2009 New Year's Resol-YOU-tions!
Yes, it's that time again
(thank goodness)!
Time to take a moment (or several) to reflect on
your past year in business and set your goals for 2009!
If you have already done so, congratulations! One
of the first things that I learned in this business is that you can
only fly by
the seat of your pants for SO long! A business
plan
is a MUST
in this business and you must constantly tweak it in order to
increase your success. While reflecting, be
a little critical of
yourself, your practices and your expenses; see how
you can improve on
at least one item in each of these categories and watch your business
grow.
Resolve to:
1. Pick up any items that you will need to start your New Year's office organization off to a good start while prices are reduced for the post holiday season: new file folders and any other office supplies you may need and a calculator for #2 if you don't already have one! And, clean out your office--remember, unless it's client files, if you haven't used it all year, FILE-13-it!
2. Review your marketing expenses for 2008. If you weren't diligent in keeping up with these, pull them all together and create a spreadsheet with each marketing expenditure. You don't have to design an elaborage spreadsheet but, you do need to know the cost of each item and it's return to your business. What was the response from the marketing item? Is it something that is worth repeating next year?
3. Fine tune your sphere of influence: Take a bit of time to make certain that your sphere contacts are up-to-date and if they're not already, add them to an Excel spreadsheet. This will allow you to upload your contacts into most advertiser's database so that they can handle your mailings for YOU. It also allows you to load your sphere into your Outlook contacts (using comma delimited format from Excel). This gives you the ability to only have to click ONE button to send all of your sphere an email telling them that you have updated your website, etc!
4. Join a civic organization if you haven't done so already. This is a great source for contacts but, most importantly, it allows YOU to give back to YOUR community and learn even more about the community that you're trying to sell. (I LOVE my Rotary club and what I've learned about some of the amazing members in this organization!)
5. READ everything that you can get your hands on about real estate, your city, state and the mortgage industry! Sounds simple and I know that reading takes time and we are overwhelmed with reading materials but, be selective and read only the publications that you feel are MOST relevant to YOUR business.
6. Begin a checklist with items #1-5. Maintain that checklist throughout the year--incorporate your business plan and marketing plan with your daily/weekly/monthly checklist and goals. You will surprise yourself at how much you'll accomplish when you use a checklist! (One checklist tip: HIGHLIGHT or simply check beside the item that you've accomplished on the list--strikethroughs do not give you the sense of accomplishment that you get with a check or highlight).
7. Designations: Now is a GREAT time to start a class or two to obtain more designations. I know, a lot of you think that your clients don't really care what's behind your name but, you will be surprised at just how much you learn in just one of these classes per year! Helping YOU helps YOUR business!
8. Remember to incorporate the internet in your plan! Tweak your website, dive into social networking, learn as much as you can about SEO (search engine optimization) and how it can benefit YOU! Embrace technology!
9. Finally, don't forget to assign time in your schedule for Active Rain blogging!
Now, I'd like wish YOU a Happy NEW YEAR and best wishes for a prosperous 2009!
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