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That Time Management Issue

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Marketing 4 Realtors

hecticLeads are coming in left and right - from both buyers AND sellers.  Your drip e-mail campaign has been set up but you need to stay on top of the tasks that need to be implemented.  You got a new listing yesterday afternoon but, as of 5 p.m. today, you STILL haven't gotten a virtual tour set up (not to mention the ads that needed to go into Sunday's newspapers.)  You have 4 current listings that all need to have e-mail blasts sent to area agents as well as the Just Listed postcards that you haven't had time to put together, let alone send out, since you took two of the listings 2 weeks ago.  You haven't blogged for 3 weeks and you've forgotten your password to Arch Telecom's website so you can't set up your new listings with 800#s.

What to do?  What to do??

You have two choices.  You can either keep muddling along as you've always done or you can make some radical changes.  Yes, I'm talking about using a Virtual Assistant.

Most agents are going to choose what's behind Door #1 - Keep muddling along for $200, Alex.  That means, the leads will be responded to when you can.  The listing marketing will get done when you have time. Just Listed postcards - if you get to it.  E-mail blasts?  They don't necessarily have to be sent out.  You'll eventually remember your Arch Telecom password.  Hopefully.

The agents that will set themselves apart will choose what's behind Door #2 - Make a Change for $500 Alex!  And guess what?  It's the daily double!!  You see, you are probably going to choose Door #2 because you really want someone to stay on top of your incoming leads.  You want someone to respond appropriately and in a timely manner.  You probably also want someone to implement your drip marketing campaigns.  But the daily double occurs because you can contract with a Virtual Assistant who can not only handle your vacationlead management but your listing coordination as well.  That means, all those listing marketing tasks you need done - it's in there!  All those listing marketing tasks you would like to do but just don't have the time for - it's in there too!

The good life!  I received a comment today from someone who hasn't been on vacation in 4 years.  That's a thing of the past with Virtual Assistants!  That's the good life.  Don't you want some?

~Renae - Marketing 4 Realtors - www.marketing4realtors.biz

Market 4 Real!

Endea Thibodeaux
Lanham, MD
Solar Energy Consultant, CDPE, CLHMS
Sounds good but I think a lot of Realtors choose door #1 because they do have the extra income these days.
Jan 19, 2008 09:52 AM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

It does sound good and I have a co-worker who uses one and loves her!  She has had assistants for many years and now swears by the VA.  This is something that I've been mulling over for about a year now but, have a hands-on problem that I can't seem to get rid of!! 

 

Jan 19, 2008 09:56 AM
Kathy McGraw
CELLing Realty - White Water, CA
Riverside County CA Real Estate
Renae- thanks for the cute ditty on what a VA is.......and it's funny but this =morning I was asking another e-PRO Group member what a VA does.......ya think this is trying to tell me something????  But I agree with Endea.....a lot of us don't have that kind of income right now.
Jan 19, 2008 10:34 AM
Brian Schulman
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage, Lancaster PA - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster County PA RealEstate Expert 717-951-5552
I think using a V.A. might produce the income needed to pay a V.A. (and hopefully more)...
Jan 19, 2008 12:24 PM
Renae Bolton
Marketing 4 Realtors - Garfield Heights, OH
I'm your Professional Real Estate Marketing VA!

Endea - I understand completely but what most realtors don't realize is that many VAs will be accommodating as far the number of hours your contract for each month.  Not only that, you would be surprised at how quickly a VA's work can pay for itself!

Debe - All realtors have a hands-on problem!  lol  Actually, I don't think it is actually a hands-on problem but more like a "getting your hands off" problem!  The key is to start off slowly.  Choose specific tasks that you would like the VA to handle and then, once you feel comfortable that they are actually handling them to your satisfaction, add a few more.  Baby steps are key!

Kathy - I hope it is telling you to give it a try!  I'd be more than happy to give you more information about using a VA and a free telephone consultation about how you can get started.  See my comment to Endea above about income.

Brian - You are absolutely correct!  Most VAs handle tasks that actually allow us to pay for ourselves.  Also, the incentive for a VA is that we can't grow our businesses without assisting you in growing yours.  So, we have a vested interested in helping you succeed!

Thanks for all the comments!

~Renae

Market 4 Real!

Jan 20, 2008 02:06 AM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
More real estate agents would probably try a VA if they understood more about how you can increase their income by more than they would be paying you.
Jan 21, 2008 09:57 AM
Renae Bolton
Marketing 4 Realtors - Garfield Heights, OH
I'm your Professional Real Estate Marketing VA!

Sharon - Good point!  Perhaps I'll talk more in my own blog about specific ways that using a VA can help a realtor grow their business instead of the general suggestions I've previously given.  As a realtor, do you think that would help?  What would you be most interested in learning about using a Virtual Assistant?  Thanks so much for your input!

~Renae

Market 4 Real!

Jan 21, 2008 10:40 AM
Cody Loughlin
FloridaPropertyClub.com - Sarasota, FL
I have a VA in India that charges me $ 1.20 an hour for just straight data processing. I think its great. I have to fix some things later but the time it saves me in amazing.
Jan 21, 2008 10:45 AM
Renae Bolton
Marketing 4 Realtors - Garfield Heights, OH
I'm your Professional Real Estate Marketing VA!

Cody - I agree that the time savings is a great thing.  Just be careful who you contract with.  Not everyone who says they are a VA are legitimate (whether in the US or abroad).  But VAs can do so much more than just data processing for you!  Explore the potential!

~Renae

Jan 21, 2008 11:28 AM