A long blog with lots of good info.

it's not enough to be known by your friends, family and co-workers.   If your name is known by only 100 to 1000 people in your city it's not enough.  It's not necessary that they know you personally, but it is vital they know your name and associate it directly with real estate.

This is branding.   It's making your name synonymous with your profession.  When people think of hamburgers they automatically think of McDonald's..  When they think of facial tissue, Kleenex comes instantly to mind.   You get the idea.

When people think of real estate your name should to come to mind in the same instant.

We've all heard the expression, "we're known for the company we keep."    Here are a few tips to raise your profile.    This is all aimed at branding your good name.

- Meet people...meet a lot of people and have them mention your name to others.  Give each person you meet two business cards.   One for them and one for a friend.

- Get to know people in your community who are well known.   Example:  politicians, business leaders, influential people who have made a positive reputation and who's names are known by all.    Get to know these celebrities well.   Start by approaching them and introducing yourself.   Don't be nervous about this.  Most people are approachable.   See them again and again.  Go to public events where they are and make a point of shaking hands and speaking with them again and again.   Be sure they remember your name in a positive way.

- Become a name dropper and associate their name with yours in a non-invasive way.   Use the names of well known local celebs in your advertising.  For example.... "Join (Your Name) at the Mayor's pancake breakfast in aid of breast cancer this Saturday at Green Hills Golf Club.    Adding this single line to your advertising costs practically nothing, but associates you with a local celeb... a charitable cause and a posh country club.)  It also tacitly invites the public at large to come to meet you.

- Associate yourself with a worthwhile charity.   Ask permission to add their logo to your advertising with a line like "Support Children's hospital" (as an example.)

- Act like a politician.   Show up at community events where people gather.   Work the crowd.  Lots of hand shaking and passing out of cards.   Lots of asking them to tell their friends about you.  

- Dress for success....even if it's in an Iowa corn field.

- Create value added for your customers by doing cross advertising.   Example:  Approach a local limo company and a classy restaurant.  Tell them you'll include their name in your ongoing advertising if they provide an evening's limo service and dinner for two for your home buyers.  This is aimed at offering your customer value added when they buy from you. 

The promotion doesn't have to involve a limo and a restaurant.  There are many well known businesses in your city you can partner with to provide customer value added at no cost to you.  Approach them!!  Make them an offer.

What you're doing here is drawing on the fame of others to increase your own fame through association.

- Be a joiner.   Join in charity walk-a-thons etc.   Be sure to have someone take your photo among other walkers and use it in your advertising.  Make the photo appear as though you're leading the way.  This not only applies to walk-a-thons but any community activity.   Get with the crowd, have photos taken for your advertising and talk with everyone you meet.   Become a mover and shaker locally.  It costs you nothing to be among the crowd and take part in community events. 

Here are other quick tips...offer yourself as an after dinner speaker at service club dinners...write articles in your local community newspaper....tell the media you're available to be a spokesperson on real estate matters.

Spend a little time every day to think of ways you can become better known in your community.   Then follow through.  

Your aim is to get your name known far and wide for your good deeds, the people you associate with, your expertise in your field etc. etc..   You want to become a celebrity yourself locally.

BUSINESS GOES TO THOSE WHO ARE BEST KNOWN IN THEIR COMMUNITY.