Is Your Database Functional?

If you are new to real estate, or have been in it awhile, you have heard about managing your database. It is also called a CRM (Customer Relationship Management). So the real question is, are you managing your customer relationships how you should be?

For most agents, this is one spot that falls short due to lack of time and know-how. It isn’t that you don’t want to do it, but it is hard to keep up with it all and make sure you are doing it right.

First of all, what database are you using to keep it all organized? Some recommend using the system that comes with the company you work for. Some say getting an alternative is a good idea. Whichever you choose, you can always export your contacts to move them to a new location.

Having a functional database can be a marketing source, a lead capturing system, listing and transaction tracking system, and sometimes a dialer to manage your calling also! Cleaning up your database, coding your contacts, and syncing your new leads with email campaigns can give you an edge you don’t have yet.

It isn’t just the set up that is important. It is also the management of the leads that is vital to the success of your CRM. If you are ready to get your contacts organized and start creating a lasting relationship with them, call us for more information on how we can help!

Sometimes reaching out to those who can help is the best, and easiest answer! Our goal is to help you reach your goals while freeing up your time for things you really want to do. If you are interested in more information, or for a FREE Business Analysis, call us at 202-469-6774.

Valentine's Day Ideas

Valentine’s Day is this week! Are you ready? Do you have somebody special who you will be spending the holiday with, or do you do something special with the kids? Or maybe you do special things with the kids during the day and have a date night. Whatever your situation, make sure you are prepared!

Fun with the kids for Valentine’s Day:

·      Make a Valentine’s Heart Craft found at The Resourceful Mama.

·      Check out these adorable Hand-Print Flowers from Nanny Shecando.

·      This Fingerprint Love Canvas is easy and pretty! Check it out at The Farm Wife Crafts.

Valentine’s Day fun for the family:

• ·      Make a Wilton Valentine’s Day Breakfast! Find instructions on AC Moore’s website.
• ·      Craft a Heart Cake for the family from Daisy Pickers.
• ·      Do any or all of these 50 things to show your family you love them. These are great for every day, not only Valentine’s Day! Find the ideas at The House of Hendrix.

Couple activities for Valentine’s Day:

• ·      Shifting Roots has a list of great ideas for a stay-at-home Valentine’s night.
• ·      Try any of these great ideas from The Picket Fence for your Valentine’s Day.
• ·      Buzz Feed has some creative ideas that are cheap, but won’t make you look that way!

If you are looking for more ideas, follow our Holiday Ideas Board on Pinterest! We hope you have a great Valentine’s Day no matter what you do! Our goal is to help you reach your goals while freeing up your time for things you really want to do. If you are interested in more information, or for a FREE Business Analysis, call us at 202-469-6774.

Organize Your Office

Whether at home or at the office an organized area is essential to productivity. If you sit down at your desk and can’t figure out where to start, you have too much out! Now the big question, “but where do I start?”

The first thing to do is go through everything in your space. Get rid of anything that is not essential to you doing your job on a daily basis. If it is broken, toss it. If you haven’t used it in more than a week or a month, get rid of it or move it to another room. You want to have the minimal amount of items at your work area.

Everything that you have left now needs a home. Start organizing your items based on activity. For example, you only want your essential items on your desktop. Maybe you only use your stapler every once in awhile so it can go into a drawer. Try to keep like items together so that they are easy to find. Don’t put your stapler in one drawer and then put the staples in a bin in the other room.

Label your things! If you are using bins or drawers, make sure they are labeled. You need to know where items are at a glance and this is the easiest way. It also helps you put things back where they belong.

How is your filing system? It may be time to upgrade! In the digital age it is even easier to store all of your documents on your computer. If you can’t do that, make sure your filing system is organized and efficient.

Use storage boxes for outdated items. If it is not within the last 6 months, it is probably safe to archive it. Get a file box and label it for the time frame that is within the box. Put this box somewhere safe, and out of the way.

Keep it clean! Every day make sure you leave your desk clean and organized. Go through mail right away, file papers as you go, and put away anything you were working on. Starting every day with a clean, organized desk can promote productivity.

Getting organized can be a team effort! We can’t keep your desk clean, but we can help with the rest of your business. Our goal is to help you reach your goals while freeing up your time for things you really want to do. If you are interested in more information, or for a FREE Business Analysis, call us at 202-469-6774.