Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Walk Into Your Next Listing Appointment With Confidence!
Friday, August 20th, 2010When you think of an assistant, do you think of someone that does just what you tell them to do, and carries out tasks that you’ve come up with? If you enlist the services of an experienced Real Estate Virtual Assistant, your assistant will also be your marketing mentor, coach, instructor, and guide.
If your busy schedule prevents you from being on top of all the latest news, gadgets, tools, and resources for marketing, just consult the experts. A Real Estate Virtual Assistant will not only fulfill your specific requests, they will also make suggestions, educate you on the newest trends, and guide you to a successful and organized future.
Sure, an VA can help with file coordination, mailings and client correspondence, but can they really help you win over a listing appointment? You bet.
It is important to do your due diligence when looking for a virtual assistant. Choosing a qualified and talented team of virtual assistants will be the key! If you have the right VA on your side, all you will need to do is tell them your goals, and they will take care of the rest. In our experience as a Virtual Assistant Team, our clients often say, “I’d really like to stand out from my fellow agents in the area,” or “I’d really like to attract more high end sellers.” Over the years, we have developed thorough systems that we are ready to put to work for each client.
We’ve even put together comprehensive Marketing & Pre-Listing Presentations that can be customized to showcase your your marketing efforts:
If you know what you want but don’t know what you need to do to get there, a Virtual Assistant can help. Your VA will make recommendations and come up with an effective marketing strategy, based on your unique needs.
What would you rather do for your next listing appointment: Bring out the same routine you’ve been giving to all prospects for the past years, or call your virtual assistants to prepare a marketing presentation outlining all of the benefits of choosing you to sell their home? Pull out all the stops! Brochures, single property domains, virtual tours, targeted extensive online exposure, even highly targeted advertising on Facebook.
The best part is, your time can be spent booking your next listing appointment while your VA rolls up their sleeves and delivers on your promises. Rest assured, your VA will implement all of the marketing efforts after you win over the listing.
You CAN have the confidence to promise a quick turnaround and professional marketing pieces. What are you waiting for?
Carrie Gable and the team at RealSupport, Inc. are our “VA Quick Tip” columnists offering expertise in real estate marketing, technology and more. RealSupport’s office and team of 9 full-time staff members is located near Chicago, IL. Their successful team works virtually for many top real estate agents and brokers nationwide. Pioneers in the Real Estate Virtual Assistant industry, RealSupport offers marketing, branding, website and logo design, listing marketing, lead generation, technical support, transaction management, social networking, blogging and much more… Just ask!Brand Your Online Photos In Just Seconds
Monday, August 9th, 2010
If you use a lot of photos on your Website or blog each one can be modified in a very easy way that will protect them from being “borrowed” by your competitors and extend your brand every time a visitor looks at them. Here’s how it’s done…
Watermarking 1-2-3
Watermarking is the process of overlaying text on top of photo. Typically the overlaid text is just barely visible yet identifiable so it performs the job of marking the photo without detracting from it. Up until recently this was typically done with a program like Photoshop by people who knew how to use it (not many Realtors fit that description). Now there is a much easier and quicker method I just discovered that anyone can use to watermark their images in just seconds. It’s called WinWatermark Standard and you can download and use it for 30 days at no cost. However, once you use it you will not hesitate to pay the very reasonable $29.95 to keep using it.
Watermarking Best Practices
Watermarking by definition is supposed to be subtle, so you don’t want to go crazy with it otherwise it will work against you. Here are some best practice tips to help you get the most out of your watermarking endeavors:
- Watermark Text – consider using the URL of your Website as in the photo example above. This marks your ownership of the photo and extends your online brand.
- Watermark Size and Position – the size needs to be large enough to be recognizable but not so much that it takes away from photo itself. Same with positioning. If you watermark your images to primarily protect them from being used by others, then consider a 45 degree upward angle orientation in the middle of the photo —this makes it much more difficult for anyone to remove it. If that is not an issue then consider using a smaller one in the lower right side of the photo using normal orientation. IMPORTANT: whichever style you use to watermark your images keep it consistent throughout your site.
- Color and Transparency – suggest you use white text with about a 22% transparency. The amount of transparency you use for each image may need to be slightly less or more depending upon the image itself. Remember, watermarking needs to be subtle, not stand out and shout.
- Keep It Simple – WinWatermark gives you many options to style your watermarks. If you go overboard with styles your watermarks will be distracting at best and a turnoff at worst.
South Beach Condo King Kevin Tomlinson is a firm believer in watermarking and uses it very much to his advantage with all the custom condo images on his site. Every GoArmyHomes site we build out has the neighborhood photos watermarked as well.
If you are putting a lot of effort into your Website you may as well protect your investment. Watermarking lets you do this and extend your brand at the same time. That makes it a powerful tool that should be in everyone’s digital toolbox.
Smart Phones Are Taking Real Estate Marketing to The Next Level
Friday, March 5th, 2010Want to create your tours or youtube videos on your iPhone? This application allows you to do just that.
Animoto automatically produces unique video pieces from your photos, video clips and music. The lowest version of the software is free, so something worth trying out! It is available as an app for your iPhone, or to use online. When creating a video, you simply choose the song and images you want to use, and the program does the rest. This could be considered a good thing, no hassle, no updating each slide, but on the other hand you don’t have control over the slide transitions, etc. (On that note, this program really likes wacky slide transitions). View a sample real estate video here.
So, the one thing missing from this tool (at least the free version) is the control to edit the transitions, etc. Now, if you want to pay for it, you get a lot of additional features, including being unbranded and a call to action button (this version is $249/year) .
While, I’m not convinced this is the next huge tool for real estate agents, I do think it is pretty cool, and a low budget way to provide clients with tours/videos of their home.
I am convinced however, that this is where this industry is headed. I don’t think it will be long before the TourFactory.com’s and VisualTour.com’s have phone applications to make creating and posting a tour easier than ever.
If you don’t have time to worry about tours or videos, allow your Real Estate Virtual Assistant to put together a tour or video using the stills you take!
Carrie Gable of RealSupport, Inc. is our “VA Quick Tip” columnist offering expertise in real estate marketing, technology and more. RealSupport’s office and team of 9 full-time staff members is located near Chicago, IL. Their successful team works virtually for many top real estate agents nationwide. Pioneers in the Real Estate Virtual Assistant industry, RealSupport offers marketing, website and logo design, branding, lead generation, technical support, transaction management and more.
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Just How Much Is Certainty Costing You?
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
Do you ever have those days where you would prefer to stay snuggled in bed and not face the uncertainties of business, or life? Someone once said that being in control is an illusion, and we might as well add the notion of certainty to that as well.
When things are going well it’s natural to feel “certain” that they will continue. And the same for when things are going badly. But in either case, there is no certainty, just constant change.
As human beings, we are hard-wired to crave certainty (that’s why we were all suckered into believing those fancy securities rating agencies that gave mortgage-backed securities AAA ratings).
There is really only one thing we can be certain of —our ability to choose to move forward even in the face of uncertainty. Moving forward will not guarantee (there’s that darn certainty thing again!) results, but it does guarantee a chance for it…
The average man seeks certainty in the eyes of the onlooker and calls that self-confidence. The warrior seeks impeccability in his own eyes and calls that humbleness. The average man is hooked to his fellow men, while the warrior is hooked only to infinity.
Carlos Castaneda
We are all saddled with the same primitive survival instincts that cause us to seek out certainty. Thankfully we were also given the gifts necessary to rise above those reactive tendencies. Whether you seek the solace of certainty, or have the courage to move forward despite the lack of it, is totally up to you —and that IS something you can be certain about.
Short Sales as a Niche Short Sighted
Thursday, September 4th, 2008Sad to say, the number of people trying to short sell their home to avoid mortgage default or foreclosure increases daily. One may think a savvy real estate agent would look upon this situation as an opportunity to specialize in the short sell process, and garner a fair amount of business by doing so. However, let’s take a look at the bigger picture…
The Short View on Short Sells
Basically, a short sale is a desperate measure for desperate times – for all parties involved. The person selling their house is obviously in severe financial distress, and the lender is just looking for a way to cut their losses on a loan gone bad. The sales prices on short sold properties are well below market value, requires a terribly complicated process, and the time involved for the deal to be completed is painfully long. These factors combined have to make you wonder if the time you need to invest is worth the payoff. Trying to make up for it though sheer volume will simply add the headache of tracking and maintaining all these deals to the heartache inherent in the situation. In other words, it’s a lot of work and hassle for little return. Wouldn’t it be better worth your time to focus on a niche that would garner less work and greater return?
The Long View Ain’t So Pretty Either
The realities of the short view on short sales aside, let’s take a look at the longer term view. If you’re like most agents, a fairly decent percentage of business comes from either returning customers or referrals from happy clients. Well, people who are forced to short sell their homes are neither happy, nor are they likely to be buying a home again for a long time given the hit their credit will take.
Also, although all prognostications say we have yet to hit the bottom of this mortgage crisis, the fact remains that it is ultimately a short-lived situation. In a year or two, the market will level out again and a new normal will be established. Short sells will be a beast of the past instead of the everyday occurrence they are now. Where will that leave your niche, the specialty for which you are known? You’d be coming’ up short, my friend!
Primary vs. Secondary Niche
Now, all this is not to say you can’t glean some benefit from the current situation. After all, most the people who have been backed into the short sell corner genuinely need the assistance of an experienced professional broker or agent to help them through this difficult time too. There is no reason you should not be ready for the opportunity. If you see enough value in short sells in your particular area, go ahead and develop short sales as a niche – BUT, do it as a secondary niche to your primary target market. It would be a short-sighted mistake to rely on short sells as a long-term business strategy.
Differentiate Your Niche – Create Benefit for Everyone!
Thursday, July 31st, 2008Anyone who has listened to one of my speaking presentations, scanned any of my articles, or even read a few recent posts here on my blog will know what a HUGE proponent I am of defining your niche 
market. It is the difference between being a Lemming – blindly following along with what everyo
ne else is doing and falling to the same fate, as opposed to being a Lion – king of his territory, in control of his fate. Of course, this is the super-premium, ideal (and entirely realistic) scenario for a real estate agent, but stop to consider the other side of the equation… the CUSTOMER.
Not all agents are entirely sure whether or not to believe me when I lay out not only the advantages to them for creating a niche, but also the step-by-step means by which to do it successfully. Many are afraid that by “limiting themselves” to a specific type of customer or market need will result in actually losing all the other potential business which may be available out there. Well, you know what they say about trying to be all things to all people, right? It just doesn’t work, and there are really no exceptions to this rule especially now that the internet allows such broad access to literally all things. But to get on with my point, I will spare you any further lecture on this particular topic.
What is my point about Niche Marketing?
Besides the benefit having the corner on a particular target market provides a broker or agent, it also provides an immense benefit, and hence irresistible draw, to the consumer. Having a specialist to turn to, who can provide immediate access to the specific types of information required to cater their needs, is a 100% certain way to ensure a fiercely loyal customer. When you find a doctor you trust, or a stylist that does your hair just right, or a restaurant that knows exactly how you like your steak prepared, do you abandon them at the first opportunity? NO! You return to the comfort and assurance that you will be taken the best care of possible.
An admirable demonstration of this point is presented by a REALTOR® Frank Zedar…
Creating a Market for Heroes – of All Kinds
Frank, a long-time broker and Army Vietnam War veteran, created www.RealEstateForHeroes.com. It is a no-strings attached program for all branches of military service (both active and retired), law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, emergency response personnel, and – here’s the surprising part that really
shouldn’t be… teachers and nurses! Basically, Heroes of all kinds. Frank works with them closely, knowing the areas, price ranges, financing programs, housing features, etc. each would be looking for, and not just among his own listings. Then, upon closing, Frank turns around and hands 30% of his commission right back to the individual. Think that builds a little bit of loyalty? Yes, I would think so. Think he gets enough referrals to more than make up for it? You betcha.
Here’s the deal. Frank has the personal experience and understanding to know what his niche’s needs are, and to provide them with essential options and answers. Then, he extend the irresistible offer: a no restrictions, no requirements, here’s the check and it won’t bounce financial return. But, the real key to it is, although he certainly enjoys the successes of Real Estate for Heroes, the reason he does it is because it is his PASSION. Not just for the military heroes, but for the all the heroes of our society and community. It is not a tax-break, he does not raise outside funds, it has nothing to do with his agency (RE/MAX Oceanside). He just does it because he wants to.
So please, do a service for your Customers, become a Lion and find a suitable territory. And, if you have already done or at least started to begin this leonine transformation, make sure you follow through with it by learning all you can and putting all the fresh ideas out there you can. You AND your future clients will be so glad you did!
Missing the Point, and the Links!
Monday, June 2nd, 2008Every now and then you hear something that makes you go “Hmmmm… Isn’t that the point?” I had one of those moments not too long ago. I was talking with a real estate office HR Manager about her agents’ reaction to the Online Dominance program, and if any other agents were getting curious yet. She said one lady, who was a long-time agent, commented that it may be fine for those young bucks just starting out, but people like her who had been around for years just wouldn’t be able to pay for something like that, and besides, what could it have to teach HER? She didn’t have time for it.
Well, hmmmm… Isn’t that the point? If you are working so hard and have so little time, and yet still have so little money to invest in yourself, are you really having a fulfilling career and life? Isn’t it so frustrating when you work and work to offer people an opportunity, but they just completely miss the point?
What are some experiences you have had where missed the point? Or better yet, what are some ways you had success getting your point across?
Well, this week’s Featured Article from Dr. Jay addresses “The Missing Links in Web Marketing”. Be sure to read it so you don’t miss out!
