Hey guys, you know what everyone’s starting to get right now?

Their property tax statements.

When people get those statements, they rush to open them and think, "My home’s worth more than that," or "My property’s worth less than that," or something in between.

Here’s an opportunity for us. Why not reach out to all of your clients, your sphere of influence, and your social audiences with this message:

“Hey guys, you’re probably getting your property tax statements around now. If you look at that assessed value and disagree with it, or just want an updated value of your property, give me a quick call or text. I do this as a free service for all my friends and family, just to keep you in touch with your finances and your equity position.”

That’s it! That’s the messaging. People will absolutely take advantage of this, and it opens the door to conversations.

You might wonder, "Jim, why would I do this if they’re not interested...

Hey guys, are you afraid of ghosts? A lot of us are, but let’s put aside the spooky ghosts and talk about your business ghosts.

What are business ghosts?

If you dive into your CRM, your phone, or even your social media and see people you don’t recognize, you might think, “Maybe I should delete them.”

These are the ghosts in your machine—people you’ve forgotten. Don’t delete them!

Instead, I want you to rekindle that relationship. Here’s how: reach out via text, phone call, or direct message. Say, “Hey, I’m cleaning up my records and came across your name. I’m just trying to remember how we connected.”

They’ll respond with something like, “Oh, Jim, we met at an open house,” or “We met here or there.” Then you can say, “That’s right! I remember now. How are you guys doing?”

From there, you’ll rekindle the relationship. This could lead to a sale, a referral, or...

What is a success portfolio for a real estate professional?

Well, if you've ever gone to a photographer, architect, or even a wedding planner, you'll often see a book of their work—a portfolio. This showcases what they've done for other clients in the past.

Think about yourself. We often have listing presentations and now even buyer presentations, but do we have a portfolio of past performance?

This portfolio can be the pre-listing kit you've always dreamed of or the pre-buy meeting kit that will really motivate and inspire people to want to work with you.

So what would you put into this success portfolio? Of course, you'll include the properties you've sold and testimonials from other clients. You can also add marketing examples to show what you've done to market properties on social media, with flyers, with postcards, and even in a digital presentation, including video.There's a lot you could include in this presentation to make it really come alive and pop.

Now, imagine you...

Here's an interesting question to put out on social media to your audiences:

Would you move from your current market because of climate change?

I've been in the business for 35 years, and we never really talked about climate change as a motivator for people to move. But it's becoming more and more of a reason for people to relocate. In fact, 30% of Americans today, especially young people, say they would move because of climate change or make a decision about where to live based on it.

That’s why this is an interesting question to ask on social media.

Climate change can take many different forms. In my market area, for example, it's fires.

We had a fire come through our neighborhoods that burned down 2,700 homes. It was one of the biggest fires in the nation for destroying homes. Absolutely devastating for our community. We went through several summers of fire, and a lot of people moved because they couldn't deal with the smoke and terrible air quality.

On the flip side, you...

Your website should be a magnet for potential clients. Think about it: when someone recommends you, the first thing others do is Google you. And if your website looks outdated, it's a turn-off. So, let's talk about how to create a standout website that dominates your market.

First, your website should reflect the lifestyle of your niche. If you're in a bustling city, showcase the urban lifestyle. If you're in a scenic area, highlight the natural beauty.

Second, make search functionality a priority. Your website should seamlessly connect to local MLS for easy property searches.

Third, make it hyperlocal. Your website should be a one-stop hub for all things community-related. Include tabs for relocation, buying, and selling. Also, keep your website dynamic by updating it regularly. Changing photos seasonally keeps it fresh and engaging.

Photos are paramount. Consider using AI tools to enhance and update them regularly.

Another must-have is a blog. Posting weekly about the local real...

When somebody hears the word “real estate” in your market, what do you think comes to mind?

For most Americans, it's instantly Zillow. They've taken over this position in consumers' minds, being the first place they go for searches and home values.

So, how do we compete against a billion-dollar company?

A lot of you have given up and said, I'm just going to start buying my leads from Zillow. Keep in mind that's a negative 32% ROI, meaning for every $10 spent, you lose $3.20.

So, how do you win against Zillow and take over “Mindshare” in your local community?

You can't do it entirely, but it'll come from getting close to your consumers and your community.

Why?

Zillow can't create relationships with specific people in specific communities. But you can… by developing relationships with your own audiences, showing expertise, and connecting with local businesses and charities. Highlight why you love your community through videos and social media.

When...

Heading into the new year, here's a game-changing strategy for you:

Open up your CRM, scan your sphere of influence, and pinpoint all the business owners. Start by reaching out to them. Call and ask, "Hey, Jim, how's the new year looking for you? How did last year finish off?"

Share your plan, "I want to start endorsing a local business every week on my social media, and I'd love to feature yours. I just want to promote local businesses I admire. No strings attached. Are you cool with that?"

They'll likely say yes, appreciating the gesture.

Be the Go-Giver. Lead with their needs. Within a week, make a post about their business on social media. Include photos, share your personal experience, and publicly endorse them. Tag them in the post. They might even share it with their audience. It's a win-win, a feel-good moment for both parties.

Even if they don't reciprocate immediately, the spirit of giving will work its magic for your business.

Now, measure your efforts. If your goal is to...

Received a referral lately? What's your reward program for the person who sent it? Not about closing deals, but acknowledging referrals. Let me walk you through a five-step plan to revamp your referral program for the new year. You need a systematic approach to increase referrals and business.

Step one: Upon receiving a referral, thank them with a small, personalized gift—$25 to $50. A handwritten note makes it special. Express gratitude and mention you'd love more referrals.

Step two: After the first appointment with the client, reach out to the referrer via call, email, or text. Share your positive experience and appreciation.

Step three: Follow up when the client takes significant steps—listing the house, making an offer. Keep the referrer in the loop, expressing gratitude.

Step four: After closing, send a larger personalized gift, $50 to $100. Show your appreciation for the valuable referrals.

Step five: Do a social media post publicly thanking the referrer....

Hey folks, I came across a fascinating study—it revealed that a whopping 74% of consumers base their business decisions solely on the brand!

Now, let's shift the focus to your personal brand:

Imagine stacking it against the top 10 agents in your community—just you, not who you're working for. How do you measure up? Does your brand stand out, exuding a modern and sharp vibe, or does it seem dated, like a relic from the '90s or early 2000s?

To make a mark, focus on clean, sharp lines. Forget flashy taglines and funky logos. Your brand revolves around a clean picture and a stylized version of your name.

Remember, you're a personal brand in the real estate space, akin to the likes of Michael Jordan or LeBron James. With countless agents in the field, the key is to separate yourself by having a consistent and clean brand integrated throughout your marketing plan.

Everywhere people look—your website, digital footprint, social...

Let's consider your office location: If you were to drop a pin on the map around your office, extending 2 to 5 miles, have you connected with local business owners in that area?

Many business owners are facing challenges due to economic changes and other factors. It's an excellent opportunity to reach out to them and establish a connection.

Here's a simple approach: initiate a business card exchange. Walk into a nearby business and introduce yourself. Mention your office's proximity and express your interest in referring people who are new to the area. You can say, "I often meet people relocating here, and I prefer to refer local businesses. Would you mind exchanging business cards?" Allow them to share information about their business.

You can further enhance the connection by saying, "I like to highlight a local business on my social media each week. Would it be okay if I featured your business next week and tagged...