What's Next?

As I talk to our members around the country, everyone is relieved the election is over, and although the media tells us the economy still looms, I can't help but ask, what's next? What I am hearing is opportunity! We all know the market is going to turn. Some economists are saying we will see this turn in mid 2009. Just today, Real Trends released information that from the indicators they are watching, bottom of the downturn may well be in the past. Are you ready for opportunity? How are you preparing yourself for opportunity?

As a real estate professional, it is so important to continue marketing yourself.

DID YOU KNOW? It takes 18 impressions over the course of 12 months to build top-of-mind awareness and a memory of your name and face (which is your brand by the way). That is 1 impression every 3 weeks.

DID YOU KNOW? 67% of real estate professionals are now part of an online social network such as LinkedIn and Facebook. <Click here to join The CE Shop's FACEBOOK Network>

DID YOU KNOW? Agents and brokers are spending 60% of their marketing dollars to market themselves online.

Think about your marketing strategies today. How many "good" impressions are you making on your market?

I like to categorize my marketing efforts into 2 methods. This helps me evaluate the best method for building an effective marketing plan.

#1 Client Acquisition Methods

(Drive awareness and tell the market what you have to offer, stand out as an expert)

Examples: Online listing promotion, direct mail pieces, leveraging your sphere of influence for referrals, blogging, social networking.

#2 Client Retention Methods

(Stay in front of those valuable friends and remind them why they selected you as THEIR professional, why you are THEIR expert)

Examples: Personal emails, thank you notes and anniversary notices, providing outstanding customer service. Integrate yourself into their lives.

Consistency in your marketing is key to success, both in your efforts to engage new clients and the nurturing of the existing client base.

Ride the wave of opportunity - it's coming!

Mark Teckenburg

Director of Market Development

The CE Shop, Inc.