Bill's Blog

Romance of the Fireplace

Bill Primavera (Coldwell Banker Residential Realty) — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 15:45:53 -0600

Fire has always held an irresistible fascination for mankind, starting with the very survival of our distant ancestors for warmth, light and for cooking. More recently in the evolutionary cycle, fire has been harnessed, controlled within fireplaces, again for heat, but later for prestige and atmosphere. Would it surprise you to know that three-quarters of those seeking a new home list a fireplace as a "must-have?"

It would seem that a fireplace represents more than what it is. The gold and red hot flickering of light and the crackling of burning wood can transport us to a distant time and place, to the roasting of marshmallows at family picnics, or making baked potatoes in the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, or maybe in our fantasy lives if not reality, to a sensual interlude on a bear rug in front of an open hearth.

To know more about the history of the fireplace and its options today, follow the link below to The Home Guru.

Romance of the Fireplace

Did You Hear About the "Recessionary" Kitchen?

Bill Primavera (Coldwell Banker Residential Realty) — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 11:15:53 -0600

Everyone still loves a beautiful kitchen, even if we're spending less money in upgrading what we have. For a recent story in my local newspaper, I interviewed the owner of our most successful independent appliance store who gave me the lowdown on how things have changed on the kitchen scene. The switch to less expensive appliances and fixtures, while still achieving an upscale look can be found through the following link.

The Recessionary Kitchen

Use What You've Got, Like Barbara Corcoran

Bill Primavera (Coldwell Banker Residential Realty) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:11:35 -0600

When it was first published, "Use What You've Got," written by that uber real estate guru Barbara Corcoran, was recommended to me by a fellow agent (well, actually a woman agent, and I always listen to what smart women tell me).

It took me a while to connect the dots between what Barbara was saying and how I should apply it to my own real estate practice. But, recently, I was reminded of its principles by going to a seminar held by that wonderful marketing firm, Hobbs Herder, which is in the business of personal marketing, specializing in real estate. I also realized that much of their creative program involves work that I've done in public relations for many years.

So, I took a gander at developing my own "story" as the first step in branding myself and would you believe that those kind people at Hobbs Herder reviewed and even commented on my work (favorably, I might add, with some good additional advice)? After developing a brochure dedicated to my story, I have created a website that just went live today.

Want to check it out and tell me what you think? And any other Active Rain folks are welcomed to call me or email me about what I've done and how I might be of help to them. See the link below.

Use What You've Got, Like Barbara Corcoran

Knowing Our History: The Kitchen

Bill Primavera (Coldwell Banker Residential Realty) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:25:45 -0600

I'm one of those guys who loves to know the history of everything involved in real estate and the home. Actually, I had planned to be an art historian by education, but somehow ended up in public relations, then this wonderful real estate industry. In concert with this, I write a "Home Guru" column in my local ewspaper and will be sharing with you some of the historical pieces, and others, that I do.

My favorite part of the house is the kitchen, so that was my first focus for my historic series. Have you ever wondered about the evolution of this essential room, the "heart of the house?" Read my story here:

The Evolution of the Kitchen

Too Busy? Or Is that an Excuse?

Bill Primavera (Coldwell Banker Residential Realty) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 15:42:26 -0500

It's been a while since I've logged into my Blog, having gotten very busy in the past month, but that's really no excuse if I'm planning my time correctly. Remember the concept of the "survival of the busiest?" I think there's a lot of value in that concept, because being busy really forces someone to plan his/her day productively. And today is Day One of adhering to a sensible schedule with my daily assignments logged in precisely.

And, one of those assignments will be to spend some time each day thinking about and writing my next blog post. I think this is important because blogging enables me to gather my thoughts in a logical and cohesive way, and in doing that, it affords me a clearer perspective of what I'm doing and where I'm heading...and if that's in the right direction.

So consider me the Prodical Son, an errant wanderer who's back on track. It's good to be here.

See the rest of this posting at http://publicrelationstoday.blog.com/

Also view my website at: www.PrimaveraPR.com

Missing Opportunities for Change?

Bill Primavera (Coldwell Banker Residential Realty) — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:22:32 -0600

Recently I interviewed a prospective client who is in the restaurant business. He owns an upscale seafood restaurant that a year ago featured white tablecoths, 12 different sauces for his fish and all the other trappings, such as fancy micro vegetables and 'towers' of food presented on plates, that go with an upper-tier operation. "I saw the writing on the wall a while back," he says. "I knew that people want to eat more casually and simply. They still want quality, but they want it to be simple and laid back."

See the rest of this posting at http://publicrelationstoday.blog.com/

Also view my website at: www.PrimaveraPR.com

A Good Time to Focus

Bill Primavera (Coldwell Banker Residential Realty) — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 10:16:09 -0600

If you're like me, you may want to do EVERYTHING at the beginning of the year that you didn't accomplish prior to the holidays.

There may be the urgent crush to roll out all the cannons to market both yourself and your product or service in this economic downturn........

See the rest of this posting at http://publicrelationstoday.blog.com/

Also view my website at: www.PrimaveraPR.com

The Fish that Gets Caught

Bill Primavera (Coldwell Banker Residential Realty) — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 10:51:14 -0600

In my small hometown, some of the elected officials who serve on our Town Board are being challenged in the courts with various charges of corruption, from bribery and cronyism to harassment and discrimination. The legal fees to defend these cases are mounting, and taxpayers are nervous about the possibility of long, drawn-out proceedings, not to mention the awards being sought, one of which is $30 million.

As a professional marketing person, I have always relied on communications to pay for my supper, but in "legaleze" speak, it's the lack of communications that seems to be the first line of defense.

See the rest of this posting at http://publicrelationstoday.blog.com/

Also view my website at: www.PrimaveraPR.com

The End of the Affair

Bill Primavera (Coldwell Banker Residential Realty) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 21:22:54 -0600

It's so hard to say goodbye. Almost inevitably, business relationships come to an end. You want them to last forever, and while many may be long term, nothing lasts forever. Clients' needs and expectations change. People in power move on. Others die. Saying goodbye and knowing how to say it is part of the sales process.

To view full blog, go to: http://publicrelationstoday.blog.com

Cool Head

Bill Primavera (Coldwell Banker Residential Realty) — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:27:17 -0600

Cool Head, Easily Said

When I first explored the public relations field, an early mentor told me that the foundation of the practice was really common sense and, primarily, always encouraging clients to keep a cool head, no matter. Some may say, easily said, but hard in practice, considering that all human activity is, after all, human.

Too view this full post, go to: http://publicrelationstoday.blog.com/

For additional information, contact Bill Primavera at bill@primaverapr.com or WilliamPrimavera@aol.com

Local Ingenuity in Hard Times

Bill Primavera (Coldwell Banker Residential Realty) — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 11:37:48 -0600

Local Businesses in My Own Hometown Respond

To the Economic Downturn

Communications and price points head the list with customers

The financial crisis that captured headlines in late September has reached global proportions, and the news seems worse each day about how it is affecting all aspects of American life. Most of us, however, relate to bad news on a very local level. How is the economic downturn affecting our businesses in our own areas?

Too view this full post, go to: http://publicrelationstoday.blog.com/

For additional information, contact Bill Primavera at bill@primaverapr.com or WilliamPrimavera@aol.com

Weathering a Turnabout

Bill Primavera (Coldwell Banker Residential Realty) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:49:21 -0600

Weathering a Turnabout

Never in recent history, probably not since World War II, has there been such a turnabout in lifestyles choices and expectations, from the cost of that daily fix of coffee to lessened possibilities for home acquisition among young people to anticipation about living out one's golden years with some degree of security.

To view this entire blog, go to: http://publicrelationstoday.blog.com/