Chris' Blog

One of the most powerful things in your life is your vision (or lack thereof) and your perceived mission. To help crystallize direction for your life and business develop a personal mission statement. Ask yourself what you alone you can do. Not what can you do, but what is it that won't get done if you alone don't or won't do it.


Here's a simple guide to developing your personal mission statement -


Definition of Mission - The special duty or function for which someone is sent as a messenger or representative; and the special task or purpose for which a person is apparently destined in life; a calling.


What is your personal mission statement? - Your personal mission statement focuses on the special purpose you want to achieve in your life and the special approach you will take to achieve it. It is the consequence of your mission being achieved. It is a description of how the world will be after you've traveled through it.


A clarifying question - "If we were meeting back here on ______________________, and you were looking back over the preceding ______________, what would have to have happened during those years for you to feel really good about yourself, your life, and the fulfillment of your personal vision?"

Answer this question to state your Personal Mission Statement- "My unique mission is..."


Once we have vision and mission clearly identified, it becomes very easy to make life changing decisions. Whenever I am faced with a fork in the road of life, The answers will simply fall into place when I simply weigh my options against my vision and mission and ask - "Is this in line with who I am?" and "Does this bring me closer to where I know I need to go?"

Carpe diem,

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Two words: Sticky content.

Sticky content is information (web site content) that makes people stick around and return for more. Examples are how-to articles, tips and tricks, beginner's guides, and any other free information that your clients and prospective clients would find of value.

Keep in mind that the more content you have, the stickier your site is. Sticky is good for at least three reasons: It gives your visitors a reason to come back again and again; it gives your visitors a reason to tell others about your site; and it demonstrates your expertise for people who are interested in your services.

With good content, you will be able to gather leads, acquire names for your mailing list, as well as offer good reasons for your visitors to tell their friends and colleagues about you.

Carpe diem,

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Are you ready for business?  When you're ready to build your business, you'll need the right tools in your toolbox to build a strong foundation, and to make the job go smoothly.  There are literally hundreds (if not thousands!) of marketing tools available to the Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) REALTOR® entrepreneur, but fortunately, there are some that are nearly universal in their usefulness.  While not every one of these tools might be the most efficient for you right now, they make a great default list until you develop a list of tactical tools tailored to your unique talents and personality.

1. A ‘Sound Bite'. This is a seven- to nine-word phrase that distills the essence of your value to a specific client base. When used with your name, company name, and your title, you've got a great introduction. Used by itself, it succinctly and clearly answers the question: What do you do?

2. A business card. Your business card shows that you are serious about your business. At the very least, it includes your name, title, company name, email address, phone number, and mailing address. If you don't include one or some of these, you are showing the world that you are either unprofessional or not to be trusted. If you're worried about stalkers, get a Post Office box and a generic email address, but don't make your phone number the only contact point. It makes you looks like a drug dealer or a prostitute.

3. A web site. No matter what you're selling, be it your time, expertise, or your apple pie recipe, a web site demonstrates your understanding of your core market, and enhances your credibility, as well as providing a 24/7 selling tool.

4. A picture. To be more specific, YOUR UP TO DATE picture. People like to put a face to the name or voice on the phone. Your picture (with your smiling face) helps develop the relationship with your client with absolutely no effort on your part. You can put this picture on your business card, web site, brochure, or just have it in your press kit to accompany any speaking engagements you book.

To be clear, this ‘picture' thing has been an issue with me for years.  I've heard the argument that ‘my attorney and CPA don't put their picture on their business cards, why should I'?  Sorry, WE are in the people business.  Today, with My Space®, Face Book® and all the other internet sites, people connect with people using pictures now more than ever.  Unless you are marketing to CPA's or Lawyers only, use the picture.

5. Talk about your fees upfront and/or menu of services. You don't want to make your clients guess what type of services you offer, or how much they cost, unless you're one of those people who believe that if your client has to ask the price, she can't afford you. Even if every sale is completely customized, at least having a baseline established will give your clients (and you) a place to start talking about prices. Remember, a sign that they're ready to buy is asking the price. If that's the first question you're asked, the good news is that you've got a live prospect. But if you can't provide a good answer, you've just lost the sale.

6. Contact (note) cards. Use contact cards to follow up a first meeting, thank for a sale, congratulate on a milestone, or just stay in touch. Remember, people do business with people they know, like and trust, and what better way to build a relationship than with charming hand-written notes?

7. An annotated signature line. Your email messages are one of your best marketing opportunities. Be sure that you always include your contact information, and while you're at it, add something else of value, such as info about your specials, upcoming programs, or a link to your web site. This is especially important when your message gets forwarded to someone who is excited about what you do, and may want to get in touch with you. Make it easy for your prospects to find you.

8. Letter templates. Are there people you need to communicate with on a regular basis? Perhaps welcoming new clients, or communicating with vendors? Save yourself some time by creating letter templates for your most frequently occurring communication situations. You'll save time, and never have to rack your brain wondering if you included all the necessary information.

9. Scripts. Is there anything worse than making a call, and not being prepared when you get voice mail? Know what you want to accomplish before you pick up the phone, and decide how you want to say it. Being prepared for either a live interaction or leaving a message will reduce your nervousness, and make you sound relaxed and professional.

10. Client testimonials. One of the most persuasive tools you can have is a written testimonial from a satisfied client. It makes your prospect feel more comfortable about buying from you, because someone else has done so and is apparently happy about it. Not that people are sheep, but a personal recommendation from a client is far most compelling than your own good opinion of your product or service.

Carpe diem,

You can also click on one of the following links to have the mastery coaching blog with helpful life and business tidbits geared to real estate's elite delivered to your computer,

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You are tolerating more than you think. We put up with, accept, take on, and are dragged down by people's behavior, situations, unmet needs, crossed boundaries, unfinished business, frustrations, problems, and even our own behavior.

So what are you tolerating? Take a couple of minutes to write down stuff you that you are putting up with. Not the stuff you can't change or have no control over, but things like that 5 lbs that hangs around because it really doesn't bug you enough to motivate you to go to the gym. Or that pile of papers that has sat on the corner of your desk for the last 3 weeks.

As you think of more items, add them to your list. Do you have to do anything about them? No, not really. Just becoming aware of and articulating them will bring them to the forefront of your mind and you'll naturally start handling, eliminating, fixing, growing through, and resolving these them.

 Carpe diem,

You can also click on one of the following links to have the mastery coaching blog with helpful life and business tidbits geared to real estate's elite delivered to your computer,

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"You can not push anyone up a ladder unless he is willing to climb a little."  - Andrew Carnegie

Most people get into the broker side of the real estate business because they enjoy the personal development aspect.  Yes, there are other contributing factors, but a broker's belief in their agents is one that is a two edged sword.  We tend to believe that we can work people through their rough spots and make them successful despite themselves.  No one can succeed for someone else.  Success can't be given away, despite our noble attempts to do so.   As we take a look into this next season, let's take a look at our staff and get brutally honest with reality.  We cannot drag someone against their will into success; we cannot push them up that latter - unless they are willing to climb a little...

 Carpe diem,

You can also click on one of the following links to have the mastery coaching blog with helpful life and business tidbits geared to real estate's elite delivered to your computer,

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Are you committed to really knowing your trade?  Do you know what your customer is thinking?  Do you know your Inventory?  Do you know how many units are closing a month in your service area?  Do you know what to do this next year to create a predictable and sustainable stream of revenue? 

Most agents start off by slinging mud against a wall to see what sticks.  While having a new agent try the smorgasbord of real estate prospecting and marketing ideas may be a viable strategy for new agent trainers, it is ridiculous pursuit for the experienced agent.  The professional should be an expert in something.   They should study their trade, have key distinctive and advantages.  The reason that the top 15% dominate the top 85% of the market is because they approach the business different than the sea of faces that represent the masses.

Starting today, spend a few minutes each day studying your craft.  Learn a bit more about people, business, marketing or your current inventory.  Find a topic that you want to camp on for a bit to go deep on one subject or spread things out to develop a wider view.  Either will be a benifit to you, the important thing is to make it a habit.  Spending just 15-30 minutes a day really adds up over the course of a few years.   Before long you will have forgotten more than most of your competitors will ever know.

 Carpe diem,

You can also click on one of the following links to have the mastery coaching blog with helpful life and business tidbits geared to real estate's elite delivered to your computer,

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I don't usually post things that are purely inspirational or non original. But every once in a while something comes along that touches me in a special way, or illistrated a core theme that I believe in or teach, or is something that is just to good not to share.

The following video clip is a story of Johnny, the grocery store bagger.

It is very short, but it will remind you of why and how we make an impact in what we do.

Click Here To View The Movie

 Carpe diem,

You can also click on one of the following links to have the mastery coaching blog with helpful life and business tidbits geared to real estate's elite delivered to your computer,

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