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Earn More, Work Less With Virtual Assistants

By
Services for Real Estate Pros

Michael Russer, aka Mr. Internet, wrote an excellent column that I came across in the online edition of RealtorMag.  He makes the argument that hiring a qualified virtual assistant is a smart way to increase business productivity and production.

He writes that successful businesses focus on three phases: lead generation, lead conversion, and business support.  It's the last phase where virtual assistants can be most helpful.  Virtual outsourcing is a way to extend yourself without hiring employees and carrying overhead.

You can read the entire column at http://www.realtor.org/rmotechnology/askmrinternet/columns/1008_mrinternet_virtualassistants.

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Rick Obst is an Arizona native who moved to Eugene, Oregon in 2005 and fell in love with the verdant Pacific Northwest.  He enjoys photography and discovering the many people, places, and events that make this part of the world so special.

To learn more about Eugene, Lane County, and western Oregon, visit 365 and More Things to do in Lane County, Oregon on Facebook.  You'll see hundreds of pictures and links to discover the beauty and attractions of this special area.

 

Damon Zeller
GREEN SIGN REALTY - Burlington, IA

Thanks for the Info. Anything that gives me more time to spend with the wife and kids would be great!

Jul 23, 2010 09:48 AM
Carla Morin
Brookfield - Peoria, AZ

Good post.  Thanks for the info Rick.

Jul 23, 2010 09:58 AM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

No medical, dental, unemployment insurance, no sick days, the list goes on and on why a virtual assistant is a smart move.


Jul 23, 2010 08:23 PM
Matthew Naumann
Exit Realty Charleston Group - Goose Creek, SC
Goose Creek, SC Real Estate Agent

Rick,

Great Post.  There is some definite advantages to using a virtual assistant.

Thanks for sharing,

Matt Naumann

Jul 24, 2010 01:15 AM
Retired from ActiveRain
Baker, OR

I find that most agents are unfamiliar with what a virtual assistant can do and are afraid of adding expense to their business.  The advantages may be obvious, but the decision to take the plunge and use a virtual assistant seems to be a difficult one for agents to make.

Jul 24, 2010 03:17 AM
Russel Ray, San Diego Business & Marketing Consultant & Photographer
Russel Ray - San Diego State University, CA

If people would simply assign a dollar value to their time, they would quickly realize that some things are better done, and less expensively, by a support team. I write six blogs for other people who don't have the time to blog but understand its benefits. When I send them something, they inevitably rework it some to make it their own, which usually consumes less time than having to think, research, and write it.

Jul 27, 2010 01:35 PM
Retired from ActiveRain
Baker, OR

Russel, The trick is to add a team member who is professional and competent.  We can't know everything or handle all of the tasks and responsibilities that we need to cover.  Delegation and outsourcing can vastly increase a business' productivity.

Jul 28, 2010 03:36 AM
Andrew Jones
Horizon Pacific Realty - Los Angeles, CA
LA Beach Cities Homes 310-399-3740

Hey Rick.

I'll have to look into this more. Thank's for the ideas and link.

P.S. Don't forget to use a transaction coordinator once you've landed a sale so that you can keep focused on selling.

Aug 05, 2010 07:30 AM
Retired from ActiveRain
Baker, OR

Andrew, Several of the agents I work with use a transaction coordinator provided by their brokerage so that they can concentrate on prospecting and their current clients.  I have handled transactions for agents before, but prefer to focus on marketing agent listings and their business.

Aug 06, 2010 03:12 AM
Al & Peggy Cunningham, Brokers
RE/MAX West Realty Inc., Brokerage - Brampton, ON
Our Family Wants To Help Your Family!

Thanks for the link Rick. This does make sense. We had 'live' assistants for years and recently cut back to doing it ourselves.....WAY too much to do, so all of it doesn't get done. Will be checking out this option.

Aug 07, 2010 12:49 AM
Retired from ActiveRain
Baker, OR

Good virtual assistants are as busy as the agents they work with.  Good agents don't have the time to train or hand hold their assistants.  It's nice for agents to say "This is what I need" and let a professional virtual assistant handle the details.  I may only physically talk to some of my clients a few times a month, but we communicate often by e-mail so that we coordinate our efforts.

Aug 09, 2010 11:02 AM
Jackie - computer-training-atlanta.com
770.498.7333 - Atlanta, GA
Learn to leverage technology to get more done.

Rick - great article that illustrates the value of virtual assistants. Michael Russer has long been a fan of virtual assistants.

Aug 22, 2010 11:39 PM