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Learning to Make it Rain

 

Learning to Make it Rain

 

Many of you know what it is to be a small business owner.  Just being good at what you do is not enough.  When you are on your own you also need to take care of the paperwork, market and otherwise promote your business.

 

Building business can be a challenge for most new business owners.  It has been challenging and fun for me, but I learned quickly that I had no idea how to make it rain.  For many years I had proved that I could provide value to clients and could improve their financial situation.  Sales and marketing though were foreign territory.

 

Will a Prospect Even See Me?

There are many businesses out there providing the same service.  Somehow it is necessary to stand out from the crowd.  Obviously if my business is the same as any other it will not stand out. 

 

So, it was necessary to find my niche.  I know several accounting firms that have become highly specialized and have become known as the place to go when they need that type of service. 

 

Blume Loveridge is one such accounting firm in Bellevue, Washington.  This firm has specialized in auditing and tax requirements for low income housing projects.  They can walk any developer through the process of getting the low income housing credit and selling the credit if they desire.

I have chosen to serve small businesses in particular business dealing with real estate and construction.  I perform accounting services, consulting and tax.  In time I hope to be known for the quality of the service I provide my clients.

So, I learned that building a Niche can help you stand out from the crowd.

 

Why should a client choose me?

Have a particular niche is important, but I learned that that still not enough especially for young businesses that are still unknown.  Somehow clients need to have the opportunity to get to know you. 

One answer that I came up with was networking.  Networking was an opportunity to meet with other business owners and learn about them as I let them learn about me. 

Choosing when and how you network though is important.  I discovered that you can literally spend all day, 7 days a week networking.  There are a great number of networking activities at least in my area.  Sense my time is limited, it was necessary to chose events that had the most potential of having potential qualified clients in my niche area.  Over time this has proven to be a successful approach for finding local area businesses.

Alone in a Bigger Sea

Traditional networking can be great, but it offers a more limited exposure.  So, I built a website and hoped that more people would find me.  Well that didn’t produce much in fact zero, nada, goose egg. 

 

It became obvious few if any where finding my website.  So, how do I bring potential clients to my website?  How do I even know that they came to visit? What content might inspire them to call on me?  Is there a way to help people find me?

Some business owners I knew wrote articles and blogs.  I was told that being seen as an expert would attract a following and build creditability.  This made sense to me and I stumbled upon Active Rain in my search for information and blogs.

 

Now I am playing in the Rain, making it rain for my business and watching out for cosmic cow pies.   

 

Charles G. Perkins, CPA

Servings Small Businesses in the Puget Sound Area

 

Cell: (206) 422-5504

Office: (206) 228-1988

email: charles@charlesperkinscpa.com

website: www.charlesperkinscpa.com

 

I look forward to meeting your business and tax needs.  I also have many partners in business that can meet your other business needs.  These include contractors, insurance agents, investment advisers, financial planners, mortgage advisers, and many others.

SATISFIED WITH "LETTING THINGS HAPPEN"? . . . BEING SATISFIED MEANS BEING LEFT BEHIND.

JUST BE SATISFIED?? 

I read a blog post this a.m. written by a thoughtful ActiveRain member that sent a mixed message to me. 

Adrienne Deans relates her experiences with leaving one brokerage for another in her question to grow her business and reach a higher level of achievement.  Sadly, her former broker's message to her was that she should "be satisfied" with her present position and that she should simply "let things happen naturally".

Sorry to disappoint, but, in the real estate business, things don't "happen naturally".

HAVE A PLAN AND FOLLOW IT.  Things are made to happen by real estate practitioners who have a plan, follow it and change their plan to adjust to changing markets.  Never, in all my years in this business have I seen a real estate licensee succeed or even survive, by simply letting things happen naturally.

FOLKS ARE USUALLY LEADERS OR FOLLOWERS.  I don't believe that people change that much.  Unless you have actually lowered your income goals, you'll find that you'll need to work and perhaps even change direction from time to time to continue to achieve goals that we set for ourselves.  Real estate practitioners who can change direction, understand and capitalize on market trends will usually find continued success. 

FOLLOWERS, however, by waiting for business to come along, ignoring market trends and waiting for things to happen could soon find themselves our of resources and out of business. 

As for your old broker, most employing brokers prefer agents who are "satisfied" with just enough to pay the broker a nice split, but not sufficient for the agent to want to move to a higher level and reduce the broker's split.  The large real estate companies continue to dominate market share and volume but agents who remain"satisfied" waiting for thing to happen naturally will see their fellow agents' listing and selling volume continue to grow while their own does not.  

THE LITTLE KNOWN REAL ESTATE BROKER "SECRET".   Large brokerages thrive on two things;

• (1) market share, and
• (2) broker/agent commission splits

MARKET SHARE.  Ever wonder why the heavy listing agents get the best offices, clerical assistance, advertising help, open house volunteers and invitations to the "top producers" breakfast meetings??  Even in a slow market where those listing are not selling, the top listing agent get the broker respect and support.  It's the market share of listing that they bring to the broker.  If there are 25 For Sale signs in a popular community and 10 of them are from one real estate company, that company will dominate the market for:

LIST TO LIVE?  Well of course.  Few new agents have not heard the advise of real estate school instructors say, "You can be at the beach and still sell homes."  Listing agents can easily carry 10-20 listings, service them well and they will be paid no matter who brings the buyer.  Buyers' agents, on the other hand, because of the nature and time constraints of acquiring buyer clients, showings, previewing, touring and managing offers/contracts are limited in the number of actual sales (income).  The buyer's agent can only receive a commission for the buyer's side of the commission.  The listing agent/broker has the potential to receive both "sides". 

Why listing agents lead the market. 

• Listings - The old maxim "list to live" is still taught in real estate school, CE and employing brokers.
• Signs -  If one broker's For Sale signs dominate, owners will contact that company to list their home.
• Showings - Every prospective buyer who visits a listing is a potential customer or client to list or buy.
• Advertising - Advertisements in a magazine, web site, blog, newspaper or sign can lead to a sale.
• Sales - Without sales, the agent won't survive and neither will be broker. 
• Commissions - For every listing generated by an agent, the broker has the potential of two "sides".

LETTING THINGS HAPPEN NATURALLY?  I fear that would be a recipe for failure.  Listings rarely come naturally. 

• No listings means no signs with your name and phone number. 
• No showings means no sales. 
• No advertising limits the potential to sell. 
• No sales, no commission. 
• No commission, no income. 

BROKER/AGENT COMMISSION SPLITS means that the "satisfied" agent will continue to have a lesser commission split with their broker.  Brokers recruit new agents who may only sell 2-3 homes a year and remain at a low commission split.  Every wonder why brokers continue to hold the license of agents who may close only 2-3 sales a year?  Those "satisfied" agents are, to the brokerage, money in the bank.  Agents who "let things happen naturally" will not usually climb the broker/agent split ladder.   

SUCCESS THROUGH VOLUME.  How do Buyer's Agents who do not take listings survive and thrive?  By becoming a broker and receiving a commission split from every commission earned by buyer's agents with the company.

Letting things happen naturally just might mean having to get a job.  Real estate commission checks just don't happen naturally.  They are rewards for a good job done.  You can't just put in time and collect a pay check in the real estate business. 

Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988.

Vitesse Financial | Raise Your Credit Score and Save Money

About Vitesse Financial Credit Repair Agency

Credit Repair Specialists Offering Credit Rating Repair

• Free Consultation

• No start-up or Upfront fees

Vitesse Financial is a national credit repair company headquartered in Colorado, specializing in cleaning up and removing negative errors on consumer's credit reports to increase their credit score.

Credit Repair Company

Founded in 1999, Vitesse Financial started out as a local credit repair agency. Over the years we have expanded to become a nationwide credit repair specialist, helping thousands of people restore their credit. Our clients have been an array of individuals from every walk of life. Our client base ranges from famous athletes and millionaire real estate investors to individuals dealing with bankruptcies, foreclosures, divorces, or medical debts and college students trying to buy their first homes and cars. All of them benefit from the services of professional credit repair organizations.

Although people seek out credit repair agencies such as Vitesse Financial for different reasons, they all have a common goal. That goal is credit repair. As an organization of dedicated credit repair specialists, we have adopted that goal as our own and have helped many clients increase their credit scores by as many as 150+ points.

Credit scores are very important when obtaining a home or auto loan and credit cards. Many people are not aware that decisions about your insurance prices, cable and phone service, and even employment are now largely based on your credit score. One of the most experienced credit repair companies around, our company has fixed errors on credit reports that contained almost everything you can imagine including:

• Late Payments
• Foreclosures
• Repossessions
• Closed Accounts
• Negative Settlements
• Public Records
• Collections
• Charge-Offs
• Judgments
• Identity Theft
• Bankruptcies
• Liens

Our goal is to efficiently repair your credit and provide a solution you can count on for years to come. We are 100% confident that we can help you go from less than perfect credit to an impressive rating.

You'll Be Satisfied Almost Immediately

Once you get started with our proven approach to credit rating repair, you can start seeing exciting results in the first 45 to 60 days. And that's just for starters. Most of our clients continue to experience improved credit even six to nine months after initiating our services. The rate of progress of your bad credit repair depends on your cooperation. The more you participate, the faster you can expect results. Our goal is to quickly repair your credit and provide solutions you can count on for years to come. However, if you're not satified with the results of our credit repair services, you can cancel at any time. We're 100% confident that we can help you go from less than perfect credit to an impressive rating that will get you back to living. What have you got to lose except your bad credit? Many of our clients come as referrals from Mortgage Brokers/Bankers and Real Estate Professionals. As credit lending guidelines are becoming more difficult to meet, it's very important to hire a company that has proven results to help your client achieve the credit goals they need in order to complete their home purchase.

We will work with you or your clients one-on-one to achieve the results they need through our credit repair programs. And to assist them every step of the way, we'll appoint a dedicated case advocate to manage your credit repair project. He or she is someone who will always be available to answer any question you may have.

What do we charge to get your credit back on track?

Our month-to-month service costs just $59 per month, a small fee to pay for the freedom and peace of mind you'll experience thanks to improved credit.

Please visit our website to learn more about our company, and what our clients have said about our services and results.

Vitesse Financial
363 West Drake Road
Fort Collins, CO. 80526
Phone: 970.407.9110
Toll-Free: 866.407.9110
Fax: 970.407.9172

Christmastown at Busch Gardens Williamsburg

Good Tweet Deck Tutorial

This is a good overview of Tweet Deck.  If I find something that goes into more detail I will update:

 

Buying or selling real estate in Los Angeles can be an overwhelming process.  Contact Jane Peters, Los Angeles realtor specializing in absentee owners, out-of-town buyers, and those who need that extra attention, in order to make the transaction a smooth, trouble-free, and fun experience.

Search Los Angeles Homes for Sale.

Don't miss the open houses in Stonehouse

The long term effects of bad credit will haunt us for years. Facing some future realities that require action NOW.

We all know about the record rate of foreclosures and short-sales. And while these particular kinds of transactions have created short-term chaos in the real estate market, there is also a long-term ripple effect that will affect sales for years to come.

And that doesn't just apply to real estate sales. The loss of access to credit for millions of Americans over the next 3-7 years will have a devastating effect of sales of all kinds, as many consumers will be forced by necessity to make all purchases with cash.

Shoppers that previously had thousands of dollars of buying power will be reduced to practically none, and as inventories build jobs will continue to be lost.

There has to be a way to reconcile the fact that previously good borrowers were caught in an incurable situation. There needs to be a way to repair the long-term impact of those people that just didn't have any other way out.

For now, I don't have any solutions to offer. But I know that the problem needs to be addressed now before it's too late.

There is too much at stake to ignore it.

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser REOS, E-Pro. licensed Auctioneer. 770-827-6225.
Learn more about Coweta County and Fayette County Georgia Real Estate, and to search the entire Georgia MLS for free with no registration required visit CowetaFayetteRealEstate.com! Photos of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Get the latest GA Foreclosure List Updated Daily! We Do HUD bids in Georgia! 770-827-6225

JUST WHAT IS IT THAT REAL ESTATE LICENSEES DO?? Part I.

JUST WHAT IS IT THAT REAL ESTATE LICENSEES DO??  Part I.

"YOUR MISSION, SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT . . . "  is to manage the orderly transfer of real property from a seller to a buyer.  The average consumer doesn't understand a fraction of what we do to help them accomplish their goal. 

SELLERS.  Home sellers are presented a simple-to-complex marketing plan by listing agents prior to listing the property for sale.  The listing agent promises to perform a series of showing, advertising activities geared to receiving contract offers.

BUYERS.  Buyers are assisted in their home search by agent(s) who helps to locate, tour properties for sale, write and negotiate the contract and arranging for settlement services.  

Sounds easy doesn't it?  Actually it is, in the hands of experienced listing and buyers agents and if nothing unusual occurs. 

THE MOST HELPFUL AND LEAST UNDERSTOOD PART OF LISTING AND SELLING REAL PROPERTY is the complex and institutionalized systems which include the brokerages employing the licensed agents and brokers, the Multiple List Systems that make the homes for sale information available to licensees and now to the public, the board approved forms that provide consumer protections,  

Achieving the consumer's goal of selling or buying real property requires the services of a variety of service providers in addition to the real estate licensee.  Achieving the orderly transfer of real property from a seller to a buyer requires services of vendors that perform critical tasks to help the consumer achieve their goal.  The vendors include but are not limited to:  mortgage providers, home inspectors, termite/radon inspectors, appraisers, title services which include or are managed by attorneys. 

WOW!  How do we keep up with all of these tasks that are necessary to get to the settlement table?  I'm going to disclose a secret that will help many consumers understand how things can go so smoothly and the consumer's goal of selling and buying real estate is achieved. 

IT'S ALL IN THE CONTRACT!

That's right.  IT'S ALL IN THE CONTRACT!

Getting to the settlement table begins with the selection of an experienced listing or buyer's agent who will MANAGE THE CONTRACT OF SALE.   To demonstrate the importance of understanding contract management, below are the titles included in a typical Contract of Sale.

• Description of Real Property
• Price and Financing
• Deed of Trust
• Deposit
• Down Payment
• Settlement
• Equipment, Maintenance and Condition
• Utilities
• Personal Property and Fixtures
• Financing Terms
• Appraisal
• Purchasers Representations
• Access to Property
• Termite Inspection
• Repairs
• Damage and Loss
• Title
• Possession Date
• Fees
• Broker's Fee
• Adjustments
• Attorney's Fees
• Performance
• Default
• Assignability
• Definitions
• Void Contract
• Warranty

Listing agents and Buyers agents must not only understand the meaning and execution of each of these titles, they should help the seller or buyer understand the meaning of all parts of the contract that apply to their particular transaction. 

Next:  What Real Estate Licensees Do Not Do.

Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988.

 

Week of 11/16/09- Real Skillz Freebie Picks- Free Online Reads and Real Estate Marketing Resources for Real Estate Agents and Real Estate Companies

Week of 11/16/09- Real Skillz Freebie Picks- Free Online Reads and Real Estate Marketing Resources for Real Estate Agents and Real Estate Companies

Create and Manage a Team-Authored Blog:  8 Steps to Reap SEO Gains

Subscribe to a free trial to Marketing SHERPA to read this article with great tips on how to create and manage a team authored blog.  Team authored blogs make sense for real estate professionals who have time constraints and who want to add a level of depth to their content by adding the written works of ancillary service providers.  A team authored blog also provides an opportunity to network with local businesses and offer them the opportunity to contribute local information to your blog. 

The article discusses creating an editorial calendar, keyword lists, creating a goal for your blog, and how to set deadlines for blog posts.

13 Ways to Network Beyond Facebook and Linked In

A blog post on Connectodex on OpenForum about taking your social media marketing beyond two of the biggest social networks.  Jantsch emphasizes the importance of using social networks that have strong connections and interaction to your advantage.  There are five networks listed for small businesses that I believe would be especially valuable to real estate professionals.

1. Biznik-Online and offline social networking for small businesses.
2. IncBizNet- Real Estate Broker/Owners for Privately Held Companies can apply for membership to IncBizNet where they can publish blog posts, create free online press releases, write an online business profile, and apply for the Inc 500/5000 fastest growing private companies list.
3. Sta.rtup.biz- Networking for startup businesses.
4. BizSugar- A social website to share small business news, tips, videos and strategies.
5. Entrepreuner Connect- A social site for entrepreneurs to connect and network.

• 5 Reasons to Use the New Twitter Lists

A blog post from John Jantsch of Duct Tape Marketing that discusses Twitter Lists.  I use a desktop application-Hootsuite- to organize my Twitter handles, streams, and searches, but Jantsch five reasons convinced me of why I should still use lists,

1. Monitor without following.
2. One button list follow.
3. Promote your lists.
4. Filtered by an expert.
5. Build a bigger following.

I recommend reading this post in its entirety.  It's a quick and easy read and gets to the point of list building with Twitter

• The 50 Best Innovations of 2009
  

Two of these innovations caught my eye on Time Magazine's 50 Best Innovations of 2009 that were in the Web 2.0/Social Media Space

1. Thru You- Described as "Footage taken on YouTube by amateur musicians and mixed together."  Take a listen to Thru You on YouTube  It's clear that collaboration, passion, and mashups are valued across industries online.
2. Tweeting with a Purpose- A project pioneered by University of Wisconsin doctoral student Adam Wilson and adviser Justin Williams in whichWilson tweets by thinking via a cap outfitted with electrodes monitoring changes in his brain activity.  For what purpose?  Research for those with locked in syndrome- which "which paralyzes the body, except for the eyes, but leaves the mind alert".  Slow going now at 8 characters vs. the 140 characters twitter allows but can you imagine with further research if Twitter ends up being a vocal outlet for those with Locked-In Syndrome?  Now that's tweeting with a purpose.

• Exploring Loyalty Programs and Their Many Benefits

An article by Mike Phillips on Website Magazine about creating loyalty programs.  Phillips uses 93XRT Radio Station in Chicago (a radio station I grew up on in High School) as an example of how to create brand loyalty programs and keep visitors on your website through a members only portal.  He emphasizes the two key elements of focusing on the user and focusing on the brand as critical in creating a successful loyalty program.

Think about the concept of SOI and referral business and a loyalty program will make sense for your real estate business.  Phillips keeps reality in check by emphasizing that loyalty programs are not set and forget marketing strategies.  Loyalty programs require maintenance and promotion.  93XRT currently has 12,000 plus Facebook Fans and over 3300 twitter followers.

• 93XRT Members Only Registration here.
• 93XRT Facebook Fan Page here.
• 93XRT Twitter Account here.

Reading this article and touring the links of XRT's digital footprint can't help but make you think about your website offering and digital footprint for past clients who can refer business to you.


Real Skillz Freebie Picks- Free Online Reads and Real Estate Marketing Resources for Real Estate Agents and Real Estate Companies is a weekly online newsletter provided by Rebecca D. Levinson, Real Estate Marketing Consultant. If you like what your reading come join my business page on FaceBook.

Subscribe to Blogging In the Rain, A Real Estate Marketing Blog

If you enjoyed this post please check out more freebie online reads and real estate resources,

• Week of 11/09/09- Real Skillz Freebie Picks-Free Online Reads and Real Estate Marketing Resources for Real Estate Agents and Real Estate Companies
  
• Week of 11/03/09- Real Skillz Freebie Picks- Free Online Reads and Real Estate Marketing Resources for Real Estate Agents and Real Estate Companies
• Week of 10/26/09- Real Skillz Freebie Picks- Free Online Reads and Real Estate Marketing Resources for Real Estate Agents and Real Estate Companies- Issue II

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Rebecca D. Levinson is a real estate marketing consultant with 17 years of experience serving real estate industry professionals.

If you need assistance with online marketing, offline marketing, social networking, or blogging contact Rebecca D. Levinson at #262-203-5231 or email rebecca@bloggingintherain.com.