We have often heard it said that real estate is a contact sport. A toes to toes; belly to belly; nose to nose business. If people don't know you are in the business of real estate, then guess what, you are not in the business of real estate. Your sphere of influence is all the people who know you. You are the key factor in this equation to success. So what is needed here is a marketing plan to promote you. And now is always the best time to start.

Think of it like this - if you put together a twelve month plan of what marketing you could do in any month you never have to really change that plan again. The year rolls around and the same types of information are relevant depending on the season. Yes, you will add that latest news like the expanded tax credit but the other fill information that goes with it is more scripted and planned. Make your life simple and plan your work ahead. You can find all kinds of great ideas on line for what makes each month special. Just search on key words like holidays.

So here are some ideas to get you started:

January- End of the year report is a no brainer. What happened in the market last year and what is your forecast for the year ahead. This month also gives us Martin Luther King Day as a topic. And because it is winter you can always talk about indoor projects to get your house ready to sell in the Spring. And if you want to sponsor an event, it is Blood Donor month.

February - Now Spring is officially around the corner with Ground Hog Day marking the half way point of Winter. Don't want to focus on Valentine's Day? Well, it is also Bird Feeding month, American Heart month, African American History month and Boy Scouts Day.

March - Time to list those homes for the spring market folks because Spring officially arrives in March. With daylight savings time beginning, Earth Day, and Girl Scout's day you have plenty to talk about. You could send a card for St. Patrick's Day but why not consider Pi Day (3/14) for a little fun.

April - This is a no brainer month. You are going to report on what happened in the 1st quarter of sales. Show your sphere of influence you are the expert in your area and their go to person for real estate.

May- National Safe Drinking Water week is in this month. That is seriously real estate related. But you also have Mother's Day, Safe Boating week and Memorial Day to work with.

June- Ahhh, the start of summer. Days are long and nights are mild. Lots of people move in June. Help them out with moving checklists. Or relate to all the gardener's out there with a focus on Rose Month.

July - Another no brainer month as the second quarter ended in June.

August - Deep into summer with school just around the corner. Bringing National Night Out to communities all across this country. Join in the neighborhood activities and start one in your area. Water Quality month, Watermelon Day and National Bowling week can be added in.

September- School's in and seasons are changing. Time to get into that new home by the holidays. The autumn equinox is upon us and apple picking has begun. What projects need to get finished up before winter rolls around again. Let's talk about energy saving and winterization.

October- You last no brainer of the year. Reports on the third quarter in sales are in order. This is also Fire Prevention Month and Lead Poisoning Prevention week.

November- Simplify and send a Thanksgiving card or recipe. Talk about security tips for your home when traveling for the holidays.

December- Keep it light and keep it simple. Everybody is crazy busy anyways. Including you because you have kept in touch and marketed the heck out of yourself over the previous 12 months! Everyone knows who you are and what you do for a living! Congratulations, now is time to spin the wheel of the year and start all over again from the top!

Hydrangea's found in the Boston Commons this summer. The Boston Pops were practicing for the Fourth of  July extravaganza with Neil Diamond. There was a light drizzle walking through Boston Common from the underground parking over to the Hatch Shell. Boston always has lots of activities going on. Coming from New Hampshire I am always blown away by all the people in one place!

Barker Farm in Stratham NH has what I consider the best produce on the Seacoast. I love visiting their booth at the local Farmer's Market on Saturdays at City Hall here in Portsmouth. The corn this year was top notch even with all the rain. And I can't say enough about the squash! This picture was taken out at their Farm Stand on Rte 33 in Stratham. Eat and buy local!

This surreal jelly fish picture was taken at Sea World in Orlando, Florida. They have these aquariums that light up on timers and cause the jelly fish to glow. Actually taken through glass and plexiglass with small Nikon point and shoot digital camera. One of the wonderful ways to enjoy real estate is to take a couple of days before of after the conference to look around and be a tourist. But I really posted this because I just love the colors.

Sunrise at Great Island Common in New Castle, New Hampshire. This is an amazing park at the mouth of the Piscataqua River. Pavillions, picnic tables, grills, bath house, and large children's playground. Across the river is Fort Foster. Close to Portsmouth Harbor Light. Walter Liff is the artist who created this sculpture. Taken with a phone, hence the blurred edges.

Introducing a new group on ActiveRain - Just Photos

A place to post all those marvelous photos we take of homes, the area and special events. A picture says a thousand words so this will be a place for Just Photos. Please post only your own photos. We frown on copyright infringement. Copied (aka stolen) photos will be deleted. Captions are encouraged to let the viewer in on the story behind the picture and its location. The caption will always qualify it as a blog. You will not see a listing for a 'picture only' posting in your status updates without some words. Just an FYI. However, it is not necessary so its up to you!

Yellow Spider, Berwick Maine

The North Church steeple in Market Square as seen from State Street. The townhouses to the front left are Porter Street and the building to the right is home to Stonewall Kitchens store and Ollie's Bakery. The steeple has recently been completely restored. My home town - Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Question is - What's in your car? What tools do you carry with you in real estate. Whether it is nicely packed into a LL Bean canvas tote, in an actual toolkit, or just rolling around in the trunk of your car, we all have things we need in the day to day business of real estate.

• Cable ties - They are handy in so many situations. From anchoring an open house sign to a pole so it won't fly away to making sure the brochure box is solidly attached. Use just one or chain them together to be as long as you need them to be.
• Scissors or Pocket knife - That which has be tied together eventually must be cut apart.
• Multi Tool - Some kind of combination tool that has both stright blades and phillips head screw driver.
• Dead Head Mallet - Far more effective than an ordinary hammer for getting signs in the ground.
• Duct Tape - Use it on anything but ducts. I like the white duct tape for adding temporary information to open house signs. (Don't forget the sharpie!)
• Markers - Here is the Sharpie. I have a regular pen or two in my bag as well
• WD40 - You know the old line "If it is supposed to stick and doesn't, use the duct tape. If it supposed to move and doesn't use the WD40"! And now a days you can get the can with the tube built right in. No more losing the little straw part and losing control over where the WD40 goes.
• Febreeze - Sometimes you just need a little spritz! I use the anti-allergen pet odor eliminator one.
• Binoculars - Great for checking out the roof and chimney. Added service for that Buyers often appreciate.
• Measuring tape- Both electronic and tape measures. Always useful to have a manual tape with you. There are lots of place the electronic one just won't work. I hear iPhone has a app for this. (FYI There is even an app that works as a level.)
• Extra Batteries - For your camera, electronic measuring tape
• Flashlight - A thousand and one nooks need a flashlight to see into.
• Pliers - Twist, crimp, leverage. Love my pliers!
• Wire - When cable ties won't secure it.
• Candles/Incense - Emergency smell management.
• Matches - To light the candles and incense not to set the house on fire!
• Folding Chair - Just one of those bag chairs you use for picnics. Invaluable.
• Roll of toilet paper - Go ahead and laugh but we have all been without at some point!

What do you carry in your car that you could just not live without? Let's make this list complete!

Ever thought about getting your Broker's license? You have been a salesperson for how many years? Why not take the next step and insure your future in the business. What would happen to your license if your broker went out of business? Where would you go - what deal would you have to accept? Who do you really want to work for in the future? Or maybe you want to go into management in the future. Having your broker's license makes you a more desirable commodity. You can't get a job as a Managing Broker without a broker's license.

Or maybe you know of someone interested in getting into the business. There is a lot of opportunity in the industry right now for the right people. This is the licensing class for them. So what are the details?

Classes are starting in Portsmouth on August 31. Monday & Thursday nights from 5:30-9:30pm for 10 sessions. (No class on Labor Day) Cost is $299 with all books and materials included. The least expensive option out there currently. The 40 hour class counts towards the sixty hours you need to take the test in New Hampshire. This is a pre-licensing for salesperson class that will get you up to date on all the concepts you need to pass the simulation portion of the exam.

Need more information call me at 603-502-7660 or email me at saldrich@kw.com

 Sign up at The Real Estate Learning Group's web site

Training is what brings me pure joy. It does not matter if I am teaching pre-licensing class or the Keller Williams Camp 443. (Camp 443 is like a boot camp for new agents and new beginning for seasoned agents). But what I have found is chocolate helps - A LOT! The candy basket is always out in my classes. Sometimes it is a needed distraction during a long involved topic; sometimes it is just an excuse for the student to get up and move around a bit. Either way it is a big plus with my groups.

The basket contains not just chocolate but lifesavers, skittles, mints, gum etc. as choices. The funny thing is that I do not eat out of the basket very often! Keeping the basket full costs about $5-8 dollars a week. Always buy in bulk and on sale to make it a cost effective tool. Check the flyers in the Sunday newspaper.

My motto "Better Learning through Chocolate"!

I would be interested in what other trainer's use to motivate their students.