When you build your business, look at it like you’re building a house. Before any of the glitz and glamour, before the beautiful finishes and the quartz countertops. The first step is to pour an incredibly strong foundation.

This week let’s have a look at the footing you’ve poured to build your business off of so that it’s rock solid when we get to the other side of the “Stay in Place” orders most of the nation has received.

I’ve chosen a few housekeeping things you can do to put more stable grounding down in your business as you arm-chair quarterback these uncertain times. 

Writing the “About Me” Bio:

I want to give you some tips on how to write this for your business. It’s one of the many footprints Realtors leave online to be found by potential clients. 

I remember sitting down to write it in the early part of my career and feeling quantifiably stumped as to what to say. The challenge was that all the things I felt represented me were old facts. Who cares that I used to work in broadcasting? Not a person who wants someone to guide them through a home transaction. You might be wondering what to write, too. So, here are some tips on how to do that.

1. On a sheet of paper, write out some bullet points of who you are. What you care about. Write down what you do for people. Why you chose to be a realtor. What skills you gained in your previous life before you became a realtor. What your unique gift is in this world. Why someone should use you as their champion and not the other guy.

2. Circle the top three bullet points that really resemble who you are.

3. On a second sheet of paper, write out some bullet points about your future client. If you were to step into their body (creepy!), what thoughts, feelings, worries, hopes, wants, needs, dreams are synonymous with all buyers and sellers?

4. Circle the top 3 bullet points.

5. Now you have both the content and context in which you need to write your About Me Section. This small paragraph should meet your client where they are at and deliver the top 3 things someone should know about you.

Structuring the Business

In joining the #newrealtor365 team, you have committed to becoming the CEO of your company. Planning before the day to execute arrives is THE numero uno job of the CEO. Here are some housekeeping items I’d like you to sort out this week.

1. Call your bank. It’s time to set up a business account for your business. Follow the guidelines set by your state. When you get a check, it should flow into this account. Read the blog “The Law of Thirds” as to how to work your money.

2. Open a SEP account. Have a qualified professional give you guidance on how to do this in your state. Here’s a primer on what a SEP is. https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/102714/how-does-simplified-employee-pension-sep-ira-work.asp

3. Research and purchase Quickbooks or some version of that.

4. Miles Tracking. There are apps you can use to track the miles you drive. Two options are Sherpashare or MilesIQ. Let’s get one downloaded on your phone this week so you can start using them when you hit the road.

5. LLC vs S Corporation. This is a perfect time to learn about LLC’s and S Corps. While you’re not there yet, the vision of where you’re going should be in place. Eventually, your business will manifest into one of these two, so brush up on them now while you have time. 

Your Footprint

You are starting a referral-based business. One of the most critical things to do is to recreate the actions of your client.

1. Google your name. What shows up in the search? This is the first action of your potential client. What you see there, is what they will see. Is it the right image? Is the knowledge panel Google has listed for you correct? Are the pictures actually you?

2. Claim Your Business. Go to www.googlemybusiness.com

3. Social Media. If you haven’t yet, open business Facebook and Instagram accounts. Your private Facebook account and the business one should have drastically different content. Private – pictures of food, your dog, your life. Business – a series of articles about your market, about the housing industry, industry tips, consistent proof that you are a Realtor.

4. Reviews. Decide on how you are going to get reviews and how you are going to leverage them. One of the most important market rules to consider is, “What someone else says about you, is more important than anything you can say about yourself.” It’s called social proof and it’s a beautiful thing when you use it correctly. 

Stay focused, Friends. Eye on the prize. Everything you do in the next few weeks will be rewarded.  The disciplined will have their day. Questions? Leave a comment below.

Until then, chin up, keep your feet moving … and burn the white flag.

sz

Copyright 2020 - Shelley Zavitz Realty