Marketing -- What about timing?

If you went to the ocean and wiggled your hand around to make a little splash, that tiny splash would continue endlessly until it reached another shore.  Whether you could discern that tiny little wave or not, the movement goes on until it reaches solid ground.

And so does any effort whatsoever that you do to market your business.  It does not matter what you do.  Action produces results whether you see it now or later or even if you are not aware of it.  It is the thing that makes the phone ring when you least expect it to.

I do coaching for Darryl Davis Seminars and one of the things I have my Realtors do is to create an anti-depressant list.  It is a list of 1/2 day, full day and 2 day projects that can be used to market your business to be utilized when feeling down or like business has no future.

So, don't hang out or even speak with negative people.  If you want to soar like an eagle, hang out with the eagles.

Good for you! the lazy people use the external circumstances to give them evidence to stay lazy & blame the everyone t everything else for their lack of success. The two items you have mentioned: Taking action and increasing your shills & knowledge are important to Success. The other way you are displaying your savvy is by thing responsibility to MAKE things happen instead of waiting

Hey Alisa,

Congrats on getting your certification, Good for you!  Trying to work on getting more work is a smart business thinking in all market cycles, not just down cycles.  As to your questions... Maybe try to establish yourself into a niche area of work that others in your area are not currently tapping (estate, DOD, divorce). Your website is very nice...but depending on who you want to attract you may want to gear the site to your potential client base.  Find your niche and let your site be an extension of you?  Good luck!

Hey Alisa -

I like your web site.  I like the fact that it's not an alamode package website and that you put your prices on there.  I think, however you should put a picture up here on AR... it doesn't have to be you if you're shy... a house, a dog, a kid.... anything will do :-)

As far as marketing in slow times... everyone seems to do that and of course the Lenders have such little business often their 'old faithful' Appraisers can keep up with their demands.  I say if you're going to hit the marketing road, do it when you (and everybody else) is slammed.

Best of luck

Alisa - good for you for moving forward with your Certification and con ed.  I must say tho, that business being slow or being slammed, doing marketing is a good thing to do all the time.  Are you involved in any other type of networking groups?  Not all networking groups are beneficial, but sometimes a local chamber of commerce, womens club, etc can be a way to get out there.  I belong to several networking groups here in Los Angeles, and have gotten decent business and referrals out of it.  Also, as Robert said, try and find an area that is a specialty to set your self apart from the main stream can be helpful.  Sara brings up a good point, that not all cold calling is going to be beneficial in slow times due to the "old faithful" appraisers lenders use, but it can be a foot in the door, so I say continue marketing, calling and getting out there!  

Best of luck to us all for more work in So Cal!!!!!!  Nice web site too!

Hi Alisa,  I was just reading thru some of your posts and I'm wondering if you've seen any trickles of results yet from your efforts in November.  I think I've been to your website before but I'll check it out again.  

Alisa,

I checked out your website and the first thing I noticed was that there is no contact info on the home page. You want to make it as easy as possible for people to find your contact numbers without having to jump around to do so. How many people do you know of who spent time looking for the remote control or watched something they didn't want to or couldn't hear because they didn't want to get up and change the channel or turn the volume up???

The second thing I noticed was you have picture links that take you to other pages but they aren't labeled. I'd add labels underneath them and change the picture names to those labels as well so they show up when you roll over the pics.

Nice website.  I liked the cloud theme but I don't know how it relates to appraising. I felt calm and relaxed and it made me think of flying and airplanes. It might make you stand out from the other appraisers in your area. They could think of you as the cloud lady but only if they visit your website.

I like how you are being proactive and seeking business. That is the best way to find work. Even people who use you regularly need to be reminded that you are still breathing and could use the work. I tend to call up clients whom I haven't heard from in a few weeks and BS with them for a bit. I then ask them if they have any work my way. I usually end up with an order or two from them or someone in their office. If not it at least lets them know I'm still around and keeps my name fresh in their minds.

I've been trying out different email campaigns with RE Agents in my area. I looked up all the agents in my county and added them to my contacts list and sent them emails through XSellerate from WinTotal. I plan on doing that for the other counties I cover but it takes a while and I haven't made the time to do so.

Good luck with everything.

Kenneth J Miller

www.miller-appraisals.net

Alisa!~ I stand firmly behind what Gail said...lol, that was very touching Gail if your listening out there!. Thats all I have to say, now off to surfing Gails glorious wave, Thanks Gail!!! - please write a book, just for me!.