Laid Off (Again)

I just remembered one of my EASIEST "Ad Programs"....where local restaurants JUMP on the chance to give me their money.

I make up "TV Channel Guides" that are placed in EVERY ROOM of a hotel/motel.

These are Free to the Hotel/Motel and restaurants LOVE them because they are in EVERY ROOM and seen by people who;
1) Have Money
and
2) Are Looking for Places to EAT

I get at least $2,200 for every 80 to 150 room hotel/motel....and my cost is about $100.

Here's my website;
http://www.tvchannelguides.com

I'd even be willing to send you some Samples and help you get hotels/motels and restaurants.

Don Alm

Todd,

Thanks for explaining more.

More toughies to follow...

a friend offered to give me leads if I would get licensed. It's been rough now for some time, so he's struggling to get enough leads for himself (with a very one dimensional marketing scheme - direct mail only).

It's been rough for some time.
He's struggling.

The stuff about his marketing method comes across as an Excuse. As in...

"yes I know it looks silly to get into this, specially when the guy that got me interested is doing it so very tough.... but that's because he Insert Excuse Here. And I just know I can do better - even though I have not done better yet."

Nothing chews up people and spits them out as fast as real estate - and being an Agent. You've heard it. Know someone going through it. But still believe, even against your own experience, that this won't happen to you.

That determination is commendable.

Though like Gordon says... you're doomed to fail - Unless - you do things differently. And not just what you Think will work. But if you do what Actually Works.

So your mission, Todd, should you decide to accept it, is to use the Bill Myers Method. To find other people who are making a real success out if - not just claims, but genuine - and do likewise. Do As They Do.

Now to your answers...

Much higher income opportunity. Yes, and much lower income opportunity too.

Quick story. Girl on the gold coast gets into RE. Decides the money is in selling High Prices stuff. Why? Because commission is Percentage Based. Why sell a $200k place and make $5k when you can sell a $1,000,000 place and make $50k commission? After all, one sale a year and you'd doing fine.

So that's what she does and makes a Killing at 23 years of age.

I personally know a couple who've been in the game for decades. They do likewise. Concentrate on the high priced stuff. Might take four months to sell one. But can you imagine the commission on a $3 million dollar place? I think they paid $400k Tax last year.

Others I know do like most others... get into the normal housing market. And the numbers of survivors are few and far between. And there are More of those types - earning pathetic money - than earning high money. That's the reality of the income opportunity. And those lower priced houses are the only thing new home buyers can afford.

Yes. It's true. The number of Hours Put In Per House doesn't equate to the Commission Generated.

Example... agent gets listing papers signed, makes one call to person who contacted them about such a place, shows house, buyer makes offer which agent phones through. One counter offer is accepted. Contract signed and settlement takes place 30 days later.

Agent's commission around $6k. Time agent spent... a couple of phone calls, showing the place once and then final walkthrough before settlement. Also being present during building and pest inspection. Maybe five hours all up. Works out to $1,200 an hour.

Sure, that's Appealing. But it discounts the hours and hours spent trying to find people to list.

To me... the largest sales areas are... higher priced (sometimes slower sales but larger commissions) and investment properties (sold to a list of investment buyers you generate yourself - repeat sales to the same people, less hassle with first timers and their financing and repayment issues, less fastidious as they aren't moving in and will buy even if the carpet is 70s orange shag pile HA!).

Enjoying driving people around: Become a bus driver, taxi driver, tour bus driver, limo driver.

Enjoy showing homes. Approach a builder who has display homes and ask if you can work in a display home.

Self employed. Loads of other ways besides real estate.

Now. Before you get yourself into a situation where you become just more fodder to the real estate shredder, have you read Jim Straw's Real Estate work? Has sample ads to generate Leads. And one rule of thumb to always follow if you use the technique he writes about.

Anyway. More for you to consider.

But of course, if RE satisfies something Inner inside of you. Then you'll go with it even if the income is not higher. And that'd be a good thing. To be internally satisfied.

Michael Ross

Todd:

You might want to investigate this:

http://www.83homes8months.com/index.html

Bill

Originally Posted by Todd

Phil,
The Mailing List thread you pulled up was exactly for this purpose, I started it to find a way to target renters. The newsletter idea I've had for some time and would still like to get that going to promote my Real Estate business as well as other side projects. BTW, I created a list from MLS and mailed 1,000 postcards some time back with no results - my broker does something similar but with WAY higher numbers so he does pull in a lead or two. I think both of those threads I started are ideas that still have merit as far as generating leads.

I like what Sandi suggested also, I found a Toastmasters group near me and will likely be attending a meeting Wednesday. Also looking into other social networking ideas.

Michael had the perfect question:

This was an opportunity that fell into my lap when a friend offered to give me leads if I would get licensed. It's been rough now for some time, so he's struggling to get enough leads for himself (with a very one dimensional marketing scheme - direct mail only).

Why do I want to pursue it?
• Much higher income opportunity
• I actually enjoy driving people around and showing homes
• For all practical purposes, I'd be self-employed
• And I really do believe that owning is much better than renting (equity, tax breaks, stability and freedom)

Thanks again for all of your input. I'll be doing all I can to meet people, market, promote myself starting immediately. And I'm posting Gordon's quote in my office for motivation!

Todd Smith
http://www.homebargainsaz.com

Originally Posted by Adman

Skip Rosell (I think it's Skip) has a report where he explains how to find FSBO's and compile them into a Report that is SOLD to RE agents.

You scour the classifieds and maybe drive the streets, gathering Names & Addresses. Put these onto a sheet of paper and get Subscribers to your "FSBO Sheet".

I'm not sure what you'd charge agents, maybe Skip can tell you. Maybe a one-time setup fee and quarterly (3 mo) or 6 mo payment in advance.

This can be done in MANY communities...Saves agents TIME in hunting for these prospects.

Don Alm

Hi Don,

Thanks for mentioning FSBO's.

Yes, I have a report called "The Realtor's Hotsheet". What you do is the leg work (on your computer) for the real estate agents.

They are doing this themselves right now, but hate the job, because it takes time away from what makes them their money, getting listings and showing homes.

Anytime they have to do other things besides talking to buyers or sellers they believe it is wasted time. If you can do that work for a reasonable fee then they are all for it.

Charge a set-up fee of $50 and a monthly fee of $30. You can't get much more then that because their are a lot of companies doing this and it is cut rate.

Here is the link to that report for free.

http://makemoneyalerts.com/realtor/T...otsheetsl.html

A much better way to make money with these leads is to run a leads program for Realtors where you can sell them leads YOU get that will sell for $500 each.

That is what my leads for cash program is all about.

Best of success,

Skip

best of luck to you in which ever path you choose.

I appreciate my j-o-b now, working for a fortune 500 company with benefits etc., not having to set up a retirement plan myself.

having said that ... you still need a sideline today. why not work part time for the best printing company you can find that allows you to buy into their benefit program.

then really hustle your graphics business, even target realtors and mortgage business, try one of skip rosell's programs www.makemoneyalerts.com

I'll bet you can still do 10 real estate deals in 12 months even in a down market.

remember it's easier to enjoy your job when it's not your only income stream.

c.t.coburn

Great Idea Don. Thanks again for posting these money-makers.

Does your friend acquire accounts for the Oil Delivery company all year round? For instance, is he getting new accounts NOW? Or does this work better only during certain times of the year?

I know the largest Oil Delivery company in my area - the one I use - stopped offering contracts because the price of oil went up weekly. They could not afford to offer flat rates anymore. And they are VERY LARGE.

They would not likely go for signing up new customers under a fixed contract.

Maybe a first order discount certificate - say $50 off or something. Any other ideas here, Don or anyone else?

Thanks.
John P

Todd, sorry for your troubles. I hope you and your family
start seeing some good casflow come your way real soon.

Um, I just want to send a thought to you that taking on
a job isn't such a bad thing and don't feel defeated or
down about yourself if you have to take one on.

But having said that here are some ideas that may
add some extra income can't say i've tested them all.

Generally thrift shops are thriving right now you might
be able to ride on their success because one area I
think they are weak on is seling their stuff on the internet.

You could offer set up a internet sales channel for them by selling
through Ebay or CL probably for little upfront costs since they are warehousing everything for you.

Gordon has talked about chattel a lot so back to craigslist again
if you do some recon on CL like a you're Army ranger on the hunt for Osama you could find people giving away stuff that other's will find valuable. Probably though you'll need to plant there for long periods before you find something so yes it'll be like a job at first until you get good at it.

Back to jobs.

Teaching.

Seems most communities can't hire enough of them maybe there is free grant money to help you convert to such a profession.


Let's see who else is thriving.

Farmers. Commodity Brokers.

Might be some ways to hang out with them (the internet) see what's shakin n' bakin in their world's.

Hi, This post is very informative, however there are some queries to ask about some specific topic. If someone can help me then please send me a private message. Thanks,

I had a local propane company approach me for leads.
They offered $25/lead and an additional $75 for a lead that converted to a customer.
What I'm doing is putting a small classified in a weekly and sending prospects to an 800# recorded message or a website.Both collect the prospects info.
I control the leads and submit them to the company.
Helps me to see what's going on.
"Trust, but verify" Ronald Reagan

From early Feb until now, have 87 leads and(as of 2 weeks ago) 8 customers.
It's almost autopilot once it's set up.

Hope this helps.
Here's the site:


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