Archive for January, 2010

My Big Yellow Note Pad that Helps me Run 7 Figure Businesses

Friday, January 29th, 2010

People are always asking me how I run multiple businesses in multiple figures without a huge staff and without making myself crazy…who says I am not crazy?:)

Actually, I am on track to have a phenomenal year and I attribute it to a few things:
1) I agree with Zig Ziglar when he said “you can have anything you want if you help enough other people get what they want” So, by offering more free reports, complimentary calls, great value, amazing content, etc., I am well on my way to doing just that.

2) A very strong connection with God, the Universe and my Source keeps me focused and in touch with the right things for me to deliver to the world.

3) A blessed relationship with my husband, Pete Treloar.  He supports me in all that I do, stops me when I go overboard and keeps us on the same page when it comes to morals, integrity and goals.

4) Beautiful clients that continue to help me get better everyday.

5) My Big Yellow Note Pad.

I know upon your initial reading you might think “hmmm…one of these things is not like the other” but to me, they really are.  Numbers 1-4 are pretty self-explanatory—I need all of those things in my life to keep me focused, grateful and moving forward.

Number 5 is how I plan it all out to make sure I stay on track.

I usually buy the 3M Post-It Easel Pad.  They are about $35 at Office Depot or Staples.  You can buy the other non-sticky pads for about ½ price, but even when I am just working out an idea, I like to stick it on the wall so I can see it while I complete the thought and come up with the final page.

Yes, I am a visual person, but this also serves as a great reminder to me.  It is so big, is hanging on my office wall, and pretty much forces me to look at it several times a day.

This is how I use them most effectively.

1)      I generally write down what I want to achieve or “hammer out.”

2)      Next, I write the accompanying goals.  In other words, if I want to lead the home staging industry by 2012, I need to know the number of students I am looking to have, how many of each training level, and the money that I want to bring in from that. 

3)      Now, I merge these together.  Based on what I want to achieve, and what I want to get out of it, I write down; “Have 50 APSD Home Stagers per Month” and then I write next to it, the gain that it brings me.

4)      Now, I have to figure out exactly how to do that. Usually this requires me to mind map the plan.  Mind mapping is a process that I often use.  The main idea is the nucleus, and then you have sub ideas that combine to make the main idea work.  Each sub idea is in its own category and then of course, there are tasks and ideas that spawn from each of those. 

5)      Now, I address timelines, budgets and how to delegate.  All of this, again, is done on my Yellow Note Pad. 

6)      Eventually it comes together.  I have one sheet for a year, with my goals.  I have separate sheets for each month.  Usually this means that I have one that is a task sheet for me, like the one you see in the photo above.  Then, I have another which is a goal sheet for that month so I can see what I will achieve by completing the tasks at hand.

7)      In addition, there is an overall “Mind Map” so I can see the entire vision at one glance, along with all the pieces and parts.

8)      And finally, my favorite page, “Karen’s Big Vision.”  This is the page that many people would refer to as a “bucket list” but I have far more to achieve than what is on this list, so I think my “Bucket List” would be even bigger.  For now, my “Big Vision covers things thru 2016.”

So what I have done, is to use this notepad to create my goals, big visions and a way to map it all out.  You have to have specific tasks that apply to each goal and then find a way to delegate and set it into motion.

By looking at my Big Yellow Task Sheet every day, I am able to stay on track and make sure it all makes sense every day.  If I only have this written in my day timer, I only have the advantage of seeing the pages I am looking at directly. 

So, I look at my tasks daily, reference them in my planner and tweek if I need to, but usually I do not because at this point, I am very carefully planned and my great Assistant Amanda, helps me to stay that way.  Now I can complete everything on time and categorize like items accordingly. (Some people refer to this as “Batching”)

Now, I also look at my monthly goals as well as my “Big Vision” three times a day and imagine myself being there.  I literally say them out loud, then I envision myself living in the goals.  This helps me to know who I really am and what I am able to achieve instead of sticking them away in a drawer or journal and never remembering to read them. 

With a huge yellow page hanging on my wall, trust me, there is no “forgetting” to look. And it allows me to run multiple businesses, all worth a great deal of money…without driving myself crazy…and it will help you too.

Many people associate me with good taste and nice décor because of my industry and I appreciate that.  I can tell you that the Yellow Pages do nothing to enhance my flower vases or beautiful paintings…but they do enhance my mind, body, spirit and business substantially, so even when I have Monet on my wall, my Big Yellow Note Pad will be carefully pasted right next to the “Water Lilies.”

***Ready to enhance your own Mind, Body, Spirit and Business? You just have to be willing and able..and then take massive action!  I KNOW you can do it!

To your greatest joy,

Karen Schaefer

Founder, APSD

Your Worldwide Leader in Home Staging Training

 

Your Home Staging Weekly Mission:  

Go get yourself a Big Yellow Note Pad.  Commit to at least One Hour to setting your Big Vision.  Next, schedule time each week to plan out your vision. Simply follow my steps above and you will find this very simple and easy. Then make sure you read it everyday, at least 3 times a day until you “own” it.

You are well on your way to success…and just to think, all because of a yellow note pad.

To find out more about “How to Market Your Home Staging Business” – click here…

 Post your comments, questions and successes on my blog!

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Posted in Home Stager, Home Stager School, Home Stager Training, Home Staging Business, Home Staging Career, Home Staging Marketing, Uncategorized | 20 Comments »

Blow the Top off of 2010?

Friday, January 22nd, 2010

All of my clients and customers are restless this year.  I believe it is from having a very rough 2008, and 2009 and everyone is at the point where they are no longer willing to watch their bank accounts go down, their customers go away and feel powerless to stop it.  Nope, I think it is because we don’t want to take it lying down anymore and there are a few select people that are ready to take the bull by the horns and blow the top off their business in 2010!

Good, it is nice to know I am not alone.  So, now how do you do that?  Well, you start by asking yourself some very specific and sometimes difficult questions;

1)      What do I want 2010 to look like for me?

2)      How many hours a week do I want to work?

3)      How much money do I want to make?

4)      Who can I get to help me?

5)      What am I willing to do to make it happen?

These are what I call “Facing the Big Guy” questions.   You have to look yourself in the eye and answer honestly and then you have to get down to work.

The mistake that most people make is that they think they can think about it and it will happen or that they can take one step in the right direction and if it doesn’t work, then you must quit.  This is faulty thinking, or as my good friend Dr. Paul Hartunian would say; “Defective Thinking.”

If you really want to blow the top off of 2010, you have to first start by answering the above questions, then you need to create a plan and finally, implement the plan until it works.

So, let’s start at the beginning….

1)      What do you want 2010 to look like for you?

 You have to cover all the bases here; what do you want to do if you are not already doing it, what does your life look like, how about your time with family, vacations, time off, work model and structure, employees, time “on” your business vs. “in” your business, your charitable donations, hobbies…what is your “Big Vision”  in 2010?  (Watch for a complimentary call series I will be doing in March on Defining Your Big Vision). 

The easiest way for me to do this is not edit, not think realistically, but just write it out.  I can always modify it, but it is vital that you have a vision.

2)      How many hours are you willing to work?

Once you have your vision, and direction, now you need to decide how many hours a week you are devoted to this vision.  Many of you that are Home Stagers, Organizers, Agents, or Stay at Home Mom’s also have other obligations, so you have to balance those in order to lay the framework for your big vision. 

When I decided to go for a change initially, it meant a great deal more hours.  The same is true for me right now as I want to be extraordinary this year and achieve things that I never before thought possible.  So, I am up at 4am.  I work from 4-5:30 on my mindset and learning activities.  Then, I go work out and then back to my desk by 7:30am.  After that, I work until 4pm, go for a speed walk, fix dinner and often, Pete and I will sit down together from 7-9pm to clarify, define and refine the day, week, month and overall plan. 

The nice part about The Home Staging industry and Real Estate on the whole is that there are so many ways to make money as long as you are willing to be a little uncomfortable in the beginning in order to learn them. 

So, how many hours are you willing to put into your Big Vision and what are they?  By stating the hours, you are now committing to those.  If you don’t stop this moment and figure out your hours, then you will more than likely fail at achieving your big vision.  You must define them and stick with them as though you are being paid to show up, because that is ultimately what will happen, which is good.

3)      How much money do you want to make?

This is my favorite part.  As a Home Stager you can make as much or as little as you decide.  You have total control, which is really the only true “job security” there is.  So, based on your “Big Vision” and then the hours that you are willing and able to put toward turning your Big Vision into a reality, how much money do you want to make?

Most Home Staging companies set up a plan for their home stagers to make $24-$36 an hour!  I think you would have to work a ton of hours to make a substantial dent in your “Big Vision”…am I right? 

That is why at APSD our average Home Stager is set up to make $220 an hour based on charging for services and how long they take, vs. hours.  This is a very important business less.  By charging based on a “Formula or Service fee” you will make up to 10x more than an hourly rate.  That is why many Home Stagers end up training with me even after they have already been certified elsewhere.  I teach people to make more money with less work so you can live your life…that is part of my Big Vision.

So, how much money do you want to make?  How much is that per hour based on the number of hours you are willing to commit to your vision? How much per minute? Most people don’t define this by the minute, but I do because each minute of my time is precious and I want to know that it is going toward the right thing instead of being whittled away and nothing gets accomplished.   What do you need to do each minute and each hour to make sure that happens?  It is just math and implementation.

4)      Who can I get to help me?

As entrepreneurs we always think we have to do everything on our own…that no one else is good enough to help me.  Yep, I run into the same thing.  But ultimately, unless you can find other people to first take away your mundane tasks on which you waste your time and secondly to take on the big things that you don’t know how to do, but of which they are an expert, you will never achieve your Big Vision. 

I am read Ted Turner’s biography right now and the key consistent element is delegation.  “Who do I know that is an expert in:______” and then he finds that person and empowers them to be extraordinary. 

So, what do you need help with, and who can you get to help you?  I realize in the beginning, many budgets are restricted and therefore, you have to be very selective.  So, can you get someone to run your errands, pick up the mail and answer the phone for $10 an hour 10 hours a week…probably.  Start there if you can’t immediately start with a bigger staff.  Then, do one thing right, make money at it, hire the next person and move on to your next step.

5)      What am I willing to do to make it happen?

This is where you will need to go back to your “Big Vision” and decide if you have the time, energy and resources to make it happen or if you need to slightly modify it at this point so you can continue to grow it in the future.

For instance, if you want to make $10 Million dollars this year, and you are starting with no investment equity, no help and no foundation, plus you only have 5 hours a week, you will probably need to revise that plan slightly.  I am not saying it can’t be done, but if you figure out a way to make $100,000 this year, then you can use that money the following year to more easily create $1 Million and so on.

So, go back to your Big Vision, make sure it is what you want to do and can do and then, create your plan.  Based on the hours and resources you have available, what are you willing to do to meet the plan?

This is difficult and where most people stop.  It is easy to dream and to talk about it but now I am asking you to take action and this is the most difficult step. 

Are you willing to wake up an hour earlier than you originally thought?  Are you willing to eat lunch at your desk in order to create a marketing piece? Can you give up Friday night out with the gang in order to add $50 to your bottom line resources?  If so, then you are well on your way.  If not, go back one more time and look at your Big Vision. Work on it until you can do it.

Now, create your plan of implementation.  What do you need to achieve and how will you do that?  Marketing is your number one most important factor in achieving success quickly, so you have to plan that part of your schedule first.  Next, you will have to figure out how to touch your customer and get your compelling marketing to them.  Will this be online, offline, networking…how do you get your message to your customer.

Now, you have to deliver on your promises, I like to under promise and over deliver in order to make sure I have a happy customer.

And, last but not least, follow up. 

Once you create this plan of action, implement it and then turn it into a system, your “Big Vision” is practically guaranteed.

***Then, you have to do this for all aspects of your life; Mind, Body, Spirit and Business.  Now, Step into it every day…this is a great plan of action and you can achieve anything.

To your greatest joy,

Karen Schaefer

Founder, APSD

Your Worldwide Leader in Home Staging Training

Your Home Staging Weekly Mission:  

Answer the 5 Questions above as honestly as you can.  Then, spell it all out until you know, with some hard work and consistency, you can achieve your “Big Vision.”  Next, take action, every day, every hour and every minute.  Keep track of this in order to stay on target.  And, join me on my “19 ways to make money…” call to speed up your process.  Just dial (484) 589-1011 access code: 610-235-043 on Jan. 27th at 7pm MT You will certainly blow the top off of 2010!

To find out more about “How to Market Your Home Staging Business” – click here…

Post your comments, questions and successes on my blog

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The 19 Easiest Ways to Make Money in Today’s Real Estate Market

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

In today’s world, I believe that Home Staging yields the most opportunity for immediate cash, with very little or no investment, and has the opportunity for the most streams of income. As a matter of fact, I have not one, but 19 different streams of income in my own Home Staging business. Nineteen ways to make money from one business. Think about it, there are more homes on the market now than since WWII and people are desperate to sell! They need your help and expertise and you can be “in demand” very quickly with what you are about to learn.

That is why I put together this complimentary Teleconference call and FREE Report on “My 23 Big Lessons I learned from acting with Bruce Willis, the “dotcom” bust and SCUBA diving that helped me create 7 streams of income in my business… and how you can do exactly the same thing! “

Why would I share these secrets with you? Well, there are more houses than I can handle by myself… so much opportunity, so much creativity, so much fun…and best of all, so many ways to make money and help others while you are doing it!

That is why I do it!

On the Teleconference call, you will learn how to;

  • Take the “23 Big Lessons” and turn them into at least 7 streams of income
  • Make money immediately in today’s real estate market without investing in a house
  • Add these streams to an existing business or create an all new one
  • Develop an additional and alternative income center

These are the same streams of income I teach our International Team of APSD™ Certified Home Staging and Marketing Professionals and now you can get in on these proven, turn-key secrets too!

In this Free Guide; “My 23 Big Lessons…” you’ll discover the secrets that allowed me to start from Less than Zero and create multiple businesses with multiple streams of income, and being worth more than a MILLION dollars all in less than 4 years!

As an EXTRA Special Bonus to the report, I am also offering a COMPLIMENTARY TELECONFERENCE CALL “The 19 easiest ways to make money in today’s real estate market using an automated, turn-key, proven method to sell homes in ½ the time at full market value.”

This is a call where I literally just lay it out, step by step for you and leave no question unanswered, and you won’t want to miss it!

So, if you are really serious about making more money now in the “#1 Emerging Career*” choice for 2010, then join the Teleconference call now!

CLICK Here to Get Your FREE Report & Join My FREE Teleconference CALL

Look forward to having you on the call,

I look forward to having you on the call and answering all of your questions.
Sincerely,

Karen.

Karen Schaefer
Founder, Simple Appeal Inc
& APSD (Assoc. of Property Scene Designers)

PS—The call lines are very limited, it is available on a first come, first serve basis.
Claim your FREE Report now to receive your complimentary Teleconference call.

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FREE Conference Call with Karen… The 19 Easiest Ways to Make Money in today’s real estate market using an automated, turn-key, proven method to sell homes in ½ the time at full market value.

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

19 Easiest Ways to Make Money Today in Real Estate

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How to Combine Creativity with Business

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

The number one request that I get from all of my clients, whether they are from my Home Staging Training Company, Marketing and Networking Business, one of my Speaking Clients…all of them, are always looking for a way to be more creative, or at least add more creativity to their marketing efforts and effectively combine it with business. For some reason, we have been conditioned that the two don’t go together…but they MUST!

Over the years, people have constantly told me how “Creative or Imaginative” I am.  Funny, I never thought of myself as such, but I am a self-professed dreamer, and I love letting my imagination run wild…which can be good, and of course, bad as well! J

But, I think ultimately that you have to have a set foundation in every type of business, no matter what it is.  You have to have a solid vision, a way to implement the plan or vision, have a strong team, a goal or intention and of course the marketing, direction and management to make it happen.

Rarely can this happen without a “Creative Department.”  Most small businesses don’t have the luxury of an entire department, so it is up to YOU to be the Creative Leader of your Business, so that your Business is presented as a Creative, Productive, and Effective Company to your Client.

As Home Stagers, we all have a natural inclination toward creativity.  Most of you explore that creativity each time you do a staging job.  I know I do because it is almost a release for me.  It is a creative outlet, a way to vent any frustration, and it also allows me to constantly flex my creativity muscle. I am able to in turn get better each time (and most importantly, offer more creative advice every time to my nationwide team of APSD Certified Home Stagers).

But, in business, we can’t simply be creative in what we do; we have to be creative in what we say and how we present ourselves and our services.  In other words, your Marketing must be creative if you want to stand out from the crowd and catch the attention of your potential client.

That is why the first thing I always teach all of my clients is:
1) Name:  What is the name of your company or Service? Does it say what you do and where you do it?

I know you are thinking, “Karen, to just say ‘Los Angeles Home Staging’ is boring.  I want to say ‘A feather in your cap Sales.’”

Now, I would agree that the ‘Feather in your Cap’ is far more creative, but it does not tell me anything.  When you come up with a name, people will search under categories, which is why, in this instance something “practical” comes in handy.

Even today, if I were naming my own Home Staging Company again, I would not name it Simple Appeal.  I love the name, and it speaks to me, but for people that don’t know me, they are only going to search for Home Staging Services in Colorado—not Simple Appeal.

2) USP- Once you have figured out your name, now is your chance to be creative.  A USP is a “Unique Selling Proposition.”  Sometimes you can use this as a tag line, like I do, “Anybody can make your Property pretty, we make it Sell” or as a unique way to capture the attention of your customer.  In other words, use your creativity, and figure out a way to say something about your service or business that makes you more compelling than any other person in your industry in the eyes of your client.

The best way to approach this, which you many already know if you follow me on Twitter, is to tell your client what they WANT to hear vs. what they NEED to hear.  And say it in such a way that makes them think “I HAVE to have it!”

You can have so much fun with this and when you hit the nail on the head, your lead generation will explode.  It is the perfect way to combine creativity with business.

3) Position- So, now you have a name that opens up the door for good and easy search criteria.  You then have mustered up all of your creative resources and developed an extraordinary USP.  So, you have burst open the door on your new lead generation.  Now, you have to correctly and effectively position yourself in the market place so that you can convert those leads into sales, thus increasing your business’s bottom line.

My USP, “Anybody can make your House look Pretty, we make it Sell” is not only a great USP, but it also offers me great positioning in my market place.  It is good marketing.  The reason that I chose this USP is that I wanted to position myself in the market place as the Home Stager that actually knew how to stage a home so it would sell.  I did not want to just be about decorating, accessorizing or rearranging…I wanted to be about results.

So, what you have to do… once again is be creative.  What do you want to say about your business? And, how do you want them to envision you and your services?

All of these steps require creativity and with that, you will find that new doors will readily open for your business.  The key to success is to combine your creativity with your business skills, because although they can each stand alone, the fact of the matter is that you could increase your business 10 fold over night by adding just one effective touch of creativity.  And, let’s face the facts; it sure is whole lot more fun to be creative!

Keep in mind that creative marketing and positioning is just good business. So for those of you that immediately assume you are not good at business, by implementing the 3 steps above, you will now be 3 “business” steps ahead of any other Home Stager in your area.

In the future, I will offer a business program, but for now, follow the information above and you will be amazed at the results.

To your greatest joy,

Karen Schaefer

Founder, APSD

Your Worldwide Leader in Home Staging Training

Your Home Staging Weekly Mission:

I want you to define or refine your business name and then develop your Unique Selling Proposition.  Now, decide specifically how you can use those to position yourself effectively in the market place.  Post  your ideas and comments so I can give you feedback!

To find out more about “How to Market Your Home Staging Business” – click here…

Post your comments, questions and successes below!

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Posted in Home Stager, Home Stager School, Home Stager Training, Home Staging Business, Home Staging Career, Home Staging Marketing, Uncategorized | 26 Comments »

Do You Have a Plan?

Friday, January 8th, 2010

Wow, another new year.  This year, versus several in the past, brings us the promise of new hope.  We all hope the economy is getting better, we hope we’ll bring our soldiers home soon, we hope our businesses survive.

You only have control over so much, so focus, pray and plan.  You can control your business, if you set your intention, create a specific plan and then follow the plan.  Yes, you may have to tweek it along the way, but that is just good business, it means you are “tracking” which only 1% of businesses do, so guess, what, you are already ahead of the curve.

In order to do well in business, you have to have balance in all aspects of your life, mind, body, spirit and business.  So, when Pete and I sat down this year, we focused on all aspects of our life to make everything better, including our business.

When our minds, bodies and spirits are in balance, business is good.  This is a lot like home staging, and the 4 Cornerstones that I teach our members; CCTF; Color, Continuity, Theme and Flow…you have to have all 4 and when you do, they work together so perfectly that the property “feels right” which is what always sells it.

So, if you can get the Home Staging right, isn’t it time to get your business and life right?

This weekend, Pete and I planned out our multiple businesses: APSD (The Association of Property Scene Designers) my Home Staging Training Company, The Invisible Coach (Pete’s On line Coaching and Training Business Systems), No BS Colorado (our GKIC Marketing, Networking and Master Mind Groups), The Celebrity Speaker (my Speaking Company for Authors, Speakers, and Coaches) as well as Phoebee Fleabee, INC. (My kids program that I am publishing this year).  As you can see, we have a lot on our plates, but one thing that really brings it all together for us is “leadership.”  We both have a strong desire and skill set to be the Leaders in each of our chosen industries, in several cases we already are, in others, we will be there within 3 years.

I will talk about Leadership another time, but what I want you to note is our “3 year plan.”  If you just write out goals, then, well, let’s be honest, they are more often than not, just words on a page.

By literally writing out your 1 thru 3 year plan, now you see how you will get there.

Always think Big.  Donald Trump said “If you have to think anyway, you may as well think Big” and I agree.  By creating my plan for 3 years, it allows me to see how I will grow into my goals and really make them happen.  If I just write them down on a page, then, I will walk away knowing I can’t achieve them.

Here is my process:

1)      Work only on one company at a time.  If you are a serial entrepreneur, then find the common thread between all your companies.  This is important as it will keep you from just grasping at “Bright Shiny Objects.”  What is your common thread?  Real Estate? Coaching? Prosperity?  You decided.  As you do your goals, still focus on one company at a time, but keep your common thread in mind.  It will reveal itself to you later.

2)      Once I have an idea as to my vision with a particular company or business, I write down what I will achieve in the coming year.

3)      Next, I write down what I will achieve in 36 months.

4)      Now, and this is a critical step, you must place yourself into your 36 month achievement.  Have a partner ask you specific questions such as “How do you feel,” “What are you doing right now,” “What do you do today that you did differently 3 years ago,” “Who are you?” Make sure you answer as the person you are in 36 months, not as the person you are today. By doing this, you will now see what you are capable of, and can achieve it.

5)      Write down all of your 36 month answers and “step into them” daily. It is who you are, you just need to own it.

6)      Planning gets you nowhere without implementation. So now it is time to create your “Critical 90 Days.” This is what gives you momentum.  What must happen in the next 90 days to set you off into the right course of action?  Write it down, and do it.

7)      Repeat for all of your money making companies (let go of the others until these are flourishing, then you can bring them back)

I wish I had a book that I could write for you today, because I think that so many times we are misled into “believing is reality” or “writing it down” creates what we want.  The truth is you have to believe, you have to write it down, you have to plan and you have to put your plan into action.

Then, you have to do this for all aspects of your life; Mind, Body, Spirit and Business.  Now, Step into it every day…this is a great plan of action and you can achieve anything.

To your greatest joy,

Karen Schaefer

Founder, APSD

Your Worldwide Leader in Home Staging Training

Your Home Staging Weekly Mission:

Write out your 3 year plan.  Make sure you are very specific as the universe reads your thoughts literally.  It does not look at the “J or JJ” comments.  Now, step into the person you are in 36 months and start living it today…it really is you.  Make sure you then set your “Critical 90 Day” plan and implement it.  90 Days from now, you will be well on your way to “Super Stardom!”

To find out more about “How to Market Your Home Staging Business” – click here…

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Surround Yourself with the Right People

Friday, January 1st, 2010

One of my mentors, Dan Kennedy, always talks about “Centers of Influence.” I too talk about it often, yet I am continually surprised how few people take it to heart. The sooner that you can find your “Centers of Influence” and then take action to integrate yourself into their ‘circles,” the sooner your business will lift off the ground…and the less work you will have to do in order to secure additional home staging’s and services.

So, if you can surround yourself with the right people, by finding your centers of influence, they then help you to secure more work, faster, you make more money, and save time…why aren’t you doing it?

Jim Rohn, a great man, and an amazing speaker, who recently passed away, would always say one of my favorite quotes; “You are the average of the 5 people you hang around the most.”

So, if you are the average of those 5, then who are you hanging around? Now, he is not talking about your kids, but he is talking about your friends and business associates. So, if I had more space, we could explore both sides, friends, and business, but since this is designed specifically for business, let’s discuss your 5 people that you hang around the most for the purposes of running a successful Home Staging, Professional Organization, or Real Estate Business. Although it could easily be argued that your friends also affect your success, so, I would encourage you to look carefully at them as well.

In order to surround yourself with the Right people, you have to first know who they are. I could beat the drum on this day after day, and yet many of you still refuse to look. Trust me on this one, know your client, and you will increase your net worth 10 fold overnight!

1) So, number 1 is to know your client so that you can begin to discern who it is you want to associate with. Is it an agent, a certain group of sellers in a geographic area, an association or organization? Who are the people that know “the People” that you want to work with?

2) Now, where do those people go? Do they attend a regular monthly meeting? Is there an informal “Coffee” gathering that you go join? Do you have a friend that belongs to the group and they can invite you? Or, do they gather at a convention one or two times a year and you need to be there?

3) Next, who knows everyone within that circle? How can you meet them? What can you do for them so that they will introduce and recommend your services? These people are your “Centers of Influence.”

By finding these “Centers of Influence,” and building a win-win rapport and relationship, you will no doubt strike your own Gold mine. But, you have to get out, do a little research, smooze a little, be willing to be bold and always, always, offer to give, before you receive.

A quick example of this is when I first started in the Home Staging Business, I went to my local Real Estate Association meetings. I was a small real estate investor and I was determined to make sure that I built a relationship with both president’s of the 2 local associations. I started with the smaller one in Colorado Springs, and met Terry Bryan who was the President of that meeting. It took me some time to build a relationship with him, and I solidified it by staging one of his investment properties at no charge. Needless to say, it sold immediately, he was thrilled and then went to the owner of both clubs, Bill Bronchick.

I then did the same for Bill, and he also sold his house within days of my Home Staging Service after it had sat on the market for months. To this day, although I have since replaced myself in those markets many times over, Bill and Terry still recommend and refer me to nearly every single real estate investor that can’t sell their home.

That is a great “Center of Influence.” What is important to remember here, is that I did not know either of them when I started, nor did I have a mutual acquaintance. I just set my intention and did not quit until I was able to “Surround myself with the Right People” and it has paid off every day since.

Who are you surrounding yourself with?

To Your Greatest Joy,

Karen Schaefer
Founder, APSD
Your Worldwide Leader in Home Staging Training

Your Home Staging Weekly Mission:

I want you to really define your “Center of Influence” and then create your plan of action on how you will reach them.  Do just as I did, and don’t quit until you get the results you are after. It may take a month or so, but I guarantee you will get results!

Post your “Mission” comments and thoughts on the blog…

To find out more about “How to Market Your Home Staging Business” – click here…

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“Surround Yourself with the Right People”

One of my mentors, Dan Kennedy, always talks about “Centers of Influence.” I too talk about it often, yet I am continually surprised how few people take it to heart. The sooner that you can find your “Centers of Influence” and then take action to integrate yourself into their ‘circles,” the sooner your business will lift off the ground…and the less work you will have to do in order to secure additional home staging’s and services.

So, if you can surround yourself with the right people, by finding your centers of influence, they then help you to secure more work, faster, you make more money, and save time…why aren’t you doing it?

Jim Rohn, a great man, and an amazing speaker, who recently passed away, would always say one of my favorite quotes; “You are the average of the 5 people you hang around the most.”

So, if you are the average of those 5, then who are you hanging around? Now, he is not talking about your kids, but he is talking about your friends and business associates. So, if I had more space, we could explore both sides, friends, and business, but since this is designed specifically for business, let’s discuss your 5 people that you hang around the most for the purposes of running a successful Home Staging, Professional Organization, or Real Estate Business. Although it could easily be argued that your friends also affect your success, so, I would encourage you to look carefully at them as well.

In order to surround yourself with the Right people, you have to first know who they are. I could beat the drum on this day after day, and yet many of you still refuse to look. Trust me on this one, know your client, and you will increase your net worth 10 fold overnight!

1) So, number 1 is to know your client so that you can begin to discern who it is you want to associate with. Is it an agent, a certain group of sellers in a geographic area, an association or organization? Who are the people that know “the People” that you want to work with?

2) Now, where do those people go? Do they attend a regular monthly meeting? Is there an informal “Coffee” gathering that you go join? Do you have a friend that belongs to the group and they can invite you? Or, do they gather at a convention one or two times a year and you need to be there?

3) Next, who knows everyone within that circle? How can you meet them? What can you do for them so that they will introduce and recommend your services? These people are your “Centers of Influence.”

By finding these “Centers of Influence,” and building a win-win rapport and relationship, you will no doubt strike your own Gold mine. But, you have to get out, do a little research, smooze a little, be willing to be bold and always, always, offer to give, before you receive.

A quick example of this is when I first started in the Home Staging Business, I went to my local Real Estate Association meetings. I was a small real estate investor and I was determined to make sure that I built a relationship with both president’s of the 2 local associations. I started with the smaller one in Colorado Springs, and met Terry Bryan who was the President of that meeting. It took me some time to build a relationship with him, and I solidified it by staging one of his investment properties at no charge. Needless to say, it sold immediately, he was thrilled and then went to the owner of both clubs, Bill Bronchick.

I then did the same for Bill, and he also sold his house within days of my Home Staging Service after it had sat on the market for months. To this day, although I have since replaced myself in those markets many times over, Bill and Terry still recommend and refer me to nearly every single real estate investor that can’t sell their home.

That is a great “Center of Influence.” What is important to remember here, is that I did not know either of them when I started, nor did I have a mutual acquaintance. I just set my intention and did not quit until I was able to “Surround myself with the Right People” and it has paid off every day since.

Who are you surrounding yourself with?

To Your Greatest Joy,

Karen Schaefer

Founder, APSD

Your Worldwide Leader in Home Staging Training

Continue reading this article and learn about your Home Staging Weekly Mission on my blog…
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Want to use these articles in your Newsletter, ezine or website?

You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:

Karen Schaefer is the leader in the Home Staging Training, Marketing and Development. She produces the extraordinary weekly publication;  “The Home Staging Report” If you’re ready to jump-start your home staging business and career- make more money, and have more fun, become an APSD member today!  http://www.apsdmembers.com/membership.html ”

Contact Info:
Karen Schaefer, Founder APSD, The Association of Property Scene Designers
The Worldwide Leader in Home Staging Training
1-877-900-STAGE
info@apsdmembers.com

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