Kristal's personal timeline, a place to collect and share things from Kristal's life.
Created by kristalk on Feb 1, 2010
Last updated: 10/17/10 at 07:08 PM
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This is hilarious not to mention proves a very important point!
The Impotence of Proofreading by Taylor Mali is a post from: Kristalks
Send article as PDF to
http://kristalks.com/impotence-of-proofreading-by-taylor-mali/719/
Slideshow from todays’ MiniBarCamp at the Denver Board of Realtors.
At MiniBarCamp we have been discussing the various reasons to blog. Many people would like to blog, but are unable to start for lack of funds and know how. Well the know how will come with practice and as far as having the funds, well it’s not that expensive! By purchasing your domain and self-hosting on a world class host like Bluehost, one will spend less than $100 a year for a blog! This slideshow will go over the basics.
Installing WordPress
View more presentations from kristalk.
Next month at MiniBarCamp we will continue the discussion on blogging with a LIVE peak at a backend of a blog. Here we will learn more about changing themes, plugins and widgets.
If you would like to attend, you can RSVP on our Meetup.com site.
Installing WordPress is a post from: Kristalks
Send article as PDF to
http://kristalks.com/installing-wordpress/715/
No, it’s not in Denver actually it’s not even close, but it’s a gorgeous view! So enjoy!
http://www.denverphotoblog.com/last-dollar/
As the sun falls in the sky, it casts wonderful shadows in the woods.
http://www.denverphotoblog.com/colorados-western-slope/
It’s hard not to sing this song when driving around the mountains in fall!
Do you know the words? Let’s sing…
http://www.denverphotoblog.com/my-country-tis-of-thee/
The following post is a summary of the presentation I made today at the WCR Rookie Seminar in Colorado Springs.
Real Estate Internet leads are a commodity that many agents love to hate. First off, people looking for a home on the Internet object to be called a “lead” and really despise the typical way they are approached. This makes sense because no one wants to be badgered and/or dripped on!
What a consumer wants is information. They are curious to see what is available for them in the housing market and using the Internet to look is a non-obtrusive.
As an agent, making a connection should be done with the utmost respect for the consumer’s privacy. Of course when you do make contact the best approach is to be friendly and offer real estate assistance for either now or in the future.
Timing is Everything!
Being able to connect as soon as possible increases the potential to be of assistance while the consumer is online and looking.
Understand and Respect the Time Line
Many consumers start the online search months, even years in advance. Initially the information they need relates to neighborhoods that might fit their lifestyle and budget. As time progresses needs will change so continue to keep in touch.
Connect, Engage and Become Indispensable
Keeping up with the real estate market enables an agent to provide relevant information when needed. Knowing pertinent facts about neighborhood statistics, average prices, list to sale ratio and absorption rates demonstrates competence. Competence leads to reliance and trust from the consumer, so work hard to keep up to date.
Agents need to express to consumers, we don’t sell houses, we sell our expertise.
Engaging conversation with a consumer is easy. Ask questions of your consumer regarding their wants and needs. Here are a few sample questions that when answered will provide valuable insight for their next home transaction:
Where are you coming from?
Do you own a home there?
How large is it?
What do you love about your current home?
If given the opportunity to change something about your current home, what would that be?
How much are you hoping to spend on your next home?
Will you have a job when you move here?
Do you plan on selling your current home or renting it?
How’s the real estate market in xxxx?
Is your company providing you with a relocation package?
Obviously taking good notes to add to your data base is very important. The more information you have about this potential customer, the better job one can do in providing them excellent service!
Use Consumer Centric Language
As real estate professionals we need to avoid using real estate jargon. Not everyone understands the language and seldom do they raise their hand and ask for an explanation of terms. Be careful and confirm when you are having a conversation that your meaning is getting through.
Fair Trade Items
On the way to becoming indispensable it is important to utilize items of value, relevant value to the customer. What is relevant will be discovered in your conversations with the consumer. You need to dig in order to find out what might be important to them. Sometimes they ask you, but often times extra needs aren’t as apparent.
Some items I have prepared in the past are:
Relocation Information Packet – could be an email with relevant links to information or hard copy if you have it
Info on a specific area
Map of the area – frequently I will post sticky’s on a map illustrating the various possible neighborhoods that might work for them
A localized newsletter with current market data
Newspaper or online articles of interest
List of Golf Courses (or Colorado Golfer magazine)
Links to School Sites
List of Private Schools
Don’t Be a Drip – Provide Relevant Info!
Drip systems are very popular, among those that SELL them. It’s been my experience they don’t work. The consumer recognizes a DRIP messages and regards it as spam. So if you want to join the ranks of 99% of the agents, drip on consumers.
Scripts – Use as an outline
We all have scripts. Scripts are part of a process to keep us on track. When contacting a lead following a script (preferably not read but internalized) is the best way to garner the proper information needed to be able to provide relevant information to the consumer.
The suggested routine is to first call the lead as soon as possible. If there is no answer be sure to leave a complete message as to who you are, why you are calling and how to return your call. Be sure to speak distinctly and repeat your name and telephone number a second time.
Two Punch!
Once the first contact is made (either in person or via message) take the second extra step and send an email message with the same information. This message can easily be configured as an email signature in Outlook, for ease of use. I prefer to personalize the basic message by referring to the town or neighborhood the person was initially inquiring about.
Final Step
Each time a contact is made with a lead, be sure to record the conversation in your data base and schedule a follow up date. When you are new in the business this may seem unnecessary, but as more and more business comes across your desk you will realize this habit is important.
Date Base?
If there is only one tool you can have in this business, it’s a data base. Your data base can be as simple as a yellow pad or Microsoft Excel. Whatever you do, be sure to create one, NOW! I promise you in 5 or 10 years you will thank me.
Resources
Scripts – These can be downloaded from Google Docs.
Active Lead Follow Up
Voice Mail Script
Internet Script
Free DataBase Software:
RealFutureCRM
Ask Your Broker
Talking Points
The Care and Handling of Internet Leads is a post from: Kristalks
Send article as PDF to
http://kristalks.com/internet-leads/706/
Taken from the 42nd floor of the new Spire building on a stormy day. The sun was trying to come out and perform, unfortunately I had an appointment and couldn’t wait.
I will be back!
http://www.denverphotoblog.com/the-view-from-high/
Seldom do I post photos from the properties I offer for sale, but this one is an exception. I shot this today after looking at dull gray skies for several days. What a delight to find my favorite white puffy clouds against the bright blue skies had returned right at the exact moment I needed to take this shot!
I’ll consider my stoke of luck a good omen…anyone want to buy a DTC Condo?
http://www.denverphotoblog.com/greenwood-village-view/
At Washington Park in Denver you can rent various types of vehicles. This one is built for two, but there are others built for 4 (or more). Somehow I don’t think having 4 people peddling is twice a good as two.
This one did great on the downhill, but uphill was a challenge.
http://www.denverphotoblog.com/wash-park-bugg/
Denver is known as a City in a Park. One of my favorite parks is Washington Park, where if you hurry you will get to see the magnificent gardens in bloom.
http://www.denverphotoblog.com/colorful-colorado-scene/
Blogging has found common ground in the business world. It has grown from it’s teenage diary image into a powerful business force that drives both image and business.
Consumers are tuning in and reading blogs on their favorite subjects. It’s a great way to become informed and learn about the voice of the company or individual they may want to do business with in the future.
As a long-time blogger on a variety of networks, I discovered the power of blogging several years ago. The beauty of using blogging as a business tool has truly changed the scope of marketing for small business people like myself.
Blogging has given me the power to inform and educate my potential customers. They read my content and look at my photos and get to “know me” long before I ever have the pleasure of meeting them. As an added bonus when I actually do get to meet them, I feel like we are long-time friends. Typically we have so much in common that working together is enjoyable!
Recently I did a presentation with a local Denver Realtor, Stacie Staub. Stacie shared with me how she uses blogging as a means to “speak” to her current clients, while having the added benefit of reaching the eyes of people she has yet to meet. This approach is a classic means of optimizing your efforts!
Blogging certainly has a long shelf life. That’s why when people in my classes ask, “How much time do you spend blogging each day?” I sort of chuckle. I remember when I labored over writing an ad to attract buyers to a home I had for sale. Sometimes I would rewrite that ad several times before obtaining copy that I was proud to publish. That process would take an hour or more, then it was only visible for a short time before I had to do it again.
When you put that much time into a blog, it has a longer shelf life, it can last for years and years. Want proof? Google “absorption rate“. Who comes up in the top slot? At the moment that happens to be a post I wrote on Nov. 14, 2006. What print ad would deliver that kind of shelf life?
The Power of A Blog Post Keeps on Going Year After Year…
By now you must at least be convinced that blogging can help your business and are willing to give it a try. If you are just starting out, now is the time to think about who you will write too. Taking the time to plan your approach in a tactical manner will deliver better results.
For a business person who has been in the business for awhile, it should be fairly easy. Think of your favorite customer, or rather type of customer. Who do you enjoy working with the most? Is this customer one who wants to live in a specific neighborhood, from a younger/older/more wealthy demographic? How would you describe this person? What do they do for fun and recreation? What are their dreams?
Knowing the answers to these questions will enable you to target your ideal client. The “persona” you create by answering these questions will guide you in creating the proper content for your blog posts.
Just imagine the volume of valuable content you can create over the course of time that will continue to help grow your online presence for years to come.
How much time are you willing to spend to create a business that will support and sustain your career?
I’ve created a handy sheet for you to download, it’s called “Profile Ideal Customer.” Do yourself a favor, print it out and take the time to think about your Ideal Customer. If you are finding it hard to get started, try thinking of in this manner; if I were to deliver to you the perfect client who would that be?
By forcing yourself to define your Ideal client, you start to create a focus for your blog. Knowing your customer, what they want, what they want to learn, how they live, what their issues are will give you and your blog a reason to exist.
How simple it that?
But wait, there are other benefits from having a Focused blog. As you continue to build your online presence with topics generated from your “ideal customer profile” you will find the concentration of the topic will get found by your ideal client when he does a Google search. Your well defined topic will create content that over time will expose your blog as an authority on the subject.
Yes, it means work, but none of us are a stranger to work. Let’s just work smarter not harder and optimize the time we spend online. Blogging can be beneficial to us as we become more aware of the world around us and how to add value to those who look to us for guidance.
Download the Profile for Your Ideal Client. Work on it and let me know how it’s working for you!
Write to Your Ideal Customer is a post from: Kristalks
Send article as PDF to
http://kristalks.com/blogging-for-your-ideal-client/678/
#@mizzle
Kristal Kraft The Berkshire Group, REALTORS Sent from my iPhone 303-589-2022 Please excuse the brevity & misspellings!
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http://kristalk.posterous.com/someone-has-been-defacing-my-wahoos
For the uninformed (or those who have no children) Thomas is a very famous train. So famous is he, that he tours the country taking little ones and their guardians on rides. We purchased our tickets in advanced for this nearly sold out event.
The Colorado Railroad Museum has something to offer both young and old. The lot is filled with trains, cars and all sorts of fun stuff. Many are available to climb onto and crawl all over.
A day at the Railroad Museum is a real treat. It was a great way to spend some time with my Grandson.
http://www.denverphotoblog.com/thomas-train/
Arvada Celebrates at the Harvest Festival in a big way, all weekend long.
http://www.denverphotoblog.com/the-midway/
Two young ladies enjoy the thrill of a roller coaster ride at sunset.
http://www.denverphotoblog.com/harvest-festival-in-arvada/
Denver’s Bcycle bikes are the way to travel in the city. Pick up a bike for $5 and use it in 30 minute increments for the next 24 hours. It’s so cool to be able to tour the city and not have to worry about parking.
At the end of the day you really feel like you earned your dinner!
http://www.denverphotoblog.com/renting-a-bike/
Atop Mt. Evans lives a herd of Mountain Goats. They are amazing to watch as they effortlessly climb up and down the side of the mountain.
http://www.denverphotoblog.com/the-king/
Kristal Kraft The Berkshire Group, REALTORS Sent from my iPhone 303-589-2022 Please excuse the brevity & misspellings!
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http://kristalk.posterous.com/homer-time-for-the-rockies
I captured this image today on my way up Mt. Evans! It’s one of those “lucky shots” where I had 1 second to get it!
I just love the way nothing but the clouds show behind the car. It was truly a trip to the sky!
http://www.denverphotoblog.com/a-sunday-drive/
Kristal Kraft The Berkshire Group, REALTORS Sent from my iPhone 303-589-2022 Please excuse the brevity & misspellings!
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http://kristalk.posterous.com/my-biking-buddy
The Colorado sky is an ever changing story. I love the soft fluffy clouds and how they dot the sky with interest and illusion.
http://www.denverphotoblog.com/the-sky-is-the-story/
Sometimes the view just isn’t enough, one feels a compulsion to mess with it! Where is this?
http://www.denverphotoblog.com/can-you-guess-where-this-it/
Kristal Kraft The Berkshire Group, REALTORS Sent from my iPhone 303-589-2022 Please excuse the brevity & misspellings!
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http://kristalk.posterous.com/my-view-at-mountain-meeting-in-dillon
Download now or watch on posterous
IMG_0182.MOV (5164 KB)
Kristal Kraft The Berkshire Group, REALTORS Sent from my iPhone 303-589-2022 Please excuse the brevity & misspellings!
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http://kristalk.posterous.com/this-is-a-lot-of-bull
My bloggermobile! Lincoln MKT Loaded! How fun! Time for a road trip!
Kristal Kraft The Berkshire Group, REALTORS Sent from my iPhone 303-589-2022 Please excuse the brevity & misspellings!
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http://kristalk.posterous.com/this-smiling-grill-is-mine-for-a-week
Kristal Kraft The Berkshire Group, REALTORS Sent from my iPhone 303-589-2022 Please excuse the brevity & misspellings!
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http://kristalk.posterous.com/dogs-like-starbucks-too
Freelance Camp Ft Collins BarCamp format is awesome
Kristal Kraft The Berkshire Group, REALTORS Sent from my iPhone 303-589-2022 Please excuse the brevity & misspellings!
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http://kristalk.posterous.com/describing-the-organization-options-for
Kristal Kraft The Berkshire Group, REALTORS Sent from my iPhone 303-589-2022 Please excuse the brevity & misspellings!
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http://kristalk.posterous.com/where-the-cool-winds-blow
Kristal Kraft The Berkshire Group, REALTORS Sent from my iPhone 303-589-2022 Please excuse the brevity & misspellings!
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http://kristalk.posterous.com/over-eiffeling
Yea Espana!
Kristal Kraft The Berkshire Group, REALTORS Sent from my iPhone 303-589-2022 Please excuse the brevity & misspellings!
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http://kristalk.posterous.com/not-letting-the-language-barrier-stop-us-from
We welcome Espana members in red! Winners all! #sab10
Kristal Kraft The Berkshire Group, REALTORS Sent from my iPhone 303-589-2022 Please excuse the brevity & misspellings!
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http://kristalk.posterous.com/crs-sellabration-kicks-off
Google allows users to create and embed maps into your own website. Using Google Maps is a great way to illustrate the many amenities in a neighborhood.
You can add customized icons with photos and link them to websites. For instance when marketing a home all the external features can be added to a map, then the map code can be embedded on the brochure page you create on your site.
Tutorials in Screencast
To illustrate this process I’ve made 3 screencasts with step by step instructions on how to create, customize and embed Google maps onto your website.
How to create a personalized Google Map –Where to Begin?
Adding customized icons to your Google Map – Step by step, how to find icons and add them to your Map
Embedding your Google Map into your Blogsite –
Personalizing Google Maps to Illustrate Amenities is a post from: Kristalks
Send article as PDF to
http://kristalks.com/personalizing-google-maps-to-illustrate-amenities/666/
Kristal Kraft The Berkshire Group, REALTORS Sent from my iPhone 303-589-2022 Please excuse the brevity & misspellings!
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http://kristalk.posterous.com/welcome-9
Google offers a great tool for those who have blogs. Using Google Voice you can publish their Click and Call Widget on the sidebar so your customers can have the convenience of easily contacting you. This free feature from Google offers so much more than voice mail. When a caller uses it, the system rings every telephone you configure. If you don’t answer it will record a message. The message is then both transcribed into a Text and email to you and also archived in the system for you to read or listen to later!
To use Google Voice you will need 1) a Google Account 2) a Google telephone number.
Here’s how to get your own Google Voice Telephone Number and the Call Me button for your blog:
If you already have a Gmail account, just log into it. Click on “more.” (If you do not have a Gmail account, go get one! They are free!)
Next you will have to click on “even more.” Then the next box pops up. Look for “VOICE”
When you click on “VOICE” you will be directed to a setup screen, where you can configure the system to ring your telephone numbers.
Look for then click on “Settings” the next screen will allow you to Choose a Google Telephone Number. Follow the instructions, continuing on to configure the telephones you want Google to ring when searching for you.
Remember, if you add your home phone and there are other people in your house, you will need to train them on how to answer the phone for you. This is coming from your professional site, so a professional answering routine is important.
The person answering the phone will be told by the Google Recording who is calling and who the call is for, so they will know what type of caller is on the phone.
After Setting Up Telephone Numbers Go Get Your Widget
The Google Voice Widget can be found by going to the “Call Widgets” link. Here you can configure the widget to do different things.
Be sure to save your changes!
Next go grab the Widget Embed Code. The screen will look something like this:
Just copy the Embed Code to your clipboard,
Ctrl-A to get full code. Ctrl-C to copy.
Now go to your WordPress blog, >Appearance>Widgets>Text
Grab a “TEXT box” and drag it over to the Sidebar column
Give your Widget a Name, “Contact Me” works.
Save then go to the Home Page of your Blog and admire your work!
Let Google Voice Find You is a post from: Kristalks
Send article as PDF to
http://kristalks.com/let-google-voice-find/639/
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