Joe Orsak

Keeping the pipeline full – the ABC’s of prospecting

With the busyness that the tax deadline has created, it’s all too easy to forget to keep working the prospecting process and keep that business funnel full. Apparently human nature seems to dictate that you wait until the last minute to do most anything – including finding a home and getting a signed contract in by April 30th and to closing before May 30th. The mad rush to get that $8,000 tax credit before the sound of the bell can create a schedule so crazy that you forget the basics – PROSPECTING! So, as the Director of Marketing for Improve My Credit USA, I wanted to offer a couple tips / ideas and helping hand.

Allot time: Do you have a set time allotted for new business creation? If you aren’t setting aside time specifically for the purposes of new business creation, then it tends to slip through the cracks when you are busy with current business. This is a sure fire method to be DEAD 2-3 months down the road.

Big fish: You should not forget to focus on forging relationships with sources of continued referrals. Who are sources of people moving to the area? HR directors for larger companies and the like can be worth pursuing. Remember also that referral relationships are more like farming than hunting. They take time to cultivate.

This is an area I see LOTS of Realtors never cultivating. Ask the average Realtor who they would like to be introduced to and they will say someone who is wanting to buy or sell a home. NO! NO! NO! I know you are a Realtor and that you want to sell a home. Tell me you've done your homework and are thinking about people who can send you a stream of clients. Tell me the specific name of that person. You never know, I just might attend church with them, play golf with them, etc.

Client referrals: Do you have a specific method to stay in touch with your previous clients and to mine referrals? Do you ask for their reviews of your service? I recommend the “by referral only” system as they have some very proven methodologies for taking full advantage of the referral moment. If you don’t have a system in place, make sure to take the time to work ON your business and not just IN your business.

The Improve My Credit USA referral page

Let IMCUSA filter your prospects for you! Advertise to the 95% of the market who ISN'T qualified. Then when they respond, send them to us and we will review their credit to see where they are at. If they are good to go, we'll send them right back to you. If they aren't, we'll get them there and then send them back to you. It's an easy way to build a pipeline of future business. Our software allows to quickly enter someone and have them stay connected to you with updates and easy access to view their progress.

Ask me how!

Joe Orsak

Director of Marketing

Improve My Credit USA

Credit Tips - Quick ways to improve your scores

Hey everyone, here's a short list of Credit Tips that will go a LONG way in helping you improve your scores. Over time, we will discuss each point in depth for a fuller understanding of why it's relavent. You can use this list as a quick reference guide until we get new content up.

Credit Tip #1: Want to improve your credit scores by 5-15 points right quick? Call 1-888-5OPTOUT or Click Here and remove yourself from the pre-approved credit card offers. You'll be viewed as a lower credit risk and consequently your scores will go up 5-15 points.

Credit Tip #2: Have you heard that you should stay under 50% of your credit limit on your credit cards? FICO scoring calculates the score based on 20% increments (IE.0-19%,20-39%.) Thus, if you are under 50% you are in the 40-69% bracket. The first major DECREASE in your score happens when you're credit usage enters this bracket. Therefore, ALWAYS stay under 39% of your total available credit limit! (See tip 8 for more info)

Credit Tip #3: Did you know that the TYPES of credit you have make a difference in your scores? One of the ways to improve your credit scores is to make sure at least three accounts in good standing appear on your credit report. The ideal mix appears to be a couple credit cards, and a mortgage or installment loan such as an installment loan on a car.

Credit Tip #4: Did you know that 78 percent of Credit Bureau reports are missing at least 1 positive trade line (IE. a Credit Card) and fully 1/3rd are missing a positive mortgage payment?

Verifying that you or your client's POSTIVE information is being accurately reported is as important as working on the negative!

Credit Tip#5: Did you know that some credit card companies (IE. Capital 1) are notorious for not reporting your credit limit? The bureaus will then use your high balance as your limit. This could result in your score taking a nice hit because you are "Maxed out." Verify all limits are reported!

Credit Tip#6: How is your credit score calculated?

1. Payment history: your track record. (35%)

2. Amounts that you owe: how much is too much? (30%)

3. Length of your credit history: how established is it? (15%)

4. New credit: are you taking on more debt? (10%)

5. Types of credit in use: is it a "healthy" mix? (10%).

Focus on what's most important when it comes time to improve it!

Credit Tip#7: FICO Scoring takes into account both the oldest credit account and the average age of all open accounts. Thus, Length of credit history is very important and it makes sense to keep accounts that are in good standing open. If you've already closed some old accounts, some creditors will permit you to re-open them under the same account number (which is important.) It's worth a shot!

Credit Tip#8: Some "experts" teach that having no credit cards is the way to be a good financial steward. Since most can't afford to pay cash for their home, cars, etc., this is TERRIBLE advice. To MAXIMIZE your credit score and GENUINELY be a good steward of your finances, use credit to your advantage. Make purchases that you would have paid cash for and then immediately pay them off online. Never carry a balance on your credit cards high than 39% of the overall card limit and ideally, never carry more than 19%. If you want to be "debt free," that's EXCELLENT - but don't unplug from the credit system entirely and kill your credit score. A good credit score means saving money and THAT is just smart finance!

If you want professional help getting your scores up, then simply click the image below and get started today!

Credit Tips - Quick ways to improve your scores