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Do you have a data base? Entry from Makeover2Takeover & helpful ideas

By
Real Estate Agent with Liz Carter & Team Realty-Your Real Estate Resource For Life!

Unfortunately Team Tex-La was eliminated from Active Rains contest, Makeover2Takeover at the end of TX & LA state borderweek six. Rich Jacobson came up with the brilliant idea and challenges which I truly enjoyed being a part of with my apprentice Josh Lazaro.  Being the mentor part of our team, I also learned a lot, and had fun too.  The contest started with 16 teams, and after our elimination it was down to only 6 teams and now it is down to the last three teams remaining.  The winner should be announced any day now.  All of the participants are a very talented group of Realtors & bloggers here on the rain, so if you have not been following it I encourage you to check it out.  It will soon be over however all the hard work and great ideas to build your real estate business that was done is still there for you to take advantage of.  Here is a link to the contest group page, Makeover2Takeover.

The very first challenge Rich came up with was to teach your apprentice how to build a data base, pick a program to use for it, and the reasons why having a data base is so important.  Josh did not have one at all, but he does now, and is in the process of building it up.  There was a ton of valuable information that came from the teams participating, so check out some of them if you don't have a data base or need to revamp and clean up the one you have.  I use Top Producer as my soft ware and have around 3,000 contact in my data base. 

This is a link to my complete challenge entry on creating, building and how to use a great data base, http://www.hismove.com/week_1.doc 

Once you have a clean, up to date data base it's important to maintain it.  One of the main reasons to have one is to stay in touch with your SOI (sphere) of influence), current and past clients to generate clean desk and computerreferrals.  There are many ways to do this, and below is an ideal I just used to send our an e-mail to my whole data base, and thought you might find it helpful.  You should call your entire data base at least once a quarter, mail something of value once a quarter, and send occasional e-mails of interest, (this is just the basics you must do contact wise ).

I thought this idea was partially good since it brought them to your office, so they remembered were you are, and it was a good cause too.  I had ran across the article and implemented it as one of our e-mail contacts.  Below is a copy of the actual newsletter that was sent out.  So far we have a box full of old cell phone and accessories to donate to the Good Deed Foundation.

Now that you have your data base in place remember it does you no good unless you work it.  So good luck and hope you might be able to use this to help stay in touch with your SOI and past clients. Below is the wording that I used on my e-mail letter that was sent out.  Top Producer automatically inserts the fist names of each contact for you.

     

cell phone

________________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Liz and Bill,

Liz Carter & Team Realty is proud and excited to share with you information about our newest charity.  We are working with the Good Deed Foundation(www.gooddeedfoundation.org/aarp) in recycling your old cell phones for a great cause.

Americans upgrade their cell phones about once a year, rendering approximately 11.6 million phones useless each month, though most of them actually still work. If recycled, these phones could generate millions of dollars to help women and families in need, as well as saving 66 pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) per phone.

About 60% of cell phones recycled can be refurbished and resold. These phones generate the greatest funds for charity. Of the remaining cell phones, a percentage will be reprogrammed to dial 911 and donated to domestic violence survivors, senior citizens and others at risk. The rest are returned to the materials stream. All recycling through this program is completed in the US, according to EPA standards.  Funds raised go to Women's Funding Network Foundation, which helps to lift women and families out of poverty.

Some phones will be sold, with the proceeds going to programs that help women and children escape poverty or to support climate-change initiatives.  Some will go to older adults so they can make 911 calls.  "People can make a huge difference through this program just by giving away something they're no longer using," says Calandra Cruickshank, executive vice president of the Good Deed Foundation in Phoenicia, N.Y., which is cosponsoring the effort with the Environmental Media Association.

If you have one or two lying around like most of us, bring them by Liz Carter & Team Realty's office located at 21949 Katy Freeway, Katy, Texas.  We will be acting as the area collection center for the drive.

See you at the collection Box!!       Thanks for the privilege, Liz Carter Broker/Owner, Liz Carter & Team Realty 281-391-SOLD (7653) 800-783-4041 fax 281-392-2910   If you do not wish to receive future emails, please click the link to Unsubscribe: Unsubscribe.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

I hope you find my entry on building and using a data base helpful http://www.hismove.com/week_1.doc , should you have any questions just let me know, and I'll be glad to help.

When you have referrals for Katy, Texas and the greater Houston, Texas area I would appricate your referrals.  Liz                                     www.lizcarter.com 

picture of team

Comments (36)

Jason Crouch
Austin Texas Homes, LLC - Austin, TX
Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (512-796-7653)

Liz - I am bookmarking this post for future reference.  Nicely done!

Jul 10, 2008 08:26 AM
Liz Carter
Liz Carter & Team Realty-Your Real Estate Resource For Life! - Katy, TX
Broker/Owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty, Katy TX (Houston)

Diane...

I'm glad your found it helpful.  L

Kathy...

It is a Hugh job, sub one that must be done and just as importantly maintained!  Good luck, L

Lori...

What program are you using for you kick a*s data base?  Way back in the olden days, we never had anything but scraps of paper.  I'm trying to remember my first computer?  I didn't think I needed one even then, which was 20 years after Mild been in business.  Boy how times change.  Good luck and let me know if I can help.  L

Deb...

Hope you're all rested now, but knowing you I'm sure you already have a thousand things lined up :).  Later in the rain, L

Sharon...

That's what you are supposed to do, good job!  Most agents never stay in touch, and the ones that do get the business.  L

Elizabeth...

Aren't newlyweds supposed to be busy with something else :)?  I'll come see you in a minuet.  L

Leslie...

Thanks, spell check can only do so much :).  L

Jul 10, 2008 08:37 AM
Liz Carter
Liz Carter & Team Realty-Your Real Estate Resource For Life! - Katy, TX
Broker/Owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty, Katy TX (Houston)

Jason my friend...

Be sure to click on the link, it has a ton of infomation in it.  L

 

Jul 10, 2008 08:52 AM
Alan 'AJ' Nisen California Contra Costa Mortgage Officer
A Large Bank in America - Lafayette, CA

Liz, the key here is to work the database.  It is so easy to  put that off.  But, a lot of small steps (calls, etc) every day, there shouldn't be any problem contacting everyone in sphere of influence. AJ

Jul 10, 2008 09:36 AM
Kate Elim
Dockside Realty - Spotsylvania, VA
Realtor 540-226-1964, Selling Homes & Land a

Hi Liz...How generous of you to share the fruits of your hard work with the rest of us.  I will be looking forward to your other posts.  I was a subscriber anyway otherwise I would be signing on now.

Thank you also for the e-mail.  I have copied and revised it already for my office.

Kate

 

Jul 10, 2008 10:41 AM
Margaret Woda
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. - Crofton, MD
Maryland Real Estate & Military Relocation

This is a terrific idea, Liz.  Good job!

Jul 10, 2008 11:51 AM
Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

A database is one of the most important items in your arsenal.  Maintaining contact with your past clients is important

Jul 10, 2008 02:12 PM
Stacie Colclasure
Gateway Holding and Referral Company - Bethalto, IL
Realtor, Bethalto, IL

Liz, I am in my 2nd year now and I have learned tons more here on AR and the M2T contest than I ever did in my prelicense course or training classes.  Thank you so much for being willing to share your ideas with us!

Jul 10, 2008 02:49 PM
Midori Miller
Talk 2 Midori, LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Online Marketing For Real Estate Professionals

Hi Liz-awesome stuff! :)  Thanks for sharing..this contest gave me so many great ideas.

Jul 10, 2008 03:18 PM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

I'm not sure how anyone can be successful with out a database of past clients and prospects. We have about 2000 currently and are quite selective on adding new.

Jul 10, 2008 03:19 PM
Yvette Smith
LONG & FOSTER - Williamsburg, VA
Realtor In Williamsburg VA, Homes for Sale

HI LIZ,

You're absolutely right.  Thank you for the reminder!!

All the best,

Jul 10, 2008 03:26 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Liz, Congrats on the feature and on making it to the AR Newsletter.  I know a STAR!! 

Jul 10, 2008 04:04 PM
Sondra Meyer:
EXP Realty, LLC - Corpus Christi, TX
See It. Experience It. Live It.

Hi Liz, Ms. World traveler, hater of car shopping, and Realtor/Blogger extraordinaire......congrats on your feature and the newsletter post.  This post is a great reminder to update my database.  I don't know about you, but at the moment...I'm trying to figure out how prioritize my priorities.  In other words, I'm making an excuses for still not getting that me-me done.   Once things slow down.....

By the way, the cell phone letter seems like a great idea for a good cause.  Thanks for sharing it with us. 

Jul 10, 2008 04:13 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Liz,

I love this.  It is a win win for everybody, allowing us to keep in touch with our SOI and help others.  Thank you for a great idea.

Jul 10, 2008 05:28 PM
Liz Carter
Liz Carter & Team Realty-Your Real Estate Resource For Life! - Katy, TX
Broker/Owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty, Katy TX (Houston)

Alan,,,

Depends on how many you have and how much business you're doing.  It's a challenge to contact all 3000 PC?SOI every 3 months, and to be honest, I don't make it most of the time.  And I schedule 3 hours a day devoted just to that.  You are right that is the key, just having one does no good...you must work it!  L

Kate...

That was a very kind comment, thank you!  I will do one for each of the contest challenges and put a link to my full entry.  Lots of people fell they can not share that much detailed information about their business, but I don't have a problem with that.  I've worked hard for 32+ years putting everything together, and hope it helps someone.  L

Margret...

Thanks, you have also shared a ton with everyone too.  Hope all is well with your daughters new home in TX?  Let me know what happened with the agent?  L

Russ...

Yes it is, maybe that's why Rich made it our first assignment :).  L

Stacie...

It's kinda like is like going to college, you learn the real life stuff when you get in the real world/job :).  Glad it has been helpful to you.  L

Midori...

Yes, I did too, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the teams complete entries, and hope everyone post them.  L

 

Jul 10, 2008 06:04 PM
Virginia Hepp - Mesquite NV REALTOR
Desert Gold Realty - Mesquite NV Homes For Sale - Mesquite, NV
Mesquite NV Homes and Neighborhoods - Search MLS

Liz - I thought you were going to win that contest.  You are a winner anyway.  So congrats!

Good advice on the data base - my weakest point.

 

Jul 10, 2008 08:33 PM
Patricia Whitworth, GRI,AHWD,e-PRO,SRES
ERA American Realty & Investment - Hernando, FL

Does anyone use Microsoft Outlook 2007 for the database?  If so, what are the instructions?

Jul 11, 2008 02:25 AM
Liz Carter
Liz Carter & Team Realty-Your Real Estate Resource For Life! - Katy, TX
Broker/Owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty, Katy TX (Houston)

Virginia...

Thanks, I had hoped of course I would to!  I won one week and made it to within 1 last challenge of the final 3, so I'm not ashamed :).  There is some very talented boys and girls here, and I've really enjoyed reading their entries too.  Hey, let me know if you need help with you data base, that's one of my strongest assects.  L

Patricia...

I'm not sure who in the contest uses Outlook for their data base, but I think I remember seeing someone that did.  Put a comment on their post to see, or look for everyone's week 1 entry, that is when we did the data base.  Good luck, L

Jul 11, 2008 10:56 AM
Anonymous
Anonymous

Thank you!

Jul 13, 2008 12:04 PM
#35
Liz Carter
Liz Carter & Team Realty-Your Real Estate Resource For Life! - Katy, TX
Broker/Owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty, Katy TX (Houston)

Your welcome????

Jul 14, 2008 07:09 PM