Fran Rokicki Realty, LLC Blog: October 2008

I don't mean at your front door.  I am referring to, stopping by to see your vendors; attorney offices, insurance, home inspector, bankers, etc.  You could fill your day passing out candy bars with your card on them.  Doesn't have to be fancy.  Doesn't have to be planned out with a map and directions.  It just needs to be done.  Don't be aesthestic, just do it!

You can tape your card to the candy.  You could buy those Halloween wax lips!  I did that last year and everyone went crazy for them.  The main reason to stop by your vendors is to let them know that you value their support and help with your transactions.  Just a little bit of appreciation. 

Here's another tip.  Go to the car dealer that you bought your car from.  Give the salespeople candy bars.  Like us, they love to eat!  Stop by your favorite mechanic, landscaper, dog groomer, your hairstylist, vet, dentist, doctor and agents that you have worked with this year.

If you take an hour or two and do this tomorrow, I'll bet you will end up with one new referral within 14 days.  Give it a try!  Have a little fun with your profession!

Win Halloween, tomorrow!

During your day, on your errands, bringing your children to school, or to soccer practice after school.  Do people that see you during the day, know what you do for a living?  Have you told them that your business grows if they send someone they know to you who may be thinking of buying or selling a home?

Often times, we become so busy during our daily routines, that we do forget to ask.  Please ASK!  Don't be shy!  Let everyone that you come in contact with know, that you would be very interested in helping anyone that they know who has real estate needs.

This is the time of year to stop by your former clients and say hello.  Bring them a small seasonal gift.  A pumpkin, a calenday for next year, or any small item that will get you to meet with them face to face.  For those of you who may not know me, we call these popbys.  Meaning, you stop in, say hello~how are you, give the small item and then, leave.  Not more than ten minutes.  That way, you are not intruding and you can hit a couple of people that you know, each day.  We try to do seven to ten each week.  Once you get going, it is really fun.  People love the little gifts, no matter what they are.  Usually, the neighbors ask for a gift, too.  Of course, that's if they are outdoors and see you coming up the sidewalk.  That is less likely to happen at this time of year, in New England:)

Keep in contact with these people.  You'll meet new people, maybe, receive some referrals!  Don't keep it a secret that you are a Realtor or a Mortgage Officer!  People need you now, more than ever!

Be out wishing everyone you know, season's greetings!  Holidays are a good time to be visable!

Remember to, WIN THE DAY!

Today was my open house on my Mansfield Center, Ct listing.  It was a beautiful, sunny day in Connecticut, high of 68 degrees.

You can see it on my VFlyer that is rolling to the right of my blog.  It is a beautiful home:)  I bought balloons 8:30 this morning at the Big Y, on I-195.  Then I tied them to my open signs that were placed at two intersections and on the sign in front of the property.  I believe in getting these things up and visable, long before I arrive.

The people started to arrive at 1:20pm.  No Realtors came to preview or visit.  However, several nice folks did stop in and take a look.  I particularly ask, where did you hear of this open house?  One was Realtor.com and the others came because of my signs.  Amazing, paper ad in our Hartford paper that is distributed throughout Connecticut and some areas of Massachusetts, no response.  You know I had to try it!  Paper ads are useless now, because of the internet.  At least I know that the signs still work!

I am hoping that people who could not make it today, will call me or their agent, if they have one.  It is not to be missed.  Many new improvements and upgrades in the last three years.  Some of the people who came today, have a home to sell.  So, they need to make a quick decision. You would think someone would snap it up! 

It's a Good Life!

Since, as Realtors, we are really one big family, my question to you is;  on a Sunday afternoon, you are not busy, would you consider stopping by a fellow Realtor's open house?  I hear more and more about the Realtors who have no one show up to their open houses.  So, I have started a little campaign to stop by and see some of these homes on afternoons that I may have a half hour or so to spare.  I won't wear a name tag, or sign in as a Realtor.  I don't want to distract would be buyers.  I think it is just a nice gesture to stop by, take a quick tour of the home and leave.  If I am asked to sign in, I would do so, but, without a title.   Funny, if folks driving by see a car, besides the Realtor's at the property, they have more of an urgency to stop and look at the home. 

Times are tough and kindnessess are very much appreciated.  So, can you spare a few minutes of your weekend to encourage and show your support to a fellow Realtor?

It's a Good Life!

I am Fran Rokicki and I approve of this message!  (Couldn't resist)

Everyone gathered today in Marlborough, Massachusetts.  Yes, we are Clubnet Members.  There were almost seventy people in attendance.  Checking in, looking for your name, getting hugs from friends that you haven't seen since MasterMind, last August. 

There is always a Popby Contest.  Some of the ideas are fun to share.  Many were for the fall season and Halloween, including mine. 

We had an agenda to follow that is provided by Buffini and Company.  Remember, this is just like our small group meetings, that we attend every month.  The moderator is wonderful at her postition of timing and of making you always feel, welcome.  We had two speakers. 

One was a Broker/Owner who gave us tips on Time Management.  This was excellent.  We do need to plan our day, our week, our month and our year.  We broke for lunch and sat with the people that were at our discussion group table.  It allowed us to chat and get to know eachother.  We try to sit at different tables every time we attend, so that, you do meet new members.  We had people from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.

Afternoon session was interesting and informational, too.  Our speaker was Willie Miranda.  He is a Broker/Owner from Albany, New York.  We wrote pages of notes on his tips and ideas.  He really stressed that we need to be visable on the internet.  That is where 88% of the buyers are looking first, when they are looking for homes.

Yes, I did bring my camera with me.  No, I didn't take any photos.  I remembered that I brought it, but, the conversation was so good, that I never stopped listening to take the photos!

Some new faces were there today.  Nice to see that people get it.  They get that the Clubnet System works well for our business.  We had mortgage bankers, financial advisors and Realtors at this meeting.  Special thanks to Brenda Beaudoin.  She is amazing at this leader role.  It really was such a good day!

It's a Good Life!