There are numerous prospecting tools or lead generating avenues available to agents and the numbers are growing every day.

The question I am asked the most is, "Which one is the most successful?" My answer is always the same, "All of them and none of them," because it depends on what you put into it.

The saying, "You reap what you sow" holds true no matter who, what, where or when you prospect. So one must produce a plan of action -- one that takes into account how much time you have for it.

Finding good leads takes more than just making a few contacts. It takes creative strategies, phone calls, and lots of time.

All too often when agents get busy with their existing clients, their prospecting efforts take a back burner. Then they come to a lag in their business and have to start prospecting all over again, creating a yo-yo effect in their income. Too busy? Consider a virtual assistant as your prospector, as someone that can increase the performance and effectiveness of your business. While you are working with your existing transactions, a virtual assistant can take prospecting off the back burner and throw it right into the fire, providing you with hot leads on a consistent basis.

The first step in accomplishing this goal is to find yourself the assistant. (revanetwork.com and ivaa.org are two places to start) and create an action plan for prospecting.

Decide which tasks you want your virtual "prospector" to perform and which tasks you want to handle yourself. Make it clear to your assistant what you want them to accomplish and when. Check in with them at least weekly for status reports. Make it normal protocol to have 'staff' meetings one morning each and every week. Discuss which prospecting tools are working and which are not, and improvise your plan depending on your results.

It just takes a little time, effort and creativity to identify new leads and when you sow consistently, prospecting will bring in a bountiful harvest.

Published: August 10, 2006

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

As a National Real Estate Virtual Assistant Specialist, Bev King serves as a leader throughout the industry. For nearly her entire career, over 20 years, she has worked serving clients in the areas of Listing & Transaction Coordination, Coaching, Management and Marketing. Ms. King serves as a founding member of the REVA Network and as an affiliate member of the Women's Council Of Realtors. She loves to travel, read and experience the great many things that life has to offer. You can reach Bev by visiting her website, globalvo.com, or via email at bev@globalvo.com.