This might be a great time to take an inventory of all the systems, books, tapes, software, CD’s, marketing tools and widgets that you’ve purchased believing it would make your life easier and help you more money! Instead, you’ve spent your money on these “things” you just haven’t been able to get around to using. There it all sits, tucked in a drawer, stuffed under your desk unused with the plastic wrap often untouched. This hard-earned money is wasted and could have been put to better use in your 401K!

Almost every day it seems every 30 seconds or so a brand new wiz-bang system or tool becomes available. So, what is an intelligent solution for a tech-suspicious, weary oversold agent who is really supposed to be listing and selling real estate to do? You might take a deep breath and start with… using what you already have! After conferring with several real estate business coaches, we learn that most agents look outside themselves for the “answer”. We all know that we have the power to change our lives and certainly hardware and software can help. The key, of course, is that we make a commitment to integrate a new direction.

Here is the first tip in a series to help you help yourself by saving money to make money and save shopping time and aggravation as well, while we learn, one step at a time to add technology solutions to help us each day.

With a little help from your tech coach, or a tech savvy friend, find out what tools you have already that you don’t need to buy. Take a minute to schedule a half-day class and figure out what you have right now and can begin using right now to save time and money!

1. If you are not using a mail manager when sending e-mail, you are most likely not using your full organizational and time saving capabilities. Depending on the browser you are using, there is a version of a mail manager that is usually shipped “free” with a windows program. Open the browser, find the mail manager, and begin making your life easier and your communications more effective by implementing some of the many shortcuts and services the mail manager has to offer. There are several functions that are easy to master and can make keeping track of your e-mails, organizing them and just plain sending them much easier.

2. Most of us have a version of a mail manager already in our computer’s programs that was shipped “free” with the windows program. In this mail manager is a “tool box” that offers the steps to setting up your signature to appear automatically on every new email you want to send. Your emails will have a more professional look, convey more information about you and serve as a great prospecting tool every time you send an email. Having your signature automatically appear in all of your correspondence will also save you lots of time and keystrokes.

3. Set up the information in your signature line to include your web address, your credentials, your full name, company and consider your phone number with area code. This insures your e-mail will arrive as a professional looking correspondence with all the information that would typically be on your business stationery. With your information conveniently profiled, the recipient has the option to visit your website, or send you an e-mail with a simple “click” on both hyperlinks.

4. Include a hyperlink to your website by adding the http://www.YourWebSite.com. Do the same with your email address. Add the words mailto:YourName@YourEmailAddress.com Both make it easy and automatic to visit your site or send you an email with a simple “click.

5. Take every opportunity to maximize your presence both through your traditional marketing and your Internet marketing. It won’t cost more than a little bit more to add your web and e-mail address to your present hard copy marketing pieces. By including this information, you will help direct clients and customers to avail themselves of your 24-hour information on the World Wide Web.

6. If you are in an area that allows for sale signs, invest a little money (okay, so you have to spend a little bit) and have a sign rider with your website and email added to the sign. This insures that your drive-by customers have another way to get information from and about you after your office have closed.

7. The Mail Manager also allows you to create and name specific “files” on line. This option of creating folders is a great way to keep your electronic communications organized and retrievable when you need them. Dragging and dropping emails into already created folders makes keeping on line correspondence orderly and easy to find later.

8. Upgraded versions of the mail manager product allows for great integration of your mail, address book and calendar. A simple “click and drag” option allows for you to plug in important dates and e-mail to your calendar and task lists. A great time saving device with a built in reminder to keep you on track!

9. Tired of losing all those little posted notes? Your mail manager, depending on the version may offer a little “yellow post it note” program to allow you to “post” notes for safe keeping and easy retrieval.

10. Use the calendar in your mail manager (if you have the version with this feature) to help remind you of upcoming important dates, deadlines and projects that have due dates.

Published: April 20, 2001

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