The following videos are the perfect examples to evaluate because the subject is the same house. One video was created by Circlepix, a company that takes great still photos and creates a video from them, the other by the homeowner who walks you through the house with a handheld video camera.

Which style do you prefer? Why?

Thanks to The Columbus Team for allowing me to use these videos on this post.

• 14% of REALTORS® use at LEAST one personal assistant
• 51% of personal assistants are unlicensed
• 50% of personal assistants are employed part-time
• 53% of personal assistants work exclusively for one REALTOR®

If you are a Real Estate Agent looking for an assistant, determine what your basic needs are:

• Licensed, unlicensed
• Full time, part time
• In office or virtual
• Generalist or specialist
• Experience required and renumeration
• Determine tasks to be completed

Then begin your search either locally or virtually. Online sources for assistants can include:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• Referral from trusted sources
• REVA Network
• MIVA Association
• Virtual Assistant Forums
• AssistU

This is just a starting point in the decision making process. If you need clarification or assistance with any of these steps, don’t hesitate to call, I’d be happy to help and guide you in the right direction. Skype: 248-419-4898

There are many more online sources for VA’s – please add any you’ve had success using in the comment section.

I assumed I was observing, everyone else assumed I was joining. So I now find myself part of the Tech committee. That role quickly expanded into also writing a monthly technology and social media article for the board newsletter. Funny how things snowball, isn’t it?

Social networking is like that too. It starts small and grows into more than you ever expected.

Here is my first submission to NOCBOR’s newsletter. Members will receive it in print, or you can read it online this month at NOCBOR’s web site.

The Social Media Revolution

“Social Media is not a fad.”
“Social Media is a game-changer.”
“Some say it may even be the biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution.”

So starts the preface to the newly released Swanepoel Social Media Report 2010. By now I’m sure you’ve heard of Social Media. You may even have a FaceBook page, or a profile on LinkedIn but if you’re like most people, you still may not “get it.”

“How does knowing what someone had for lunch help me get more business?”

When I decided to get my real estate license, I was new to Michigan. My entire sphere of influence consisted of 3 neighbors. I’ve put my efforts into learning about social media and the people who use it. Two of my last three contracts are a result of social media contacts. The incubation period with social media may be longer than traditional forms of marketing but if you work it along with your existing business the opportunity to keep your sales funnel filled is tremendous.

When Swanepoel refers to the “biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution, he is referring to the way in which we do business. The Industrial Revolution changed the manner in which products were produced, and created faster, more efficient ways of getting those products to market.

In the decades since, our marketing efforts were unidirectional. Realtors sent out postcards, newsletters, placed ads on benches and in grocery stores in the hopes someone looking for a home would see their information and call. We had complete control over the advertising persona we chose to show our customers.

What customers found is that the promises marketed were not always what they got. Referrals became important. We know if a past client refers us, it’s much easier to “make the sale” because we’re already a trusted advisor. The limitation is we are restricted by the number of people we know or know of us. That’s where networking groups came in. It expanded our reach to local people we may not have met otherwise.

Social Media changes marketing completely. It’s no longer unidirectional, you must be an active participant. Every day is a networking event. Participating with online platforms such as Facebook or Twitter is far easier and much more fun than walking cold into a face to face networking event. By using the tools Social Media provides us, we expand our marketing reach so when we do finally meet face to face, it’s as though we’re meeting an old friend. And old friends are the best source of referrals. Social Media interaction has the potential to be the referral process on steroids.

Are you ready for the next revolution?

Footnote: Swanepoel Social Media Report 2010 is available at www.REtrends.com

Photo Credit

Yesterday several members from the Michigan Virtual Assistant Association (MIVA) spent the day in BIGGBY Coffee locations throughout Southeast Michigan. For a suggested donation to Operation Kid Equip (OKE) patrons could request a free 25 minute consultation with a virtual assistant.

The purpose of the Michigan Virtual Assistants organization is to promote Michigan VA’s and to create an environment for networking and information sharing between VA’s. They also have a registry available to businesses and entrepreneurs looking to hire a virtual assistant.

The BIGGBY Coffee located at 1952 Telegraph Rd in Bloomfield Hills was my host for the day. I was very impressed with the staff; they were friendly, helpful and more than accomodating to all patrons. Great customer service seems to be the norm rather than the exception of this fast growing, social media savvy, homegrown chain of cafes.

I set up my table and spent the day working and chatting with the other VA’s via skype instant messaging. I had a couple of appointments show up, far fewer than I’d hoped. I did get to meet with a lawyer I had previously met through Motor City Connect. The other guest was an entrepreneur who owned a renovation company. We talked and then I designed him a graphic for his postcards and placed it on his thumbdrive. I also saved his logo in a variety of formats that he was better able to manipulate.

Another of the day’s highlights was when Menachem Kniespeck of Operation Kid Equip stopped by to introduce himself. Menachem cofounded OKE to ensure every child has the school supplies necessary to learn and succeed with their educational endeavors. The organization is working hard towards building chapters throughout Michigan and the United States.

Although the official VABlitz is over, you can still have great coffee at BIGGBY (locations here), you can still donate to OKE (help here) and you can still call me to schedule a free 25 minute consultation! (248-654-1550)

I first saw this a while ago, but when @biggbybob of BIGGBY COFFEE posted it during BrandCamp University, he reminded me that I wanted to share it here. Thanks Bob! Be sure to head over to Twitter and let @equalman know what you thought of the video.

Yesterday Mike Bowler asked me via twitter “What are the top ten items a VA can provide a Realtor?”

MIke Bowler, also known as MIRealEstate on twitter, is a long time Broker and owns PRETEC – Professional Resources, E-Business, Technology, Education, & Consulting. (I recently purchased the National Association of Realtors ePro course through him so I could earn the designation).

My response was:
“I can’t answer that in less than 140! LOL But THE top item would be peace of mind that the details are taken care of.”

1. lead management
2. listing uploads
3. presentation creation
4. social media set up
5. blog creation/maintenance
6. newsletter creation/distribution
7. writing/managing email drip campaigns
8. setting up MLS searches
9. setting up online profiles
10. technical resource which saves the Realtors having to research answers themselves

“That’s 10 off the top of my head but how they are prioritized is unique to the client.”

I had much more to say about outsourcing to virtual assistants so I sent him an email, which he was kind enough to post on his blog. I provided Mike with a longer sample list of the types of work a Realtor can outsource to a Virtual Assistant as well as ideas on how to find the right VA. Visit MikeBowler.net to read his article.

A “Virtual Assistant” is the CyberCletch team meeting any need you have as a Realtor. From tasks as complex as transaction management, to simple but attractive flyers, you have all the resources you could ask for at CyberCletch. Transaction coordination, web design, database management, marketing, graphic design; we do it all with a personal, friendly touch, and an eye for detail and the utmost professionalism.

Our first clients at CyberCletch were Realtors. We have experience, skills, and creative ideas geared just for Realtors. We can create the marketing plan that targets your ideal client, and find creative ways to make new contacts. The VA team keeps abreast of all the innovations and market changes in order to better serve you. We can offer online transaction management, 1-800 call backs, online or telephonic pursuit of listing feedback, as well as gorgeous feature listing sheets, attractive ads, and interesting and entertaining newsletters.

CyberCletch offers the advantages of having an assistant without the overhead. Our contract limits are set by you, so if you feel we aren’t a good fit, simply decline to renew or extend the initial contract. We may even be able to help you find a VA who is better suited to your style. At CyberCletch, customer service and exceeding your expectations are our passion.