Baffled by Social Networking - Internet Marketing?

I remember in 1984 when I graduated college - the "good old days" (geez, I sound old!) when the New York Times Help Wanteds were two sections thick, and were THE place to look for a job. A time when you completed your writing assignments longhand on a pad; when commercial artists actually did mechanicals to create marketing brochures and such. What happened???

I thought my typewriter was pretty cool too, then came the word processor which freaked me out - but I learned it...and I wrote on! Then came my first computer - the Mac Plus. Took me a month to get it out of the box, and when I did, another month to learn it! From there, the rest was history - now I have a super-duper custom-built computer which is the bread and butter of my business. Seems we all want faster, better, smarter equipment - but with that comes learning how to make the most of it. The computer has evolved from a tool to write with to an all-encompassing, self-contained world for marketing, meeting, socializing, researching, dating and much more.

Lately, I realized that I needed to take the next step into the undeniably popular arena of social networking. People want to connect, on personal and professional levels, and I found this podcast particularly interested given by a guy who himself just stumbled upon success in this here-today, here-to-stay way of technology. Check it out - Peter Shankman gave a great talk sponsored by River Communications Group in New Hope, PA!

http://www.rivercommunicationsgroup.com/maymeetingpodcas.html

Here's to keeping up with the times! See you online!

Realtors and Professionals Alike: Make Time for Marketing!

We all know the scenario: you have a few deals in the works and are busy keeping them together. Maybe you have a listing appointment one day, a closing the next, tons of paperwork to do, and some serious buyers
to show apartments to in the middle of it all.

Granted, real estate is a detail-oriented and time-consuming business. But what happens when your deals are done and you’re looking for more?

What most agents fail to do while they’re busy is prepare for these in-between times. When they get slow, they may put together some quick postcard or letter, then may not get results so throw their hands up saying,
“I tried marketing saying, and it didn’t work.”

To help ease the rollercoaster cycles of activity and finances, you must head the slow times off BEFORE they arrive. Ensuring a steady flow of business requires a dedicated ongoing effort and an effective marketing
plan. Just as you make appointments with others, make one with yourself each day to focus on bringing in new business.

Marketing vs. Selling

The real estate business is a sales business first and foremost, based on how many apartments you sell, and how many deals you’ve closed. Marketing is different in the sense that, in this arena, as an agent you are not selling houses – you are selling services to those in the market to buy real estate. Think about what distinguishes you as a professional, who your target market is, and why they would want to use you instead of someone else. That’s marketing that generates leads.

MOTIVATIONAL MARKETING QUOTES

“Customers buy for their reasons, not yours.”
~ Charles Revson, cosmetics industry pioneer who build & maintained the Revlon empire

“In the factory we make cosmetics; in the drugstore we sell hope.”
~ Orvel Ray Wilson, expert in the areas of sales, marketing and management has brought him international acclaim as an author, keynote speaker and sales trainer

“People don’t want to be marketed TO; they want to be communicated WITH.”
~ Flint McGlaughlin, Publisher of Marketing Experiments Journal

The Freedom to Work Remotely While Not Missing a Beat - is it Freedom, Really?

The one thing I most love about my work is the ability to do it from my home. I have my awesome setup where I feel most comfortable, creative and organized - fully equipped with a computer, two printers, a copier, fax, file cabinets galore, a speaker phone of course...the works. Well, not EVERYTHING one could think of, but at least everything I need to do my job.

The next best thing, as I sit here in sunny Florida with my laptop and wi-fi card (ok, another gadget to help my productivity), is the ability to work remotely. I can write and access my documents, get on the Internet from anywhere, and virtually pick up where I left off before I headed for the airport to get on that plane. I even worked AT the airport, AND on the plane (despite the endless chatter of the guy sitting next to me).

The coolest part is that I can actually access all the files on my HOME COMPUTER and work from there as if I were sitting at my own desktop - working on my home server, using the most incredible invention yet, Go To My PC. The best monthly fee I've ever paid. Or is it?

My dilemma always comes from working too much, and not being able to separate myself if I do have to get away. Is it truly productive when we're able to work remotely with such ease as I do, or is it detrimental to our well being? Don't get me wrong, I love a good time, relaxation, getaways and the like better than anyone. I can remove myself from the tediousness of life and work when I have to. But is all this technology and mobility really good for us, or just good for our clients? OK, for now, I sign off...and the laptop is getting shut down too (I promise), at least until tomorrow. Enjoy your Sunday (the day of rest????)