I like many others have seen the wonders of using a service like Craigslist.org when doing both professional and personal business. Until recently, I have never had an issue with any listing I have placed or with any dealings I have done as a result of the use of their services. However, one of my listings was hijacked by someone posing as the owner and attempting to get the property rented. This, put very simply, is fraud!
I’m sure there are other things that happen on Craigslist and services like it that are hard to avoid or even catch because some people will try to scam others any way they can. That’s why I feel it’s very important for you to know you should check everything you see and do on Craigslist and make sure you are dealing with reputable individuals and businesses. As my situation has proven, it’s also important to make sure no one messes with your ads or listings as well. As with most things it is up to us to protect ourselves!
With all the different types of marketing opportunities we have today it’s still the referral business that gives most businesses the best return on investment (ROI). The main reason is that a referral normally comes from someone who either knows how you work or has been a client or customer of your business. When someone can personally testify to your expertise and experience, it goes a long way.
One of the best ways I have found to get referrals is by simply giving referrals. As a Realtor who works with a lot of people new to an area, I am able to give out many referrals from dry cleaners to plumbers. What I find is these same people I refer to send me clients as well. You can also join a referral network like BNI as well to get started giving referrals and eventually getting them in return. The key is to remember the phrase, “givers gain” and become the number one giver to other businesses. Once you grasp this concept you are on your way to building a great referral network!
No, It’s Goodlettsville. That’s the beginning of a new ad campaign the city of Goodlettsville is using to attract more visitors, residents and businesses. This is part of a growing trend of smaller cities that are using creative ways to spread the word about themselves. Thompson’s Station, White Bluff and Franklin are other smaller cities similarly working on their branding.
Goodlettsville, just 15 minutes north of Nashville, is a terrific city that offers every convenience of it’s larger southern neighbor. In addition, it offers a slower pace and a rich southern tradition. Places like historic Mansker’s Station offer plenty to see and do. You no longer have to sacrifice the practicality of city life for the peace and quiet of rural life.
If you’re looking for a great place to live, check out Goodlettsville. You’ll be glad you did.
Since many of us will be making a purchase or two online this Christmas, it’s important to know what to look for on a website that can assure you that you will get good service. One of the first thing to look for is a phone number to call the company if need be. I never really looked for this until someone I trusted told me to always make sure there was a published phone number and address on the website.
The next two things are to look for a security seal as well as the BBB (Better Business Bureau) logo. The security seal lets you know that the website checkout goes through a security gate to prevent fraud or theft while the BBB logo lets you know that the business is part of the Better Business Bureau and is dedicated to making sire your shopping experience is a positive and successful one. You can also contact the BBB if there are any problems and they can help get them solved if for some reason the company is unable too.
By looking for these three things you will be able to identify online companies that are legit and ready to do business with you.
It is amazing how easy it is to do business when you receive a referral. At the same time getting that referral may be one of the hardest things to do if you don’t have a systematic way to bring them in on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. This is always the paradox in a business: do you work on marketing your business or doing your business. I have learned that if you don’t market your business, there is no doing and the best way to market is through a referral system.
A referral is a warm fuzzy lead that comes from someone you know. Realtors live and die by their referrals. If we have a circle of influence that is built on trust and integrity then we will succeed if we continue to work and produce good results. If we do not have that circle of influence we either have to build it or eventually we will go do other things. With a referral I sold my first house; many houses in between and my latest house. My largest sale was also from a referral. Without the power of referrals, many small businesses would be hard pressed for business today. Thank you to all who have trusted me with your referrals and to those who will do so in the future; they will be returned in time.
This past week has been a very trying week for me because my elderly mother fell and broke a rib and I have had to go and take care of her throughout the nights and continue working in the day to fulfill my obligations as a Realtor to my clients. Though I have always been aware and grateful to the people that support my business efforts, I have never been so relieved to have them on my team!
My husband, who is also a part of my business, has been wonderful in taking so many things off my plate and just handling them; the various people at ReMax Choice Properties in East Nashville and Hendersonville who have filled in the gaps when Bob nor I could; the guys who take care of my website; and the friends and my “sales force”, also known as the Metro BNI Chapter who have given me both moral support as well as referrals to get some much needed help with my mother. There is beauty in having a team behind you that you can count on when things are rocking right along and when not so good things happen; to all of you, many thanks!
The way you do business says more about you than you might think. Even when you are conducting personal business as simple as dealing with local vendors like your cleaners or your lawn care company your conduct is telling. These businesses also have the potential to refer clients to you just like your business professional contacts.
Though most of us are always careful to conduct ourselves in the most professional manner when among our peers, we sometimes forget that the person we deal with at the PTA meeting, the grocery store or the mechanic down the road have as much or more influence than those in what is deemed more professional circles. However, as a Realtor that with many different professions and types of people, I can attest to the power of referrals from all walks and circles of life. I can trace my success back to the way I do business with everyone I meet and just want to pass along this tip for your success.
