This blog was a New Years Blog written on a 3 day countdown to 2009!

I hope you enjoy it!

I am so excited for a New Year to be here!

Do you feel the same way? Maybe it is the word NEW that I am feeling... New business, New Joint Ventures, New Friends, New Clients...New transactions, NEW MONEY, maybe even a NEW YOU!

2008 in review has been a tidal wave of emotions from excitement, loss, fear, victory, confusion, happiness, sadness and for many agents...disappointment.

The entire year has really just been like a women on PMS. I am a women so I can say that honestly knowing what PMS is like!

So, how can you be ready for a fantastic year regardless of your sex or your own emotional roller coaster with 2008?

Enjoy the following list to help you get started or better yet be a checklist of ideas for you!

Please note these are in no particular order!

If you are ready to see a change you have to have start by having your eyes open!

December 28, 2008: 1 - 25

1) Update your current contact data base! Make sure all 2008 closed clients are added (assuming you did have some closings)

2) Add a new contact group called "Key Contacts"...If this is a new group for you add all year long starting in 2009. While adding as you seek new "Key Contacts" you can get the list started by getting a Chamber of Commerce directory. This is key business leaders, CEO, HR Directors and the contacts that you need to know and more importantly...the contacts that need to know YOU!

3) On the same note from 2) Key contacts, subscribe to key business papers in your area and make sure to add contacts from reading the People In The News section and other areas that post business leaders.

4) Begin gathering your 2008 Market Study. As soon as January 1 comes around confirm with your MLS what the deadline is for all 2008 closed sales to be reported. Once that date is met, get busy on getting your detailed market study completed. The best studies are available online and by print. Bind print copies and get them into the hands of every KEY CONTACT you have in your database! The early bird on this will get all the leads! So be 1st! Be professional. Be the local expert to share the news that everyone is wanting to know! Just how did 2008 compare?

5) If you are a HUD state send a nice letter to all of your sellers that closed in 2008 with a copy of the HUD as a reminder to give to the accountant come tax time! A great mailing piece for you to send out prior to January 5th! I have copies of the text I used on my site for you to R&D! (Rip off and Duplicate) - If you are not a HUD state send any tax reminders out that are important to any buyer or seller for the transaction they had!

R & D: 2008 TAX LETTER TO SEND TO CLOSED CLIENTS

6) Take an inventory of the listing you do have. Complete a new CMA and make sure they are priced correctly! Weed out overpriced listings by referring them to someone else that wants to babysit them and collect a 25% referral. Something is better than nothing if it were to ever close!

7) Make sure more than ever you are wearing a name tag everywhere you go and have your market studies handy to share!

8) Update your pictures if needed online, on your business cards etc. You should somewhat resemble the person in the picture!

9) Set a goal for what you do want to accomplish in 2009. I encourage goal setting for agents to be done in October. However, some wait until March to even start! Have an idea at least of what you are shooting for! Target - AIM and then start SHOOTING!

10) Re learn basics! Pull expired listings and start working FSBO's NOW! To be honest...The pavement is just waiting on you to pound it!

11) Know the Top 10 homes to buy in your area based on location, price etc. Preview listings and know what is out there!

12) Be the 1st to pay your REALTOR dues. Reports are stating that agents will be dropping like flies when the dues are required. Pay them and stick with it! DO NOT GIVE UP ON YOUR BEST OPPORTUNITY!

13) Clean out your closet. If you did not wear it in 2008 please GIVE it to someone else who needs it and will wear it!

14) Do a budget check. What marketing is working and what is not? Quit paying for services that are not helping you secure leads, giving you the best visibility and of course the most exposure for the money!

15) Plan now to Meet & Greet more! Take your social networking to the next level. There has to be lenders, attorney's, home inspectors that you have not met that need to know you! Share your marketing report with them!

16) Grab your camera and start profiling neighborhoods in your area on activerain localism. Blog about these neighborhoods sharing market stats and community facts. Remember, you are the expert in your area and the go to source for listing or selling homes!

17) Host a January kick off luncheon for all of the buyers agents that sold your listings! At the luncheon share your new listings and send those great buyers agents out more excited than ever to get your listings sold!

18) Host Market Study Lunch and Learn in March! After you have given your great report to all of the leaders you can think of share your knowledge with others to help them! Make sure to run a press release on this! Remember when people in your community want to buy or sell they need to think of YOU!

19) Preview FSBO's in your area. If they are trying to sell they are in your business. Educate them on one time showing agreements!

20) Buy your new 2009 Day Planner. I am a huge fan of the Franklin Covey 2 page per day system. I AM one day going to release my own system for day planners.

21) Block time 1 hour each day of some type of exercise for YOU in 2009. Remember the 3 B Method rule: One hour a day will carry you the next 23 hours!

22) Subscribe to my blogs here in AR and monthly e-newsletters at www.The3Bmethod.com. I had to plug that in!

23) Schedule a meeting with your BIC. Discuss your goals and plans for 2009. Lay out incentives for your growth and discuss what motivates you. Be vocal on how they can help you!

24) Do a vision board for what you wake up for each day! Lay out your dreams on paper, poster board or something that you can see! Make a list of your dream list and put it in your car over your visor and read it everyday!

25) If Santa gave you an IPOD subscribe to FREE downloads of news you can use and motivational words to help you each day. Zig Ziglar is my all time favorite!

Day two is here and I am honored this post has been selected to be "FEATURED"! I was emailed by a dear friend that said the next step is turning this list into a published book! Anyone have any publishing connections? Please note that I am a late night blogger! I will work hard to make sure 51 - 75 does not make you wait all day!

Here goes...26 - 50

26) Line up your 2009 Success TEAM now! There is nothing more important than knowing you have people in your corner to help you get your closings successfully closed!

27) Pick up the phone and start calling your local builders. Many of them are in great need of your help to unload current inventory! Don't forget to add them to your "Key Contact" list.

28) Test your own speaking ability. Call now to schedule to be the guest speaker in 2009 at one of the Chamber of Commerce, City Council or Home Builder meetings. There are numerous organizations that could use your valuable information about the market! If you not an agent but have a service you wish to share that is of value to REALTORS, call the local Board and offer to be a guest speaker for a luncheon or sponsor an event and you are sure to be highlighted!

29) I hope as you have closed clients in the past you have stored them in a database! If not it is never too late to get those files in order and pick up the phone to say "HAPPY NEW YEAR"! It is never too late to thank someone for their business. You never know what new business will come of those phone calls!

30) Check your cell phone plan! Make sure you are getting the best rate for your use.

31) Check your car, home and life insurance rates. Again, make sure your money is being spent wisely! www.realtor.org is a great place to start comparison shopping!

32) Confirm the neighborhoods you will target FARM in 2009. The key to successful farming is to realize not everyone is a buyer or seller BUT everyone knows someone that is at some point or another. The 2009 Visibility Farming Blog is being posted this week!

33) If you have kids that are in school this task will be an open door for you. If you do not have kids please do not SKIP this idea. Get yourself VISIBLE with the teachers.

Start this by doing the same thing everyone does to get in your face. FEED THEM! Drop off treats on a regular basis to them with handfuls of cards! Be consistent on this!

34) Check with your lenders in the area and see if they offer any service provider loans. Share these plans with the teachers and be their source or connection for buying or selling! Stay in front of them August - June!

35) Based on item 33) I call this the MAKE THEM LOVE YOU campaign. This works wonderful to be visible to many groups: Here are a few that I worked to get your mind turning: Fire Departments, Car Dealerships, Church Staffs, Dentist and Doctor Offices and of course my hair salon...This list could go on and on! I do use a brownie delivery service for this once I have established a relationship with these groups. You can't just start sending people sweets! You have to shake hands, introduce yourself and make them aware you are there and your goal is to build a lasting business relationship with them!

36) Make it a goal in 2009 to be REMARKABLE! To listen and to always go the EXTRA MILE!

Example of how #35 worked once: I had a couple that my husband worked with that brought their 6 year old son. His lifetime dream was to be a fireman. Because of the relationships built in sending foods and specials treats I was able to arrange for the family to get there 1^st City tour in the Fire truck with the Chief! Talk about gaining loyalty from your buyers. Do you think they questioned buying from anyone else?

37) One of the best real estate investments I made was buying a MASCOT. Our mascot was a personal retriever and I made it a point to go somewhere with the huge furry dog a few times each month. I have helped tons of agents come up with a great mascot for their business! Cost ranges from 600 - 1200.00 depending on what you want. I have a great connection for this if you are interested just emails me!

Example of how #37 works: I host a FREE family movie each month. Families come for free and often bring a canned good to help a local United Way Food Pantry. We have a photo OP with the dog and mail the pictures back to the family thanking them for attending and helping the charity of the month. I have been doing this for 4 years now. I have listed many homes and walked in the door to kids wearing my logo T-Shirts and asking what movie was paying the next month!!

How was that? whewww!

36) Host a Free Event monthly, quarterly, Semi- Annually and do these events for your favorite cause or causes! Sounds time consuming? It is really not! Well worth it for the community outreach and giving back to the community that feeds you!

37) Have logo T-Shirts Made and GIVE THEM AWAY! A great way to have others visible be visible for you! People in my county have T-shirts and Hats with my logo.

38) Call your Local Park and recreation or city sports recreation right now and see how much it cost to sponsor a kids league for your favorite sport or sports! Another great way to have others be visible for you. Another great way to gain 15 - 20 (per team) or more names and addresses for your database!

Yes you can take it one more step! Have photo ops with the child, you and your mascot! This is really easy when you are the team sponsor or better yet...THE COACH!

39) Wear logo tops for your everyday business apparel. A professional look, company recognition, and a tax write off - ALL IN ONE!

A great client of mine owns a logo printing company. She honestly had no clue I was doing this but I called her today and made her open an AR account. I also told her I wanted to TOOT her horn for all she has done for me this year! So, seeing this is FEATURED and I know you are looking for one last tax write off please call her if this is something you need! I make NO MONEY from sharing her business with you unless of course her business booms overnight and I help her sell her home to buy acreage and a log cabin! She has great prices for screen print and embroidery. Tami Cobb: Imaged - 336-870-2001- This will be a great way to welcome her into the RAIN!

40) Read the wedding announcements and birth announcements. That is a great place to pick up names, cross reference them on whitepages.com and mail them a congratulations greeting card with your business card! Yes, I am a huge fan of using SendOutCards for this but any fashion of reaching out is best! Just reach out!

NO...I do not encourage mailings to addresses from the obituary. To each their own but that was never a practice I thought would help me grow my business.

41) Make it a point to thank people for sending you leads. A personal thank you is great but takes it one step more to grow more leads. Keep the person contacted bi - weekly on the status of the closing. Showing them how well you follow up with them will make them realize how well you follow up with all of your transactions...

YOU DO FOLLOW UP WELL DON'T YOU?

42) Make 2009 your commitment to FOLLOW UP Better than EVER!

43) Good Better Best. Never Let it Rest Until the Good is the Better and the Better is the Best! My Dad I think...

44) Take a new agent under your wing. Offer your knowledge, experience and honest advice.

Helping someone else to grow will help strengthen your roots! Elizabeth Ward Small

45) Link your Active Rain account to Face Book.

The best blog I have ever read on how to do this is from Debe Maxwell, REALTOR in Charlotte.

Send Your Posts to Twitter (and Facebook Too) with EASE!

46) Make a BOJO card. They have just launched that they are not only great email signatures but they work as website drivers within AR, Facebook and other communities! You can own your own BOJO or have one for FREE. If you choose to have a FREE one I will be thrilled as you will be advertising for me! www.BojoNow.com - Yes, I endorse this product as anyone can!

47) If you are in need of a free website other than utilizing the FREE PROFILE PAGE you have right here in the RAIN...try www.moogo.com. I have used the FREE version and have been very pleased! No, I do not endorse this but I love it and may try to in the future!

48) Clean up your computers! Make sure you take them for check ups! Who wants to be shut down and not be able to BLOG!

49) Organize Picture Files - keep pictures of homes you have listed before on a disk and file it away at that point. Delete from your hard drive as you do not need to be wasting any memory!

50) Work on your own BRAIN in 2009! Make an appointment for a massage, facial or day spa detox at least 3 - 4 times next year! Men enjoy this as well and well...we all need it!

DID I SURPRISE YOU! THESE ARE RELEASED EARLY!

51. Be aggressive in 2009! Decide NOW that if you want something you must NAME it and CLAIM it!

52. Be a better listener in 2009! Learn to shut up and listen and count to 3 before you answer. I personally have a terrible habit of jumping into conversations. Maybe that is the ADHD in me! The best discovery of listening for me is to repeat back to them what you think they just said or at least what you heard of it!

53. Make this your 2009 tag line: Do you have a PERSONAL REALTOR? Keep cards on hand and give them out and thank them right there on the spot with a hand shake for allowing you to be their PERSONAL REALTOR!

Take it the next step: IF they claim Jane Doe as their REALTOR be happy. Give positive feedback for loyalty. Pick up the phone and call Jane Doe. Tell her you just ran into their client and congratulate her for what she has done to keep client loyalty! You never know...That REALTOR may be bringing you your next offer!

54. Be careful how you dress in public. Always remember you really are on 24/7!

EXAMPLE: If you want to go drink 10 Apple Martini's or Dance on the bar at Coyote Ugly you really should not have on your name tag! Did that read like I had experienced anything like that? Not me!

55. Know the THREE STAGES of home pricing: Simply think of all merchandise pricing...RETAIL - FAIR MARKET VALUE and WHOLESALE. Know what homes are selling for in your area to know how to price a home! Know that not every price is FAIR! The buyer and the seller determine FAIR!

56. Talk STATS within the 1^st 3 minutes of walking in the door on a listing appointment!

57. NEVER ask a seller face to face about things you should already know. You should know everything about the home from what caveman owned it 1^st to how many building permits for updates it has! Research and show your knowledge when you list a home.

58. KNOW what your top 5 competing REALTORS do to market their homes they list. You learn this by research. If you need to ask me how to research this please email me! You should be able to tell the seller everything that A, B, C, D and E do and what you do better and more of!

59. Check with your local radio stations and see what it cost to host a ½ hour real estate program that you sponsor! This is a great way to be visible for Q and A and get exposure!

60. On a budget? Consider getting a sponsor for your marketing. Sell ad space within any ads you run to offset your own cost!

61. Send out personal client SURVEYS! I use Top Producer 8i and have emails automatically sent to my buyers and sellers. The survey is always the same and goes out every 2 weeks. They are sure to tell you when you do something wrong!

62. Never depend on your database in your phone! Make sure you really are nice to your cell phone local tech providers. I have them back up my contacts in my phone and print out the list monthly. I keep that list in my day planner for emergency purposes such as the ever so often dead battery!

63. Make a personal frustrations list! Write down the top 10 things that have frustrated you and determine to fix the root of the problem for all of them.

64. When you close with a buyer or seller you should give them a personal survey to rate you. Make sure the last question is the hardest one to hear. What can I do to serve my clients better? Tell them that you are not looking for a perfect testimonial. Ask for constructive criticisms as you will only grow with the truth!

Constructive criticisms to LIZ: Send it on! I am sure there have been 1000 grammar errors in this bog and possibly a few spelling errors. I check it twice but I write the way I speak and that is just all over the place!

65. TURN AWAY LISTINGS and BUYERS that you know are not a personality FIT! You know what I am talking about. If there is bam - bam - bam - issues to start with and they are Mr,a nd Mrs. Know Everything type I would refer it! Unless it is cash and closing in 24 hours refer it to someone else! You do not need the stress or the money that bad! Well....I know you do, but some are not worth the stress!

66. Learn to time block your day for more balance. Learn to time block for your family to make sure that you are not missing out on something or someone that needs you! Do you control your business or does your business control you? Do you need my 3 B's! Call your BIC today and tell them to book me for your next event! That is my only sales plug in this list of 50!

67. NEVER change appointments when family is concerned. Maker them 1^st and clients 2^nd!

68. Never be on the phone around your kids. They want allow you to have a good conversation anyway! If you have to have a business call at home - go lock yourself in your attic or basement or some quiet zone! I often would have to go back out to my car and sit. No more SHHHHHHHH mommie is on the phone.....SHHHHHHHH! Who do you think the child thinks is more important when you do this?

69. Realize that every golden opportunity is within us!

70. Realize that life is not a fairytale and it is not always going to be a bed of roses but there really is a happily ever after! All of this boils down to your attitude and how you handle the obstacles that life puts in front of you! Life is Good! You are alive! You are Free to choose each day what you can do or be! Life is Great!

71. Smile more often. It is a free gift.

72. If you are a great driver have a REALTOR tag on your car! If you drive like me - REMOVE IT!

73. Realize that if you are an agent and your market is really slow you can still make money by referring people in better markets to great agents in the RAIN! You know how to research FSBO in other area's. You know how to refer them! "There is more than one way to make a paycheck as a REALTOR!"

OH boy! There is my next blog title! I claim it!

74. Plan to end the 2009 year with a client appreciation party! Invite all buyers, sellers and agents, lenders, etc. A little wine, cheese, jazz music and candles can go along way! It is really a great night!

Everyone has one thing in common "YOU'!

75. When you close on a buyer ask them to allow you have a housewarming party for them. Offer to send invitations to up to 15 - 25 people. Collect the names for your database of course! Host the event, meet and greet everyone and build more relationships! Buyer love this and it should never cost you more than $100.00!

WHEEEW! I am really sorry that this is so long! My blogging teacher Brad with AR is going to call this one something more than a wall of words!

The final 76 - 100 are coming on the best day of 2008! The last one! So be sure to subscribe to my blogs and I will make sure when the last day of 2009.goes we will hate to see it go because it will have been such a wonderful year!

Here we go...The final day fo 2008! Make the best of it and let's move on to a year full of hope and excitement! I hope you enjoy 75 -100. Hundreds more will be added to my book on this...My goal is for it to be the best real estate resource book ever published! To help the publishers looking at this...Please confirm in your comments if you would be a buyer! (That would really help me!)

76. AVOID NEGATIVE PEOPLE: If you work out of an office make a sign to put on your door to read "NEGATIVE FREE ZONE" or "NEGATIVITY DOES NOT RESIDE HERE!"

77. If you work in your office...unless you are the BIC you really do not need to be IN the office all day! Money is made by getting out of the office and networking with people! Meeting people face to face and SHAKING YOUR MONEY TREE!

78. Commit in 2009 to GIVE MORE! Give more to your clients, give more to your community, give more to your family and by all means GIVE more to yourself!

79. TOOT YOUR OWN HORN! If you do anything of merit you need to run it in the newspaper as PEOPLE IN THE NEWS! Your face should be seen in every publication that announces news or events and if you are following my "VISIBILITY FARMING" methods you will have something that you can be advertising for FREE almost every month!

80. Calculate the average commission check for a closing in your area. (Those that have heard me speak can see me now doing this...) SMACK your head right now! You should have just placed that commission check on your forehead! Now...everyone you see from today on should have that price tag visually on their head! Why? Because EVERYONE you meet is a potential lead and a potential closing check! If they are not a direct lead they know someone that may be!

81. Be proud of the business cards you hand out! Please do not make your own with a tear away business card! You should have professional cards and you should several on you at ALL TIMES!

82. Have a real estate emergency kit in your car at all times: Windex, a rag, Neutralizer spray, flashlight, a small tool set, gloves, old shoes or rain boots if you walk land, toothbrush/paste. A blanket (I have never needed the blanket but my dad taught me to always have one) and for women I have always kept a roll up dress and shoes, earrings and a hair clip for anytime I needed to change clothes and be on an appointment when out and about unprepared! Our gym just allowed us to rent lockers so I am thrilled I can even go there to shower and change if needed! Bottom line to 82 is be prepared for ANYTHING!

83. The best real estate briefcase has a laptop, extra cell phone battery, a map if the GPS is not working, a local phone book (quit calling 411 and being charged .75 each time), about 5 folders ready made for everything you would need for a buyer or seller meeting!

84. Invest in an AC/DC converter for your car to keep your laptop charged and use Hotspots for wireless connections.Invest in a portable printer. Less than 300.00 you can print that contract right then and there in Starbucks or in the home or wherever!

85. Subscribe to http://rismedia.com/ for excellent news feeds about news that relates to our business!

86. Save time and money using SendOutCards for your marketing. There is no system you can have your own handwriting uploaded and send such personal follow up cards for so little money! Use this link www.Sendoutcards.com/31882 to trial the system and gain full access to see my 2009 Visibility Marketing Farming Campaign...The next few tips will give you a sample of my OUT OF THE BOX Farming!

87. February is a great month to use Valentines as the month the GIVE WARMTH! Use your farm to collect blankets/coats for the homeless or Give a Kid a coat drive! If you host open houses you can advertise to the public to drop of these items at your open house as well! Look back at #79!

88. April 22^nd is National Earth Day and a great day to host a family day at the park! You can make this as simple as create a Scavenger Hunt and Earth Day facts form for families to complete and bring back to you and host a picnic in the park (great time to use a logo blanket gift) or have a hot air balloon to give tickets for a free tandem ride! So many ideas!

89. August is a great back to school drive, November is a great food drive; December is a great toy drive! So many ways you can reach out to your community and brand yourself as the agent that cares!

90. Small restaurants in your area are great places to do your very own REALTOR Coloring Sheet with your logo on the front. On the back have a Community Facts and Trivia! Make sure one of the Trivia questions includes you! I have done this and it has worked wonderful for visibility and buyers eating that are relocating have called me from the breakfast table! A great way to do this is take 100 sheets to the owner; provide 10 small wicker baskets and 10 boxes of crayons. Tell them you will bring 100 sheets by on a regular basis and replace crayons as needed! Some agents that have done this have been given permission to even ad the kids menu to the sheet! Talk about EASY marketing of yourself!

91. When working FSBO be understanding of why they are FSBO (For Sale by Owner) or SASHAR (Smart Attitude Seller Hates All Realtors)! Be a resource for them and send them cards to share if buyers do not like their home! A soft approach works great with this and the more you give them and help them the faster they trust you and list with you!

A blog I wrote a while back: How to Capture the F.S.B.O with G.I.V.E by LIZ

92. Learn how to change your Voicemail! When having lunch or on a client appointment change the message and tell when you will call back! I am huge on phone control for balance and there are great ways to master this and not miss calls!

93. Speaking of the phone...I have a new phone system that is being set up now! I have researched phone centers and have found the best rate and service with Call Solutions Group. They have great calling features that allow you to answer every call professionally or ignore it to be captured and the message be emailed right to you! It promotes your business with professional "on hold" time and it really looks like it will be a big budget saver for my cell usage! For companies and for teams it is great as you can direct calls to team members and fall back to others...The price depends on how many lines you open! I have started with one number that splits calls into 2 lines! One line will service real estate callers and the other will service The 3 B Method...You just have to talk to the company as there are really tons of features! I did tell the owner I was going to share this as tip and he is giving a special to anyone that uses the service! The monthly rate is dropped for AR users to $49.00 per month! You will be amazed at what you get for that! You must tell him you called from this BLOG and give him LIVEBBB as a code or mention my name!

Email Solutions Group: BillMiller@CallSolutionsGroup.com

94. Make your Marketing Signs look Different! Another company that saved me tons of time and money this year on signs and banners is www.buildasign.com

Make your signs stand out and be as different as you can without taking away from your company! If you work for a franchise DO NOT try to overpower them! They pay tons of money to market and expose for YOU! So just tag market right along with them! By the way, again, no I am not making money on sharing these companies...Other than SendOutCards. As a rep, I am paid and you can be as well...

I just want to pass along the best deals I have found in my 15 years! If you have a better deals email me!

ONLY 5 MORE....ARE YOU READY!!!

95. Every day in 2009 try to get REJECTED at least 10 times! If you are seeking at least 10 rejections look at how many leads you may land! This shows the shift in marketing as I use to say get 5 leads and call it a day! Now you have to dig a little bit more but I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!

Michael Jordan was quoted in SUCCESS: Defining Moments to say "I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career, I ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I've been trusted to take the game-winning shot - and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

96. Be resilient regardless of your market!

"The strongest oak of the forest is not the one that is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun. It's the one that stands in the open where it is compelled to struggle for existence against the winds and rains and the scorching sun."

Napoleaon Hill, Author of Think and Grow Rich

97. Rick Deluca of Rick Deluca Seminars taught me on thing in 1995 when I first heard him speak...DO ONE THING WELL AND DO IT CONSISTENT! I have laid out for you almost 100 things to pick from! If you just pick one that is fine...If you pick a few and really stay consistent you will be amazed at what a year you will have...Rick gives 2 months FREE of his Real Estate Ideas Club online subscription if you email him and tell him I sent ya! Rick has great tips and tools every month that he shares in the idea club! Call (800)635-9883 or go to www.rickdeluca.com and click on the IDEA CLUB - to get the 2 months FREE you must let them know Elizabeth Ward Small sent you! By the way...Thank you Rick for launching me into speaking in 2005!"

" If we all did the things we are capable of. We would literally astound ourselves."

Thomas Edison

98. Never ever forget this in all you do. From everyday small conversation. Blogs, listing presentations...Always know that in all you do to remember to deliver the WIIFM! (Pronounced WHIF - EMMMMM) You must know that every buyer, seller, reader etc...you have to deliver something that is for them! The WIIFM represent waht people think when they read or what they are thinking when you are talking to them... What Is In It For Me~That is the thought that others have that you have to deliver!

Remember meet their needs! NOT YOURS!

Learn to deliver the WIIFM in all you and you will have raving fans for life!

99. Dirk Zeller of Real Estate Champions was my real estate coach in 1999. Dirk teaches agents to make RAVING FANS of your consumers! You do this by learning quality skill building techniques. You also do this by learning a lot about yourself. Dirk has two great books I really encourage you to read. The Champion Agent and Time Management for DUMMIES! I also think one of the best tips I can offer you is to get a quality coach: Real Estate Champions has coaching now for almost EVERY budget! They can be contacted at: 1-541-383-8833

NEWS UPDATE:

Dirk and I are launching a 2009 Tour together and hope to be coming to your area! We will have a very informative and skill building day that I am sure you will not want to miss. We will be launching Ticket Sales at early bird pricing at 99.00 a ticket for the full day. We will have some CD's and books that will even go with that ticket! Make sure to subscribe here in AR and as we layout the schedule I will be posting it here in the RAIN! I do know the 1^st events are in NC. February 24^th in Greensboro and 25^th in Charlotte.

100. Love your Life and Love your Job! You have the best career in the world! You can make the most money you want to make. You can work the hours you want to work. You can go on vacation whenever you choose! Real Estate is the BEST!

I leave you with this BONUS tip:

You wake each day with a choice! It can be a good day or it can be a bad day. You choose! I hope you will wake each day with this in mind...

2009 is YOUR year!

It is YOUR year to be the best YOU can be!

2009 is YOUR year to be productive and BUSY!

YOUR year to have fun and be BALANCED! YOUR year to give back and be BLESSED!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Please do me a favor: Comment on what tip is your favorite or the one that gets you the most excited!

Elizabeth Ward Small is a proud REALTOR and a National Motivational Speaker. She is the CEO of The 3 B Method Seminars. The 3 B Method represents Living your life Busy - Balanced and Blessed. Elizabeth host weekly webinars and monthly seminars on expert real estate topics and relationship marketing. She has been presenting at National Franchise Conferences, Regional Rallies and corporate Sales Rallies since 2006. Elizabeth would love to come and speak to your company! Her most recent projects include a 2009 partnership with Dirk Zeller of Real Estate Champions. Elizabeth and Dirk will be doing a 2009 Tour starting in February for a full day training program. More to come soon! Most recently, Elizabeth is the proud new owner of a puppy "Bella"! See Funny Blog: The Puppy and the Poop! Elizabeth is happily married to Lynn Small, REALTOR, SRES and BFF. They have three children - stepson Shane 25, Garrett 13, and McKenzie 10! All in which are HIGH MAINTENANCE!

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THE 3 B METHOD SEMINARS. COPYRIGHT 2008

These tips and hundreds more will be complied into a book! Publishers please email Liz@The3BMethod.com

1st of all Merry Christmas to you! Having your Birthday on Christmas Eve makes your birthday very special...Some say I have been shafted my whole life for that double whammy gift of...Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas and Happy Anniversary (Dec. 17th) all in one! I disagree!

Christmas Eve is always exciting and the energy in the air is vibrant and bright just like I love life to be!

I ask in this blog, yes, using a Birthday Blog Plea for a few wishes!

I wish for you to have a magical Christmas.

I wish for you to celebrate life.

I wish for you to find the spirit of the Holiday season.

I ask for a FREE gift from you and I promise that in 2009 I will give you the same gift in return.

I ask for prayer for our Country. I ask for you to pray for your business, your family and your friends. I ask you to pray for my business, my family and my friends.

I ask you to find magic in everyday with the gift that you have when you wake. Within the few seconds your mind begins to start turning that you click on the switch of choice!

You and I wake everyday with the choice. Is it going to be a good day? Is it going to be a bad day? It is your choice!

Choose to be Busy - Balanced and Blessed!

Make everyday YOUR best day!

Merry Christmas to all of my AR friends!

Here we are in the pumpkin season with lots of festivities, fun and excitement looming in the air...

I have a few new tricks to treat you with and hope you will try them to gobble up a lead or two or three!

If you are farming a neighborhood try adding this to your list of activities for a new twist on things. If you have never farmed before...oh my...we should talk! Farming is the best all time back to basic method to network and get FACE TO FACE with your community. A great way to meet buyers and sellers and more than anything else farming is a MUST DO for relationship marketing.

Define RELATIONSHIP MARKETING: Re' Laaaash- ing - ship like a boat! Market (to money) ing (verb) - this is the easy real estate agent explanation that farming causes an action of money!

So how can you stir or shake money out of a pumpkin? Here are a few things I have tried or are currently doing during the month of October. Use this for farming or just as a unique marketing edge with your active listings!

Pick right out of the patch or go to the store and get some pumpkins! Deliver them with a pumkin pie recipe and a note with your gift! That works great or just deliver pumkin pie's! Bake yourself or buy them fresh (just make sure they taste great!)

Buy small pumkins (the wee little one's) and stick your business card on the top (easy with tape and toothpick) - Buy enough to give to an entire elementary school. Kids can paint them and take them home to mom and dad as a keepsake from you of course! Hello mommy and daddy - please know me the pumpkin giver to buy or sell your home! (It works) - sounds crazy I know but it really works! Moms and dads love it when you give little Johnny things!

Host a Pumpkin Carving Contest. The pumpkin that raises the most money for your special charity event wins! I am currently doing this event this month in my farm Heritage Glen...We have a mailing that say's

Liz and Lynn Small, Coldwell Banker TRIAD sponsor the "1st Annual Heritage Glen Helps Hospice Pumpkin Carving Contest" This event will not only raise money for Hospice it will get news coverage and Newspaper press release for the winning pumpkin! Talk about exposure!

Host a Halloween Costume Party for past buyers and sellers and active ones as well! Charge a small admission with the funds going to a charity of your choice! This can be as big as you want it to be and lots of fun!

Have your office put on a TRUNK or TREAT for your community and just social network with families!

These are just a few fun spooktacular ideas to get you thinking out of the box! These are also very low budget ideas that really work! I do really hope this spooked up and idea or two to try!

I have an entire audio dedicated to marketing ideas just like this called Listing Tools Success Kit! If you are interested in this audio I will give you an chilly deal of $10.00 OFF and no shipping fee if you use the code BBB. Visit my site for details at http://livebbb.com/buy-bbb-cds.asp.

I did not share this blog to get you to buy my CD - but I am often asked for more ideas and they are all on my audios or by seeing me at live events!

Have fun and KEEP FARMING FOR CASH CROPS!

I have such great respect for AR and hope that by sharing this out of the box site that you will not be offended! However, I bet you need a laugh and this site had me and my husband rolling. Everyone that I have shared it with has told me the same thing. It made them just laugh!

I know you just do not have that much time on your hands to be playing around. I agree...I do not either but please...I beg you! Take just five minutes and plug in a picture into this time machine and see if you just do not roll out of your chair!

I am NOT affiliated with this site in any way shape or form so know that this is not a W.I.F.M blog - (What Is in it For Me) - ya know those blogs that are trying to sell you something. You and I have read them, I have even been guilty of writing one or two myself but this site is FREE of anything I am selling or anything you even need to buy! Just have fun!

http://yearbookyourself.com/

Look what happened to my handsome husband if he had been in the class of 1962!

Lynn NOW Lynn Year booked for 1962!

He is going to kill me for showing this but I just love it!

I hope you get a great laugh and to make this really fun please post your favorite year booked picture in this blog and let's all laugh together!

HAVE FUN,

Oh BOY! The cat is now out of the bag! My assistant has taken a leap and joined AR! Is this a good or bad thing? I am sure it will be good because she is an excellent writer and you will find her to give you some sincere advice! The bad - well- that would be that she knows all of the good and bad on me! Does every top producer that has an assistant feel the same way?

She can tell you all kinds of things! They know our mood by the tone of our voice and do they may cringe when they see us call! They may dread the files we dump on their desk! All in all they are still there for us! Our right arms and they know it ALL! The Good - The Bad - The ugh ugh - UUUGGGLYYY! Oh my!

So with the Good - Bad and I hope not too often ugly I would like to introduce my AR family to MY RIGHT ARM! I really do not even like to call her an assistant. Sara is my partner. She is the best part of my business plan and is the key to running my top producer, sendoutcards, visual tours and my website. I like to tell Sara that I am really a better a person, a better mother, a better speaker and trainer because of her!

I would think this is why we seek an assistant or partner in real estate...To just be BETTER~

Sara told me she was joining AR and her 1st blog as going to be "What she has learned from me"! I laughed and really did not believe that she would do that! Well. she did it!

As I read it I was touched and honored. So, in return - Please welcome my SRWALLS~ I encourage you to subscribe to her blogs as she is one of those SOUL writers and you will eventually LOVE her voice here in the AR blog world!

To subscribe go here:

http://activerain.com/srwalls

To Welcome her and comment on her 1st Blog

(My head is BIG NOW - It is about ME!!!lol)

How Elizabeth Ward Small Taught Me To Live Busy Balance and Blessed