by Sonia Guardado | Jul 15, 2024 | Texas Residential Real Estate Council
The Texas REALTORS® Shaping Texas Conference is just around the corner with a full slate of courses, and Texas RRC has an exciting lineup for those heading to Grapevine next month. Join us on August 25 for our luncheon and mastermind, featuring our RRC National President, Tricia Nekota. The next day, we have two CE courses: “Serving Clients with Special Needs” and “Steal These Ideas,” both new to Texas audiences and sure to captivate. I hope to see as many Austin-area agents there as possible! Conferences like this are a fantastic opportunity to meet agents and broaden your referral network. With attendees from across the state and overseas, you will surely walk away with a hefty stack of business cards.
But what do you do with those cards once you get home? Are you leveraging those connections or simply scanning them into your phone and forgetting about them? With so much in-state migration, these agents should be added to your CRM and placed on a follow-up plan so you can remain top of mind for months and years to come. One agent I met at a conference several years ago is a master at remaining top of mind with agents in her database, and thus, referrals make up about 35% of her annual transactions.
Stacie Duffy, with Novella Real Estate in Denver, Colorado, scans business cards into her CRM at the end of each day, noting when and where she met the agent and any Mackay 66 facts she learned while speaking to them. Each month, she calls or texts to see how the agent is doing, asks about the market, and shares information about Denver’s statistics. Every quarter, she sends a small, unbranded item of value with a branded notecard, reminding the agent of who she is and what her market area is. I have received a Wendy’s Frosty gift card, felt furniture pads, a screen cleaner, and a magnifier. All items are thin, lightweight, and easily fit in a standard greeting card envelope. She also tries to send something to surprise and delight each agent in her database each year. Stacie follows everyone on social media and when something stands out to her, she acts upon it. This year, she sent a car organizer, a hat with the agent’s dog, funny socks, and an item someone had complimented in one of her weekly tip videos. She has these delivered from Amazon and Etsy to minimize shipping costs and budgets $10-$15 per person.
In addition to the quarterly notecards, she also sends holiday and personalized birthday cards. Her cards, including the envelopes, are custom-made using Canva Create. She includes her logo on the card’s interior and exterior and signs each one for that personal touch before sealing them in her branded envelope. That brand extension is great because you know Stacie Duffy has sent something special when you see that brown-speckled envelope in the mailbox.
This month, Stacie is our featured presenter for the final installment of the Summer Sizzler Series on August 15 at 2 p.m. This virtual event will begin with networking breakouts to meet agents nationwide in a small setting. Stacie will then walk you through her agent follow-up system, including her items of value and how to create easy mailers that resonate with agents to drive referrals. We’ll end with a discussion on how to apply the techniques to your business immediately and ideas from other attendees. To register for this complimentary event, visit Texas.CRS.com.
by Sonia Guardado | May 14, 2024 | Texas Residential Real Estate Council
The Greater Austin area is kicking off its spring selling season with a record number of homes on the market. With such a crowded field, how can your listings stand out? Canva Pro could be your secret weapon. Think of Canva Pro as your personal design assistant, available to help at a moment’s notice. It offers a wide range of templates, from eye-catching property flyers to engaging social media posts. What’s more, you can personalize each template to reflect your unique style.
But Canva Pro is about more than just attractive designs. Its multimedia capabilities allow you to transform photos into stunning slideshows and virtual tours that impress potential buyers. For those working in teams, Canva Pro’s collaborative features make it easy to share and comment on projects, helping you craft marketing materials that get noticed.
Ready to enhance your real estate marketing? Try adding Canva Pro to your toolkit. It’s like a magic touch that will make you wonder how you ever got by without it. If you’re unsure how to get started, the Texas RRC is here to help.
Join us for our Summer Sizzler Series, held monthly from June through August. This series includes three dynamic sessions designed to boost your business using Canva Pro, along with the latest in AI technology, video templates, and strategic social media planning. The first session, focusing on cutting-edge photo and video editing, will be conducted via Zoom on Thursday, June 13, at 2 p.m. Register at Texas.CRS.com to reserve your place in this free series. I look forward to welcoming you!
by Sonia Guardado | Mar 16, 2024 | Texas Residential Real Estate Council
In the dynamic world of real estate, the challenge of navigating market fluctuations is a constant for both new and seasoned agents. Comfortably settling into established routines and hesitating to venture beyond the confines of our comfort zones can hinder our ability to adapt to the ever-changing market dynamics. In a profession where success is intertwined with the ability to stay ahead, complacency is a luxury we cannot afford. The real estate landscape demands constant skill refinement, prompting the need for a proactive approach to professional growth rather than a reactive scramble to catch up.
The initial foray into the real estate market can be overwhelming for new agents. The learning curve is steep, and there’s a constant need to understand market trends, master negotiation skills, and build a network of clients. On the other hand, seasoned agents may find themselves set in their ways, relying on strategies that have worked in the past but may need to be more effective in the current market conditions. The key to success lies in a proactive approach to professional development. Instead of catching up with market changes, real estate agents should strive to stay ahead. This involves continuing education, staying informed about industry trends, and adopting new technologies and tools to enhance efficiency and client satisfaction.
This month, Texas RRC offers two CE courses to help manage the challenges of ever-changing marketplaces and managing experiences during one of the most challenging situations: divorcing clients. On April 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., join us virtually for “Five Steps to Success in Any Market,” where you will be surprised to learn it’s not just about lead generation. In the afternoon, from 1 to 5 p.m., we will offer “I Do Until We Must Part The Assets: Navigating Divorcing Customers,” where you will master the art of communicating with emotionally charged clients and ensure the journey ends with a smooth landing. Both courses offer 4 hours of CE and are $50 each. To register, visit https://crs.com/membership/local-rrc/texas. We look forward to seeing you there!
