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How to Start your own Blog

Keep it Simple

These days its very easy to start your own blog. There are many platforms like Wordpress or  Blogger, where you can go in pick a template & start designing your own blog. Or you can hire a company that will design your blog using one of those platforms. It’s all a matter of time & money!

I think the simpler the blog the better, what really counts is the information you share. The information you share is called your content .

Here are some tips on developing content for your blog

1. First ask yourself who is your audience, are they buyers & sellers of real estate or another sector of the market?  You will be writing for them so you will need to put yourself in their place and figure out what is important to them.
2. Read other blogs in your industry & see what others are blogging about.
3. Your writing does not have to be perfect it should be as if you were having a conversation.
4. Write about your property listings or someone elses!
5. Write about events in your community

Offer help, be consistent, add value. This is what you do anyway. Now you are doing it online for the world to see !

Why Look at Zappo’s Core Values ?

What are your Core Values ?

Zappos is an online store that sells shoes and other items. They have a huge selection and are very efficient. I heard Alfred Lin speak at the Real Estate Connect Conference in San Francisco in August of this year and I was very impressed. He talked about what his company sells, which one would imagine was shoes but instead he said that Zappo’s sells happiness. Zappo’s mission is for their customers to be happy. So everything they do is with this in mind!

This led me to think of the real estate business and what we sell . One might think it is property but I would say we sell the experience. Think about what your customers experience with you. What sets their experience with you apart from the rest?

These are Zappos 10 Core Values. We can use them for our business as well. I encourage you to take a look at them and think about how you can utilize them to better attend to your own business. or better yet come up with your own.

Send me a list of YOUR values.

1. Deliver WOW Through Service
2. Embrace and Drive Change
3. Create Fun and A Little Weirdness
4. Be Adventurous, Creative, and Open-Minded
5. Pursue Growth and Learning
6. Build Open and Honest Relationships With Communication
7. Build a Positive Team and Family Spirit
8. Do More With Less
9. Be Passionate and Determined
10. Be Humble

Is Social Networking Important to your Business ?

Seth Godin on Social Networking

I read Seth Godin’s blog everyday. He is a true inspiration to me and I love to share his wisdom! The video below is an interview from AMEX’s Open Forum where Seth Godin talks about the value or lack thereof, of social networking for business.

 

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Seth says , “Networking is always important when it’s real and it’s always a useless distraction when it’s fake. What the internet has allowed is an enormous amount of fake networking to take place.” 

Using social media as a marketing tool in your business works when it is real and authentic. Yhose people out there that are constantly trying to sell some thing are quite annoying. Networking is about building relationships. People  work with people theylike and feel comfortable with and trust. If you are constantly pushing your products or services that will be a turnoff.

Those that are using social media correctly are responding to others comments, answering emails promptly, answering phone calls & responding to status updates. In other words they are developing relationships.

Are You Using Social Media ?

If Not You May Be Missing the Boat …

Here are things I hear from some agents regarding technology & social media.

• I don’t have time
• I don’t know how
• I don’t know what to say
• I like the old way better

What I have to say

• Take the time to open your mind
• Learn how
• This is marketing
• If you don’t incorporate technology you will become extinct

If you are not convinced watch this video for starters

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What Business are You In?

The Real Estate Business ?

Ok, you’re going to tell me you are in the real estate business. And I am going to ask you what makes you different then the real estate agent at the office next door? Anyone can open a door and show a house… what makes you different? And what is your customer’s experience of you?

In the book, Peak, by Chip Conley, he talks about experiential happiness, suggesting that once the customer’s base needs have been satisfied (they have seen the house ), they look for more  intangible benefits of working with you. Can you deliver on those higher needs? If you can you very well may create a customer “evangelist” for life!

Look around at the top agents in your office

• What is different about what they do?
• What type of customer experience are they creating ?
• How do they present the information ?

Customers are loyal to people they feel offer them something more…

• Do you help customers reach higher goals?
• Do you allow customers to express themselves more fully through using your service?
• Do you connect the customer with a larger cause?
• Do you offer something completely different than the customer ever thought was available?

One agent in the Miami area comes to mind Todd Nordstrom of the Nordstrom Network , Keller Williams, is a prime example of this, he holds events for his customers that many times benefit charities.

I am sure there are many more that go above and beyond and create great experiences for their customers. This is what it is all about. Creating “Raving Fans” that spread the word about you!

So what business are you in ? Please let me  know …

Google Voice for Mobile

Realtors Use Google Voice Mobile

Google Voice for mobile allows you to make calls and send texts from your Google Voice number. You can dial your Google number then press 2 and call the number that you want to connect with and the receiver of the call will see you Google Voice number! Inexpensive  international calls are also an option…. Google has dome it all!

 

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Inman’s Real Estate Connect 2009 – The Future of Real Estate

This year focused a great deal on Social Media & Video, but more than that there was a constant reminder that we must be “for” the consumer, that we must be a facilitator not a salesperson. What a concept to be “for” the consumer I wondered how we ever could be anything but on their side, then I recalled my experience as a consumer before I got my license,  then again getting into the real estate business. My experience  of real estate agents was less than stellar. Read the rest of this entry »

More Tips for Working with Buyers

What else does the repeat buyer want from their real estate agent?

Tell them what comparable homes are selling for – 11% of buyers want this from their real estate agent.
Help determining how much they can afford – 11% of buyers want this from their real estate agent.
Help find and arrange financing – 2% of buyers want this from their real estate agent.

Be sure you don’t make a habit of “winging it!”

Do you have up to the minute knowledge of the market?

Do you have a credible and dependable loan officer that you work with to qualify your buyers?

I’m sure you will agree, when you get to the point of submitting their offer you will be asked for documentation and the credit worthiness of your buyer … JUST BE PREPARED!

Using Vflyer to Promote your Property Listings

 This is a continuation to my last post. Many of my agents use Vflyer

It’s a great way to share properties across the Web.

Please take the survey below

Realtors Get the Word Out About Your Listings

How to Use Postlets to Share your Listings

Here is a video on how to use Postlets

 

Postlets are a great way to get your property noticed. Where other Agents may post their property listings on Craigslist and other sites, a property listing done on Postlets outshines them all.

You can also post the same flyer on various sites like: Craigslist ,Facebook,FrontDoor, GoogleBase,  HotPads  
MySpace ,Oodle ,Trulia , Twitter,  Zillow 
This is a major time saver. Vflyer is another program that is also very good. 

Please participate in the survey below