Organizing and Automating Your Contact Process

At the very least, you will want to be able to email all your prospects and clients at the click of a button.  This is what a contact management system (CMS) does for you.  Your database of clients and prospects adds tremendous value to your business!  This is not a list you can buy...it's one you will carefully cultivate.

There are a lot of choices for a CMS system and the list is growing.  Depending on how technical and big you want to grow you can spend a lot and go with InfusionSoft which has every bell and whistle imaginable or spend nothing and start with Mail Chimp.   MailChimp is FREE for the first 2000 contacts (as of this writing) and 9 out of 10 stagers have less than that many leads, so it should work well to start for your business. 

I've used every kind of CMS available for simple emailing and there are pros and cons to each.  I think when you're just starting out, it's best to go with a free, simple to use MailChimp program and then you can always GROW into something else down the road.  If you're one of those people who like to research everything before committing then take a look at:  GetReponse.com, Aweber.com, ConstantContact.com and Emma.com.

Since technology is always changing, I will always have my favorite technologies listed in the HSR Library under Technology and Business.​ 

Your Target Markets and How to Reach Them

Home Staging "A" Target Markets

Marketing Building Blocks to Success

I outline many different ways to market your business within the framework of the HSR 5-Step Marketing Plan in the First Fifty Marketing Guide.  The rest of Week Two will focus on following this steps and digging a bit deeper on the steps we've seen members have great success on.

These steps are ideally done in order.

• STEP 1
• STEP 2
• STEP 3
• STEP 4
• STEP 5

Marketing Step 1 - Market Research & Foundation

Although you will be tempted to just jump right in and get going. There are a few things you should address so you don't set yourself up to fail. Just as a good business plan is critical to consider before starting your business, so is a strong marketing plan. Take it step by step and build a good foundation that will serve your business for years to come.

• Know Your Strengths and Weaknesses
  
• Set Up a Contact Management System
• Research Your Local Competition
• Understand Your Target Markets
• Consider a Niche
  

Marketing Step 2 - Representation

In this step, we focus on creating a brand that represents you well in all of your marketing and collateral materials!  Take the time to create a consistently beautiful and memorable look and feel for your business.

• Bling Your Brand and Become a logo, Image, Color and Branding Expert
• Set Up Your Social Networking Profiles
• Create Your Marketing Materials - Business Cards, Postcards, Brochures, etc...
• Create a Website that WORCS for Your Business
• Put Together a Perfect Portfolios for Both Online and Offline Presentation
  

Marketing Step 3 - Credibility Connecting

In this step, we focus on making sure your business and website are listed in ALL of the places a potential prospect would search for you.  This is the marketing that "works while you sleep" because it's marketing activity that doesn't stop, so take the time to Credibility Connect!

• Getting Your Business and Website Listed on Google Page One
• Connecting Your Website to All the Key Online Directories
• Creating a Facebook Page, Sales Funnel and Campaigns that Bring In Clients
• Connecting With the Local Realtor Association for Networking
• Blogging and Guest Writing for Maximum Exposure
  

Marketing Step 4 - Intentional Marketing

Now that you’ve researched your local area, created gorgeous marketing materials to represent your business, made sure your business is listed in all the places prospects might search for you, it’s time to go out there and network!

• Research and Find the Heavy Hitter Realtors in Your Area
• Start a Strategic Email and Social Marketing Campaign to Approach Agents
• Create a Realtor Office Presentations to Get in Front of Real Estate Offices
• Create Amazing Ads for Local Advertising
• Use Direct Mail to Find New Home Owners, Sellers and Agents
  

Marketing Step 5 - Capitalizing on a Job Well Done

One of the best things about the home staging business model is the fact that each job you do is a marketing statement and activity all on its own! Why? Because your number one target market (real estate agents) will then be "caravanning" through each home you stage. Don't miss any opportunity to brag about your work!

• Create a Promotion Process that Capitalizes on Your Great Photos
  
• Consider a Public Relations List of Editorials You Can Ask to Feature Your Work
• Leave a Signature Item and Business Cards at Every Home You Stage
• Create a Process for Getting Referrals and Testimonials
• Host a Broker's Open House
  

A Marketing "Brainstorm" Session

Just as you read through the "Getting Started Guide" in Week One and scheduled those critical business activities on your calendar, we open up Week Two with a marketing brainstorm and quick overview of best way to market your business in the First Fifty Marketing Guide (which is in your Training Manual).

Click to Open! This is also in your Training Manual