Vanessa Lindsay

I have heard so many people comment on their inability to blog. They just can't think of anything to say, they suffer from writers block, or they simply can't find the time.

I hear you LOUD and clear! Blogging can be quite tedious for some. Finding new content, or more importantly; quality content, tends to set people back. I too sometimes find this difficult and in the beginning of my business start-up, I put on my fastest running shoes and ran in the opposite direction when someone said "blogging".

Trust me. Don't run. Embrace blogging with a new outlook - it can be fun!

So, let me share some tidbits with you. Here are a few questions to ask yourself BEFORE you begin to tackle the world of blogging.

1. Who is your target market? Who you do want to speak to when you're writing?

2. What areas or topics do you want to talk about? Marketing to clients, tips for other agents?

Once you are able to define who you want to reach out to and what you want to discuss, it will give you a more defined area to start with.

Some tidbits to help you tackle your topics:

1. When you are in the mood to write and your creative juices are flowing, sit down and write. Don't stop until all your ideas are on paper. You can keep a blogging book or simply type them into Microsoft. Keep these ideas and blog posts on file. This will help you alleviate your stress when you have writers block. On the days you don't feel like writing or can't come up with a topic, just pull a blog post you've previous written about and submit it.

2. Try and write when you can give your undivided attention to your thoughts. Don't try to write on a busy day when you know you won't be able to concentrate.

3. Keep a ‘blogging' book with you at all times. Write jot notes for ideas down wherever you are. You just never know when an idea will come to you.

4. Search the internet and other people's blogs to get ideas of what people are talking about.

5. Visit the below sites to get some ideas:

http://www.didyouknow.org/info/info.htm

http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/live/article/163822

http://www.remonline.com/detail.aspx?menu=26&app=153&cat1=473&dt=1217365&tp=12&lk=g

http://realtytimes.com/

http://www.remonline.com/

http://realestatetomato.typepad.com/the_real_estate_tomato/2007/07/food-for-fodder.html

http://www.famousagents.com/content-ideas/

http://www.rsspieces.com/a-year-s-worth-of-real-estate-blog-ideas-6

http://www.rsspieces.com/real-estate/365-Real-Estate-Blog-Ideas

Best of luck and happy blogging!

As some of you are aware, I am a member of the Virtual Assistant Forums. A forum that is truly one of a kind and a great place for virtual assistants.

For the entire month of April, I am a feature interview with this great forum. To learn why I LOVE being a virtual assistant and working with the real estate industry; check out the interview here.

To Your Success as Always,

"You don't have to be everything to everyone; you just have to be something to someone." Don't you think this quote speaks volumes?

Seriously though, let's embrace this profound statement for a moment...

(Embracing)

So, here's the thing...I've quickly discovered as a business owner; I've strived to market myself to a large group of people, I also had a desire to "please" everyone.

Here's the problem:

I simply couldn't! I couldn't possibly please everyone, it's just not possible. When I created my marketing material with promises to my prospects that I was the best; and in turn prospects just had to do business with me, I was falsely advertising myself and my core values of my business. Why you ask? Because I couldn't possibly be everything to everyone!

Kicking it old school - Take it back to the basics

Instead, I should have been focusing my attention and my efforts on a being something to someone. I realized I had to take my efforts back to the basics. I told prospects that I would be myself, be honest, and promise to offer then only what I knew I was capable of fulfilling. Instead of owning Girl Friday and promising the "be-all"; I did some soul searching and found what I was truly passionate about. Who did I really want to help? What could I honestly offer them? With these answers, it was only a matter of time before I opened NessLindsay.com.

It was this outlook that allowed me to be me. I didn't have to pretend, I was fully confident in my abilities. I didn't need to try to re-invent the wheel. I was able to bring things back to the basics and wasn't afraid to offer personable services to my clients - services with all my quirkiness to boot!

Just be yourself

You don't need flashy technology or big empty promises to grab the attention of prospective clients. You just need to be you - narrow your market to the people who match who you are. Don't break yourself trying to be everything to everyone....just be something to someone! Clients will naturally gravitate towards you....with all your quirkiness too because they can relate...you quickly become human again. This feeling is pretty surreal. Since I have begun being something to someone, I have grown my business 10 ten-fold!

Best of luck to you and your business' success!

Vanessa Lindsay, REPA

My Mom has embarked on an incredible journey and has joined a great team to help raise funds for the Weekend to End Breast Cancer.

Cancer has directly affected my family and I couldn't be more proud of her for taking part in a great cause. If you would like to help support my Mom to reach her fundraising goals, please continue reading. If not, I thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Vanessa Lindsay

___________________________________________________________________________________

Hi Everyone:

On September 11-13, 2009 I'll be participating in a very special event called The Weekend to End Breast Cancer.

I'll walk "60 kilometers over the course of one weekend" with thousands of other women and men. The net proceeds will support research, treatment, and services through The Princess Margaret for breast cancer and other women's cancers.

I've agreed to raise at least $2,000, but I've set my personal goal at $3,500.00. So I need your help. Would you please consider making a donation? Use the link at the bottom of this email, and go visit my site - and please take the time to support me. Please keep in mind how far I'm walking - and how hard I'll have to train.

According to the National Cancer Institute of Canada, approximately 20,500 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year, and about 5,400 will die from the disease. And there are many other cancers that also effect women. That's why I'm walking so far. To do something bold about breast cancer and other women's cancers. I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me - by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.

Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Sincerely,

Debbie Blanchard

If you cannot access this link, hold down the control key and then use your mouse to click on the link. Can't tell you how much I appreciate your support!

Click here to visit my personal page.
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://www.endcancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Toronto2009?px=2877518&pg=personal&fr_id=1323&fl=en_US&et=9kQ7aH0w53VxlaQ8-Cv55w..&s_tafId=219336

Click here to view the team page for The Country 95.3 Rack Pack
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://www.endcancer.ca/site/TR/Events/Toronto2009?team_id=75406&pg=team&fr_id=1323&fl=en_US&et=dJWieZOwrrNC3xO43D4TsA..&s_tafId=219336

First before I get into the juicy details of my blog, let me start by apologizing for being off the radar for a while. I must apologize but I have been busy helping clients and building my business. I have added three new team members to better assist clients and meet their needs and extend services. I have also been putting together a portfolio for my site so you can view the fantastic projects I've completed for past clients. Stay tuned...I will advise when it is up and available!

ON WITH THE JUICY DETAILS

Did the title of my blog catch your attention? Absolutely it did! Why? Because I used the word free and I did it twice.

Who doesn't like to receive something for free? I am mean totally free with no strings attached.

And everyone wants to know "What's in it for me?" Right?

You got it!

So, why not be the innovative agent you are and start offering your clients and prospective clients things for...er...free?

It doesn't have to be gigantic. It just has to fill their needs. Whether it be a report, a tangible item or an after sale/purchase gift; shower prospects and clients with free items.

PEAK THEIR INTEREST

Give them something they can actually use, something informative, or an item that's fun and "just because". If you not sure what to offer your clients, ask them. Provide a poll on your website, monthly newsletter or email. Asking your clients what they would like to receive more of, will give you a solid ground to build ideas and begin captivating their interest.

You know you want people talking about you around the water cooler at work. "Guess what my agent just gave me for free..." Give them something to talk about.

To Your Success,

Vanessa Lindsay, REPA

www.NessLindsay.com