Prospecting, Prospecting, Prospecting… Are you doing it Correctly?
In my last post, I touched on measuring and tracking your results and basically focusing on what was the profitable approaches from the previous year.
As agents, we are quick to try new things and letting go or giving up on the new things we try. But do you ever ask yourself, am I doing it correctly before you give up on it?
If you are going to start a new marketing / prospecting method, I highly recommend you do so for at least a year. Or less your results are completely horrible. Then you need to stop.
If you have a method that is KINDA working for you but not really, ask yourself this: I am pursuing this method to the best of capabilities?
For most agents organizing or structuring of their time is a huge reason why something is not yielding the results that you want. You cannot do something once a week and expect great results. Or do something only when you have the time. Without consistency, your efforts will not provide you with the results that you want.
Homework: So what should you do? Its simple… organize your days for the next week with a calendar/agenda. Do the same thing at the same time each day. IE: most successful agents prospect during the hours of 9-12. Try it out and let me know how it goes.
The New Year is Here.. What Are You Doing Differently This Year?
With the new year here, a couple weeks in. You should have taken the time to review your business from last year. If you have not done so yet, I urge you to do so now. (Well maybe not now now, more like after you read this post :))
Tracking and measuring what you did previously, is the only way for you to ensure a successful future. Take some time and look up the following numbers
- How much commission did you make last year
- How many transactions did you do
- How many buyer clients did you have
- How many seller clients did you have
- How did you find each client?
- What marketing/prospecting methods did you use/try last year and how much did each cost you?
- How many contacts/leads did you make with the prospecting method?
- How many converted clients?
- How much commission did you make per method?
- What prospecting /marketing method gave you the best results?
- How much time did you devote to your top 3 prospecting method?
Once you break down your results from last year, it will give you a clear cut path for this year.
Focus your energies on what works for you and brings you the best results. The more time you spend doing something that is truly working for you, the better results you will have this year.
Remember to stay focused this year, track your results on a monthly basis and most importantly have fun while doing it all!
Real Estate SEO, how do you do it?
Would you believe that there is a really simple trick to real estate SEO?
Here is a really simple diagram that will help you get more traffic from your real estate website.
How real estate SEO is done
Most real estate agents have two issues with blogging:
I don’t have the time to blog.
If you can’t afford to pay a professional writer or at least someone who has graduated with a high school diploma in North America to write your blogs for you then you have the time to write.
I don’t know what to write about?
I can understand this part as most people are not writers, it’s hard to come up with a subject to write about when you never really thought about writing. But not to worry, here are some ideas for you:
- Weekly statistics on the real estate market within the areas you work in.
- Go to the real estate section of your local newspaper & see what they are writing about, rewrite the stories on what you think about their article and link to their article from your blog.
- Teresa Boardman an InMan contributor write a topic about this where she lists out 101 ideas you can write about.
In conclusion, please stop:
- Stop wasting your time trying to figure out SEO.
- Stop paying companies to do your SEO.
- Stop believing all the BS about onsite, offsite, H1, H2, Meta Keywords, Meta Description has to be just perfect.
- Stop worrying about ranking higher period.
And please start writing
If you can’t afford to write try writing yourself. If English is not your first language and you can’t express yourself through writing maybe get your kids to help you with it.
If you can afford it, find the right person. There are hundreds of websites out there which connect you with writers, here are a few: http://www.writers.ca/, https://www.reddit.com/r/HireaWriter/
Couldn’t Make Up Something This Good, Even If We Tried
As I was browsing my social media accounts, I came across this image. I couldn’t help but share it will you. All I can think is…Sometimes Common Sense, Just Isn’t All That Common
Photo Credit: Shitty Electrical on Facebook Sent in by Lance
Is Branding Everything?
Many will tell you that branding is not everything, while others will say of course it is everything. But the truth its Branding a huge deal, especially in real estate. Many say your experience or when your clients meet you, they will use you.
For that I can say you are most certainly correct, but how do you meet them, how do you get them to learn of you or your experience? That is what branding is all about.
Consumers today, have to trust in something before they even give you the time of day. You have to create a brand, an image they can trust before they even meet you. And that is the purpose and effect branding can have.
All agents in your area have the same industry education, albeit not everyone will have the same experience level. But consumers won’t know that unless they have meet with you.
Branding helps you be that “purple cow”. It shines a light on your work, your experience and your successes. It gives the consumer the ability to believe in your talents, before having met you.
When you brand yourself correctly and add that with perfect target marketing, you will find the perfect consumers for you. Starbucks for examples, sells coffee, 400+ times more expensive then their competitors and is still profitable. With proper branding, your consumers will see YOUR VALUE and have no problem paying you what you deserve for the work that is done.
If your branding does not show your value, then you will meet with consumers who will expect everything for nothing. 🙂
With the new year only weeks away, now is the time to take a step back and see if your branding is creating / showcasing the image that you want.
Yay or Nah for Real Estate Teams?
The elusive real estate team… the idea of it seems so simple and logical but in reality; the majority of the times they just don’t work out.
Why don’t they work out? Well that really depends on which part of the team you are and what level of success the team had.
For me, they generally don’t work because the Team Leader, doesn’t truly understand the point of the team and treats team members as assistants.
A Real Estate team leader, in my opinion, is a LEAD GENERATING MASTER. They are the face of the team and do the prospecting for the Team. The team members are responsible for following up and converting those leads.
Leading a team is also a bit harder than it looks, especially when you do not have a plan for the team or the business. And needless to say, this happens quite a bit for those in the industry.
If you have the right leader and the right team members, working on a team can be the most wonderful thing. I have seen teams in action for decades and they only grow to be more productive with each passing year.
Whether a team succeeds or not is truly dependent on whether or not everyone understands their roles and responsibilities.
If you’ve ever been part of a real estate team, comment below on the experiences you’ve had.
Featuring 27 Alhart Drive in Toronto, Ontario
27 Alhart Drive in Toronto is a stunning property located in the community of Thistletown-Beaumonde Heights. The pictures truly do not do this completely upgraded home any justice. You have to see it in the flesh to truly get a sense and feel of the property.
This is a completely custom bungalow with renovations made to every level of the home. If you are looking for a turn key property, this is it! The main floor is drenched in natural sunlight and features an open concept design with gorgeous wide planked hardwood floors. The kitchen is truly a sight to behold. No expenses were spared when renovating this space. The open concept kitchen features granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. The backsplash in the kitchen and the tiled flooring, truly bring the space together. Even the most discerning eye, will love this kitchen.
Every room is beautiful in this home, but lets get to the 2nd (or maybe 1st) most important room in this home. The Master Bedroom. The master bedroom has is complete with an ensuite bathroom and large closet space. The home has 3 bedrooms with a fully finished basement, that can be used as an inlaw suite. The rear yard has so much green space it will be perfect for entertaining or for families large or small.
With the holiday season fast approaching and on my mind, I can’t help but imaging entertaining my loved ones in this space.
This home is picturesque both inside and out. Not to mention the neighbourhood is gorgeous and only the best of schools are in the area.
Don’t forget to have a look at the virtual tour for 27 Alhart Drive.
If Only It Were That Easy
If only selling a house really was this easy! Houses really would just sell themselves.
All Jokes aside. Selling a house is difficult and mostly in part because no one (unless you are an agent) truly realizes all the background work that you are doing. Many people think, put a sign on the yard and the house will sell. But truthfully it doesn’t. It takes the right agent to show, present, market and negotiate. Not all agents are created equal, just like not all houses are created equal.
Happy Monday!
7 LONG-TERM PRODUCTIVITY HABITS OF THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE
Saw this great article on Fastcompany.com website.
The tips are completely spot on especially for us entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs and business owners are a special breed and to be truly successful (and happy) can be a bit difficult. If you follow these 7 rules, it will definitely help you along the way.
Below is a list of the top 4 rules. To read the remaining 3, please view the full article.
1. THEY DON’T MAJOR IN THE MINOR – spend your time on things that truly require your time.
2. THEY GET UP EARLY – getting an early start to the day does allow for more time to do things. You may need to set that alarm a little earier (or a lot earlier) tonight.
3. THEY AVOID MULTITASKING – stay focused.
4. THEY KEEP TRACK OF TASKS – what else can I say, but lists, lists, lists.
To read the full article, please go here.
Wishing You a Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours.
On this special day, don’t forget to take the time and think about what you are truly thankful for.
