Below are 5 simple tips that will help you grow your business & make more money! These can be used by Realtors, mortgage professionals, lawyers, insurance brokers, entrepreneurs and anyone in ANY type of business...
1. GO BACK TO THE SOURCE: Go through each of the transactions you've successfully closed, and identify the source of business. Where did you get those clients from? Were they from direct mail marketing & farming? Referrals from past clients? Referrals from other professionals in your fields? Holding open houses & seminars?
TIP: Don't always try to "reinvent the wheel." Look to the sources that have already brought you income and revisit them regularly and frequently.
BENEFIT TO YOU: You will increase your number of transactions and make more $$!
2. SHOW APPRECIATION: People have plenty of options in today's economy. Whether it's deciding which Realtor & mortgage rep to select or which new car to drive away in, which insurance coverage to purchase, which dentist to go to, etc. consumers have an abundance of choices.
TIP: If someone is thoughtful enough to patronize your business, then let them know you value and appreciate their loyalty. Send them a brief hand-written note or card. A "little THANK YOU can go a longggg way!"
BENEFIT TO YOU: You will increase the number of referrals you receive and make more $$!
3. CUT THE FAT: Go through all of your receipts and credit card bills to review how much money you've spent. Take a serious look at your expenses, and see what things could really be streamlined. I'm not suggesting you cut back on marketing, but rather you cut out the things that really aren't necessary.
TIP: If you've spent a lot of money of activities and certain marketing initiatives that haven't given you any substantive ROI (return on investment), then it's time to STOP the bleeding. Focus on spending your money on those things that have proved themselves to be lucrative in terms of the pay-off.
BENEFIT TO YOU: You will stop spending money on the things that aren't yielding you any real returns, and you'll free up money to invest in the types of things that will make you more money!
4. UTILIZE A CONTACT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM & AUTOMATE:I can't begin to tell you how much "automatic bill pay" and online banking have made my life so much easier! All of my monthly creditors are organized and saved online. Every bill gets paid on-time like clock-work, so no late notices. The reward? Good credit standing. The same is true with prospects that we target for new business. If we regularly keep in contact with clients (past, present, future) and colleagues, well be "credit-worthy" in their eyes, thus they're more likely to extend us additional credit.
TIP: Find a good contact management system. Use the cold winter months and commit to entering every person you meet in your system. Set it up so that they automatically get emails and/or newsletters from you. This way you will stay top-of-mind with them, especially when they have a real estate need or want to give you a referral.
BENEFIT TO YOU: You will save time, save money & make more $$!
5. MAKE A PLAN & STICK TO IT: Have you ever heard the old adage, "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail?" Well it's 100% true! I mean, what NFL football team goes out on the field to win the Superbowl Championship without a plan? What heart surgeon replaces a heart valve without have a well-thought out plan for the surgery procedure? It just doesn't make sense to gamble something as critical as the fate of your career and your ability to support yourself & your family. We must have a PLAN OF ACTION!
TIP: Write down the 10 things you wanted to accomplish in 2008, and beside each item write one or two brief sentences about what action you took or needed to take in order to make it a reality. Next to each goal place a check mark next to each thing you actually achieved, then look at those that are unchecked. Below on the same sheet of paper write down your 2009 goals for your business. Include the items you didn't accomplish last year and write down additional new goals for 09' until your list features 10 goals (at the very minimum) you want to achieve for the new year. Every week look at your list and remind yourself about your plan of action. Each time you accomplish something on your list, check it off and move on to tackling the next thing.
BENEFIT TO YOU: You will feel more "in-charge" of your career by knowing exactly where you want to go, and what it'll take to get you there!
Stay motivated,
Amber
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