ATTENTION DECODED

When it comes to being a Realtor, finding leads and building relationships are critical.  Most people now understand that online marketing and social media are amazing tools to assist with both. Most people, however, only think of Facebook and Twitter when you say "social media."  There is, in fact, another HUGE social media platform that can help expand your lead base and garner you even  more recognition...and that's Pinterest ! What Is Pinterest? Pinterest is a visual social media platform where you can "pin" ideas, inspirational quotes, videos, or photos covering a variety of topics on boards.  Side note --- on Pinterest you "pin", you don't "post." (kind of like how on Twitter you "tweet") Boards are mini-categories that you create on your Pinterest page and they can range from anything from "Things That are Blue" to "Songs From My Childhood."  You have absolute freedom to create boards on the t...

As any business owner will tell you, if you want to compete in today’s market, you must be online.  However, there is a huge difference between just being online and establishing an online presence – just being there won’t build your brand or garner you those coveted leads that are required for taking your business to the next level. In order to build a true presence, you must establish goals, create a roadmap, spend time building your various pages, channels and boards, and then tie them all together into a cohesive story that is shared with the world via your website.  And just simply having all the elements in place isn’t the final step….nope, to be truly successful you must nurture your online empire daily; interacting in two-way conversations, strengthening and building relationships with current and perspective customers. What…did you think it would be an easy task?  Not only does it require a great deal of time for planning, but a lot of effort m...

Photo Credit: Stephen Bowler Lower your tolerance for making excuses.  At the very same time... I n the very same moment... Recognize when you are placing blame. Work actively and with purpose towards discovering answers to problems.  Solutions based thinking leads to productivity, wealth, happiness, success and sales. When you place blame you have jumped on the hamster wheel.  This does not mean that someone or something is not to blame... It just means the activity of “blame ” does more damage to your productivity than quitting. When we blame our hope is diminished.  Instead, just consider whatever happened... Something that just happened. No, it was not ideal. No it was not a happy ending. Remind yourself that every beginning starts because something else has ended. There is no more work to be done on the past other than learning from it.  Do you know anyone who dwelled on a past even...

Business slow? Want clients?  You have to start actively looking to solve people's problems. Look around you. Literally. Got snow? What can you do with snow to earn a persons attention by solving a problem? All you need is a shovel.  People who shovel other people's driveways have the right to ask the driveway owners if they wouldn't mind telling their neighbors you are taking on new clients. Then you thank them for letting you burn off some cabin fever. See... You only have two problems. #1 You have to get attention to prospect. #2 You need to get permission to get the right kind of attention. The east is covered in snow so my solution to your problem works today.  But what about when the snow melts?   Could you expect permission to ask for clients if you have no obvious cause to be in front of people? No.  That's why cold pitches don't work.  You need permission first then you can ask for attention.  You need permission before attention  makes s...

Balance Once you start performing well... The recruiters come out.  For those of us in sales, they seem to come in droves and most are shameless. They throw their best and highest offer  at you even if it means interrupting your day.  Frustrating as that may be can you blame them?  Here is the thing... Their best offer may not be anywhere close to what you really need.  So.... When they come you should their advances as both a compliment and a tell tale sign you have surpassed industry average preformance . That realization should be empowering.  If you do decide to entertain their pitches as to why you should jump on their bandwagon I encourage you to think before you jump.  The first thing a company tends to offer an agent is a higher commission split. This is tempting but the reality is... A higher commission split does not necessarily  mean more money. Why? Two rules: #1. Because everything in life weighs itself     out.  #2. Ev...

6 reasons you should buy a home.  An improving economy and steady job market signals an improving housing market. One stimulates a rise in the others. This will remain virtually unchanged by the most recent rate increase in the foreseeable near future. If the average home price is 225k this would mean on a 30 year fixed rate loan the increase would reflect a predicted drift to $26 a month increase on buyers. Not enough to stop people from buying a home when home values are on the rise. Interest rates increasing is actually a sign that the economy has improved and showing no sign of slowing.  When the Federal Government raises interest rates the masses will always shudder.  Here is the reality: #1. Interest rates are still low even after this raise.  #2. Buying a home still makes sense in America. #3. The dollar is strong. #4. Buying property is still one of the safest ways to diversify your money. #5. We have both steady job and economic growth to support our housing...

Long Pitches.  Long pitches aren't the problem. The reason you are not converting prospects isn't the length of your sentences. The problem is connection. Prospects are not short for time. Time can be made if there is more perceived value going on in the current moment than the anticipated value in the next. An elevator pitch was originally designed to spit out the product/service as fast as possible. A fast delivery with the hope that you could speak within a prospects attention span.  A strategy designed so that prospects would be receptive rather than irritated with you. This strategy is all but dead. There are too many options for people to pick from. You won't compel them with the verbal equivalent to a tweet.  Selling today requires you to be compelling. To be compelling you have to hit an inner nerve. Then you have to serve them IMPACT. A "one thought wonder". A reason to dialogue further. This may take longer than an elevator ride... But time matters less ...