Happy Wednesday!
Thank you so much for attending August’s “The Table” event!
It was wonderful to see everyone coming together and sharing valuable insights, stories, and experiences. As promised, here’s a recap of the meeting, structured with our signature “T.A.B.L.E.” approach:
T: Tips & Tricks
We had a lot of great tools and strategies shared this time around:
- Hans mentioned MIRO.com, a helpful planning tool.
- Ryan introduced PLAUD ($160 plus subscription), a recorder for meetings and ideas.
- Angie Trapp talked about Remarkable, an electronic note taker.
- Alan recommended the WAVE App (subscription), another recording tool.
- Denelle reminded us to always put things on the calendar, and Hans gave us a fantastic quote: “Nothing happens outside of time.”
- A good takeaway was to be more organized by naming what you want to get done and breaking tasks into 3-hour increments.
A: Actions & Achievements
We celebrated some exciting accomplishments and actions this month:
- Angie C. shared a great story from a networking event where people discussed how they got started.
- Tammy Alumbaugh has been connecting with the new women’s soccer team and becoming more financially focused, encouraging us to ask questions, reach out, and utilize social media.
- Camille used the Thumbtack App for projects and had great success.
- Marshall recommended ONE BOOK (app exclusive to the Tampa Bay Area).
- Hans highlighted the Nextdoor App as a low-budget way to market effectively.
- Lastly, Chloe proudly shared that she bought her first home!
B: Bitchin’ & Bothering
We discussed some challenges and frustrations this month:
- Audrey and Bailey from 5/3 Bank talked about setting time limits on social media apps to maintain focus.
- Hans brought up a tool called Rocket Man and the importance of organizing social media feeds to eliminate distractions. He also mentioned the News Feed Eradicator app to help stay focused by cutting out unnecessary scrolling.
- Dawn shared a frustrating situation with QuickBooks regarding a credit card charge dispute. Group members suggested that she file a police report and emphasized the importance of signing receipts to address the issue effectively.
L: Legal
We covered some important legal updates:
Incentivized Reviews for Businesses discussion included:
Overview of the Law: The law prohibits businesses from offering incentives (such as discounts, freebies, or rewards) in exchange for reviews, as this practice can mislead consumers and create an unfair marketplace. The group emphasized that reviews must be authentic and unbiased.
Impact on Businesses: The group discussed how this law will impact marketing strategies, as many businesses have historically used incentives to encourage reviews. Companies will now need to rely on organic reviews and provide high-quality services that naturally lead to positive feedback.
Legal Ramifications: The penalties for violating the law could include fines, lawsuits, or negative exposure for businesses caught offering incentives for reviews. Attendees explored real-life examples of companies facing legal challenges because of incentivized reviews.
Alternatives to Incentives: Discussion points included strategies for businesses to still garner reviews without offering incentives, such as:
- Requesting reviews through follow-up emails or during customer interactions.
- Making the review process simple and accessible for clients.
- Encouraging satisfied customers to share their feedback voluntarily by showcasing how reviews help improve services.
Updates regarding Buyer Broker Agreements were discussed as well:
Benefits for Buyers: The discussion highlighted how these agreements benefit buyers by:
- Guaranteeing professional representation and advocacy.
- Providing clarity on the relationship between the buyer and the agent.
- Allowing agents to dedicate more time and resources to their clients since there’s a formal commitment.
Agent-Client Relationships: There were conversations about how buyer broker agreements help solidify the working relationship between agents and clients. This ensures loyalty and prevents buyers from working with multiple agents simultaneously, which can cause confusion and wasted efforts.
Concerns or Hesitations from Buyers: The group addressed common concerns from buyers, such as feeling locked into a contract or being unsure about the agent’s performance. To address these concerns, the conversation might have explored offering flexible terms, such as shorter contract durations or trial periods, to build trust before signing long-term agreements.
Enforcement and Legal Ramifications: Attendees discussed how to enforce these agreements and what happens if either party breaches the contract. This could include scenarios where a buyer purchases a home through another agent or refuses to pay the agreed commission.
Best Practices for Agents: The group brainstormed strategies for real estate agents to present these agreements in a transparent and non-intimidating way to buyers. This could include:
- Clearly explaining the benefits of having an agent advocate solely for them.
- Discussing what happens in terms of compensation and conflict resolution if the buyer is dissatisfied.
- Reinforcing that signing an agreement protects both parties and clarifies expectations.
E: Events
Here are some exciting upcoming events:
- September 17, 2024: 4-hour CE class at Total Wine & More. For more information and to sign up, click here.
- Last Wednesday of the Month: “The Table” – next session on 9/25/2024.
- Upcoming: Story Brand Webinar – 90 minutes covering 7 steps with a huge discount.
- Additional: Coffee with friends by the Buzizass (right across from the post office).
We also discussed the possibility of putting together a directory for all attendees, as there was interest expressed. We’ll keep you updated as we work on this!
For more updates and to connect with us, follow us on our Facebook page and on Instagram.
Once again, thank you for making “The Table” such a successful and engaging experience.
We couldn’t do it without your participation and energy. If you have any feedback or suggestions for next time, feel free to reach out!
Looking forward to seeing you at our next session. 😊