Missouri YPN has Volunteering as an important part of their mission statement. Jessica Kempf, YPN MAR Advisory Board Member, makes volunteering a big part of her career and shares with us some important tips to getting involved in volunteering in your local community.
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I have always been a huge fan of volunteering, raising my hand whenever the opportunity arises. Nothing is better than giving back to your community or association. Here are a few ideas to get started in volunteering!
• Check with your AE or Board President to see what committees are open for participation at the local level and at the Missouri Association of REALTORS®. From Finance Committee to planning fundraisers for RPAC, there is always something that you will be interested in!
• Contact your local Chamber of Commerce. It is a great networking base, and there are plenty of committees to choose from at the Chamber. They can also provide a list of organizations in your area that need volunteers.
• Think of what you like to do! Is it pets, kids, homes, jewelry, sports? There is something out there for everyone! Use Google, or visit www.volunteermatch.org to find all kinds of opportunities.
• Remember, you don’t have to be President to make a difference! Volunteering to help clean a classroom or label food at the food pantry once a month is always good. Start small, and find something you really enjoy.
• Think about the skills you possess. If you are a land developer, think about your city or county planning & zoning department. If you have a knack for tutoring, consider Big Brothers Big Sisters or a similar children’s organization. If you are a finance buff, think of volunteering as Treasurer for an organization.
• Some places to help get you started: churches, museums/art galleries, food pantries, public schools, civic clubs, neighborhood parks, creek cleanups, retirement centers, community theaters, halfway houses and the list goes on!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Make Plans To Attend NAR Annual Conference in San Diego!
Don't miss out on the National Association of REALTORS® Annual Conference and Expo! Join 25,000+ REALTORS® in San Diego, CA on November 13-16, 2009 to chart your winning course in a turbulent economy. You can attend four days of intensive training from real world speakers in top-rated sessions. This conference is a shot in the arm for any real estate professional. You can register online for this fantastic event, you won't want to miss it!
YPN is offering a range of sessions to help you maximize technology, improve your prospecting, and jump-start your sales with a special Young Professionals track. Also put you on your conference schedule to attend the national YPN party on Friday, November 13, 2009 at 7:00pm. Location is yet to be determined. Be sure that you have joined the national YPN so that you are on the mailing list to receive more information and how to register for this event. We hope to see you there!
YPN is offering a range of sessions to help you maximize technology, improve your prospecting, and jump-start your sales with a special Young Professionals track. Also put you on your conference schedule to attend the national YPN party on Friday, November 13, 2009 at 7:00pm. Location is yet to be determined. Be sure that you have joined the national YPN so that you are on the mailing list to receive more information and how to register for this event. We hope to see you there!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
All Good Leaders Are In Touch With Their Strengths & Weaknesses
Beth McGeorge with Re/Max Jefferson City, is a YPN Advisory Board member and shares her experiences of what it is like to be a local board of REALTORS® board president. Beth has accomplished a lot at as a young professional in the real estate business. We appreciate her view point that she shares here:
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Taking on the role as the Jefferson City Area Board of REALTORS President was somewhat intimidating at first but I had many reasons for accepting my nomination and stepping up to the plate. Like many others that have been asked to serve in any leadership role I initially questioned what I had to offer. I wondered if I had enough experience, knowledge, etc. I very quickly realized that we all have out strengths and weaknesses. My main strength is that I bring a new perspective (being in the business less than 5 years and at 25 years old I had a different generation's outlook). All good leaders are in touch w/ their strengths and weaknesses and I knew going into this position that I would need to be in close contact w/ the REALTORS/Leaders that have served before me and would have a better handle on the trends from years past, etc.
I have found the year to be very rewarding, educational and once I got the year underway it was far less intimidating than I originally thought. What helped me the most was to relax and realize that all Board Presidents have different strengths and weaknesses and to focus on what I do best and welcome ideas from other members of the board when things arise that are out of my scope.
Diversity helps make for a more rounded organization and I think we are benefiting well from it.
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Taking on the role as the Jefferson City Area Board of REALTORS President was somewhat intimidating at first but I had many reasons for accepting my nomination and stepping up to the plate. Like many others that have been asked to serve in any leadership role I initially questioned what I had to offer. I wondered if I had enough experience, knowledge, etc. I very quickly realized that we all have out strengths and weaknesses. My main strength is that I bring a new perspective (being in the business less than 5 years and at 25 years old I had a different generation's outlook). All good leaders are in touch w/ their strengths and weaknesses and I knew going into this position that I would need to be in close contact w/ the REALTORS/Leaders that have served before me and would have a better handle on the trends from years past, etc.
I have found the year to be very rewarding, educational and once I got the year underway it was far less intimidating than I originally thought. What helped me the most was to relax and realize that all Board Presidents have different strengths and weaknesses and to focus on what I do best and welcome ideas from other members of the board when things arise that are out of my scope.
Diversity helps make for a more rounded organization and I think we are benefiting well from it.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Seeking Bloggers: You Got Something To Say?
Are you a young, professional, blogging REALTOR®?The YPN Missouri Chapter blog is seeking Missouri REALTORS® that qualified, committed bloggers who are willing to blog 1-2 times per month on this blog.
If you're interested, contact YPN Missouri by sending us an e-mail.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Going Beyond YPN and Joining MAR Leadership Academy
YPN is a great way to jump in and get a career boost, but take it one step further by getting involved with Missouri Association of REALTORS® Leadership Academy. Jessica Kempf, broker with Crane & Crane Real Estate in Columbia, MO and YPN Advisory Board member credits the MAR Leadership Academy with improving her skills to make her an emerging leader in the real estate profession. In this article, she shares 5 powerful reasons of why you should consider getting involved.
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As my year of Leadership Academy is coming to a close, I reflect on all the different things I learned and what I really took away from the Leadership Academy (LA). Here is a Top Five (+ 1 bonus) list of what I learned from LA, and why you should apply for next year!
1. The camaraderie with other LA participants. I will never forget the 12 other participants that I spent 5 retreats with. From pool & washer tournaments, to collaborating on our group project, those are times I won’t forget. We grew as a class throughout the year, and it was so much fun!
2. Getting to know yourself! Throughout the Leadership Academy process, we participated in Forte, which is a self-scoring application to get to know how you communicate with others. It also helps understand why others communicate the way they do, and allows for adjustment to certain situations.
3. Special one-on-group sessions with top Realtors from MAR & NAR. We had individual sessions with Elizabeth Mendenhall, Richard Mendenhall, NAR First Vice President Ron Phipps, Corky Hyatt, John Mayfield and many others. They were wonderful people to learn from, and sessions I will remember for years.
4. MAR Participation. It provides education on how to become more involved with MAR & NAR, and allows for a tour of MAR Headquarters. I have become more involved this year than I ever would have because I am aware of the opportunities. It also encourages you to attend state meetings, because you meet so many other Realtors throughout the process.
5. The project. Each class is instructed to create a project that will benefit MAR members. Some in the past have been MARSpace, Political Outreach Program, the Realtor License plate, and more. Look for our project announcement at the September Business Conference!
Bonus: It’s a “mini-tour” of Missouri! From Excelsior Springs with a haunted hotel to the peaceful, serene setting of Cedar Creek in New Haven, you explore different areas of Missouri that you might never have found before!
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As my year of Leadership Academy is coming to a close, I reflect on all the different things I learned and what I really took away from the Leadership Academy (LA). Here is a Top Five (+ 1 bonus) list of what I learned from LA, and why you should apply for next year!1. The camaraderie with other LA participants. I will never forget the 12 other participants that I spent 5 retreats with. From pool & washer tournaments, to collaborating on our group project, those are times I won’t forget. We grew as a class throughout the year, and it was so much fun!
2. Getting to know yourself! Throughout the Leadership Academy process, we participated in Forte, which is a self-scoring application to get to know how you communicate with others. It also helps understand why others communicate the way they do, and allows for adjustment to certain situations.
3. Special one-on-group sessions with top Realtors from MAR & NAR. We had individual sessions with Elizabeth Mendenhall, Richard Mendenhall, NAR First Vice President Ron Phipps, Corky Hyatt, John Mayfield and many others. They were wonderful people to learn from, and sessions I will remember for years.
4. MAR Participation. It provides education on how to become more involved with MAR & NAR, and allows for a tour of MAR Headquarters. I have become more involved this year than I ever would have because I am aware of the opportunities. It also encourages you to attend state meetings, because you meet so many other Realtors throughout the process.
5. The project. Each class is instructed to create a project that will benefit MAR members. Some in the past have been MARSpace, Political Outreach Program, the Realtor License plate, and more. Look for our project announcement at the September Business Conference!
Bonus: It’s a “mini-tour” of Missouri! From Excelsior Springs with a haunted hotel to the peaceful, serene setting of Cedar Creek in New Haven, you explore different areas of Missouri that you might never have found before!
What Is A Niche Anyway?
YPN Advisory Board member, Paul Dizmang of Dizmang Properties in Springfield, MO has a established a niche in real estate investments and property management. The following is his take on what a niche is and what you should know about it.
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For many years we have all heard “get a niche and get rich.” But few actually do it. Why?
As wikipedia points out, a “niche defines the specific product features aimed at satisfying specific market needs.” Basically, pick an area, a price range, a certain age group, a type of property, and make it yours. Own it. Know everything about that niche and be known as the expert. It won’t come overnight, but it will come.
Lets say you decide to make a subdivision your niche. Make sure it is large enough to work exclusively and then know everything about it. Learn every home, every amenity, and most importantly get to know the owners. Go door-to-door if necessary just to learn about that subdivision. Focus almost all of your attention on your new niche. The leads will come and business will happen. Few REALTORS® ever create a true niche because of the dedication it takes to be established as the expert in an area. You can do it, but it will take planning, determination, and a commitment to stay away from negative people who tell you it can’t be done.
Got a great listing lead in another subdivision across town? Refer it. This is one the hardest steps in developing a niche; sticking with it and just it. If the business leads that come your way don’t fit into your area of specialty then don’t do it. It is very difficult to say no business when you have a mortgage payment staring you in the face, but if you are to succeed take the referral fee and stick to your area of specialty.
In time you will be known for your niche and will dominate the market. Be the expert and you will wear the road out that goes to your bank.
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For many years we have all heard “get a niche and get rich.” But few actually do it. Why?
As wikipedia points out, a “niche defines the specific product features aimed at satisfying specific market needs.” Basically, pick an area, a price range, a certain age group, a type of property, and make it yours. Own it. Know everything about that niche and be known as the expert. It won’t come overnight, but it will come.
Lets say you decide to make a subdivision your niche. Make sure it is large enough to work exclusively and then know everything about it. Learn every home, every amenity, and most importantly get to know the owners. Go door-to-door if necessary just to learn about that subdivision. Focus almost all of your attention on your new niche. The leads will come and business will happen. Few REALTORS® ever create a true niche because of the dedication it takes to be established as the expert in an area. You can do it, but it will take planning, determination, and a commitment to stay away from negative people who tell you it can’t be done.
Got a great listing lead in another subdivision across town? Refer it. This is one the hardest steps in developing a niche; sticking with it and just it. If the business leads that come your way don’t fit into your area of specialty then don’t do it. It is very difficult to say no business when you have a mortgage payment staring you in the face, but if you are to succeed take the referral fee and stick to your area of specialty.
In time you will be known for your niche and will dominate the market. Be the expert and you will wear the road out that goes to your bank.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
5 Twitter Suggestions
Twitter is everywhere these days as it certainly has become mainstream and it can be very beneficial for your real estate business. But what do you do when first getting started in Twitter?Here are five suggestions that you should consider when tweeting about your real estate business:
- Be real. Talk about what you love.
Whether it be the love of the color orange, or the love of your hot new car, or the love of watching first time home buyers get their keys at closing. Whatever it is that you love, talk about it. People want to see the real you. When they see the real person, they feel more open to discuss their housing needs with you. - Have a well balanced Twitter stream.
Take a look at your Twitter profile by clicking on "profile" from your Twitter home page. Glance at your recent Tweets. Are they full of self promotion "Call me for your real estate needs"?? If people are only seeing you constantly push your business, then they won't see you as real (see #1 above), they'll see you as spam. - Follow to be followed.
If you feel that Twitter is not worth your time because no one follows you, then change it. Find people that have similar interests and follow them. Reply to something they've said by using an "@" reply. They usually will follow you back. But make sure that they know who you are. Fill out your name, location, web site and a short bio on your Twitter profile. People want to know who they are twittering with. - Engage in conversations.
See #3 above. If someone says something you like, then retweet it. TweetDeck makes this easy, as does countless other Twitter apps. - Link your Tweets to your Facebook profile.
There is no better way to reach tons of people at once, than by tweeting something out. You reach your Twitter followers by the hundreds as well as your hundreds of Facebook friends. Run the Facebook Twitter app to get this to work.
But, before you go...do you follow Missouri YPN on Twitter?
Monday, August 24, 2009
What It Takes To Get Others Involved In Your Local Board Association
YPN wants to encourage all young professional REALTORS® to get involved and get others involved in your local organization. Thanks to Beth McGeorge of Re/Max Jefferson City, YPN Advisory Board Member, for sharing your thoughts and tips on what it takes to get others involved with your local board association.
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I believe the best way to recruit members is to ask them. I got involved because somewhere along the lines someone asked me to join them, volunteer, etc.
It's intimidating to just decide to show up or volunteer unless you know exactly what you'd be signing up for. By being asked people feel included and welcomed to the group.
A good place to start is by watching for agents that may have particular skills to offer. Skills such as enthusiasm, trade from a "previous life" or someone that is respected among the Real Estate community and could get things moving!
Don't make the mistake of just looking at brand new agents. That is a wonderful place to look for new talents but don't forget about the agents that have been around for a while but never really got involved. Likely because they were never asked.
Generally people need a little welcoming to come aboard!
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I believe the best way to recruit members is to ask them. I got involved because somewhere along the lines someone asked me to join them, volunteer, etc.
It's intimidating to just decide to show up or volunteer unless you know exactly what you'd be signing up for. By being asked people feel included and welcomed to the group.
A good place to start is by watching for agents that may have particular skills to offer. Skills such as enthusiasm, trade from a "previous life" or someone that is respected among the Real Estate community and could get things moving!
Don't make the mistake of just looking at brand new agents. That is a wonderful place to look for new talents but don't forget about the agents that have been around for a while but never really got involved. Likely because they were never asked.
Generally people need a little welcoming to come aboard!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Welcome to Missouri Chapter of REALTOR.com's Young Professionals Network
As the Missouri chapter of the YPN, our goal is to provide a voice for young real estate professionals throughout the state of Missouri and to reach a new and growing segment of the REALTOR® family, with a focus on networking, education, community service, and mentoring.So how do you know if the YPN is right for you? Are you a REALTOR® in Missouri who is 40 or younger? Have you been in the real estate business less than 5 years? If you answered yes to either question, then we are here for YOU! If answered no to both questions, but still care about new agents succeeding in our business, then YPN is just right for you too!
We will be reaching out to our members through different events held at the quarterly MAR business meetings. Please plan on joining us at our next event on Oct 1, 2009 at Tan-Tar-A Resort in Lake Ozarks, MO from 4-5 pm. We will be hosting a round table event discussing social media, Web 2.0 technologies, netbooks vs laptops, and using the latest gadgets for making your real estate business reach new heights!
If you want to join us or have questions on how to get involved, please contact our Advisory Board Chair, Bobbi Jo Howe, by sending her an e-mail. Also, make sure that you subscribe to our blog to get the latest information on technology, market conditions and trends, and tips on making your real estate business outstanding.
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