3 Fundamental Keys That Can Open the Door of Success

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?

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

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

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

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

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

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?

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

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

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?

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

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

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

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?

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

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?

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

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

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”

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.