What's in your Toolbox?

Are you taking advantage of all the tools and programs that RE/MAX Ability Plus has to offer you? One of the greatest concepts that we pride ourselves in is the vast amount of tools and programs that are available to our agents.

Everyone is unique and has their own style of business, and we recognize that with the variety of tools that we offer. While the amount may seem overwhelming at times, we encourage agents to pick and choose the tools and programs that best fit their needs. Customize your toolbox with programs, technology, and tools that work best for your schedule and ways of doing business. While training classes on these programs are always available in our offices, one-on-one meetings with our Agent Services and Marketing Department can be scheduled as well.

A busy season lies ahead of us, but now is a great time to think about what REAB programs and tools will make you stand above the rest. Email Kelly at agentservices@abilityplus.com to set up a meeting to learn more and discuss the best options for filling your toolbox.

Be Like a Duck

Actor Michael Caine is quoted as saying, “Be like a duck.  Calm on the surface, but always paddling like the dickens underneath.”  At our most recent staff meeting, we discussed the analogy of the duck, who appears calm and serene on the surface, but is frantically paddling under the surface of the water.  The goal for our agent support team is to be like that duck, and always appear calm and available to assist our agents, regardless of how busy they are “beneath the surface”. 

To me, it calls to mind often seeing “I’m never too busy for your referrals” in agent email signatures.  While it’s fine to put that phrase on marketing materials, it may not be enough.  Putting something in writing does not make it so.  Just as it is our company policy and our team’s goal to always be available to assist agents, our team members must keep in mind what they are projecting to their customers (our agents).   Take a moment to think about the message you are sending your customers.  Are you returning calls and emails to your customer in a timely manner?  When you are face to face with them, are you present with them in the moment?  Or are you taking other calls, looking through emails on your smart phone, etc?  Trust me, your clients know you are successful, and they know that you have other clients.  It’s when you make them feel as though they are more important than anything else you have going on that you will earn their appreciation, respect, and oh yes, their referrals.  Whether you are a broker, owner, manager, staff member, or agent, as the market heats up this summer, remember to stay calm and keep paddling!

-Jennie Franklin

The US is going mobile...

...and so should you if you haven't already.

According to a recent article by CNN Money,

Americans used smartphone and tablet apps more than PCs to access the Internet last month -- the first time that has ever happened. - NEW YORK (CNN Money)

Yep, that's right, January 2014 marked the first time ever that mobile devices accessed 55% of the total US Internet usage.  Desktops, as expected, are beginning to see themselves pushed aside and used less and less to access the Internet.  This doesn't mean they aren't still an important staple of our everyday lives.  It just means that people have adopted other means of accessing information.

Whether you realize it or not, almost every time you launch an app on your mobile device, be it smart phone, tablet, or even thermostats, you are accessing a small piece of the Internet.

So how does this pertain to you?  It's simple.  You may have a presence on the web in some fashion but are you mobile friendly?  Is your website optimized for mobile usage?  Are you signed up with services that allow users to connect via their mobile devices?  Zillow, Trulia, and so many other services are utilized out and about and offer great mobility for their end user.  As a Realtor ® it is very important for people buying or selling a home to be able to see your product and reach out to you as their agent.

But what about you as the end user?  Aren't you a customer of the Internet also?  Of course you are!  You check your email constantly.  You post to social media and hopefully engage with your customers via the same means.  What about your listings?  Are they up-to-date?  Maybe your clients are running late for an open house and you've got some time to kill.  Wouldn't it be nice if you could do all of this from the comfort of wherever you are, and without that clunky desktop or laptop?  You can!  What's the old Apple saying?  "Theres an app for that."  Lucky for you and real estate, there's just about an app for everything.  If you're ever curious, head on over to the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android) to find out.  You might just surprise yourself at how much easier it is to work away from the office without having to bring the office with you.

Does Google Places for Business know you even exist?

According to Google,

97% of consumers search for local businesses online. Be there when they’re looking for you with a business listing - the easiest way to show up on Google Search and Maps.

Google Places for Business is a FREE resource for every business to use as a means of getting the word out about your existence.  Chances are, you already have a Google listing but is it correct?  Can it be improved?  It would be in your best interest to go Claim it as your own and verify that you are the owner.  It's a very simple process and it's up to you what you do with it after that.  Verify basic info like hours, payment type, parking, customer base, services, key words for SEO (Search Engine Optimization Ranking).  Add pictures, videos, company website link, oversee reviews, etc.  It's FREE and it's completely tied to Google.

http://www.google.com/business/placesforbusiness/index.html

And yes, of course there is an App for that.  Android (Google Play).  Apple iOS (App Store) version is currently under re-development.