MISSOURI 9-17-18

MISSOURI EDITION

6 Things You Need To Do To Be A Great Mentor

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EASY WAYS TO REDECORATE YOUR OFFICE

HOW TO CUT DOWN ON DIGITAL DISTRACTIONS

and Up Your Productivity

COVER STORY

Sandra Kenney

FEATURED AGENT

Devon West

MISSOURI EDITION

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SANDRA KENNEY

DEVON WEST

CONTENTS 4) 5 FRESH NEW APPROACHES TO CONTENT MARKETING 13) 6 THINGS YOU NEED TO DO TO BE A GREAT MENTOR

18) 4 EASY WAYS TO REDECORATE YOUR OFFICE THAT WILL BOOST MORALE Devon West represents & IMPRESS CLIENTS

a wi Team Leader for a team of f 22) HOW TO CUT DOWN ON DIGITAL DISTRACTIONS closed more than $10 m AND UP YOUR PRODUCTIVITY

Whether he’s assisting buyers, sellers, banks or invest Top Agent Devon West approaches each and every trans tion ethically and with a dedication to excellent client serv Phone 888-461-3930 | Fax 310-751-7068 Working under the auspices of Keller Williams Southland Pleasant Hill, Missouri, Devon has earned his reputation a mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com Realtor who can be trusted to provide an unsurpassed leve No portion of this issue may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior consent of the publisher. Top Agent client advocacy andtoexpert guidance.

Magazine is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken ensure the accuracy of published

materials, Top Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors.

To subscribe or change address, send inquiry to mag@topagentmagazine.com.

A former electrician in the construction industry and an ind Published in the U.S.

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trial environmental sales person who distinguished himsel both fields, Devon began his journey as a real estate ag in 2014. “I was a lineman in the industry, w Topelectrical Agent Magazine I got injured in a car accident that changed my path fo

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

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5 Fresh New Approaches to Content Marketing A couple of weeks ago we were conducting a workshop when we were asked two excellent questions about content marketing:

• People

don’t want to hear from a roofing company every day. So how do you produce fresh and interesting content for social media that goes beyond your core services and yet ties back to your business?

• Can

you extend your social media presence and content to include personal things (like your hobbies) and how does that affect your overall business image?

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The workshop attendee who asked the first question was right. Almost no one wants to hear from any company every day… especially if all the content is about products and services…and yes, even if they’re giving helpful tips and information. Does that mean you should stop producing excellent daily content related to your business? No, of course not! Content is created for two reasons.

First, to provide knowledge, expertise and even entertainment to your ideal customers in order to achieve top of mind awareness as an authority in your industry. And second, to produce SEO-rich results that keep you at the top of search engines. You must strike a

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balance between the two, and try to include content that draws people in by being super interesting and entertaining….and yes, sometimes personal.

To help answer those content questions above, here are five different types of content (beyond the traditional stuff) that can give your brand a fresh, unique and balanced approach:

1. PHILANTHROPIC Your community efforts say a lot about who you are, and people will make an extra effort to do business with you as a result of this connection. We’ve consulted business owners who are very hesitant to promote these efforts because they don’t want it to seem as though they are exploiting the charities and organizations—and most especially because they don’t do it for the promotional aspects. They do it to give back. I ask you to keep this in mind. Nonprofit and charitable organizations very often have small marketing budgets. Not only do they rely on outside marketing forces to promote their initiatives, they would likely be forced to close their doors without that support. That means that when someone with a strong brand and presence promotes them, it’s a highly trusted and personal connection, and you can’t buy that kind of support. In other words, they not only need you to promote them, they want you to promote them. But your instincts are correct. It’s not about you. So just make sure your entire content focuses on the organization you’re helping, what they do for the community and how Top Agent Magazine

others can join in the cause. Then it becomes a huge win for all.

2. HOBBIES You bungee jumped from four of the tallest bridges in the U.S. In your spare time, you go fly fishing. You love playing chef and use only locally grown, organic foods. Your friends are always begging you to go to Vegas with your card shark talents. You’ve done mission work in Africa and would like to start your own group. You almost played professional baseball. You have an insane talent for gardening design or bass guitar.

Your family works at a soup kitchen once a month. Ok…you get the picture. And two more words. Reality TV. People are interesting…and people are interested in interesting people. We remember others based on these unique traits. And most of all, people love the story behind the face. Don’t be afraid to share your hobbies. Quite often, it’s the first thing that will personally connect you to a prospect.

3. CREATIVE CONNECTION This one is perhaps our favorite. While we can’t imagine seeing something come across our news feed from a landscaping company every day, imagine this for a moment. What are we always told to remember in this hectic world? Stop and smell the roses, right? So what if…a landscaping company posted a beautiful flower each day, just to remind you to ‘stop and smell the roses’. And at the bottom of that photo (small print), you included

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the type of flower and type of environment needed to make it flourish (moist soil, full sun, etc.). And then, of course, watermarked it with your logo….and a title like, “Sam’s Daily Reminder: It’s Time to Stop & Smell the Roses”. You could even include some great, thought-provoking quotes. It has the personal connection (Sam), the business connection (flowers & logo watermark) and a cool creative connector (pause the meetings and paperwork to take a moment and appreciate life by noticing this beautiful flower). This is a great idea for staying ‘top of mind’ and connecting business with the kind of creative messaging people wouldn’t mind seeing every day.

4. EXPERIENCES This one is similar to hobbies from the personal aspect, but instead of something that identifies us like our hobbies, our experiences are random happenings that can have great interest and meaning to our audience.

Whether you have a unique experience buying a new car or a fateful conversation with a stranger in the airport, if you feel it ties into a life lesson or business lesson you’d like to share, by all means do. The lesson is to keep your radar up 24/7. Any experiences you have which relate to your

ideal customer are an opportunity to connect beyond the business world. And when we do that, we become a part of the family.

5. INFLUENCERS “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future”. You’ve probably heard that saying, and the same is true whether you are a teenager or a business owner. Maybe you’ve learned a lot of your business knowledge from Bill Gates, Steve Jobs or Warren Buffet…or you like to quote Benjamin Franklin. Perhaps you have some mentors you’d like to recognize and tell why they’re important to you. Sharing the people and things that influence us is what makes us human. No matter how successful your business, you didn’t get there alone. People and circumstances shaped you along the way. Recognizing others for their contribution in our lives, large or small, is important in staying connected and grounded.

We hope these five types of content help you to put a fresh spin on what you share with your audience, whether personal or professional. We believe you must have the combination of both to build an incredible brand.

Tonya Eberhart is the Branding Agent to Business Stars and founder of BrandFace®, LLC. Michael Carr is America’s Top Selling Real Estate Auctioneer & BrandFace® partner. Together, they focus on personal branding and marketing designed to help real estate professionals become the face of their business & a star in their market. BrandFace® for Real Estate Professionals is a book, professional speaking series and an exclusive workshop for agents, and is currently active in 18 U.S. states, Canada and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.BrandFaceRealEstate.com.

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Sandra Kenney

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Sandra Kenney, of the Kenney Team in Overland Park, Kansas, has become one of the top real estate agents in both Kansas and Missouri.

BILL & SANDRA KENNEY Sandra Kenney has a remarkable ability to turn vision into reality. No wonder she designed three of the hottest subdivisions in the Kansas City market and is one of the top-performing real estate agents on both sides of the state line. One key to her success is surrounding herself with talented people and learning from them, beginning with her father in Colorado.

“He used to buy and sell farms, and that was my first experience in this industry,” she said.

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Sandra moved to the area when the Kansas City Chiefs signed her husband, Bill, to play quarterback. Even while staying home to raise her four children, real estate never was far from her thoughts. When Bill retired from professional football, they purchased a 120-acre farm in Lee’s Summit. Five years later, they developed it into Monarch View, an award-winning subdivision with 258 lots, two large fishing ponds, walking trails, playground and other features that appeal to young families. “Bill became the developer, and I helped design the amenities and market the subdivision,” Sandra said.

The Kenneys developed The Meadows at Summit Ridge, also in Lee’s Summit, two years later. Sandra found that she had both a passion and a talent for the industry and earned her real estate license in 2000. “I was the top team in the region with Realty Executives from 2002 to 2005, and we won numerous awards for our subdivisions,” she said.

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AFTER

BEFORE

Her business really took off when she teamed up with Emily Debes in 2014. “Our number one priority is caring for people’s needs,” Sandra said. “We go into their houses, stage them, help people buy or sell, and sometimes do a little remodeling. We do it all.”

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The Kenneys now are developing their third subdivision, Summit View Farms, which is near Monarch View. Sandra combines her real-world experience with cutting-edge technology such as virtual tours to market the property and the six builders.

She also has experience in complete remodeling and works with top notch contractors to help her clients get homes ready. Many before and after photos are on YOUTUBE under Sandra Kenney Homes.

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Anyone can sell a home. What sets top professionals apart is exceptional service.

Sandra receives glowing reviews from satisfied buyers. One recent review said, “The Kenney Team provided exemplary service for us when purchasing our property and guided us through the entire buying process.

They arranged everything, including inspections, utility providers and contractors. The property we purchased needed remodeling.

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The Kenney Team not only gave us names of quality subcontractors; they helped arrange bids on the work. Even though our purchase was on a small property, we still received first-class service and attention to our needs.”

Sandra loves partnering up with top individuals to create a “dream team” where customers can receive exemplary service. “Beth Langston with Flat Branch Home Lending works in our Top Agent Magazine

THE DREAM TEAM

Beth Langston is a Senior Mortgage Banker, NMLS #913580, at Flat Branch Home Loans, NMLS 224149. Visit www.applywithbeth.com for more information!

“The Kenney Team provided exemplary service for us when purchasing our property and guided us through the entire buying process. They arranged everything including inspections, utility providers, and contractors.” —Testimonial model home sales office to provide customers an on-site experience that is personal, creative and protected”, Sandra said.

Beth prides herself on being a part of this “dream team” and with over 15 years of mortgage experience, she is more than qualified to be your guide from start to finish.

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In addition, all our builders have glowing reputations, will build custom and customers love them!! Jayme Dickey with Choice Home Warranty provides all of our Home Warranties. Their new construction warranty is 2 years for the price of 1 year! With the 1-year builders limited warranty and the 2 additional years with Choice Home Warranty, our Copyright Top Agent Magazine 11

AFTER

BEFORE

clients get a 3-year warranty included on their new purchase.

As busy as Sandra is taking care of her clients, she always makes time to give back to her community and church. She was president of the board of Mother’s Refuge, a home for homeless, pregnant teens and their babies in Lee’s

Summit. She is also currently serving on the board of Team Xtreme International, which shares the gospel with young people throughout the world.

Despite all of the accolades, Sandra always credits God and to the mentors who have helped her along the way. Her formula for success can be summed up as simply treating others as she would like to be treated. “Helping people is always our goal,” she said, “and I think we’re doing great things.”

For more information about Sandra Kenney, please email sandrak@kenneyteam.com or connect online at YouTube, Facebook, or the Kenney Team website https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=sandra+kenney+keller+williams

https://www.facebook.com/thekenneyteam/

http://www.kenneyteam.com/

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6 Things You Need to Do to Be a Great Mentor

Everyone reaches the point in their career where they feel they have gained enough experience and wisdom about business and what it takes to succeed, to actually help someone else achieve the same. Although you may have trained or given advice over the years, taking on the official status as a mentor to someone is a whole new ball game.

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Although mentorship is an unpaid endeavor, you’ll be surprised to find out how much you’ll gain from the experience. You’ll also grow as a business person through the process of teaching someone else. It’s also an endeavor that many will pay forward one day, creating a business atmosphere that is based more on mutual success than competition, which is better for everyone.

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If you were mentored, you may already have an idea of what it entails, and what you liked or didn’t like in your mentor/mentee relationship. Although it is a personal relationship that will need an individual approach, there are certain things that are key when it comes to being a great mentor: 1. Be a good listener

est about your own failures. It can be a huge relief to find out someone they look up to has gone through similar experiences and still managed to come out on top. As we all know, oftentimes the greatest lessons come from failures, which can be times when our character is truly tested. Building trust through mutual respect and honesty will make every aspect of your mentorship more effective.

You’re basically a sounding board who needs to hear your mentee’s ideas, plans and goals in order to advise them. Strong, constant and clear communication is key to any successful mentoring relationship.

Sometimes just letting them talk things out with you, will lead to them to discovering the solution they were looking for.

2. Set expectations and goals at the start When listening to your mentee in your first meeting about the potential relationship, it’s important to establish the parameters of what that relationship will be: What can you give them? What do they need or expect from you? Once the terms are agreed upon, you may want to set specific goals you’ll be working on together so that there’s a defined plan of action, timeline and result you can both expect.

3. Be honest This is important when it comes to offering them constructive criticism or tough love, but more importantly, you need to be hon14

4. Get them to think, don’t make decisions for them Sometimes being a mentor is being a bit like a psychologist. By asking certain ques-

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tions you can lead your mentee to their own conclusions about their business dilemmas and strategies to reach their goals. Being a mentor is all about guidance. Build confidence by drawing out the best in your mentee rather than just presenting them with solutions.

5. Look at the situation objectively One of the key strengths you offer your mentee is a complete emotional detachment to their business. You have no sentimental attachment to doing things a certain way or working with an incompetent vendor because you ‘go way back’. Your only motive is what’s best for your mentee and their business. Although emotions cans still get in the way sometimes, having a detached perspective on hand to guide you is invaluable.

6. Don’t just offer constructive criticism, be supportive Yes, being a mentor is sometimes advising your mentee that he’s doing something ineffectively, but your main purpose is to alway approach everything like cheerleader.

You need to let them know that through it Top Agent Magazine

all, you are a reliable support to them and have a complete belief in their abilities.

Make sure to always praise their accomplishments.

Remember: your job as a mentor is more about guidance than constant feedback.

Your goal is to help someone become the best they can be, not someone who just does everything the way you do it. You’re helping them build confidence in their own intuition, which will hopefully lead to a lifetime of success, and one day, they too might be a valuable resource to another mentee down the road.

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DEVON WEST

Devon West represents a wide range of clients and works as Team Leader for a team of five other agents who collectively closed more than $10 million in sales last year alone.

Whether he’s assisting buyers, sellers, banks or investors, Top Agent Devon West approaches each and every transaction ethically and with a dedication to excellent client service.

Working under the auspices of Keller Williams Southland in Pleasant Hill, Missouri, Devon has earned his reputation as a Realtor who can be trusted to provide an unsurpassed level of client advocacy and expert guidance.

A former electrician in the construction industry and an industrial environmental sales person who distinguished himself in both fields, Devon began his journey as a real estate agent in 2014. “I was a lineman in the electrical industry, when I got injured in a car accident that changed my path for a career move into the environmental world doing oil sales and cleanup work,” he explains, “however, they were trying to get me to travel all over the country and I decided that wasn’t the right thing for my family, which led me to getting into real estate. My career took off almost immediately.”

Devon, who represents a wide range of clients, works as Team Leader for a team of five other agents who collectively 16

closed more than $10 million in sales last year alone. In 2016, Devon ventured into the new construction realm, and has since expertly and successfully marketed four subdivisions. “We work around the clock,” says Devon of his team, “and we do everything we can to provide the best product out there and really take care of our clients. We try to make the process as easy as possible for them.” While other agents avoid the new construction arena, Devon embraces the challenge. “To me, it’s fun,” he says. “Being able to really get to know my clients for more than a period of forty-five days and instead having a year-long relationship with them while taking the design from their head to reality is a lot of fun.”

Devon’s consummate professionalism and client-centric approach has resulted in a business that is largely based on an ever-growing number of repeat clients and referrals from satisfied customers. “We have great systems in place,” he says, “I have developed a listing process with my team that allows us to really develop a relationship with our clients. They look to us as true professionals who provide them with the right answers, and who do what’s in their best interests. We really Copyright Top Agent Magazine

keep our focus on our morals and our integrity when helping them achieve their goals.”

Devon’s dogged commitment to going the extra mile and his indefatigable work ethic has endeared him to nearly every client he has assisted. “I’ve had a lot of success finding off-market homes for clients,” he says.

“There’s not a lot of inventory here right now, and I will put in the legwork to find these houses for people, and get the owners to sell them. I have a relentlessly positive outlook that I can make their dream a reality.”

Expert marketing of his listings has also played a huge role in his continuing success.

From the initial meeting with the client to suggest repairs/cosmetic changes to professional photography, both standard and drone, to open houses and a robust online presence, Devon is an expert at making certain his listings are seen in their very best light and by as many potential buyers as possible. A quick sale for top dollar is almost always the result.

“I love houses, I love architecture, I love the design side of it,” says Devon, when asked what he likes most about what he does for a living. “Also, being able to help people make good decisions and avoid bad outcomes is something I really like, which I think is also something that separates myself from many other agents. My constant goal is to make sure my clients feel taken care of at the end of the day.”

When he’s not working, Devon enjoys spending time with his wife and their four daughters. “We spend a lot of time at softball and volleyball games,” he says. “We also try to sneak away to the lake for a day, where I can spend time hunting or fly fishing. I love the outdoors.”

Looking to the future, Devon’s plan is to continue growing his team and his business while refining and perfecting his already-exemplary customer service. He would also eventually like to begin sharing his knowledge of the industry in which he has found so much success. “I really want to do more coaching,” he explains. “I want to teach new agents a realistic, real-world approach; to help them focus on the client side of it and less on the lead generation aspect.”

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For more information about Devon West, call 816 - 723 - 3631, visit devonwestrealestate.com, or email DWest@phillhomes.com www.

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4 Easy Ways to Redecorate Your Office that Will Boost Morale & Impress Clients Your office is a battle-station of sorts. It’s where you field business, launch your communications, and make the magic of your enterprise happen on a daily basis. While you’ll certainly need to have all the functional elements of an office in order to get your work done—desk, chair, internet—have you really considered the physical environment you’ve cultivated in the process? Think of it this way: working all day in a windowless, poorly lit room 18

wouldn’t exactly inspire productivity or morale, would it?

The fact is humans take all sorts of social, behavioral, and emotional cues from our environments.

And as a real estate professional, you likely already understand the power of the visual and the benefits of making a good impression. With all that in mind, how can you redecorate or retool your

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office space in a way that will boost your mood, productivity, and client relationships? For inspiration, here are a few tips to keep in mind as you consider the ambiance and environment in which you conduct business.

1. A little goes a long way Redecorating your office space doesn’t have to break the bank. Style and décor are often about tiny details adding up to make an overall impression. For instance, paint color, plant life, and lighting are all straightforward ways to rejuvenate a room without spending a fortune. Have dark, drab walls? Consider springing for a lighter, fresher color that will breathe new life into your space. Have bare window sills or empty corners?

Buying and potting a few low-maintenance plants like ferns or succulents can add freshness and pops of color to a sparse room. Rely on fluorescent lighting? Consider sprucing up your space with a few well-chosen floor and table lamps that add accents of taste while warming up the tone in your office. A few intuitively placed items can inspire renewed energy.

2. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle One way to make a big change in your office environment without spending a penny is to declutter and reorder. Let’s say you have rows upon rows of crowded, bulky filing cabinets. Try digitizing your records and cut the clutter, opening up square footage in the process. Maybe your desk has faced the same wall for years. Have you considered rearranging your existing furniture and décor? Just by reorganizing the flow of your workspace, you can give your office the cheapest face-lift possible.

You can also make work areas flow more intuitively, based on the processes and collaboration you’ve adapted to over time.

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3. Think like a client Imagine you’re walking into the office for the first time. As a client, what details would stick out? What red flags would come to mind? While you’re used to working in the same space every day, clients are coming into your office with no set expectations. With that in mind, complete a walkthrough of your office area to address eye sores, clutter, and whatever feels unprofessional or amateur. Half the battle of redecorating your space is finding opportunities and seeing things anew, instead of being content with the status quo.

4. Build out your brand Redecorating your space is about aesthetics, but it’s also about creating a unifying setting for your professional brand. If you’re catering to luxury clientele, it makes sense that your office space should appear elegant, high-end, and sophisticated.

If you’re selling second homes out in the country, perhaps a more rugged but well-curated ambiance would set the right tone for your services. Maybe you’re courting the Millennial market or touting your tech-forward approach to real estate. In that case, a modern, sleek, progressive layout would speak to your company’s values and culture.

Whatever the case may be, think of your office environment as an extension of your brand that communicates with clients, motivates your team, and sets the tone for your day-to-day operations.

Even if decorating isn’t exactly in your wheelhouse, there are plenty of simple and philosophical shifts you can make to your space that will maximize your presence and productivity. What’s more, real estate is a business built on relationships—so it doesn’t hurt to create an office where clients are comfortable and confident in the environment you’ve built.

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How to Cut Down on Digital Distractions

and Up Your Productivity As a real estate professional, staying tethered to your phone and computer are likely par for the course. When your office is on-the-go and you’re fielding round-the-clock questions from clients, it’s only natural that you’ll be drawn to your phone for professional updates. From refreshing your inbox and engaging with clients on social media, to drafting email blasts and coordinating with colleagues by text message— 22

it can feel impossible to untangle yourself from the worldwide web.

As a professional, you may not be able to withdraw from the digital world completely, but there are a few techniques you can use to limit your extraneous digital distractions and streamline the time you spend online. After all, it’s entirely common to faithfully begin one task and then

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get unexpectedly drawn down the digital rabbit hole. To save yourself time and virtual burnout, here are a few ways to unplug, recharge, and make the most of your time online and off.

Focus on one digital task at a time.

While multi-tasking may seem like a sound approach to productivity, this method usually results in surface-level progress across a few tasks, rather than reaching the finish line on any.

Instead of opening multiple tabs and trying to do it all at once, hone in on one digital task at a time. Have emails to return? Allocate an hour to work exclusively on this to-do list item. Need to post a new blog entry? Pencil in a dedicated half hour. If you focus on one task a time and exclusively devote your energy and productivity to it for a set period, you’ll make a far bigger dent in your list of duties for the day.

Give yourself a curfew.

In the real estate business, the hours may seem never-ending, but if you don’t want to slow your productivity with fatigue, you’ve got to set some boundaries. Try setting up a digital curfew for yourself and put your phone away after a certain hour. Devote an hour or two before bedtime to time away from your computer and your phone—read a book, prep your lunch for the next day, or try a round of mindful meditation. Carve out space and time to disconnect from your technology and stick to the habit. By morning, you’ll be refreshed and ready to dive back in.

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Mute social media notifications and create dedicated check-in times instead.

Instead of taking a reactionary approach to social media—waiting for the dings and pings that lure you back to your screen—try muting some of your social media alerts and instead dedicate three timed windows per day to check-in on your timelines and engagement. If you’re constantly interrupted at unexpected intervals when someone likes a post or leaves a comment, your whole workflow can be derailed. Instead, unchain yourself from the instant gratification of responding to every buzz and beep your phone emits. Systematize your professional social media life and you’ll stay organized and on task.

Keep your inbox organized.

While it may take some time and effort to create a sorting system for your email inbox, it can go a long way to limiting distractions and stress. Create folders and an organizational flow and every communication will have a place and a priority.

That way, when you open up your inbox and have to go digging for old emails or exchanges with past clients, you won’t have to waste time sorting or feel overwhelmed by the clutter. If everything has its place, you’ll have an unobstructed, streamlined canvass to conduct business from.

Digital distractions don’t have to derail your day or sap your productivity. Email, internet, social media—all are tools to be commanded. With the right planning, understanding, and consistent execution, you’ll be able to wield the power of each without the downside of distraction.

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