21 Rank your website higher
Using Video will allow your website to rank higher in Google Search results. The trick is to know the different places you can put the video and ways you can repurpose that video. When you load your videos, it’s generally best to load them on to YouTube. You will get the best exposure there and the search engine benefits of possibly being found on Google. You can also take the embed code from YouTube and post the video into your blog, so then your get the benefit of the video appearing on YouTube and in your blog. With social media, include the link to your blog post as part of your status update – that way you are also driving traffic to your website. Then upload the video to your social media pages.
22 Get efficient with LinkedIn and CardMunch.
Here’s how to ensure any business cards you collect, work for you in the future. On your iPhone, download an app called ‘CardMunch’. Next, take photos of any business cards from prospective clients and contacts that you have lying around.The details from the business card will automatically be keyed into the program and a notification will be sent back to you confirming that their details have been entered. The beauty of this app is that you can then send an invite directly to the persons profile on LinkedIn from CardMunch.It’s a great way to get everyone’s details into your system and then to stay in touch on social media.
23 Online Ice-Breakers
Rapport building is critical to success in real estate. Good agents are always on the look out for connection points when meeting clients at Listing Presentations (especially for the first time). Family photos, trophies, and other things around the home are often great for initiating icebreaker dialogue. Rather than waiting until you meet the client in person, Google their name prior to the appointment. You’ll be amazed what you can find out about a person via their Digital Footprint. Also, search for them on Facebook. Who knows you may already have some mutual friends?
Lisa Tremolada, Internet Marketing Guru, www.dominatetheinternet.com.au.
24 Your Password to Success
Nowadays we all use passwords for login access to online banking, social media sites, databases, and even at the local video store! Passwords are an everyday part of our lives. So why not use them to help you achieve your goals in 2012? If you have a goal that you really want to achieve this year, set daily reminders to keep you on track. The easiest way to set daily reminders is to ‘Make Your Password Your Goal’.
Greg Vincent, X Factor Agents, www.xfactoragents.com
25 Value your Rent Roll
Ensure regular audits of the Rent Roll paper work to so that if you decide to sell your Rent Roll at a future date there will be no surprises on the valuation.
26 Don’t let small jobs become big problems
Reconcile your Trust accounts daily to be able to identify early warning signs and don’t accept delays and excuses. Don’t learn the hard way, as fraud happens when you least expect it.
Ian Farquhar, NAB National Manager Real Estate Banking, www.nab.com.au
27 Go where CEO’s go for fresh ideas
Every business owner or employed CEO needs access to a vibrant source of new ideas and a forum for discussion. My main source is an organisation called The Executive Connection – TEC (www.tec.com.au).
We cover all sorts of interesting topics that can range from difficult people issues, a new business strategy, acquiring a business, dealing with legal matters or how to build a team of competent leaders. Any items important to a member can be raised for advice. One of the great things about TEC is that all these matters are dealt with in complete confidence and group members trust each other. TEC members also have one-on-one sessions with their group Chair and this provides a further source of advice. As a business leader, you don’t need to be alone or act alone.
John Goddard, CEO Rockend, www.rockend.com.
28Set your commercial business apart
Higher revenue commercial real estate businesses keep a close eye on their financials, with 50 per cent focused on financial management, reviewing financials at least monthly, compared to 19 per cent of lower revenue businesses, who review financials less often than quarterly. To keep your business in front, take control, and make sure you spend more time on financial management, regularly reviewing cash flow, financials, and forecasts.
Wayne Tower, Head of Commercial Real Estate segment, Macquarie Relationship Banking
29 Use Professional Photography
It’s more important than ever to present a home professionally to market, to give yourself a competitive edge you should be giving amateur photos a wide berth, and instead opting for professional photography. Yes, high quality digital SLR cameras are widely available and easy to use these days, but a good camera does not a professional photographer make! With research showing that homes with professional photography can sell up for up to $100,000 more, why run the risk of a lower price, or more days on market by using amateur photography?
Helen Clarke, Top Snap, www.topsnap.com.
30 Peel back the layers of your business
Eating an unpeeled onion would taste terrible, but when peeled and roasted; it’s sensational. Like the onion, does your business need to have the outside layers peeled away to expose its real potential? If you are a business owner, why not reassess all your teams’ roles, tasks, and attitudes for the New Year. After all, if you retain them for another year, you will save money and have consistent performance and service to match.Review new and existing job descriptions, structures, and tasks with defined targets for business and individuals. Set up quarterly reviews of targets and introduce. Check in daily with staff, always look at technology, and never sacrifice professional development over business development.
Simon Cox, Real Estate Dynamics, www.realestatedynamics.com.au.
