Before you get too excited, this article is not going to give you 10 get rich quick schemes or “reinvent the wheel”. But rather give you items to think about to improve your business in 2017. I have said for years that the goal to continued success and increasing your business is to add 3 things. Whether it be from this list or at a seminar, you most likely won’t remember 10 items but rather walk away with 3 items that you can incorporate into your business asap. The longer it takes you it is to incorporate it in to your business the less likely you will do it. But enough of my two cents, here is 10 tips to increase your business in 2017:
Attainable Goals- The key to hitting the “major” goal is setting 3 or more smaller goals. Saying you want to double your business this coming year, is a great goal. But with no plan you will fail at this. So I suggest making a list of smaller goals. Such as calling a certain number of clients per day, week, month or committing to a certain number of blogs a week or month. Thou you can think of your own goals to help you get to your end goal. There are two major benefits of 3 or more smaller goals: accomplishing small goals will keep you positive and motivated. And it also will keep you on track toward your bigger goal.
Vision Board- A good friend of mine suggested this to me and I thought it was genius! Sure it may sound corny. But this business pulls you in 99 directions everyday. And many times we forget while we work this hard. A vision Board will help keep those reasons in front of you daily. Those reasons maybe family time, a new car, dream vacation, etc.
Do a better job with your leads- We all know what a “lead” is. But many of us do not do a good job of keeping track of them. Sure if they contact you and want to buy a home today, that is a pretty easy lead to handle. But what about if the person does not want buy a home now, needs their lease to end first, improve their credit, save for their down payment? Stay on top of these leads, as they can turn into business in the future. Start a lead database and every time you get a lead add their email address to the database asap. By doing it asap you will not forget to do it later. Come up with a plan for following up with clients on the fence about buying a home, maybe check in weekly, monthly, every two months, email newsletters, mailer etc. Trust me by doing this you will see your business increase, as your lead database is a GOLD MINE!!
Step out of your marketing comfort zone- One thing I hear most is “I don’t feel comfortable doing that on facebook”. In our line of week you have to be “out there” on facebook. As there is no better way for your clients to know who you are. I suggest friending every single person right before you close on their home. Then take a photo from closing with you and them. Post this photo on Facebook and tag them in the photo. Trust me I know this concept is not reinventing the wheel. But what it does is remind all your friends what you do for a living. And it introduces you to all your client’s friends since you tagged them in the photo. I know what you are thinking “I don’t like to take photos”, “my client’s wont like that”, “I am not a fan of facebook”. These are all excuses that will hold you back in growing your business, trust me.
Cut the Fat- We have all heard this saying. Some times the best approach is taking one step back before making a leap forward. Address things that you do not need to be doing: wasted time in the office, long lunches, coworkers that talk more than they produce, wasted money on unsuccessful marketing. Cut the Fat!
Wake Up Earlier- Bam!! Now you have more time in the day to get more done. Look we all like to sleep in but imagine what can you do with an extra hour or two a day.
Become a Marketing Machine- Many times the things that will help us increase our business are the things we would rather not do. Or despise. But time to swallow your pride. Any chance you get you should be marketing. Wear a name tag, remind friends what you do for a living, go to networking events. Leave your business card at local restaurants, in books at book stores, the list can go on and on………
Respond Asap!- One of the greatest things I have done for my business is responding asap. Sure you can think of excuses: “it’s late”, “I don’t work weekends!”, “that can wait until tomorrow”. The truth of the matter is 99% of our industry thinks like that. Be the 1%!! Your clients will love you and it will grow your business, trust me.
Small Changes Lead to Big Success- Many times people think to get to the next level you need to make drastic changes. That is very rarely the case. But rather by making small changes you are tweaking your already strong business plan. This is especially true if you have already found success, but want more! By making drastic changes you could ruin the foundation you have already built.
Learn More- None of us have the time to read, but you have to make it. Or listen to seminars online, youtube videos, motivational speakers, etc. Many times the next great idea for your business are in that video or article!
Like I mentioned in the beginning, this article was not to blow your mind or give you get rich quick schemes. It was to make you sit back and think about your own business and what small changes you can make to take your business to the next level.
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