Delegation Action Item #1 – Daily Activities Printable

June 14, 2011 By 1 Comment

At the end of the work day, most Real Estate professionals are exhausted.  Having driven all over town, meeting clients here and there, making what seems like a gazillion phone calls, trying to please everybody, etc. it’s no wonder you may feel like you’re spinning your wheels!

I speak with people who feel this way all the time.  By the time an agent calls me for help, they are already buried in paperwork, totally overwhelmed and it seems as though there is no end in sight.

They are so overwhelmed and overburdened at this point that they don’t know where to begin, and that NO ONE could possibly help them out of this mess that they’ve created.  Add to that every internet “Guru” out there telling you how much you *should* be making while living on a tropical island and never having to see clients.

{Sigh}.  It’s no wonder you called!

So, BEFORE it gets to this point for you too, I’ve put together a very simple printable for you to begin jotting down all of your daily activities on.  I always tell new clients to do this, but sometimes even the seemingly simple act of finding a place to write it all down is overwhelming.  Well I’ve just eliminated that excuse for you!

Simply download my Daily Activities fill-in sheet and keep it with you for 3 days.  Why 3 days?  Because everyday is different in Real Estate, and 4 is just too damn many.

Next, put a check in the $ column if it’s a money-generating activity and a check in the √ if you want to delegate it.  Hint:  You can have a check in both columns or neither column if you like.

Also, since I’m not requiring you to give up your email address for this, can you just leave a quick “Thanks” in the comments for me?  Thanks!

Daily Activities

Filed Under: Coffee with a VA, Ditch Your Desk, Real Estate Info, Templates Tagged With: , , , , ,

New Delegation Series

June 8, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I’ll be posting daily on my Facebook page every day on delegating and delegation techniques.  Tune in!  www.Facebook.com/REVAChick.  Come on by  and join in the conversation!

Filed Under: Coffee with a VA, Ditch Your Desk, Escape the Paper Tagged With: ,

How Well Do You Maintain Balance?

May 26, 2011 By Leave a Comment

work-life-balanceBefore I became the Virtual Assistant Chick, the name of this company was Balancing Act Business Solutions.  While the name didn’t grab your attention in quite the same way, the “balancing act” of work/life/family is where my core values still are.

If trying to maintain balance in your life makes you feel like a tightrope walker, you’re not alone. Most of us have so many demands on our time and energy, life can feel like a three-ring circus. Take this quiz to see how well you are meeting responsibilities, while also recognizing and fulfilling personal needs and wants.

True  False

1. The only way I can successfully manage my life is to take care of myself physically and emotionally.

2. Nurturing myself enlarges my capacity to help others.

3. I eat healthfully and exercise regularly.

4. I get check-ups, go to the dentist, and take preventative precautions.

5. I set aside personal, quiet time for myself, whether I’m meditating or simply letting my thoughts drift.

6. I experience the gifts of each season: ice skating, sledding, bundled-up beach walks; gardening, hiking, more time outside; camping, swimming, barbeques; harvesting the bounty, gathering wood, spending more time inside.

7. Creativity nurtures me, too. I do what I love, whether that’s cooking, drawing, painting, writing, dancing, singing or another creative pursuit.

8. Reaching out to others enriches my life. I spend quality time with family and friends.

9. Contributing to the world provides connection and purpose, so I give my time, energy and experience where it is most useful.

10. I notice and heed the emotional signals that tell me I’m out of balance: irritability, overwhelm, resentment.

11. If I feel that I’m catching a cold, I realize I may have stressed my immune system with overactivity, so I stop and take care of myself.

12. When I need or want to, I say no to requests for my time.

13. I listen to and honor the requests my body makes for such things as a nap, a walk, green vegetables, hot soup.

14. If I have something planned for myself, I don’t just toss that aside when someone makes a request of me.

15. I’m busy, but I find time to do the things I want to do.

16. I’m happy. I regularly experience well-being, contentment, even joy.

If you answered false more often than true, you may want to take a look at the questions to which you answered false and see if you can incorporate something of its message into your life.   Please don’t hesitate to call if you feel that working with a Virtual Assistant can help you to achieve greater work/life balance.

 

Filed Under: Coffee with a VA, Ditch Your Desk, Escape the Paper Tagged With: , , , ,

Average Rates for Various Freelance Services {Reblog}

May 24, 2011 By Leave a Comment

We’ve been contacted more and more for website copy and other various writing projects.  While it doesn’t completely align with our core values or what we do, we contract from time to time with some very (VERY!) good freelance writers.  Their rates vary based on the project and their level of expertise, but this blog post that I’m reposting that was originally written by Lynn Wasnak and posted on the New Jersey Creatives Network here.  Our rates will generally fall in the average price range unless a particular freelancer charges more based on their experience.

ADVERTISING, COPYWRITING & PR

Copywriting $300/half day, $500/full day on-site in agency.

Advertising copywriting $120 high/hour, $33 low/hour, $66 average/hour; $750 high/project, $250 low/project, $525 average/project; $1.50/word.

Book jacket copywriting $100 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $65 average/hour; $500 high/project, $75 low/project, $300 average/project.

Campaign development or product launch $150 high/hour, $60 low/hour, $82 average/hour; $7,500 high/project, $1,500 low/project, $3,740 average/project.

Catalog copywriting $85 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $60 average/hour.

Copyediting for advertising $120 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $60 average/hour; $120/project for 1,000 words.

Direct-mail copywriting $150 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $78 average/hour; $15,000 high/project, $500 low/project, $5,000 average/product.

E-mail ad copywriting $100 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $70 average/hour; $2,500/project.

Event promotions/publicity $100 high/hour, $45 low/hour, $67 average/hour.

Fund-raising campaign brochure $75 high/hour, $23 low/hour, $58 average/hour; $2,000 high/project, $1,000 low/project, $1,500 average/project.

Political campaigns, public relations $75 high/hour, $23 low/hour, $49 average/hour.

Press kits $125 high/hour, $53 low/hour, $85 average/hour; $5,000 high/project, $1,000 low/project, $2,334 average/project.

Press/news release $100 high/hour, $23 low/hour, $62 average/hour; $1,000 high/project, $75 low/project, $305 average/project.

Public relations for businesses $115 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $76 average/hour.

Public relations for government $60 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $49 average/hour.

Public relations for organizations or nonprofits $95 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $56 average/hour.

Public relations for schools or libraries $75 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $65 average/hour.

Speechwriting/editing (general) $100 high/hour, $65 low/hour, $83 average/hour; $6,000 high/30-minute speech, $2,700 low/30-minute speech, $4,064 average/30-minute speech.

Speechwriting for government officials $90 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $52 average/hour.

Speechwriting for political candidates $60/hour.

AUDIOVISUALS & ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS

Copyediting audiovisual $85 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $58 average/hour.

Business film scripts (training and information) $125 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $82 average/hour; $500 high/run minute, $200 low/run minute, $325 average/run minute; $550 day rate (with discount up to 20% for multiple-day project); $3,500 high/project, $1,500 low/project, $2,500 average/project.

Educational/training film scripts $100 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $77 average/hour; $6,000 high/project, $1,500 low/project, $3,500 average/project; $500 high/run minute, $200 low/run minute, $325 average/run minute; $500 high day rate, $300 low day rate, $400 average day rate.

Corporate product film $100 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $70 average/hour; $500 high/run minute, $200 low/run minute, $325 average/run minute.

Movie novelization $10,000 high, $5,000 low, $7,000 average.

Options (feature films) First 180 days, 5% WGA minimum; 10% minimum each 180-day period thereafter.

Radio editorials $70 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $60 average/hour.

Radio interviews $1,500 high, $35 low, $100 average (rates depend on who you are and how badly the radio station wants you); $100 high/run minute (produced pieces over 2 minutes), $65 low/run minute (produced pieces over 2 minutes), $75 average/run minute (produced pieces over 2 minutes).

Radio commercials/PSAs $85 high/hour, $70 low/hour, $72 average/hour.

Script synopsis for business $70/hour; $20/news show.

Screenwriting (original screenplay) $91,495 high, $48,738 low, $70,117 average.

Script synopsis for agent or film producer $2,000 or $500/day.

Scripts for nontheatrical films for education, business, industry $100 high/hour, $55 low/hour, $80 average/hour; $500 high/run minute, $200 low/run minute, $325 average/run minute; $5,000/script (starting point).

TV news story/feature $100 high/hour, $70 low/hour, $90 average/hour.

TV scripts (nontheatrical) $150 high/hour, $70 low/hour, $100 average/hour; $1,000 high/day, $550 low/day, $800 average/day; $250/page; $1,200 (minimum)/project.

TV scripts (teleplay/MOW) $500 high/run minute, $200 low/run minute, $350 average/run minute; $6,567 story only (30 minutes or less); $19,699 (plus teleplay); $11,560 (story only); $28,974 (plus teleplay).

TV commercials/PSAs $85 high/hour, $60 low/hour, $73 average/hour.

BOOK PUBLISHING

Abstracting and abridging $35 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $33 average/hour.

Anthology editing $60 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $39 average/hour.

Book proposal consultation $60 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $48 average/hour; $500/project.

Book proposal writing $60 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $47 average/hour; $5,000 high/project, $500 low/project, $2,300 average/project.

Book query critique $55 high/hour, $45 low/hour, $51 average/hour; $30/page.

Book query writing $500 high/project, $120 low/project, $200 average/project.

Children’s book writing Advance against royalties $10,000 high, $200 low, $4,900 average.

Content editing (scholarly) $80 high/hour, $20 low/hour, $40 average/hour; $3-$5/page; $850-$2,000/project.

Content editing (textbook) $65 high/hour, $20 low/hour, $36 average/hour.

Content editing (trade) $75 high/hour, $20 low/hour, $46 average/hour.

Copyediting $75 high/hour, $17 low/hour, $38 average/hour; $3,000 high/project, $1,000 low/project, $1,875 average/project.

Fiction book writing (own) $7,500 advance against royalties.

Ghostwriting, as told to $55 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $40 average/hour; $55,000 (one report)/project.

Ghostwriting, no credit $80 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $55 average/hour; $20,000 (one report)/project.

Indexing $8 high/page, $2.35 low/page, $3.50 average/page.

Manuscript evaluation and critique $65 high/hour, $45 low/hour, $55 average/hour; $1,500 high/project, $350 low/project, $950 average/project.

Movie novelization $7,000.

Nonfiction book writing (own) Advance against royalties $150,000 high, $5,000 low, $25,500 average; (textbook) $60/hour.

Nonfiction books (collaborative) Advance against royalties $30,000 high, $5,000 low, $15,700 average; $65 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $50 average/hour.

Novel synopsis (general) $60 high/hour, $45 low/hour, $51 average/hour.

Proofreading $45 high/hour, $16 low/hour, $26 average/hour; $3 high/page, $1 low/page, $2 average/page.

Research for writers or book publishers $75 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $49 average/hour; $500/day.

Rewriting $75 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $46 average/hour.

Translation (fiction) 12¢ high/target word, 6¢ low/target word, 9¢ average/target word; $10,000 high/book, $7,000 low/book, $8,500 average/book; (nonfiction) 15¢ high/target word, 8¢ low/target word, 10¢ average/target word; (poetry) $15 high/page, $0 low/page, $7.50 average/page.

Work for hire (flat fee, no royalties) $10,000 high, $1,000 low, $2,484 average.

BUSINESS

Annual reports $150 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $65 average/hour; $15,000 high/project, $3,000 low/project, $8,334 average/project.

Associations and organizations (writing for) $100 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $62 average/hour; $20,000 high/project, $2,500 low/project, $7,500 average/project.

Brochures, fliers, booklets for business $150 high/hour, $28 low/hour, $75 average/hour; $100/page; $5,000 high/project, $500 low/project, $3,125 average/project.

Business editing (general) $100 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $57 average/hour.

Business letters $150 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $70 average/hour; $1,200 (minimum) high/project, $200 low/project, $500 average/project.

Business plan $150 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $80 average/hour.

Business writing seminars $200 high/hour, $65 low/hour, $83 average/hour; $3,500 high/project, $1,000 low/project, $2,250 average/project.

Catalogs for businesses $150 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $73 average/hour; $2,500 high/project, $2,000 low/project, $2,250 average/project.

Consultation on communications $150 high/hour, $28 low/hour, $84 average/hour; $500/half day; $1,200 (minimum)/project.

Copyediting for business $100 high/hour, $27 low/hour, $57 average/hour; $4/page.

Corporate histories $115 high/hour, $28 low/hour, $71 average/hour; $200/printed page.

Corporate periodicals, editing $100 high/hour, $27 low/hour, $56 average/hour.

Corporate periodicals, writing $125 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $72 average/hour; $2/word.

Corporate profile $115 high/hour, $80 low/hour, $98 average/hour; $350/project (200 words); $1.40/word.

Ghostwriting for business (usually trade magazine articles for business columns) $115 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $82 average/hour.

Government research $100 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $65 average/hour.

Government writing $100 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $64 average/hour.

Grant proposal writing for nonprofits $100 high/hour, $15 low/hour, $49 average/hour.

Newsletters, desktop publishing/production $100 high/hour, $23 low/hour, $54 average/hour; $3,800 high/project (4 pages), $1,000 low/project (4 pages), $2,520 average/project (4 pages); $750/page.

Newsletters, editing $100 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $53 average/hour.

Newsletters, writing $150 high/hour, $23 low/hour, $63 average/hour; $1 high/word, 30¢ low/word, 69¢ average/word.

Translation (commercial, for government agencies, technical) Rates for translating vary widely, from 12¢ to 20¢/target word, depending on language combination (source and target) and area of specialization. (Example Spanish is inexpensive, Chinese is expensive.) Also may charge by target line ($1.20 line) or $90-$120/1,000 words.

COMPUTER, SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL

Computer-related manual writing $125 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $75 average/hour.

Copyediting scientific journals $18/hour (one report).

E-mail copywriting $150 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $77 average/hour; $1,200/project (minimum).

Medical and science editing $100 high/hour, $16 low/hour, $54 average/hour.

Medical and science proofreading $75 high/hour, $16 low/hour, $35 average/hour.

Medical and science writing $200 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $86 average/hour; $5,000/project.

Online editing $120 high/hour, $28 low/hour, $58 average/hour.

Technical editing $100 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $51 average/hour.

Technical writing $110 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $66 average/hour.

Web page design $75 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $59 average/hour; $4,000 high/project, $500 low/project, $2,000 average/project.

Web page editing $120 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $65 average/hour.

Web page writing $120 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $75 average/hour; $1 high/word, 50¢ low/word, 69¢ average/word; $300 high/page, $50 low/page, $150 average/page.

White Papers $120 high/hour, $45 low/hour, $80 average/hour.

EDITORIAL/DESIGN PACKAGES

(Editor’s note For more information about photography rates, please see 2004 Photographer’s Market.)

Desktop publishing $150 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $61 average/hour.

Greeting card ideas $60/hour; $125 high/card, $25 low/card, $77 average/card.

Photo brochures $75 high/hour, $65 low/hour, $70 average/hour.

Photo research $75 high/hour, $60 low/hour, $69 average/hour.

Photography $125 high/hour, $60 low/hour, $83 average/hour; $100 high/photo, $10 low/photo, $35 average/photo.

Picture editing $150 high/hour, $40 low/hour, $60 average/hour.

EDUCATIONAL & LITERARY SERVICES

Educational consulting and designing courses for business or adult education $50 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $45 average/hour; $2,500 high/project, $600 low/project, $1,213 average/project.

Educational grant and proposal writing $50 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $43 average/hour; $2,500 high/project, $600 low/project, $1,550 average/project.

Manuscript evaluation for theses/dissertations $95 high/hour, $20 low/hour, $46 average/hour; $1550 high/project, $250 low/project, $700 average/project.

Poetry manuscript critique $200 high/hour, $75 low/hour, $100 average/hour.

Presentations at national conventions by well-known authors $30,000 high/event, $1,000 low/event, $5,000 average/event. (Note Celebrity authors may earn much higher rates. Some presentations are given for travel expenses only or honorarium.)

Presentations at regional writers’ conferences $10,000 high/event, $50 low/event (or expenses only), $1,180 average/event.

Presentations to local groups, librarians, or teachers $50/hour; $250 high/event, $35 low/event, $129 average/event.

Presentations to school classes $900/day; $500/half day; $3,400 high/five-day visiting artist program, $2,500 low/five-day visiting artist program, $2,750 average/five-day visiting artist program. (Note Some presentations to local groups and school classes given free or for a very nominal fee.)

Readings by poets, fiction writers $3,000 high/event, $50 low/event, $200 average/event (highest fees for celebrity writers).

Short story manuscript critique $200 high/hour, $53 low/hour, $75 average/hour; $5/page.

Teaching college course/seminar (includes adult education) $4,500 high/course, $500 low/course, $1,827 average/course.

Writer’s workshop $1,000 high/event, $100 low/event, $606 average/event.

Writing for scholarly journals 14¢/word (one report); $450/article. (Most scholarly writing is authored free as a “career enhancer.”)

MAGAZINES & TRADE JOURNALS

(Editor’s note For specific pay rate information for feature articles, columns/departments, fillers, etc., please see individual market listings.)

Article manuscript critique $35 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $30 average/hour.

Arts reviewing $300 high/project, $25 low/project, $125 average/project; $1.25 high/word, 25¢ low/word, 75¢ average/word.

Book reviews $650 high/project, $20 low/project, $150 average/project; $1 high/word, 5¢ low/word, 44¢ average/word.

Consultation on magazine editorial $200 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $95 average/hour.

Content editing $55 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $46 average/hour; $6,500 high/issue, $2,000 low/issue, $4,250 average/issue.

Copyediting $55 high/hour, $18 low/hour, $40 average/hour.

Fact checking $20 high/hour, $15 low/hour, $18 average/hour.

Ghostwriting articles (general) $100 high/hour, $55 low/hour, $77 average/hour; $3,500 high/project, $2,000 low/project, $2,750 average/project; $1.50 high/word, 75¢ low/word, $1.25 average/word.

City magazine, calendar of events column $150 high/column, $50 low/column, $75 average/column.

Consumer magazine column $575 high/project, $200 low/project, $350 average/project.

Consumer magazine feature articles $4 high/word, 30¢ low/word, $1.19 average/word; $3,000 high/project, $100 low/project, $822 average/project.

Magazine research $100 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $52 average/hour; $150 high/topic, $100 low/topic, $125 average/topic.

Proofreading $40 high/hour, $25 low/hour, $32 average/hour; $7/page.

Reprint fees $700 high/project, $20 low/project, $200 average/project.

Rewriting $50 high/hour, $35 low/hour, $45 average/hour.

Trade journal column $1 high/word, 50¢ low/word, 74¢ average/word; $550 high/column, $75 low/column, $219 average/column; $50/hour.

Trade journal feature article $1 high/word, 15¢ low/word, 61¢ average/word; $90 high/hour, $50 low/hour, $70 average/hour.

NEWSPAPERS

Arts reviewing 60¢ high/word, 10¢ low/word, 36¢ average/word; $200 high/review, $20 low/review, $80 average/review.

Book reviews 60¢ high/word, 25¢ low/word, 40¢ average/word; $250 high/review, $50 low/review, $100 average/review.

Column, local $175 high/column, $10 low/column, $100 average/column.

Copyediting $35 high/hour, $17.50 low/hour, $26 average/hour.

Editing/manuscript evaluation $35/hour.

Feature 50¢ high/word, 8¢ low/word, 22¢ average/word; $1,500 high/project, $50 low/project, $276 average/project.

Obituary copy $75 high/story, $35 low/story, $50 average/story.

Proofreading $22 high/hour, $18 low/hour, $20 average/hour.

Stringing $300 high/story, $150 low/story, $225 average/story.

Syndicated column, self-promoted (rate depends on circulation) $35 high/insertion; $4 low/insertion, $8 average/insertion.

MISCELLANEOUS

Comedy writing for nightclub entertainers $50 high/joke, $5 low/joke, $33 average/joke; $500/group of jokes.

Comic book or strip writing $35 for short back-up script.

Craft projects with instructions $350 high/project, $75 low/project, $212 average/project.

Encyclopedia articles $200 high/article, $50 low/article, $125 average/article; 30¢/word.

Family histories $80 high/hour, $30 low/hour, $65 average/hour; $20,000 high/project, $5,000 low/project, $9,500 average/project (plus expenses).

Gag writing for cartoonists $40/gag.

Institutional (church, school) history $125/printed page.

Manuscript typing $2.50 high/page, 95¢ low/page, $1.27 average/page.

Original prose story for comic book $200.

Playwriting for the stage 10% box office revenue (if any).

Published plays $100/10 minutes; $300/one-act; $400/three-act.

Re(c)sume(c)s $500 high/project, $200 low/project, $300 average/project.

Story set in publisher’s comic universe $500. (Some write for percentage of profit, which may be $0.)

Writing contest judging $250 high, $0 low, $50 average (includes some gift certificates or books. Judging of finalists may be duty included in speaker’s fee.).

Lynn Wasnak has experienced the highs and lows of full-time freelance writing for 25 years. She specializes in medical and business topics, and chases rainbows at every opportunity.

 

Filed Under: Coffee with a VA, Ditch Your Desk, Escape the Paper Tagged With: , , , ,

3 Real Estate CRM’s You May Not Know About

May 19, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Real Estate CRMIf I had a nickel for every real estate agent that asked “What’s the best CRM for an agent?” I’d have enough money to buy…  well, I’d have like $5.  The point is, I don’t know anyone who has found the perfect CRM.  Those who use Top Producer mostly want out, or don’t use it.  If you’re using SalesForce you likely don’t have much time for it, as you’re busy trying to pay for it.  Still others don’t know the difference between a CRM and a Newsletter Manager such as Constant Contact or Mail Chimp.

So, just to confuse you even further, here are 3 Real Estate CRM’s that you may not have tried yet:  (Note, I have not had a chance yet to try out all of these)

  1. Smart Touch Cost:  You must Request a Quote {translation:  $$$$$}
    • Segmentation + relevant messaging
    • Integrates listings and critical data with back office and website
    • Connects online marketing messages with offline sales activity
    • Track every lead received from all sources
    • Automatic lead scoring: tracks online activity
    • Automatic digital correspondence from marketing and sales
    • Notify realtors when a lead is “sales ready”
    • Segmented e-mail campaign with “1-Click Preference Updates”
    • Unique e-mails are based on segmentation and intelligence
    • Integrated Web Forms: Auto Populates Records
    • Cost per Lead Reporting
    • Lead Hotlist: Smart Pipeline Report
    • Inventory Management (Listings)
    • Full record per listing
    • Do it yourself set-up wizard
    • Auto calculated commission structure
    • Listing history & showings reporting
    • Add price reduction ranges
    • Full description and MLS details available in the CRM
  2. All Clients Cost:  $19 – $29 per month {Calendar doesn’t sync with Google, Not very “pretty”}
    1. Very Easy to Learn and Use (Really!)
    2. Monthly Newsletter for Clients
    3. Flexible To-Do Management
    4. Email Drip Campaigns
    5. Autoresponders
    6. Lead Capturing Web Forms
    7. Team System that Grows With You
    8. Contact Management
    9. Deals Management
    10. Birthday Assistant
    11. Client Referral Tree
    12. Easy Audio Generator
    13. Easy Contact Filtering
    14. 10 Second Mail Merge
    15. Calendar
  3. REThink Real Estate CRM Cost:  $39 – $69 per month
    1. MLS Integration
    2. Integrate with Outlook
    3. Integrate with Google Apps
    4. Integrate with Company Website
    5. REthink Mobile works with iPhone, iPad, Blackberry & Android
    6. From their website:

The real estate market as we know it has changed. Agents must reach out to more leads to achieve the same amount of business and close the same amount of deals. Home buyers are requesting much more information and assurance from their agents before they’re ready to buy a home. Home sellers want to make sure they hire an agent that will get them the best price for their home.

REthink Residential Real Estate CRM provides agents and brokerages with the tools necessary to close more deals, especially in a down economy. Capture more leads from your website, convert every lead into a client, and provide up-to-date, real–time home information to your clients. Manage all of your activities and tasks and associate these to any property, listing, or contact. Manage all of your home showings directly from REthink Residential Real Estate CRM and associate them to them to contacts, properties, and listings.

Whatever you choose, use the free trial.  Also discuss your needs with your Real Estate Virtual Assistant.  We’ve used so many different CRM’s, we know the in’s and out’s and the annoyances of different programs.  Plus, if we’ve been working with you for a while, we know how YOU work as well and can help you find the best fit.

Filed Under: Coffee with a VA, Ditch Your Desk, Escape the Paper, Real Estate Info, Transaction Management Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

So What Exactly Does a Real Estate Virtual Assistant DO?

May 11, 2011 By Leave a Comment

I get a lot of email from Real Estate Agents, Coaches, Brokers, aspiring Virtual Assistants and other small business owners.  Some of them want free information (usually just the aspiring VA’s), some just want to know my rates, some want to complain about my rates.  Most are just curious:  ”So what exactly does a Real Estate Virtual Assistant DO?”

I can picture them on the other end of their computer with that glazed over, deer in the headlights look.  It sounds cool, but what the heck can you do for me?

I’d like to show them the 208 tasks that we added to our project management system this month!  But no, it’s a legitimate question that I often begin to answer with some questions of my own:

  • What is it that you do?
  • Who do you prefer to sell real estate to?  Yes, your target market.
  • Do you like working with buyers or sellers? (This question usually knocks them off balance a little.  I think they aren’t used to somebody caring).
  • Where are you stuck right now, this very moment.

That’s where we stop and I can start to get a feel for what their problem is.  This is where my wheels start turning and I’ve already half-way formulated a plan to un-stick them from this position.  I’m also going through my roster of amazing Virtual Assitants who I call my team members.  My chicks.

You see, I like to solve problems.  I want to find out what your biggest problem is and get it solved for you as quickly as possible so that when you’re finally free of that burden you feel as if you can take on anything.  When you’ve dumped some of your “tolerations” you are much more ready to start implementing a new marketing plan, or shifting your focus on more pressing matters, delegating more items to my team, and seeing more clients.

And in case you’re wondering, here is a list of “what we do”:

  • Listing Coordination
    • Add to MLS
    • Create Virtual Tour
    • Create syndicated flyer, QR Code, etc.
    • Create CL ads that drive traffic to website
    • Create new listing flyer, postcard, etc.
    • Reverse Prospecting
    • Post new listing to all social media networks
    • Make all necessary updates to online listings
    • Incorporate client’s existing listing plan
  • Transaction Management
    • “In the Cloud” file management
    • Work directly with clients, escrow, agents
    • Complete all disclosures & docs per broker’s  list
    • Coordinate with escrow, title and lenders
    • Schedule all needed appointments & inspections
    • Obtain signatures via DocuSign, fax or postal mail
  • Social Media for Real Estate Agents
    • Market to new clientso Protect your brand
    • Test new marketing ideas
    • Track all Social Media Metrics
    • Custom backgrounds and landing pages
    • Add new contacts systematically
    • Create professionally branded fan page
    • Post local content daily/weekly
    • Set up auto/semi-auto postingo Reply to DM’s on your behalf
    • Create events, invite contactso Pre-schedule tweets for max exposure
    • Geo-target people to follow
    • Add listing s to fan pageo Incorporate client’s existing social media plan
  • Blogging & Ghost Writing for Real Estate Agents
    • Creation of hyper-local content that you own
    • Creation of real estate content that you own
    • Repurposing previous blog posts
      • Other blogs
      • Social media networks
      • Newsletter or e-zineo
    • All post included pictures, keywords, approx. 300 words and are posted on your site
  • Market Updates, Flyers & Other Print Media
    • Creation of flyer template by former Senior Graphic Designer of the LA Times Real Estate
    • Creation of MLS search templates
    • Add a featured listing at the top of each flyer
    • All market activity is added to the flyer and set up for monthly delivery
    • Professionally printed and delivered to you
  • Database Management
    • Top Producer/Market Snapshot
    • Wise Agent, Ixact Contact, MLS Office, etc.
    • Strategize to find the best possible CRM
    • Creation of new drip campaigns/autoresponders
    • Categorize and assign all contacts
    • Create and maintain clear follow-up plan
    • Sync database w/ client & mobile devices
    • Link social networks to database if possible
    • Use database to build fan/friend/follower base
  • Miscellaneous Services
    • Business Strategizing
    • Full Bookkeeping
    • Calendar management
    • Phone answering
    • WordPress
      • Installation
      • Update
      • Customization
      • Anything!  We have dedicated pros!
    • Lead tracking/management
    • Newsletter creation & management
    • Update listings on websites
    • Photo enhancement
    • Systems & Processes development
    • Vendor management
    • List buildingo SEO/backlinking

 

Filed Under: Client Creations, Coffee with a VA, Ditch Your Desk, Escape the Paper, Real Estate Info, Real Estate S & M, Templates, Transaction Management Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Working Smarter Works for Me

April 7, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Over the years of being in business for myself, and before that with my husband, I’ve had to develop a whole lot of systems and processes in order to get things done.  Some have worked and some have failed miserably, but they’ve all taught me something.

Recently, I took my business which had been running smoothly for the last 3 years, and decided to:

  1. Hire a bunch more VA’s
  2. Take on a few more clients
  3. Change my project management system AND my invoicing system

1 and 2 went great.  I bet a bunch of VA’s who were extremely talented in their chosen fields (social media, databases, accounting, design, etc.) and a lot of awesome Realtors.

#3 just about killed me and made me want to shut my doors.  I had take tons of information from Basecamp and just dumped it all in Google Docs.  Needless to say, I drove everyone on my team nuts.  And while I don’t have a specific way to fix all that just yet, I can share some other ways to work smarter:

  1. Batch your time.  If you’re going to write,  block off a few hours and do nothing but write.  If you’re going to schedule some tweets, utilize HootSuite, or my new favorite, Timely.is  When I do this, I can get a week or two worth of blog posts and twitter updates.  You should also use time batching for running errands – schedule everything at once and just go!
  2. Work that calendar!  I have about 6 or 7 Google Calendars that I use on a daily basis.  I don’t schedule in everything, but I do make sure that I’ve blocked off time for myself each day (lunch break!) and then I also use it to batch time with clients by the type of work that needs to be done.  I’ll schedule in calls one right after the other in order to save time, and everything of course syncs with my Android phone.
  3. Goals & Purpose.  I no longer do any work or take on clients that don’t align me with my goals and my purpose.  It’s been tough to learn how to say no, and to turn down money but it’s been better in the long run for my business, my family and myself.
  4. I teach and live by the 80/20 rule.  {80% of my results come from 20% of my efforts}.  I try my best to focus on that 20%, and delegate the rest.  I encourage my clients to find that 20%, and send the 80% to my team.  I encourage my team to find their 20%, and only take work from me that is in alignment with that.  The result?  More efficiency, and easier people to deal with.
  5. Make lists – and use them!  I love making lists, but I rarely ever look at them again.  I now have 4 lists that I maintain:  My master list of everything: projects, articles, content ideas,etc., my weekly priority list where I plan out my week each Monday (this ends up on my Google calendars), my daily priority list of things that I check off as I go along, and a dreams & goals notebook.

What kinds of systems have you put in place that have allowed you to work smarter?

Filed Under: Coffee with a VA, Ditch Your Desk, Escape the Paper, Real Estate Info, Real Estate S & M Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

You Gotta Be RUTHLESS About Your Time (How to Get It ALL Done)

March 21, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Clients are always so curious about how I manage to get it all done. And it’s no wonder because now that I see it all down on paper, it does seem like a lot. But, before you think I’ve got it all figured out, let me be very transparent with you. I have a crazy number of emails in my inbox, many of which need answering. And every so often, a few things fall through the cracks. Hey, I’m human after all, but I’m better off than I’ve ever been before.

What I realize from coaching people over the years is that I have indeed figured out a few things about getting it all done, or at least, a lot of it done, while still having sanity and a lot of fun in my life. It’s all about BOUNDARIES around time, with others, but mostly with me.

I’m realizing you have to be RUTHLESS with your boundaries around time management, because no one else will.

One of my favorite books on this subject is Dan Kennedy’s “No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs.” I can’t tell you how amazing this book is. It’s actually become required reading for all my private clients looking to get more clients and make more money than they are making now.

Although I’m pretty good at getting things done, the “Time Management Techniques Really Worth Using” has changed everything for me. What Dan came up with should be universal materials for every one of us entrepreneurs and sole practitioners who wonder how to get it all done. I’m certainly even more RUTHLESS with my time than before using the following, direct from Dan’s book:

(A caveat: you may not agree with some of these, and that’s OK. Some of them are a little harsh. But just think about what your time would look like if you applied even 2 or 3 of these…)

  1. Tame the phone: You don’t need to literally jump every time the phone rings. Take few, if any, incoming calls; return calls at your convenience, instead of on-the-spot. (Most every call, even from a prospective client, can wait a half a day to be answered.)
  2. Minimize meetings: I implemented this technique several years ago and it’s worked wonders on my schedule. People (especially prospective clients) often want to meet me in person to talk about something. Problem is, it takes 15 minutes for me to get somewhere (minimum), an hour to “meet” and then 15 minutes to get back from the meeting. That’s an hour and a half! Instead, I now speak to people on the phone for 15 minutes and get just as much done. Amazing, you should try it.
  3. Practice Absolute Punctuality: The bottom line about this is, when you are absolutely punctual, it shows the other person you expect and demand they respect your time with the utmost respect. You can’t expect that others will treat your time with respect when you don’t show respect for theirs. (Most of us can afford to get better at this.) And beware of prospective clients who are late to initial consultations with you. It may be that they’re not trustworthy about other stuff.
  4. Make and Use Lists: You can’t get anything done when it’s all swimming around in your head, like a jumbled mess. Write it down and find systems to help you prioritize and get things done. There’s a lot out there on making and using lists effectively; find the way that will work best for you.
  5. Fight to Link Everything to Your Goals: Ask yourself “Is what I am doing, this minute, moving me measurably closer to my goal?” (I have this on an index card next to my computer, to remind me often.) Just the simple act of asking yourself this question several times a day will dramatically increase your productivity. You have no business doing stuff that’s not directly related to your goals. If it’s not moving you forward toward your goal, making you money or attracting clients, drop it or delegate it now.
  6. Block Your Time: It’s been said that one of the hidden secrets of people who consistently achieve peak productivity is that they make sacred appointments with themselves, appointments they aren’t allowed to cancel. You’ve heard me say this before, especially if you’re a private client of mine. In nearly every coaching call I have with someone, we create BLOCKS of uninterrupted time to get things done.

We’re talking blocks of time each day and each week for Client Attraction work, but also for certain projects that need to get done. If there’s a major task on my plate to get done, I’ll actually estimate how long it will take, and then put it in my calendar as I would a client appointment. I don’t allow myself to break this commitment. Try it. It works like magic and allows you to get so much more done than if you tried to squeeze it in somewhere between clients.

Your Assignment:

Go to Amazon.com and get yourself a copy of Dan Kennedy’s book “No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs”, today. It’s that good. (He’s a little abrasive, but it’s all well worth it.) For $10.00, you can’t beat it.

Start applying some of the steps listed above. I guarantee that the number of PRODUCTIVE hours you spend making money and attracting clients will increase dramatically. It did for me, BIG TIME. Ca-ching!

And to attract even more clients, I’d recommend you create compelling marketing and systems starting today. The tool that will take you from 0 to 60 clients the quickest is The Client Attraction Home Study System™. It’s everything you’ll ever need to know to fill your practice quickly; no matter how long you’ve been in business. All the tools, scripts, templates, and examples are handed to you on a silver platter (including how to close the sale 97% of the time). So, you do step one of the system, and when you’re done with that, you move on to step two, and so on. So easy. That’s why my customers have gotten such great results from it. You can get yours atwww.theclientattractionsystem.com.

© 2011 Client Attraction LLC. All Rights Reserved.

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Want to use this article on your website or your own ezine?

No problem! But here is what you MUST include:
Fabienne Fredrickson, The Client Attraction Mentor, is founder of the Client Attraction SystemTM , the proven step-by-step program that shows you exactly how to attract more clients, in record time…guaranteed. To get your F.R.E.E. Audio CD by mail and receive her weekly marketing & success mindset articles on attracting more high-paying clients and dramatically increasing your in.come, visit www.clientattraction.com.

 

Filed Under: Coffee with a VA, Ditch Your Desk, Escape the Paper Tagged With: , , , , ,

Delegation Series – Scheduling

February 18, 2011 By 1 Comment

Day 2 according to the 30 Days of Delegation ebook is all about Ditching the Email Overwhelm, but I’ve already posted about that here and here.  No need to do it again!

On to scheduling!  This is one that I don’t always feel the need to delegate because I have the right tools in place, but you may need to.  Please tell me you’re not still just writing it down on a paper calendar!  (Outlook is just as bad.)

The key here is to be able to share your calendar with your team and to be able to access it anywhere, anytime you need it – just like your email.

I highly suggest using Google Calendar for all of your scheduling needs.  I’ve used paid services that don’t even come close to the functionality of Google’s calendar!  I keep 8 calendars that all mesh nicely into one view:

  1. General Company Calendar – hold my daily, weekly schedule for client work, appointments, recurring events, training courses, lunch (yes, I have to schedule it!), blogging, marketing, etc.   I also add into this calendar the “type” of day it is:  Client focused, Marketing, Flex, Planning, Development, etc.
  2. I have 1 calendar for my husband’s real estate company.
  3. I have 1 calendar for a client who does a lot of real estate transaction that I manage, and we need to both see when items are due and what is needed.
  4. I have 1 calendar for launches & promotions.  I haven’t used this one yet, but just having it there is a great reminder that I need to spend some time in this area.
  5. I have 1 calendar that is linked to my Google Tasks (in Gmail)
  6. 1 is for family activities.  I keep track of weekly carpooling, cheerleading schedules, school projects, family functions, dinners, date nights (those usually get ignored though), parties,  and my personal time.
  7. 1 have a Team Chick calendar that is shared with the members of my team to keep track of vacation days, personal time, outside work schedules – everything.  This helps when determining deadlines or if one team member needs to schedule something for another.
  8. And the last calendar is simply a US Holidays calendar.  When I work with clients in other countries, I’ll add in their calendar as well so that I always know what is going on in their world.

Sceduling Tools

I use Tungle.me to quickly and easily schedule consultations and appointments with my clients.  I can quickly and easily “paint” off the times & days that I’m available, and then it’s sent off for the recipient to choose which of those times work best for him or her.  Once a time has been established, everyone gets an email, and then it’s automatically added to your Google calendar.  It also syncs with Outlook, iCal and there is an iPhone app as well.  Tungle, if you’re listening, we’re also ready for an Android app!!

You can easily delegate this to your real estate virtual assistant by giving her access to scheduling applications and sharing your Google calendar with her.

My calendar this week – so girly!! Notice my logo in the background.

My Tungle availability for next week - this is what your client sees if they go directly to your page.

Filed Under: Coffee with a VA, Ditch Your Desk, Escape the Paper, Transaction Management Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,
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