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The 7 Critical Areas of Sales Success - Area 6: Elevate Your Status...become "an authority"!

By
Real Estate Technology with Altos Research 72732

An excerpt from my coaching...

6 Criteria needed to become a Local Resource or a Local Expert

  1. Be visible frequently
  2. Be consistent by being committed - don't start something you'll stop in 4 months...commit to at least 12 to 15 contacts per year (6 to 8 by mail)
  3. Become recognizable - your marketing should have "a look" that your audience can recognize instantly (personal branding)
  4. Find out what your audience wants to know - establish a "help line" on your website or use the voice mail system at your office not as a direct line but as a help line or "Got a Question?"  This can help you provide your target market with exactly what they want.
  5. Become knowledgeable about your Audience (Target Market)
    • Neighborhoods: Know that stats for their neighborhood
      • Current Active and sold listings
      • What is the price trend - up or down - what % etc.
    • Businesses
      • Who is their customer
      • How can you work together to increase awareness of your businesses?
      • What impacts their business?  Is their business expanding or contracting?
  6. Become a Community Activist
    • Neighborhood Block Party
    • Multi-family Garage Sale Day - provide the directional signs and help promote it via your website, blog, attach a flyer to your property flyers, get the neighbors to promote it as well...maybe even the local businesses.
    • Organize a 2 hour park clean-up
    • Neighbors Helping Neighbors - 3 or 4 times a year organize a short Neighbors Helping Neighbors party - this could be promoted in your newsletter, on your website, etc.  Get local businesses involved and maybe a church or two.  Keep the work time simple and short to get more involvement.
    • Write an article for local newspapers...or use ad space to post a short article. 
    • Send out a Press Release to the local papers about a news worthy topic, and that you have expertise in that area and would welcome an interview.
    • Is there a small weekly paper that could use a "Local Expert" to write and answer readers questions about real estate
    • Create a fund raiser for a cause that is close to your heart. 

In the last year I have used both the Press Release and contacted smaller weekly papers to increase my business...both have worked for me and they can help you too.

Last November (2007) I was in charge of a fundraiser our church does each year - The Maui Relay - it was our fourth year and we exceeded the previous years fundraising.  It was a lot of work...and for a great cause - Christmas gifts for kids who otherwise would not have had any - such a reward to impact kids and families in this way. 

The motivation was striclty for the kids.  There was a side benefit though, I was out talking to business owners about becoming a sponsor...it gave me a purpose to contact them that wasn't business related...it was empowering and very gratifying.  I can't say that I received any business from it...but that was not my intent.  But I do have relationships now that I didn't before...and that is priceless.

Become the Local Expert and you will develop trust with your audience.

to Impact Your Sales NOW go to...

www.ImpactYourSalesNOW.com - One 60-minute training session Free
www.ImpactYourSalesNOW.com/coaching.html - Free 30-minute session

Tony & Darcy Cannon
Aubrey and Associates Realty - Layton, UT
The C Team

Jeff, Great tips, thank you for sharing them!

May 19, 2008 05:14 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

I agree with this post...we feel we are the area experts...this may be the most important part of the equation.

May 19, 2008 05:16 AM
Michael Shankman
Award Realty - Las Vegas, NV
Selling Las Vegas 702-498-3383

good post..thanks for the great ideas..I will put them in use..

May 19, 2008 05:31 AM
Jeff Graves
Altos Research - Sunnyvale, CA
More than just beautiful market trend reports

Tony, Team DiMuria and Michael...thanks for you comments I appreciate them.  I know when tips are given like this...it can seem so simple...but it is rarely as easy as it looks.  Keep the comments coming.  Jeff - Coaching from Maui

May 19, 2008 06:02 AM
Lu Kalaj
Vision Realty Centers - Brighton Township, MI

What a great list to stick by!  Thank you for making it simple.  And like anything, it takes committment, and unless you like what you are doing, then like anything, it can and will fall to the wayside.  Great post.  Lu

May 19, 2008 06:58 AM