Did You Forget This While You Were Shopping Yesterday?

Yesterday was Black Friday. Were you up in the wee hours of the morning searching for deals? Did you shop local? Did you stay away from the stores in favor of something else?

Buying gifts for others as an expression of love and gratitude is a wonderful thing to do. But don’t forget the most important thing to spend money on ~ Your Business.

One of the questions I am often asked is: how to market on a limited budget. There are a lot of options out there, but some pay out better than others.

In keeping with the 12 days of Christmas theme, here are 12 things you can do to market your business, each of which costs less than $1 and yields exponential rewards:

1. Be on time: This may not sound like marketing, but it absolutely is. It costs 7 times more to obtain a new client than to keep the one you have. Showing up on time is a sign of respect. Let them know that their business matters to you.
2. Return phone calls and emails promptly: This is similar to #1, but warrants saying. Sad, but true, many agents / business owners are terrible at this. A little communication goes a long way towards not only completing your current transaction, but also for repeat and referral business.
3. FORD Phone Calls: Ahhh, the dreaded phone call. Virtually free and yet emphatically avoided. What if I told you the next person you called held the key to your next $100,000 in income? Would you pick up the phone? News flash: THEY DO. You never know where your next client will come from and sometimes those innocent FORD (Family / Occupation / Recreation / Dreams) calls make all of the difference.
4. Note Cards: Hand written with a real stamp. I could go on for days about the difference these can make in your business.
5. Social media: Without a plan it can be an enormous time suck. Done with intention it can be a huge source of business.
6. Database: If you do not have a database that is set up to help you communicate with your clients on a regular basis, you don’t have a business.
7. Buyer and Seller Book: Never show up to a client appointment empty-handed.
8. Monthly mailings: Putting this in the under $1 category is a stretch, but it is less than $1 a person to keep in touch with your clients each month. Map out a plan of what to mail for the next 12 months and get it ready to go.
9. Open houses: Real estate, just like any business is a contact sport. Open houses are a great way to meet people. If you don’t do open houses make sure you have something in your business plan that connects you with new people on a regular basis.
10. Website: Your website is essentially your online resume. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does have to be there.
11. Online reviews: They’re essential for doing business today. Make sure you are reaching out to clients for reviews. Don’t get too caught up on where they post them, just get going. My two favorites are Zillow and Yelp.
12. Be unique: When consumers view things as being the exact same price is the only differentiator. To earn your fee and gain client loyalty find ways to express who YOU are and what makes you different.

If you are struggling with where to spend your marketing dollars, or having a plan to reach your goals, then join us on Tuesday, December 9th for the Bullet Proof Your 2015 Business Plan workshop. Click Here for more details and to register.

To your Success!