At the end of 2009- I began putting together a list of my business goals for 2010 and one of them was to implement new ideas to bring in more business. I knew that I would have to find ways to “stand out” in a board of Realtors topping 800 members… so it wasn’t going to be an easy task. I started making notes- about things that I needed to do- and among those things were to implement a social networking campaign including Twitter and Facebook…the problem was I had NO idea how! I also knew I had this huge untapped resource in Top Producer that was partially built by me and then added to when I purchased another Realtor’s contacts when she left the area. Then there was the listing- or “lack thereof” situation that I KNEW I had to tackle. The problem here… I hated listings! I know that to survive in real estate- you really need “inventory” – but I just don’t like the “backroom” work. In my market there are just a handful of top listing agents and they are “TOP” – they do some pretty cool things with their marketing and thinking about competing with that made me curl up in the fetal position.
So, one day I was surfing Facebook- probably avoiding a listing that needed attention…and a little blue chick caught my eye… I couldn’t help but to click on it. And the rest is history…plus a lot of business that I would have never had –if I had not “clicked that chick”!! I began corresponding with April- the amazing woman behind the Blue Chick… and after a lot of questions we decided to try out a Virtual Assistant relationship for one month. I believe within 10 days- she had helped me nail a deal that I would have NEVER been able to without her… I was SOLD! April came in and knew how to work in my MLS, Top Producer, and other real estate related programs that I had been avoiding- she got everything set up – cleaned up- and GOING!! She was proficient in the social networking outlets like Twitter and Facebook- and now everywhere someone looks- PaulaSOLDit is there!! One of the things I love the most about working with April are the ideas that she can provide with her knowledge of the business and from working with other Realtors from across the country! I have been able to implement some really unique ideas that no one else is using in my market- thus achieving my goal to “stand out” among a sea of Realtors.
April can do all the “backroom” work like design flyers, post listings, update sellers, etc…that I always disliked…so I am free to meet the sellers in person- and sell PaulaSOLDit- and move on to the next deal – knowing that everyone is being taken care of with a level of service that rivals my top competitors in the area…little ole’ me… working with the BIG GIRLS!! haha!!
For buyers- she keeps them all up to date- they are constantly supplied with listings and information from “me” – and this allows me to “work” with 75+ buyers at once- without lifting a finger…ok well ONE finger- the “send” button when I forward their contact info.
This is literally the BEST decision I have made since I decided to open my own company 5 years ago…I should have done this way before now! It’s weird to call April a “virtual assistant” because she isn’t “virtual” at all- she is a real person- a Mom just like me- trying and succeeding in owning and running a business…I normally refer to her as my “remote” assistant… but it feels like she is right there with me every day. Thanks April- we have made the PERFECT team!!
[...] A testimonial from my client Paula on deciding to work with me [...]