What a great commercial. If you watched the television at all this year, you have probably seen the commercial a number of times.
Of course you likely soon saw the same signs go up in front of a few establishments, which practice the art that is HAIR....(Not sure what you call these places, for obvious reasons)
But that is not my point.....my point is this, and follow along. Is this a good idea to "Copy", "Borrow", or otherwise "Re-appoint" a successful marketing idea or business strategy.
Resoundingly, hell yes it is! You're here aren't you? Did you invent the Blog, because I sure didn't! Yet here we are, reading, writing and otherwise sharing ideas and in fact, marketing ourselves. Why????? Because it works and because new ideas are allot more work and (yes one more and) because it is silly not to.
Let's face it, there is nothing new in this world....nothing that has not been done before and no way that you are expected to have the best and most original ideas in the world, (but if you do have that idea, GOOGLE will buy it from you) so go with what works and fits your budget.
Grab the ideas of those around you who seem to be doing things right and making a good living doing it. (Within reason, don't steal trademarks or buy a balloon) but if you see an idea, run with it.
So here are a few ideas that work for those I know and respect in the industry.
1) Promptness: Think this isn't marketing, think again. It is the main word of mouth primer that will benefit you. It will teach your clients that you are serious and out to do business, which they will tell their friends about and that is the best and most rewarding type of advertising.
2) Dress Professionally: Certainly I have sold a ton of Real Estate in shorts and flip flops or sitting at the local Hooters, but when I began to dress for work just as a Boss would expect me to arrive in the mornings. It was amazing how my time-line changed, my no-shows dropped off, my productivity improved, and my tardies fell away. (Now if I could just get my tardy clients to visit this site, the whole world would be better.
3) Set Limits: It took me ten years to realize that people expect to get voice-mail after a certain time in the evening. I was killing myself for nothing and actually hurting my business. Set your limits and reward yourself and your family with time.
4) Business Cards: DON'T SKIMP: Your business card may be your first impression, don't let it be your only one. Buy good cards from a reputable vendor and make sure that they are QUALITY. I know you can get 250 cards free........but why would you?
5) Networking: Oh great...here come the whiners.....But Gary.....why do I want to hang out with a bunch of OTHER REALTORS.....they aren't going to buy houses from me......This is true, but I am a firm believer that it is much harder to steal a deal from a friend than some anonymous name, and in this business that can be cut throat....networking may be your best protection. But that isn't why.
Frankly speaking, networking will send you more business and make you more professional than any other endeavor. Networking is how you find out about the discounted GRI class or the FREE SFR class or of course...the next networking HAPPYHOUR. Networking will get you included in circles that will increase your business acumen and knowledge. Networking will introduce you to new concepts and ideas that you didn't learn in your 2 week class and that your Broker may or may not know about. But this is not a networking blog...so enough of that.
6) Know your clients: (and yourself) I am email oriented....just am! Cuz that how I roll! That doesn't mean that all my clients are and if a client is phone or texting oriented, I better find out quickly and utilize that approach, and you should TOOOOOOOOO. (Hint, if you are spelling or grammar challenged, become texting oriented)
7) Educate yourself: READ! READ! READ! I used to have my library on my website, but it was so outdated and I read so much, that I removed it, but I am putting it back. The books are only my recommending reading, discover what you want to learn and read about it.
Always carry a good business book with you. Even though you are dressing better and your no-shows will dwindle, there will always be the late appointment. You can only spend so much time opening doors and turning on lights. Anyone who walks into one of my appointments late will find me propped against a wall with a copy of the latest be a better REALTOR book that is on the market. Not only do I look better, but it keeps me off the phone where I risk getting into a situation where I have a client in person and on the phone and have to be short with one or the other.
8) Vehicle advertising: From a full vehicle WRAP to a simple window perfs you can't beat the cost per impression for turning your car into a rolling billboard. (Check with your insurance company)
9) Share the wealth: At your next networking event, discuss your most recent book, hand out your new business cards, find out if the new folks you meet or phone or email oriented so you can touch base and make sure that they know when and when not to give you a call. (use tact! "After 6, you'll likely get my voice-mail as I am up to my neck in 7th grade homework" as opposed to DON'T CALL AFTER 6!)
10) BLOG: Chances are that you already are, but continue to do so because it not only benefits you, but also your fellow REALTORS and the public at large. Putting useful information out there for the world to see is tantamount to your success. I figured there must be a list of Blogging benefits out there on the WWW somewhere, so I looked and well, there was this one blog......
That about wraps it up. I have a Short Sale listing appointment in two hours, so I need to take my own advice, ensure that I am properly dressed, grab my book, and head out early so I am PROMPT!
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