Hi There

I am a new agent and have a TON of questions. I've been reading and learning alot from this forum. Here are a few that I'm thinking about right now.

1. I have an office with a dedicated phone line (as well as a cell) I'm wondering if I should put my office # on my card or keep that as something to provide as I need to. I'm sure most clients will be using my cell.

2. I have a 2003 minivan. I live in the suburbs with some higher end properties mixed in. Should I think about changing cars? if so, what kind would you recommend that would accomodate my 3 kids as well.

3. What days/times are best for up time?

Thanks for any info you can give. I really appreciate the support.

Put only your cell on a card unless you are 100% sure you will not change brokers.

2. Assuming your minivan looks good and runs well, keep it; if not, drive a car you can afford while you learn the ropes waiting to earn the commissions. Pressure/fear smells and customers/clients don't like agents that smell.

3. up time is a shot in the dark. 8 a.m. tuesday is great this week, last month it was 5:45 saturday afternoon. often monday morning (saw your sign over the weekend) and right after lunch mid to late week (saw your sign and want an appointment for the coming weekend)

Thanks for the replies - was also wondering as experienced agents - do you have separate cell #'s for personal use?

People look what you have in your head and what you will tell them, not what kind of car you drive. When you knock on the door they see you, not your car.

My office has a call capture system that I use for promotions. It helps me weed out the nuisance calls and focus on my target audience. Had my cell phone been on my card, or anywhere else for that matter, there would be less control over my incoming calls.

Your vehicle should be neat, clean and look professional. I drive a 1998 Infiniti and have not had a problem.

I try to be at my desk week days by no later than 8:30 unless I'm working with a client. Most days, however, I'm here far earlier because I have to stop and get the kids and wife out the door before starting my lead generation.

You don't need a separate cell phone for personal use, it would be much too complicated. With caller ID you can tell if it's a friend calling you.

And I agree that you should put your cell# on your card - one of the worse pieces of advice I got when I started out was to put my office number only on the card, which went straight to voice mail - this from a long-time agent who felt the need to distance herself from her clients. As a new agent this is the last thing you want to do. :)

One quick tip though: Have a nice quick voice mail greeting that includes 'and if you were referred to me by a family member or friend please let me know who that was so that I can tell them thank you', or something along those lines, at the end, so that callers are constantly reminded to refer you, and secondly, don't answer your phone when you're so distracted that the voice mail would be a better experience for your callers. Best wishes to you!

Irene Dorang
www.ToolsForRealEstate.com
1-877-449-0426

This kind of stuff makes me nuts on a voice mail system. Get to the point quickly, let me leave my message, and let me out of there!!!!!

It's an AUTOMATED reminder that you receive and appreciate referrals, something most agents have a hard time getting out of their mouths. Once it's set up you never have to worry about it again. If the voice mail is quick it's much better than spending time saying 'I'm on the other line or with a customer' - when they know there's a good chance you're really in the bathroom anyway.

I am absolutely positive that if I had done this earlier on in my business I would have gotten more referrals - for me that's the bottom line.

So how many of the calls you receive are from potential customers, to whom the above message might apply? And how many calls are from other realtors, lenders, home inspectors, family members, solicitors (ugh), appraisers or others for whom it does not apply? And how many times might one of your customers call you to hear that same recorded message over...and over...and over...again. There's gotta be a better way. You know people are going to zone out on this doodoo no later than the second time they hear it.

The top producer in my office says "and thank you for all the referrals" after his intro message. That lets them know that referrals are accepted and appreciated but is not so tedious every time they call.