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Grow, Leverage and Streamline Your Business Through a Virtual Assistant !

By
Real Estate Agent with The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia

Grow, Leverage and Streamline Your Business Through a Virtual Assistant

Anne Marie Malfi

 

Six months ago we made one of the most important decisions in 2009 and that was teaming up with Anne Marie Malfi as our virtual assistant.  Many of you might already know Anne Marie as she is one of top bloggers in the Active Rain Community.  I met Anne Marie at the Real Estate Bar Camp Philadelphia and already "knew her" from interacting with her on her blog.   So when the time came to look into working with a virtual assistant, I already knew Anne Marie was the person to call !

 

Since working with Anne Marie, our client base has grown, we are able to leverage more of our time and our business has become more streamlined.  We are thrilled as the benefits have exceeded our expectations. Each of these items are huge benefits to raise the bar of your business and take it to the next level.

 

 

1.  Grow - When you get the to the point where you need to do something because you cannot keep up with it all no Have you considered a virtual assistant to grow your business ?matter what you do, you know it is time to grow your business.  This can be growing a team, hiring a licensed assistant or working with a virtual assistant.  In our case, the virtual assistant made a lot of sense because her work helps not just Stephanie and I, but our entire team.  Further, much of her work that she does for us she can do much quicker than both of us combined !  She is amazing, as most good virtual assistants are !

2.  Leverage - One of the biggest benefits for us is that our time is freed up to do what we do best which is do more listing appointments, show more properties to clients, have more time to negotiate and manage a deal and so forth.  By having Anne Marie, we have more time to do the activities that enable us to maximize not only our production, but client service as well.  Or it simply might allow that much more time with your family or to be able to make it to the gym a couple of times a week.

3.  Streamline - Often times if you get behind on something, you have fear or anxiety that something will not get done or it will slip through the cracks.  This causes a lot of worry !  Having a virtual assistant ensures that many of those tasks and action steps are done and alleviates all the worry.  Further, they get done in a way where it maximizes client service due to the consistency and presentation.

 

When I first joined Active Rain, I really did not know what a virtual assistant was or what they did.  It is amazing what you learn here in the Rain and the people you meet.  Also, if I did not join, I would not have come across Anne Marie's blog.  In addition, if I did not go to the Real Estate Bar Camp Philadelphia, I would not have met her in person.  My point is that Active Rain is a great place to learn and to network in addition to blogging.  And definitely take advantage of those meet-ups and networking opportunities when they come up in your area.  The rewards they can bring to you for your business are numerous !  And if you are interested more about what a virtual assistant can do for you, simply go to and subscribe to Anne Marie's blog !  You will be glad that you did !

 

Patricia Aulson
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH
Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

I've not used one but have thought about at times.  I think it could be good if you get the right one!

Patricia/Seacoast NH

Jan 03, 2010 06:46 AM
Patricia Aulson
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH
Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

I've not used one but have thought about at times.  I think it could be good if you get the right one!

Patricia/Seacoast NH

Jan 03, 2010 06:46 AM
Rita Minion
O'Brien Realty - Solomons, MD

Hello Christopher & Stephanie,

Thank you for the information and advice about Virtual Assistants.  I'm glad that you found Anne Marie Malfi and hiring a VA is working out great for you.  I can see where it frees up a lot of time to work on listings, appointments, etc.  Best wishes for a Happy New Year!

Rita

 

Jan 03, 2010 09:26 AM
Vickie McCartney
Maverick Realty - Owensboro, KY
Broker, Real Estate Agent Owensboro KY

Hi Christopher~  So glad you are busy enough to need to hire a Virtual Assistant!  You couldn't have pciked a better one.  Anne Marie is awesome!

Jan 03, 2010 09:58 AM
Mary Jo Quay
H360homes.com - Minneapolis, MN
I Move You Home

Just what I was thinking about for 2010!  It will be a little time until I get it together, but I'd love to try it.

Jan 03, 2010 10:55 AM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M
I've been thinking I may need a VA. It sounds like it's worked well for you.
Jan 03, 2010 11:22 AM
Jane Peters
Home Jane Realty - Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles real estate concierge services

Anne Marie is great, but I didn't realize she is a virtual assistant and didn't really know what that was until your post.  Can they cross state lines as all the paperwork is different?

Jan 03, 2010 12:33 PM
Michael Larson
Lancer Group Properties - Menomonie, WI

Sounds like a very interesting concept...i will look it to it further...it might be perfect for me gaining more time for client needs!

Jan 03, 2010 12:37 PM
Emily Lowe
RE/MAX Homes and Estates, Lipman Group - Nashville, TN
Nashville TN Realtor

I think I am going to look into this - I also don't have enough time in each day to accomplish everything I need to do.  This may help - thanks for the post!

Jan 03, 2010 01:30 PM
Elliott S. Topkins
Topkins & Bevans-etopkins@topbev.com - Boston, MA
Massachusetts Real Estate and Title Atty

Great Post--We a;; need to sept back and understand where we should spend our time. If we are any good at our craft, we should be ablke to delegate certain tasks to others.

Elliott Topkins

Jan 03, 2010 01:33 PM
Anonymous
Alena

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Jan 03, 2010 02:33 PM
#47
Dawn Workman
Veracity Real Estate Group, LLC - Camas, WA
Camas Real Estate Expert, MBA, 480-540-8100

I have a virtual assistant and I love her to pieces!  It is great to know things are taken care of. 

Jan 03, 2010 03:20 PM
Roland Woodworth
Blue Cord Realty - Clarksville, TN
Blue Cord Realty

This sounds like a great opportunity to grow ones business. I have wondered how a VA would benefilt my business. I think this is something to look into in 2010.

Jan 03, 2010 03:28 PM
The Somers Team
The Somers Team at KW Philadelphia - Philadelphia, PA
Delivering Real Estate Happiness

Lori - It is good to let go once in awhile !  Delegation is one of the keys to maximizing production.

Aaron - They are both great, and both stepping stones to grow your business.  As far as finding one, I would just ask around for referrals and references or doing some web searches.  We found Anne Marie pretty easily, right here in the Rain !

Lorraine - Sounds like it is worth looking into for you !

Bill - I hear you.  We are thrilled !

 

Jan 03, 2010 10:17 PM
Charlottesville Solutions
Charlottesville Solutions - Charlottesville, VA

That is a great endorsement! Glad to hear it was a good decision

Best in 2010

your friend in Charlottesville!

Jan 03, 2010 11:00 PM
Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon
Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO
Helping people Transition at all ages!

Christopher and Stephanie,

Great post and important for everyone reading to think about adding a virtual assistant into their marketing mix.  A VA can be paid with the money you are saving from not doing direct mail and expensive newspaper ads... I see it as moving the marketing dollars. 

Now of the control issue as Lori mentioned in comment #27 I think the entire practice of having a VA is an evolution journey... so just start slowly... with different projects.. a good post might be.. what are some things a VA can help you with in your business... Perfect time of year to start implementing this new help system!

Cosmic Cow

Jan 04, 2010 02:49 AM
Anne Marie Malf
Malfi Marketing Solutions ~ for real estate professionals - Yardley, PA
Real Estate Marketing Consultant/Virtual Asst, Bucks County,PA

Chris and Stephanie, I am truly touched by your words and compliments about our partnership and believe me when I tell you that I am still pinching myself and so happy that I joined AR, that you started reading my blog and that we officially met at REBARCAMP Philly - to this day one of the best decisions I've ever made.   You did an amazing job highlighting the benefits of working with and teaming up with a Virtual Assistant and for those of you considering that as part of your marketing and business plan for 2010 and beyond, the Somers have identified the ideal way to work with a VA.  By figuring out where you need help and where you should focus your efforts you can have your VA fill in the gaps, take it to new levels and do it all consistently so that you are truly creating opportunity and a name for your business.  Six months after meeting the Somers Team I find myself beyond thrilled that I get the opportunity to work, assist, advise and help them find ways to market their listings and provide exceptional customer service to their clients.

Chris and Stephanie - You are both amazing Realtors but more importantly people who care about your clients and team and it shows in everything you do!  I am honored to be even a small part of your formula for success and love being on your team! Consumers looking to purchase or sell their home in the Philadelphia market owe it to themselves to have the best team looking out for their best interests and you are certainly that and more! Here's to a great 2010! ~Anne Marie

P.S. Thank you to all of you that left such nice remarks and compliments about me, my services and my blog - I am truly blessed to know all of you and be a part of the great ActiveRain community!

Jan 04, 2010 06:44 AM
Stephen Kappre
KW Hometown - Mantua, NJ
Helping You Home

I learned so many years ago that having an assistant isn't "auto-productivity" - I wasted so much money and time. Having said that, I haven't had one for years and greatly look forward to when I again produce enough to require one. I would be game for a virtual assistent. Especially since I often work form the home office, ha!

Jan 04, 2010 01:34 PM
Anonymous
Lucy


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Jan 08, 2010 03:37 PM
#55
Terrie Leighton
Ferrari-Lund Real Estate - Reno, NV
Reno Real Estate Agent ~ Selling Homes in Reno

Chris ~ It sounds like you and Stephanie definitely made a wise decision why you hired Anne Marie as your VA! Joining ActiveRain was not such a bad decision either.

Jan 13, 2010 06:06 AM