About Alta Loma's Deer Creek

Brian West, from Arizona iMortgage just inspired me this morning to write about "the experience".... Isn't that what we're selling? That's what I sell.

What are some of the things that will keep people/clientele coming back for more?

1) Maybe it's the update call you do regularly to keep your clients informed of the transaction details?

2) What about the late night calls just to be sure they get some information you know they may be thinking about before they go to bed and you may just help them get a good night's sleep if you call tonight, instead of waiting until tomorrow?

3) How about being at the home inspection while your Sellers are not?

4) What about answering your telephone when they call? Or always returning their call the same day?

5) What about always telling them the truth, regardless of if it's what they want to hear or not?

6) What about always being professional and friendly in person, on the phone, always?

What would YOU Add as my Seventh item

that you do for your clients to Create a Great Experience?

I recently had a transaction that didn't close and feel it's a little ~ dare I say, frustrating when the other Realtor in the transaction is getting "in the way".

It made it even more compelling given that I was the Listing Agent & Owner on the property. Yup!! Very!! LOL I found it sad to sign the final cancellation papers and return the Buyer's deposit to her when all was said and done. I wondered whether she knew all her agent had asked for on her behalf and that it ultimately ended up being the beginning of the end for our transaction together. Given that she hugged me after the second time she viewed the property, without her Agent there, I knew she really liked it. I was excited too, to see her get it and live where I have lived and enjoyed the past 5 years.

My Questions are:

1) How can we prevent some of the "frustrating things" from happening in our transactions and ultimately have more closings?

2) What is your PET PEEVE with this?

2) Don't you wish there was a whistle we could blow or something when the other side of our transaction is "out of bounds" or call "INTERFERENCE!!!"???

We can close these...just takes Professionalism, Spirit of Cooperation, Negotiation skills & Focused Efforts.

Much Luck & Success to You in all of Your Escrows and Closing Them. AMEN

A while back I told you that I was starting to advertise with what they call a "bundle"...which means it's a combination of different ads, within the week, in my local newspaper. Well, I'm just finishing that 13 week stint up, and there are a few IDEAS/INSIGHTS it's given me and wanted to share with you.

1) How many people are reading the newspaper? Good Question! While I have certainly gotten response, it's not the the olden days where my phone would ring off the hook. When you ADVERTISE IN PRINT, Be sure to advertise the best listings, with great photos that will DRAW INTEREST...THAT'S what's going to make your telephone ring.

2) Are people more interested in the properties and not the Realtor advertising them? You betcha! As hard as this is to admit to ourselves or think about sometimes, the reason someone is looking, LET'S BE HONEST, is that they have a need and are trying to get it met. They need to buy or sell. And we, want to make a difference for them...and get them into or out of their home. Stay Focused...& Make it happen...

3) Is professionalism and "Image" still important? You BETCHA!!! OMG!!! When visiting local towns, I don't know if you do this (???), but I always manage to snag the local newspaper and/or Homes Magazine and why are people still using terrible photos???? WHY???? Use a professional photo would you please?!!!! (side note ~ I know this doesn't apply to most of you reading this, because we are all professionals here, right ;) ) Yes, I thought so & don't you LOVE ACTIVE RAIN?!!

4) You have to spend money to make money....TRUE, whether it's your time doing AR or internet marketing, or advertising dollars, you owe it to yourself to invest in yourself. People want to work with a Professional who has it going on. Not one that can barely make it over with a clean car and full tank of gas. STEP IT UP.

Any other tips or pointers?

What top suggestions would you make based on your advertising experience the past 30 days?

Is anyone out there bundling their services? You save money, so if you aren't, you should. The most common bundling of services is through Verizon, our local telephone company. If you order Direct TV with them, DSL or Fios and Home Phone Service, it's like getting the home phone number free. Or at least it is here in Cali.

Another way you can hopefully save more money is in your advertising. Some local newspapers will work with you to give you better rates if you advertise more. Have you looked into it?

The local newspaper, Daily Bulletin and I have been working together for years. Recently my Rep there, Rhiannon, helped me to design a way that I can have a business card sized ad in the paper twice a week, and then on the Real Estate Day, I have an 1/8 of a page.

On the 1/8 page, I advertise 4 properties. This has gotten my phone to ring a few times that it wouldn't have if I wasn't doing this. Also, the weekly two smaller ads are brand recognition for me which is like putting your money in the bank. Eventually, it will earn interest.

Here's the kicker!

They have recently begun having me do my QOW ~ "Question of The Week". The newspaper is actually paying me for this. I plan to keep it running for as long as possible. In June, they are planning on having me on the front page with the cover story and it's going to be a question related to the cover story. Interesting eh?

Well, the cool thing, is that somehow, they decided to call it, "Todd Picconi's Question of The Week".

I'm not really sure if this would have happened, had I not been at the right place at the right time. They say, "build it and it will come".

What are you doing to build your brand bigger? What's working for you?

Peace