Jessica Hickok
By Jessica Hickok
Nothing is more frustrating than when you can’t find the inspiration to update your social media statuses or knock out that blog post. I have spent many nights staring at a blank computer screen trying to search deep within myself to write something engaging for my blog readers. That’s because I’m a REALTOR®, not a writer.
But everyone says that blogging is so important for your real estate career and that it’s “so easy to do.” While I do agree with the first part of that, I believe the second part I can only partially agree with.
However, I do have some tips for finding that blogging inspiration you need:
1.) Scan your RSS feed reader headlines as if they are questions. Write your post as a response to the article you just read. This also creates great link juice for that original article you read.
2.) Flip open a magazine and scan the table of contents. Take a magazine headline and replace it with your own. For example: a magazine article reads “Computer Help 911”. Change it to “Short Sale Help 911.” Use it to write about how you are working a short sale transaction and share the tips you use to save a dying deal. Continue reading »
Jessica Hickok
By Jessica Hickok
I recently got an e-mail from my Flickr photo sharing account stating that a map company had requested to use a photo I had taken. The photo was a tourist-y pic of Fremont Street in Las Vegas that was taken on a recent trip we made there last summer. The map company was requesting to use it for one of their online publication maps promoting the eclectic street.
Don’t get too excited, I’m not getting paid for them to use the photo, but I am getting a credit byline on the interactive online map.
Fremont Street
They asked me for the byline credit link and the default was set to my Flickr user name. Although I like Flickr, I mostly use it for personal photos and I don’t use it that often. So I changed the credit to be given to my Web/blog site instead of my Flickr user name. Within weeks, I was amazed that my Web tracking stats were showing hundreds of hits on my web site that were coming from this online map Web site!
Then it hit me, posting pictures on Flickr (real estate related or not) can be just another way to drive traffic to your Web site. I haven’t received any phone calls from someone wanting to buy that overpriced listing that’s been on the market since last summer, but you never know. Nonetheless I am getting people hitting my Web site and all I did was upload a random photo to my Flickr account.
The moral of the story: Never underestimate the power of social media and a life well lived outside your job as REALTOR®. You’d be amazed at how they all intertwine within themselves. However, be warned young Jedi Warrior, it goes both ways… You must think before posting those “other” Vegas pics.
Jessica Hickok, a self-proclaimed blogging- and Twittering-fanatic, is with Dizmang Properties in Springfield, Mo. Visit Jessica’s blog: www.jessicahickok.com.
Jessica Hickok
By Jessica Hickok
As in every job, there are difficult tasks that you have to take on. One of the difficult tasks that we face as REALTORS® is telling a seller that their house is overpriced and that they need to make a reduction in order to get it sold. However, you can make this job easier taking the following action steps:
- Documentation. Sure, this one is easy because we’ve heard it a million times. Do your homework and show the actual market analysis and really study the comparables. Especially the U/C’s and Solds in the last six months. Know the data inside and out and then show your seller the facts on paper. It’s hard for anyone to ignore the data and the facts when they are staring them in the face.
- Don’t use the economy as an excuse. Actually, don’t use any excuse or apology when advising your seller to lower their list price. Oftentimes people feel like they need to apologize to soften the blow. You have nothing to apologize for, because it is what it is. Give the facts and stand firm in it. You didn’t create the market conditions.
- And lastly, stay in contact with your seller. Don’t let several weeks go by without being in touch with them. When you are constantly in contact updating your seller, it will be easier to ask for the price reduction. Keep in contact with your sellers via e-mail, text messages, Facebook and/or short phone calls just to say hello and give a quick update.
So swallow the frog while it is still a small tadpole. Be proactive in research, make no apologies for doing your job and keep in contact. It’s been stated that one of the big pet peeves a seller has is that their real estate practitioner doesn’t let them know what’s going on. The bottom line is that your sellers will respect you for doing your job.
Jessica Hickok, a self-proclaimed blogging- and Twittering-fanatic, is with Dizmang Properties in Springfield, Mo. Visit Jessica’s blog: www.jessicahickok.com.
Jessica Hickok
By Jessica Hickok, 2009 NAR Conference Blogger
It’s Sunday, day 3 of the annual conference here in beautiful San Diego, and I can’t help but think I don’t want it to end…however, I’m really excited to get back to work!
Every year that I have attended the NAR Annual Conference and Expo, I always find it to be a huge shot in the arm. A shot of motivation, a shot of confidence in what I do, and a huge shot of ambition to become even better.
I have put together a list of my personal top 5 highlights of the conference this year and find it to be reason enough to plan on attending next year’s conference.
1. Networking with your peers and colleagues is invaluable.
I have attended some fabulous parties and tweet-ups and learned so many new things about how my fellow REALTORS® balance things with their personal and business life. It’s always fun to meet your online friends in real life.
2. I found out that Transaction Desk is going mobile!
The Expo trade show floor is huge and I have found some new alternatives to managing our office listings and contracts. One thing that I’m super excited about is that Transaction Desk by Instanet Solutions is bringing their stuff to the mobile device! Talk about time saver!
3. I Crossed Something Off My Bucket List.
Speaking for the first time at NAR was a huge accomplishment and opportunity for me. One of the best things you can do to learn more for yourself is to teach what you know to someone else. Again, talking with colleagues is all about sharing and learning. During our property management session, we received so many questions from others that it got us thinking and planning new ideas for the way we run our business. Thank you guys for contributing to our session!
4. I saw the Priceline Negotiator!
Granted, I didn’t get to actually meet William Shatner in person because of the time crunch I was on, but I did get to see him and snap his picture from approximately 10 feet away. NAR does a great job of setting up things to where you don’t feel excluded if you have something else that you need to get done.
5. I love what I do and I believe in the NAR organization all that much more.
It may sound cheesy, but I get all pumped up about what I do from discovering new things. And that is the biggest highlight. I’m proud to call myself a REALTOR® because it is a brand that I believe in and that has treated me, and 19,000 others, very well over the last four days. Can’t wait to see you all next year!
Jessica Hickok, a self-proclaimed blogging and Twittering fanatic, is with Dizmang Properties in Springfield, Mo. Visit Jessica’s blog: www.jessicahickok.com.
Jessica Hickok
By Jessica Hickok
I’m a big list maker and checklist lover. While gearing up for the big NAR Annual Conference and Expo coming up in just two short weeks in San Diego, I am in list-making overdrive.
However there is one list that I make that I would like to encourage every REALTOR® to do the same in preparation for the convention. And that is a list of people you should attempt to meet IRL (in real life) while attending the sessions. With so many of us on Twitter and Facebook, we all tend to flock together online but don’t make the effort to meet in the real world.
So make your IRL list and check it twice. If you have a list, you won’t miss anyone. Make an effort to get out and meet people. Snap your picture with them while you’re at it and post it to Facebook. After all, connecting with your peers is what makes the conference a success.
Jessica Hickok, a self-proclaimed blogging and Twittering fanatic, is with Dizmang Properties in Springfield, Mo. Visit Jessica’s blog: www.jessicahickok.com.
Jessica Hickok
By Jessica Hickok
It’s been said over and over that social media can be a huge benefit to your real estate business. I have found this to be true on so many levels, as my company has received countless referrals off of Twitter and Facebook by talking about what I love to do. And yes, like you, what I love to do is sell real estate!
But what has also been asked by many REALTORS® who have embraced the numerous social media sites is… how can I save time by posting photos and updates to one site to send out to all of my other social media sites?
New things come up all of the time, but the flavor of the month is Posterous. Posterous is a free site that is simple because all you have to do is e-mail your file and it will post to your Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, blogs, and more within seconds.
Again, it’s free and it is super simple. I encourage you to give it a try.
Jessica Hickok, a self-proclaimed blogging and Twittering fanatic, is with Dizmang Properties in Springfield, Mo. Visit Jessica’s blog: www.jessicahickok.com.
By Jessica Hickok
Jessica Hickok
Although selling real estate can be a very lucrative career, there can be some downtime when listings are hard to move, ultimately casting a negative cloud over that whole lucrative career thing.
That’s where residential property management can swoop in and save the day. Property managers typically charge a monthly management fee, which is usually a percentage of the collected monthly rents. It is also common to charge a leasing fee to the owner/investor. This leasing fee is a percentage of the first month’s rent in addition to the monthly management fee. This covers the agent’s expenses for the time it took to show the property and prepare it for lease. Not to mention, it gives you a nice profit. Of course, these fees are all agreed upon, up front, in the Property Management Agreement.
Don’t want to do property management for the long haul? Hate backed-up toilets?
No problem! Take on clients with overpriced listings. You know, the sellers that need to sell, but can’t? My company often gets phone calls from sellers who want us to rent out their property until it sells. Many times we don’t accept them because these types of properties are generally not long term.
So if you’re a little phobic of the rental property management scene, but still need a monthly paycheck, consider taking on some of the short term-rental properties mentioned. And keep in mind that a plumber is only a phone call away for the those backed-up toilets. This is a good opportunity for you to test the waters of managing rental property without a long-term commitment.
I’m excited to be co-presenting this idea with Paul Dizmang, aptly titled “8 Effortless Tips to Tackling Rental Property Management” on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009 at the NAR Annual Conference and Expo. The conference is held in San Diego this year and you won’t want to miss it. Register online for this fantastic event by going to http://www.realtor.org.com/conference, I hope to see you there!
What are your suggestions that we, as REALTORS®, can do to find that extra income while still practicing what we love?
Jessica Hickok, a self-proclaimed blogging and twittering fanatic, is with Dizmang Properties in Springfield, Mo.
Recent Comments