Change The Way You Think in 2009

Well, here we are moving into a New Year! I am thrilled to leave 2008 behind, but take the experiences of 2008 with me. On the eve of the New Year I always look at the good and the bad that I experienced in the previous year, feel the experience again and then decide what I take with me that will improve my life into the new year. 2008 is no exception. I had some crazy things happen - as the movie is called "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly". Can't we all relate to the title? We all have experiences in life, but which one's are you going to take with you in to the new year. Make sure you take the positive experiences with you, but remember the not so positive one's - these will keep you grounded.

So, this morning I am reading Chris Brogan's blog and thought is was great, so take a minute to visit what he has to say about going into 2009. Then take a minute to reflect.

One thing I know I will take from 2008 with me into 2009 and that is the friendships I made, my clients appreciation, the knowledge and the ideas that I generated that will make such an impact on my life.

Wishing you a wonderful new year! Make it count and take time to help others - even if it is just to say hi to a stranger. It is amazing the impact we all can make by just smiling and showing compassion towards one another.

ActiveRain Tip - Make It Work For You

If you want to know the #1 benefit of working with a real estate virtual assistant is we are constantly educating ourselves with the daily changes to how the Internet and Technology works. In the 10 years of being a real estate virtual assistant I have built some very solid friendships with REALTORS across country. We chat about what is going on with the real estate markets and by having this relationship with so many I am kept informed of what is going on everywhere.

So, today I am talking with my friend and client Sam Miller in Knox County, Ohio about Social Networking and how it has impacted our business. During this call we are going over some projects for the first quarter of 2009. One of the goals is to make sure his social networking sites are reviewed and updated. This lead to a conversation about Active Rain.

Active Rain has over 126,000 members today and membership continues to grows. As with any program you have to stay educated on what changes/updates are being made.

When viewing ActiveRain blogs have you ever noticed the "View all Real Estate listings in your area" field, which is up in the left corner of the screen, and a field for the consumer to enter their "city". If you have never noticed this go to your blog on Active Rain then look for this field then put in your city. Notice where the link takes you - JustListed.com - all the leads from Active Rain are being passed along to HOUSEVALUES.com participating agents! Why? I have no idea, but thanks to Sam I can show you how to make sure you get the lead.

Here is how to correct this issue:

1. First make sure the home search field does not already point to your IDX. If it doesn’t then follow these instructions:

2. Log into your AR Control Panel, click on Settings, scroll to the bottom of the page and UNCHECK the box that says "Show the Listing Router search box". Then click "Update" to save your changes

3. If you have an IDX system, follow the instructions below to set up the Listing Router Search to utilize YOUR IDX system for the cities in your MLS area. When you go into Listing Router, go down to the second item to set up...."My Markets" to route inquiries to your own IDX search for that town. You will need to add the direct link on your IDX for every town you want included, but at least the result is that those leads will come to YOU! Once that is completed, you can go back into your Settings and re-enable the search box.

4. Make sure to add your "custom link", the very last Settings item. This will appear to the right of your name at the top of your blog. Another way to capture the leads you are generating.

5. Be sure the IDX site you are directing visitors to has a good lead capture system in place. The "Find Homes For Sale" search box will now appear at the top of your screen and will "Float" as visitors scroll through your Blog, your profile, and your individual posts. Searching for property is literally just one click away now."

If you are not a member of ActiveRain, send me an email Kim@KimHughes.com and I will send you an invite.

Real Pro Systems Gold 3

It just keeps getting better and better! If you are a member of the RealPro Systems Family and you have not upgraded your system to Gold3 - now is the time to make the change.

When you make the upgrade you don't have to worry about finding the time or have the knowledge to do this, just ask your real estate virtual assistant to assist you with implementing the new system.

I love Real Pro Systems! As one of the first real estate virtual assistants to use the program with my clients I will say that there are so many success stories with this program that you will just have to call me so I can share them.

Real Estate Virtual Assistants are the solution to working with the RealPro Systems Team. They are so helpful, patient, and fun to talk to. I don't think I have ever called and an answering system picked up - I have always reached a live person. That right there is a huge benefit and the help is immediate.

Because Real Estate Virtual Assistants have many clients using the program we are experienced in setting up your system quickly.

Visit RealPro Systems TODAY! This is the best investment you can make for your business. OH! Tell them Kim Hughes sent you.

The Law of Attraction for Real Estate Professionals

I just read the below article in Dr. Maya Bailey's Real Town Articles - I think it is worth sharing.

Did you know that your thoughts and intentions play a big part in your success? Not only that, but what you choose to focus on determines what you'll attract?

This article describes the Law of Attraction and why it's so important to master this Law. By learning how to implement the Law of Attraction you'll be able to create your Ideal Income.

The 5 steps:

Step 1: Get clear on what you don't want.

It sounds strange doesn't it to focus on what you don't want? However, that's what most of us do all the time, unconsciously.

In my 30 years of empowering people to reach their goals, I have discovered that most people are focusing on what they don't want . So, for example, if they have a pile of bills, they'll focus on their pile of bills and their lack of money. What do they get? More of what they are focusing on.

Step 2: Get clear on what you do want.

For everything that you don't want, ask yourself, "So what do I want?" By doing that, you are sending signals to your conscious and subconscious mind to bring you more of what you do want. If money is your concern and there is a big contrast between the money you have and the money you want, put your focus on the money you want.

Step 3: Create your desire statement.

So after you begin focusing on what you do want, write a paragraph describing what you desire. If it's about money, then write out a Desire statement describing you Ideal Money Situation, as if it were happening right now. For example, "I now have an abundance of prosperity. Every month there is more coming in than going out. I am happily buying what I need and I have money left over......" and so forth.

Step 4: Clear your beliefs.

What would block you from manifesting the prosperity that you want? When I ask my clients that question, I usually get answers like, "I don't deserve it". "No one in my family makes that amount of money." "If I have that money everyone will want some of it and I'll never know if people like me or they like my money." "I don't' have what it takes to succeed at that level".

So what self-limiting beliefs do you have? What stops you from having your ideal income? What self sabotaging strategies do you use?

Step 5: Allow it to come to you.

In other words, suspend all doubt and just trust that you'll be guided into inspired action. By following your hunches and keeping your focus on what you want, you become increasingly magnetic.

A tip: Read your desire statement each day out loud and feel what it feels like to have it. Really allow your self to experience it so that you magnetize it to you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dr. Maya Bailey, author of, Law of Attraction for Real Estate Professionals, integrates 20 years of experience as a psychologist and 12 years as a business coach with her expertise in the Law of Attraction. Her powerful work creates a success formula for real
estate professionals ready to double and triple their incomes. Get Dr. Maya's free report, 7 Simple Strategies For More Clients in 90 Days, by visiting . Also, check out her new Success Program, designed to help you get focused , motivated, stay on track and create a Positive Mindset, no matter what.
www.90DaystoMoreClients.com

Managing Twitter - Great Add-ons

Most likely you are Twittering and if not then why not? It is a cool way to social network with others in your industry and to get referrals, new business or just to stay in-touch.

Being a real estate virtual assistant, I have been twittering for a while now, but found it took to much of my time, so I did not focus on using it until I found two great add-on tools. If you are like me you want what works and is effective. So, try these two add-on programs to Twitter and then follow me. I will follow you back.

Twitter Deck - The only add-on I have found useful in managing my time with Twitter. TweetDeck enables users to split their main feed (All Tweets) into topic or group specific columns allowing a broader overview of tweets. Make sure to set up Groups! You can set up groups for real estate agents, virtual assistants, friends, family, etc. and keep everyone organized.

Twitter for Blackberry Users - Have everything set up on your Blackberry so you can manage your tweets anywhere - anytime.

If you are using a different PDA and want to install Twitter, just do a Google search and you will find a program for that PDA.

And, don't forget to follow me - Kim Hughes - Real Estate Virtual Assistant

A Word to the wise, don't just twitter about silly things, make your tweets and eye-catcher. The more you have to offer the more followers you will get.

NJAR Triple Play Realtor Convention in Full Swing

When attending the NJAR Triple Play Realtor(R) Convention this week you will find more than 7,000 Realtors who are taking the time to invest in their business by attending classes, seminars, checking out the latest real estate programs and best of all learning how a real estate virtual assistant can help them take their business to the next level.

Just how savvy are these Realtors? Well, yesterday during a seminar on real estate virtual assistants a Realtor called me from his Blackberry after doing a Google search and found me at the top of the list. While he was sitting in the seminar we discussed the virtual assistant services he would need as the speaker gave his presentation. During this time I sent him the information he needed and we are well on our way to taking his business to the next level.

When considering the services a well qualified real estate virtual assistant offers ask them more in-depth questions and be very clear as to what your specific needs are. Every Realtor is different and require different needs. The last thing you want is a real estate virtual assistant that cannot walk the walk.

Real Estate Virtual Assistants offer the knowledge and experience every Realtor needs and we can take an idea to the next level or take your request and enhance it. Real Estate Virtual Assistants are a vital part of your business, so take the next step and ask one how we can make 2009 your best year yet.

The #1 Question Asked By Today's Homeowner

In the real estate industry the #1 question is.... What is my home worth in today's market? Now you can get the latest quarterly median home price for your market, and its percentage change from the previous quarter by clicking here.

Real Estate Virtual Assistants offer you the tools you need to succeed in today's economy. Real Estate Virtual Assistants are creating ideas for you to use in your business so you do not spend valuable time in research. I have been offering virtual assistance to real estate professionals for 10 years now and if you are interested in the services of a REVA, but not sure how you would use the skills of one, then ask another agent that actually uses one or better yet ask a real estate virtual assistant how they can assist you.

Are Your Photos Legal?

Something interesting happened today, I was contacted by a past real estate client today that the images I used on his website were being used illegally! I, of course, did not use any photos for his website or any other clients website illegally. As a real estate virtual assistant I know better than that and I responded to him that any photo that I personally used on his website were purchased through www.istockphotos.com and I have receipts to verify this and was happy to produce them at a given moment to anyone challenging this fact.

Since I started my company in 1999, as a real estate virtual assistant, I knew right away to always buy your photos or at least get permission from the photographer, not the person who has the photo, but the person who took the photo. This is important because if you get permission from anyone other than the original owner this does not mean anything in court. So always go to the source for permission.

It took me a matter of 5 minutes to open my archives on past clients, pull his folder and review the photos and review the invoice with the photo. I then told the client if anyone was challenging him on this have them contact me to resolve this situation.

In a matter of minutes this problem was resolved, so lesson here people, get a receipt and save it where you can find it. This was a project I worked on over 3 years ago. The IRS says they can legally request your past 7 years of tax returns, but if you need to prove you have the right to use an image, an article, etc. make sure you keep very good records on everything you purchase.

My personal opinion of the online photo company is they are bullies and they are looking for ways to take your money. I researched this company only to find out that they are notorious for sending these emails, but when challenged they back-off. So, don't panic if you get this type of letter, just make sure you can prove it and if not make them prove you do not have the rights. Don't just send them money, make them prove it to you.

And, be careful in the way you use images from Google Images, Flickr, etc. Check to see if the image or photos are copyrighted and if you do find a photo on the Internet ask them where they got the photo and then get permission.

This also goes for articles. Do not take an article without written permission from the author and when you have permission make sure you link back to them for credit.

We all can play nice in the sandbox, just know the rules.

Are You Prepared to Send Your Holiday Cards?

Well, another task that a virtual assistant can assist you with is preparing your holiday cards. How can a virtual assistant help you with this important task you ask? Well, all you need to do is send the virtual assistant your holiday cards, database, postage and the message you would like to include along with your signature. The virtual assistant will write the message in each card, include your signature, prepare it for mailing, place a stamp on the envelope and take it to the post office for you. And, if you would like to include a gift, your virtual assistant can order it for you.

But, what if you don't want to delegate this important project to a virtual assistant, but you still do not have the time to get this together. Well, you might want to consider Send Out Cards to help you out. Once you open your account you can upload your database, choose your card, include your message to each one of your recipents, choose your gift, choose the date to send the card and gift and then SUBMIT.

Or, you can have your virtual assistant handle this for you as well. All you need to do is open the account. This literally takes 5 minutes at the most.

By having this incredible time-saving, cost effective program you can send cards on a whelm. Send a birthday card, thinking of you card, congratulations on your new home card, thank you for the referral card and the list goes on. This program offers you unlimited possibilities and one that is becoming the must have program for any real estate agent or for any business for that matter.

Want more information on how this program works? Easy, go to Send Out Cards and take a look around. Want a personal walk-through on how this program is going to benefit you and your business? Then let me take you on a tour of the back-end. If you have 20 minutes - it could be the best 20 minutes you ever spent on your business.

Have a Great Weekend!

Heading to Nacogdoches to see my son, Phillip play in the yearly Rugbyfest at Stephen F. Austin University. Go Lumberjacks! Phillip has the ball. #12!

Listings That Have The WOW Factor

Here's the scoop on how to make the seller go "WOW"! In today's real estate market agents need to step up their game when it comes to listing presentation. You need to make yourself stand out when you are going through the pre-listing stages and the bottom line with any seller is "What are you going to do for my property to give it the exposure it deserves?"

You need to have your real estate virtual assistant create some very impressive marketing pieces - both direct and Internet. Here is a sample checklist of what you should be showing the seller what you will do for their property.

Create the content for the listing. Of course, mention everything that is special, updated and unique, but you might also have the seller write a few paragraphs on why their home is special. They will mention features that maybe you have not, talk about the neighborhood, etc. Then you can incorporate this in your marketing.

Take lots of photos and make sure they are in a high resolution for printing. You will also want to walk through the home to have the seller remove items to make the home have less clutter. You might consider bringing in a stagger at this point, but the bottom line when taking photos of the inside and outside is to make sure the home is clean and clutter free.

You might also consider taking photos of the neighborhood, shopping areas and anything other points of interest.

Create impressive flyers that can be distributed in the neighborhood, placed in the home and for the Broker's Tour.

Create Just Listed postcards that are colorful and that will get noticed.

Create virtual tours that is not only going to WOW the seller, but any buyer that sees it as well.

Once you have all the information on the home, your photos, and any other important information then you can send it all to your real estate virtual assistant and she can then begin the putting the WOW on all your marketing, virtual tours, adding it to your websites, creating e-blast to your database of buyers, past clients, etc., and don't forget the agents in your database. You just never know where that buyer will come from.

Create a Single Property website on the listing. This is where you purchase the address as the domain name and you have the ability to add photos, content, documents, etc so the buyers can see everything at once.

Make sure you as your real estate virtual assistant to submit the listing to all the free real estate submission sites. There are quite a few and some of these submission site will feed to others. Some are free and some are fee based. An example is www.Craigslist.com, www.Trulia.com, www.GoogleBase.com

Once the seller becomes a client you need to set them up on your birthday card campaign, put them in your database and set them up on your Current Seller Plan and Seller drip campaign and you monthly newsletter.

Now that the listings marketing is completed and everything is up and running you need to make sure you send your sellers a monthly report on what is going on, what you are doing to market the property and share the feedback with them. This is another area that your real estate virtual assistant can assist you. Seller Reports are so important to your listing plan and one that is expected by the seller.

If you do not have some of the pieces to the above in place for your listings, now is the time to act. Get organized on what you will do for the seller and set a plan in motion.

Kim Hughes & Company's clients use Agency Logic to create their Single Property websites. Agency Logic has been the leader when it comes to setting your properties apart from the others and they very cost effective. The best thing about this program is you can send seller reports straight from the control panel to your sellers.

Visit Agency Logic for a special price when you click here.

With a slow down in the real estate market now is time to take action and get yourself organized with your listing procedure. Step-up to WOW today's seller with the marketing you offer and with the assistance of a real estate virtual assistant there is no reason you can't.

Ready to Find a real estate virtual assistant? Go to www.REVARoundtable.com to review over 30 real estate assistants profiles or submit an RFP outlining the services you need assistance with.

If you need more information on how to work with a real estate virtual assistant, please contact Kim Hughes. Kim will be happy to discuss the benefits of working with a real estate virtual assistant and even help you find the one that is right for you.

Shadow a Successful Real Estate Agent!

Ever wonder how the top real estate agents in the industry became so successful and how do they continue to be successful? Well, now you can shadow these successful agents and learn how they do what they do and create a successful plan for your business.

Craig Lerch, Jr. who is probably the nicest person you will ever meet and I can certainly vouch for this since I have worked with him personally as his real estate virtual assistant. Read his testimonial about my services. This is one testimonial I am very proud to have in my portfolio.

Anyway, Craig and Melissa Crockett Willis - both Howard Britton Star Power Stars have joined together to offer Virtual Shadowing to you and you do not have to pay thousands of dollars to "shadow" those amazing real estate professionals.

Mike Reid, Melissa Crockett Willis and Craig Lerch, Jr. have come together to create an experience that will rock you and your business to the next level.

Learn more about this amazing virtual shadowing program and be sure to Sign Up for Email News!

Have you hear of "Hour of Howard"?

Being one of only two real estate virtual assistants that has received the honor as a Star Power Recommended Supplier I am always excited to see what Howard is going to bring to the real estate agent today.

I just receieved his special announcement of a webinar that is coming up next week, which I am sure you do not want to miss. Check it out! You will be glad you did!

Join Howard Britton of Go Star Power for the Hour of Howard educational webinar "Marketing: YOU – Top of Mind With Today’s Consumer!". Howard Brinton and STAR POWER Stars Tami Spaulding and Heidi Hines will reveal the secrets of...

• How to generate steady referrals
• That, YES, Farming still works
• How to make easy contacts with your market How to utilize the Press to your advantage Many Time Tested Winners!

Send me a quick email after the webinar and let me know what you got from it. I would love to hear your opinions.

Get The Exposure You Deserve... Constantly!

In today's real estate market it is vital to market your services so your potential, current and past clients remember you when they are ready to buy or sell.

The Newest Internet Tool Available is a MUST for Any Business owner, but it has proven to be a great success with today's Real Estate Agent.

Just imagine that every time someone conducts a search online for a product, service, etc they see your branding. This will remind them of you and what you have to offer.


I was introduced to this cleaver tool at a real estate convention back in September and it is the hottest thing going.

Interested in knowing more about this great marketing tool? Download the tool here and then look at my branding when the toolbar comes up when you conduct a search on the internet.

This is what is called "Smart Marketing"!

National Association of Realtors Convention - Check Out The Expo!

If you re planning to attend the National Association of Realtors Convention this year in Orlando, Florida then you must have on your list to visit the NAR Expo. This is where you will find a huge amount of excitement. New products and programs to help you build your business and run it more effecently. Here are my top 5 programs to check out.

www.Gooder Group.com - Booth 1821
At last, there is a 4-in-1 integrated system that includes lead-capture web forms, plug-in website content and automated drip e-mail (new "green" e-HomeNews) all in one easy-to-use system you can plug into as many websites as you have. RAINMAKER E-CENTRAL® helps you generate more leads...enrich all your websites...and follow up every prospect without lifting a finger. All this, PLUS unlimited Rainmaker Microsites™ included. Maximizing referrals and generating repeat business now is as easy as 1 - 2 - 3.

www.RealProSystems.com - Booth 3960
Real Pro Gold is the complete agent system that provides all the essential tools you need to take your business to the next level. Five tools integrated in a single system gives you a productivity advantage, so you can spend more time selling real estate!

www.TopProducer.com - See the latest upgrade 8i - Booth 2821 or booth 4434
op Producer helps you manage day-to-day communication and activities with leads, customers, employees, or anyone else that matters to your business. With Top Producer 8i you know exactly who you have talked to, what you talked about, and what you need to do next.

www.SettlementRoom.com - Booth 3851
If you participate in, manage, or coordinate real estate listings or transactions, then SettlementRoom's web-based real estate software will impress your clients with online status reports, while simultaneously managing, tracking, and archiving every transaction.

www.VisualTour.com - Booth 2331
The VisualTour Marketing System is a complete, turn-key system that includes everything that you need to create, host and display your own web or CD based virtual tours complete with your own branding using nothing more than your own digital camera. Your VisualTour System includes UNLIMITED toll free telephone training and support ensuring that you can learn to use your system productively and profitably very quickly.

While visiting these real estate vendors remember that you do not really need to know how each program works in detail or become frustrated in having to learn a new program. Why? Because a real estate virtual assistant can run each and everyone of these programs for you. This will save you time and money and the beauty of all this is - take your business to the next level.

If you have questions about how a real estate virtual assistant can help you in your business you will find a lot of information at Kim Hughes and Company or visit REVA Roundtable. REVA Roundtable is the newest and becoming the best place to find a real estate virtual assistant.

Have fun at NAR and let a real estate virtual assistant help you implement the programs and strategies when you return.

Host a Home Buyer Seminar

I have a real estate client in the state of Iowa that is gearing up to hold a Home Buyer Seminar. With today’s economy and the stale real estate market you, the real estate virtual assistant, can offer to put together the details so the seminar goes smoothly and is a huge success. If your a real estate agent looking to conduct your first seminar you need to be organized and ready to answer some tough questions.

So what does it take to put on a successful buyer’s seminar? The steps are easy to do. They include lining up your speakers, selecting their topics, setting a date, selecting a location, arranging prizes for attendees, advertising your seminar, watching your seminar budget and offering a valuable information-filled program to the attendees.

Have Industry Speakers

You invite whom you want to participate, and you decide what they will talk about. You will want to have about four speakers including yourself to complete a two-hour program. Choose your speakers from among a mortgage broker, an attorney, a title company representative, a home inspector, and an appraiser. Draw on your experience and ask your speakers to address the most common questions you face from your prospective clients.

Most popular topics are consistently:

* How a Buyer Agent Can Save You Money
* How A Buyer Agent Find’s The Perfect Home For You
* Home Inspection Horror Stories
* The Reason You Need A Lawyer
* How To Get A Downpayment
* What You Need To Know About Qualifying For A Mortgage

Set a Time and Date

Once you have your speakers, you need to set a date; Hold your seminars every 6 weeks (in a town of 26,000), and promote them for 3 weeks before the date. The best days to hold a seminar are Tuesday & Thursday. Start at 7:30 sharp, and make sure everyone is out by 9:30, although you can be available for one-on-one questions after that time. I’ve found 7:30 to be the best start time as the majority of the population here commutes at least 45 minutes, and they need time to get dinner, etc. before the seminar.

Find a location

As far as location is concerned, I suggest that you use someplace that is:

* Easy to find
* Lots of parking
* Room for your projected attendance
* Decent Acoustics

Some examples of nice, low-cost places to stage a seminar are:

* Library
* Conference Center
* Community Hall
* High School Auditorium
* Restaurant / Hotel Meeting room

Limit attendance

A trick I figured out after helping my real estate client prepare for his first seminar (for which 63 people signed up) is to limit the attendance. I would set a limit to 24 people, and require advance registration. Once the limit is reached, you can either get the people in for a private session, or offer to sign them up for the next seminar. I chose to limit the attendance for 2 reasons

1.It creates a more immediate call-to-action on the part of prospective attendees
2. The question period can get far too long with more attendees

We find that only a few of the people who sign up in the first week of advertising will show up, and nearly everyone who signs up in the week of the seminar will show up.

Gifts & Incentives

All attendees are entered in a drawing for a free appraisal when they buy through you. Also, everyone who attends and buys through you gets a free home inspection and free title insurance. (you pay a discounted fee for the home inspection and the title insurance.) The mortgage broker pays for 30% of the advertising, and I pay all the other expenses. You may not want to charge the lawyer to be a speaker, because you probably get lots of free service from him as it is.

Insuring attendance

Once someone signs up, mail them a coupon for their free gifts (only valid if they buy through you) to be authorized at the seminar, a coupon to enter the draw-prize, a newsletter, and a letter thanking them for attending. We send all this in a 9″ x 12″ white envelope with a color logo on it, promoting the seminar, and listing the same information as the newspaper ads.

You can have your virtual assistant call all registrants the night before the seminar, to remind people. If someone says they can’t make it, you can call one of the people who had to be put off until the following seminar.

Advertising the seminar

Start running a 4.5″ x 6″ ad in the weekly real estate section of your local paper 3 weeks before the seminar. The ad costs us $92 per insertion, and is 3 color. I outline the speakers; topics covered; the gifts to attendees, and the location/date. For my next seminar on May 11th, I am running a 1/2 page ad, in full color, at a cost of $350 per insertion. This ad will contain a testimonial letter from one of the past seminar attendees who I have sold a home to; the other half contains what I’ve previously outlined.

We also distribute 8.5″ x 11″ posters to all the stores and businesses in the area. These are on obnoxious neon paper, and outline the same thing as the newspaper ads.

Other venues for advertising that we use are:

* Web site ( www.desmoineshomesource.com)
* A fax cover sheet that is used exclusively for the week prior to the seminar
* An insert into all the mail my company sends out

Another advertising source I have considered is having mail delivered to all the apartments in town; the postal service offers a discount for this, but it would still cost $470 for 1440 apartments.

Controlling costs

* Hall: $60
* Refreshments: $25
* Newspaper Ads: $276 - $92 paid by mortgage broker = $184
* Posters (incl. delivery) $25
* Binders: $420
* Giveaways: $70
* Total: $768

A couple of notes here: we don’t include the amount we pay for the inspection & title insurance, because it is not an expense until they buy. Also, the binders cost me $30 each because they are custom Better Homes and Gardens binders with lots of color pages in them; again, ask your real estate virtual assistant to put together 30 of them. The she can mail them to me.

You might think that the binders are an excessive cost, but they are well worth it; people are amazed that they get to keep them, and they bring it with them whenever we are looking at houses.

Is putting on a buyer’s seminar worth the planning and expense. I think so.

If you are considering a Home Buyer or Home Seller Seminar, ask your virtual assistant to help you with the planning of what is becoming a popular way to get in front of leads and explain the process.

If you would like more information, please let me know. Email me at Kim@kimHughes.com or leave a comment on this blog.

Certified Distressed Property Expert Designation

A brand new and very timely certification now available to REALTORS®: Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE).

A homeowner in distress needs to have th confidence in their licensed REALTOR(R) that they have the tools to help them find the best solution for their situation.

Foreclosure is a devastating financial and emotional process for a homeowner to go through, and in many cases they do so alone and without help of any kind. It is the goal of the Distressed Property Institute to give agents the tools and information they need to avoid foreclosure and move forward with their lives.

If you are attending the Star Power convention in July you will want to take note that Star Power is offering an exclusive preview regarding the CDPE designation.

Your Brand is Your Promise

When people mention the word "brand" they usually mean a well-known, well-defined company. That's why consumers frequently mention names like Target, Rolex, Apple, BMW and others who have done an excellent job in crafting an image and sticking with it. Buyers know what to expect from these companies, and as long as these companies meet that expectation, they will continue to imprint their brand in the minds of their audience. It's pretty simple really; if you just keep in mind these two principals.

Principal One: Know Your Promise

As amazing as this may seem, most companies don't really know what it is they are promising their clients. That's why they have weak brands. They may have mission statements, and can spout off why everyone should use their product or service, but really it's just a rambling list. Out of fear of losing audience, most companies will try to compete on price, quality and service... and that's a recipe for disaster. Who wants to buy a watch from the Discount Overnight Rolex store? If you try to go after all three areas you end up muddied in the mind of the consumer who is trying to put you in a box. And in this case... that's a good thing!

A mental "box" is not that different from a set of mailroom boxes. The customer gets all these incoming "messages" and has to sort them all day. The easier you make it for them to sort your company, and put it in a category, the easier it will be for them to recall it when needed. Try this... think of a fast place to eat. How about the best tasting food? And finally, the place you go if you really want to impress someone? You can probably think of each of these categories rather quickly. And chances are these companies are more than happy to fill that niche without trying to become much more.

Take a moment and write out in two or three sentences (more if you're feeling inspired) exactly what your brand promises. It will usually fall under three main categories... quality, service or price. But there are nuances. Ben ... Jerry's image contains both a quality message and a social message... one of commitment to the community and environment.

Principal Two: Never Violate Principal One

Once you have firmly established your promise in the minds of consumers, make sure every move you make conforms to that promise. Coke was fine to come out with Diet Coke, Cherry Coke and a host of other flavor variations (brand extension) but they completely missed the mark when they introduced NEW Coke. People believed in Coke, identified with Coke and it was a part of their history. New Coke was seen as a betrayal of the brand itself, a vote of no confidence in their core product. "What's wrong with the original Coke?" was the immediate question that popped up in most minds.

That's why it is so important to know what it is, and why it is, that people buy from you and believe in you.

Know your promise and keep your promise. Pretty simple? Yet it will go a long way toward making your company resonate with your customer on a deep and lasting level. And that's a promise.