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We’re over halfway through January already! Where did it go? Sunday I finished putting away all my Christmas, Holiday and Winter decorations. There’s way too much snow outside to be reminded about it inside. And those little signs that say, “Let it Snow!” have just GOT to be put away. NO, DON’T JUST LET IT SNOW!!

All this reminded me about the optimistic resolutions made less than 3 weeks ago …. or even, how about all those things you meant to do last year that you didn’t get around to or find time to implement? Are they still nagging at you? It’s like wanting to go on a diet, but don’t find the time to exercise or don’t pick out the right food at the grocery store. Wishing it won’t loose the weight or make you healthier.

Your business could be weighing on you just as much and just as unhealthy. So, what are you going to do about it? How are you going to pump up your business?

1. Make a wish list of what you want your business to look like by the end of the year. Go crazy! Go WILD!! This is just a wish list – use your imagination!
2. Who do you admire – is there an agent/businessperson out there you just envy and would like to be like? Well, what do they have or what are they doing that you aren’t? Make a list! Why can’t you implement some of their winning ideas?
3. Hire a coach or take some classes that are just continuing education. Some have very short term, shot in the arm classes to at least point you in the right direction and will perhaps help in your to do list. (YourCoachingMatters)
4. Hire some help! If you are doing things yourself to save money, but they’re not getting done, how is that more cost effective than hiring your projects done to actually be finished and used? The great thing? It doesn’t have to be a full-time assistant! It CAN be per project!!
5. Subscribe to some great talent out there – for free! Gitomer.com or Seth Godin
   
6. Read books on how to build your business – Jeffrey Gitomer. Gitomer’s books can be easily read while you’re waiting for a client to show up or other appointments.
7. Get back in touch with your clients/database! They need to know you are still in business!

You still can change how you look and pump up your business looks for 2011! Then in 2012, your resolution will be to make smart investments with all that extra new income!!

I really get a chuckle from that Discover Card commercial, “My Name Peggy”   – “Peggy” works in a call center up in the middle of nowhere in Siberia and he’s talking to us in the United States – giving not so good service. “Peggy” shows how NOT to give service Virtually.

Let’s try THIS commercial ….

“Good morning, my name is Sandy. I’m your Professional Real Estate Virtual Assistant and I can do more for you than just be an your assistant. I can put together a marketing plan which includes all facets of Social Media, Blog and website. I can also create and distribute campaigns for your nearest and dearest clients and for those who you would like to have as your nearest and dearest clients. I can also create a squeeze/landing page for lead generation. And that’s not all – I can design professional and unique listing fliers or postcards. I can do ALL of this and MORE all from my office in the middle of Iowa.”

For all your Assistant and Marketing needs, call Sandy – not Peggy.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Getting ready for Christmas – Lights are on the house and the tree sparking and shining a warm glow. Presents are either wrapped and under the lit tree or on a list of to do’s – either way, great thought is given to make sure the recipient is extremely pleased. Holiday Cards are carefully chosen with personal notes carefully handwritten. Delicate cookies are baked weeks in advance only to be gobbled down within minutes. Delicaceys are prepared. Christmas Stockings are hung ever so gently over the fireplace. Everything is in it’s place and you are beaming – it will be a wonderful Holiday for your family and friends.

Have you put this much thought and calculation into next year’s business plan? Have you made a list and checked it twice to make sure which marketing tactic is naughty or nice? Have you calculated what you can or cannot afford to do this next year? Have you carefully planned each client contact/campaign for the next year?

“Tis the most wonderful time of the year!! You CAN make plans to start fresh in 2011! It’s a New Year! It’s a New Tax Season!! It’s a NEW SELLING SEASON!!

I have hit a blogging dry spell …. well, actually – I have been busy and my thoughts have gone to assisting agents than writing. Which is a good situation to be in. But, the blogging has helped my business. And ActiveRain has helped my blogging. I have used Social Media to build my presence on the web and it is paying off. I am doing for myself what I do and will do for my clients and it’s paying off. I’m getting hits, calls and referals …. AND CLIENTS! My clients are getting busier and I’m getting busier. It’s Win-Win and I’m having the time of my life!

If you haven’t started using Social Media yet, now’s the time! If you want some help, contact me.

I need to get back to blogging – it works!!

“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!)