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Be Obvious and Nine Other Ways To Grow Your Business

by Joeann Fossland

Are you a secret agent? Do you shy away from asking those who know and love you to help you grow your business? Are you less than obvious? You may think you are doing all the marketing you can……but are you really?

It amazes me how many agents overlook wonderful opportunities to let people know what they do and how good they are at doing it! Maybe it’s the “don’t brag” or just not wanting to come across as a promotive, pushy and hard sell person……

Perhaps, you are due for an attitude adjustment. The shift is from “Asking for something” to “Offering a benefit.” Think for a moment to the last time you had a need. Maybe it was leaky faucet and you needed a plumber. When you asked around and a friend gave you the name of someone they had used, who had done a good job and was reasonably priced, weren’t you relieved? Wasn’t it nice you didn’t have to wander blindly into doing business with a stranger whose work and ethics you knew nothing about? Didn’t you feel grateful to that friend? Are you giving people who know you the opportunity to be that kind of a hero for their friends? If not, do a 180-degree shift today! You aren’t asking them to do you a favor…you are giving them an opportunity to help their friends! Your own mindset about whether you are offering people an opportunity to spread your name or asking for them to do something for you may be the first hurtle to overcome.

So, while we are at it, let’s look at what the simplest ways you can stop being a secret agent and use the resources right under your nose. This also involves HAVING FUN! Remember, Woody Allen said, “80% of success is just showing up!”

Ten Great Ways To Show Up More

Make a list of everything you enjoy doing. Maybe it is tennis, reading, gardening, riding your Harley….Then schedule at least one meeting or gathering each week with others who enjoy the same activity. While you are having fun, make sure to mention what you do.

Make a list of all the groups in your spheres on influence: school, church, neighborhood, spouse’s business, etc. Do they all know what you do? Can you sponsor something? Or just be there more.

Don’t forget to let your database know on a regular basis that you are successful. Do they get the new listing and just sold information? Include your successes on a regular basis.

Thank people publicly for giving you referrals. Mention them in your monthly newsletter or run a contest for those who refer the most people to you. Honor them at your annual event for your clientbase.

Hang out with winners! It may be time to upgrade the Rolodex. Identify people who are successful and find a way to hang out with them more often. You’ll find this will improve your attitude, if you’ve been around negative people.

Give referrals out. Be listening for opportunities to connect people. If someone has a need, tell them you have someone who would be perfect to help and ask permission for that person to call them. Then call the person with the lead.

Remember important occasions. If you don’t have the birthdays or anniversaries for everyone in your database, send out a birthday card this month. Yes, everyone…not just the one’s who have birthdays…the rest will probably call and give you their RIGHT birthday and you can tell them how much you love helping the people you are doing business with.

Email everyone with some valuable tip at least twice a month. Or send a great newsletter out, like the one available from Realty Times. Ask for email addresses from everyone you meet.

Use at least 25% of your marketing budget for your website and positioning yourself where consumers will find you. Multiple domain names and use of directories, such USA Real Estate Directory will expand your reach and drive more traffic to your site.

Be Obvious. Every day in every way. Be proud of what you do. Ours is the greatest profession in the world, helping make people’s dreams come true. The more excited and the more you love what you do, the more people that will be attracted to you!

And, if you aren’t loving it these days…if you are stressed and overworked….take a time out. Reconnect with why you are in this business in the first place and take some time to rejuvenate and relax. It is important to constantly put some fuel back in the fuel tank. Then go out and BE OBVIOUS!!!!!

Published: August 15, 2000

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

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Joeann Fossland GRI, LTG, MCC is a dynamic speaker and business coach. Creator of THE REAL ESTATE GAME^TM, she provides coaching solutions enhance your effectiveness and life balance. You can subscribe to her free monthly newsletter, attend free monthly telephone seminars, and find out about classes delivered by email and personal coaching by visiting JoeAnn.com or e-mail her at .

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