How do you promote your website?

Received one of the most interesting phone calls the other day. By interesting, I mean it was fun, quirky and enjoyable which was all unexpected considering it was a cold sales call.

Paul is a hoot. Funny, outgoing and always looking for a sale or a strategic partner. Easy to talk to, I heard him out. Interesting concept he has. He has bought up a whole bunch of “Call (Your Name) dot coms and rents them out to folks with that name.

You can check out mine at www.CallApril.com. However, it just redirects to my own homepage. This works great if you decide to use the feature. If not, you guessed it, Paul can handle having a site built for you.

The pros as I see them are the ease of remembering and passing on the url and the call to action built into the web name itself.

The potential cons are the cost (yeah – it’s cheap, but small businesses can nickel and dime themselves to death) and not owning the domain outright (although I am imagining he would sell it to you if you asked).

There are probably more pros and cons, which is one of the reasons I am posting about it here (along with the fact that I promised Paul I would).

Questions off the top of my head are

• Is this a way to promote your website?
• Does having the redirect do you any good?
• Does the business model work for you?
• Under which conditions would you use this domain?
• Is it something you would consider doing or not?

I am sure you guys can think of many more considerations and this is one of those things I would really love to kick around.

Working the Brand Loyalty and Solving the Case of the Missing Sock

Nope – Athol is AWOL. I am talking about those socks the dryer eats. I have a basket full of socks that I think are going to miraculously reappear one day – and when they do, their match will be waiting for them. I may get rid of that basket.

The monthly tip at Dressing Well concerns winter hosiery. All the pointers were useful – but one stood out – exercise brand loyalty when buying socks. Then, when the dryer eats one or eight, you still have matches and when you have to buy more, buying the same kind keeps the singles you have useful. Why haven’t I thought of that before?

Th simpleness of it all made me reconsider other areas where brand loyalty is important.

• I always use the same clothes detergent because I know it works and I know no one in the house has a reaction from it.
• I always use the same dishwasher powder and kitchen cleaner because I know it is dependable.
• I never vary on my hairdresser or nail guy because I am careful about grooming.

Seems to me that many of us are in the business of branding – whether it be ourselves or our company. The dryer provides a valid argument for sock brand loyalty.

How do we harness that same strategy?

*Photo credit to Inga Galkinaite

Business Choice – Corporate or Personal?

If you missed the big announcement, I left my previous real estate brokerage to join one that has newly opened. A brilliant agent and friend opened the first Sellstate franchise in the state of Georgia right here in Richmond Hill and I was all too happy to join her.

It has been quite the challenge. I was fortunate that my previous broker allowed me to keep my listings (the listings acquired by an agent technically belong to the broker and he had every right to keep him – he’s a nice guy). However, moving the listings over has taken some leg work. Then there were the different social networks that I belong to that required updating. I am sure I didn’t get them all yet. The last feat was the tweak of my main website to reflect my new brokerage.

I wouldn’t trade a minute of it. I am excited about the fresh start that just so happens to coincide with the start of the new year. However, I would be lying if I didn’t say I had one solid concern. Sellstate as a brand is unknown in my local market.

I considered that thought for a while. I then decided that, while Sellstate was a virtual unknown, I was not. It is my belief that people largely do business with people – not necessarily businesses. That’s what my gut said and I went with it.

Question 1 – What does your gut say about it?

Today I read an interesting post from Joanna Young at Confident Writing. She issued a bloggy challenge for authors to consider with new eyes their “About” page. Her idea is that her About Page should reflect her blog – not the author. She had some very successful bloggers that agreed with her (Skellie, Darren Rowse and Brian Clark).

Because I think know Joanna is brilliant, I gave her idea much thought. You see, my about page is all about me – my heritage, my family, my friends. I revisited the page and considered different ways I could change it to fit Joanna’s challenge.

Then my belief of person not business resonated in my head. My About Page is my vehicle to let readers know, in one post, who April Groves is as an individual. In my opinion, this is the way mine should be. I can’t imagine why people would want to trust, confide, relate or do business with me if they have no idea who “me” is.

Question 2 – How do you handle your “About Page” and why?

While I am comfortable…mostly…in my ideas on both subjects – I am always open to new ideas and great conversation.

Small Business Ownership vs. Self Employment

A friend of mine had a dream of opening her own real estate brokerage firm. She has been an agent for quite a while with a company that she really enjoyed. But, it didn’t belong to her.

The thing that struck me about that conversation is that, we as Realtors(r) are already independent contractors. We already work for ourselves, handle our own expenses, benefits, and business structure. In essence, we work for ourselves. Each agent is essentially their own small business. So, this drive to own a brokerage is a bit different than the typical, “I want to work for myself.”

There is a difference between the thoughts – “I want to work for myself” and “I want to be a small business owner.” This is an idea I had never given much thought to until looking at it from the inside.

Yep – from the inside. Karen’s dream to sell homes in Richmond Hill under the banner of her own company is exciting to me. She has picked a great franchise with wonderful opportunities. When the chance to team up with her materialized, I knew it was the right thing to do…but I digress.

What motivates a self employed person to become a small business owner? Some folks can’t help but become a SBO – the field of their choice requires it. Is it about leaving a legacy? Is it personal or professional?

I’d love to hear your thoughts.

There’s a difference between Clients and Cohorts – Gasp!

Ok, so that’s a bit sarcastic, I know. But seriously, who among us has not discussed our business with friends and colleagues in a way vastly different than anyway we ever present it to our clients and the public at large. It is the thing that made Dilbert an office icon for crying out loud.

A Little Background

Fists are flying all over over the real estate bloggy world about this video by Daniel Rothamel, which led to this post by Lani Anglin and this post by Jeff Brown and this post by Joel Burslem, which generated this comment by Greg Swann

Not to rain on everyone’s parade, but Daniel Rothamel’s video is the polar opposite of good marketing. Given that it appeals to you, to Lani Anglin and to Jeff Brown on BHB, that should tell you precisely whom it will not appeal to. The video is pandering and condescending, insulting to consumers. I have huge respect for Daniel and his skills, but this is a good example of how the incestuousness of the RE.net leads people astray. There’s nothing wrong with being cordial, but if we’re so interested in courting each other that we can’t see when we’re sneering at our clients, we’re playing entirely the wrong game.

Which in turn generated a myriad of arguments discussions including (but not limited to) posts by Lani Anglin, Benn Rosales, Greg Swann and The Tim. The best by far is this one which features another video created by Daniel’s wife, Kari. If you are going to clicky clicky, don’t skip the comments and be wary of some of the language if you don’t like that kind of thing. It’s not awful – it’s just there.

If you don’t have that kind of time…here’s the skinny as I see it.

The Skinny

There is a well know real estate issue that some agents have with some clients when determining how to price a particular home. It’s called “overpricing” and it makes for a difficult situation. To most individuals (unless it is your home in question) this is a no brainer. Homes that are overpriced are harder to sell.

Daniel created a video that is for sure funny in certain circles. However, there is another school of thought that says the video is condescending and not client friendly. I’ll agree that point also has merit.

The Truth as I see It

The video is fun to some, awful to others, and a non issue to the rest. It is what it is. Love it, hate it, enjoy it, call it a waste of time and move on.

There is a difference between clients and colleagues. You could play this in an office meeting but never at a client appointment. Why? Because clients deserve personal attention to their particular circumstance. Whether it is a house, a car, a puppy, or a lollipop – clients come to me for a professional opinion on their current need – not a comedy routine. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have clients that would find this hilarious – if we were discussing someone else.

Marketing is marketer specific. This video debuted on Daniel’s blog that he created for his audience. Maybe Daniel doesn’t particularly like working with clients that wouldn’t find this funny. Maybe Daniel has more business than he can handle. Maybe he thinks his honesty will generate more business. Maybe Daniel feels his thoughts on the matter are important enough to rate a simple, to the point assessment of the situation. Who knows? It’s his spot on the web, his clients, his business. He can make any video he wants – especially if his wife keeps joining in – I am telling you that video was funny!

The Leadership Challenge

The Leadership Challenge (4th ed.) by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner is destined for a rave review over at The Reading Chair  - just as soon as I finish it.  But, the information contained in it is just to relevant to wait.

I’ll tell you when I decided to write about this book in chunk topics verses the end of the road overview.  Page xiii.  No kidding.  The ease of communication already had me hooked.  Then, there was the one thing that gets me excited – a call to real action with no promise of easy.

This has become quite the point in many of my discussions lately.  I am a very positive person.  I am a forward thinker.  I love my ipoppins.  My bubble wish wand is an arm’s length away (it makes me smile).  I believe that there are few things you can do to better start your day than affirm that it will be a great day.  The Law of Attraction is not foreign to me.  I believe in intention.

I also believe in action and preparedness.  I know things get hard and sometimes raw tenacity is all you’ve got.  I know that some journeys are so hard, when it is over, you don’t know how you made it through.  Sometimes, it just takes a bulldog effort.

So, when the writers of The Leadership Challenge said

The Leadership Challenge is written both to strengthen your abilities and to uplift your spirits. We intend to be practical and inspirational…If you engage in the practices of this book, you will improve your performance and the performance of your team. There is a catch, of course. You have to do it with commitment and consistency. Excellence in anything…requires disciplined practice. (emphasis mine)

Can’t find one thing there that I disagree with. Heck, I can’t find anything there I don’t champion.

I know through interaction, that most of the positive thinkers out there also get off the couch.  That’s what makes them great.  They talk about balance – then they strive to have it!  They talk about creating a positive change, then they do it.  They intend to be a benefit to themselves and others, then they are.

But what is it, your opinion that takes the most discipline?  When does it get especially hard?  When do you realize what the word tenacity means?

I’d be interested to know.

The Blogosphere opens arms again

The welcoming nature of the blog community never ceases to amaze me.  We are all on a path to our own ‘imi ola and are more than happy to help each other along the way.

Josh Hinds does this on a regular basis.  Over at Business Networking Advice, he seeks out those he thinks can effectively answer the following questions

• How do you define Business Networking and why do you feel it is important?
• Can you share one or two ideas that someone could put into practice that would help them to improve their business networking skills?
• Do you see any common mistakes people tend to make when it comes to attempting to make business connections? If so what are they and what corrections could they make in your opinion which would help them to be more effective in their approach towards networking?

This is good for Josh in his mission to help develop his business and create “win-win” relationships.  It is good for those he interviews because of the added exposure it provides.

It was really good for me because it made me “noodle” (ala Chris Cree) exactly what my mission and strategy was for networking.  I had a rough framework, but probing Josh’s questions really allowed me to focus and assess.  If he never used it on his site, it was still a wonderful exercise for me.

But, as luck would have it, Josh posted it. You can read the full interview here. Don’t put too much stock in Phil’s comments – I paid him to say that.

What about the Handshake?

Last week I discussed why I blogged and why I felt it was an effective thing for a real estate agent to do.  As she always does, Lani made me think a little more.  Her comment was great.

…but when you provide a real time forum for clients to anonymously learn about you, you become trustworthy, approachable and they will already know you and have given you a virtual handshake before you even know their name.

That got me thinking…what about the Handshake?

Long story short…my dad has three daughters and zero sons.  So, I have built chicken coops, dug drainage fields, changed fuel pumps and brake lines, thrown a football…and learned the art of the handshake.

Firm but not hard, direct but not confrontational, eye to eye but not challenging.  Does that make sense?

When I met my husband, it was in a work environment.  He would later tell me that my handshake was memorable.

These are real life handshakes.  You know whose hand you are shaking and what situation you are both currently in.  There is tone of voice, body language, and facial expressions.  Lots of information gets passed during this process.

But what are the characteristics of a virtual handshake? I will tell you some things I have noticed.

• Great Bloggers give great virtual handshakes.  They are warm and inviting without being weird and overbearing.
• Virtual handshakes take longer than real ones.  The response time is different and the non verbal communication is unavailable.  Therefore it takes more time to glean the same information.
• The anatomy of a virtual handshake is basically the same as a real one – the offer, the acceptance, the release, and the continued conversation.
• Commenting a few times on another blog and not getting any acknowledgement that you joined the conversation feels the same as when you go to accept a handshake and they do the pull back, “ha ha got you” trick.

But, the anonymity of it all makes the virtual handshake so much different.  The vehicle of the keyboard that allows us to reach so many becomes the obstacle of knowing exactly who you are traveling to.  This is where I draw a blank and look for you to fill it.

• How do you see the virtual handshake – or even the real one for that matter?
• Do you get  impressions from the virtual handshake  – how are they different or the same than the real one?
• How do you overcome the obstacle of the anonymous?  Do you even think about it?
• What goes through your mind when you think “virtual handshake”?

Busy Week requires Right Mind

Last night I went through my schedule to prepare for the upcoming week.  It is a big one.  Big projects, big meetings, big events.  I must admit – it is near overwhelming (think fire hydrant drinking).

Don’t get me wrong, I am NOT complaining.  Things are busy because life is good.  I am so very thankful for that.  But, I must get my mind right before I wake my kids up.  This is a daily activity for me, but rarely as necessary as it is today.

Big times call for big coaching.  Rosa is going to fill that role for me today – and she’s probably asleep with the time difference and all.  Another power of the blog. 

Rosa has an article that I have bookmarked for times such as this.  The article is intended to help those discover their Ho’ohana (“working with passion, with full intention and with definitive purpose”).  Through her gentle guidance and Chris Cree’s “hey how about this?” questions, I have got the frame work pretty nailed down.

But the steps to finding your ho’ohana are also a great way to maintain your focus and move through the journey without tripping yourself up.

First of all, you need to stop allowing the magnitude of your own life to intimidate you.

Intimidate – to make timid or fearful; frighten; to compel or deter by or as if by threats

None of those things sound like an effective way to get through this week.  However, I would be lying and preparing myself for failure if I didn’t freely admit that there was plenty of “magnitude” to be intimidated about.

Denial is not a river in Egypt but both will wash you away.  So, I confront the possibility of my life intimating me head on.

• My calendar is detailed and organized – no flying by the seat of my pants this week.
• My task list is organized
• My priorities are set
• My preparation is solid 

My life belongs to me.  What I do with it is my responsibility.  My choices, my consequences.  I look to my Apocalypto quote.  “I am Jaguar Paw.  This is my jungle and I am not afraid.”

Ho‘ohana is very much about focus

And focus is about coffee.  Seriously (okay, so I was serious), having focus begins with determining what you are focusing on.  I am dedicated to going big.  I understand what those thoughts and dreams are.  But that is not my primary focus this week.  This is not a “planning” week – this a doing week.  This week is full of action steps.  My focus is putting action to idea.  This is a time to put quality checks in my “to do” boxes.  Quality checks.  That’s the focus.  Putting the flesh on the statements I make about what I can do and the fulfillment of guarantees. 

The “work” of Ho‘ohana is not just job

This reminds me that if I wanted “just a job” I could have picked goals that were much easier to obtain. I don’t. I want ‘Imi ola (“to seek life….our purpose in life is to seek its highest possible form”).  This is imperative to remember when I get tired – and I do get tired.  Or stressed, or overwhelmed, or discouraged…all those things that zap your drive if not anticipated with a battle-plan to overcome them.  Yes, a battle-plan – it is just that important.

You are better than you give yourself credit for. You achieve more than you take notice of.

Sound self important? I used to think so and shied away from this type of thinking.  It’s not. It is the power of a positive mind.  It’s also common sense when you think about it.

If I wasn’t good at what I do, I would be doing a disservice by offering myself to my clients.  If I don’t take note of my achievements, how do I measure progress and continue the journey of ’Imi ola?  Knowing that I can accomplish what I have set out to do is the crux of effective action.  Recognizing what I have done today is the building block for what I will do tomorrow.

Inspiration is great.  How about offering some of your own. 

• How do you deal with intimidation of “magnitude?”
• Do you have a plan for getting your mind right?
• Do you have a battle-plan?
• What’s the one step of your day you can’t do without?

Business Training from a 10 Year Old

There has been more than once this summer when my children have accompanied me to the office.  They don’t mind so much as we have an upstairs conference room complete with a white board, dry erase markers, TV, and VCR. It’s practically a playground.

I went upstairs to have them clean up – it was time to go home. What I saw when I got up there gave me a chuckle. Sometimes I miss the most obvious things.

It took this post by Phil over at Make it Great to turn the light on. My ten year old had mastered the basics, and I missed it.

My 10 year old, with the help of her 6 year old sister, had drawn a beautiful series of castles. Colorful and bright, they even had the royalty that lived there. Evidently, these castles were my new listings – and Madison was going to teach me how to sell them.

Three Tips to Real Estate

1. Use good manners
2. Niceness
3. Have fun at it

I guess that about sums it up – and not just in the real estate market.  I mean, obviously there are other things…but without these three, I find it hard to believe the others will hold much water.

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