Traditional marketing techniques are great, however, for some the old ways just are not working anymore. I am asked frequently by other business owners, how do I maintain and gain customers. My response is to throw out those traditional marketing techniques that are not working, create a ruckus to get noticed and people talking about your business.
The same core values of marketing applies in regards to learning key elements of your customer base. I believe changing your approach to marketing is the key. Let's face it, marketing is required for business survival and if you don't do it your business will fail.
Marketing with a smile should shine through every aspect of your business, from the way you answer the telephone, through the words on your website, literature, etc. Do not be afraid to break away from the safe advertising. It is true that advertising can get old and stale, however changing it here and there can make a big difference in attracting new customers.
If marketing is not your thing seek a professional. They can help promote new growth for your business and your business image. Be open to advice and criticism. Ask your customers what they want from your business and you will be surprise to know that you have what they want. Your marketing tools should promote your services in way that a customer knows what you have to offer.
I went through stomach wrenching knots when I decided to build my on website. Creating, designing, learning to use words to get notice and formatting were the key factors in building it. The site was launched in July, 2008 and I experienced many woes of trying to get on all of the lists, using the correct tags, etc.
What a nightmare? If I had to do it all over again I would. During that time period I learned a great deal about advertisement, how to capture an audience, how to take constructive criticism, what works and what doesn't work. Learning how people view websites determines in most cases if you are going to capture a customer.
Laura Vestnan and Lashawn James-Major provided me with excellent advise on how to format my site and the importance of using key words. Thanks for all of your support ladies.
Recently, I realized that I wasn't getting traffic that I needed and had a feeling that my site may be scaring away potential clients. To be honest I was never really happy with my first attempt in building the site, because it just didn't present that come again approach to it. So, I decided it was time for a makeover. I must say to be an amateur, my website looks pretty cool.
Well, I must say that I am a firm believer in updating your website on a regular basis. All the tweaking here and there has really paid off. I was surprised at how those changes made a difference. My phone has been ringing off the hook and the revenue has been pouring in.
So, if you get a chance take a peak at my website and tell me what you think. Let me know if more tweaking is needed. I welcome your thoughts. Thanks!
Re-establishing the Establishment, a ongoing cycle in the marketing game. This can be a headache, however think of it as applying a fresh coat of paint. You all know how a paint can give a new appearance to a room, well why not give yourself or your company a new look.
Learn how to advertise and promote yourself or your company.
Become creative and save money by creating your own business advertisement.
Most computer programs come with some type of software which can be used create advertisement literature.
The software is pretty easy to use, you can use templates or create a document from scratch.
You can purchase card stock paper for brochures and postcards/index cards. The Avery Product line offers great injet paper materials for projects, which is pretty inexpensive.
You will be impressed with the end result.
Here is a example of one my postcards that I created:
Become creative, have some fun and save some money!
I routinely get calls from head hunters asking if I know of any people in the industry to fill mortgage positions. I usually work with a company called Aerotek because they are very resourceful and provide excellent opportunities for people seeking work. I have work with them in the past as an independent contractor and also have recommended people for jobs, so this is no gimmick. If you are interested please review the job description below :
Mortgage Processor Job Description:
Our client, a large and reputable mortgage company, is seeking a Loan Processor. This person will be responsible for processing refinance loans.
On a day to day basis, this person will be responsible for reviewing loan applications for completeness, acting as the primary contact with borrowers; ordering appraisal, flood, and title. This person will also be in charge of reviewing incoming documentation within 24 hours of receipt; clearing conditions and ready transactions for loan closing; gathering credit documentation from the customer and their parties in support of the loan approval decision. This person will assure that loans are processed in accordance with company policies and procedures.
To be qualified for this position, individuals should have experience with in the mortgage industry with either processing, funding, closing or equivalent. Individuals will also have to have excellent phone skills. Qualified candidates will have at least 2 years of mortgage processing experience.
Required Skills for Mortgage Processor Job:
PRIME LOAN PROCESSING
MORTGAGE
CONVENTIONAL LOANS
REFINANCE
LOAN PROCESSING
Please provide your contact information and forward your resume to Info@UKENotary.com. I was informed that they are looking to fill about 300 positions nationwide. I will routinely inform of job openings. So if you are in need of a job or no someone who is need of a job, please forward this information.
Hey, I found another site that offers a quick and easy website page that can be built in a matter of a half hour or minutes. The hardest thing is just adding your advertising text, which is not hard if you know what you want to say. This site even allows for your materials to be copywrited protected under your name. You also have accomodations to add logos, photos, etc. under the upgrade section.
The website is www.Webspawn.com. It has many other features that you may opt to use if you are looking for an inexpensive way to advertise, submission of websites, etc. What I really like is the ability to link to my main website.. www.UKENotary.com.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has issued long-anticipated mortgage reforms that will help consumers shop for the lowest cost mortgage and avoid costly and potentially harmful loan offers. HUD will require that lenders and mortgage brokers provide consumers with a standard Good Faith Estimate (GFE) that clearly discloses key loan terms and closing costs. HUD estimates its new regulation will save consumers nearly $700 at the closing table.
The easy-to-read standard Good Faith Estimate (GFE) will clearly answer the key questions consumers have when applying for a mortgage, including:
o What's the term of the loan? o Is the interest rate fixed or can it change? o Is there a pre-payment penalty should the borrower choose to refinance at a later date? o Is there a balloon payment? o What are total closing costs?
The GFE will consolidate closing costs into major categories to prevent junk fees, and display total estimated settlement charges prominently on the first page so the consumer can easily compare loan offers. HUD will specify the closing costs that can and cannot change at settlement, and if a fee changes, HUD will limit the amount it can change.
The Department performed rigorous consumer testing and found that the new Good Faith Estimate helped consumers select the lowest cost loan 9 out of 10 times, regardless of whether the loan was originated by a lender or a broker. HUD will require the new standardized GFE and HUD-1 beginning January 1, 2010.
For additional benefits and details about these reforms to the regulatory requirements of the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), click on the following links:
Have you ever wondered, "What Your Voice Says About You?" Quite frequently, we discuss the art of marketing our businesses, how to direct traffic to our websites, selecting logos, etc. However, impressions of you are formed constantly by your spoken words.
"Man does not live by words alone, despite the fact that sometimes he has to eat them." Adlaie E. Stevenson
Your personality is conveyed solely through your words and the tone of your voice, when using the telephone. So in essence, your telephone personality reinforces the caller's perception of both you and your company. Your company is judged by each voice that speaks for it over the telephone.
The following techniques may help polish up or develop good telephone habits.
Role play between co-workers, (someone plays the role of a client, the other plays the service provider) open discussion about the interaction amongst staff
Prepare a proper telephone greeting, which provides your company's name, your name and a question of how you may be of assistance
Learn how to enhance your listening skills.
Develop a method to handle complaints and emergencies
Learn how to work the telephone functions
Keep a mirror at your desk, to help decipher when your facial expressions are changing between a good call verses a bad call
Learn to recognize your voice images and ways to develop positive voice images
These techniques have helped me and I hope someone else maybe able to benefit from using them as well.
Telephone etiquette provides a means to develop positive telephone habits and promoting good manners. Communicating professionally means every person in your company treats every customer courteously. Becoming a better communicator is vital for all business types.
I was wondering if anyone has received an request from NNA to perform a TEA job. I started to feel a sense of uncertainly about these jobs, since completing the training in all, no activity, etc. However, I wanted to inform you all that if you went through the certification, you do have access to getting your feet in the door.
Yesterday, I recieved my first request to do a NNA Tea Job. First of all, you will only be contacted by e-mail, no contact by telephone/cell. So, if you don't a laptop or smart phone/cell that you can view your e-mail where ever you are, think about investing in one or the other.
This is how the request appeared:
From :
NNA TEA Jobs <teajobs@nationalnotary.org>
Sent :
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 6:25 PM
To :
ukenterprises@msn.com
Subject :
ID-Proofing Job Group 1098 Available in Your Area!
Dear Trusted Enrollment AgentTM,
As a qualified NNA Trusted Enrollment AgentTM, you are eligible for one or more ID-proofing assignments now available at the location below.
Your response affirms your pledge to initiate contact within four business hours of receiving the assignment and that you are available to complete the assignment within two business days.
Sincerely,
NNA TEATM Team
So, if anyone is in doubt about whether or not NNA really does call on you, doubt no more. To apply, you hit on the the Apply immediately statement. I was slow to the draw, however I was pleased just to received the opportunity to participate in rendering the services.
I must say ActiveRain is like no other...I have participated in many other blog channels and have not received a sense of belonging, a connection or a desire to read or write blogs as I do on Active Rain. It is my cup of tea or coffee in the morning, like reading the morning paper, it helps me get motivated to strive to do my best in rendering services to others.
I have met so many wonderful people here, who are willing to offer sound advice, share ideas, offer kind words and be there for others. This is a unique and wonderful site. One in which, I am happy to be involved in. I hope others value ActiveRain for all that it has to offer.
Well, the last couple of days have been some trying days! A pretty rough week to provide services....I found myself asking is this a sign to waive the white flag.
Last night, my laser printer just blew up, literally. You all know in the realty biz, it is a must to have a good reliable printer. I spent the day shopping and comparing prices for a printer.
Oh my gosh, if one more sales clerk tries to push a printer on me, I think I will scream! I know for sure that I am going to have nightmares tonight!
I heard the Ebay song and started singing it, so of course I go there and to my surprise I find one I like, so the offer was for a straight buy or for the best offer. Well, I made a offer, which was declined, so I made another, the seller countered offer, I countered offer, and the drama went on. The bottom lined I refused in the end because the person really didn't want the best offer, it was a ploy. The bait and trap game.
I looked at the Brothers, the HPs and I plum just give up for the day. So, please, please help me with my dismay and offer a recommendation, so I may rest my brain from the drama of today.
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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