As a Virtual Assistant for the past 6 years, I believe that the philosophies about getting business do not change with the changing of the housing market or the state of the economy. We all know the basic prinicples involved, but what happens is that during a period of prosperity agents get away from the fundamentals.
Some agents are making a good living, right? Some homes are still selling, some buyers are getting approved for loans and buying. So how do you GET that business that is out there?
Put your down time into the basic building blocks of prospecting and referral building. If you aren't computer savvy, if you aren't organized, LEARN to be or HIRE someone to implement a plan for you. What plan? ANY plan that you will stick to! (See my post The ONLY sphere of influence plan that works!)
If your marketing budget isn't what it used to be, consider this: you can learn, inexpensively, to implement a good plan yourself, or you can consult with a virtual assistant to create a plan that fits your budget. Consistency will be the key that gets results, not cost.
Remember the basics?
Website 
Is your website up to date? Is there relevant information that shows potential clients you are an experienced expert in some area or areas that will make them want to choose you?
Leads
If you're getting leads, do you follow-up? You have GOT to devote a portion of each day to checking leads and offering some kind of PERSONAL follow up. If you're not getting leads, maybe you need to blog more on Active Rain!
Listings
Listings need an attention grabbing description, virtual tour, and heavy Internet advertising. The Internet advertising, much like an Open House, makes the client happy while benefitting the Realtor with increased exposure.
Keep in Touch Plans
Do you have Keep in Touch Plans? Are they being implemented? You need to keep in touch with areas you are farming or prospecting with direct mail or card campaigns and newsletters. You need to keep in touch with past clients so they will use you again and so that they will REFER you.
If you are a real people-person, POP BYs are a great idea! There are
seasonal pop by ideas for any budget, and many of them are discussed
right here on Active Rain.
Do you favor EXPIRED plans or FSBO plans?
If so, great! But it's like the lottery, you gotta be in it to win it! If you bought some expensive plan with a timeline and letters or emails that you can customize, put it to use! It's not making you any money sitting in a binder on a shelf somewhere!
I hope this motivated some of you to get back to basics, to devote a part of each day to remaining consistent to this part of the job. I'd be happy to help anyone with any advice I can, and I hope agents will comment about any ideas that are working for their business right now.
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