Big and bland or unique and interesting?
Have you noticed how craft beers are such a “thing” these days? Even up here in my tiny part of the world, we have two micro-breweries starting up. I’m not complaining, of course – I could enjoy a pint of Old MacFuggle’s any night of the week… Sometimes it seems like the business world is…
How local should your newsletter be?
I was talking with a potential new client yesterday and an interesting topic came up. Is it better to send a generic newsletter to a wide geographical area or send one that’s targeted at one small area? My answer was that it was better to send something targeted. But let me explain further. You want…
How newsletters eliminate cold calling
“I don’t want to cold call.” That was the response someone gave to why they want a newsletter. Hey – I’m with you on that one! Cold calling is horrible. And in the vast majority of cases (but not all), it’s a poor use of your time. Cold calling positions you as desperate. It automatically…
Clients… or followers?
I just got the first draft of my book back from the designer – and it’s running at 270 pages. (If you ever need to reach something at the top of the closet, you know what to stand on.) The first chapter is about finding your “why” – the reason you do what you do.…
7 reasons to have a newsletter
Time to go back to basics today. I’ve said for a long time that every business – every real estate agent – should have a newsletter. But have I given enough reasons why? Try this. Here’s 7 reasons why you should have a newsletter. Bring clients back more often. If you can complete two transactions…
Like a boy who loves trains
Many seven-year-old boys love trains. But not many write a blog about them. And fewer still have so much success that their blog wins sponsorship from Canadian Pacific Rail and he gets to hang out with the company once per month. But this is what happened to Nathan. Why? Because he has passion. He… just……
Bonus clients with extra love attached
Got to love referrals. It’s like getting bonus clients with extra love attached. We had one yesterday from a client who has been with us for two years. She did all the selling for us. Thank you, Tammy! So remember… Your newsletter will help you get referrals because it’s like a super-powered business card. Imagine……
It’s never too late to unboil that egg
I heard yesterday that it’s now possible to unboil an egg. If only I had known that in time for Sunday’s breakfast. I’d gotten over-eggcited (heh) and cooked too many. Apparently, the discovery has a serious side – helping cancer treatment and food production. Which is great. Anyway… why am I telling you all this?…
My grandfather and Oscar Wilde
I don’t think my grandfather was a fan of Oscar Wilde, but he did quote the writer from time to time. You, boy, know the price of everything and the value of nothing! (He always called me boy.) I didn’t really understand what my grandfather (or Oscar, come to that) meant at the time. But…
It’s not always a plumbing emergency
If you’ve got a three-inch tube of water gushing from a pipe, it’s likely you need a plumber right away. And if there’s been a sudden explosion coming from the electricity panel – well, you’re on the phone to an electrician. But in the case of real estate agents… you’re usually not wanted quite so…
Showing up is more than half the battle
Sometimes, all you’ve got to do is show up. While being good, kind and brilliant helps, showing up is more than half the battle. Because – almost no one else bothers! So you win. By default. Think about this: How many of your competitors really take the time to keep in touch with their clients…
The story of you
Fifteen years ago this week, I left good-old England and went to work in Amsterdam for an internet start-up. Dot coms were booming… little did I know they would bust just three months later. But anyway… I kept the job, as the chief editor running five websites – updated with news daily – across Europe.…
Big numbers, strong bonds
Did you celebrate your last birthday in a football stadium? You and 60,000 of your closest friends? I thought not. I was reminded that “bigger isn’t always better” by a long-time client of Ready to Go Newsletters who replied to the email I sent out yesterday about the guy with 35,000 on his email list.…
Advice from a guy with 35,000 contacts
“Building an email list is the single best way to communicate with your audience, period. Better than Facebook, better than Twitter, better than ads. Because you own it. Because it is a relationship of mutual trust and opt-ins. That is why you need to build one.” That quote is from a guy called Ryan Holiday,…
It’s that time again
Yes, it’s that time again – when our latest newsletters are available. Now is a great time to get on board because not only is February’s issue hot of the press, but January is still there for you to use. You get both in your free trial month. Way to start 2015! Here’s what’s inside…
The not-so-secret to success
I was talking with a potential new client yesterday – a very successful broker who built his business from the ground up. Now he’s doing many millions in sales and multiple six figures in commissions. But when he started… It was different. And we agreed on one thing: To be successful, you have to work…
Those who love what you stand for
Not everyone is going to love you. And that’s OK. Before I get too Oprah on you, let me explain… Many people are afraid of sending a newsletter. What if it’s too often? What if it’s not often enough? What if I annoy them? What if I bore them? What… what… what… They are so…
Real, whole, genuine… you
Did you know that, across America, farms are springing up in the middle of towns and sub-divisions? Where once there would be a golf course or more houses, now there is a community farm with crops, fruit trees and organic chickens. It turns out that these businesses make money (and cost less to operate than…
Your biggest asset
I was talking to someone a while ago who said this: “Pulling the plug on my personal marketing was the dumbest thing I ever did in my career.” Whoah! Actually, recognizing where things went wrong and trying to fix them is actually quite smart. But he’s right to say that stopping his personal marketing was…
The power of local
If you’re ever in Banff, in the Canadian Rockies, and you need a taxi, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself in the back seat of Mike’s cab. It’s not that he’s the only taxi in town. But he is the most helpful. And the most creative. Here’s what he does (a tip of the…