James Brantley

Hey Folks, James Brantley here from Magnolia Home Inspections and we wanted you to know that we care about you and we want to do all we can to help you succeed, in spite of this crazy market.

So here's what we're doing; we're searching high and low for great "Grow Your Real Estate Business" tips and strategies from some of the best coaches and writers on the topic. Our hope is that you will be able to take this information and implement it into you real estate business to help you grow!

So when I saw the article below, I knew I had to share it with you! Estate Career

"Ten Systems of Success in Your Real Estate Career"

by Rich Levin
www.RichLevin.com

For Real Estate Agents at every level -- From those still waiting to complete their first transaction to those closing hundreds of transactions each year, success in your career is comprised of ten systems.

Overcoming every challenge and all growth in your business only occurs through your skills and application with these ten systems.

1. Planning - You need a simple way to set goals and manage their completion. We call our method "Goals and Measurable Results." Our client's annual goals are broken into initial appointments weekly and production in three categories recorded monthly. This system makes it very simple and obvious to recognize what you need to accomplish each week and each month to reach your goals.

2. Lead Management - Successfully managing the generation, capture, conversion, and retention of your leads is an ongoing challenge. Whether you use contact management software or three by five cards and a paper calendar, we coach a lead follow-up system and habit that relieves the pressure of all those loose leads in your life.

3. Marketing - Most agents miss the boat on Marketing, even those spending thousands of dollars on it. What are your markets? What message do you wish to convey to those markets? And, what is your best method and media to convey that message to those markets? How do you measure the effectiveness of your marketing and do you get a minimum 400% return on your investment?

4. Service - There is far more business for you in great Service than there is in great prospecting. Our clients prove that, year after year. What are the service systems that make you the most money? Do you maintain consistent, scheduled communication with every listed seller and pending client? Do you use a checklist or whiteboard for your pending actions and actively manage it daily? Most importantly, do you keep your word?

5. Presentations - A Real Estate career in which you have complete confidence requires mastering your, Seller Presentation, Price Reduction Presentation, Buyer Presentation, Offer Writing and Negotiating, and Property Showings. Each of these has a structure, scripts, and a mindset for you to learn. Learning them takes time. The reward is confidence, skill, and results that make you a highly successful professional.

6. Quality of Life - We say that your business should serve your life not your life serve your business. Days off occur when you schedule them. Putting your health or your loved ones first occurs because you choose it that way. One of our leading coaches and top Agent Rusdi Sumner says that once you are licensed everything is an appointment. You turn your choice into your life by putting your health, happiness, and loved ones activities into your calendar, then keeping your word to yourself and others by honoring those appointments.

7. Assistants and Teams - Between thirty and sixty transactions you reach a limit to your ability to grow your business by yourself. To get past that point you either add assistance or your business and/or your quality of life decline. To grow past your transaction limit you are challenged to learn and master hiring, training, delegating, and supervision. These are the early skills of leadership. Do you hire part or full time, for how many hours? When do you consider a buyer specialist? Should your assistant have client contact? There are many decisions for high producing Agents that lead them to the next level and beyond.

8. Financial Freedom - We discovered that people in the habit of being broke stay broke regardless of increases in their income. For those with this affliction you have to work directly to challenge and break the struggling mindset and habits so that as your production and income increase, your financial stability and freedom follow.

9. Technology - Every Agent faces technology challenges; choosing a mobile phone or new computer hardware, choosing your level of web presence and web vendors, plus a myriad of hardware and software choices. Every one of the above systems includes and is impacted by your technology choices.
We are constantly challenged, as you are, to seek the technology tools and services that preserve your time and increase your profitability. We are constantly discussing these tools and services with our clients and among our coaches to keep our knowledge up to date and offer the best possible suggestions to you.

10. Self-Esteem - Success in your business and in each of the individual systems rests on the strength of your self-esteem. We work indirectly and sometimes directly on how you think and feel about yourself personally and professionally. We teach two basic affirmations.

Try these in the privacy of your own mind. "I like myself, unconditionally." And, "I completely trust my own judgment."

Each time you improve a skill in one of these ten systems that comprise your business, your career improves. As you work continuously on one skill after another you watch your results improve and your confidence reach new heights.

At Magnolia Home Inspections... I Won't Kill Your Deal!

I always convey my inspection findings in a neutral, non-scary manner so that your client doesn't get freaked out!

So give me a call today to get your next inspection scheduled!

601-454-4073

http://www.MagnoliaInspector.com

As always, my best to you--

James

MLS Key Access

Hey Folks,

James Brantley here once again from Magnolia Home Inspections. This makes our third posting and we wanted you to know that we care about you and we want to do all we can to help you succeed; in spite of this crazy market.

So here's what we're doing; we're searching high and low for great "Grow Your Real Estate Business" tips and strategies from some of the best coaches and writers on the topic. Our hope is that you will be able to take this information and implement it into you real estate business to help you grow!

So when I saw the article below, I knew I had to share it with you!

Get It Together With These 3 Tips
by Terri Cooper
www.realestatemastery.com.au

Tip Number One: Copy Someone Who's Already Getting the Results You Want

As the saying goes: "Success leaves Clues!"The great thing is that to be incredibly successful in real estate, you don't need to re-invent the wheel!

Agents who are consistently making huge commissions right now, have left clues to their success. If you were to study the top real estate performers, you would notice strong consistencies:

These top agents regard themselves as C.E.O.s of their own company. They might work under a franchise banner but they take full responsibility for what happens each day in their business.

They think in terms of solutions rather than problems; of opportunities rather than obstacles. Their motto could be: "If it's to be, it's up to me".

They take credit for their successes and learn from their mistakes. They look on everything as feedback and use this feedback as fuel to propel them forward.

Look for a coach, look for a mentor, look around you in your own office, your suburb and even further afield. You will find that if you are serious and committed, the top agents will always have time to show you the ropes, the clues to their own success.

Tip Number Two: Get a Plan

Take time-out to work "ON" not "IN" your business. Use a friend, a coach, use anyone you know who can help you to clearly articulate your goals. Work out what you would like to earn, how long you want it to take, and the steps you need to take to make this happen. This more than anything will move you forward and will give you the motivation you need to take the necessary action steps to be hugely successful.

Real estate is a numbers game. If you do the right things often enough and consistently enough, you will succeed, it is as simple as that. But you will not succeed if you have no plan. The most exciting thing happens when the goals are your own -- the most important person they benefit is YOU. Your Principal is there to help you and share knowledge, but in the end, it is you and you alone who are responsible for setting your targets and planning your future.

Have a business plan which shows you exactly how much you want to earn this year and exactly how you need to go about it. How many appraisals, how many listing appointments, how many sales etc.? The actual targets are not half as frightening as you think they might be - the most frightening thing is the unknown. This process will clarify your thinking, and keep you on track when things don't go according to plan. As I said earlier, real estate is a numbers game. As long as you focus only on the numbers you will move forward.

Tip Number Three: Get Over It

The last lesson in this mini-series is such an important one for me to share with you. When I first entered the world of real estate sales, this was one of the most important pieces of advice that I received. Everyone is only human - when things don't work out, yes you may get angry, you may feel disappointed and let-down, but the important thing is to give yourself only a limited time to wallow.

You must let it go and move on, otherwise this industry will kill your joy and turn you into a walking bundle of stress (which will not endear you to your clients I can tell you!)

So, to recap: You will be guaranteed of making more sales when you:
Consistently model the attitudes and habits of top performers,
Get a clear plan, a clear direction with action steps to achieve your goals, and then
Continually practice the attitude of being in the moment, learning from the past, but letting go of the disappointments and creating the future as you want it to be!

We hope you found this article helpful and we'll keep searching for more of these great tips to help you grow your real estate business.

Finally, before I go I want to share with you Our Promise: Our Inspections Will Not Kill Your Deal!

We know that whether a real estate transaction moves forward or not depends, in many cases, on how the home inspector conveys his or her inspection findings. And we're committed to communicating our inspection findings in a Neutral, Non-Scary Manner, so that your client doesn't get all freaked out! Two places you don't want to hear "oh my gosh," brain surgery and a home inspection! ;-)

So the next time you need a professional home inspection, it's my sincere hope that you will choose Magnolia Home Inspections.

Just give us a call at 601-454-4073 to get your inspection scheduled!

Hoping everything you touch, turns to $old

James

Hey Folks,

James Brantley here from Magnolia Home Inspections and my question for you today is: Do You Know The Best Day Of The Week To E-Mail Your Prospects And Clients?

Well here's what the research shows:

Monday: Everyones still getting over the weekend, depression sets in being back at work... not a great day for email.

Tuesday: Best for business to business mailing lists. People are over the Monday hump, and open rates, click thrus & conversions are high.

Wednesday: Alright for business to business

Thursday: Great day for open rates, click thrus and sales.

Friday: Can be good for sales. If selling an information product (like I do; Home Inspections), people might want to pickup something to read over the weekend.

Saturday: The day that coined the phrase "email death." Emailing on Saturday is never a good idea.

Sunday: Great day for click throughs (if the email ever gets opened!)... very bad for open rates
and sales, another "email death."

Well there you have it, e-mail your prospects and clients with your most powerful messages Tuesday through Thursday for best results!

We'll I hope this powerful marketing tip helps you meet your goals, Like your Business or Marketing plan discussed in the previous posting;-)

At Magnolia Home Inspections, one of the many ways I can help you achieve your personal goals is buy communicating with your client in a Professional, Non-Alarming manner that doesn't get freaked out about common defects and deficiencies!

So give me a call today to get your next inspection scheduled!

O) 601-454-4073

All the best,

James

Hey Folks,

James Brantley here from Magnolia Home Inspections and I don't want you to move into 2009 without a successful Marketing Plan.

In my home inspection business I often get asked what I think holds some real estate professionals back from reaching their full potential and my answer is always the same;

1. Lack of a Written Marketing Plan, and
2. Not setting up a Marketing Calendar to list their marketing activities on.

So when I came across this article last week, I knew that it would be helpful to you. If you haven't set your plan up yet, it will be great food for thought. If you've already set your 2009 plan up, then the information in this article will cause you to revisit it!

The Top 10 Mistakes When Doing a Real Estate Business Plan
by Jordan Goodfellow

We are now entering 2009 and should be concentrating on this year's plan. Perhaps this is a good time for a memory jog!

Statistics show only 3% of us operate with a written business plan. If you are part of that elite group, you are probably reaping the rewards that come from knowing what you want, where you want to go and how you are going to get there. Van Gogh remarked, "Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together."

If you've been part of the 97%, but are ready to face the new year with a resolve to raise your standard of greatness, spending time creating the plan for next year will be the best time you spend all month.

I am not, however, talking about a perfunctory plan that you quickly create by just looking at your numbers. You are more than your numbers. Author David Kekich says, "An hour of effective, precise, hard, disciplined - and integrated thinking can be worth a month of hard work.

Thinking is the very essence of, and the most difficult thing to do in business and in life. Empire builders spend hour-after-hour on mental work... while others party. If you're not consciously aware of putting forth the effort to exert self-guided integrated thinking... if you don't act beyond your feelings and you take the path of least resistance, then you're giving in to laziness and no longer control your life."

So let's take a look at some of the pitfalls that could trip you up on the way. Here are the biggest mistakes that I also see as a Professional Home Inspector.

1. Not planning time to think and create a plan.
To fully design and create your plan for 2009, I recommend at least a full day. Many agents will plan a retreat with their team, or just go away for a weekend without distractions to focus. Working on it piecemeal when the time shows up is a sure way to fail. Time-block NOW an appointment with yourself to work on this. The time you need will not show up -- you must carve it out.

2. Failing to gather ALL the data from this year.
The numbers from this year must include more than just the total production and number of units. What was the SOURCE of each transaction? What was the cost of each listing? What was your NET profit? What was your close ratio on listing appointments? Each piece of information will inform you about where your strengths are and what untapped business is waiting for you.

3. Incrementally increasing your goal based on last year's results.
The normal method employed by agents to set next year's goals involves choosing a number that is somewhat above last year and then using some formula to tell them what their monthly and weekly actions should be. This is rarely exciting and energizing and usually results in having to work more, work harder or work faster.

4. Not factoring in reserve.
Most agents do not take into consideration that crisis will occur and stuff will happen. By figuring what needs to be produced to hit the goal and not allowing for reserve, they are always falling short and feeling that it is not going to work, or frantically running on adrenaline at the last possible moment to pull it off. Always assume you need 20%-30% more.

5. Not knowing the why.
This should really be #1. What is the reason you want to produce what you want to produce next year? If you attained your financial goal, or the number of units you want to close, what would that give you? If you attained that financial goal, why would that be important? Are you working to accumulate more stuff or to have a certain quality to your life that is joyful? The why is the key to your motivation and your willingness to be in action. Keep asking yourself, "Why do I want this?" or "what will getting this give me?" until you get to the bottom of what is REALLY important to you. These reasons are your values. Miracles happen when we know our values and our work reflects them.

6. Not planning in the personal first.
Speaking of the why-.there is also the "who." Your personal foundation must be deep and strong to build mighty structures above the ground. Does your plan for the year include time for yourself, your growth, your family and your interests. One of the first pieces of your planning should involve how much time off you will take next year and how your perfect work week looks. If you did nothing else this year but worked on your own personal development, I know you would probably have the best year ever.

7. Not looking for the new opportunities.
What gave you success last year or this year is not the key to your future success. In fact, if you aren't radically shifting the way you deliver your services and reach people, you may not be in business much longer. What new ways of marketing do you need to employ? How can you partner with others who may be interested in the same target markets and may help create a win/win? What new market segments or niches are, as yet, unserved? Who do you have an affinity with that is a perfect new niche?

8. Not designing strategies to leverage what you already have.
Are you leveraging your best clients and customers into your referral engine? Have you thought about how you can increase their loyalty and increase the value you provide them? The cost of finding new prospects is much higher than creating more business from folks who already know and love you. Get creative here!

9. Not making it a big enough stretch to get the creative juices flowing.
Thinking small rarely inspires. It's those impossible dreams, realized, that are able to stimulate our thinking and actions. When our goals become a game to play, rather than a measure of whether we are good or bad, we can let go of the attachment to a result and just find some innovative and fun ways of expressing our commitment to excellently serving our clients. The money flows when we love what we do and we have a big enough game to play. Boredom results in playing too small a game.

10. Not creating a structure for fulfillment.
Even with a good plan, not having a way to stay focused will trip you up. Do you have a partner to keep you on track? A coach who can see the big picture? If left to our own accountability systems, we are prone to sell out on ourselves. A coach actually knows you can do more than you think and reminds you of who you really are, instead of buying into the excuses that seem reasonable. Accountability and focus are both critical for the implementation of your plan.

Did you find Jordan's article thought provoking? I sure did!

I'm a firm believer that you shouldn't go on a trip to a destination they've never been to before without a road map. So why not set up a "Road map" (marketing plan) for your business so that you can reach your business destination in record time with less hassle?

This might sound a little corny but it's true: Plan your work and work your plan! You see people don't plan to fail, they fail to plan! Planning is critical for your success and mine!

Ok, that's it for this week!

I hope 2009 is the best year you've ever had in the Real Estate Business and of course Magnolia Home Inspections wants to be part of your Winning Team!

We strive to be a Compliment to your professional sales process, not a hindrance!

So Give Us A Call Today To Get Your Next Inspection Scheduled.

Magnolia Home Inspections

Brandon, MS
601-454-4073

http://www.magnoliainspector.com

http://www.askthemetrojacksonhomeinspector.com

Best Wishes For Successful Marketing!

James