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Posted on August 27 at 05:12 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

Is Twitter an ingenious marketing and communications tool, or a mindless waste of time? That’s the question that tech columnist Mr. Internet (Michael Russer) poses in his September column at REALTOR® magazine online.

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From a purely social networking perspective, Twitter is easy, fast, and very convenient, Mr. Internet points out. It’s also very addictive and completely free, not counting text-messaging fees if you use Twitter to send or receive tweets on your mobile phone. You can use to keep your team updated on a pending transaction, or send short real estate news updates with links to your Web site.

But does it really hold promise as a business communication device? Mr. Internet is undecided, and wants to hear your thoughts. Have you used Twitter? Do you think it’s a useful

Continue reading "Do You Twitter?" »

Posted on August 21 at 01:26 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (13)

You have seen the numbers, you have read the press — is there any way to make a living out there?

Of course there is! I was reviewing information on our market recently and found that we are selling the same amount of homes as we were 10 years ago. The only difference is 10 years ago there were just over 2,000 REALTORS® in our market whereas today there are 10,000 agents. That is 10,000 agents sharing 1,000 home sales a month in our area. The odds seem stacked against me.

Well I can continue to talk about it and be a worry wart or Debbie Downer (pardon the "Saturday Night Live" reference). "Sniff, Sniff." But that doesn't achieve a thing.

What happens when we are focused on getting? We start to fret about the market, we start to fret if we are going to be in business, and what happens when we fret? Here's what Websters.com says the definition of fret is: to wear away or consume by gnawing, friction, rust, corrosives, etc.

How can I receive anything good when I'm constantly being worn away? You can't! When you fret about things and your business, you end up wearing your business out! So what's the

Continue reading "Stop Your Worrying!" »

Posted on August 18 at 08:17 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)

The title explains it all. I want to know! And I’m sure most of us want to know — what are YOUR current business tools or marketing ideas that gets the biggest bang for your business bucks!?

My personal recommendations:

• BNI.com - Referral Network Group $330-$430/yr. Membership

A non-compete business referral network group that physically meets at a location every week. The sole purpose of the meeting is to pass referrals to each other. You build a network of trusted professionals you can count on and also refers to your clients; and you get referrals in return. It’s a win-win.

• Digital Post-it Notes for my desktop computer - $19.99

Personally (being an organizational freak) I absolutely love Digital Post-It Notes! Especially the visual aspect of the program. I’m able to manage more details; it’s a great way to manage a lot

Continue reading "Marketing/Business Tools: Biggest Bang for the Buck!" »

Posted on August 11 at 09:35 AM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (8)

A group of REALTORS at @properties in Chicago bravely stepped out of their comfort zones to take an improv class especially designed for real estate professionals. Watch some of the techniques they learned and share your thoughts: Do you think improv classees could be beneficial in real estate?

For more on improv in real estate, check out this article from REALTOR magazine, Take the Stage.

Posted on August 8 at 12:00 PM | Permanent Link | Add a Comment (0)