Real Estate has been dominated in recent years by the typical demographic. A sales person between the age of 48-54 with at least 10 years experience. At what point, should the Agents begin embracing the new wave of Realtors? YPN (Young Professional Network) has been doing its part for the Real Estate industry to invite these upstarts into its club. But we have yet to see mentoring truly take place. There are 3 essentials to great Real Estate mentoring that every one must seek…

I was fortunate in that I grew up in a family business. I still remember getting my Real Estate license at the age of 18. Between College semesters at Carson-Newman College I would sell homes in Northern Virginia. When I started out I knew enough to be dangerous but I learned and was mentored by my mother Vicki Nellis, one of the top Real Estate agents in Re/Max and Northern Virginia and my father, Jim Nellis a licensed Appraiser. I remember when I was young I wanted to do it all “on my own”. I actually did not want to be seen as “riding coattails”…

Mentoring in Real Estate

I now know that was foolish. I will embrace any coattail or mentoring I can find from those that are experienced and can offer a new perspective in Real Estate. I have had some incredible learning experiences at the National Association of Realtors Annual Meetings and through some international Real Estate Groups: CyberStars with Brad Korn & StarPower with Alex Charfen. It is essential for any Realtor whether 1 year in the business or 15 years to continually reinvent themselves and stay in tune with the market and competition. By seeking out the 3 essentials of mentoring this can take place:

Mentoring Essential 1: Seek out a Mentor.

This seems to be an easy step but is normally the one that paralyzes so many. Many Realtors believe they can simply learn it on their own or don’t need help. After 15 years in Real Estate, I understand the value of one-on-one mentoring with Realtors outside of my own area. There are at least 5 Realtors that I hold in high esteem that at the drop of a hat I could call them and get answers to questions. Do you have that as part of your counsel? It starts with the first Mentor that you seek out. Seek with these things in mind:

Seek out a Mentor that is successful and where you want to be in life…

Seek out a Mentor that has skills you want to develop…

Seek out a Mentor that works in a similar price point/sales price

Mentoring Essential 2: Define your Mentor Relationship

This is a huge part of the equation. So many friendships/relationships have been ruined with unmet expectations. Rules, time frames and work should be established by all parties involved. Some questions to think about before you begin the relationship:

How long will this process take? (I normally suggest 6 month maximum because you can always extend if needed)

Are you working on a specific project/goal?

How can this Mentor help you? What skills do you need to develop or enhance? (Have these written out ahead of time)

Mentoring Essential 3: Homework is a MUST

I know so many of us hate homework and every day are happy that we don’t have tests and projects that are due next week. But you must start embracing the idea of accomplishing both small and big tasks with your mentor.

Realistic Goal Setting is essential and is a way that you and your Mentor can enjoy the process and work together. As you check off tasks/accomplishments the relationship will deepen and so will the passion of seeing you succeed to even higher heights.

Every Mentor wants to feel that they are giving of themselves for the greater good… In Real Estate Mentoring it is to develop you as a better Realtor and increase the professionalism of their industry. Happy Seeking!!

Skinning is the process of overlaying a branded image, logo or advertisement over a social sphere or website. The majority of social spheres: Facebook, Twitter & YouTube allow you to skin their spheres. Posterous, WordPress Websites & the majority of template websites also allow for you to skin the home pages. When you skin a social sphere or website you now create a “landing page” or “portal page”.

A landing page is meant to be a modern day billboard. Rather than sending all the traffic to the free site like twitpic and advertising their website you show off your connection points and have these new consumers land on your other profiles and/or website. A landing page is limited in that it is a billboard style so that the consumer can not go directly to your other pages or spheres without opening a new window.

A portal page however, gives you that advantage. The portal page is simply defined as a skin that sends consumers to the different links and pages you want them to go- with one-click they land on a company’s product page, purchase page or even ancillary products and information. We are starting to see the BIG companies invest 6-7 figures into their social media marketing and skinning approach. Facebook business pages are a great example of skinning the sphere with a portal page. Below is a screen shot of Harley Davidson’s portal page. It can also be found at Harley-Davidson:

Harley Davidson Portal Skin

Each of these icons direct you to a new website or page on Harley Davidson’s site or an affiliate. Imagine the amount of traffic you can begin attracting to your site through a social sphere skin. Your skin must engage the consumer and one of the best ways is through icons/images that are on a portal page. Not all social spheres allow for skinning nor a portal page. GetSkinned is a company that can help you with branding your image online and creating your own landing & portal pages so that you do not lose the necessary web traffic when consumers find you online.

If you watch any TV- especially commercials 2 out of 5 will reference their Facebook Business page which is of course already skinned. I was watching TV the other day and saw a Honda Ad- at the end they referenced NOT Honda.com rather www.Facebook.com/Honda – They get it – they understand where the consumers are already communicating, shopping and dreaming. They along with hundreds of other companies are starting to embrace the modern era of advertising… Don’t be left behind. GetSkinned today…

Honda Facebook Skin

       Each buyer package must have the following 3 essentials: Presentation, Content & USP (Unique Selling Proposition).

Presentation: The buyer package needs to cater to your buying audience. Make it reflect your clients and their lifestyles. The main 4 Lifestyles from SRI (Stanford Research Institute): Belonger, Achiever, Societally Conscious & Emulator. There are different needs for each buyer but make the presentation visually appealing to your community’s largest audience (lifestyle).

Content:  What type of information is needed for a buyer to understand and appreciate your market? The information is accessible all over the internet and various types of media however this package allows for you to funnel what is necessary for your clients to make the right decision.

                    Include the following to separate yourself as the Top Realtor providing the most effective material:

• Unique items for your neighborhood/communities served
• Transportation Information
• School District Information
• Housing Stats- Trends
• Cashflow/Rental Opportunities
• Sample Package
• Agency Information: Sample at http://www.nellisgroup.com/Blog/Buyer-Representative
• History of Area
• Main Employers/Industry in Area

USP:  As a Top Realtor in your area you need to effectively communicate how you stand apart from the competition. The benefits that make your Team unique in your area.

              Focus on your experience, sales market knowledge and services. Many Realtors employ contractors, interior designers and discounted lending packages in order to provide their clients with the best experience.

               Many Realtors do not even have a buyer package… Start with one buyer package and then as you progress you can have multiple packages for the different types of buyers…

Announce My Move is a web based company that originated in the Real Estate profession. It utilitzes the venue of social media and networking to assist buyers, sellers & Realtors. The focus is on the client. Announce My Move allows the Realtor to assist their client in providing a unique URL or website for their home purchase or sale.

Announce My Move has branched out from announcing simply a home move to announcing new listings, newsletters and even Open Houses. Once you create the unique site it will allow you to copy and paste it into an email or any social networking tool. Many clients have started posting the excitement of their new home or sale on Facebook & Twitter.

Spoken Word Seminars has negotiated a discount with Announce My Move for their readers. Find out more about the discount at:

AnnounceMyMove Discount

There is a gap I refer to as the Referral VOID which is the chasm between knowing how to give and receive a referral and doing business the normal way. I have spent over 14 years in the Real Estate business and still marvel at how many in my profession do not understand the referral concept.

A referral is a transference of trust from one individual to the other. So how do we not only endear trust but make sure that when given a referral that trust is not betrayed. There are 5 Key Principles to keep in mind the next time you are giving or receiving a referral:

1. Treat them as a CLIENT and not a SALE. So many consumers have been burned in various transactions by the salesperson simply wanting to sell and not wanting to help. Recognize their needs upfront and help them fulfill their needs and not your own.

2. Do NOT pass our your business cards. Everyone has a business card and it does not result in new business.

3. Trust- Trust is built in small and big ways. Being on time for appointments and following through on Q&A from each client.

4. Paradigm Shift: Request your clients ask their coworker or friend for permission for you to call or email them instead of waiting for their call.

5. Follow Up: Follow up not only with the new referral but just as important with the client that sent them to you. If by chance you are not able to connect or do not wish to work with this new referral you MUST be the first one to contact your mutual friend.

For more information on the Referral VOID and Wishing Well Referral vs. Permission Referral contact Spoken Word Seminars to book them for an upcoming event.

I bought the Iphone when the newest version came out… I stood in multiple lines- the first store ran out. I remember standing in the middle of Tysons Corner and passing a Verizon Store- an empty store wondering how they could ever pass on the Iphone opportunity and let AT&T get the contract. It reminded me of my mother’s saying “Penny Wise and Pound Foolish”. Many times I am so concerned over the small details I miss the big picture.

So where does Verizon and the Storm go from here?? I honestly believe UP. They will correct the errors and make a software download or package that cures the current ills.

Will the Storm ever be better than the Iphone? The answer to this question is it DEPENDS… For the business professional it will be a resounding YES. The main issue with the Iphone is the lack of searchability with email. It is not built to compete in the business world. The RIM company lives and dies with speed, efficiency and responding to the business needs of professionals. EMAIL is the key to their Vitality in the industry.

This means the STORM or any other device must be fast. Offer quick access between programs, keep its great keyboard layout and its search functionality within email. I do look forward to upgrading my phone, but I will be waiting to see the developers send out the first patch/fix for the new device.

If you have an I-phone - happy scrolling for emails

If you have a Treo- can’t help you I returned mine within 24 hours because of the turtle pace between apps

If you have a Blackberry- keep the Faith and keep typing!

James Nellis

Plantronics 925 Device (click here for more specs) This is one of the newest devices on the market. Below are the top reasons to purchase it tomorrow: 1. Connects easily to any mobile phone. Currently I have it connected to the Blackberry Curve. 2. If out of range it connects without prompting once within range. 3. It charges within a mobile charger. 4. The small mobile charger once charged will become a charger for the field once the bluetooth runs out of battery life. 5. It is cheaper than my Bang & Olufsen earpiece.

It is true that you can upload your listings for FREE to Trulia PRO but are you the Realtor actually getting the leads? If you are part of a brokerage and the broker is syndicating the listings you will get trumped. PRO enables you to be the contact point for any traffic on Trulia PRO with your listings.Click on the Banner above to start with TRULIA PRO and get the following enhancements:

1. Enhance all Listings as Featured Properties
2. Customized Spotlight Ad
3. Statistics- monitor Ad
4. Change the Source of URL- redirect buyers & sellers to your personal website

Sign up now and get 1 month for free using the following Coupon Code: 2JNTP3

]]> http://jamesnellis.com/resources/trulia-pro/feed/ 0 http://jamesnellis.com/resources/jott/ http://jamesnellis.com/resources/jott/#comments Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:00:54 +0000 James Nellis http://jamesnellis.com/?p=136 Never Forget something again… Coordinate your entire life digitally… Sync from one product to the next. Jott allows you to call yourself, groups and others and have your voicemail go straight to their “inbox”. It saves time and energy- it is perfect for the mobile professional.

JOTT (click here to get more information)

Every phone message comes to you as an email with the WAV file attached so that you can listen to it through your pc, smart phone or even by calling into phonetag.

PHONETAG (click here for more information)