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Where do you find the time?

By
Home Stager with Welcome Home Interiors, LLC

I find myself so busy lately, trying to be productive but feeling like I'm not getting anything accomplished.  I guess I should consider putting together some sort of daily agenda to keep myself on track, but where to start???  I am in the final stages of having my corporate identity package finished (just waiting on my business cards and such to arrive in the mail).  Once I have that, I should be able to really start marketing my business full force, but how should I begin???  I've been approached about marketing through certain Real Estate "Preferred Vendor Programs" but have also been told that may not be the best way to get started.  I've also considered just cold-calling all the agents who have properties for sale in my subdivision and asking to meet so I can offer my services to their clients.

For any of you agents out there, how do you prefer to be contacted?  Do you mind receiving unsolicited calls about partnering with your local Stagers?  After all, the investment is usually made by your clients and you reap the benefits of faster sales for more money...  (Some agents offer to make the investment in Staging if they have a good relationship with their client.)

 Or would you prefer email or regular mail to be introduced to new Stagers in your area?  Have any of you ever used a Stager?  How did you feel about your experience?

 Also, for those of you who are also full-time parents or hold another job outside the home, how did you make time to start your own business on the side?  Did you find that creating a weekly agenda was helpful or did you do something else to keep yourself on track?  I'm still debating on whether or not to put time into creating a detailed business plan, marketing plan, etc.  Have you done that and has it helped you?

Thanks for listening and for any advice you may have :)

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Nattalie de la Mothe
Maximum One Greater Atlanta Realtors - Atlanta, GA
Selling Atlanta Homes like a Boss

Extremely important.. I had the same problem,.. you know not enough hours in the day. Important... find a daily planner... a appointment book, calenda what ever you call it... saved my life and my days....

 

Good luck!!

Jun 19, 2007 03:58 PM
Beth Bastian
Rosemont Financial Inc - Simi Valley, CA
Simi Valley Real Estate
I am having the same issue, I really need to be more organized.  As for the staging question, try calling local brokers and ask them if you can give a class.
Jun 19, 2007 04:14 PM
Lynda Eisenmann
Preferred Home Brokers - Brea, CA
Broker Associate ,CRS,GRI,SRES, Brea,CA, Orange Co

Hi Michele,

It's so nice to see your post and you ask a valid question for anyone new in business. You've already begun by asking the question on this forum, good for you!

For me, I'd just start by talking with people...not to worry about business cards, promo pieces, that sort of thing. How many agents/Realtors do you know in your area? Begin by talking with them. Ask how you can help...do they have any listings that need to be sold, of course, we all do. I'd always offer to be of service first as opposed to having a "hand out".

Afterwards, you can always follow up with your printed items etc.

 

Jun 19, 2007 04:20 PM
Michele Kiefert
Welcome Home Interiors, LLC - Buford, GA
ASP, IFDA
So do you set certain goals for yourself in your day planner?  At this point, I don't have a lot of "scheduled" stuff to keep track of (and what I do have, I keep on my calander), but what I need is something to keep my marketing and business tasks on track.  And prioritizing is a huge deal... I need to figure out what's most important in my list of stuff to do!  Should I hire a business coach or do you think that's money wasted?
Jun 19, 2007 04:22 PM
Michele Kiefert
Welcome Home Interiors, LLC - Buford, GA
ASP, IFDA

Lynda,

Thanks for that.  I always thought I should wait until I had something I could actually give people before I started calling, but I can see where you're coming from!  Thanks a bunch :)

Jun 19, 2007 04:25 PM