Why NOT to work harder...Follow me! Update July 2010

I have been sooooo pleasantly surprised over the last couple months.  I've tackled my top goal - say NO to people who just want to waste your time.

I never wanted to say 'no' because I felt like I was turning down money or, more importantly, I would make a bad name for myself.  Turns out, THAT'S NOT TRUE!

I've turned away specific types of clients (we all know what kind that is for our own businesses) and stopped working with others.  You know what happened?  I'M MAKING MORE MONEY!  And, I have more time to procure new, viable, profitable, relationship worthy clients.

Its been unbelievable.  Most costly lesson I ever learned and I'm glad I learned it at 26!

Anyone else have updates on their business?

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

**Read INTRO BLOG POST here**

 

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?

Why NOT to work harder! Follow me... Part 1; Update 2

**Check out the INTRO BLOG POST to this article here**

I just wanted to provide a brief outline for those thinking of re-launching or refreshing their business along with TC.  This is a broad overview and their will be many posts on each topic in the months to come.

1. Products/Services: are you offering anything new?  Any services your clients just may not be aware that you offer?  What's your USP (Unique Selling Proposition)?
2. Fees: Set your fees and stick to them especially in a service business.  Some will try to chew you down constantly.  Think of your time, and ask yourself if they would do the same for you.
3. Systems: Can you handle more business with the current systems in place?  Do you have enough help?  Will more leads mean you have to work 16 hour days?
4. Brand: Either re-launch the brand you have if you like it and feel that it resonates with your clients, or refresh your image.  You should have a professional set of marketing materials including a logo, business card, envelopes, letterhead and website.  The image you portray should be the same over EVERY medium.
5. Business Plan: What's your goal with this re-launch/refresh? Where do you want your business to be in 1, 5, 10, 15 years and how are you going to get there?  All questions that must be answered.
6. Marketing Plan: How are you going to get new clients?  Referrals?  Repeat business?  Do you eliminate print advertising completely in today's Internet age?  How important are professional ad campaigns versus ones designed by yourself?
7. Implementation:  It's great that you have it all down on paper.  Businesses that do that are way ahead of the mark.  Now, you need to implement it.  This can be the hardest step for some.  They key is consistency over time.  Committing to something for two, or even six months isn't going to change anything.

Print this out and scribble notes as ideas pop into your head.  This is the brainstorming phase. Feel free to share any of your ideas.

Why NOT to work harder! Follow me...Part 1 Update 1

Well, it's been a productive couple of days...

All my rates and fees are updated.

• I finally finished my Facebook Fanpage.
• Sent out this months email newsletter introducing my newest goal and asking people to follow along with the blog.

Next tasks on my list include:

• Contacting all current clients about the changes. Can't wait for that, ugh!
• Re-brand all marketing material: Business cards & Facebook page match...Now for Letterhead, Envelopes, Brochures, Flyers, Newsletters, WEB SITE (that will be a long process) & various other forms.
• Sending new business cards to all clients reminding them about "Referral Rewards" ($25 credit with TC for any new client referral).
• Just got a phone call to be a guest speaker on a conference call about Facebook Marketing for Realtors. Awesome! Now for an outline. I will make this available online as well (once conference call is over).
• Systematize my services. I need to have outlines and processes for all services provided.
• Create new forms, website pages, etc to better explain what TC can do for small businesses.

My determination and motivation has jumped through the roof with this blog idea. Knowing that I have to update every couple of days keeps me on track. Good idea on my part; if I do say so myself :)

 

Please post your progress, ideas, etc. I'm looking forward to seeing everyones progress.