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Blog entries tagged with " business building tips":
business building tips: BUYERS DUMPING YOU? Use This Little Checklist and LOSE LESS! - 07/22/08 10:06 AM
Good Morning, All!
I've read a few posts, and also spoken to several less-seasoned agents in my office here in Chicago, that they are becoming frustrated with buyers who make them cart their families around, and then dump them - with nary a deal!
Over the years, our Team has developed … (6 comments)
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business building tips: NICKELS AND DIMES - YOUR Financial Stress Level in Today's Real Estate Market! - 07/16/08 06:50 AM
Good Morning, Active Rainers!
Are you holding up ok? Financially, I mean?
It seems, sometimes, the daily drumbeat of discouraging economic news turns into a din. High inventories. Long market times. Declining prices, in some areas, dramatically.
Listing Clients putting off their decision to sell while waiting for better times. Those … (3 comments)
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business building tips: FROM FLOYD WICKMAN'S FORUM YESTERDAY IN ANN ARBOR MI - The R Group Accountability Concept! - 07/12/08 11:56 PM
Late Saturday night, folks, and Sue and I are back in our room after an incredible day at Floyd Wickman's Annual Forum in Ann Arbor MI.
What a POWERFUL EVENT, as a small group of just under 80 top, motivated agents from across North America - a bit stressed from the … (4 comments)
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business building tips: YOUR TRAINING BUDGET - How Has It Been Affected by The Real Estate Market, Circa 2008? - 07/08/08 06:42 PM
IT IS SWELTERING IN CHICAGO, FOLKS! Any way we can bottle this, and open up that bottle, say, in January, 2009?
Question for you - how has the current real estate market, sluggish here in Chicago and in other parts of the country, impacted your budget for TRAINING?
The casual reaction … (1 comments)
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business building tips: CHARACTERISTICS OF A MASTER - FLOYD WICKMAN SMART PROGRAM MASTER TRAINER, MARY JOHNSON! - 07/06/08 06:44 PM
Hey, you lovely, crazy AR folks!
Don't know about you, but it seems a bit difficult to get back in gear after the long holiday weekend. We had some good recharge time, however - tomorrow morning, we'll be rarin' to go - hopefully!
My wife, Sue, and I had the very … (1 comments)
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business building tips: LOWER TRAVEL BUDGETS: HIGH PRICES, REDUCED TEAM SALES Keeps Us Closer To Home in 2008! - 06/21/08 11:03 PM
Hi, folks - are any of you in the same boat, or is this just me?
Since our Team began coaching several years ago, we were very aptly guided to block TIME OFF and VACATIONS FIRST - before business. "You need appropriate re-charge and family time," our Business Coach Patti Kouri … (2 comments)
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business building tips: SEO? Pay Per Click? Or, Simply, "Natural Placement?" How Do You Get Your Web Presence Maximized? - 06/18/08 10:24 PM
Hi, Ho kids! Hope all is well in AR Land!
Hey - got a question for you (or, "y'all," as my Southern Brethren might say).
As far as increasing the visibility, the stickiness, the lead generation capability of your website - which do you use, and in what proportion?
Those on … (10 comments)
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business building tips: Lil' Buddy's Blog - How's your STRESS LEVEL These Days? For Some, It's Causing Physical Problems! - 06/13/08 09:10 AM
THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG!
Yesterday was "Throwback Day" at Wrigley Field! Both the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta ("Boston") Braves wore 1948 style uniforms. The outcome was a lot different (as were the PRICES) - … (1 comments)
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business building tips: LOW OFFER ACCEPTED! Watch Out, Here Comes the Inspection Report! - 05/21/08 06:06 PM
Hey, folks!
I'm generally a cool, mild-mannered guy - most of the time! Mr. Cucumber - that's what they call me!
But something seems to be happening with greater regularity that is really DRIVING ME CRAZY - in fact, please tell me, you Listing Agents - am I crazy?
Tough negotiation, … (5 comments)
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business building tips: DON'T CALL - EMAIL! The Solution to That Sloppy Co-Broker! - 05/11/08 08:04 PM
Hello, you lovely AR Community! Hope you enjoyed Mother's Day, with your moms and families, today!
You know, I just had one of those light bulbs go off in my head, in reaction to a very sloppy Buyer's Agent who sold one of my condo listings in Downtown Chicago earlier this week.
… (10 comments)
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business building tips: BACK-UP OFFERS! How Do You Handle Them? - 05/09/08 10:30 AM
Good Morning, folks! It's beautiful here in Chicago today! Hope it's nice where you are!
You men (and sons) - in case you've forgotten - Sunday, May 11th, is Mother's Day. Quick, head to Walgreen's and buy your card - or pay the consequences Sunday! (I'll be headed out there after I … (3 comments)
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business building tips: LEAD A TEAM? Please Read This Post, and Share Your Thoughts! - 04/28/08 09:23 PM
Good Evening, Folks!
Would like some input from those of you that lead a Team, as I do. It can be a Team of Real Estate Agents, Unlicensed Assistants + Yourself, a Lending Team, a Staging Team, or a Husband & Wife Team in any of the above categories.
When times are tough, … (4 comments)
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business building tips: MOTIVATION - Biggest Predictor of Success in Agent-Client Relationship! - 04/22/08 02:59 PM
Hi, folks! Hope you're well!
Our Team members,Jeff Ardito and Kathleen Weaver-Zech, lost a listing the other day. It was for a small, three-unit apartment building in the Chicago Neighborhood of Jefferson Park.
The successful agent has made a living in the area by discounting his fees, signing for short listing terms, and taking … (20 comments)
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business building tips: PHOTO EDITING SOFTWARE? What's YOUR Fave? - 04/16/08 10:29 PM
Good Evening, Nighthawks!
Cubs Win tonight! Here on the Northside of Chciago - we're happy!
Folks, I'm just a layman - we don't do any fancy photo effects, turn day into night, or vice versa, put pigs heads on people, or even remove myself from the reflection in my client's bathroom mirror, or … (15 comments)
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business building tips: GOT COVERAGE? When the Flu has you Out of Commission - Who Steps In? - 04/13/08 09:30 AM
Hey, folks! Hope you're having a relaxing Sunday morning!
It's been a good couple of days since I've been up in the Blog-o-Sphere - been fighting a nasty fever and the flu. I'm one of those guys who only gets sick like this about once every three years or so. Well, now, … (3 comments)
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business building tips: GOT GAS? Hey - How Are You Coping? Any Adjustments? - 04/03/08 03:55 PM
Hey, everyone!
Just read another bothersome article in the Business Pages of today's Chicago Tribune - Gas Prices, Up Again!
Of course, that doesn't surprise us - down the street from our Team's World Headquarters, in a Basement on Western Avenue, here in the Lincoln Square Neighborhood of Chicago, the guy with the long … (5 comments)
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business building tips: WHAT IS "THE DAGGER" FOR YOU? When do you KNOW it is Time to Walk Away from a Client or Prospect? - 04/01/08 08:58 PM
Hello, everybody!
Most of us, as kids, are taught to often "turn the other cheek" when insulted our challenged, It's is in our psyche, our DNA (for most of us anyway)!
But, the more experience I build in this crazy business we call Real Estate, the more I tend to realize that, sometimes, … (8 comments)
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business building tips: NEED TESTIMONIALS? Try This! - 03/29/08 05:41 PM
Hope you're enjoying the weekend, folks!
Here in Chicago, our Cubs won the last game of Spring Training versus the Seattle Mariners, played in Las Vegas this afternoon. Now, it's on to Wrigley Field, on a predicted-to-be-mild Opening Day this Monday.
This could be their year! Well . . . we'll see! … (1 comments)
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business building tips: HELP! I'VE FALLEN! How do I Get Up? - 03/23/08 10:26 AM
Our Team, Sue and I hope you have a Blessed Easter!Before we head out the door to see the family today, we wanted to pose this question to you and your families. Very appropriate to consider today!
When something's got you down in this Real Estate Market - how do you … (5 comments)
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business building tips: A FIELD DAY FOR BUYERS? The Crazy World of Buyer Inspection Requests - 2008! - 03/13/08 08:23 AM
Hey, Gang - hope all is well!
One aspect of today's buyer-oriented real estate market, here in Chicago and elsewhere, is the absolute brazen attitude of many buyers toward inspection repairs.
You know what I mean, don't you, you Listing Agents?
Hard, extended negotiation after long seller market times. Seller frustration. Finally, success - an … (2 comments)
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business building tips: DO NOT CALL LIST! Never Let Ignorance Stand in Your Way of Prospecting - Ever Again! - 03/11/08 08:55 PM
Hey, hey, everybody! Hope all is well!
Keller Williams Chairman Gary Keller, speaking online and at the Keller Williams Family Reunion Conference last month in Atlanta, spoke again and again about the importance of continuing LEAD GENERATION in weak markets.
Those that master the art of CONSISTENT Lead Generation will not only … (4 comments)
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business building tips: WEAK AGENTS! How Much are they Hurting US ALL in Today's Market! - 03/07/08 05:23 PM
"Adversity! Handling it is the medicine that makes you strong!"
My Dad told me that when I was a mere tot. Although he was not the first one to say something like that, I remember his words like they were said to me today. Perhaps it was because he was standing … (9 comments)
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business building tips: RE/MAX International Convention - Day 3 - 03/05/08 10:29 PM
Another beautiful day in Las Vegas -- mostly spent inside attending the 2008 RE/MAX International Convention, but I did get in my morning walk and still made the General Session starting at 8:30. Ok, I was there at 8:40. I've listened to NPR's Marketplace (the previous day's edition) each of the … (7 comments)
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business building tips: VOIP . . . VOIP . . . Do You Use VoIP? It has Saved our Team a Lot of Money! - 03/02/08 10:36 AM
Happy Sunday, from Chicago!
There seems to be a lot of controversy on the following word, but it has saved our Team about $100 a month. Ready for the word? Here it is -
VONAGE!
We started using this VoIP Phone Service about 18 months ago, after using a similar service, now defunct, for … (10 comments)
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business building tips: STARBUCKS - The "BREAKFAST OF REALTORS" - In Need of a Face Lift? - 02/27/08 01:44 PM
Hope you're having a productive afternoon, everyone! The snow is beginning to melt here in Chicago!
I'm sure you've heard by now of Starbucks publicity-laden move to close their stores last night for three hours to "re-educate" their barista crews and other staff on how to make better coffee, and make visiting … (8 comments)
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business building tips: "TRIM THOSE EXPENSES!" What's YOUR Big Trim for 2008? - 02/23/08 06:15 PM
Hey, everyone, from icy Chicago!
Many years ago, my very rich uncle from St. Louis gave this young kid some valuable pieces of business. One,"You don't get rich by WORKING HARD - you get rich by MOTIVATING OTHERS TO WORK HARD with you!"
Today, however, let's focus on the classic saying, that I … (52 comments)
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business building tips: CELL PHONE WARS - Unlimited Minutes Plans May Change the Landscape of Telecommunications! - 02/19/08 06:46 PM
Hold the Phone, friends (sorry, no pun intended)!
Verizon, AT & T Wireless, and T-Mobile have just introduced new Unlimited Monthly Plans - only $99.99 per month, including, in unlimited long distance and roaming. T-Mobile users will have unlimited Text Messages included, Sprint's plan, being tested in several markets, but not yet … (8 comments)
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business building tips: Professional Partners - Your LIFEBLOOD! What if One of Them Lets You Down? - 02/16/08 10:30 PM
Just a crazy guy, working here in Chicago on a Saturday night!
Here's a bummer of a story, this one involving a challenging short sale. It's bothering me, but I feel it could happen to any Real Estate Practitioner who produces in volume, and works in today's real estate market.
We all know, … (4 comments)
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business building tips: BUYER'S AGENTS: When is that Lowball Offer . . . TOO Lowball? - 02/13/08 10:59 PM
Hey, folks!
Our Buyer's Specialist, Kathleen Weaver-Zech, wrote an offer on a short-sale property while we are out of town at Keller Williams Family Reunion. And it's not that simple to figure!
The house the buyers wanted was a large, 1929 four-bedroom brick Chicago-style Bungalow, in the upper-middle-class Gladstone Park neighborhood on the Northwest … (12 comments)
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business building tips: HARDBALL? SOFTBALL? Have YOU Changed Your Negotiating Stance in 2008? - 01/31/08 12:28 AM
Here's one for all you Listing Agents out there! C'mon - I know there are a couple of you out there - let me hear you!
HAVE YOU CHANGED THE WAY YOU HAVE COUNSELED YOUR CLIENTS WHEN NEGOTIATING AN OFFER ON THEIR BEHALF THIS YEAR? Tougher? More Flexible? Somewhere along the middle? … (3 comments)
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business building tips: IT'S SNOWING OUTSIDE! Is it OUR Fault? - 01/22/08 11:09 PM
Good Evening, from Chicago, folks!
We just experienced the highest one-day Fed Funds Cut in 24 years, and survived what was predicted to be a crazy day on Wall Street, but actually turned out to be not so bad. Indeed, we are survivors!
Hey, are we responsible for EVERYTHING that happens to our client's … (10 comments)
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business building tips: SCHEDULE Your Time Off - RECHARGE, or Else You Will BURN OUT! - 01/19/08 01:57 PM
It's COOLLLLD here in Chicago - going to 5 below tonight! Thank goodness the boiler still works, and I have a wife to snuggle with!
When I got into the real estate business 14 1/2 years ago, my first broker asked me what attracted me to the industry. Without hesitation, I responded … (6 comments)
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business building tips: Some Agents Take Things PERSONALLY - Why? - 01/18/08 04:07 PM
All set for the weekend, folks! It's going to be COLD here in Chicago - sub-zero! Bundle up, if needed.
I am in supposed mid-negotiation for one of my listings. As is the case these days, the offer from the Buyer's Agent came in way too low, but the deal had a … (4 comments)
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business building tips: HOLD THE PHONE! Do you have a SYSTEM for Managing and Returning Phone Calls! - 01/14/08 05:55 PM
Hey, gang!
What SYSTEM do you use for handling the phone?
Many agents today use their cell phone almost exclusively. In our opinion, this could create problems. We'll tell you why we feel that way, and then provide a great resource - GoSolo.com - that can inexpensively provide you with a better … (2 comments)
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business building tips: MINIMUM AGENT PRODUCTION STANDARDS - Does Your Office Have Them? - 01/08/08 11:33 PM
Big Debate in Our Office Earlier Today -
Should agents be required to live up to minimum production standards to continue to affiliate with our office?
The Top 20% of agents in each Keller Williams Market Center (office) are charged with leading many business and cultural elements of the office, through the office … (21 comments)
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business building tips: WANT A GREAT, VISIBLE, INEXPENSIVE PROMOTIONAL ITEM? Look on the FLOOR! - 01/07/08 05:56 PM
Good Afternoon, Everyone!
I think the Team and I found a great marketing item, fairly inexpensive, very practical, and incredibly impactful, in every locale and climate, but especially where it gets cold and snowy each winter (like here in Chicago, for example) -
PERSONALIZED FLOOR MATS!
We have placed three of these with our new listings … (16 comments)
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business building tips: COMPENSATION CONNUNDRUM! Are We Worth More Now? - 01/07/08 09:55 AM
Happy New Week, from Chicago!
Just a question - Are we Realty Professionals worth more to clients now?
A couple of years ago, may agents around Chicago were discounting, some heavily! We resisted, and maintained our fee (NEVER call it "COMMISSION" Levels) at the same moderate rates they had been for many years, … (2 comments)
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business building tips: WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER ONE, FOLKS - Your # 1 Goal for 2008? - 01/05/08 11:05 AM
Hope you're enjoying the weekend, folks - record warmth (50 degrees) expected here by tomorrow!
Hey, of all your goals for the New Year - what tops the list?
For me - it's "NO MORE BABYSITTING!" Clients, staff, Team members, co-op brokers, etc. I'm raising my standards, my integrity, my efficiency, and my level … (2 comments)
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business building tips: ASSISTANCE, BEFORE ASSISTANTS - If you want to REALLY SUCCEED in Real Estate! - 01/03/08 06:53 PM
Greetings from Chicago!
New Year's Resolutions still intact? Good, you're ahead of 98% of the population (you know, those having that second piece of cake after dinner tonight!)
Years ago, when I started in Real Estate, my first broker told me -
"You never become a millionaire doing $5 per hour work."
I'm somewhat dating … (4 comments)
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business building tips: WE'RE ALL AT THE SAME LEVEL TODAY! Now, Work Your Plan! - 01/02/08 07:33 AM
Good Morning, All!
Top Producers, Medium Producers. Weak Producers. NON Producers.
We're all at the same level, today, the First Business Day of the New Year! Right now, it's not quite 7:30 here in the Midwest, 8:30 in the East, 6:30 in the morning in Denver, and the un-Godly hour of 5:30AM out … (6 comments)
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business building tips: THE CAR YOU DRIVE, PART II. Thanks for all your comments and thoughts! - 12/30/07 08:51 PM
Hey, everyone -
Our Team in Chicago is just BLOWN AWAY by the volume of comments on this very hot topic of how the car you drive affects the perceptions of your clients, and those on your staff. (See our original Blog article here.)
Our earlier post was answered with much thought and deliberation … (8 comments)
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business building tips: The CAR YOU DRIVE! Realtors, Honestly, What Statement Does it Need to Make? - 12/29/07 06:27 PM
Hope you're enjoying your last weekend of 2007, everyone!
Got a crazy question for you, and need your most honest opinion here.
How important is it to impress your clients, your staff, and other Realtors you work with, with the car you drive?
Now, we all know your car is an extension of your … (103 comments)
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business building tips: ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY AT KELLER WILLIAMS - A Smart Move for Our Team! - 12/28/07 10:57 PM
Just checking our records, folks - December 29th is our One Year Anniversary at KW. It's been a full year since Dean's Team Chicago joined Keller Williams Fox Realty, in the Lincoln Square Neighborhood on the North Side of Chicago, and the KW System.
SMARTEST MOVE WE COULD HAVE MADE!
Had to think … (4 comments)
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business building tips: WANTED: Accountability Partner! - 12/27/07 09:42 AM
Geez - what day is it today? Wednesday? Thursday/ Man, these holidays really screw up us old-timers orientation!
Well, today is our Annual Goals Declaration Meeting for Dean's Team here on the North Side of Chicago! Afterward, we all go out for a beer - perhaps, two!
As for me, my own Goal … (2 comments)
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business building tips: Here Comes 2008! Do You Know Where Your GOALS Are? - 12/26/07 09:05 AM
What an incredible Christmas, although I ate way too much Prime Rib yesterday! As a fish-and-fowl guy most of the time, yesterday's meal is still digesting! Hopefully, by the New Year!
When I was a little kid, growing up in the West Rogers Park Neighborhood on the North Side of Chicago, every once … (7 comments)
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business building tips: Thriving in a Shifting Market - Awesome Chicago Seminar by Tony Di Cello - 12/21/07 09:32 PM
Man, getting tired of it snowing around Chicago every, single weekend this December! Anybody have a better way - or a bigger snow thrower?
In 1998, it was Spencer Johnson's Book, "Who Moved My Cheese?" that gave many Real Estate Practitioners pause for thought about the changing real estate market. Boy, if … (4 comments)
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business building tips: AFFIRMATIONS! Do you Recite Them Daily? You Should - to Change Your Life! - 12/20/07 08:38 AM
As Larry and Curly used to say each Christmas, to their third partner who was playing Santa Claus -
Moe, Moe, Moe!
Those who know me know I'm not the very religious sort! I don't pray as often as I should (although prayers definitely do increase when we head to Las Vegas each … (3 comments)
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business building tips: What's on the BACK of Your BUSINESS CARD? Blank Space? NO! - 12/19/07 08:15 PM
Hi, everyone -
Went to an INCREDIBLE SEMINAR in Downtown Chicago today by Tony Di Cello, Mastery Coach at Keller Williams, entitled "Thriving in a Shifting Market - Dare to be Remarkable!"
Just another great reason to be affiliated with the Keller Williams system - great training (this one FREE to KW … (7 comments)
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business building tips: THE DO NOT CALL LIST! How do you Know For Sure Whether a Number is Listed? - 12/07/07 07:51 AM
Good Morning, Captain! Greetings from the Treasure House!
You know, I hear from agents around the office all the time, "I can't prospect - because of the DO NOT CALL List!" Trouble is, they never prospected BEFORE the Do Not Call laws were enacted anyway - DNC became a convenient EXCUSE not … (3 comments)
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business building tips: This Month's Newsletter from Floyd Wickman - It Touched My Heart! - 12/02/07 10:22 PM
Hey, what are you doing online so late on Sunday night! Get some sleep!
Man, this hit me. It REALLY did!
For many years, our Team has trained with Floyd Wickman, the Master Real Estate Trainer and Teacher, founder of the popular Sweathogs Training Program for new (and successful) agents, and Master Sales … (1 comments)
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business building tips: Using the Media to Build Your Business - 08/31/07 04:04 PM
I saw something interesting today that is worthy of an Active Rain Marketing Post. So often we read the news and decide to walk away from it's negativity. Instead, here's a suggestion to help you get your clients off the fence and into action today.
1. Read the newspapers, several of them, … (7 comments)
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