I LOVE reading the posts on Active Rain regarding building teams, hiring that first assistant, and exploring the options that will build your business. Those are agents on on the cusp of huge success and are looking for ways to make the jump from going it all alone to using leverage to increase your potential.
As a Keller Williams assistant, I have written about the Three L's (Leads, Listings and Leverage) in a previous post, but because there are many new members seeking out options to grow, ...well...I just can't help myself. I'm blogging about something that I believe in. I've witnessed first hand here on Active Rain the success stories of using a real estate virtual assistant. (For those who still haven't heard of the concept of using a real estate "VA", and what type of services we offer, you may read more here)
In the book, The Millionaire Real Estate Agent, Gary Keller recommends utilizing Administrative/Marketing support before hiring other licensed agents for your team. Why? The foundation of your business model needs to be firm and strong, your systems for lead generation, database management and marketing need to be implemented and working consistently.
So, Lets' face it. At some point you will witness the first catch 22 of real estate: "I really need to grow my business, but can't really afford an assistant right now, but if I don't hire an assistant I will be stuck BEHIND THIS COMPUTER my whole life!"
It is a dilemma to be sure. Especially now. 4 years ago, not many of you were spending time blogging, managing 2-10 websites, learning SEO...I know why...you were too busy! Real estate was rocking, listings were turning fast, and there was no end in sight. But now, things are a bit different. The market has changed. You may be busier than ever, but in another way. There are new technologies to learn, sellers are antsy to get their homes sold, they want to know how that will happen. What are YOU doing to make it happen..? Prioritizing your time management on administrative tasks is essential. The hours spent on those tasks are "non income-producing" hours. Hiring administrative and marketing support to handle those many hours is the first step in the path to growing your business. Cost effectiveness is second.
In choosing to hire an assistant you are also taking on the challenge of hiring, training and delegating. If you have reached the point that it is now time to consider an assistant, you should know the advantages an virtual assistant may offer over an in-office employee. Many advantages are common knowledge, but many dynamics of a real estate VA are still largely unknown.
#1~ Real Estate Virtual Assistants are independent contractors who are only paid for time spent on tasks. VAs do not charge you for idle time, bathrooms breaks, lunch hours, sick days or personal time off. A 40 hour work week for a traditional employee can turn into a 15-20 hour a week with a VA. If your time is worth $100 an hour, you lose $400 each week doing administrative tasks.
#2~ REVAs are already trained in most of the most up to date software, technology and real estate marketing. We know what a blog is, we know about listing coordination, real estate marketing, branding, Internet marketing, online transaction management, CMA's,...in a word, we know about real estate. Not only that, but our continued training is on our dime...not yours.
#3~ A REVA is not in the business to become your competition. We will not take your database and run off with it. We will not share your wonderful new marketing secret. In short...we are business owners, who know about running a business, and want to see you succeed. Why?...it's in my business model.
#4~ Want to add 3 hours to your day? Hire a VA in another time zone. We can still be working, while your gearing up for tomorrow...or writing that Gold Star blog for Active Rain;)
#5~ A REVA can weather market shifts. Since we are not dependant on you and you alone, if your business needs change or slow down, we are OK with that.
#6~ Need to start slow? Not sure where to begin or how much to delegate right now? A VA can be your best partner in deciding what to delegate and when, to keep you on track with your goals.
#7~ REVAs are in business to support clients that are interested in a collaborative relationship, a partner.
#8~ Virtual Assistance is a supportive industry. We share resources, knowledge, experience and are a "Real Estate Geek Squad". If we don't know an answer to something, we know where to go to find it.
Once that support system is in place you are ready to move onto the next level, whatever that may be. But finding that special assistant is one task a real estate virtual assistant is up for. Active Rain now has 255 virtual assistants members listed. We have 100 members in our group Real Estate Virtual Assistants. If you want to learn more, have more questions...throw it out there...we will answer your questions.
And remember what Gary Keller said in his book..."If you don't have an assistant, you ARE one! (ok, I just had to throw that in...;)
I am the CEO of Creative Agent Solutions.com. My team and I assist real estate professionals in implementing online marketing strategies, Wordpress, social media, and business systems to catapult exposure and dominance in their marketplace, while focusing on productivity and the bottom line.
Copyright 2010 Laura Monroe | Real Estate Virtual Assistant
Creative Agent Solutions.com 916.343.3823
