Ceiling Fans, Hand Fans, Window Fans, Cooling Fans; I think fans are Fantastic! 

But I’m really talking about a different kind of fan… a Facebook Fan! Facebook Fan Pages are hot!

We need more fans for our Fan Page – AnotherME Virtual Assistants! On a mission to hit the magic number of 100 fans – to get our custom URL!

Takes 5 seconds!  Click here: http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?ref=sb#/pages/AnotherME-Virtual-Assistants/106351018440

This is our Fan Page on Facebook – info on our VA’s, services, products, tips and hints, events and more!  Just click on the image below!

Want your own FaceBook Fan Page? We can help!  Email me at patty@anotherme.com

DIY-ers …Check out this great tutorial from CyberHomes!  http://snurl.com/leb5g

Become a FAN today –  AnotherME Virtual Assistants!

This week I had the opportunity to attend a class for real estate professionals on using LinkedIn and how to “data mine” for new business with this Social Networking site.  I was surprised to see that out of 25+ agents in the class, only 7 or 8 had set up a profile!

The instructor was Richard Kirby, a recruiter who has developed a network of over 3500 connections!  He has successfully used LinkedIn to meet new clients, make connections with Corporate HR contacts and develop his business!

Here are some eye-opening facts about LinkedIn:

* There are over 40 million business users on LinkedIn, including managers and executives at virtually all major employers.

*LinkedIn is the leading online Social Networking website for Business.

*LinkedIn is a giant database of members who are relatively open to networking and inquiries.

*Nearly 60% of the members have incomes over $93,000. (based on a study done by Anderson Analytics)

Are you on LinkedIn?  It’s easy to navigate and set up a profile.  You’ll get the most visibility on your profile when you complete each section: Photo, summary of current position, email address, website links, interests, previous jobs and work experience.  Then start connecting with colleagues, old friends, new friends, past clients, etc.

Join a few groups: college alumni association, sorority/fraternity, special interests, employer groups, and of course, there are lots of real estate groups to join!  Once you have made connections, ask for recommendations.  Richard Kirby recommends getting 5-10! This will complete your profile and give you more visibility!

Start today using LinkedIn to find and develop new clients, connect with clients who aren’t on Facebook or MySpace, share updates, and establish yourself online!

And while you’re there – connect with me!

Sending a birthday card; is it Social Networking – IRL? (in real life)

When was the last time you sent someone a real card in the mail?  Did you get any actual “Paper” cards on your last Birthday?

Remembering someone’s birthday is an easy, personal way to stay in touch with your past clients.  Everyone loves getting a card on their birthday. Recently, I had a client call and thank me for sending her a Birthday Card!  And just last week, a friend at church came up to me and thanked me for her card!  Imagine that…A simple little card!

Today’s technology has made it so convenient to post a short birthday message to clients and friends on Facebook or send an e-Card via email.  Now, I’m not knocking those methods… they’re great and more than most folks do!

However, a card sent through the mail clearly demonstrates that you took the time to be thoughtful and shows how much you care. When you remember your clients, they will be more inclined to remember you… when it comes to referring your name to  their friends and associates!

But, I don’t have my client’s birthdays, you say? Here are 3 tips for building your birthday database.

1) For those who attend closings, ask the closing attorney or title company for a copy of your clients driver’s license for your closing file.  Closing attorneys and title companies always get a copy of the driver’s license!

2) Use Facebook to find friends birthdays! Depending on how many friends/clients you have, you just might need a Virtual Assistant to help you with this project.  It’s on-going, so remember to go back each month to find “recently added” friends.

3) Have your Seller’s and Buyer’s fill out a New Client Information Form that includes a section for birthdays.  Add children’s birthdays and pets, too… Talk about making a good impression!

Whatever method you use to build your Birthday Database – Start sending Birthday Cards and see what kind of reaction you get!

P.S. Send me your birthday and address, I’ll send you a card!

What’s the best investment you can make? Is it Real Estate?  Is it in the Stock Market or Bonds? (not today, that’s for sure!)  Nope - it’s an investment in Yourself!  You will always get the highest return when you make an investment in your business and YOU!

That’s exactly what I did last Friday (and Thursday evening) when I made the investment of time and money in attending REtechSouth 09!  It was priceless!         

A one day event with great speakers(Jeff Turner- RESpres, Dave Jenks) fantastic classes(Social Media 101, Twitter, LinkedIn, SEO) an opportunity to network with some of the best in the industry (Missy Caulk, Jim Crawford, Debe Maxwell, Connie Harvey, Lane Bailey), and learning about some great new technology companies!  (RealtyVid, ViewThisHome)

Let me tell you…this was not your regular real estate conference.  It wasn’t a sales pitch, or a big rah-rah event!  It was all about sharing technology, sharing information.  Matt Fagioli and Brad Nix did a phenomenal job of creating an environment where learning was fun… and real!

Lots of Ah-Ha moments, ideas and technologies that I can start using in my Virtual Assistantbusiness, today!  (I’m updating my website and profiles this week!) And I have some cool ideas that I can share with my clients to help them incorporate these new technologies into their real estate business!  Who knew that Flickr was a Social Network? And it’s free!  (Jeff Turner, I guess!)

Start investing wisely… Make an investment in yourself!  The dividends are high and the payoff is endless!  Attend REtechSouth next year!  See you there!

Patty Keller, AnotherME Virtual Assistants