January 2008 - Posts

Working with the different Generations
22 January 08 10:13 AM | dickbetts | 1 comment(s)

My wife was called upon to prepare a presentation for a state convention and she asked me to help.  The topic they wanted was "Working with the Different Generations".  This involves technology, marketing, understanding where the money is coming from and proper manners when dealing with the different groups.  First is to understand the groups and who they are;

Silent Generations

Born between 1925 and 1945 The older generation is the "Silent Generation".  This group is comprised of people born before and during World War II. Characteristics, These are the Grandparents, they are probably downsizing in their life.  Moving closer to children, relocating to a different climate, fulfilling lifelong dreams of a lifestyle and location.  They have plenty of money!

Baby Boomer's

Most of the "Baby Boomer's" are in the age range of 46 to 55.  Characteristics, These people are in the prime income producing time of their life.  They are moving up in homes and buying second homes in desirable areas.  This group makes up a large percentage of investment property buyers as they start thinking about income needs during retirement. They have money!

The "X" Generation

Most "X" Generation members were born between 1962 and 1986.  These are first time home buyers.  In some cases these are investment buyers, looking for a better way to support themselves.  They stand to inherit from their Parents (Boomer's) and Grandparents (Silent) so they will have money and their highest income years are still ahead of them.

Generation "Y"

Born between 1981 and 2000 Generation "Y" has always had computers and can learn rapidly.  They are a do it yourself generation, they don't read newspapers and can find anything they want to know on the Internet.  Characteristics, Buyers and Sellers from all generations can fit into this category depending on their outlook on life.  Reaching this group is done most by a strong web presence.

"Net" Generation

This is more of a subcategory then a generation.  This group started in 1977 and continues today.  These are the folks that are driving how we do business today.  Instant results, open MLS's, pushing the REALTOR to build better more reactive websites and Smartphones. Email is expected to be more like instant messaging.  This group wants to work with agents who have all the abilities to respond to them in a way they prefer.

We have written just short of a book about this, but understanding who you are working with helps you treat them the way they want treated.  So we don't turn this into a 4,000 word blog boring most of you let me tell you one short example on how to work with these groups.

Examples of working with the different Generations

You are with a client and the phone rings;

With the Silent Generation you don't dare answer! With Baby Boomers you ask permission if you can answer!

With Generation "X" they ask you "why don't you answer?"

With Generation "Y" they will have an interactive communication device and expect you to read and respond to the email or instant message while speaking to your incoming call.

Check out our website www.DickBetts.com for more information on this course and many others.

Free Webinar
21 January 08 02:45 PM | dickbetts | with no comments

It is our pleasure to offer you an exclusive invitation. I have made arrangements with Agent Direct News to provide you with a 45-day free trial Executive Membership to AgentDirectNews.com, which will not only give you the option to sit in on my upcoming webinar, “Everywhere Is My Office” on January 22nd at 1pm EST, but will also give you all the benefits that an Executive Membership has to offer, including live webinars and other premium content from industry experts like us.  If you think someone else in your organization or personal network would benefit from this offer as well, please feel free to forward this email to them.   I hope you enjoy my webinar and your AgentDirectNews.com Membership!

 

To activate your free 45-day trial Executive Membership:

·         Visit AgentDirectNews.com and click on the Free Membership button on the left of your screen.

·         Fill in the Account Information and use the coupon code SM24.

·         After you click submit, you’ll receive an email from us requesting that you activate your membership. Just click to activate and you’re all set.

·         To attend the webinar, visit AgentDirectNews.com, log in, click on the Webinars page and then on the title of the webinar.    The Attend Now button will become visible 15 minutes before the webinar starts.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars so you don’t miss out on “Everywhere Is My Office!”

 Best regards,

*** and Shelby Betts

Do you Text?
17 January 08 04:03 PM | dickbetts | with no comments

Do you text?  If not, you need to!  Many of your clients are either already texting or will be soon.  It is always a great idea to ask your clients what their favorite way to communicate with you;– email or phone call are the standard but don’t leave this great option off the list.  “Mr. Client, if you don’t answer your phone do you prefer me to leave a voicemail or send you a text message?”  I think you will be surprised at the number that will respond with “Text please”.

Had a great story in one of my seminars; I will pass along his handy idea.  An agent was working with a buyer who preferred most of their communication to be done by text.  He got the idea to copy and paste the “text conversation” into a Microsoft Word Document allowing him to document the flow of information.  Then, when the contract closed he could print the entire text message conversation and put it in the closed file along with his other documentation.  It was simple to do so he starting doing it for all clients.  At a recent closing a buyer questioned why he had not been told something; the agent was able to pull out the printed Word document and highlight the conversation which included the buyer acknowledging the information in question. 

So how do you do it?  While in the Text Chat, pull your stick out and drag it up thru your text message highlighting it, push the Menu button and select Edit, then Copy.  Next, open a MS Word document (using Documents to Go), hit your Menu button and select paste.  Save it using the client’s name.  Any time you sync to your computer any new changes will be made and you are always updated and ready to print

*** Betts
National Speaker

Collin County and Plano TX
17 January 08 02:55 PM | dickbetts | with no comments

Hey Collin County and Plano Texas we are coming to town.  GE Security the Supra people have hired me for 2 full days of classes being offered at the CCAR offices on Coit Road in Plano.  If you have a Smartphone or been thinking about buying or replacing one you need to attend.  I have built a special web page on my site covering which classes I will be offering www.dickbetts.com/collincounty.html   I also have provided a link to sign up.  These classes are free to the members of CCAR and I look forward to seeing you there!

*** Betts
National Speaker

It's not the TREO!
15 January 08 04:03 PM | dickbetts | 2 comment(s)

After another batch of horror stories about defective Treos, in person and too many emails to count, I have decided to put another blast out to the Real Estate Community.

If you are going thru Palm OS Treo's like candy then you do have a problem, but one that is fixable!  Sad fact most carriers are not knowledgeable about Smartphones so they will just keep giving you new ones.  The biggest problem isn't the phone it's the fact you have a 3rd party software program being loaded into each new Treo.

Picture this, you have a great program you used on your Windows 95 computer, you want to transfer it to your XP's or Vista, your computer crashes; same with Treo's.  Some folks will say just have Palm build a system that catches these bad programs.  Mission Impossible, more then 28,000 programs have been built for Palm OS and many never clear them with Palm.

So Palm has recognized this problem since 2005 and has taken many steps to correct it.  I speak about it daily and have tried to teach the carriers but due to turn over etc at the carrier level we still have the same problem.

I have created a web page explaining in detail how you, the owner, can solve the problems of crashing, looping and freezing.  I explain a "Soft Reset" and something new to most of you a "System Reset" (which is not a "Hard Reset" that wipes out your system).

Please pass the word!  If you know anybody who has complained about "I am on my 3rd Treo" send them to my site.  The vast majority of Treo users live happily ever after, but the ones with problems have no where to turn and that's why I am doing this.

Go to www.DickBetts.com and look for "Tips and Tricks" then click on the Palm OS tab across the top.

*** Betts
National Speaker and Trainer
NAR Certified e-PRO Trainer
***@DickBetts.com
www.DickBetts.com

Palm OS Tips
06 January 08 08:24 PM | dickbetts | 2 comment(s)

On the "World Clock" there are a few options most people miss.  After opening the clock tap on menu and you will see 2 drop down options, "Time Calculator" which you can check and see what time it is where you want to call.  The other one that amazes me is "Sun Rise/Set" option which gives you Sun Rise and Sun Set any date you pick in any time zone.

Voice memo's on the Treo 680, 700p and 755p and the Windows devices come out of the box with Voice Memo.  Great program to record short messages to yourself and you can change the buttons on your Treo to open it much quicker.  Go to "Prefs", "Buttons" and at the bottom of the screen you will see "Press + Hold Side Button", you can select "Voice Memo".  The coolest thing about this program is you can record phone calls.

When you call your Voice Mail at the office, home or even your cell do you need to add numbers to hear your messages?  What a pain, what if I told you you could hit one button and do it all automatically?  Favorites!  On the 650's from your main phone screen thumb your navigator down, on the 680 up thumb sideways to find favorites.  Tap on menu button and find "New favorite", this opens up for you to add a new speed dial.  Under label put like VM, enter the number you want to dial, and if you like select a Quick Key like a letter O for office voice mail.  This is now your speed dial key just press and hold that letter.  Next tap "More" and this is where you enter the numbers you need.  Example if I called my office which was the number I enter on the last screen and I need to reach my extension, you enter the extension first.  Remember the letter "p" that stands for pause so where it has "Extra Digits" enter p1234 for my extension then *555 for my pin code.  So from now on you just press and hold the letter "O" it dials your number, once connected it pauses (p) then rings your extension (1234) then pauses again (p) then enters your pin *555 and you just listen to your messages.

Remember passing notes in school?  Well now you can Bluetooth notes to each other.  Go to Memo write your note tap menu and select send, Bluetooth.  The person you are sending to has to have their Bluetooth turned on and be either "Visible" or "Discoverable" depending on model.  Oh so you don't get caught by your teacher, I mean broker turn off the sounds.  For more tips and tricks go to www.DickBetts.com

Great News Waco, TX
03 January 08 09:36 PM | dickbetts | with no comments

Just got hired today by Home Abstract and Title Company in Waco, TX.  Not sure how they found me and I am not complaining.  I think it's great when a company like Home Abstract makes a commitment to it's agents by arranging this type of training.  They left us pick the classes that would benefit the agents the most and this is what we have come up with:

9-10:30   The Newest / Latest / Greatest Technology Out There!

10:30-12  Everywhere is My Office

1-4    Real Estate Fundamentals for PDA's and Smartphones

I have posted the flyer on my website www.DickBetts.com/Waco.html for more information!  Tell your friends, bring your neighbors, let's fill the room Waco.

*** Betts

National Speaker

New York State Here I Come!
02 January 08 09:12 PM | dickbetts | with no comments

Next week I am making a trip from western to eastern New York speaking to agents.  If your in the state of New York or you know somebody that is you need to check my schedule and plan on stopping by.  Monday, January 7th I will start in Buffalo speaking at the REALTOR association, Tuesday the 8th I will be at Monroe Community College, Brighton Campus in Rochester, Wednesday the 9th finds me in Liverpool at the Central New York Information Services, Thursday the 10th we move to Nanuet, Rockland County speaking at the Hilton Garden Inn and finally Friday the 11th I will be at Greater Hudson Valley MLS in Goshen.

We have a great schedule of seminars we are offering at each location.  We start at 9:00 am with "Everywhere is My Office", then at 10:30 we follow with "Is Kim Working for you" then from 1-4 my signature class "Real Estate Fundamentals for PDA's and Smartphones"

Amazing how life repeats itself, last year my first gig of the year was in Buffalo, what a great way to start a year with such a great group of people.

So if you want to attend and live outside those areas drop me an email and I will see about getting you in.  Oh and I checked the weather, low 40's all week so nothing to worry about.

If your wondering when I am coming your way check my schedule www.DickBetts.com .  We are coast to coast, north to south.  We currently are firming up about 15 new dates so check often.

*** Betts

National Speaker

New Year Business Plan
01 January 08 06:29 PM | dickbetts | 1 comment(s)

What a geat time to sit down and write your business plan for the year!  One of my seminars is titled "Build Your Business to Sell" where I explain what an agent should be doing to build their Business.

Many Real Estate Professionals run their business without clear defined goals and direction.  Most agents are stomping out fires and allowing their business to run them.  It’s time to take charge!  Create a “Master Plan” for both your career and your LIFE!

Every agent needs a Business Plan for the next 6 months, then for months 6 thru 12 and where they want to be 5 years from now.  Now don't just list you want to do so many million by then and this much more etc. 

As a new agent or an existing agent, it is essential to develop and maintain a basic understanding of the changing real estate world in which we operate.  Listed below are a few aspects of your business you need to consider.

• Business Planning

• Business Statistics

• Business Definition

• Business Survival

• Economic Environment

I have built a web pages off my website with more information to help you with building your plan, www.dickbetts.com/buildbusiness.html

You also can go to my web www.DickBetts.com and get more information about all my classes including "Build Your Business to Sell".

*** Betts
National Speaker