Valentine's Day Not Just a Hallmark Holiday!

Happy Valentine’s Day! I woke this morning to my husband saying this to me. It is our first Valentine’s Day as a married couple so I think that is very special. My husband pointed out that everyday is a special day and he is so true. He took me to a romantic dinner this weekend and we have planned our usual lobster dinner tonight. Every year since we started dating we have enjoyed lobster on Valentine’s Day so it has become a tradition for us.

It is actually funny to me that people call this a Hallmark holiday as people have celebrated it way before Hallmark was around. As a country people started exchanging hand-made valentines as far back as the 1700’s. Walking into HEB the other day I realized that times have changed from the hand-made valentines. I think there were more flowers, balloons and other paraphernalia related to Valentine’s Day then there was food, which is actually what people go to a grocery store for. As much as I loved getting cards as a child I have to say this holiday means so much more to me now by enjoying time with my Valentine. I am a romantic at heart and think this day is a reason for couples to think back when they first fell in love and remember all the special memories they have made together. From my perspective Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love and what better way then enjoying each other’s company! Who are you going to celebrate with?

Facebook Business Page

Many agents are making an impression with a Facebook Business Page. I recently came across an application from eListit that I thought I would share; it is called The Real Estate Plus Application. It is a facebook application for real estate agents and makes a perfect addition to your Facebook Business Page. If you are not currently signed up with them don’t worry you can still get the application by signing up for a free account with them.

Some of the benefits are that you can advertise your business, build your network with other agents, get referrals, get recommended by clients or friends, post your business profile, add listings and write blogs all on your Facebook Business Page.

Expand your real estate network on your facebook business page by opening your business up to agents from all over the world. Another neat feature is that you can open your business to referrals from home buyers/sellers that are browsing the application. They are able to request help from an agent in a certain region and then their contact information is sent via e-mail to agents that service that area. With the application your friends, family and clients are able to endorse you and your business with recommendations. You can also include your listings and properties under contract within the app so they will show on your facebook business page. We all know how popular blogging is and this app has a section specifically for your blog.

Here is an example that I made up:

This appears to be a great way to advertise yourself and your company with a professional profile on your Facebook Business Page. Contact Straessle Marketing Solutions today if you need assistance setting this up or would like more information on how our real estate virtual assistance can help your business.

Motivational Monday: It's The Little Things You Do That Can Make a Big Difference

“It's the little things you do that can make a big difference. What are you attempting to accomplish? What little thing can you do today that will make you more effective? You are probably only one step away from greatness.”

~Bob Proctor

Some people believe that in order to become successful and to accomplish great things you need to do big things and have lofty goals. That may trigger FEAR in some. So, I say instead of going after those big, lofty goals break what you need to do into smaller goals that are easier to accomplish. As Bob Proctor says, “it’s the little things you do that can make a big difference.”

Let’s apply this quote to the real estate world. As an agent you may have a goal to get 36 sales a year (what are you trying to accomplish). Breaking that down means you will need 3 sales a month or you will need to make roughly 20 connections in a day. These connections can be phone calls, drop-ins, e-mails…whatever you do to get business. If you look at these numbers over the year they can be rather large and overwhelming for many but if you break them down onto a daily basis they become more manageable. Simply put break your goals into small tasks and you can accomplish what you set out to!

Contact me today if you want a personal consultation or need help accomplishing even the smallest of your tasks! Visit us online at Straessle Marketing Solutions- we are now available online to chat live!

Groundhog Day 2012: Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow...6 more weeks of winter. Really??? I mean it was almost 80 degrees here in Corpus Christi. Talking to my family back in Maryland they said they are having warm weather too. Hhmm I am beginning to wonder if Punxsutawney Phil is such a good predictor. I guess I shouldn't doubt him but it seems like he sees his shadow way more then he doesn't and Groundhog Day 2012 was no different. The idea that we have 6 more weeks of winter when he sees his shadow is just strange to me. I get it is because he is afraid so he goes back into his den...or a least that is what I was told as a kid. To me using logic, if I see my shadow it is because the sun is shining, which means that it is fairly nice out at least and I would want to stay out and not go back into hibernation. Of course with my fair skin it might be better that I stay inside. That is why they make sunscreen, big hats and umbrellas! Well as we come to the end of Groundhog Day 2012 I guess I have to go with what Punxsutawney Phil predicted, however we’ll see if he was right!

It Is Time To Plan For 2012 Part 5

Welcome to the last week of business planning for 2012. We have covered a lot over the past four weeks. This week we will finish up with making a budget, a daily schedule and a daily accountability checklist.

The budget is an important aspect of your business plan. Start your budget for 2012 by looking at your monthly expenses for this year. Typically your expenses should be 10% of your income. Going off what your expenses where for 2011 add in any new projected expenses for 2012 making sure that you are staying 10% below what your income will be. Your budget should include your dues, office fees, advertising, marketing expenses, telephone,internet, transaction coordinator fees, virtual assistant fees, postage, auto expenses, E&O insurace, office equipment, business lunches, closing gifts and any other business related expenses you incur.

When making a daily schedule start your day off at the time you wake up and end when you leave the office. Make sure to include time to prepare for the day, time to improve your skill, lead generation, return calls, e-mails, admin time, paperwork, and don’t forget time for listing appointments, buyer appointments, negotiations, and more lead generation.

A daily accountability checklist will also help you stay on track. An easy way to make an accountability checklist is each day put what must be completed that day, make sure to include activities that will make you money. Pick people close to you that will help you stay accountable for your goals and action plan to meet these goals.

Finally, end your business plan with a list of 10 affirmations reinforcing your goals and the solutions you have decided to implement for 2012. Everyday read these affirmations out loud.

The plan you have worked on for the past few weeks is a blueprintfor your success in 2012. The plan lays out the essential systems, skills and schedule necessary for success.It also offers inspiration and motivation that you should refer to on a daily basis. Your plan should include a meaningful title, inspiring goals, your vision and powerful affirmations. Congratulations on completing your road to success in 2012!!!

Contact me today to Improve Your Results in 2012!Visit us online at Straessle Marketing Solutions- we are now available online to chat live!

You have completed the business planning series with It Is Time To Plan For 2012 Part 5.