training pants. Not to say that he's never actually peed in the potty, because he has. He just seems to hate it!

What is my problem? Why can't I get into the swing of things with him? I mean, I've really got to get it together here. We've got 2 more to go after him. I can't afford to lose my sanity yet. Not until they've all been potty trained at least. Help!

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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Twitter Friend of the Week: We've Got A Pirate In Our Midst!

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:00:13 -0500

This week, my featured Twitter Friend is Cap’n Billy of Pirate Parenting. Cap’n Billy is BY FAR the most unusual Twitter Friend I have. Here's what Cap’n Billy had to tell us:

What is your primary business?
Merchant vessel acquisition

What is unique about you or your business?
I have a hook and a peg leg. I like pillaging, plundering, rum and long walks off the plank.

What is one fun thing about yourself that most of us don't know?
I'd tell ye but I'd have to kill ye afterwards.

Do you work from home or an outside office?
I work from a ship-board office.

What is your favorite computer application?
Anything I can pirate. Arrrgh!

What is your favorite food?
Salt cod and hardtack

If you could be a super hero, what would you be called and what would your super powers be?
Ye don't need superpowers when ye have cannons.

What one piece of advice would you give someone who wants to get into your line of business?
Raise yer crew by going to a tavern late at night. After the rum's gone, they'll be more likely to follow ye.

What is the follow link for one of yourTwitter Friends who you think everyone would benefit from following and why should we follow them?
@darthvader

As you can see, Cap’n Billy is extremely unusual. I mean, how many of us get to say we know a real live pirate?? Check Cap’n Billy out on Twitter at @pirateparenting.

Captain Billy
Pirate Parenting
Website
E-mail Me
Twitter Me
Guide To Pirate Parenting Book

Want to be an upcoming featured Twitter Friend of the Week? Follow me and then send me a message that you're interested! TFOTW - Gotta LUV Twitter! Gotta LUV Twitter Friends!

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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What Is Your Strongest Quality?

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:07:51 -0500

I had a telephone interview earlier this week with a prospective client. One of the questions he asked me was this:

"What do you consider your strongest quality?"

That was easy. I consider my strength the fact that I feel my client's success is my success. I have to do my best for my clients because they depend on me. They need my help or else they wouldn't be interviewing me. My job is to help them. My strength lies in my desire to see my clients succeed. When their business grows, my business grows.

Do you feel that way about your clients? In the real estate industry, it is especially important to develop that connection with your clients. It has often been said that the purchase or sell of a home is probably the single most important financial decision we make. As such, the home buyer or seller needs to not only feel but KNOW that their agent is in their corner.

Are you in your client's corner?

Do you have their best interests at heart during every stage of the transaction?

Why should a potential client chose you over all the other real estate agents in your area?

What is YOUR strength?

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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Stager of the Week - Styled By Design

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:07:33 -0500

I’m all about cross-promotion! As a result, I have a cross-promotion project called "Stager of the Week." Each week, I'll showcase a Professional Stager so that you can "meet" them. Stagers are an excellent way to not only help a property look its absolute best, but to get that property sold as quickly as possible and for the highest price possible.

This week's featured Professional Stager is Allegra Dioguardi of Styled and Sold LLC in the Hamptons/Sag Harbor, New York. Here’s my interview with Allegra:

How did you initially get into staging?
I have a degree in Interior Design from Parsons School of Design. My first job out of design school was as a designer at a Model Home design firm and I stayed in that industry for 26 years. I became a nationally recognized, award-winning designer for some of the top national new homebuilders.

Three years ago I started my own home staging business. It was a natural transition as all of the same principles of designing to sell and interior merchandising apply to Home Staging.

What is your most effective marketing strategy to get realtors or sellers to use your services?
It’s a combination of presenting to Realtors© at their office meetings, sending out newsletters, writing articles for local papers and magazines, and meeting them one-on-one at open houses. Before and after photos speak a thousand words too.

What is one fun thing about yourself that most people don't know??
I dance in the kitchen when no one is watching.

Are you involved in any social media marketing other than Active Rain (Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, RealTown, etc.)? If so, how do we connect with you?
I’m exasperated still trying to figure out Twitter and Facebook. I’m on Linked-In, Home Staging Channel and Top Interior Decorators.com. You can find me under: styledandsold.

What is your favorite computer application?
That’s a tough one! I am also a writer (I wrote an e-book, Styled by Design - http://styledbydesign.com) on the design principles of home staging and I write articles for magazines and newspapers so I would have to say Microsoft Word. I don’t know how we lived before cut and paste, word count and Words’ Thesaurus!

What is your favorite food?
Spaghetti and meatballs.

What one piece of advice would you give someone who is hesitant to utilize the services of a professional stager?
Homes for sale become a product and, just like any other product, they should be packaged, merchandised and marketed properly. Otherwise, in this competitive market, your “product” can become the dusty bottle of No-Name Brand product hidden on the back shelf at the market. The properties that do sell well are the ones that show the best, that are in move in condition, that a buyer can fall in love with. After 26 years in this industry I am convinced “Love at first sight” sells houses.

If you could be a made up super hero, what would you be called and what would your super powers be?
This is me, Great Stager, loving single mom, hard working, determined, trusted friend.

What one piece of advice would you give someone who wants to become a professional stager?
Don’t think that just because you have “a flair” for decorating that you should become a Home Stager. It is hard work, you must be serious about it and the bar is being raised every day - making it more competitive. Marketing and educating potential clients is 90% of your work…the actual staging is the icing on the cake.

Thanks for taking some time to get to know Allegra Dioguardi. Now, go learn more about Allegra at Styled and Sold LLC!

Allegra Dioguardi
Styled and Sold LLC
Company Website
E-mail Me
”Styled By Design” E-book

Want to be an upcoming featured Stager of the Week? Just e-mail me! Use a Stager! What are you waiting for?

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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Twitter Friend of the Week: Meet The Power Publicist!

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 20:23:22 -0500

This week my featured Twitter Friend is Shannon Cherry (don’t you just LOVE her name?) of Be Heard Solutions. Here's what Shannon had to tell us:

What is your primary business?
Be Heard Solutions provides coaching, consulting, products and programs that help people attract more prospects using free publicity.

What is unique about you or your business?
I come from a reporter's background. (I was a TV anchor and reporter for several years before I started doing public relations.) Most folks in my niche don't have any journalism background, so I know how a newsroom really works, not just how to write a good press release.

What is one fun thing about yourself that most of us don't know?
I sang for (the late) Christopher Reeve and sang with BB King.

Do you work from home or an outside office?
My office is on a separate floor than the rest of my house, so I have the best of both worlds!

What is your favorite computer application?
If it's online, it's Twitter. If it's offline, it's got to be... wait I don't think I'm offline that much!

What is your favorite food?
My dad's linguini and clams. I can't master it no matter how hard I try!

If you could be a super hero, what would you be called and what would your super powers be?
What? You mean I’m not a super hero already? My passion is justice. So I probably would be known as "Equality Girl" and I’d be able to right wrongs to make things fair!

What one piece of advice would you give someone who wants to get into your line of business?
Do an internship. I learned more by really working in a newsroom while in college and working as an intern in PR than I did with both my college degrees!

What is the follow link for one of yourTwitter Friends who you think everyone would benefit from following and why should we follow them?
@virtualmarketer - Rebecca is unknown to many on Twitter but she's a high-end SEO master. You'll learn a lot about driving traffic from her - even how to really use Twitter to get better search engine rankings.

I’ve known Shannon for quite a while now (not telling exactly how long) and I can guarantee that you won’t regret visiting her website! Check her out on Twitter (you won’t regret THAT either)!@shannoncherry

Shannon Cherry
Be Heard Solutions
E-mail Me
Twitter Me
PR Programs
Publicity Programs
The Power Publicist Blog

Want to be an upcoming featured Twitter Friend of the Week? Follow me and then send me a message that you're interested! TFOTW - Gotta LUV Twitter! Gotta LUV Twitter Friends!

~Renae - Market 4 Real!_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Twitter Friend of the Week: Everything-Everywhere!

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:34:45 -0500

This week my featured Twitter Friend is Gary Arndt of Everything Everywhere. Here's what Gary had to tell us:

What is your primary business?
I travel around the world, write and take travel photography.

What is unique about you or your business?
See above :)

What is one fun thing about yourself that most of us don't know?
I own 1 share of stock in the Green Bay Packers.

Do you work from home or an outside office?
I do not have a home nor do I have an office.

What is your favorite computer application?
TweetDeck

What is your favorite food?
Sushi

If you could be a super hero, what would you be called and what would your super powers be?
I'd be happy with the powers of superman. I wouldn't be public about it and would keep my name.

What one piece of advice would you give someone who wants to get into your line of business?
Sell your house, quit your job, and pack your bags.

What is the follow link for one of yourTwitter Friends who you think everyone would benefit from following and why should we follow them?
@pvponline - Scott Kurtz is one of the funniest guys I know and one of the most successful cartoonists on the web.

As you can see, Gary leads an extremely interesting life! Check him out on Twitter!@everywheretrip

Gary Arndt
Everything Everywhere
Everything Everywhere Travel Blog
E-mail Me
Twitter Me
Get Gary’s Podcast on iTunes

Want to be an upcoming featured Twitter Friend of the Week? Follow me and then send me a message that you're interested! TFOTW - Gotta LUV Twitter! Gotta LUV Twitter Friends!

~Renae - Market 4 Real!_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Stager of the Week - C.L. Design Services

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:16:11 -0500

This week's featured Professional Stager is Cathy Lee of C.L. Design Services Home Staging in Danville, California. Here’s my interview with Cathy:

How did you initially get into staging?
In 2002, I became an accredited staging professional, trained by Barb Scwarz.

What is your most effective marketing strategy to get realtors or sellers to use your services?
I attend our local Real Estate Marketing Association weekly marketing meeting to network with Realtors©. To reach homeowners, I participate in direct mail advertising in Home Folio Magazine, a local publication that goes out to 20,000 homes.

What is one fun thing about yourself that most people don't know??
I can teach most anyone to single water ski.

Are you involved in any social media marketing other than Active Rain (Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, RealTown, etc.)? If so, how do we connect with you?
I’m on Facebook and you can connect with me by searching for Cathy Lee at cldesigns@comcast.net.

What is your favorite computer application?
MS Word

What is your favorite food?
Anything lemon.

What one piece of advice would you give someone who is hesitant to utilize the services of a professional stager?
Ask for references/referrals.

If you could be a made up super hero, what would you be called and what would your super powers be?
I would be a beautiful "TransFly." She is a cross between a butterfly and a sweeper and she de-clutters and transforms homes in one sweep!!! And of course I am all pretty colors of green!!!

What one piece of advice would you give someone who wants to become a professional stager?
Do it with all your heart!!!!

Thanks for taking some time to get to know Cathy Lee. Now, go learn more about Cathy and the entire team at C.L. Design Services Home Staging !

Cathy Lee
C.L. Design Services Home Staging
Company Website
E-mail Me

Want to be an upcoming featured Stager of the Week? Just e-mail me! Use a Stager! What are you waiting for?

~Renae - Market 4 Real!_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Tuesday Tech Tip: Screen Capture

Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors (Marketing 4 Realtors) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:27:27 -0500

Tuesday Tech Tip: Screen Capture

Have you ever wondered how bloggers make those great-looking screen shots? You know - when they show you exactly where on the page the specific item is located or exactly what to do, step-by-step?

Well, thanks to Tuesday's Tech Tip, now YOU can do it too!

Here are a few options, some free, some not, for you to give a whirl. If you've used them, I'd love to hear your experience with the service. If you decide to give one of these a try, please let me know which you tried and how it worked out for you!

Happy Screen Capturing!

Prt Scrn - on keyboard - absolutely Free! In the upper right corner of your keyboard, there is a button that says "PrtScn" which accomplishes this very thing. It copies the screen to your clipboard. You can then paste it into Windows Paint or any other media-type program. (Did I mention it was free?)

(I have never used the rest of these but have heard they are great for doing screen shots.)

Jing
Snagit
Screen Grab

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Tuesday Tech Tip: Screen Capture

Happy Screen Capturing!

Brad Bechler
Author
Website
E-mail
Twitter
Friend On Facebook
Check Out His Blog
Brad’s Books

Kristen Kuhns
Story of My Life
Website
E-mail Me
Twitter Me

Erin Blaskie
Business Services, Etc.
Website
E-mail Me
Twitter Me
Friend me on Facebook
Connect with me on LinkedIn
Every Friday LIVE

Captain Billy
Pirate Parenting
Website
E-mail Me
Twitter Me
Guide To Pirate Parenting Book

Allegra Dioguardi
Styled and Sold LLC
Company Website
E-mail Me
”Styled By Design” E-book

Shannon Cherry
Be Heard Solutions
E-mail Me
Twitter Me
PR Programs
Publicity Programs
The Power Publicist Blog