Billion Dollar Agent

3 Fundamental Keys That Can Open the Door of Success

2010-05-03T16:52:00.000-07:00

Everyone has the opportunity to be successful in who they are and in what they do. Regardless of your background, past financial status, level of education, your race or your religion – everyone can be successful. Three fundamental keys can unlock the door to success.

ATTITUDE - You might have heard the old saying, “Attitude is Everything”. Well it is! Webster’s Dictionary defines attitude as both a feeling and a position. Your mental “position” already determines how you will approach a situation or interact with other people. Thinking “This is probably going to fail” has already “positioned” you to fail. In the children’s book “That Little Train That Could”, the train overcame his obstacles by telling himself “I think I can. I think I can.” You are going to have to take it beyond that if you want to throw wide that door to success. “I know I can! I know I can!” needs to become your battle cry.

PERSISTANCE - A friend once asked me if I knew how he built his deck. I said that I did not and he replied, “One nail at a time.” If you are going to walk through that door to success, you must keep moving forward. If a project or method of selling does not work out. Don’t quit! I am sure my friend “bent” several nails while building that deck. Instead of giving up and telling himself that he probably didn’t need a deck after all, he just got another nail and drove it in. If what you are doing isn’t working, grab another “nail”.

DELEGATE - There are only 24 hours in a day and you were not created to work all of them. Whether your business is real estate or something else, there are multiple things screaming for attention. Write your goals down. Create a list of what has to be done to achieve those goals. As you look at that “To Do” list, what are the things you most enjoy doing? What do you “shine” at? Circle it! That is the area you need to focus on. Then hire someone else to do the other stuff. Our Key Assistants can help you out in that department.

Are you Tweeting?

2010-04-02T22:20:00.000-07:00

Twitter is a great social networking site. It allows you to post everything from a simple statement to pictures to links. You can go to the website to post or even post from your mobile phone. It is something that every top real estate agent needs to be involved in.

Everyone from the guy next door to celebrities are using Twitter. If you are not tweeting, then you are missing out. Twitter, unlike other social networking sites and applications, doesn't require you to maintain a profile or to get involved in complex groups. You simple publish small posts, up to 140 words, that everyone who is following you will see.

Twitter allows you to get your name out there and connect with people in a matter of seconds. You can even follow others, which lets you keep an eye on the competition and see what is happening within the industry.

If you are not on Twitter yet, then go check it out. It is free and very easy to use.

Get started today. Sign up. Search for some people to follow and start tweeting. Remember once you start to stay active. Being active is the key to Twitter. You will see that in no time you can grow quite a following. Consider it an easy way to personally market yourself and your business.

Look at Things from a Client's Point of View

2010-03-29T22:14:00.000-07:00

A good real estate agent will take the time to look at things from their client's point of view. In order to be a top agent, you have to become what the customer wants you to be. The best way to see things like a client is to think about what it is that you would want from a real estate agent.

Here are some tips that are often given to clients on how to choose a good real estate agent. Read through this list and then see if you would meet the criteria. If you fall short, then rethink what you are doing and make changes so that you make yourself more appealing to clients.

- A good real estate agent won't just focus on their commission. They will be interested in helping you to find what you want. They should not get mad if you don't want to buy a home or if you need time to think.

- Look for an agent who has experience. If you are selling, then look for someone who has sold homes in your neighborhood. If you are buying, then look for someone who has recently closed deals and gotten buyers good prices.

- Look for an agent who makes real estate their career. Part time agents who are doing real estate on the side may not be able to give you the attention that you need and deserve.

- Ask around to get recommendations on what agent to go with. You want an agent who is friendly and has a good reputation. Personality is a big thing in the real estate industry. You don't want a cranky or rude agent that you have to deal with during this process.

Real Estate Agent Safety

2010-03-28T22:17:00.000-07:00

You may not consider your safety when you are working, but there are a lot of dangers lurking about. As a real estate agent, you are going into homes, meeting strangers, and really putting yourself out there. That means there are a lot of chances for you to be at risk.

Here are some things you need to do to keep yourself safe when you are on the job:

- Verify all customer information. This will let you be sure a person is who they say they are. You will be able to avoid frauds and also possibly save yourself from a very bad situation.

- Always carry your cell phone on you. If a bad situation arises, you can make a call and get help right away. If your cell is in your car it will be of no help to you if something happens.

- Try the buddy system if you work in a questionable area or if you are showing an abandoned home. Having someone else with you automatically makes it a safer situation.

- Be ready for anything. Have a plan to escape. Know where the exits are. Carry pepper spray. Just be ready and know that bad things do happen, so better safe than sorry.

Using the Internet to Save Your Real Estate Business

2010-03-09T19:45:00.000-08:00

There is no quick fix for this challenging real estate market, but there is something that can give you a chance to help your business grow and actually thrive. One of the best ways to help your business is to hit the internet. If you are not already established on the internet then now is the time.

Here are some of the ways you can establish your presence online:

- Set up a website. With about 80% of buyers going online to look for an agent and to shop for homes, if you don't have a website you are missing out on many chances to make money.
- Learn as much as possible about SEO. You need to understand SEO inside and out to get people to your website. You also need to understand the value of well written content. Content plays a huge role in search engine rankings and will really help you to get your page to the top.
- Maintain a presence. People know when a website is being used and when it is there for pure show. You need to stay active. Post things online on a regular basis. Join social networking sites and make yourself personable. When people can relate to you and feel like they know you as a person then you have abetter chance of getting their business.
- Get help. Lifebushido offers many great services to help you start and maintain an online presence You can get help with article writing, website development and everything else you need to help you build a strong online presence

Top Mistakes New Agents Make that Keep Them From Reaching BDA Level

2010-03-04T13:19:00.000-08:00

Every new real estate agent starts out with big dreams and ideas about how they will launch their career and one day reach that Billion Dollar Agent level. Nobody starts out thinking they just want to do okay or barely stay in business. So why do so many agents fail to reach that Billion Dollar Agent level? There are many reasons, but here is a list of the top mistakes new agents make that keep them from the BDA level:

- They do not have a solid business plan.
- They fail to set goals.
- They do not focus on their special skills and unique talents.
- They do not set a budget.
- They do not use team members efficiently.
- They do not have the tools they need to do the job, like a reliable vehicle or a cell phone with unlimited calling.
- They do not put enough money into marketing.

This is really just a small list. There are many little things that go into creating a BDA real estate business. It is so very important that every new agent who wants to reach the BDA level starts off with all the tools, resources and the right mind set.

How to Best Serve Sellers in a Buyer's Market

2010-03-01T19:39:00.000-08:00

There is no doubt that the market right now is a buyer's market. That can make it quite hard on sellers and more difficult for you. This type of market makes selling a home, earning a nice profit and moving properties quickly, all tasks that are quite difficult. Trying to explain that to a home owner can be a challenge. Many home owners just want to make the sale fast and get a nice amount of money for their home. They do not want to hear that doing those things will not be easy.

It is your job to make sure sellers understand the market and that they understand selling in a buyer's market can be challenging. Here are some things that you can do to help make it easier for sellers during this buyer's market:

Provide them with plenty of proof about housing prices in their area for similar homes. Having proof upfront will make it much easier to explain to them why you need to set the price lower than they may want. Disagreements over price tend to be quite a problem during a buyer's market. Sellers just want to sell for as much as possible. Do your part by showing them what the highest price is right now.

Help them with staging and with preparing their home to minimize defects and play up assets. Help them to understand that they have to make their home look amazing if they want to sell it in this market.

Give them plenty of options. Offer to do more open houses and to do more marketing to help them sell their home as fast as possible.

The bottom line in a buyer's market is helping the seller understand what a buyer's market means to them. You have to be careful and you have to understand that sellers in a buyer's market are not always going to be happy people. Do your best to explain everything to them and help them in anyway you can.

Are you Managing Everyone in your Business?

2010-02-22T06:26:00.000-08:00

As a business owner you know that management is part of the job. You manage the agents that work under you, the office staff and others who work for you. There is another person that you must manage effectively in order to make your business a success and reach that Billion Dollar Agent level – YOU.

You will probably be the hardest person to manage. You will probably resist, not want to do what you need to do and may even completely ignore what you should be doing. This is what all too often happens.

Managing yourself means many things. It means taking time off when you need it. Keeping your mind and body in good shape. Making time for a personal life. It also means continuing your training and proper time management. Managing yourself is all about finding balance.

When you forget to manage yourself, you and your business will suffer. Take time to set up your own schedule each week and make time for everything in your life. Know when it is time for business and when it is time for pleasure. Draw a line and keep things balanced. In the end you will find your business runs smoother and you feel much more energized and focused.

Speaking Events Can Boost your Business

2010-02-12T11:54:00.000-08:00

A Billion Dollar Agent is always working to try to get more business. Unless you grow your business you will never be able to reach the Billion Dollar Agent level. Once you do reach that level, it is not time to give up either, you always have to find new ways to get new business. One of the best ways to get your name out there and to grab that attention of possible clients is to engage in speaking events.

There are many options in speaking events. Try all these ideas and see just what an impact it has on your business:

Go to local clubs and organizations. Chambers of Commerce, Rotary clubs and business groups make great places to go to give a speech or presentation. These groups are always on the look out for speakers for their meetings and events.

Teach others what you know. What better way to expose your skills and talents to others than through teaching a class at a local university or college.

Contact local TV and talk radio programs. They may give you a guest spot that will give you amazing publicity.
Put the word out that you are available for speaking arrangements. You may be surprised at how many people contact you to come speak at their event.

Tackling the Difficult Client Dilemma

2010-02-03T08:51:00.000-08:00

Every real estate agent has dealt with a difficult client. There is really no way around it. How you handle tough clients is a great indicator of your overall abilities as an agent. Billion Dollar Agents know how to handle all types of clients. They understand that in the end, it is all about customer satisfaction. No matter how difficult the client is, you have to make sure they are happy while also doing your job to the best of your ability. Here are some common types of difficult clients and how you should handle them:

The “I know everything” Client - This client seems to know everything about everything. You can't tell them anything because they already know it. They want things done their way and won't accept any suggestions that deviate from what they want. The best way to handle this type of client is to be agreeable and let him see you are impressed with his knowledge about things. To get him to work with you come at him with hard proof about anything you disagree on so he has a very tough time disputing what you are saying.

The “I am the boss of you” Client – This type of client thinks your job is to service their every need. They will expect you to drop whatever you are doing to help them. They will not be very good about giving you advanced notice about anything. It is essential to set boundaries right away and give the client details on what you do and what you do not do. Also be sure to set limits about contact and meetings that are not scheduled.

The “I'm just looking into things” Client – This client can be a seller or buyer who really has no intentions of really buying or selling. They are simply gathering information so they can think about things. This type of client is a big time waster. If you run across one then all you can really do is work to make their mind up and get them to either buy or sell. Keep in contact with them and try to get them to use you when they really do decide to buy or sell.

Clipart From http://www.realtyclipart.com

What do you do?

2010-01-31T19:32:00.000-08:00

That is a question you probably hear all the time. When you first meet someone it is common to ask “what do you do?”. As a real estate agent, it is your job to take the cue. Do not just say “ I am a real estate agent.” Take this opportunity and do with it what a Billion Dollar Agent would do – turn this into a chance to get a lead.

Leads are your bread and butter. They keep your business going and they are what lead to you making money. Never let an opportunity pass you by. The next time someone asks you “ what do you do?” take this chance to sell yourself and to make them interested in you as their future agent or possible as an agent for someone they know who is currently selling or buying a home.

You may be wondering just how you turn a simple conversation into a way to sell yourself and get a lead. Well, it is actually rather simple. You have to sell yourself without seeming pushy. You want to act like the real estate expert that you are. Provide them with useful information. When you tell them what you do, tell them about what you do, not just your job title.

Answer the question by saying you help people sell homes for the highest possible price or that you help people get amazing deals on a new home purchase. Throw in something that distinguishes you, like ending your response with – regardless of financial limitations or regardless of location. That will get the other person asking questions and let you really show your expertise.

By becoming an expert in their eyes you are turning on a light bulb in their head. They may tell you they are thinking of buying or selling. They may tell you they know someone who can use your help. Whatever happens, you are likely to end the conversation by handing over your business card and getting a lead.

Start the Year Off Right

2010-01-14T19:33:00.000-08:00

What better way to make 2010 a great year for you and your business than to start off on the right foot. The beginning of a new year allows you the chance to set goals and get things in order. All Billon Dollar Agents know that getting a good start to the year is one way to ensure that your business has an amazing year.

Starting off a year right is done by looking back. Look back over 2009 and learn from your mistakes and your successes. Here are some things that you will want to do:

- Go over all the numbers from last year. Look at how much you spent, specifically. Consider changes you could make to lower your expenses. Also go over other numbers, like how much time you invested into each client compared with the pay off.

- Look at your marketing. How did it work for you? Are there better options available? What worked and what did not work? Is there more that you can do?

- Go over your daily schedule. Was there too much wasted time? Are you handling things that could better be handled by an assistant or outsourced?

Figuring out what went right and what wrong can help you to discover how to change your business in 2010 for the best possible outcome.

Stay in Touch With Clients Through Multiple Methods

2010-01-04T16:33:00.000-08:00

Billion Dollar Agents know that the key to success lies with good relationships with clients. Real estate is all about who you know. You want to be networking everyday in some way. You also need to adopt the mindset that every client is a client for life. In order to build those relationships and keep them alive you must maintain contact.

There are many different ways that you can maintain contact with clients. Here are some ideas that you may want adopt this year to help you stay in touch with clients. Feel free to use a few different methods. The more contact you have, the better.

Newsletters

A newsletter is interesting and informative. It not only puts your name in front of the client, but also gives them something. Your newsletter should include a personal note from you just to update them about the happenings in your business. This is a good time to welcome them to contact you with any questions or comments they may have. You can send newsletters in an email or through the postal mail.

Brochures

A brochure is like a short little glimpse of your business. You can send out brochures just as a reminder of your office location and contact information. Make it appealing and show the client what you can do for them.

Notes

Sending short personal notes or emails is always nice, especially if you have just finished business with a client. Many agents use post cards to send notes because they are inexpensive to send, easy to personalize and very eye catching. You can even just send them out a few times a year to update clients about your services or to remind about how you can help them. You can also include tips and send them out seasonally. For example, in the fall send out a reminder note with a checklist of things homeowners should do to prepare for the winter months.

No matter what methods you use to stay in contact with clients, the important thing is to just stay in contact. You can never be a Billion Dollar Agent if you don’t have a client base.

Set Yourself Apart from the Competition in 2010

2009-12-28T14:46:00.000-08:00

A new year means a whole new chance to rejuvenate your business. The beginning of a new year ushers in change and people are ready to see what your business has to offer for this new beginning. Make 2010 the year that you make your business stand out from the crowd.

Catch people's attention and make them notice your business by becoming different from your competitors. If all the agents in your area are operating the same then how can a buyer or seller possibly choose what agent they want to work with? Your job, if you want to really make your business shine in 2010, is to give them a good reason to choose you.

Become that agent that is different. Becomes the agent that has everyone in town talking. Become the agent that people know they can trust and rely on. Become your town's Billion Dollar Agent.

Some ways to set yourself apart from the competition include:

- Revamping your advertising. Make it completely different from the competition. Make it eye catching. Don't waste a single advertising dollar on marketing that is not captivating and convincing.

- Create a slogan that sums up you and your business. Take time to really come up with something unique, catchy and unforgettable.

- Build a strong image. Make sure everyone in town knows what your business is all about and what you stand for. Make sure that your image is one that coveys professionalism, trust, reliability and shows people that you get the job done right every time.

2010 could be your banner year. You could finally reach that Billion Dollar Agent status, but it will take work. Do not waste a minute of 2010. Get working right now so once the new years begins you are ready to grab attention and make your business shine.

Having Trouble with Clients that are Eating Up your Precious Time?

2009-12-14T16:24:00.000-08:00

If you answered yes to that question, then you need some help. Every agent deals with clients that seem to just be too demanding on their time. You know how important and precious your time is, but you may struggle with how to make the client happy without indulging their every demand for your time. Well, dealing with clients like this is something every Billion Dollar Agent has learned to do.

There is one simple key here - you need to be in charge of the situation. Every time you meet or talk make sure their is a clear goal in mind. Work towards that goal and stay focused. You may need to be skillful at keeping the client focused, but if you are well prepared beforehand then this should not be difficult to do.

Make sure that you always prepare before every meeting or call. Get yourself ready with all the paperwork you need or other information. Also let the client know that you have only a specific set amount of time, so you have to focus on the task or tasks at hand.

Being organized is also the key to deal with clients when they contact you. Maybe the client calls you about something. In order to avoid a lengthy phone conversation you should have their file right on hand so you can get the information they need quickly and get off the phone fast.

Real estate is a people business, but it is also a very time sensitive business. You need to be in charge of your time and not let others waste it. Only when you can master this will you be able to reach that Billion Dollar Agent goal.

Billion Dollar Agents Are Leaders

2009-12-07T11:11:00.000-08:00

You have probably heard that to be successful in real estate that you need to be a leader. What is a leader? What characteristics does a leader have? What sets you apart and defines you as a leader? If you don’t know the answers to these questions then you have some work to do.

A leader is someone who has a certain skills set. They stand out and they take charge. A leader is someone that inspires others and makes them want to follow their leadership.

If you are trying to develop your skills and become a leader then you need to have the following characteristics of a true leader:

- You have to have vision. You need to be able to see beyond what is there and picture what could be.

- You must be able to create a plan. You have to be able to take something from a vision to reality through a carefully laid out plan.

- You have to be able to work with and rely on others. A true leader knows that they need help to accomplish their goals. Nobody can do everything alone.

- You have to be able to motivate others. A leader must be able to make others want to work for them and want to get the job done.

These four things are the backbone of what makes a good leader. If you are trying to become a Billion Dollar Agent then you first must be a leader. Work on your leadership skills and develop them so that they become second nature. Once you learn to lead, becoming a Billion Dollar Agent is well within reach.

Are your Clients your Biggest Fans?

2009-11-30T15:46:00.000-08:00

What is the best way to gain a client's trust and loyalty? Make them your number one fan. By getting a client to see you as the best and see you as someone they can really count on, you will be able to build a relationship that will last. This type of relationship is something you must have if you want to be a Billion Dollar Agent.

So, how can you make your clients rave about you? How can you get them to think of you as the best? You might be surprised to learn that it is really not that difficult of a task.

You have to start by making your clients feel important. Make them the center of decisions and let them take the wheel. You are simply their guide and aid in the process of buying or selling a home.

You need to show them you care. Stay in contact with past clients and make sure everything is going smoothly for them. If they do have a problem then offer them your help. Be the person they come to when they need help.

If you make changes in your business, even small ones, make sure to let clients know. Don't spring any surprises on them or they may lose trust in you.

Be an educator. Inform your clients about what they need to know. Make them into experts so they understand everything that is happening with their transaction.

Your overall goal is to become valuable to your clients. You want them to know they can come to you with anything. You want them to think of you first when they have a real estate related need. Remember that word spreads and when someone is really happy with your services then they will tell others. By cultivating this type of relationship with your clients you will see your business grow.

Here is a video that offers more tips on how to make clients love you:

Some Basics of the Real Estate Market

2009-11-26T16:33:00.000-08:00

Every Billion Dollar Agent knows the basics of the real estate market. There are some things that can be considered “textbook”. These things are basic guidelines and general rules that will help you to better understand how to do your job in the most effective manner.

Price adjustments are something every agent should understand. You need to know when to make them and when not to. You also need to know how much of an adjustment to make. Here are some ideas about adjusting prices in certain scenarios:

A major price adjustment may be called for when a house is not getting shown at all. Agents may not show it because they think it is just priced too high.

A moderate change would be made if the house is being shown without offers being made since buyers are probably finding other homes that are more affordable.

A small price adjustment should be made if a buyer is interested, but then changes their mind and buys elsewhere.

Another little tid bit of information that can be helpful is a guideline from the NAR. If you show a house 10 times then you should be getting at least 1 offer.

Information like this is something that can be very helpful for you to know. If you ever want to be a top agent then you really do need to get as much information about real estate as possible. A Billion Dollar Agent never stops learning.

Get a Jump Start on 2010

2009-11-04T20:57:00.000-08:00

The end of the year is fast approaching. The holiday season is ready to begin and that always zooms by so fast. Before you know it we will be ringing in 2010. Are you ready?

Have you even thought about next year? Have you given any thought to your goals for the new year? If not then it is the time to get focused and start planning what will happen in your business next year.

Billion Dollar Agents are always looking ahead. They always know what is coming and are prepared for it. If you want to be a Billion Dollar Agent then you need to adopt that mindset.

Start by forgetting the things that went wrong this year. 2010 is a whole new year and is the perfect time to bounce back from the bad things that happened in 2009.

Don’t forget that January is a great time to do calls and to reach out to people. The holiday stress is gone and people are still feeling happy and cheerful. They will be most likely to talk with you at this time of the year.

Set your goals and do your research. Plan out 2010 so you are fully prepared for the year ahead. Next year could very well be the year that you reach Billion Dollar Agent status, but you can’t do that if you jump into the year without being ready for it.

Learn to Say “No”

2009-10-28T10:41:00.000-07:00

In business it is common for a person to start thinking they must always say yes. They get into a habit of just agreeing to everything in hopes that it will keep problems at bay. In reality, saying yes to everything is setting you up for failure. Billion Dollar Agents know when to say no. This is one of their main tools to reaching that top agent level.

Saying no is not a bad thing. That is the first thing you must realize. Sometimes you have to say no. It could be because you are already stretched thin and simply cannot handle another thing on your to-do list. You could say no simply because you do not want to do whatever you are being asked. Saying no is actually a way to look out for yourself.

Make sure that when you say yes it is coming from a well thought out place. Never say yes to make someone leave you alone or to avoid something. Say yes only when you really want to say yes.

Make sure that when you say no, you do so with conviction. You have to just be direct and say no. Make sure the person you are saying it to understands you mean no. When you have a habit of always saying yes, once you start saying no some people may think you are not being serious.

Saying no is actually quite liberating. Once you start saying no more often, you will notice how it effects you and your business. You will feel a load lifted off your shoulders and probably become more productive since you are able to focus on things that you really want to do. Saying no simple makes your life easier and is something you just have to do sometimes.

Explore Internet Advertising

2009-10-22T09:59:00.000-07:00

Do you really know all the marketing possibilities available online? Chances are that you may not be taking full advantage of what the internet has to offer you. There are so many options for real estate advertising online that you can really grow your business through internet marketing.

One of the top advertising options is Craigslist. Every agent that wants to be a Billion Dollar Agent must advertise on Craigslist. If you have never heard of Craigslist then now is the time to explore it.

Craigslist is the top internet classifieds ads site. You can literally find anything on Craigslist. This, of course, includes real estate. Hundreds of agents are already listing their properties on Craigslist. You don’t want to miss out.

All you need to do is set up a listing schedule and have your listings posted to Craigslist on a weekly basis. You will be very glad that you did since Craigslist draws in billions of visitors a month. Plus it is a very cheap advertising option.

Check it out today and get your account set up so you can be visible on this amazing site alongside other top agents.

Can you Define Why you Love your Business?

2009-10-13T20:17:00.001-07:00

If you cannot state right off hand why you love being in real estate, then you have a long way to go to being a Billion Dollar Agent. Passion is at the heart of every good business. If you do not truly love what you do then, maybe you are in the wrong business.

Passion and love for real estate has nothing to do with the money. You should have some concrete reason why you are doing what you do. You should have some reason that you can state off the top of your head as to why you love your business.

If you really do not know why you are in real estate and why you are working so hard to become a top agent, then how can you ever set goals and work to become better? Your passion or love for the business should be what is driving you towards your goals.

Think about it. Write down the top three reasons that you love your business. Figure out what is driving you to become a Billion Dollar Agent. Once you have done this then you can keep moving towards your dream and do so with passion.

Attitude is Everything

2009-10-11T14:41:00.001-07:00

When you are trying to make it to Billion Dollar Agent status, you need to make sure you have everything that it takes. This is not just skills and the ability to be a Billion Dollar agent. You have to have the right attitude.

If you are not a positive person then you may need to do some work. You need to push away negative thoughts and only think positive about your business and yourself. You need to have a healthy outlook and not hold yourself back with bad thoughts.

Your attitude needs to be solid from the get go. You should not even start until you make sure that you have the right attitude. Attitude is everything when you are trying to reach a goal and to make it to the top.

This is a nice video that talks about how to change your attitude and start being more positive.

Making your Business Better with Virtual Assistants

2009-10-01T19:19:00.000-07:00

You may already have an in office assistant and that is a smart idea. You want assistants that can handle lower paying work and free you up to handle the larger jobs. This allows you to get the most out of your time and to turn your business into a more profitable venture. However, there are still probably many medial tasks that you are handling that should be done by an assistant.

You do not always have to hire someone to physical work in your office. With the technology today, you can actually use a virtual assistant, that works from their home or from another office to do many tasks for you. Some of the things that a virtual assistant can do include:

- closing coordination
- database management
- accounting

This video fully explains the way a virtual assistant can help you in your business. Here a real estate agent talks about how she uses a virtual assistant to make her business better.

The Fine Line Between Success and Failure

2009-09-22T11:44:00.000-07:00

As a business owner you have probably heard that most business start ups fail within the first year or so. This is not something that has to happen. It is something that happens due to a lack of survival. It happens because these business owners didn’t know what they had to do to survive.

Survival is about learning what you must do. It about learning to adapt to your market. It is about striving to be the best. When you have a winning attitude and you are willing to do anything to succeed, you will find success.

Failure is not something you must accept. You do not have to face bankruptcy or forfeit your dreams. You just need to be strong, determined and willing to do what it takes to find success. This video explain some of the top reasons why businesses fail. Learning about failure will help you to be better ready to avoid it.

Billion Dollar Agents never give up. They fight. They work hard and they see problems as challenges that they can learn from and use to build their business. You have to be like them. You have to put everything you have into your business so you don’t end up a statistic. Your future does not have to be about failure. With the right winning spirit your business success is just a heartbeat away.

Manifest a Little Good Luck in your Life

2009-09-21T11:42:00.000-07:00

Luck and business success seem to go hand in hand, but what happens when you are one of those people whose luck only seems to be bad? If you are not someone who just seems to find good luck around every corner then it can seem a bit disheartening to think that luck plays into your business success. Don’t fear, though, anyone can manifest a little good luck in their life. You just have to learn how.

Good luck is not something you find. It is something you create. Luck comes from owning your life. It comes from positive thinking. It comes from focusing on goals, putting positive energy out there and being willing to work to gain success.’

One of the keys to attracting good luck is being focused and positive. When you think about things in a positive way, they are easier to accomplish. For example, instead of thinking that you may be able to do something, think that you will do something. Just changing the way you think can do wonders.

Drawing good luck into your life does not happen by chance. You can make it happen. You can finally be one of those people who seems to have all the luck.

Achieve Goals in Steps to Reach Success

2009-09-16T15:52:00.000-07:00

When you are working towards growing your business and making it as a real estate agent you have to think about your goals in steps. You cannot go from start up to Billion Dollar Agent overnight. Nobody has done that. Achieving such success is a process. As with any process it happens in steps.

You will grow your business in stages from $0-$100k, $100k-$200k, $200k-$500k, and $500k-1M net profit. In order to do so you will need to focus on different areas within your business.

You will need to follow in the foot steps of Billion Dollar Agents. You need to learn as much as possible. Get a mentor. That is the best way to set yourself up for success. Find someone you trust and who is a top agent and ask if they will help you and serve as a mentor.

Map out your steps to reaching your goals. Make plans and keep records. Make sure that every area of your business is covered in your plan. You should be covering everything from basic business management to listing management to customer care. Leave nothing to chance.

When you work towards your goals in steps you will feel more organized and find success comes a bit easier. It takes time. Just take it step by step and one day you will look up to see your standing on that top step.

Create a Big Huge Audacious Goal

2009-09-14T15:51:00.001-07:00

A big huge audacious goal or BHAG, for short. Is just as the name suggests – something so huge and so crazy that it seems impossible. This is a goal that you set to accomplish is three to five years. You get that long because this goal is not your run of the mill goal.

A BHAG should be something really major. It should be a goal that anyone who sees it says it is impossible. This goal is “the” goal. It is your long term goal that you will work to achieve from the moment you write it down.

The whole reasoning behind a BHAG is to set your sights high. You want to be a top agent. You want to be part of Billion Dollar Agents. If those things are really true then you have to have extreme goals.

Agents don’t get to the top my setting easily attainable goals. They don’t get to the top by achieving. They get to the top by working. A BHAG makes you work and you work hard. It is a test. It is a test of your strength, character, commitment and determination.

Once you reach your BHAG you will have a feeling of accomplishment that goes beyond anything you have ever experienced. It is truly amazing. It is a stepping stone to reaching that ultimate goal of being a Billion Dollar Agent and you can do it!

Why Aren’t You a Billion Dollar Agent?

2009-09-11T13:06:00.001-07:00

You know what a Billion Dollar Agent is and you know you want to be one, but you still don’t know why you haven’t reached that status yet. Why are you not a Billion Dollar Agent already? You have the drive, the dedication and the skills to get there, but something is holding you back.

Billion Dollar Agents are not at the top by chance. Every Billion Dollar Agent has put themselves to work with complete dedication. Set backs and problems are lessons to be learned and these top agents know this. Are you letting challenges hold you back? Maybe this is why you have not reached Billion Dollar Agent status yet.

Billion Dollar Agents know how to run a business. Maybe you are a superb real estate agent. Maybe you can sell any listing that comes you way. That is great, but that is only part of being a Billion Dollar Agent. You also have to be good at running a business. You have to know how to delegate, how to manage and how to get the most from your business. Are you a good business person? Maybe this is holding you down and keeping you from reaching the top.

It is important to note that only the top 20% of real estate agents ever reach that Billion Dollar Agent status. It is estimated that only 100 agents have reached this status. Being a Billion Dollar Agent is truly an elite recognition. Not everyone will make it there, but you obviously have the desire to be at the top, so examine your strengths and weaknesses and get yourself there. Being a Billion Dollar Agent is in your future.

Create Systems for a Better Running Business

2009-09-04T13:08:00.000-07:00

There are many ways to run a business. Each business owner has their own ideas and own ways of doing things. The top real estate agents, though, understand that systems are the key to keeping things consistent.

You can see systems at work in every top business, not just real estate. You want to put systems in place that allow your business to run smoothly, like clock work. You should focus on creating systems that can run without you manning them. You should also design these systems to adjust to changes and allow for growth.

When you have systems set up you can then teach new employees the systems for quick training. You also will know that everyone in your business is on the same page and that things are being done the same by everyone.

Having systems is a Billion Dollar Agent secret that you cannot overlook. If you want a business that runs smooth and functions on a constant level then you need systems in place that will help you reach those goals.

Give Back: Make This Your Motto

2009-09-03T13:04:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what you can do to help your business image in the community? One of the best ways to help your business while also helping others is to get involved in charity and community service work. Giving back is always a great thing to do. Not only will it show you care about the community, but on a personal level it will make you feel good and bring your positive vibes.

One thing to keep in mind is that while donating money or items is nice, you want face time with the community, so you need to actually physically get involved. You want to give your time.

This may seem crazy since you are so busy, but it is well worth it. Charitable organizations always need volunteers to be there and help with events, so you will be doing them a big favor. Also you will be getting a break from the daily grind which will help your stress levels.

Overall, you cannot lose by giving back to your community. It makes you feel good, helps others and helps your business image.

Billion Dollar Agents Have Focus

2009-08-20T14:01:00.000-07:00

How do you react when everything seems to be falling apart? What do you do when it starts raining on the day you are showing a home with white carpets to a family with three small boys who are running all over? How do you act when all of your assistants are out sick and your other office staff is too busy to handle extra work?

The way you act in trying situations says a lot about you. If you react in a frazzled manner when things do not go as planned or when a slight catastrophe comes up then you have a lot of work to do to become a Billion Dollar Agent.

Billion Dollar Agents react the same under pressure as they do during relaxing times. They do not show signs of stress and they never get frazzled. A Billion Dollar Agent knows exactly how to handle a tense situation. They know that keeping their cool is the only way to get through trying situations.

If you still get frazzled then find ways to help yourself overcome that instinct to react in that manner. Work towards always staying in control and maintaining that calm, cool and collected manner that will set you apart from other agents.

The Magic Number that will Increase your Profits

2009-08-18T14:00:00.000-07:00

Like any businessperson you probably wonder what you need to do to increase your sales. You may have asked if there is a simple way that you can get your profits to increase. You may have spent years trying to discover secrets about successful agents and trying to learn the “tricks” they used to get to the top.

The truth is that there are no tricks and there is no easy way to the top. The truth is that you need to work to be a top agent. However, there is one simple thing that you can do to increase your chances to become a Billion Dollar Agent.

It is sales calling. Top agents makes calls everyday. It is about doing it enough to make an impact. The magic number that will increase your profits is two. You need to make sales calls for 2 hours everyday.

Making sales calls for 2 hours everyday has been shown by top agents to be a major key in turning a big profit. In fact, the top 20% of real estate agents spend 2 hours a day making sales calls and those 20% are among the agents that are turning the highest profits.

Use Google to Monitor your Business

2009-08-14T20:35:00.000-07:00

You probably use Google a lot in both business and your personal life. Google can be a great business tool. Try this idea – Google the phrase ‘your town homes for sale’. Replace ‘your town’ with your town’s name or the area where you sale. What are the results?

Does your website come up on page 1? Is it number 1? If you don’t even see your website on there then there is a problem. When you Google that phrase you should expect to at least be on the first page. If you are not then you will have some major website work to do. You want to be on that first page is you expect your website to help your business.

Having a first page Google result for your website is invaluable. You will not bring in new customers via a search if you are not on page 1. This is something that cannot be said enough.

Make sure that you take immediate action to correct whatever is keeping you off that first page. Do some investigation. Check out the websites that are on that first page and see what makes them different from yours.

Even if you are on the first page, if you are not number 1 in the results, then you have work to do. You want that top spot because that is where the majority of people will click.

Once you get that top spot you will have to stay on top of it. You need to monitor and make sure you do not lose your spot. It is a never ending battle, but it is well worth it. If you put a lot of work into your website then you do not want to lose all that work by not ensuring your search engine ranking is good.

Have a Buyer’s Agent? You Need a Client Agent

2009-08-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

If you have a buyer’s agent then you must also have a client agent. A client agent calls clients and your SOI to touch base and to get information from them about their current real estate leads. They also work on getting referrals.

Having a client agent will free up a lot of your time. You will be able to hire this person to only work on client related tasks, so you are free to focus in on sales work that you should be focusing on.

With a client agent you know you have a person who is well trained and has the skills to work with clients and get you results. Every real estate business needs both a buyer’s agent and a client agent in order to stay productive and keep work flowing.

Billion Dollar Agents Know They Cannot Do It Alone

2009-08-05T14:21:00.000-07:00

When you think about people who are at the top of their industry what is one thing that they seem to have in common? No matter what industry or business a person is in, if they are considered one of the best in whatever they do then chances are that they have a mentor. A mentor is someone who is an expert within a certain area. A mentor is someone with experiences and someone who has a lot of knowledge to share. Billion Dollar Agents have a mentor.

A mentor not only have practical knowledge of a certain subject area, but they also know it inside and out. They can share from their own experience and they can guide you to the top. It is imperative that you find a mentor if your goal is to be a Billion Dollar Agent.

You may have to work at finding a mentor, but when you find that person that is the perfect match for you, then you will know it. You will feel a connection and you will know that this person is meant to be your mentor. You will feel comfortable letting this person be your guide and you will trust in this person on a deep level.

Billion Dollar Agents know that there is so much more to real estate then what they can learn through books and event heir own experience. They know that the only way to truly master their business is to find someone to help them along the way.

Keep Exploring the Industry to be a Top Agent

2009-08-04T21:20:00.000-07:00

Billion Dollar Agents are hard workers. They are always on top of things and they never stop learning. Billion Dollar Agents recognize that they will never know all there is to know about the industry and so they continue to get training and learn more about the industry so they never fall behind in this changing industry.

If you want to be a Billion Dollar Agent then you must set aside time on a regular basis to keep learning. You have to keep up with training and stay on top of changes within the industry. You must be willing to be a life long learner.

If you have no desire to keep learning then you will never be able to make it as a Billion Dollar Agent. Billion Dollar Agents have many characteristics, but one thing they all have in common is that they are not afraid to learn. They never give up on seeing what new thing they can learn and they actual are driven to try to learn something new. To be a Billion Dollar Agent you must be willing to put the time in to keep exploring the industry and to keep learning everything that you can about it.

Make Life Balance a Priority

2009-07-30T14:15:00.000-07:00

In order to succeed in business you have to be able to be happy with what you are doing. If you have problems in other areas of your life you may be distracted and unable to focus on your business. In order to be a complete success in business you have to make it a priority to achieve balance in your life.

Sometimes achieving balance in your life can seem difficult. You may need to work very hard to figure out how to balance all the different aspects of your life. Many people find balancing a family and a business is very hard and if you are one of these people, then you must learn how to achieve balance. Too often business failure comes form being unable to focus on the business as needed due to distractions from other priorities in your life.

Balance is where everything works together. That is easy to forget. You cannot emphasize work too much, nor can you emphasize family too much. It is all about finding that happy medium where everything works together. It takes time, but once you achieve balance you will find yourself being happier and much more successful.

Learn How to Handle More Problems

2009-07-29T14:14:00.000-07:00

One of the secrets of a Billion Dollar Agent is that they are capable of handling multiple problems without losing control and without falling apart. Knowing how to deal with multiple problems and being able to take on more problems is one characteristic you must have to be a top agent.

You cannot succeed in business without being able to take control over a bad situation, handle the issues at hand and get things back to normal. You must be able to take problems and either fix them or find a way to minimize them.

If your problem solving skills are not in good shape then you must work on them. You have to do what it takes to become a master problem solver. You cannot back down in the face of a problem. Learn to deal with problems of any size and you will succeed.

Cut Out the Waste

2009-07-24T09:32:00.000-07:00

In every business there will be people who slack at their duties and who waste time. You will always come across an employee that is basically sabotaging your business and wasting your time. You also will find that there are some tasks that are time wasters. They may be essential tasks, but they are a waste of your time.

When you want an efficient business, you need to cut out the people who are not getting things done and delegate those time wasting tasks. The simple thing to do with a person who is not doing a good job is to fire them. It may be difficult, but if you want to be a Billion Dollar Agent ten it must be done.

As for the time wasting tasks, the worse thing you can do is handle them yourself or give to the higher paid employees. Tasks that are low priority need to be handled by whoever gets paid the least. If you give a low priority task to a minimum wage employee and it used to be done by someone who made twice as much an hour, then you can see how you have saved money.

Learn to cut the waste out of your business. It will make things more efficient and help you to save money.

Always Know Where You’ve Been so You Know Where You’re Going

2009-07-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

Tracking your activities is an essential task. If you ever want to grow your business and become a top agent, then you need to have a good system for tracking your activities. You need to find a way to check everything that you do.

By tracking your activities you can track your results. You can see what you have done that has lead you to where you are. This allows you to see what works and what does not work. You have the opportunity to be sure that you are working towards your goals and not hurting yourself.

There are many ways to track activity. You can watch the results form your marketing efforts. You can also watch how targeting certain markets affects your bottom line.

Keeping track of things is something you have to do or you will never know if you are on the right track or not.

Measure Your Goals

2009-07-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

You know that having goals are important to your business success. Having goals is not enough, though. You have to actually do something with those goals to ever make them useful. Every goal you set should be something that is measurable.

A measurable goal allows you to ensure that you are working towards reaching the goal. You should have milestones that you need to reach by a certain time in order to stay on track to reaching your goals.

When you just set a goal without making sure that there are ways to ensure you are headed towards the goal then it is too easy to let that goal slip out of view. You may never reach the goal if you do not set up the steps to reach it.

A goal is merely an idea until you start putting steps in order to reach it. As you progress towards reaching that goal you should be able to check your progress. This will allow you to see if you are on track or if you need to work harder.

Goals are wonderful and critical to your success as a top agent, but if you do not hold yourself accountable for reaching them then they are useless. Top agents know that managing goals is just as important as setting them.

What’s your Purpose?

2009-07-15T09:33:00.000-07:00

Every top agent has a purpose. Do you know yours? What are you working towards? Why are you doing what you are doing? Your purpose can be the driving force behind everything you do, but if you do not know what your purpose is then it will be hard to use it to get anywhere in business.

Think back to when you first decided to be a real estate agent. What was it that drew you to this profession? There had to be something that made you want to be an agent. Maybe it was the idea of controlling your own income potential. Maybe you like working with people. Maybe you just have a passion for real estate. Whatever first drew you to real estate can help you to find your purpose.

Once you decide what your purpose is, you can begin to use it to help you in everything you do. Every goal you set should be related to your purpose. You can use your purpose to drive your efforts to reach your goals.

Every billion dollar agent has a well defined purpose. They know why they do what they do. They are successful because they have a purpose. Don’t let your business lag behind just because you haven’t yet defined your purpose.

Bring Your Skills Up to the Level

2009-07-09T11:09:00.000-07:00

If you want to be a Billion Dollar Agent then you need to take a hard look at your skill set. Do you even have the skills to sell at that level? If you don’t then it is time to get working on improving and building your skills to bring you to that top level.

You will have to really be honest and look at your past work. See where you are lacking and see where you are strong. Identify areas where your business seems to have trouble. This will lead you to the skills that you need to work on.

For some agents, selling skills need a touch up and for others it may be management skills. You need to look at your business as a whole and find out what is holding you back.

Develop your skills. Top agents continue working on their skills forever. It is a process that never stops. You can never be too good. Nobody is perfect and that means there is always a skill or two that you can improve upon.

How Many Hours a Day Do Your Work?

2009-07-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

Can you even answer that question? Many agents cannot because they are constantly working. Overextending yourself is no way to get to the top. Many agents think that the more they work, the better their business will be. In many cases, an overworked agent is doing nothing but stressing themselves out.

If you seriously want to grow your business then you have to understand that there are only so many hours in a day. You have to find a schedule for your work day that allows you to focus on tasks that are important. You need to identify what you need to do and then identify what others in your office can handle.

If you can not let go of the reins then you may want to schedule a time each day where you review what everyone else has done. You can then be assured that they are doing a good job and you can rest easy knowing that your office is being well run.

A stressed out, overworked agent is not a good agent. That is the bottom line. You need a break, too. So, ask yourself how many hours you are working each day and if you cannot answer it then look at your daily schedule and see how you can fix it.

The Way to Get to the Next Level

2009-07-02T08:24:00.000-07:00

As a top agent you are probably often wondering what you need to do to get to the next level. If you are really serious about growing your business and becoming a Billion Dollar Agent, then you have to get moving. You have to start thinking like a Billion Dollar Agent.

You need to set your mind to your goals. You must start to think of yourself as being capable of moving tot he next level. Picture yourself at that next level. Everything that you need to do needs to be done as if you have already reached your goals. Picture yourself as a Billion Dollar Agent and soon that is exactly what you will become.

However, you also need to be smart. You can not let yourself get burnt out on work. You have to learn balance and you have to stay positive. You have to make sure every aspect of your business is on the same track that you are. Problems must be fixed and you have to ensure that everyone in your business is on the same page as you.

Hard work, dedication and a lot of positive thinking will get you to that Billion Dollar Agent level.

A Billion Dollar Agent Never...

2009-07-01T11:40:00.000-07:00

There are many things that a Billion Dollar Agent must do in order to stay a Billion Dollar Agent. There are many things an agent does to get to the level of a Billion Dollar Agent. There are also things that a Billion Dollar Agent never does.

A Billion Dollar Agent will never fail to do seller lead generation. Focusing on only the buyer side is a major limitation to your business and top agents know that. You need to be working both the buyer and seller side of your business at all times.

A Billion Dollar Agent will never fail to maintain contact with the leads in their database. A good agent knows that there is always an opportunity, but that it is about catching a person at the right time. You can not simply throw away leads that do not pan out the first time. Stay in contact and eventually you may catch them at the time they are ready to buy or sell.

A Billion Dollar Agent never fails to make good use of their website. A website is there for the world to see. People who live across the country may just be looking for a home in your area. Do not alienate them by focusing only on people in your area. Make your website welcoming to everyone, no matter where they may come from.

As mentioned, Billion Dollar Agents do a lot of things. They are busy and they know how to succeed. A Billion Dollar Agent also knows just what not to do and that is what sets them apart from all the other agents out there.

Marketing at the Top Level

2009-07-01T11:38:00.000-07:00

When you start to reach higher levels in your business you have to step everything up. It is not possible to simply keep on doing business as you were when you were a start up. Now that you have secured long-term clients and you are bringing in top dollar, you have to start running your business like you are a Billion Dollar Agent.

Marketing is and always will be one of the most important aspects of your business. Proper marketing is key to building and growing a business. So, it is now time to learn how to market at the top level.

Top level marketing requires multi-tasking. You have to get in touch and remain in touch with your clients. You need to make an effort to reach out to them and make personal contact at least twice a year at minimum. You need to test market and reach out beyond your current market. You need to start bringing in more clients, while still focusing on those you already have.

Marketing at the top level will require more focus an determination. In addition, you have to be willing to take risks to bring in new clients. Avoid getting stuck in a rut or ever settling on just sticking with your current clients. Taking your business to that top level means growing it. You can not reach a stand still. Keep marketing and keep moving up.

Keep Sales Activity Up to Stay on Top

2009-07-01T08:31:00.000-07:00

Being average is not what you want, so why are you struggling to reach your goals? Everyone struggles. Everyone has challenges, but it is the way you handle them that will determine what the outcome is.

To stay on top you have to be focused. You have to work hard on building your client list. Everyday you should be consulting your list, making calls and contacting clients in one way or another.

You should delegate tasks as needed. You need to schedule your day so you are doing important work, work that leads to sales. You need to do sales activity every week. A real top agent never goes a week without any sales activity.

Overall, you have to get time management down to a science. You must know what you can do and what you can not do. You have to know when to give others work and when to keep it for yourself.

Being a top agent is not easy. Nobody ever said that it was. If you are willing to stick with and stay at it, though, being a top agent is something that you can do without struggling.

Knowing your Best Time of Day is a Key to Success

2009-06-18T17:20:00.000-07:00

What is one thing all Billion Dollar Agent knows about themselves that helps them out tremendously in their business? They know their best time of day. Everyone has one. Think about yourself. When are you at your best? When is the time of day that you are really on top of your game? When do you seem most productive? The answer to those questions will lead you to your best time of day.

So, why does knowing your best time of day help you do better in your business? It helps you because that is the time of the day when you should be contacting leads, handling important business and doing the highest priority work. This is your most productive and focused time.

If you don’t know what your best time of day is right off hand, then simply just be observant throughout the day. Notice when you seem to be most energized. Be aware of when you seem to get the most done.

Do not waste your best time of day on medial work. Put yourself on important tasks. Focus on what will really help your business. Keep yourself on track and you will see your business grow and improve. Finding your best time of day will lead you to the success that you desire.

Confidence is Key is Lead Generation

2009-06-16T17:18:00.000-07:00

Have you had trouble with lead generation? If you said “yes,” then you are not alone. Many agents struggle with generating leads in the beginning or at some point. Billion Dollar Agents, though, know how to get past the struggles and turn lead generation into something that comes easy.

The key to superior lead generation is confidence. You probably already know that a confident person is a successful person. When you are confident about yourself, others sense that and it tends to draw them to you. So, it is not hard to see why confidence can really give you a leg up in lead generation.

Have confidence in everything you do. Be confident that your presentation is the best. Be prepared so you know that you cannot fail. Do not show signs that you expect them to say “no.” Always be confident and let that confidence lead you.

With the right attitude, lead generation becomes simple. You may have to really focus on being confident in the beginning, but soon it will become second nature. In no time you will see generating leads as a simple task. It will take less time to generate leads because more people will be saying ”yes.” You will also see that this new found confidence carries over into other parts of your business and starts making a positive impact there, too.

Generation and Delegation Are Keys to Success

2009-04-08T09:38:00.000-07:00

To be a top agent you have to grasp some key concepts that will lead you to success. In real estate, success comes from being able to generate strong leads and knowing how to delegate properly.

Lead generation is a basic concept that you should already have mastered before starting a business. You have to be able to generate leads or you will never last. It is a skill that cannot be taken for granted.

Delegation is something you will learn over time. You have to stay aware of what is happening in your business. Watch what your team is doing and look for areas where work would be better off delegated to an outside company than handled within your company. Also make sure when you do delegate that it is to the right people or company. Only work with trusted companies that can get the job done right.

By mastering lead generation and task delegation you will be on the right road to becoming a Billion Dollar Agent.

Want Success? Get Out of Your Own Way!

2009-04-07T09:37:00.000-07:00

The reason most people fail to reach their goals and reach success is because they hold themselves back. When you get in your own way, you are only hurting yourself.

You can get in your own way because you fail to face your fears. You may fear failure, but the only way to success is to fail and learn from those failures. You can not allow fear to get in your way.

You may fail to see the big picture. It is the small steps that lead you to your ultimate goals. You have to do tedious tasks sometimes. Not every step on your way to reaching your goals will be fun or exciting.

When you get out of your own way and do what you must do to reach your goals, you will find success.

Never Stop Learning

2009-04-01T10:00:00.000-07:00

Nobody has ever learned everything they need to know. In fact, the best businesspeople keep learning throughout their career. Things change; the industry changes. Change will keep you on your toes and that is why you have to commit to being a life long learner.

Top agents attend seminars and conferences often. They invest in training and coaching. They never stop learning. If you want to be a top agent, then do not stop where you are at right now. Keep going. Keep seeking new information.

Do not be afraid to try out new things. Let yourself explore. Read as much as you can about the industry. Talk to others and learn from them. Make an investment in your education and in helping yourself to learn as much as possible.

You will find that the more you know, the better you are as an agent. Knowledge equals money, no matter what industry you are in.

Know your Management Capabilities

2009-03-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

Management is a large part of your job when you own your own business. If you feel that your management skills are lacking, then you should hire someone to help you out from the beginning. Bad management has caused many good businesses to fail.

Not everyone is cut out to be a good manager. You may be very good at real estate, but that does not mean you can manage people well. Consider hiring an office manager that handles the management tasks for you or outsourcing work so you do not have to worry about managing a staff.

You have to focus on what is best for your business. In order to do that, you have to think about management right from the start. Do not fail before you even get started because of bad management choices. Take an honest look at yourself and decide what the best route is for your business.

You Must Have a System

2009-03-25T08:16:00.001-07:00

Every successful business has a system. Every agent must have a system. Some systems will be more detailed than others. Some people may want to spend hours developing systems while others may want to implement a simple system instead.

It is fine to start out small and simple. You should want to develop checklists for the different tasks you handle. Write out the basics of each task, too.

No matter what type of system you have, the important thing is that have one. A system will allow you to keep your service consistent and at a high level. Your business will be more organized and you will find the work day flows more smoothly than ever.

Are Finances Your Weak Link?

2009-03-25T08:14:00.000-07:00

Financial management can make or break your business. You cannot expect to run a successful real estate business if you do not have control over your finances.

As an agent, you work everyday handling the finances of your clients to help them make the biggest purchase of their lives. It can be funny to think that you are not able to handle your own finances, but often it is very true.

You must have good financial management over your business. The biggest thing that gets agents in trouble is not keeping personal and business finances separate. It is essential to good management that your business finances be 100% separate from your personal finances.

This will allow you to better manage and control your finances. You will find it less confusing and less time-consuming, as well. Once you separate your finances, you should be able to stay on top of financial management in your business.

The Real Definition of Management

2009-03-18T16:51:00.000-07:00

When you think about the definition of management, what comes to mind? Do you think that management is solely about delegating tasks and making sure things get done? Management cannot be pinned down to a single task you do. It is a way of thinking and covers all of your actions.

Management is about ensuring every employee is using their unique skills. It is about making sure time and energy is spent wisely. It is about watching the finances of your business. It is about keeping the operation of your business at a high quality.

Management starts with you. In order to be a good manager of other people you have to be able to manage yourself. You need to be able to direct others, keep them motivated, and also keep the financial and operational parts of your business running smoothly. Good management is important, so you have to figure the definition of management for your business and start making sure you are doing the best job being a manager.

A To Do List Can be your Best Business Tool

2009-03-17T19:28:00.000-07:00

Do you ever feel like all you do is work, but you never get anything done? If so, chances are that you are just not organized. You can end up wasting a lot of time when you do not have a good plan for the day.

You should always make sure that your daily work is organized. Make sure that you have a list of things to do for each team member. Make sure that the list of tasks for each employee matches their skills. You will find this makes it easier to delegate tasks and ensure everyone is working to full potential.

Your business is greatly affected by the consistency of your actions and defined by your ability to get things done right. Make sure your day is organized and efficient and your business will be too.

Which is Better - Hunter or Farmer?

2009-03-11T09:11:00.001-07:00

As you have learned, there are 2 main types of approaches an agent can take. Hopefully, you have figured out which one suits you best. Now you can begin to see the good and bad of each type and learn how to cultivate the best qualities from each into your approach.

Hunters are aggressive at getting new business. However, this may lead to neglecting current relationships. Hunters may lose sight of the goal of selling since getting a lead is often more exciting for them. If you are a hunter you should find a good balance between seeking new business and growing the business you already have.

Farmers are on the other end of the spectrum. They may focus too much on current clients and not enough on new clients. A farmer needs to keep up with clients while also taking some time to seek out new clients.There is a healthy balance between being a hunter or a farmer. Find that balance and you will be able to reap the rewards that come with a well balanced approach.

Are you a Hunter or a Farmer?

2009-03-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

Agents can be classified as either a hunter or a farmer. Figuring out what your approach is can help you on your path to success.

A hunter is someone who goes out looking for new business. A hunter actively works to pick up new listings. You may call FSBO and expired listings to try to pick up the business. You may walk around and knock on doors to talk to people. You are very active and on the hunt for business.

A farmer is someone who works existing clients. You build relationships by staying in touch, making phone calls and sending out mailings. You work to build up a sphere of influence. One of your main goals is to always reach 100% customer satisfaction. You know the importance of a good client relationship.

Figure out which one description fits you best. Your skills will place you somewhere either at one extreme or somewhere in the middle. Learning about your approach will let you see your weaknesses and help you to develop new habits that can help you succeed.

There is No Such Thing as a Past Client

2009-03-04T08:12:00.000-08:00

In real estate there should never be a time when you accept a client as being a past client. Considering someone a past client will cost you money in the end.

Past clients are actually your best business asset. They can be a great source for referrals and future business. You need to keep a good relationship with past clients so that you can continue to reap the benefits from your biggest asset.

Erase the phrase “past client” from your vocabulary. Once you are done doing business a client becomes a friend, a partner, and an asset for your business.

Think Different for Business Success

2009-03-03T09:21:00.000-08:00

One of the main ways to ensure that your business does not reach a point where it stops growing is to learn how to think differently. Your role in your business should change over time.

Ideally, you should go from a salesperson to a business person.

As a salesperson, you thought much differently than you will as a business person. The mind of a business person is always on top of everything in the business. You will start to work hard at growing your business and reaching success.

Do not get stuck thinking that if you are a good salesperson that is all you need to be. You must master being a good business person in order to take your business to the next level.

Keep Evolving to Reach Success

2009-02-25T04:17:00.001-08:00

You can not reach top goals if you do not work towards them. You have to be constantly evolving. You should strive to take your two or three person team to a company that includes five or more people.

You have to focus and always be looking to the future. As your business grows you will need to grow your team so you can handle the new business demands. Without growth you will find it very hard to succeed if you are keeping your business at the same level as when you began.

Do not be afraid of change. Let your business grow as it needs to and push it to evolve so you can reach your goals.

3 Characteristics of a Billion Dollar Agent

2009-02-24T09:22:00.000-08:00

Not everyone can become a Billion Dollar Agent. Not every agent has the characteristics necessary to reach that top goal. Do you have what it takes to become a Billion Dollar Agent?

There are 3 top characteristics that every Billion Dollar Agent possesses. They are passion, desire and aptitude. You need all 3 of these characteristics to succeed and reach your goals.

Passion means you are driven to success. You will do anything that it takes because you care so much about your business and your career.

Desire means you want to be a Billion Dollar Agent and you want your business to succeed. You will not let anything stand in your way.

Aptitude is the skills and knowledge that you have that enables you to reach your goals. Without it you can not succeed.

The combination of these 3 characteristics makes you exactly right to become a Billion Dollar Agent. You are on the right path and have everything it takes to reach your goals.

Zen Seven

2009-02-19T04:20:00.001-08:00

It takes a lot of hard work, dedication and time to reach this final level of your career. You will likely put in a decade or more to reach this level. This is when all your efforts finally pay off. You reach the million dollar revenue point and even pass it, making over a million dollars in profit a year. This is a major milestone for you and your business.

You have been able to manage your money well which has allowed you to save for retirement. Your focus now is to keep growing this strong business you have created. In another 10 years you will be able to retire with ease. You can now devote more and more of your time to your unique talents. You are helping people and doing what you want to do.

You work in charities, mentor new agents and share what you know with others. You are making a difference. Only about 1 in 1,000 agents reach this top level. You can be one of those agents if you follow the seven step path laid out for you here. As you progress you follow the goals and achieve success on levels many agents fail to reach.

Success Six

2009-02-17T09:52:00.001-08:00

Your business will reach a level where you are truly secure and can begin to operate a little differently. Your profits will soar and you will be able to start saving about 20%. You will be able to comfortably build your team with the best agents. You will have a full staff of assistants that you will be able to delegate to. Your time will be free to run your business and focus on keeping it growing and improving.

By this time you can begin to think about your first buyer agent. This will allow you to focus all your energy on listings. Everything will be balanced and you will have accomplished many of the goals you had set for yourself. You are at the point where you are using 50% of your unique talents which is right where you need to be. Only about 1% of all agents are at this level in their career.

Solid Five

2009-02-11T09:01:00.001-08:00

You are finally at a place with your business that you consider it solid. Your personal life is solid as well and you are balancing things very well these days. You are starting to see the future and it looks good.

You have increased your profits further and the new assistant is working out great. Your marketing efforts are working and you are on track. You have new goals and a financial plan for the future.

You are finally able to use your unique talents about 30 to 40 percent of the time which makes your job much more enjoyable. Be proud of yourself. Only 10% of real estate agents are at this point.

Stable Four

2009-02-10T10:25:00.000-08:00

Your real estate business has reached a stable point where everything seems to be coming together. You are confident in your abilities and in your business.

You reached the goals you set and even improved in areas like your net income. You have started to pay off debts and get a savings built up. Things are going well.

The issue now is that you are so busy you have little time for anything but your business. You are putting in well over 40 hours a week. No matter how many hours you work, though, it never seems like enough. You barely see your family and your health has started to suffer because you have no time to eat right or exercise. Stress is starting to take a toll, too.

It is time for an assistant. You need to get help so that you can start to focus in on using your unique talents instead of handling mundane tasks. It is an accomplishment to reach this point because only about 10% of all real estate agents are at this level.

Just Me Three

2009-02-04T07:47:00.000-08:00

You have made it through some hard times and you are proud that you survived. You are self-employed and doing pretty well for yourself. It is okay to be proud of yourself. Go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back.

Just be cautious. Surviving is okay for now, but not for the long term. You do not want to just survive. You want to thrive.

You need to consider all the things you have gained and lost since you became self-employed. Look at the big picture.

In order to thrive and be a top agent you have to gain the necessary sales skills and have the desire to really work at becoming a success. Figure out what you have to do to get more leads and make more sales. You may even consider joining a team where you have others who can help you to build up your reputation and name.

Real estate is not a simple business, but you can do it. You just have to stop accepting that surviving is okay and start working towards thriving in your business.

When should a Billion Dollar Agent enter REO foreclosure market?

2009-02-02T11:45:00.001-08:00

With the number of foreclosures up to record high numbers you may be wondering when the right time is to enter the REO foreclosure market. There is not a blanket answer as the market varies all over the country.

You have to look at what is happening in your area. For example, Las Vegas is at 60% REO for sold properties where Houston is at 20%.

Find out what your market is like. Do your research to see if it is the best move for your business. You also need to become familiar with the market and learn about the paperwork, so you are ready to take the leap into the REO foreclosure market.

You do not want to jump into the REO game without being sure it is something that will benefit your business in the end.

What is a goal?

2009-01-16T14:19:00.000-08:00

We could take the text book definition, as supplied by Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary: “the end toward which effort is directed.” While that is accurate, it is also rather limiting. Your goals can be much more.

Jim Byrnes, a Billion Dollar Agent, defines a goal as “your dreams combined with your passion, purpose, a defined plan, some playfulness, and a time line.” He goes on to say: “Goals are a progressive journey of constant and never ending improvement and abundance. Goals are an extension of your core values and beliefs.”

That is a pretty wide open definition of goals. They can be a one-time deal, such as to sell your current house and purchase a larger one, or to hire a new buyer’s agent for your team. Or, your goals can be ongoing, such as to improve your relationship with your spouse, to spend X hours a week with your rapidly growing-up child, or to work out 5 times a week.

No matter what type of goals you are thinking of setting, you must write them down and review them frequently. Update them as needed, celebrate them when they are achieved, and learn from your failures.

Maybe One and Terrible Two

2009-01-13T18:06:00.000-08:00

The first 2 levels of a Billion Dollar Agent happen long before he or she actually becomes a Billion Dollar Agent. These are the “maybe” and the “terrible two” levels. This is the point when you are considering breaking into the real estate business or second guessing your decision to do so. This is when the reality that real estate isn’t such an easy career choice comes crashing down upon you.

To quote our book, Billion Dollar Agent: Lessons Learned:

Maybe I will try real estate. Maybe I will dabble in real estate. Maybe I will think about it for a few more years. Maybe I will work part-time in real estate.

Maybe I will get my license, get a job at a local franchise, and try to sell real estate. Maybe real estate is not such a good idea. Maybe real estate is not for me. Maybe the market is too soft to make sales right now. Maybe I don’t like all the stuff you have to do to be a real estate agent. Maybe I did not know that when I got a job at this firm, my pay would actually be $0. Maybe I did not know that besides getting a job that paid $0, I actually had to pay a few thousand dollars to maybe sell real estate. Maybe this isn’t for me anymore.

Maybe, maybe, maybe. If you are at this point, then you are unsure if this is the business for you. You need to stop right now and decide if real estate is the career you want to be in. You need to either change your career plans or take the necessary steps to get to the third level. Setting goals will help you achieve that.

The Key

2009-01-06T07:20:00.000-08:00

What is the key to becoming a Billion Dollar Agent? Goals! Less than 10% of agents have written annual goals, but they probably make over 80% of the commission! If you aren’t actively setting and working towards annual goals, then it is time to get serious! Now is the time to be sure your annual goals for 2009 are firmly written in an achievable format.

We would like to give you a valuable gift to help you write your goals in 2009. Sign up at Top Agent Goals for a complimentary email series that will teach you how to write and achieve solid business and life goals for 2009 and beyond. Our goal series is based on ideas from hundreds of agents who have written goals and over 100 business books on goals.

Watch this video clip for a quick look at one Billion Dollar Agent’s successful goal setting.

Your Own Newspaper

2008-11-08T14:03:00.000-08:00

Many Billion Dollar Agents use a custom newsletter, complete with paid advertising spots, to market to their target farm of over 10,000 homes. How would this work? Contact the experts at Best Agent Business for more information and to get started.

Billion Dollar Agent Level

2008-10-20T18:52:00.000-07:00

Face the reality of your current business. Which Billion Dollar Level are you currently at? Set your written goals to achieve higher levels by specific dates. There are seven levels.
* Maybe One
* Terrible Two
* Just Me Three
* Stable Four
* Solid Five
* Success Six
* Zen Seven
Keep watching our blog for more information on these levels! Or if you can’t wait, get a copy of our book Billion Dollar Agent: Lessons Learned.
Excerpts from Billion Dollar Agent: Lessons Learned

Leverage

2008-10-17T19:20:00.000-07:00

You must leverage your time so that one hour of your time can produce ten hours or 100 hours of value for your business. Imagine that your time is worth $100/hour. If you make six touching base calls to a client for ten minutes every other month for a year and the client refers a new client which is worth a $10,000 commission. You just leveraged one hour of your time to be worth 100 hours of your time.
You must leverage prospects, clients, assistants, vendors, real estate agents, brokers, franchises, money, and knowledge. You must leverage everything, all the time, with a business plan documenting how you are going to create that leverage.

Excerpt from Billion Dollar Agent: Lessons Learned

How Does Your Work Day Look?

2008-10-14T18:56:00.000-07:00

Busyness, multitasking, fragmented thoughts, open loops, multiple to-do lists, 60 hours work weeks, poor eating habits, no exercise habits, no accounting habits… STOP!!!
FOCUS!
Slow down
Successful business people are filled with calm energy not tense energy.
1 hour spent planning is worth 10 hours spent doing something else.
Sit and do focused work for 1-2 hour periods without interruptions.
Excerpts from Billion Dollar Agent: Lessons Learned

Your Perfect Day Should Include Daily Habits and Rituals

2008-10-10T18:34:00.000-07:00

You must define your “Perfect Day”. Develop daily habits and rituals to maximize time spent on your unique talents, and eliminate time spent on anything else. To achieve greatness in your profession and business, you must do the ordinary with consistency. You must define the daily activities that generate income and will move you to the Billion Dollar Level. Successful people create daily habits and rituals. They schedule and time-block a much greater percentage of their work week than other people. Having a detailed routine and scheduled time blocks allows people to be more productive and creative; because their mind and energy has laser focus. Like Olympic athletes, they have a clear daily routine to practice and perfect their unique talents.
Excerpt from Billion Dollar Agent: Lessons Learned

Where Are Your Goals Taking You?

2008-09-29T17:47:00.000-07:00

You must have written goals for your life and business.

Plan these monthly, yearly and long-term.

Invest 1% of your life to planning where you want to go and what you want to achieve.

Spend 10 minutes a day, 1 hour a week, 4 hours a month, and a 3 day retreat each year.

Have a vision.

Have dreams.

Have visual reminders.

Focus solely on positive people, positive news, and positive media.

Use positive self-talk and positive affirmations.

Prioritize your life in this order: health, relationships, finances, business, and personal. Your business will thrive if you are calm, have healthy energy, loving relationships and managed finances. Plan your goals to achieve this.

Finding and Using Your Unique Talent

2008-09-26T14:24:00.000-07:00

You should be spending a set number of hours each week using your unique talents to become a Billion Dollar Agent. Your unique talent is the part of your job that you love. What do you do that you love? What gives you energy, makes you happy, builds your confidence, and brings a smile to your face? What percentage of your working hours do you currently spend using your unique talents? How would it impact your profits and level of satisfaction with your life if you increased that percentage every month?

You must delegate everything that is not a unique talent. Every single real estate agent with $100,000+ GCI should have an assistant. What are the job tasks that you dislike, those that you avoid or fail to do? What do you do poorly? What stresses you out? Outsource and delegate those tasks to assistants and vendors. This will leave you free to focus on your unique talent.

Excerpts from Billion Dollar Agent: Lessons Learned

Take Control of Your Life with the Billion Dollar Agent 777

2008-09-23T11:36:00.000-07:00

You create your own luck in life by taking ownership. Through a combination of imagination, clarity, action, consistency, determination, and perseverance you can take control of your life.

You can make massive changes happen in small steps over the next 1,000 days.

Just remember the Billion Dollar Agent 777.
· Learn and implement the 7 Areas of a Billion Dollar Agent
· Set a goal to reach a higher level on the Billion Dollar Agent ladder
· Focus, train and practice the 7 Actions of a Billion Dollar Agent

Master the Billion Dollar Agent 777 and we just might write about you in a few years!

Excerpt from Billion Dollar Agent: Lessons Learned

Do You Have a "Dirty Little Secret?"

2008-09-20T13:17:00.000-07:00

If you don’t get the results you believe you want, there’s usually something amiss with your intention—I call it “your dirty little secret.”

Let’s say that the result you want is to take home $200,000 this year. You’re going through the motions, sending out mailers, checking the computer, holding your opens, working the mechanism. But you’re just not on track for that result. Why not? You’re really trying, aren’t you?

But wait a minute! Didn’t you say, in a private phone conversation, that you hate working? Or silently think that the market is terrible and it’s impossible to be successful? Weren’t you just thinking, “Everything I touch falls apart and nothing is working?” Or are you burned out because you’re afraid if you take time off, you’ll lose that lead?

Oops. What just happened? No wonder you’re not getting the results you want—or are you? The stronger of the two beliefs will always win out. Based on your results, you will always know where your true intention is. Often harsh yet always fair.

Excerpt from Real Estate in 2008, Forward by Patti Kouri.

The Formula of Extraordinary People

2008-09-18T15:50:00.000-07:00

This is the formula for success and it works whether you're putting together a book, becoming a competitive dancer or having an astonishingly good year in real estate. I call it "The Formula of Extraordinary People." We all use it, whether we realize it or not. Extraordinary people—Olympic athletes, bestselling authors, top producers, even toddlers—use it all the time. The formula is

I (Intention) + M (Mechanism) = R (Results)

Intention is deep knowing—commitment and focus beyond willpower. It’s in your gut. Mechanism is what you already know: the “how-to.” The Result is what you get, whether it’s what you want or not. Where there is 100% intention, there is 100% result; the way to get there will just seem to appear.

Excerpt from Real Estate in 2008, Forward by Patti Kouri.

Billion Dollar Agent begins...

2008-09-10T06:09:00.001-07:00

Are you a Future Billion Dollar Agent?