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CEO’s Introduction

Starting at the end of November, and finishing during this first week of January, many of us will have observed more traditions than at any other time of the year. Whether it’s Christmas, Hanukah, Eid al-Adha, or Kwanzaa, most households have celebrated something.

As a relatively new American Citizen, I recently learned about another ‘holiday’ created by the enigma that is Frank Costanza (father of the legendary George Costanza on Seinfeld). Festivus (“for the rest of us!”) is a ‘holiday’ that includes the Festivus Pole (Frank states: “It requires no decoration. I find tinsel distracting.”), the Festivus dinner (meat loaf or spaghetti in a red sauce), the ‘Airing of Grievances’ (Frank again: “You gather your family around, and tell them all the ways they have disappointed you over the past year.”) and of course, ‘Feats of Strength’ where followers get to challenge each other to a wrestling match. Festivus even has its own miracles.

During this first week of January, the most common tradition is the implementation of New Year Resolutions. With “lose weight” and “get fitter” topping the list, it’s easy to understand the noticeable increase in advertisements for weight loss solutions and exercise equipment.

Personally, I don’t follow the practice, but as I am in the minority, I thought I would try something along the same lines, while additionally revisiting some of the things we discussed in 2007. So the following is my list of “Realtor things to do in 2008”:

1. On a single piece of paper, spend one whole hour listing your 2008 personal and business goals. Make sure you do it in the right environment - lock the door, make sure there isn’t a phone, computer, pet, child or refrigerator nearby, and have spare pens and paper. Deafened by the sound of silence, you may find that for the first time in a long time, you really get to think. It’s a bit scary for some, but at the end of the exercise you will be more aware of exactly what needs to be done. If you run out of ideas before your sixty minutes is up, don’t move! Sit there and think some more (come on, it’s only an hour, one episode of American Idol is longer!). Once the list is complete, place it in a conspicuous place - somewhere you will see it every working day.
2. Spend two whole hours listing how you will achieve these goals and set yourself some benchmarks. If you want more business, then you have choices:
   • Work more
   • Work differently
   • Work more and differently

   Last August I wrote about how you can position yourself as the local real estate celebrity. If you use only one of my suggestions, you are taking a great first step, but at a minimum commit to either calling, speaking to or emailing more people, more frequently. In July I spoke about the need to create a system, so make sure you also include a way to track what you are doing.

3. If you didn’t attend a trade show in 2007, then make plans to go to one this year. Having personally attended dozens of these events last year, some are certainly better than others, but I always learn something. Anyone going to a trade show and coming back with nothing of value needs to think about a career change.
4. If you did attend a trade show in 2007, then make plans to go to an extra one in 2008, but make sure it doesn’t have booths selling clothing and fridge magnets. By that I mean, attend an event where the focus is on getting money into your bank account rather than out of it. I have always enjoyed zombie movies and I think it might be because in that juvenile corner of my mind, they confirm that the mad world I think we live in might just be real. The evidence is everywhere (does anyone really believe that a home owner will chose a Realtor because they are wearing a gold jacket?). The right trade show will ensure you get practical advice from successful agents. Good options include any of the RIS Media or Inman events but the focus of the event has to be education.
5. Sign up with a social networking Website, ideally facebook.com, and try to look at it at least once a week. In the November and December newsletters, I spoke about the power of this new form of online communication. If you watched the New Hampshire Primary Debates on ABC this weekend, you saw that Facebook was the method used to elicit feedback. The entire election process will play out on a social networking Website near you. Don’t get left out by this new form of communication - get involved.
6. Sign up for the daily (and free) RIS Media/Inman emails (mentioned in multiple newsletters). With the turmoil of 2007 behind us, 2008 is unlikely to offer any immediate respite. With mumblings about real estate agents following the career path of travel agents (a job where a complex, high-cost transaction is executed using specialized and personal knowledge by thousands of people who are part of a multi-billion dollar industry controlled by very powerful companies), being informed about what is happening within the industry has never been so important.

I have my own, somewhat tongue-in-cheek, list of things I hope will change in 2008:

1. People will stop using the phrase “very unique.” Unique means “one of a kind” so there are no scales of uniqueness. It’s just “unique,” not “very,” not “quite,” just “unique.”
2. Sports commentators and professionals will stop using the phrase, “World Champions” when describing who wins the Super Bowl. Just because people from many countries watched Indianapolis beat Chicago last year, it was, and will forever remain a domestic event. It was the same when Boston beat Colorado in the World Series - no matter what the competition is called.
3. And finally - eliminating use of the phrase “you know” as a form of verbal punctuation.

Last February I wrote about the Inman Real Estate Connect event in New York City. It’s here again this week and the tagline is “Challenge. Change. Succeed.” I hope to hear lots of information focusing on challenge, change and success and look forward to sharing any and all revelations with you next month.

As always feel free to contact me personally, at any time, for any reason.

Stephen Fells,
CEO

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Introducing New Vendor Programs

AgencyLogic is pleased to offer two new revenue-sharing Vendor Programs designed to fit the needs of any organization. Both our Affiliate Program and our completely customizable Private Label Program will easily integrate with any business model.

Our Vendor Programs are perfect for professionals and organizations that are dedicated to providing the best tools, services and advice to the real estate industry. We work with brokers, virtual assistants, individual Realtors, franchises and more.

If you have an audience of real estate professionals, or are already referring people to our product, AgencyLogic’s Vendor Programs allow you to add a valued service while earning significant revenue from the sales of single property Websites.

Read more about our Affiliate Program or our Private Label Program.

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Extreme Website Makeover Contest is Here

AgencyLogic has teamed up with Best in Real Estate Marketing for an Extreme Website Makeover Contest.

Online Marketing Strategies has hand-picked sponsors who are leading the real estate industry with their marketing and technology solutions, and AgencyLogic’s PowerSites are just one of many tools that will be awarded to recreate one REALTOR’s Website and transform their approach to marketing for 2008.

Visit www.AmazingWebsiteMakeover.com
to enter and to learn more about the contest and the grand prize (worth more than $15,000!)

Hurry, The first 500 entries will be judged and the winner announced on February 15, 2008.

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Trade Show Schedule

Visit our booth for special discounts and your chance to win AgencyLogic PowerSites.

January 28 - 30
CRS Sell-A-Bration
Honolulu, HI

February 9 - 13
Keller Williams Family Reunion
Atlanta, GA

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