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Tweak, Tweak and Tweak Again

By Debe Maxwell, CRS

Real Estate Agent with Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 228209

January 10, 2009 12:50 PM

Are YOU Motivated Yet?

About me_Resume

Now that your business plan has been written, tweaked, fine-tuned and has had minor OR major adjustments made to it--whatever stage you're in--it's time to FOLLOW your plan! Of course, if you're anything like me, during the last year, I wound up fine-tuning mine at least once a month! Here are some ideas for you to start working on NOW...

1. Make adjustments to your listing or buyer presentations--remember your profile/resume needs to be in tip-top condition and updated for your new clients.

What's the ROI?

2. Request those testimonials! It's as simple as saying, "I'm updating my website and would love to have a new testimonial and have it be from YOU! Please let me know if I can use your name along with the testimonial." It's that easy!

team approach

3. Monitor your ROI--if you don't want to do this by yourself, partner up with another agent who will hold you accountable--or with an accountant/CPA who can accurately keep up with your ROI.

4. If you haven't already, create that logo, slogan and brand, brand, brand!

Coach

5. Hire a coach! Remember, the 8-time Gold Medalist, Michael Phelps, HAS a coach; why don't you?! ALTERNATIVE: If you can't afford a coach, join a group of experienced, successful agents and regularly meet to exchange what IS truly working for them and what is not! Or start a group of your own. You MUST set aside dedicated time each week in order for coaching to be successful!

Don't forget to review your plan routinely.

Remember: If you're not the dog leading the pack, the view NEVER changes!
Stay ahead of the Pack!

Debe in Charlotte

About the author:

Debe Maxwell is a Charlotte Residential Real Estate Broker, Certified Neighborhood & Relocation Specialist, ABR & e-PRO who can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate in the Charlotte NC Metro Area. If you're relocating to or from any other area of the country, Debe connects you with any member of her team of relocation professionals in your destination or exit city of choice. The destination service is of no cost to you! The Maxwell House Group's quality service guarantee puts this team far ahead of the competition; providing unsurpassed customer service is their #1 priority! Debe Maxwell -- Helen Adams Realty -- 704.491.3310

Disclaimer: All information provided by this author is strictly an opinion, is not guaranteed, may be based on information collected from several sources, which may or may not be deemed reliable at the time of researching this article and may be time sensitive.

Let's go shopping for Charlotte NC homes for sale!

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Pat Whitehouse

RE/MAX 1st Olympic Lynchburg Va - Lynchburg, VA

Broker/Owner

Hi Debe-WOW! Two power packed blogs both at the same time. How did you pull that one off? I know a magician on the side You are definitely on a roll. Fired up for 2009 I see. You are truly an example of hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence. Awesome job. Keep up the great job. Hope this New Year will be your best year yet. Chat again soon. :-)

Jan 10, 2009 04:22 PM

Ryan Shaughnessy

PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com - Saint Louis, MO

Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner

Debe - Great advice. We are currently reviewing our agent and brokerage goals for 2009 and this is now mandatory reading. Thanks again.

Jan 10, 2009 05:00 PM

Bruce Brockmeier

Internet Marketing Consultant to REALTORS® - Yorba Linda, CA

Coached By Crouch

Hi Debe,

Great advice! I've looked at thousands of websites over the years. One of the first pages I usually check is the testimonials page. Many agents overlook that important part of their marketing.

Jan 10, 2009 06:33 PM

Don Rogers

Keller Williams Realty Chesterfield - O'Fallon, MO

Realtor, Broker, CDPE, GRI, OnullFallon MO & St Charles County MO homes

Debe, Great advice ma'am and now is the time to start putting all of your plans into motion.

Jan 10, 2009 10:32 PM

Dorie Dillard Austin TX

Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX

NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Debe,

Great post!! Thanks for the advice.

Jan 10, 2009 11:16 PM

Carol Smith

Casmi Photography - Mebane, NC

Debe - as usual you have written another post that is a much needed 'kick in the pants' to keep us on track. Thanks! Sometimes we all need that little reminder so we don't get complacent in our daily routines.

Jan 11, 2009 12:03 AM

Debe Maxwell, CRS

Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC

The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Sherry: I know what you mean! Me too--sometimes I over-plan and wind up wishing that I had kept it simpler!

Deb: LOL! I'm more motivated this year than last and I really don't know what it is but, my thoughts are that if you're still standing after all of the fall-out, then you're in for a BIG 3-5 years in your business. So, I'm GOING to be standing!!

Kelly: I love your idea--ever thought of starting it up again? I know that we have a form of that support system here but, I don't think that everyone shares their BEST secrets!!

Marian: Working IN your business is VERY important and I think this is something that most business men and women forget.

Cindy: You're ON IT! Great job! That is one thing that is SO hard to give up but, is so much more productive than doing it yourself.

Kathy: I love YOUR title! That would make a good one for 2010 goals/plans!

Sheldon: Thanks and cheers to you too!

Eileen: Well, thank you! I hope they help you as well!

Lori: Thanks! Regarding updating your profile--remember that you're focusing on the consumer--give them what they're looking for--not how many millions of dollars you've sold during your career! (That's my best one!) Ray is doing great and thankful for having his PICC line out. We're so glad to be back to normal! Thanks for asking!

Janna: LOL--I'm not going to be looking at the same rears, are you?!

Patty P: Hey lady! Don't you EVER answer your phone?! Yes, I'm on a roll for '09 and just had a head-to-head yesterday with my CFO (Ray, of course!) that I increased my bottom line goals for 2009--he thinks I should slim back! NO WAY--I'm going for the gusto and going to have the best year ever! (Don't you love that half-full mentality?!!)

Ryan: Thanks! You are so kind! Hopefully there are no typos since you're using it for 'training'!

Bruce: Thank you! I've heard that so much lately and I really do need to tweak my own main website this month to incorporate that.

Don: Thanks and yes, there's no time better than the present, right?!

Dorie: Thank you and you're welcome!

Carol: Thank you! Best of luck and yes, GET ON IT!

Debe in Charlotte

Jan 11, 2009 12:42 AM

Judy Jennings

Top Agent Plus - Middleboro, MA

Tap into Judy's real estate expertise & resources.

Debe,

Funny and inspirational. My favorite kind of post. It also has a green element, as the air quality is better at the front of the pack.

Kidding aside, these are good tips and thank you for sharing them.

Judy

Jan 11, 2009 01:39 AM

Mary Douglas

United Country Ponderosa Realty, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado - Red Feather Lakes, CO

REALTOR, Red Feather Lakes, Colorado

Hi Debe, i always learn something from you! You are a great inspiration. Thank you!!

Jan 11, 2009 02:07 AM

Sandy McAlpine

RE/MAX EXECUTIVE - Cornelius, NC

Search Lake Norman Homes For Sale - Lake Norman NC

I've always believed that it is a certain personality type that always seems to refresh and keep changing their game plan. I have always admired people like that. I constantly try to push myself to be on top of the latest real estate sales trends and to be more organized in my business. Inspirational post!

Jan 11, 2009 03:59 AM

Debe Maxwell, CRS

Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC

The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Judy: HA--love the air quality comment! SO true! Thanks for stopping by and commenting Judy!

Mary: Thank you so much for your kind words! And, you're most welcome!

Sandy: Some might say crazy! LOL--others do change with the times and I find that being flexible works best for me. However, those who keep doing what works for them, may never have to change their plans! Food for thought... ;-)

Debe in Charlotte

Jan 11, 2009 06:01 AM

Gail MacMillan

Titusville, FL

Hi Debe- Excellent post, especially liked your punch line...LOL Funny thing though, I'm not one for business plans even though I quite understand their relevance. I've never done one, yet my goals usually are met. It's all in my head and as long as I enjoy what I do, the rest just seems to come naturally. I would be curious to know how many agents feel this way, yet still enjoy a sense of achievement! Now, the trick is to keep up the enthusiasm....hmmmmm

Jan 11, 2009 07:51 AM

Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR

Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV

Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

Debe - yes, it is important to dedicate time to things that matter. I never plan anything, just go with the flow, and sometimes that hurts me!

Jan 11, 2009 10:44 AM

Barb Szabo, CRS

RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH

E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

Debe, Thanks for the reminders. My marketing presentation is a big focus for me this year. All the techno changes etc...

Jan 11, 2009 10:49 AM

Renée Donohue~Home Photography

Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI

Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

Oh I am following up on those plans alright! My fingers are sore from entering 188 listings into the P2A system, craigslist and backpage! I must say we are getting a steady stream of leads from it!

My goal to have my buyer's agents close 10 transactions a month (starting in March) and my personal goal is to get 3 a month plus send out 5 short sale leads, 2 property management leads and 2 spanish speaking leads.

Nice income stream :)~

Jan 11, 2009 03:09 PM

Renae Bolton

Marketing 4 Realtors - Garfield Heights, OH

I'm your Professional Real Estate Marketing VA!

Debe - You know my computer crashed a week and a half ago, right? Well, dumb me didn't have a backup system in place at the time. (Trust that I do now!) As a result, I lost my entire marketing plan for 2009, which had taken me approximately 2 weeks to get to a point where I was happy with it. Since it took me so long to write it, I have forgotten several parts of the plan. So I'm starting from scratch re-writing my plan.

But like you, I feel strongly that it is not only necessary that you have a marketing plan but also that you utilize it! I'm with you - Start USING that plan!!

~Renae

Jan 12, 2009 02:46 AM

Harrison K. Long

HomeSmart, Evergreen Realty - Irvine, CA

REALTOR , GRI, Broker associate, Attorney

Hi Debe ... I like your article about business planning and BRANDING and agree that "If you're not the dog leading the pack, the view never changes". We must work on a logo and better branding. Best wishes. Harrison

Jan 12, 2009 04:14 AM

Kathy Toth

Ann Arbor Market Center Keller Williams - Ann Arbor, MI

Ann Arbor Real Estate Experts - Kathy Toth Team

Tweaking makes your plan come alive! It makes it become a product that evolves with your business. Not something static that you write and leave in a desk drawer. It is supposed to be something that grows with you throughout the year. This is a great post!

Kathy

Jan 12, 2009 11:30 AM

Liz Moras Migic

Chilliwack, BC

Chilliwack, British Columbia - Realtor

Great points! Coaches can definitely be an asset..........but sometimes you have to go through a few before you find the right match for you! Just because someone's calls themself a 'coach' doesn't mean they're a good coach.......sad to say...:-)

Jan 13, 2009 01:07 PM

Debe Maxwell, CRS

Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC

The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi All! Sorry for the delay in responding but, believe it or not, I've been swamped and barely keeping my blogging head above water!! Thanks for all of your kind words and keep those business plans tweaked and fine-tuned. Hope your January was the best one ever!

Debe in Charlotte

Feb 01, 2009 04:21 AM