Don’t Worry, Be Happy

By Jeremy Williams

I heard the song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin played over the radio on the way home from the office.  How relevant could this song be as the theme song for the thousands of real estate business owners across the United States?

Running your own real estate business can at times be stressful and create worry.  Like the lyrics from the song say, “In every life we have some trouble, when you worry you make it double.  Don’t worry, be happy…”.  How often do we let the little things in our business get under our skin to the point it becomes an agitation?  The agitation festers and bitterness can follow.  We know that it is inevitable that troubles will come, but it is how we deal with the troubles we face that will determine the outcome.  So don’t worry because we know that challenges will come; instead be happy that we can prepare ourselves to deal with them.

Here are a few steps to prepare how to deal with challenges that may evoke worry:

1.       When faced with worry, know that in the grand scheme of life the challenge you are facing is more than likely minimal though it may not be pleasant while you are in the situation.

2.       Always know that someone has more than likely been through what you are going through in your business.  Seek the advice of seasoned REALTORS concerning your business situation.

3.       Avoid becoming a rain cloud to those around you.

4.       Don’t forget the past, but don’t remain in the past.

5.       Remember that it takes more muscles to frown than to smile.  A smile can change the attitude about the situation you are in, and a smile can also positively impact those around you.

So don’t worry, be happy as you set out in your business today.  What are your thoughts on this?

Jeremy Williams of Keller Williams Realty NE in Kingwood, Texas specializes in the residential real estate market of Kingwood, Atascocita, and Humble, Texas.  Visit his Web site at www.williams4yourhome.com.

What’s Your Chicken Fried Meatloaf Approach?

By Jeremy Williams

I had lunch last week with a friend from church at a quaint diner called Country Roads in Conroe, Texas.  When looking at the menu, my friend suggested ordering off menu.  Usually I am not the type to do this, but I was intrigued when he mentioned chicken fried meatloaf.  It sounded dangerously good and definitely outside the box.  I trusted my salivary glands and not my heart health and took the plunge.  I walked into the restaurant expecting the result of eating a good meal and being satisfied.  What I had not anticipated was trying something outside the norm and the results being much more than I could ever expect.

How many times do we catch ourselves operating our real estate business within the “norms” and not thinking how to go outside the box to achieve better and more sustainable results?  Share with REALTORS®, by posting a comment below, your chicken fried meatloaf approach in business.  What marketing techniques do you use that might be outside the “norms” that net great results?

Jeremy Williams of Keller Williams Realty NE in Kingwood, Texas specializes in the residential real estate market of Kingwood, Atascocita, and Humble, Texas.  Visit his Web site at www.williams4yourhome.com.

Overcoming an Obstacle Requires Perseverance

By Jeremy Williams

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James II: 2-3.

If you are in the real estate business for a period of time, you will at some point deal with obstacles.  Some may be trivial, while others more complex and wearing. But we must know that in the grand scheme of things, all obstacles are small.  It is easy when dealing with an obstacle in our businesses to be side tracked from our tasks and sometimes even consumed.

So how does one overcome when faced with a difficult time?  Perseverance!

“Just keep on keeping on” is an old adage that comes to mind.  When faced with an obstacle, don’t give up, just keep on going.  Do what you know is right and don’t allow the issue you are facing to consume your thoughts and time. Persevere.

Stay to the tasks including lead generation instead of dwelling on a particular client or transaction that may have wronged you.  Persevere.

Take time to re-read your goals, objectives to reach those goals, and your mission when you are distracted from your purpose. Persevere.

You and I will face obstacles in our businesses, or you may also call them storms in your life, but the great thing about a storm is that it will pass.  Persevere!

Jeremy Williams of Keller Williams Realty NE in Kingwood, Texas specializes in the residential real estate market of Kingwood, Atascocita, and Humble, Texas.  Visit his Web site at www.williams4yourhome.com.

Involvement = Impact

By Jeremy Williams

Involvement = Impact was a humbling realization I had after a board meeting this week with the East Houston Fellowship of Christian Athletes. You can’t stand on the side lines if you want to have an impact on anything, whether it is in the real estate industry, an organization you participate in, or even in your family. Napoleon Hill wrote, “You must get involved to have an impact. No one is impressed with the won-loss record of the referee.” How many times do we find our selves standing on the sidelines of life?

How can you get involved in making an impact in our industry?

• Reach out to a new REALTOR® seeking help on how to hold an open house.
• Volunteer to teach a class to REALTORS® on how to utilize technology to grow their businesses.
• Be a mentor to a REALTOR® who is looking to grow their business.
• Find a local organization that is in need of volunteers and get involved.

There are probably more ways for you to get involved than you realize. The result of your involvement often can’t be measured, but should never be underestimated.

I was 16 and in high school when I attended a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting. Two people who chose to get involved in my life probably do not realize the impact they had on me. The impact was life changing, and I can say without a doubt, I would not be who I am today without these two individuals taking time to get involved.

Don’t underestimate the power of involvement, and the significant impact that can take place. Be impactful in your real estate business and get involved.

Jeremy Williams of Keller Williams Realty NE in Kingwood, Texas specializes in the residential real estate market of Kingwood, Atascocita, and Humble, Texas.  Visit his Web site at www.williams4yourhome.com.

I Would Like a Cheeseburger, But Hold the Cheese.

By Jeremy Williams

What would happen if you ordered a cheeseburger at a fast food restaurant, and in ordering asked to hold the cheese?  What reaction would you expect when you pulled up to the window to pay?  The reaction would most likely be confusion because the restaurant’s expectation is that when you order a cheeseburger from the menu that the customer must want cheese.  Though an extreme example, maybe we need to be careful when preconceiving the expectations of our buyer and seller clients.

Webster defines an expectation as a prospect of future benefit; anticipation.  At one point in my business I offered a 100 percent  Satisfaction Guarantee program.  Basically, what I was stating was that I already knew that I was going to meet or exceed the expectations of my clients.  I was offering a future benefit to my client with the preconceived thought that I knew what they wanted in the agent/client relationship.  I essentially set a trap for myself.  Expectations we have might not necessarily match those of our clients.  How do we avoid the trap of disappointment and discontent?

To avoid the trap that could be set with expectations, it is simple.  In your initial meeting with the buyer or seller client, ask what your clients’ expectations are before stating your own.  You will be surprised how their expectations may differ from your preconceived thoughts of their expectations.  Once you know their expectations, let your clients know how you can or can’t meet them.  Never say that you will exceed their expectations because it is not necessary if you are meeting the needs set forth.

In summary, instead of setting expectations in advance, listen to the expectations that your clients have of you in the agency relationship.  If you can’t meet or work through those expectations, refer the client to a team member or business partner that can meet their particular needs and wants.  By doing this exercise upfront, you will experience a much healthier working relationship with your clients with win-win results.

So the next time you order a cheeseburger, think about what would happen if you asked to hold the cheese.  What are your thoughts on expectations?

Jeremy Williams of Keller Williams Realty NE in Kingwood, Texas specializes in the residential real estate market of Kingwood, Atascocita, and Humble, Texas.  Visit his Web site at www.williams4yourhome.com.

‘Help! I Don’t Know What to Blog About.’

By Jeremy Williams

Writing a successful blog does not just happen.  Just like anything that is successful, planning is required.  Winston Churchill said, “Let our advance worrying become advance thinking and planning.” Instead of worrying what to write, just focus on thinking and planning, then the subject matter will reveal itself.

I see many people start a blog, but over time they run out of things to write about to keep the interest of readers.  These bloggers started without a plan.  You loose the readers and soon you are just keeping a daily journal for yourself.  Here are a few steps that will help you write a successful blog.

Identify your audience. Without a specified audience, you are writing to yourself.  Are you writing to reach first-time home buyers? Or are you writing about how you can help someone sell their home quickly for the most money?  Your writing needs to be specific to the intended audience to maximize the response of your efforts. Read more

Rethinking Lead Generation

By Jeremy Williams

Depending on which real estate company you are currently operating with, there is one truth that you probably have heard expressed over and over: Lead generation is the key to a successful real estate business. Without generation, the well can dry up and the next thing you know your scrambling to find that next client.

Methods of lead generation can include farming a geographic area, prospecting a sphere of influence, pop-bys, open houses, and many other tried and true methods. With the influence of rapidly progressing technology, new methods are developing that might be outside the traditional methods of lead generation.

One of the methods at the front of the industry currently is the use of Facebook, specifically Facebook fan pages. Lead generation will always have better results when you have a connection with that person. Facebook is a tool that allows you to develop and nurture that connection. Utilizing this tool properly not only will you strengthen relationships both new and old, but you will soon realize new business opportunities to keep your lead well from drying up. Read more