Facebook Business Page

Many agents are making an impression with a Facebook Business Page. I recently came across an application from eListit that I thought I would share; it is called The Real Estate Plus Application. It is a facebook application for real estate agents and makes a perfect addition to your Facebook Business Page. If you are not currently signed up with them don’t worry you can still get the application by signing up for a free account with them.

Some of the benefits are that you can advertise your business, build your network with other agents, get referrals, get recommended by clients or friends, post your business profile, add listings and write blogs all on your Facebook Business Page.

Expand your real estate network on your facebook business page by opening your business up to agents from all over the world. Another neat feature is that you can open your business to referrals from home buyers/sellers that are browsing the application. They are able to request help from an agent in a certain region and then their contact information is sent via e-mail to agents that service that area. With the application your friends, family and clients are able to endorse you and your business with recommendations. You can also include your listings and properties under contract within the app so they will show on your facebook business page. We all know how popular blogging is and this app has a section specifically for your blog.

Here is an example that I made up:

This appears to be a great way to advertise yourself and your company with a professional profile on your Facebook Business Page. Contact Straessle Marketing Solutions today if you need assistance setting this up or would like more information on how our real estate virtual assistance can help your business.

Groundhog Day 2012: Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow...6 more weeks of winter. Really??? I mean it was almost 80 degrees here in Corpus Christi. Talking to my family back in Maryland they said they are having warm weather too. Hhmm I am beginning to wonder if Punxsutawney Phil is such a good predictor. I guess I shouldn't doubt him but it seems like he sees his shadow way more then he doesn't and Groundhog Day 2012 was no different. The idea that we have 6 more weeks of winter when he sees his shadow is just strange to me. I get it is because he is afraid so he goes back into his den...or a least that is what I was told as a kid. To me using logic, if I see my shadow it is because the sun is shining, which means that it is fairly nice out at least and I would want to stay out and not go back into hibernation. Of course with my fair skin it might be better that I stay inside. That is why they make sunscreen, big hats and umbrellas! Well as we come to the end of Groundhog Day 2012 I guess I have to go with what Punxsutawney Phil predicted, however we’ll see if he was right!

It Is Time To Plan For 2012 Part 5

Welcome to the last week of business planning for 2012. We have covered a lot over the past four weeks. This week we will finish up with making a budget, a daily schedule and a daily accountability checklist.

The budget is an important aspect of your business plan. Start your budget for 2012 by looking at your monthly expenses for this year. Typically your expenses should be 10% of your income. Going off what your expenses where for 2011 add in any new projected expenses for 2012 making sure that you are staying 10% below what your income will be. Your budget should include your dues, office fees, advertising, marketing expenses, telephone,internet, transaction coordinator fees, virtual assistant fees, postage, auto expenses, E&O insurace, office equipment, business lunches, closing gifts and any other business related expenses you incur.

When making a daily schedule start your day off at the time you wake up and end when you leave the office. Make sure to include time to prepare for the day, time to improve your skill, lead generation, return calls, e-mails, admin time, paperwork, and don’t forget time for listing appointments, buyer appointments, negotiations, and more lead generation.

A daily accountability checklist will also help you stay on track. An easy way to make an accountability checklist is each day put what must be completed that day, make sure to include activities that will make you money. Pick people close to you that will help you stay accountable for your goals and action plan to meet these goals.

Finally, end your business plan with a list of 10 affirmations reinforcing your goals and the solutions you have decided to implement for 2012. Everyday read these affirmations out loud.

The plan you have worked on for the past few weeks is a blueprintfor your success in 2012. The plan lays out the essential systems, skills and schedule necessary for success.It also offers inspiration and motivation that you should refer to on a daily basis. Your plan should include a meaningful title, inspiring goals, your vision and powerful affirmations. Congratulations on completing your road to success in 2012!!!

Contact me today to Improve Your Results in 2012!Visit us online at Straessle Marketing Solutions- we are now available online to chat live!

You have completed the business planning series with It Is Time To Plan For 2012 Part 5.

What to Do in Corpus Christi, TX This Weekend

There are a lot of exciting things to do in Corpus Christi, TX this weekend. Here are a few things you won’t want to miss.

What: Harlem Ambassadors vs. local officials basketball game

When: 7 p.m. Friday

Where:W.B. Ray High School Gym, 1002 Texan Trail

Cost: $7; children younger than 3/free

Information: Tickets are available at the Ronald McDonald House, 3402 Fort Worth St. Call 361-854-4073 or www.harlemambassadors.com, www.optimistcc.org

What: Pacifica Quartet and Wann-dar Tan
Where: House of Rock, 511 Starr St.
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Cost: $10
Information: House of Rock, 882-7625

Saturday Show:
What: Pacifica Quartet
Where: Wolfe Recital Hall, Del Mar College East Campus, 101 Baldwin Blvd.
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Cost: General admission $25/ Students $10
Information: David Parker at 884-5775

What: Bay Quilt Show

Where: Commons area at Rockport-Fulton High School

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday

Cost: $5 general admission/ free for children 12 and under

Information: 729-5440 or www.piecemakersbythebay.org

What to do in the Corpus Christi, TX area this weekend.

Annual Taste of Portland Event this Saturday!

What: Annual Taste of Portland

When: 6:30 p.m., Saturday

Where: NorthShore Country Club

Cost: Individual tickets $25

Information: For reserved tables call the Portland Chamber of Commerce at 361-643-2475 or email chamber@portlandtx.org.

If you have an event you want me to add please contact me!

~Elizabeth

I absolutely love real estate and love being involved in the industry as a virtual assistant. Even though I am very passionate about what I do there are still those times when I need some motivation! For some reason those days often times fall on a Monday. Could it be due to having the weekend to spend with my family and friends and not wanting that to end? Is it because Monday seems to be such a crazy and hectic day catching up from the weekend? Whatever it may be on some Mondays I just want to stay crawled under my covers wishing it was still the weekend. Does anyone else out there feel this way???

To help with that situation I have decided that on Mondays I will pick a quote that will help motivate me to get going and have a wonderful & productive week! This week I found the following:

Change is inevitable - except from a vending machine. ~Robert C. Gallagher

This made me chuckle as I thought of my life…change hhhmm I definitely know that. As a Military Wife things are always changing…being in the real estate industry things are always changing. Over the past 6 months I’ve had huge changes in my life. I married my soul mate, our beloved kitty passed away, we moved half way across the country, I started a new business and ohh yeah we just got a new puppy! Is that enough change for you??? Trust me I have gotten used to change and would have it no other way. Personally I think I thrive on change. One reason why being a real estate virtual assistant is a great fit for me. Things in the real estate industry are constantly changing and I enjoy keeping up with the times and continually educating myself to be more knowledgeable to better help my clients succeed in the business of real estate.

The new year often brings change…many business owners evaluate their business and see what they need to do in order to change things for the better and have a more successful business that year. In order to change your status quo you may have to educate yourself, practice your scripts more, higher a virtual assistant, revamp your marketing or implement new systems. What change do you plan on bringing to your business this year?