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This is really bad and I hate to admit it – I just killed 2.5 minutes watching a video posted on Facebook by the National Women’s Council of Realtors - it was cute and in the holiday spirit. Singing pets – with over 2 million viewers! So, there were more than just me who killed 2.5 minutes this afternoon …. but it got me to thinking – how could you use video to spice up your holidays? or selling season for that matter. Video cameras are inexpensive (bet most of you have them on your phone). And YouTube is free! WIN-WIN!!

Your YouTube account can also have your own customized channel  page to house all your videos!Which makes it very easy to link into your site and blog.

So, what kind of movie magic could you make?

• Activities in and of your communities to entice buyers to come to your area.
• Developments you want to invite potential clients to look at.
• How to’s … instead of having people land on your site and click a print out – go through the steps in a video. For first time home buyers, this could be extremely helpful. Also, for sellers – how to stage their own property.
• Also, if you don’t want to do a movie video, there are free programs that will put together a movie of still photos. Instead of a virtual tour of a home, it could be of your community. Then post it on your website or blog to show off your town(s)!

The possibilities are endless and would show why you’re the agent to use! Oh, you can still use pets in your videos, but have them sign your praises!

Many times I’m asked whether it “pays” to jump on the Social Media bandwagon. Is it “worth” getting all mixed into it? What kind of “return” does it provide?”

And truthfully, it doesn’t if you don’t have a system and work your system.

If you have a newspaper ad week after week after week and the one house you have listed FINALLY sells, well, I guess you could say the ad worked for you. If you post ads on Craigslist and get a buyer, then you could say Craigslist works. And if you spent advertising dollars on “pay-for-clicks” through Google or some other vendor like that and sell a home, then you could say “Pay for Clicks” works for you.

Publishing your blogs daily or weekly and then posting on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or other SM to link back to your website? Does it really “pay”?

Only if you want more saturated organic SEO which sends visitors back to your website or squeeze page to generate leads. THEN it is SO worth it.

You WANT visitors on your website! AND you want them to STAY THERE looking at your stuff and using you!

Jamie Turner,Chief Content Officer of the 60 Second Marketer, the online magazine for BKV Digital and Direct Response, posted an article on “Mashables” today, “HOW to: Calculate the ROI of Your Social Media Campaign“. He shows how you CAN calculate your return on using Social Media and when used effectively works extremely well.

Using Social Media as one of your Marketing Tools does pay and will boost your business.

Need help starting your Social Media campaign? Call me today and let’s get started!

“Can you afford an Assistant during this market downturn?”

A Virtual Assistant is not an employee, but an independent contractor – just like a real estate agent. As an independent contractor, you pay a set hourly or project rate only for time used. You do not pay for employee taxes or benefits. Unproductive Time IS NOT Your Dime!

My Professional Virtual Assistants business is a bit different since I had my own Real Estate Brokerage. I know what it’s like to go through dry spells with deals falling apart and no accepted offers in the hopper. However, that may not be the time to ease up on your marketing. Instead of hiring my services for at a certain rate for a certain amount of hours for a particular duration, I will help you create marketing projects that are very cost effective and effective.

Need a drip campaign but don’t know where to start? I can design that project for you and that’s it. Done and you can reap the benefits of having a drip campaign in place – constantly and consistently working for you.

Need a monthly newsletter? I can design one for a nominal fee which give you something of value to your clients once a month. You pay for just the time to design a sharp professional newsletter to send out via email or snail mail.

Need to get on the Social Media bandwagon, but can’t spend the hours and hours setting it up and in place? I will do that also as a project.

Anything YOU need done, let me know and we can update your real estate business one project at a time and when you want it done and within your budge!

“All Assistants are the same, right”

No. Just like all agents aren’t the same. All come from different backgrounds, talents and professions.

I am a real estate broker with an active license in Iowa and member of the Realtor(r) Associations. When you work with me, you have the advantage of working with a seasoned real estate professional who knows the real estate business. I have the skills and knowledge to help excel in your business. You won’t have to tell me what you need done, I will make suggestions and we can work as a team to build your business and your wealth. There are VA’s out there who may have worked as real estate assistants, and there are some who were agents, but there aren’t many who are seasoned real estate brokers. I discovered I like working behind the scenes in Real Estate – I’m artistic and have an extensive office background. I’d much rather use my talents and experience to assist other agents expand their business. That all is very beneficial to YOUR business. A win /win situation.

If you want to “Bild” your business effectively without the commitment of a “full-time” assistant, contact me! (Oh, if you DO want a “full-time” VA, I can do that, too!)

I recently moved and didn’t know where my polling place is.

Since you work with relocation, do your clients know where their polling places are? Even if they have been there for years, it’s a great reminder to get out and vote!

Please feel free to download and copy to email out to your clients. All you have to do is right-click, save as and then insert picture into the body of your email.

Contact me if you need help or would like to have your brand inserted.

Then, don’t forget to Vote November 2!!

Here’s the Live Link: http://www.vote411.org/pollfinder.php

How much would you pay to reach potential clients searching for homes in YOUR area? It’s all what we’re pouring advertising dollars into, right? Just how much are you paying right now to accomplish that?

For one online presence, it doesn’t have to cost a THING!

Realtor.com has a “Find a Realtor” search (which I just noticed the link is now at the top of the page – YEAH and about time!) I am AMAZED how many agents are not taking advantage of this FREE advertising – it’s web based and free for the taking. And with 90+% of potential clients searching on the web – you need to be taking advantage of it. Check yourself out – Is your information even there or are you a gray silhouette?

How about your local MLS and State Realtor Association websites? Is your information up to date? Is it there?

What if your information is on these sites – is YOUR website listed? or your company’s? Do the links work? Are you User Friendly or do the viewers have to really work to get your information? Is the contact information up to date? Do the sites have your current photo? Does the information brag up your services, or is it the generic crap of “I really work hard for my clients! Service is my top priority! Blah blah blah”.

It doesn’t take much to post or update your information and get it done today. What do you have to loose? It’s free!