I've previously posted that if you try to be everything to everyone you'll end up being nothing to anyone.

When the market was a feast of opportunities, that approach didn't necessarily hurt you. It was easy to lose focus, grab or chase every piece of business that came your way, and still do reasonably well. That's not a good approach for the long haul.

Years ago I used to pursue nearly every good idea I had - and I had a lot of them. My business expanded rapidly. I hired dozens of people I soon came to dislike. I was working insane hours. I wasn't making very much money, and needed to focus my way out of the situation.

I asked myself what there was about my business that generated the profits that enabled me to pursue my great but money-losing ideas. Once I determined what that was, I began winding down the rest of the business, and firing everyone who wasn't a part of what was profitable. I promised myself I'd go at least two years without having a good new idea (or at least without pursuing one).

My head count quickly went from the mid-30s to five people I liked and enjoyed working with. Within a year my income increased tenfold, and it was fun to go to work again. I was doing only one thing, but doing it well.

Focusing your business takes time and discipline. You have to start one small piece at a time.

If you're going to start using Flickr, determine what your long-term business niche / focus is before opening your account.

A focus is, by definition, narrow and something your mind can encompass. Planning to farm a 10,000 home community is not a focus.

Every aspect of what you do on Flickr should reflect and reinforce that focus.

The topic of the next post in this series will be Getting started with Flickr.

 

8 Comments on Before you start to Flickr, focus

FEB
05
2007

You're absolutely right! I made a similar mistake and really had to scale back and refocus. I'm looking forward to seeing your next article on using flickr, I hadn't considered using such a broad public photo site to attract customers before.

 Judy

4:01pm • #1
I'm honored to catch the eye of the legendary Judy McCutchin!
4:07pm • #2
1,583,165 Points 429 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Good article, Joe, some great advice (easier said than done, as I have found as well). Have heard of Flickr but no experience - anxious to hear more from someone who knows.

Jeff
4:50pm • #3
2 Featured Posts
I'm not sure I see the connection between business focus and using Flickr.  Mind elaborating?
5:04pm • #4

Jeff - Start with a part-time focus on one piece of your business and continueu on with the rest. You're right, though, it's not easy.

Devon- You probably don't see the connection because I haven't spelled it out very well (yet). Stay tuned.

In brief, the connection is do one very clear thing very well. The photos on your Flickr account should be directly relevant to and supportive of that one clear thing. You shouln't be chasing business at random or posting photos at random. Both should be done in accordance with a clear plan to dominate a niche or, as they say in the newspaper busiess, establish leadership in a niche. 
6:10pm • #5
864,745 Points 18 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
I think focus is key -- you can be an expert and be the best in your area.  My niche is working with buyers only.  When our market changed from a seller market to a buyer market not much changed for me.  One of my colleagues put it best - when you are a big ship trying to adjust to the market, it is very difficult to turn quickly -- when you are a focus small craft, you can make the adjustment much more quickly.
9:55pm • #6
FEB
06
2007

Mark -

Thank you for identifying yourself quickly and clearly as a fool that no one would want to do obusiness with.

ADDENDUM: Note, Mark apparently deleted his comment, thereby making my comment hard to fathom. Bloggers should be very sparing about deleting their comments; it only makes people wonder how bad the original comment was. This one was just a stupid spam solicitation for business.

I was prompted to look at this by a later comment from Mark. He apparently realized that the later comment identified him and that he's not the kind of person you want to know.
8:52pm • #7
FEB
10
2007
283,284 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog
We have been using flickr for a while now and never thought about it just the convenience for photos online another tact! thanks
8:15pm • #8


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Joe Zekas

Chicago, IL

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YoChicago / New Homes Magazine

Address: 3110 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL, 60657

Office Phone: (773) 868-4770 x 100

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Real estate professionals need to stop braying that they're experts and start showcasing their expertise. YoChicago helps real estate professionals learn how to use the new Internet marketing tools that are transforming the way they connect with consumers.


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