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Improve Your Profits With the 20/50/30 Rule!

By
Mortgage and Lending with Primary Residential Mortgage, Inc.
You've heard of the Pareto Principle right?  If not, it's the 80/20 rule that economist Vilfredo Pareto developed through his research.
I bet you haven't heard of the 20/50/30 Rule, though... right?  It works hand-in-hand with the 80/20 rule for leads and is more centered on lead qualification.

The basic premise is this:

20% of the prospects that you contact will do business with you easily.  There are several reasons why, but the rules on handling them are the same regardless.
1.  Get out of their way, and make it as easy as possible for them to do business with you.
2.  They believe what you say is true and have an overall good feeling about you.
3.  They believe you are skilled at what you do and trust that you can deliver what they need.
4.  These types of leads are like Gold - get out of your own way and get to the point.

What should you do?  Close the deal!!!

The next 50% of prospects are on the fence.  They could go either way, and you have to work with them to make sure they fall on your side of the fence.  Here are some ways to help your cause:
1.  Make a compelling presentation with confidence.
2.  Make sure you tailor your presentation to fit their individual behavioral style.
3.  Help break the ice with them, so they actually begin to like you.
4.  Make sure that you communicate effectively the benefits that you bring to them.

What should you do?  Close the deal so that you can then move them to the 20% that will do business with you easily.

The last 30% of prospects are problems waiting to happen.  Their characteristics are:
1.  They are highly demanding.
2.  Usually have limited respect for you.
3.  You will expend tremendous energy with them.
4.  You will expend huge quantities of time with them.

What should you do?  Throw these leads away - the conversion rate is too low, and the energy wasted is very high.



You need to take a VERY hard look at the prospects with which you are working.  Decide who is stealing your time and who you should working with to close more deals.  Measure their actions against the above listed guidelines and act accordingly.

You will end up with more money in your pocket and more free time to enjoy your life.

Just thought you should know.

Have a profitable day.

Steven

Comments(9)

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Stacie Jordan
Retired - San Antonio, TX
Great refresher tips.  Determine what type of prospect you are dealing with and deal with it!
Jul 09, 2007 11:34 PM
Linda Reynolds
Bradenton Real Estate - Linda Reynolds - Bradenton, FL
Bradenton Real Estate
Yes, we go through a process to determine if we are talking to one of those 30% people.  If we determine, yes they are just going to be problems, we throw them away and let someone else deal with them.  I believe in this so much that my mother is one of those in the 30% category.  When she is ready to sell her home, I will not be the broker to list it, someone else can!!
Jul 09, 2007 11:36 PM
Don Carter
All Star Mortgage, LLC - Haverhill, MA
If this concept is true, wouldn't it make the most sense to spend all of your prospecting time trying to locate clients that fall into the 20% of clients that will do business with you now?  Spending limited time and resources trying to convert the majority of prospects into clients when there are already people out there who don't need any convincing to do business with you seems counter-intuitive.
Jul 09, 2007 11:43 PM
Jason Leone
Logical Choice Lending, Inc. - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Hey Steven,

Good points.  I would like to add that it seams like the biggest problems come from the smallest deals.

Jul 10, 2007 01:21 AM
John Evarts
Classic Property Management of Santa Clarita - Santa Clarita, CA
Steven, great post! I am a big preacher of the 80/20 rule, but hadn't heard of the 20/50/30 rule.
Jul 10, 2007 04:44 AM
Lexa R. Montierth
NextHome Complete Realty - Tucson, AZ
Real Estate Sales Agent and Marketer

What I have been trying to say to myself for a while now :)  Thanks for clearing it up!

Lexa 

Jul 10, 2007 05:13 PM
Jennifer Steck
Rocky Mountain Homescapes, Keller Williams, Denver Colorado - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate
Steven- I hope it gets easier to sort through which is which. I've wasted lots of time with some folks who would never be ready to buy. I think it is a lesson everyone goes through, but it is still hard for me to decide whether they are a 50 or a 30.
Jul 12, 2007 12:20 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel
Thanks for sharing the info.I will sort out my prospects and see where they belong.
Jan 13, 2008 07:18 PM
Jackie - computer-training-atlanta.com
770.498.7333 - Atlanta, GA
Learn to leverage technology to get more done.
Steven - a post worth bookmarking. 
Jan 14, 2008 11:11 AM