Everyday I receive emails about the latest and greatest schemes, plans and products that will skyrocket my business and income. Today was no different. I received an email that promised if I purchased this lead-generating program, I would be able to make $1 million in one year. Wow! That’s amazing! For just $399, I could get the keys to this secret program! Sounds tempting, doesn’t it?!
But this magical program for $399 is not going to make anyone successful, except for the guy offering the program!
My secret to success is to work on improving myself. I know we’ve all heard this before, but it’s true. If you can improve yourself, you will definitely improve your business. This takes a little more work than purchasing a miracle program, but it is far more effective.
I’ve been working on improving my communication skills, and a couple of years ago, I joined Toastmasters International. Today, I am the President of Stately Speakers, a Toastmasters club that meets for an hour every week in Tumwater, WA.
What is Toastmasters?
Toastmasters is a club where you can practice your speaking skills. It is not a class nor is it taught by instructors – it is a group of like-minded folks who want to improve their verbal communication skills. You write and present speeches in front of the club audience, you practice speaking on your feet through an exercise called Table Topics, and you also take on different roles in the meeting to further improve your listening, time-management, and evaluation skills along with your grammar and vocabulary.
Why join Toastmasters?
I joined because I initially was frustrated that my clients were not understanding me, weren’t prepared for the real estate process, and they ended up disappointed. I thought I had explained everything but apparently I wasn’t communicating effectively. With a tagline of Francine Viola, In Tune with your Real Estate Needs, I better have excellent communication skills!
Toastmasters has provided me the skills and the practice to relate to my clients at a higher level, where there are few miscommunications. My clients are happier, more involved, don’t feel so helpless, and have become my strongest advocates.
Real estate is a complex field, and communication is so critical to what we do for our clients. As Realtors, improving our communication skills should be our top priority.
When you tackle improving yourself, whether it is through more education, eating more vegetables, practicing yoga, whatever - you are guaranteed to do a better job and improve your business.
So save yourself the $399, invest in improving yourself, and watch your business take off! 
I invite anyone in the Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater cities of Washington to come as a guest to our Stately Speakers meeting held every Thursday. I hope to see you there!
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