Lois Geller Marketing Trainer/Speaker/Author

I've been doing some interesting programs that you might want to try. I've been sending them out weekly as my Tip of the Week. Maybe they can help you bring in more business, convert more to sales...and try some new things in social media.

If you're interested, just send me your email address here, and I'll put you on my list. There's always an opt-out on the bottom of the email, if you want to stop receiving it.

My Dad was always cutting coupons for Walgreens and Publix and spent hours shopping the different supermarkets to get "the best deals". It drove my Mom and I crazy, knowing full well that we spent more money on gas than the paltry amount we saved in Campbell's soup, or flour, or Coke.

He did teach me a lot about business though, and what he called the value of "the Hustle" He was driven to always be building costume jewelry business, and I learned a lot from him.

In these tough times in real estate and mortgage lending...I wrote a workbook, with his tenets in it. I decided to give it to you all FREE. You can go to my new website, and type in your email address and then get the book in PDF format, and you can print it out and use it. Http://www.loisgellermarketinggroup.com

Many real estate agents have already told me that they've had great results in two weeks, so I decided to come to you all and see if we can stimulate the market...starting today.

Then let me know how it works for you. Maybe a little light will go off in heaven and my Dad will know he did some real good for us!

About a month ago, I started wondering what would make an interesting Happy Holidays card to send clients and friends.

We've come up with some pretty funny cards in previous years but this year's not looking all that funny - so I was stumped.

Then I remembered Donald, the artist.

I called and asked him if he could paint us an image to represent new beginnings - fresh starts for the coming year. I didn't want Christmas trees, Santa Claus or palm trees with lights on them.

He said, "How about a baby chicken?"

Hmmm. Let's take a look.

A few days later, I drove over to Donald's and he showed me an acrylic painting of a small yellow chick emerging from the whitest of cracked eggs on a green and red background.

I loved it.

We created a card using it with a straightforward headline: We asked our friend Donald to paint a holiday card. He painted this chicken.

On the inside, the copy reads: He said the holidays for him mean "new beginnings" like this baby chicken. We wish you a new beginning, new hope and fresh starts this year. All the best, Lois Geller Marketing Group. We're a new chicken too (after 14 years as Mason and Geller Direct).

Then, by a total fluke, I came across a place that sells realistic fake eggs. Put one in a bowl of water for a few days and a yellow chick emerges. It comes out bigger than the egg. It's fun to watch. I bought a bunch of them and sent each out with a card.

So, if you're not yet on my Christmas card list, here's to all of our new beginnings this 2009. It'll be a good year to help a friend, do random acts of kindness and create good karma in bad times - may they be oh so short.

If you'd like to win the original 9" X 12" New Beginnings Chick painting by Donald Sexauer, just share your new beginnings story below... The best story wins.

Tell me your story and you might win our prized chicken.

photo credit: Azhure

Blog along with me, the best is yet to be!

My cousin, a real estate agent has been complaining non-stop that she has had only one sale in the last six months.

Well, what have you tried to stimulate business, I asked?

She replied that they had done some mailers that didn't receive any response.

As a direct marketer, I know that is really tough to accomplish... receiving absolutely no response to a mailer. I've been doing mailings for our clients for decades and if the mail actually leaves the post office, someone will respond. Guaranteed.

I decided not to got there. I've already sent her copies of my book, Sold! Direct Marketing for the Real Estate Pro... and she is still mailing postcards, and hasn't tested the "tried and true" letter I advised her to mail.

I also asked her if she'd write her copy like she speaks... in a conversational way. No luck.

So I decided to try some other ideas.

How about trying something new, I asked? Silence.

I suggested that she go and sign up for a few of my real favorites:

1. Use Active Rain consistently. You can write your bio on there (make sure to link your website), upload your photo, and write up something about yourself. Then write a post, and then simply check off the boxes where you want it posted. It might look daunting at first, and the more you visit here, the better you'll like it.

I met wonderful friends here like Margaret Rome, and Susie Roscoe and Fred Carver, and they keep in touch with me. I've been invited me to speak at many companies and there I've been learning about marketing internationally, and so much more. It is a user friendly place to go and just comment on other people's blog posts. I try to comment on write at least once a week.

2. The second place I recommend is LinkedIn . It is a business website, where you can find and connect with business associates. Invite them to "link" in with you. You can then see who their contacts are and see if you want to be introduced to those people. It is a great way to network without having to go to an event. You can network with others in your own home office in your pajamas, if you like.

I've made my best associates on Linked in by going to the Answers section and posting answers to other people's questions. I have also asked some of my own and gotten some great responses.

So, when someone awful hijacked my website, and I was "crazed" about what to do, I emailed my contacts and sent out an open question, and the whole problem way quickly resolved with the help of my friends there.

3. I've also been trying :http://www.plaxo.com Plaxo is another professional site that includes some interesting groups in my area, marketing.

4. Then there's my new real estate marketing blog http://www.RealEstateRelish.com

I am hoping that I can bring you marketing ideas that are working in these challenging times. I also want everyone to stay upbeat and "relish" their jobs, so I try to be motivating too. If you comment, I'll respond to you. If you have written something that will help people with the joy of real estate marketing, send it to me, and I might post in on there too. Make sure to add your website in the comment field... you'll get a link that way.

That way, we'll make beautiful traffic together. You will get some leads from other agents and hopefully, everyone will win!