Unfortunately Team Tex-La was eliminated from Active Rains contest, Makeover2Takeover at the end of week six. Rich Jacobson came up with the brilliant idea and challenges which I truly enjoyed being a part of with my apprentice Josh Lazaro.  Being the mentor part of our team, I also learned a lot, and had fun too.  The contest started with 16 teams, and after our elimination it was down to only 6 teams and now it is down to the last three teams remaining.  The winner should be announced any day now.  All of the participants are a very talented group of Realtors & bloggers here on the rain, so if you have not been following it I encourage you to check it out.  It will soon be over however all the hard work and great ideas to build your real estate business that was done is still there for you to take advantage of.  Here is a link to the contest group page, Makeover2Takeover.

The very first challenge Rich came up with was to teach your apprentice how to build a data base, pick a program to use for it, and the reasons why having a data base is so important.  Josh did not have one at all, but he does now, and is in the process of building it up.  There was a ton of valuable information that came from the teams participating, so check out some of them if you don't have a data base or need to revamp and clean up the one you have.  I use Top Producer as my soft ware and have around 3,000 contact in my data base. 

This is a link to my complete challenge entry on creating, building and how to use a great data base, http://www.hismove.com/week_1.doc 

Once you have a clean, up to date data base it's important to maintain it.  One of the main reasons to have one is to stay in touch with your SOI (sphere) of influence), current and past clients to generate referrals.  There are many ways to do this, and below is an ideal I just used to send our an e-mail to my whole data base, and thought you might find it helpful.  You should call your entire data base at least once a quarter, mail something of value once a quarter, and send occasional e-mails of interest, (this is just the basics you must do contact wise ).

I thought this idea was partially good since it brought them to your office, so they remembered were you are, and it was a good cause too.  I had ran across the article and implemented it as one of our e-mail contacts.  Below is a copy of the actual newsletter that was sent out.  So far we have a box full of old cell phone and accessories to donate to the Good Deed Foundation.

Now that you have your data base in place remember it does you no good unless you work it.  So good luck and hope you might be able to use this to help stay in touch with your SOI and past clients. Below is the wording that I used on my e-mail letter that was sent out.  Top Producer automatically inserts the fist names of each contact for you.

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Dear Liz and Bill,

Liz Carter & Team Realty is proud and excited to share with you information about our newest charity.  We are working with the Good Deed Foundation(www.gooddeedfoundation.org/aarp) in recycling your old cell phones for a great cause.

Americans upgrade their cell phones about once a year, rendering approximately 11.6 million phones useless each month, though most of them actually still work. If recycled, these phones could generate millions of dollars to help women and families in need, as well as saving 66 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO₂) per phone.

About 60% of cell phones recycled can be refurbished and resold. These phones generate the greatest funds for charity. Of the remaining cell phones, a percentage will be reprogrammed to dial 911 and donated to domestic violence survivors, senior citizens and others at risk. The rest are returned to the materials stream. All recycling through this program is completed in the US, according to EPA standards.  Funds raised go to Women's Funding Network Foundation, which helps to lift women and families out of poverty.

Some phones will be sold, with the proceeds going to programs that help women and children escape poverty or to support climate-change initiatives.  Some will go to older adults so they can make 911 calls.  "People can make a huge difference through this program just by giving away something they're no longer using," says Calandra Cruickshank, executive vice president of the Good Deed Foundation in Phoenicia, N.Y., which is cosponsoring the effort with the Environmental Media Association.

If you have one or two lying around like most of us, bring them by Liz Carter & Team Realty's office located at 21949 Katy Freeway, Katy, Texas.  We will be acting as the area collection center for the drive.

See you at the collection Box!!       Thanks for the privilege, Liz Carter Broker/Owner, Liz Carter & Team Realty 281-391-SOLD (7653) 800-783-4041 fax 281-392-2910   If you do not wish to receive future emails, please click the link to Unsubscribe: Unsubscribe.

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I hope you find my entry on building and using a data base helpful http://www.hismove.com/week_1.doc , should you have any questions just let me know, and I'll be glad to help.

When you have referrals for Katy, Texas and the greater Houston, Texas area I would appricate your referrals.  Liz                                     www.lizcarter.com