2012 Self-Evaluation

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Brooke Wolford-Creator

In the early stages of my career, I never took the time to see what was really working for me. However at the end of 2011, I made the decision to hold myself completely accountable and frankly….kick ass in 2012.

I spent the last couple of weeks of the year self evaluating every detail of what I did in my business. Obviously, 2011 was a little different due to my little hiatus I took over the year. But nonetheless, there were some victories and some failures. I took a step back and learned from them all. This helped my create my plan for 2012.

This is what I decided I have to do in 2012:

1. Blog every day starting today. Blogging has always been my thing. I was blogging before blogging was cool. I slacked of within the last year and I had to deal with the consequences. My many blogs have brought me a lot of successes and I am committed to making it a priority.

2. Continue to be active within the local and national associations. I have found that by being apart of association committee’s has helped me be able to serve my clients better.

3. Get back to the basics. Yes, social media has worked for me. But it’s not everything. In November and December I really focused on calling my sphere. It has helped my land a new listing coming on the market and 2 pending sales in the last week or so. I guess it really does work. I have also been sending weekly emails to my investor clients. There are so many amazing deals and my emails include the best of the best deals. From the responses I have received from them, I can tell its sparking their interest.

4. Learn something new. I am so over the whole social media stuff. I get it. I need to focus on finding new ways to grow my business that doesn’t involve updating my Facebook status.

5. Be Thankful. I’m still here and kicking. I have a lot of cool people on my side

I can honestly say 2011 ended well and its flowing thru into 2012. This is going to be a great year! I am going to push myself as hard as I can to make all my goals this year come true. Cheers to 2012!

Developting A Connection

Posted on November 18, 2011 by Brooke Wolford-Creator

My feeling about people who fail with their social media efforts is that they lack the ability to obtain a true connection with someone. How are consumers supposed to trust you if they know nothing about you.

I recently commented of a status of Jimmy Mackin where he asked the question “What percentage of your Facebook Friends have you met in real life?’. My answer was 80%. I am not on Facebook, adding random friends. I am meeting someone first and requesting them later.

My main focus in my social media efforts is simply “being real”. I don’t try to pretend I am a certain way. Some things I may say may not mesh with everyone but it’s who I am. By doing this, when the few people who I havent met IRL do meet me, I am the same person they got to know on any social media site.

Personally, I value my friends whether online or IRL. I try not to be fake. Most of you that know me very well understand this.

While at the NAR conference I attended this past weekend, I met Jared James for the first time IRL. We had known each other for years on Twitter and Facebook. You would have never known by us meeting that we hadn’t met each other previously. We chatted like we would have any other time. We didn’t have that awkward feeling when you meet someone for the first time.

It’s all because of how we connected in the first place. We had conversations. We took the time to get to know each other. You have to take everyone you meet online the same as if you met them in person. Ask questions, figure them out. It’s really not that hard

My Emotional Take On The NAR Dues Increase

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Brooke Wolford-Creator

It’s very weird to me to even discuss what I am about to in a blog. I am a very private person. This is something that is extremely personal. However after talking to someone at NAR about this, they recommended I blog about it as it is a real life issue of why the dues increase will affect me and so many other agents.

Most of you probably have no idea because I have not made some social media press release but I am currently going through a divorce. What does this have to do with the increase? Well, my average sale price is $90,000. I could close many of these within a year and still not pull in a significant enough income to support my family.

A lot of things have weighed on me. I really took a deep look at the costs I incur as an agent. I looked at many of them and thought “these are just stupid”. Then I got to thinking about the dues increase. While you could say 40 bucks is 40 bucks, when you are someone like me, its enough to make me concerned. In order for me to stay in the business, I not only have to increase my sales, but I have to pinch every penny.

While talking to a friend within NAR, I was told to tell this story as this is the kind of story that NAR should have heard prior to the passing of the dues increase. While I am glad that I didn’t have this story to tell prior to now, I wish I had heard stories similar to mine. There is no way that I am the only person who feels this way.

I guess you could say the dues increase affects me more now as I wonder if I’ll be able to stay in the business. While its extremely hard for me to imagine not being an agent, I have my children to think about. Letting my license go is something that is not out of the question. I will do anything for my children. At the same time, I’m a deeply saddened by the though of giving up my career and everything I have worked so hard for.

So my dear friends a NAR, this is my story. While the issue no longer matters now, I wanted you to hear my story. I wanted you to understand what I, as well as many other agents feel about it.

New technology meets old technology

Posted on April 28, 2011 by Sarah P. Sitton

I got out of going to a meeting this evening that is all about setting up a Facebook fan page. They are going to learn how to do it from a-z and even what to name it. The problem is I have one, I use it all the time and I have plenty of people who like it. I have even gotten a few leads from it. I have it connected to Real Bird to posts on it houses for sale and foreclosures so many times a day, it is connected to market and basic real estate information for Myrtle Beach, I am working on a Welcome Page and Link page for information for Myrtle Beach, etc. So I didn’t really need a session on walking me through setting up a fan page when I am way ahead of the game. But that is the problem I face, I am ahead of the game when it comes to all new technology in my office. I even use the new MLS program that we have come out with. My BIC doesn’t even know how to use this new program, and she my age. And when they see my business cards with my QR code on it they look at it as if it is some foreign alien image to them-which I guess it is. I talk about running ads on Facebook, blogging on other things besides real estate on WordPress to get leads, linking WordPress to Twitter and Facebook and QR codes, and their faces go blank. However, talk about direct marketing mailings, working expireds, FSBO’s and open houses, and they can talk for hours about that. I am not saying everyone should be using the new technology or it will apply with the way the run their business, but they should at least be aware about it. They should at least not be so shocked that social media does work and I have gotten leads for Facebook, as well as my running blog that is connected to Twitter and my networking and direct marketing. They both can work if you work them both correctly. Of course it does not help me if I have a question on our MLS program and no one in the office can answer my question because I am the only one who uses it. I guess I will be busy in May when the phase out the old program. Sometimes I often feel like they look down at me as this new agent coming in with all my social media ways; like somehow their ways are better than mine. Neither one-on-one marketing nor social media marketing is better than the other, but statics show how much time people spend on Facebook and other social sites, so it only makes sense to try to connect to people there as well. You still have to do the one-on-one networking and marketing. So in my office it is really new technology meets old technology and old technology has no desire to learn about new or use it.

Death To the Auto-Blogs!

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Brooke Wolford-Creator

To begin this post, I would like to clearly state that I am no expert in blogging. Its something that I simply enjoy. I have spent the past couple of years learning and growing my blog and doing everything can to make it original. It’s the one thing that is universally important.

As of late, I have noticed several blogs that seem to have the same content. I love to see what others write. But I do not need to read the same blog post over and over again.

I think, as a blogger, people appreciate that I write something that’s original and that’s interesting. Not only that, but as a blogger, you tend to make yourself more credible by using your own content and writing about something that you are an expert on.

This also with help potential consumers find the information they need. Having a blog that you simply fill in your name and contact info is pretty much worthless. How does this drive potential customers to your blog? If you are trying to improve your SEO, how does duplicated content help you?

It’s true that having “fresh” content on your blog will help your SEO, but isn’t having a blog more about gaining subscribers and people actually staying on your site and reading your entries?

I took a poll via Facebook. Everyone who commented had the same feelings as I did. Why automate your blog and take away the personal aspects of it. Generally people will respect you more knowing there is a real person writing those blog posts.

I have actually seen some of my old blog posts duplicated. Some would say that’s a compliment. However is bugs the crap out of me. I work hard to write them and do not enjoying seeing my posts being used by someone else.

I strongly believe that if you can’t come up with you own blog content, then why even blog at all? Your blog should be about the user experience. Is important to get users to read your posts and actually stay on the site long enough to see what else you have to offer. When you auto-blog, you are basically stealing someone else’s work. Besides that, you are losing track of the whole purpose of your blog, driving traffic to your site.

Social Media Overload

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Sarah P. Sitton

I am in social media overload. Social media is the new way to sell, especially they say in real estate. It is a way to get your name and message out there. When I first started out in sales over 10 years ago, it was the phone and networking. Now you still do that plus social media. And there are more do’s and don’ts for social media than I can count. They even have e-books, videos and e-courses you can take on it. You have to have a Facebook profile page, a Facebook fan page, run ads on Facebook, have a profile on LinkedIn and be in groups, be on twitter, blog about your market on active rain and somewhere else, blog on something else you do besides real estate and at least 5 other things. When it comes to facebook-5 times a day do something with your personal site-1 status update and 4 comments. For your fan page-3 posts a day. Plus you need to have a presence on twitter and be active in your groups on LinkedIn. You need to blog on active rain and another real estate blog site once a week and as much as possible on your something else blog. There is even an e-book called 101 Do’s and Don’ts for social media for Realtors. There are more rules than you can imagine. It reminds me of that book that came out in the “90′s about the do’s and don’ts for getting a date or getting a man, one or the other, I can’t remember what the exact name of the book was. But doing all the rules for social media is just like following all those ridiculous rules in the dating book. You can spend all day just doing this and doing that with social media. And of course, you still have to follow your regular marketing. Be on committees, be involved in this and that, find target markets and send them something useful every 90 days. And when you do make a sale or get a listing, send out cards to the rest of the neighborhood letting them know. You name a committee I am on it; I am active in 2-3 different things with church, network, and send out direct marketing material to my 3 target markets (which means staying current on what is going on there) every 90 days. I have 3 small target markets because my market is so large, and I have decided my next contact will writing a newsletter and of course I took an e-course on how to do that came with examples of newsletters. But thank goodness for Hootsuite, so I can do most of these social media things all at 1 time and schedule when things get posted throughout the day. All of this to get more leads hoping to make a sale. I was running Facebook ads, which were working, but stopped, so I stopped running them since I didn’t want to waste any more money on something that isn’t working anymore. You can spend half a day just digging through different sites trying to find things interesting enough to post on your fan page so people will read and become a fan. But since it all varies from person to person as to what to post, who knows what you are supposed to be doing. I just follow other realtor’s’ fan pages and see what they are doing. Of course, that takes time too. And you do this every day, plus stay on top of what is coming on the market and staying in touch with your leads. Following all these do’s and don’ts makes me feel like I am a woman reading that book desperately waiting for the phone to ring hoping to get a date. I could stop doing all of this. I don’t exactly have the time for it all, but I still do it all. I am the queen of social media. Plus I have the smart phone with all the apps so I can stay on top of all of this even when I am not near my laptop, which is rarely. I am afraid my husband thinks my laptop is attached to my hip. No wonder he spends more time with the dog than me. I always have my head buried in this thing. So I am a woman desperate for that phone call and until I get it I will keep up with all my social media marketing and regular marketing, even if it kills me. And of course I still have to run, so I can blog about that every day. I really hope that one of these days all of this pays off, and I am not killing myself for nothing. I could really use a no-social-media day, but can’t do that yet. Not until I get that call.

The Little Dream That Came True

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Brooke Wolford-Creator

You may have noticed some new posts from fellow agents on this site. I am enjoying getting different perspectives for you. I hope you are enjoying them as well. I have to give a shout out to Emily, Sarah and Seth for the great post they have written.

Recently I have noticed from the site stats that people are actually searching for this site now. This is huge to me. All the hopes for this site are coming true.

I began this site back in 2007. Not really sure what I planned to do with it. I was just frustrated with being a new agent and not knowing what the heck to do.

As I began blogging and people began reading it, I received comments from other agents thanking me. At the time, not many agents were blogging about real life experiences. Speaking the truth has always been something I am good at! I think agent valued the fact that I didn’t hold much back. It was something you really could not get at a training class.

It was then, I realized what this blog was all about…LEARNING. I began working harder to bring agents information that I thought they could use. At the same time, I was learning and growing as an agent as well.

I decided to take on the new authors to get different views. This is in an effort to bring you more. I hope you are enjoying them.

To those of you, who have supported the site, THANK YOU! I do not do this out of vanity or trying to build some persona. I do this because I genuinely want to help. This has become something that is very important to me and I hope to continue providing valuable information to you!

Thanks to all of you for helping me realize a dream. I have truly enjoyed the experience.

Reflection On My Career

Posted on February 18, 2011 by Brooke Wolford-Creator

I recently met a loan officer @Alex_Stenback . We were talking about business and how I got into real estate. He asked a question, that honestly I had a hard time answering. He asked “What is your goal for the year?”. I honestly had no clue. I have never really set goals. I guess you could say this is bad.

I took the evening to look back at what I have done over the years. Starting in the title end. I ended up in the closing side after college. I had no clue what I wanted to do for a career. I went to a temp agency and they happen to place me at Burnet Title. I almost instantly fell in love. I love the energy, the challenges and the growing up I did while I was there. I started there at 19 and worked there for 6.5 years. I was known for doing a great job, handling a high volume of closings and I became the go to person for questions.

Towards the end of my time there, I began to realize that I wanted more. I needed a bigger challenge and I wanted to be more involved with the entire transaction. So I took a big leap and got my real estate license.

It was very intimidating. I believed that I could just jump right in and be successful. Obviously wasnt the case. It was hard work. I struggled for a very long time. Almost quit once because I didn’t think I could make it. I started this blog in the beginning of my career. I had a hard time finding real life experiences from other agents. I thought maybe it was my job to share my experiences, good or bad. It works for me and I think many appreciate me being so honest about what’s going on in my career.

The good news us, this past year, has been epic for me. I have had one of the best years yet and the opportunities have great. It’s all clickin’. I think I may have it figured out.
As far as a goal, I really have no clue. I’m terrible at setting goals. However its something I have to consider.

Responding to the #SOTU

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Brooke Wolford-Creator

Last night, there were many responses to the State Of The Union Address. There were some that I agreed with and some I didn’t. While I normally keep my mouth shut about these things, the political environment in this country as of late has been less than desirable.

First off, I loved that Republicans and Democrats were forced to sit next to each other. You could tell that many were annoyed by this. It made me think of being a child and being forced to sit next to a kid I did not like.

Second off, I could barely wait for John Boehner to start bawling his eyes out. I have never seen someone in my life that was more emotional than John. The couple of times that I have seen him cry, I want to slap him across that face and say “Quit being a baby”. Then again, maybe I should not complain as women often speak about the lack of emotion in men.

I have to give a lot of credit to Obama for mentioning how hard everyone is fighting for their beliefs. His comment ” That’s what helps set us apart as a nation” , it’s very true of our country and it’s what makes us great!

Obama spoke highly of technology. I have to give him credit for bringing social media to the White House…or whichever advisor to him that made it happen. Nonetheless, we all know how important technology is. Obama stated:

“Thirty years ago, we couldn’t know that something called the Internet would lead to an economic revolution. What we can do — what America does better than anyone else — is spark the creativity and imagination of our people. We’re the nation that put cars in driveways and computers in offices; the nation of Edison and the Wright brothers; of Google and Facebook. In America, innovation doesn’t just change our lives. It is how we make our living”

I completely agree. What would we do without technology. Could you imagine if it was the year 2000 and Y2K actually happened? I don’t think there would be a way for us to function. We live for instant communication.

The thing that hit home with me the most, is his mentions of education. I have one child in 2nd grade. His teacher is terrific and has really helped him grow as a student. She is a veteran teacher and is doing everything possible to help her students succeed. There is a great need for teachers of this level. Someone help this issue!!! Im scared of what will happen when my son enters 3rd grade!

I think many poiticians forget that hey are elected into their positions. I feel as if they forget that they are there so serve us, not the other way around. I struggle understanding views that many of them have and the fact that many seem like they have their own agendas. Look at Michelle Bachmann. She somehow gets airtime of television and makes so many comments that are completely embarrassing to me as a Minnesotan. She truly only cares about herself, at least from what I can tell. (Did anyone notice that her face looked really different? Facelift?)

His comment,
“We shouldn’t just give our people a government that’s more affordable. We should give them a government that’s more competent and more efficient. We can’t win the future with a government of the past.”, is what I believe the entire country wants and needs. Many issues suffer due to excessive political drama. We can’t ever forget the past and how we got here. As a history buff and a card-carrying member of the “Daughters Of The Revolution” this was one of my favorite comments all night.

“We must never forget that the things we’ve struggled for, and fought for, live in the hearts of people everywhere. And we must always remember that the Americans who have borne the greatest burden in this struggle are the men and women who serve our country”

I was slightly disappointed in his mention of job creation. This is one of the biggest issues that our country is dealing with. He has many times discussed this issue. But where are the Jobs? We need to focus on what is working. We need to make education better and affordable. I’m paying $5000 a semester for a college education. This is outrageous. As a real estate agent, I would love for real estate to completely turn around. I would love for my sellers to make a return on their investment and for my buyers to be able to know that after their purchase, they will have a job.

As Americans, we want it all. However there is no quick fix. We all need to take an active role in our government. My advice to everyone is to call your elected officials when you have a problem. Express your views and your ideas. We are all in this together and we need to work as a team to fix our problems and make our country better!

Sponsored by the Brooke Wolford for President 2016 (I’ll be old enough to run by then.)

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