| Master Marketing Monthly News | October 2006 Edition |
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Falling Into Place... As you pass by the sometimes whimsical--yet often spooky--décor of October doorways, remember this: The only thing that should really scare you about this time of year is losing your focus on prospecting. In this quickly shifting economy, it's vital to ensure that your name and company are at the forefront of the minds of consumers in your market area. Sales professionals often cut back on marketing and advertising as the market tightens when, in actuality, they should be scaling up to capture the market share lost by the many agents who are either dropping out of the industry or saving their marketing dollars for the coming year. Stay in the game, and take this time to assess where you are in your marketing plan for the remainder of the year, making adjustments where necessary. In doing so, you'll see quick rewards for your efforts and appreciate the results when you find things falling into place. |
Organizing Your October
Breaking your annual goals into monthly and quarterly segments makes them more manageable and helps you measure whether you are on task, ahead of the game or, perhaps, need to do something different for a production boost before the holidays. A little organization "check-up" now will save time and provide the cutting-edge focus you need to maximize your month! Step One: Block out the right time. Trying to accomplish this during your work week will only lead to stress and aggravation. Set aside a weekend, turn up the music, get started early, and you've set the framework to "clean your career house." Step Two: Have the right tools for the job. You will be organizing your desk, files, drawers and office space! You'll need trash bags, recycling bins, trays labeled "In," "Out" and "File," a shredder for sensitive documents, file folders, labels, a business card album or rolodex and, of course, the right frame of mind! Step Three: De-clutter, detangle disseminate your desk! Take everything off the top of your desk, and give it a thorough wipe down. There is something about that clean, pristine surface that makes you just want to keep it that way! Now, systematically sort through the paper, cards, folders, sticky notes and odds and ends that have managed to migrate to your work surface. Put receipts in your tax file, business cards in either your rolodex or business card album, or scan using a card scanner for a paperless record! Disseminate the sticky notes, scraps of paper and reminders to their proper places. Put phone numbers in your rolodex, appointments in your calendar and trash in the wastebasket. Label all files, and put them in a file cabinet or drawer. Move old files to appropriate boxes for storage. Step Four: Manage your machines! When returning your phone and computer to your desk area, take the time to wipe them down! Your phone could use a good cleaning, and your computer would probably benefit from a quick monitor dusting and some compressed air to blow crumbs out of your keyboard. Follow your manufacturer's recommendations for quickly cleaning your mouse, fans, monitor, keyboard, etc.--all of which should only take a few moments but will help keep your equipment in good condition. This also is a great time to back up your computer files. There are many simple, inexpensive solutions for maintaining your data. Whether you are burning to a CD or using a USB device such as a simple FLASH drive or larger external drive, make data storage part of your monthly (if not daily) routine. This will not only save your files, but it also will save a good deal of grief as well! Step Five: Dive into those drawers! I know… it's scary in there! One by one, take everything out of your drawers and employ the same technique you implemented for the top of your desk. Discard unnecessary items, put old and unused files in storage, label current files, shred any sensitive or personal documents you are throwing out, and develop a filing system that works for you. Some prefer alphabetizing, while others file according to the calendar year. Whichever you prefer, be consistent and clutter free! If you have what seems like a warehouse of pencils, pens, paper clips and rubber bands, choose your favorites and rid yourself of the rest! I've seen agents with pens that haven't written in 10 years, enough paper clips to circle the globe and rubber bands that lost their snap in the 70s! Out with the old, my friends. Step Six: Craft your marketing calendar! The next several months are busy times not only for agents, but also for consumers. Holidays are right around the corner, and there's much to be done before we ring in the new year. By taking an hour or so now to really plan out your direct mail marketing needs, you will save time and energy later when you, too, are juggling the demands of holiday schedules. Plan to send Daylight Saving Time reminders and Halloween postcards in October, Veteran's Day and Thanksgiving cards in November and, of course, holiday cards in December. If you are sending New Year's cards or calendars, be sure to schedule those at least two and a half weeks in advance due to holiday mail delivery schedules. Also remember to schedule some time for yourself and your team (if you work with a group) to sit down in December and start mapping out your 2007 Marketing Plan. We've made it simple for you with our 24-month Master Marketing Schedule™. This all-in-one wall calendar walks you through campaign ideas, creative marketing solutions and a wide variety of prospecting avenues each month. ProspectsPLUS! offers this valuable resource absolutely free, as our gift to you! Step Seven: Update your client base! Whether you have taken advantage of our simple and effective BusinessBASE™ system or are using a software-based contact manager, sift through your records to add new clients or prospects, purge those you no longer are working with, and update any pertinent information. If this task seems too big to tackle all at once, consider breaking it down into quarterly segments. Remember to consider taking time each quarter to revisit your organizational processes, purge and update your client base and take stock of whether you are meeting your annual goals. Start re-organizing your October this weekend, and you will find yourself re-energized to make the most of your month, your year and, ultimately, your career! For more ideas on how you can continuously impact your market area, visit www.prospectsplus.com to download our free BusinessBASE™. This invaluable resource is filled with innovative and creative ways to ensure your prospecting is both fun and effective! While you're there, request our free Master Marketing Schedule™ to guide you through 24 months of strategic marketing campaigns. If you have questions or ideas that you would like to share, call Julie at 800.287.5710. |
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Dear Customer, Enjoy this
It's that time of year again. Time to shed the leaves and prepare for new growth. Time to evaluate where you are both goal-wise and career-wise as you make your way through the last quarter and begin setting your sights on all that you hope to accomplish in 2007.
It's true that most people attempt this feat only in the spring, but consider the benefits of taking a quarterly inventory of where you are in relation to your career and personal goals.
"I recently purchased your product at a Keller Williams Family Reunion. I used the 100 free postcards and an additional 100 I received free because an agent from my office purchased the product after seeing mine. I had just listed a property and sent out the 200 'FREE' postcards, and within three days I received a call to list another property. Other than the original cost of the product, I had a 'free mailing' and a new listing! I am amazed how easy it is to use the product."
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Benjamin Franklin |
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October Master Marketing Tips! National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There are a number of local, regional and national events planned throughout the country, most of which are looking for sponsors just like you to help support this great cause! Check with your local chapter of the American Cancer Society to see how you can help! National Boss's Day is October 16. Contact 20 local business owners to let them know that you would like to work for them! If they have any questions or real estate needs, you are the person
Halloween is October 31. Get in the spirit by sending your spooky greetings out early! Pass out trick-or-treat bags at your local schools or community centers, or sponsor a hayride for the children in your targeted neighborhoods. Prospecting shouldn't be scary! |
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ProspectsPLUS! Support Center Please remember that we're hereif you need us! If you have questions or concerns, we can be reached at 800.287.5710 during our extended hours of 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. |
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