Cedric (Ced) Reynolds - (909) 597-3502

I have never really given too much thought to the things I prepay for vs. postpaying for them. Just wanted to share some thoughts about how I have come to the conclusion that's a good thing to prepay for some services.

I prepay for my medical coverage - It's a good thing because I sure would be hard pressed to have to postpay for the services provided by my doctor, especially any kind of surgery.

I prepay for my automobile coverage - It's a good thing because I have been in accidents that would have caused me to file bankruptcy if I wasn't covererd.

I prepay for my automobile warranty - It's a good thing because if I have a transmission problem with my new car, I won't have to come out of pocket thousands of dollars.

I prepay for my life insurance coverage - It's a good thing becuase if I should die prematurely, my family will not have to change their lifestyle just becuase my income is lost.

I prepay for my homeowners coverage - It's a good thing because if my home were to burn down and my property was destroyed it would be virtually impossible to postpay to replace it.

I prepay for my life events legal plan - It's a good thing because in this sue happy culture we live in, our family would be wiped out financially. In addition to that I would rather prepay for the ability to have legal consultation that postpay hundreds of dollars per hour.

I prepay for my identity theft coverage - It's a good thing because if my identity is compromised, I don't have the expertise nor the 600 hours it typically takes to get it restored. Secondly My identity is is my most valuable possession.

All in all prepaying for services is a way to save money and have the quality of services that are necessary in our busy lives. I would venture to say that none of us would prefer to postpay for services when we can pay a significantly lowerer monthly premium to have the same services.

Love to hear your thoughts.

Ced Reynolds, CITRMS

p.s. Today I'm looking to help your clients who are looking to start saving money by prepaying for their legal and identity theft coverage. Have them call me @ (909) 597-3502

Imagine if you were the only Realtor in town. Do you think you would be at an advantage. Of course you would. There would be nobody else to turn to for professional Real Estate services. Well, the fact of the matter is that you will most likely never be the only Realtor in town or even the only Realtor in the office you work in now.

Somebody reading this is saying, why would I bring such a ludicrous image up in the first place. Well first of all I just wanted to get your attention and secondly I wanted you to investigate the possibility of branding yourself in such a way that people think of you before they think of anybody else.

I connect with a few Realtors from time to time who think that the Realtors who have money to market themselves are just so far ahead of them that it's a waste of time marketing to get known. So they just do minimal marketing in their respective farms.

I'm here to tell you that even if you don't have any money, you can become a name that will be in the minds of people in the area you serve. How so you ask. This is where I will tell you my story.

Most of you who read my blog know I'm not a Realtor. I market a Business Solutions Legal Plan for small business owners. The following is what I have done to make myself known in the area I serve is working offline and online. What I have found is that many of the people I connect with offline, have no clue about online marketing. So to get them thinking about me i offer them resources to get themselves noticed online. As far as my offline activity I frequent non-competing networking groups where I not only get an opportunity to give my 60 second commercial but I get to schedule one on one sit downs with the key members of the groups. My effort with each of these key members is to get them to introduce me to other members of their groups. It's like a viral effect offline. I use the phone just to call and say hello to my new contacts. I then send thank you emails which give my new contacts the opportunity to subscribe to my newsletter. By the time 48 hours have passed, most of the people I meet for the first time receive a phone call from me, an email, have the opportunity to subscribe to my newsletter, a free resource and sometimes I even introduce them to an associate who might just be looking for what they offer.

CedReynolds.com is how I brand myself. My business cards only have CedReynolds.com on them and nothing else.

When I'm out and about I'm always looking for business cards. When I pick up a business card I enter it into my data base and send a quick note indicating, "I just picked up your business card..." It's a double opt-in email program where only the curious opt-in. These new contacts start receiving an a weekly auto-responder message where I invite them to tell me more about them so I can be a referral source for them. When they respond I generally am able to assess how I might be able to help them and let them know that because they are part of my network, I may be able to introduce them to people who are looking for what they offer.

CedReynolds.com is not only known in our community it is know online as well. By the way CedReynolds.com is stylishly embossed on my vehicle. I get calls from time to time as people are behind me or on the side of me while I'm driving who are just curious about CedReynolds.com.

Getting back to the online presence. It's taken years of learning SEO, social networking and email marketing to develop a presence that sticks out from those in my field. The one thing I have noticed is that over the years I have built relationships with people who were not sure about me initially but after a couple of years some have even become my clients and some of my best referral sources.

I liken working online to working offline. People want to know real live people who can do what they say they can do. Just like offline if we blow it with a client, we rarely get a second chance, the same holds true online.

Let me tell you this before I close. There is no magic to branding yourself. It takes consistent continuous work. It takes belief. It takes learning the right things to do. It takes being flexible when things are not working. It takes being committed for the long haul. It takes being really passionate about what you offer. It takes a genuine care for the people you desire to serve. It takes being willing to help others before they help you. All in all it takes a lot brand yourself as the person to contact for your offering.

Just felt compelled to share this piece to encourage you that the person people are looking for is "YOU INC."

Stay in the game,

Ced Reynolds. CITRMS
CedReynolds.com

Businesses United In Lead Development is a group that I just recently joined that has been awesome in helping to build my agency.

* One on One meetings with other fellow business owners has been the key to getting the members of B.U.I.L.D. to become great referral agents.

* Exclusivity of being the only agent offering business legal plans and identity theft coverage has been a great way standing out in the minds of the B.U.I.L.D. members.

* Consistently being thought of as the B.U.I.L.D. "legal plan guy" is worth it.

The greatest thing about B.U.I.L.D. is there is no fee to be part of the group. Referring leads is what this group is all about. It's absolutely amazing how the members of our group have been more than willing to refer leads to one another. There isn't a week that goes by that there aren't referrals.

It's been a long time since I've been as pleased as I am with a networking group. Most of the groups I've been apart of have been social hours with very little lead generation.

If you're looking to build your agency, consider starting a group similar to B.U.I.L.D. Although I am not the leader of this group, it has been quite beneficial for my business.

I've seen many "free networking groups" fail because they were free. Something happened with this group from the very beginning that caused a synergy among the members of B.U.I.L.D. I love it.

Ced Reynolds, CITRMS
GreatCareerPlan.com

Contact Bill D of Home Financial Services to find out more about B.U.I.L.D.

November 1, 2008 was the enforcement date for businesses who deal with the non-public information of clients. Thankfully for a lot of businesses that were unaware, the six month extension (until May 1, 2009) has been a big help for them to learn what they needed to do to comply with the FTC 'Red Flags' Rule. What the FTC is requiring from businesses in certain categories is to develop and implement a written identity theft prevention program.

The Rule applies to creditors and financial institutions. Federal law defines a creditor to be: any entity that regularly extends, renews, or continues credit; any entity that regularly arranges for the extension, renewal, or continuation of credit; or any assignee of an original creditor who is involved in the decision to extend, renew, or continue credit.

Some examples of creditors are finance companies, automobile dealers, mortgage brokers, utility companies, telecommunications companies, and non-profit and government entities that defer payment for goods or services. Financial institutions include entities that offer accounts that enable consumers to write checks or to make payments to third parties through other means, such as other negotiable instruments or telephone transfers.

Is your business at risk? If so have one of our ADRS certified representatives give you a free review and find out how you can get your business compliant with the FTC. We cover North America.

Take a moment to read the Enforcement Policy Statement

Ced Reynolds

(909) 597-3502

Some things are just not worth doing on your own. In today's Topsy Turvy world we just don't have time to try and be a "know it all". Just recently our attorney network was surveyed and the results of the top 11 concerns of our members would amaze you. These folks are getting help in areas that only qualified attorney's should be handling.

Take a look at the top 11 concerns:

• Consultation on and review of severance packages including how to negotiate a
better package
• Mortgage consultation including loan modification, foreclosure, work-outs,
refinancing and short sells
• Explanation of the Hope for Homeowners Act
• Credit and asset protection
• Credit card liability resolution
• How to return items such as automobiles and end the associated loan(s)
• Landlord/tenant issues including evictions
• Bankruptcies - Chapter 7, 11 and 13
• Lawsuits filed by aggressive collection agencies
• Child support payment enforcement
• Employment issues, especially relating to 401k’s

How many of your clients have any of these concerns?

With the cost of attorneys being so outrageous, it's no wonder so many people are reconsidering owning a prepaid legal membership. Justice can finally be for all at a price the average citizen can afford. Prepaying for legal services has become just as common as prepaying for our insurances.

Ced Reynolds

We're looking for top quality men and women who are looking to add an additional income stream. Just visit greatcareerplan.com