April Success Starts Here Sample by David Snodgrass

5 Verbal Habits You Can Learn from Charismatic People Charisma is a very important skill in today’s business world. We all know real estate is an industry built on relationships. Here are five things you should work into your conversations to make sure you’re well-liked and appreciated. Always use please and thank you. They’re small words and don’t take that much effort to say, but simply being polite can really open doors for you. Be a listener. You have two ears and one mouth for a reason, because you should do twice as much listening as talking. If you occasionally struggle with what to say, try letting the other person talk. Encourage the person to speak by using active listening techniques, such as maintaining eye contact, nodding your head in agreement, or giving verbal aﬃrmations. Use people’s names and maybe even titles. People are extremely responsive to their name, so use it frequently in conversation. As an added bonus, speaking someone’s

name out loud is a great way to remember it. If appropriate, don’t be afraid to use someone’s title. People work hard to achieve success, so they’ll enjoy the recognition of being called “Dr. Williams,” “Professor Smith” or “Lt. Jones.” Wait your turn. One of the worst things you can do during a conversation is not waiting your turn to talk. Talking over someone can make you seem rude and pushy. If this does happen, be quick to apologize and then allow the other person to speak. Make introductions. Everyone is about networking these days. If you’re at a party or other event where not everyone knows each other, be sure to take the time to make introductions (especially if you’re the host). By suggesting common interests between the two people being introduced, you’ll not only get the conversation started, but also make others feel a part of the group.

Meridith Monroe

Julian Dillard

Marketing Development Representative

Marketing Director email@email.com 913.492.0377 800.458.8245

Meridith.Monroe @personalmarketingco.com 800.458.8254

tpmco.com/ABCrealestate

6 Tips Any Retail Employee Can Teach You About Good Client Service Customer service is an important part of any business. Today, there is simply too much competition for your client’s business, and you don’t want to give them any reason to check out a competitor. If you’re looking for some pointers, look no further than your local retail outlet. Here are six tips you’ll discover from asking any employee who knows the value of repeat customers. Smile when greeting a customer. This should be a given: Smiling is the easiest way to make clients feel welcomed when you’re meeting them. Don’t hover, but always be visible.

Some clients will want you to give them a tour of the house, others will appreciate the freedom to wander at their own pace. Either way, make sure you’re easy to find when your clients need you. Make the client’s problem your problem. If there is a problem and your client is unhappy, quickly take ownership of the problem. Use inclusive phrases such as “We’re going to take care of this” or “Let’s get this done for you.” That way the client sees you as someone who’s helping them, not opposing them. Never discuss clients

in front of clients. Gossip is never good, and you certainly don’t want your clients to worry about what you’re saying about them when they’re not around. “I don’t know” isn’t an acceptable answer. Instead, use a phrase that will show action, such as “Let me find out for you.” Always prioritize live customers. If you receive a phone call when dealing with a client, don’t answer it. Take care of the person in front of you first. If you do have to answer a call, ask the client for permission first, and then excuse yourself from the room. Be sure to keep the call short.

Science Tackles the Myth: Money Can’t Buy Happiness The Beatles might have been right when they said money can’t buy love, but economists have figured out that money can and does buy satisfaction. When it comes to overall lifetime satisfaction, a survey of hundreds of thousands of people in more than 150 countries demonstrates the strong correlation between people’s satisfaction with their life and their income. In short, the more money you have, the more likely you are to be satisfied with your life. However, the more money you earn, the less likely increased earnings will lift your spirits. Think of it like this: If you’re living on a dollar a day, getting two dollars a day will make your spirits soar. But if you’re making $50,000 a year, doubling your salary will barely move the needle. According to this study,

earning a comfortable living is satifying. But when it comes to happiness, apparently money can’t quite buy that.

New York or San Francisco), then this number obviously will need to be adjusted upward.

While money does seem to go hand-in-hand with overall satisfaction in life, it has very little to do with happiness in the moment. Sure, there are quick fixes, such as a shopping spree or dining with friends, but science backs up the belief that these are fleeting. Your mental and emotional outlook seems to have the most impact on day-to-day happiness.

Nonetheless, the research still provides good reason to keep working hard even if you’re already earning a comfortable income. For example, you may be trying to save for retirement or wanting to earn extra income for travel and vacations. But, in general, if your income is meeting your needs, then you may want to focus more on your career goals and less on simply making money.

So, what’s the magic level of income? On average, it’s a lot lower than what you might expect coming in at $40,000 a year — for a single person with no children. If you’re trying to raise a family on this income or live in an area with a higher cost of living (such as

If you’re interested in reading more about this topic, be sure to check out the full study at 80000hours.org.

“It’s always someone else’s fault.” One trait all successful people have in common is their willingness to be held accountable for their own failures. While less successful individuals might try to blame business partners or events outside of their control, successful ones are willing to admit to their mistakes and to learn from them, as well. They take responsibility and tend not to be worried about casting blame.

I’ve been working with REALTORS® for roughly five years, and I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to talk to quite a few who are very successful in their careers. When I speak with them, I’ve noticed they all seem to have a shared and unique outlook on the real estate business and their role in it. Here are three statements these successful sales professional never say:

“I simply don’t get any opportunities.” No one is given opportunities, they are earned. If you want to be successful in your career, then you can’t afford to be passive. Take the steps necessary to go out and seize opportunities by being a visible member of your community.

“I’m too busy, if only I had more time.” The bottom line is that successful salespeople don’t have any more time than unsuccessful people. We all have 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. What’s different is how we manage our time. Successful people don’t allow work to fill the time allotted; they get work done as fast and effectively as possible … and then move on to the next challenge.

Be Successful: Change These 3 Mindsets