Thursday, March 25, 2010

Why NOT to work harder! Follow me... STEP 2 & 3 - Setting Fees & Systems

**Read INTRO BLOG POST here**

Fees

Setting your fees is a fairly straight forward process. I encourage you to really think about how much of your valuable time goes into each task and make sure your fees represent a fair amount - for both parties involved. Resentment, one way or the other, can ruin not only a transaction, but a future relationship that could generate referrals.

Mine are set and ready to go.  Service & price packets are updated.

As a real estate agent, it should be somewhat easy for you.  You can decide on a per client basis if you are willing to work for less than 6%, or you can create a services list for each commission rate (I've done this for other Realtors and it seems to work well). At 6% you will do this; At 5.5% you will do this; and so on... This way your client doesn't have a false impression in their head that you are doing all kinds of services, for less money.

Now, on to systems...

These are SO important! Build your systems to handle a high volume of leads, and the leads will come.  Don't build any systems at all, and they won't!
I'm going to be working on developing systems for the following areas:
  • New Leads
  • Past Clients/Sphere
  • Marketing Campaigns
  • Social Media/Blog Marketing Plan
  • Transaction Coordination
  • Short Sale Processing
As a Realtor, I would recommend the following systems: (be sure to have your database/sphere complete)
  • New Leads (8x8)
  • Past Clients/Sphere (33 touch)
  • Social Media & Blog Marketing Plan
  • New Listing Setup
  • New Pending Transaction Setup
  • Client Presentations/Packets: CMA, Buyer, Pre-Listing
Once these sytems are created and in place, you will notice a HUGE time savings.

Now, instead of scrambling to pull together a Listing Presentation, you just print out your comps, attach them to your pre-made listing presentation and walk out the door.

Your buyer packets are set with all the information that you know your clients will need.  No more forgetting to metion certain topics.

Your marketing is running seamlessly in the background and constantly generating you leads.

When you have systems in place they act as a strong foundation for your business. You will seem more organized, less frantic and your clients will notice that.  Talk about value added!

Programs to help with your systems...

A lot of agents I know use Top Producer.  They love all the options, pre-made plans, etc.  It is great, but does require setup and someone willing to learn the in's and out's (I already know them...hint, hint).  If you don't take the time to learn it, you'll never get your money out of it. That goes for any CRM program.

If you're looking for something that can help you with CRM and you don't mind setting up your campaigns and systems on your own, consider Zoho.com.  It's a great system and offers a FREE VERSION!  If you need more than the free version offers, you can upgrade to a $12/month or $25/month version (as a Realtor, I don't think you will though).
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Off to work... If you have questions, please don't hesiatate to ask.

Friday, March 12, 2010

Why NOT to work harder! Follow me... STEP 1 - Developing Your Service/Product List

 
In my quest to 'refresh' TC (follow along to this blog if you would like to 'refresh' your business too), I've finally updated my service list and completed step 1.  There were so many items missing from my old list - wow!  I've also decided to add packages for specific services and industries.  I have not had time to update my website to reflect these changes, so I decided to include the list below.

Small Business Marketing:
  • Marketing Plans & Research
    • Calendar of Events
    • Competitive Analysis
    • Strategies & Tactics
    • Consulting
  • Brand Strategy
    • Positioning
    • Identity
    • Tag Line
    • Logo Design
    • Company Description
    • Mission Statement
    • Unique Selling Proposition
  • Marketing Materials
    • Stationary Packages
    • Brochures
    • Folders
    • Presentations
    • New Client Packages
    • Product Fact Sheets
    • Postcards
    • Posters
    • Rack Cards
    • Stickers
    • Banners
    • Window Cling & Decal
    • Yard Signs
    • Apparel
    • Vinyl Graphics
  • Website Design & Development
    • Goal Setting & Strategy
    • Design Conception
    • Content Development
    • Form Design
    • Photo Gallery/Portfolio Design
    • Social Media Integration
    • Landing Pages
    • Website Analytics
Small Business Marketing (cont.):
  • Public Relations
    • Media Kit
    • Press Releases
  • Advertising
    • Development & Design
    • Sponsorships
  • Newsletters
    • Design
    • Content Development
    • List Development
    • Print, HTML & PDF Versions
    • Calls to Action
  • Online Marketing
    • SEO
    • PPC
    • Keyword Development
    • Domain Name Recommendations
    • Blog Development
    • Link Building
    • Social Media Marketing
    • HTML Email Signatures
  • Email Marketing
    • List Development
    • Content Development
    • Click & Open Rate Tracking
  • Direct Marketing
    • Design
    • Messaging
    • Calls to Action
    • Printing, Mailing & Fulfillment
  • Consulting
    • All areas of marketing consulting available
Real Estate Specific Packages:
 
Agent Brand Creation/Refresh- Premium (P) as noted
  • Logo Updates/Re-creation (P)
  • Tag Line (P)
  • Market Position
  • Business Identity
  • Company Description
  • Unique Selling Proposition
  • Mission Statement
Agent Marketing Material Package: Premium (P) as noted
  • Listing Presentation Design (P)
  • Buyer/Seller Packets (P)
  • Brochures/Flyers
  • Business Cards
  • Postcards
  • Stationary Package
  • Fax Coversheet
  • Email Signature (P)
Website Design
  • Template or Custom Design Options
  • Goal Setting & Strategy
  • Content Development
  • Form Design
  • Photo Gallery Design
  • Social Media Integration
  • Landing Pages
  • Website Analytics
Listing Management, Setup & Marketing: Basic as noted
  • Enter listing into MLS (B)
  • Enhance property photos
  • Create single page professional brochure (B)
  • Add/Update property on agents website (VT, Brochures, Docs, etc)
  • Just Listed Postcards
  • Just Listed Email to Sphere
  • Enhance listing on Realtor.com
  • Enhance Craigslist Posting
  • Virtual Tour Creation/Updating
  • Listing Syndication to Multiple Websites
  • Send Welcome/Intro Letter to Seller (B)
  • Enter Property into Showing Center (B)
  • Creation and placement of two newspaper advertisements
Agent System Design & Creation
  • Past Clients & Sphere Marketing
  • New Lead Marketing - Buyers and Sellers
  • General Farming
  • Property Under Contract System
  • Referral Management System
Kennels & Breeding Programs:
 
Website Design
  • Custom Design/Design Refresh
  • Goal Setting & Strategy
  • Content Development
  • Form Design
  • Photo Gallery Design
  • Social Media Integration
  • Landing Pages
  • Website Analytics
Brand Strategy
  • Positioning
  • Identity
  • Tag Line
  • Logo Design
  • Company Description
  • Mission Statement
  • Unique Selling Proposition
Marketing Materials
  • Stationary Packages
  • Brochures
  • Puppy/Breeding Packages
  • Sporting Dog Ad Design
  • Business Cards
  • Apparel
  • Vinyl Graphics
  • Email Stationary
  • Email Newsletter/Announcement Design

It's about time.  Why didn't I do this from the beginning?!?!  You just get so busy trying to run the business that you forget to really run the business!

Now I'm on to developing the pricing structure...

How's everyone else doing?  Run into any roadblocks?  Have any questions related to your specific business?