Real Estate Articles

This is the first time I’ve written an article with the strategies in 3 parts over the course of several weeks. I hope all of you enjoyed part 1 and had an opportunity to implement at least one marketing action step over the last few weeks. Did you know if you really want to grow your business you must consistently take 3 action steps a week?

Remember, it’s a jungle out there; you’re all surrounded by the enemy vying for the same bounty. The enemy is trying to steal your business or better yet, make sure no new business comes your way. These enemies are disguised as other real estate professionals, the very ones who greet you at conventions with a smile and ask about business. They stand waiting for you to get turned down for business and then swoop down for the kill.

These enemies thrive on competition. These guys are out to get you and get you good. But, there is good news - by implementing a marketing program you can beat your enemies at their own game! All you need is a solid, marketing program consisting of approximately 10 of the Marketing Weapons listed below (part 3 of the list will appear in the next issue of my newsletter).

Just make yourself a marketing calendar (a marketing calendar is simply a document that lists your marketing weapons and shows when and how often they will be implemented) through the end of year. Make sure this marketing calendar lists your marketing weapons, the action step(s) required for each one, date(s) when this will happen, and then a place to record the results. You need to know which marketing weapons work and which don’t.

10. Effective Use of Voicemail

Leave clear, precise and to-the-point voice mail messages. For example, if you have a space you are marketing, state the exact location and request a callback with any interest the prospect may have. Or, if you’re calling to confirm a meeting, state that. This eliminates guesswork and allows the recipient a chance to answer the question in the event that you are unavailable when they call. Also, when leaving your callback number please do not mumble or speak slowly. State the number twice. And finally, note that leaving a precise message increases your odds of a callback.

11. Provide Outrageously Good Client Service

Providing outrageously good client service will make you stand out and memorable. Why? Because most service providers do not! Take the time to create a system for “WOW” client service and then don’t forget to follow it. This one marketing weapon is worth mega dollars. Go out of your way to go the extra mile. The reward will not only be a client for life, but referrals too.

12. Testimonials/Brag Book

You’re probably asking yourself who does this? Exactly the point - you should. Create a Brag Book that consists of testimonials, letters of recommendation, descriptions of deals well done and even a list of deals completed. I can tell you few people have this and most clients love looking at them, and it will make a prospect feel like he or she is working with a pro.

13. Publish a Newsletter

This works, and I am proof! Consistently get good information in front of your target audience. Add value by providing information that would be of interest to your readers. Send it monthly, bi-weekly or even quarterly. For those that don’t know how to do this, I will be offering a free class coming up soon and I will give you the step-by-step process!

14. Host Teleseminars

This idea came to me last week. I realized how cool it would be for you to host a teleseminar (a group call lead by you on a specific topic). For example, 7 Steps Leasing an Industrial Space. Or, Don’t Get Caught in a Bad Location - 5 Strategies for Site Selection.

15. Have a Marketing Calendar

This simply means you map out in the beginning of the year or at the very least on a monthly basis, all marketing action steps you intend to take, the date (s) they will be taken, and the desired result. This can be written in a calendar, made as a spreadsheet or whatever. The point is to plan ahead and then follow through.

16. Post on e-bulletin boards

Although I have never carried out this particular marketing weapon, it is my understanding it can be quite effective. Just Google bulletin boards in your target market and begin answering the questions posted. This will then make you “the expert” (see #9). Prospects who participate in these types of informational exchanges will begin seeking you out - I promise.

17. Write a Free Report

Add value always. Your clients and prospects will profit by receiving a free report from you loaded with useful information. An example is “10 ways to Profit From Purchasing Your Own Building”; or, “7 Strategies to Choosing The Perfect Retail Location”. At the end, add a paragraph on the benefits of using you to assist them in their needs. (Hint: make it all about them.)

18. Be an Expert

This is a no-brainer! Everybody wants to work with an expert. List 10 ways you can become known as an expert in your niche and then start checking each one off as you accomplish it, and before you know it, you will be “the expert!”

Cindy Saxman Spivack, Founder and President of Business Coaching Gym, Inc. and Commercial Real Estate Success, teaches Commercial Real Estate Professionals 7 Key Strategies for building an enormously successful commercial real estate business in 12 months or less. For free how-to-articles and powerful lead generation and time management tips go to Cindy’s website at http://www.commercialREsuccess.com or email her at cindy@businesscoachinggym.com

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REMEMBER, it’s a jungle out there. You are all surrounded by the enemy vying for the same bounty. The enemy is trying to steal your business or better yet, make sure no new business comes your way. These enemies are disguised as other real estate professionals, the very ones who greet you at conventions with a smile and ask about business. They stand waiting for you to get turned down for business and then swoop down for the kill.

These enemies thrive on competition. These guys are out to get you and get you good. But, there is good news - by implementing a marketing program you can beat your enemies at their own game! All you need is a solid, marketing program consisting of approximately 27 of the Marketing Weapons we’ve reviewed (parts 1 and 2 of the list appeared in the last 2 issues of my newsletter; email me if you need a copy).

19. Ask

We so seldom remember sometimes all that’s needed is to convey our need - more business. Don’t be bashful or shamed because you are asking for business. Ask and you shall receive. If asking catches your tongue, write up a script or two ahead of time and you’ll do fine.

20. Prospect Letters

Have an arsenal of prospecting letters you regularly send out. For example, if you notice a business acquaintance has changed jobs, send him a letter and offer to sit down and share some of your knowledge about his new territory. Or, mail a prospecting letter to your key centers of influence asking for referrals. But remember, if you don’t follow up with a personal phone call the prospecting letter will be less effective.

21. Word of Mouth

Learn how to work into casual conversations that you have just finished working with a couple of key clients and now have room in your schedule for a few more. Even better, spell out who an ideal client is. Let your peers know you’d like additional business and in exchange you will be mindful to send business their way as well when you can (get in the habit of referring).

22. Offer 5 FREE Consultations

By this I mean call up 5 prospects and offer to sit down with them over a cup of coffee and talk about their current and future real estate needs, no strings attached. Give a suggestion or two towards the end and then walk away without asking for business. The key is to follow-up, ask how it’s going and oh by the way, can I be of service to you? This works like magic.

23. Write a Book

Nothing will position you as an expert faster then writing a book - you will have instant celebrity status. If writing isn’t your thing, record it and have your assistant transcribe and edit it.

24. Join a Tips group

Join an existing group such as LeTip (www.LeTip.com) or BNI (www.BNI.com) and get ready to have more business. The format of these groups is to have weekly breakfast meetings and share referral possibilities with each other. Better yet, form your own referral group and share clients.

25. Serve on an Association Board

Volunteer your time to associations and organizations that apply to your specialty, for example, ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers). Offer to head up a committee or help another committee chair. Work your way up to being a board member. This gets you exposure, involvement and expertise.

26. Create a Resource List

Create a listing of valuable resources and share them with your prospects. Executives are so busy these days they will welcome any help you can provide. It will save them hours of research time and they will be grateful to you. It’s easier to give business to someone who has been helpful in the past. Plus, it shows you are resource-rich, always a plus.

27. Lastly, Be Professional

Show up on time, do what you say you’re going to do and do it with excellence.

Cindy Saxman Spivack, Founder and President of Business Coaching Gym, Inc. and Commercial Real Estate Success, teaches Commercial Real Estate Professionals 7 Key Strategies for building an enormously successful commercial real estate business in 12 months or less. For free how-to-articles and powerful lead generation and time management tips go to Cindy’s website at http://www.commercialREsuccess.com or email her at cindy@businesscoachinggym.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cindy_Saxman_Spivack

Nearly every commercial real estate professional I know hates cold calling! Well, not everyone, there are a few out there who not only love it but who do it really well. But for the rest of us, there’s a better way.

If you’re ready to do more business in less time, work smarter, not harder, and increase your income, READ ON because referrals are the way to go!

Referrals are the most important and powerful strategy for increasing your income because they shorten the sales process. Referrals connect you with more qualified clients, generate more callbacks, and get you more “yes” responses in less time.

The definition of a referral: “Any name or contact information given to you for the purpose of doing business.”

If you provide excellent service to others, you not only earn the right to ask for referrals, but others will be eager to offer them. The key is to “ASK”. Furthermore - go the extra mile delivering “WOW” client service and people will be lining up to do business with you. Just remember you still will need to qualify the prospect before agreeing to take him/her on, the key is working with only “A” and “B” clients.

The best way to begin building a referral-based commercial real estate business (and never cold call again) is to follow the 12 strategies outlined below:

Step 1: Declare a specialty and become known for that specialty.

Step 2: Be Referable, act and dress professionally, always follow up and do a great job.

Step 3: Develop a one-page strategic referral plan declaring goals and outlining the steps you need to take each week and each month to reach your goals. Refer to this plan daily.

Step 4: Use your database for more then just an electronic database. Store the information you’ll need to remember for future conversations (i.e. hobbies, family, travel). This information can then become conversation starters.

Step 5: Keep current with the latest technology and USE IT! Keep in front of your clients and prospects regularly with email - newsletters, snippets of useful information. This will remind them you’re still around.

Step 6: Develop scripts for talking to others about giving you referrals. Have scripts for talking to colleagues, friends, and family. Having scripts makes it easier to ask when the time comes for the conversation.

Step 7: Develop a Top 20, a list of 20 people in your sphere that are in a position to refer to you. This list could include a colleague with a different specialty; lawyers, bankers, architects, and so on. This is the list of people who will get the most attention when marketing.

Step 8: Eat meals with others two or three days a week. How about making Monday, Wednesday, and Friday “lunch out” days? During these lunches you will form and strengthen relationships, thereby increasing your referability.

Step 9: Develop Strategic Alliances, groups with whom you can associate and attract referrals. Examples are SIOR and ICSC.

Step 10: Network. Set a goal to attend one networking event each month. Join groups like LeTip and BNI. Form your own breakfast clubs or mastermind groups. But be sure to go beyond having an enjoyable conversation and leave with a pocketful of referrals.

Step 11: Give Referrals. It’s really so simple. To get referrals - give referrals. Be mindful of those in your circle whom you can refer to. What goes around comes around!

Step 12: ASK! The easiest and yet the one thing most professionals never do - ASK!

There are dozens of other ways to increase business. Keep in mind - most commercial real estate professionals do nothing but pray for clients to fall in their laps.

If you do just 3 referral-building action steps per week, your productivity should increase by 20% per month, that’s 240% by the end of the year!

Develop a strategic plan that is focused on building a referral-based Commercial Real Estate Business. Include things such as how many referrals do you want in a year, a month, a week? What action steps do you need to make this happen?

Some professionals are comfortable with asking around at a networking function, others write an email or letter, and still others have a one-on-one conversation. The point is: Put the steps you are willing to take and put them into action.

What will be your three action steps this week?

Cindy Saxman Spivack, Founder and President of Business Coaching Gym, Inc. and Commercial Real Estate Success, teaches Commercial Real Estate Professionals 7 Key Strategies for building an enormously successful commercial real estate business in 12 months or less. For free how-to-articles and powerful lead generation and time management tips go to Cindy’s website at http://www.commercialREsuccess.com or email her at cindy@businesscoachinggym.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cindy_Saxman_Spivack