WISCONSIN 1-24-22

WISCONSIN EDITION

5 FRESH NEW APPROACHES

TO CONTENT MARKETING

FEATURED AGENTS

JORDAN MONETTE

6

HABITS OF HIGHLY PRODUCTIVE AGENTS

4 WAYS TO WIN

THE BATTLE AGAINST

COVER STORY

PROCRASTINATION

RECONSIDER REFERRAL-ONLY WHEN PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE

RYAN SIMONS

WISCONSIN EDITION

JORDAN MONETTE

Since launching his car A lifelong resident of Central Wisconsin, 7 16 earned a fantastic rep Jordan Monette has always possessed an Wisconsin, as evidenced entrepreneurial spirit. Passionate about growing rate of repeat clie problem-solving and bringing joy to Through it all, though, he people’s lives, he has served in customer the way the business has service and management positions since to leave an impact on hi he was in high school. After graduatstrongly believe that rea ing, he began seeking an opportunity that ments are among the bes spoke directly to his core values, which As such, I am extremely later inspired him to pursue his real estate what I do, and I genuine license. In the years since, he has found fast RYAN SIMONS JORDAN MONETTE success due to his unmatched standards of expertise, people get the results they’re looking open communication, and client advocacy.

Outside his career, Jordan can be fou ® Coldwell Banker in a number of popular events within Today, Jordan is a Realtor with CONTENTS Action, where he assists clients throughout Marathon and lending a helping hand to those 4) RECONSIDER REFERRAL17) 6 HABITS OF clients or giving back, h he’s not with County and the surrounding areas of Central Wisconsin.

ONLYheWHEN PLANNING HIGHLYatPRODUCTIVE the gym or hitting the links with fri There, has established a unique workflow around FOR THE and FUTURE compassion integrity, building a network ofAGENTS satisLooking ahead, Jordan also has a fied buyers and sellers that spans the region. the future of his business. As his vo 14) 4 WAYS TO WIN 20) 5 FRESH NEW its steadyTO growth, he intends on exp When listing a property, Jordan is there for his clients THE BATTLE AGAINST APPROACHES market for multi-family homes while each step of the way. After helping them readyCONTENT their PROCRASTINATION MARKETING home for the market and providing them with stand- el of attentive service that brought him out professional photography services, he shares the first place. “At the end of the day each transaction as smooth and stre their listing to both the regional MLS and a blend of targeted digital and social media campaigns. Always ble for my clients,” he says. “For me Phone to 310-734-1440 | Faxbeyond, 310-734-1440 looking go above and he also utilizes more rewarding than seeing them wa mag@topagentmagazine.com | www.topagentmagazine.com outstanding experience.” proven outlets like video promotions or even outreach to No theportion surrounding neighborhoods tomanner give whatsoever his clients anprior consent of the publisher. Top Agent Magazine of this issue may be reproduced in any without is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top added advantage. “More than anything, I am persistent Agent Magazine cannot be held responsible for opinions expressed or facts supplied by its authors. andTo subscribe consistent foraddress, my clients,” says. “And when or change send inquiry tohe mag@topagentmagazine.com.

Published in the U.S. it comes to negotiations, I would never sacrifice their best interests.”

2

Elsewhere, Jordan is every bit as committed to his buyers, leveraging his background in construction and

Top Agent Magazine

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

Top Agent Magazine

3

Reconsider Referral-Only When Planning for the Future

A 100% referral rate is a testament of client happiness. But even a 30% referral rate is proof of client satisfaction. It’s all relative, say some agents. One number pays tribute to past success, which is certainly a story worth telling. But the other might better predict the future. Many agents plan for the idea that 4

working only on referral may not be sufficient during slower times of the year, in a down market, or when an agent needs to expanding into a new sector.

Unless you are clairvoyant enough to flawlessly predict every market change or every

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

Many agents plan for the idea that working only on referral may not be sufficient during slower times of the year, in a down market, or when an agent needs to expanding into a new sector. life change that your clients and referral partners may experience, it’s wise to maintain an active marketing presence. The reasons vary, however, depending on the goals and trajectory of each individual’s business.

If long-term success, a growing team, a legacy or expansion into new areas are not priorities, then working a sphere of influence may be enough for some agents, especially those who may be in the industry mostly for the love of the business. But for a majority of agents, no matter how much they love their work, their real estate and mortgage businesses are careers, first and foremost.

Let’s start with the team-builders and mentors. Agents and brokers who are building teams are wise to invest in business marketing, advertising and community outreach. Ty Hutchins, who owns and operates Ty & Company Real Estate in Colorado’s Front Range, says that, while she could personally live off referrals alone, her goal is to build up her agents. “I do the marketing piece for my team, so I can help them succeed,” she says. That marketing includes running commercials on TV and in movies theatres, as well as lead generation that identifies potential buyers, sellers and Top Agent Magazine

investors between the Colorado Springs and Denver markets. Her team’s goal, she adds, is to promote their reputation of being honest, hardworking professionals with the reach of a major brand but the personalized approach of a boutique.

Then there are the growers. Khrista Jarvis and Nicole Jung of The Khrista Jarvis Team in the San Francisco Bay Area, are on a considerable growth track. “We’re the #1 team in our area and the top team in Compass Real Estate nationally,” explains Khrista. While high marks for service on behalf of their clients have led them to these heights, they know that they must continue to evolve and market their brand. “We do a good deal of social media marketing for our listings and for our business,” she says. Their names, therefore, are frequently linked to sentiments of trust, dependability and market knowledge, both in their marketing and in their reviews.

Next, there are those who weathered the worst of times. Susan Roche entered real estate sales in 2003, following several years of property management in North Carolina.

The key to her sustained triumphs through major market swings lies in her long-range planning. “If the market starts to dip or fall,

Top Agent Magazine ®

5

I have safety nets in place,” says Susan Roche, team leader of Simply Real Estate, based in Charlotte. “When it’s a seller’s market, I still plan for a buyer’s market and when it’s a buyer’s market I plan for a seller’s market..” In other words, no matter how comfortable her existing work may feel, she networks consistently. She also employs a full-time marketing director who leads several projects including ongoing research, events and social media exposure in addition to listings marketing. By staying ahead of market changes, Susan knows she can unfailingly represent her clients’ best interests while still maintaining a safety net for her business.

Even professionals with more than three decades’ experience and deep referral networks know the importance of business

6

marketing. Cathy Richards, co-owner with Nancy Dalaska of Epic-Wasatch Homes in Park City, UT, entered real estate in 1987 and still draws at least a fifth of her business from lead generation, social media marketing and community outreach. Her business partner, Nancy, adds that real estate is about much more than their own business. “We love collaborating and brainstorming with other agents to help them prosper,” says Nancy. “We believe the healthier the market, the better we all are.”

Regardless of market conditions, even the best reputation can’t guarantee long-term success. To sustain and grow, it’s wise to feed your business by increasing exposure, remaining flexible and maintaining systems for customer service, networking, research, marketing and lead-generation.

Top Agent Magazine ®

Top Agent Magazine

RYAN SIMONS

Top Agent Magazine

7

With the help of his son and one of his daughters, Top Agent Ryan Simons launched Simons Realty Group, serving clients throughout Walworth County.

Ryan Simons approaches home selling a little bit differently than most Realtors when it comes to advising clients on how to stage their home to appeal to buyers. It has a lot to do with the kind of market he specializes in. “Conventional wisdom suggests depersonalizing the spaces—removing family photos or memorabilia, that sort of thing,” Ryan explains. “But with a lake house, I’ve 8Copyright Top Agent Magazine

found the opposite to be true. Buyers love to see pictures of kids tubing or learning to sail or reeling in their first Muskie.”

Holding a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin Madison and a Master’s from UW-Whitewater, Ryan built a very successful printing company, which won the Inc. 500 Award Top Agent Magazine

2 years in a row as the fastest growing print company in the US. As the digital market began impacting print companies everywhere, Ryan decided it was time for a change. In 2006 he returned to Delavan to work with his mother as an assistant at Top Agent Magazine

Shorewest Realtors. Two years later he joined Keefe Real Estate as a broker associate, specializing in the Delavan Lake market and Walworth County. He was quickly able to sell more individual properties than any other agent in the county.

Copyright Top Agent Magazine9

“When someone purchases a lake home for their family, I really love watching them begin creating those memories that will last a lifetime.”

The keys to Ryan’s fast success lies in his deep knowledge of the area and the ease with which he is able to form relationships with people. Having grown up on Delavan Lake, he is very familiar with all of the joys that come with lake dwelling, including the passionate, welcoming community that evolves from it. Ryan’s favorite thing about his job is helping people embrace that lifestyle.

begin creating those memories that will last a lifetime. I’ve had people tell me they wish they had made the move years ago because of the enjoyment their kids and grandkids have taken from it. I also encourage them to join the Delavan Lake Yacht Club even if they don’t sail, because there’s such a wonderful community of people there who care about the lake.”

“When someone purchases a lake home for their family, I really love watching them

One of those people is Ryan himself. Over the years he has been involved with several

Copyright Top Agent Magazine 10

Top Agent Magazine

lake rehabilitation projects that have made Delavan Lake one of the top 5 fishing lakes in Wisconsin. He also served his community as the Town Supervisor for 2 years, Town Chairman for 8 years, and has spent the last 2 years as the Walworth County Supervisor.

Top Agent Magazine

“So I’m the expert when it comes to the lake and this area,” Ryan laughs.

It will come as a surprise to no one that Ryan’s favorite pastimes involve spending time on Delavan Lake with his family, Copyright Top Agent Magazine 11

sailing or waterskiing or just soaking up sun.

He also enjoys the relationships he has with his clients, and reaches out to them often.

As for the future of his business, Ryan has recently launched Simons Realty Group to fill the gap left after Keefe Real Estate sold

out to Compass, a New-York based firm.

With the help of one of his sons and one of his daughters, Ryan will continue to offer clients in Walworth County the caring and personalized service of a family-owned and run real estate brokerage.

For more information about Ryan Simons please call 608-852-3156 or email ryansimons@ryansimons.com

Copyright Top Agent Magazine 12

Top Agent Magazine

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com http://www.topagentmagazine.com

Top Agent Magazine

13

4 Ways to Win the Battle Against Procrastination One of the most common professional afflictions is procrastination. The funny thing is, everyone knows that procrastination is negative—it’s a waste of time, a creator of stress, and is entirely a problem of our own making.

Still, knowing all of this doesn’t necessarily decrease our odds of procrastination. There are plenty of explanations we give when putting 14

work off until the last minute. Perhaps you convince yourself that you work best under pressure, but it’s truer that you’re used to working under pressure by necessity. Maybe you’re a perfectionist and the fear of getting it all wrong puts you off from the task. Whatever the justification may be, overcoming procrastination requires some willpower and technique. With

Top Agent Magazine®

Top Agent Magazine

that in mind, take a look at a few tricks below to jumpstart your motivation and nix the lastminute time crunch. After all, you owe it to yourself and your business to operate like a procrastination-free professional.

1. Make Your Intentions Known As realtors and mortgage professionals, you may serve as your own boss. So, when the time comes to complete a task and you put it off—perhaps you’re only disappointing yourself. This is easily remedied by making a new promise to try again tomorrow. On the other hand, it’s much harder to break promises and commitments to others. Try verbalizing your intent and commitment to your team, or to an assistant who can hold you accountable, or better yet—to a business partner or to a client.

Make a hard deadline public and you’re likely to perform for fear of embarrassment or losing face. In a way, this puts the pressure of expectation on you, instead of the pressure of the ticking clock.

2. Take a Baby Step When tasks pile up, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. If you’ve got a number of items on your to-do list, including some heavy hitters that require a lot of attention and time, begin by taking on something simple. Identify an easily completed job that needs attention and put it first in your queue. Duties that are straightforward and aren’t time-intensive can lead you to the rest of your to-do list, fueling you with the satisfaction of a task already complete. Even if it’s as small as returning e-mails, or dropping off your dry-cleaning, one simple thing off your Top Agent Magazine

list can inspire you to continue on to the next item in the spirit of productivity.

3. Work in Windows If work is the last thing you want to do and you can’t seem to self-motivate, make a compromise with yourself. Agree to work just fifteen minutes, and mean it. This tiny window of time is easy enough to complete, isn’t overwhelming, and you’ve already agreed to move on once time is up. The truth? Odds are that just fifteen minutes of active work will inspire you to keep going. After all, the most difficult part of procrastination is getting started. By putting in those fifteen minutes, you’ll trick yourself into diving into the action.

4. Switch Up Your Environment If you’re stuck in rut when it comes to procrastination and productivity, try changing your surroundings. If the office feels stale and stressful, take your work to the nearest coffee shop and try to tackle your tasks there. Perhaps the quiet, studious ambiance of a library can make you focus, or a picnic table outside the office can stimulate the senses. Sometimes changing your scenery can breathe new life into your routine and give you the extra push you need to get work done.

There’s no one way to overcome procrastination.

In fact, it’s likely a lifelong process of building discipline, finding techniques that work for you, and simply prioritizing your time more effectively. Don’t lose hope—remember these tricks and winning the war will be possible, even if you lose a few battles along the way.

Top Agent Magazine®

15

JORDAN MONETTE A lifelong resident of Central Wisconsin, Jordan Monette has always possessed an entrepreneurial spirit. Passionate about problem-solving and bringing joy to people’s lives, he has served in customer service and management positions since he was in high school. After graduating, he began seeking an opportunity that spoke directly to his core values, which later inspired him to pursue his real estate license. In the years since, he has found fast success due to his unmatched standards of expertise, open communication, and client advocacy.

Today, Jordan is a Realtor with Coldwell Banker Action, where he assists clients throughout Marathon County and the surrounding areas of Central Wisconsin.

There, he has established a unique workflow around compassion and integrity, building a network of satisfied buyers and sellers that spans the region. ®

When listing a property, Jordan is there for his clients each step of the way. After helping them ready their home for the market and providing them with standout professional photography services, he shares their listing to both the regional MLS and a blend of targeted digital and social media campaigns. Always looking to go above and beyond, he also utilizes proven outlets like video promotions or even outreach to the surrounding neighborhoods to give his clients an added advantage. “More than anything, I am persistent and consistent for my clients,” he says. “And when it comes to negotiations, I would never sacrifice their best interests.”

Elsewhere, Jordan is every bit as committed to his buyers, leveraging his background in construction and acute knowledge of the local market to guide them to the right investment for their needs. With him, the transaction is never truly finished, as he prefers to keep in touch long after the closing through regular checkins and market updates—all to ensure his clients are thriving in their new homes.

16

Since launching his career, Jordan has earned a fantastic reputation across Wisconsin, as evidenced by his rapidly growing rate of repeat clients and referrals.

Through it all, though, he is heartened by the way the business has empowered him to leave an impact on his community. “I strongly believe that real estate investments are among the best you can make.

As such, I am extremely passionate about what I do, and I genuinely love helping people get the results they’re looking for.”

Outside his career, Jordan can be found participating in a number of popular events within his community and lending a helping hand to those in-need. When he’s not with clients or giving back, he enjoys training at the gym or hitting the links with friends.

Looking ahead, Jordan also has a bold vision for the future of his business. As his volume maintains its steady growth, he intends on expanding into the market for multi-family homes while scaling the model of attentive service that brought him to real estate in the first place. “At the end of the day, I want to make each transaction as smooth and stress-free as possible for my clients,” he says. “For me, there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing them walk away with an outstanding experience.”

To learn more about Jordan Monette please call (715) 432-3578, email jordan@coldwellaction.com, or visit JordanMonette.com www.

Top Agent Magazine

6 Habits of Highly Productive Agents In a business that can be constant chaos, you’re constantly on the go and dealing with things as they hit you. It can be difficult to take a second and regroup. But there is a better and smarter way to work. If you take the time to create some better habits, in the end, you may end up being more productive. If you want to make better use of your time, as well as have more focus, here’s some habits that you’re going to want to pick up - all common to top-producing agents.

1. Learn how to prioritize Although it might be your instinct to get some of the boring work out of the way first, things Top Agent Magazine

that actually generate income (or are time-sensitive!) should be the first thing you focus on when you start your day.

Lists are your friend! Make a list of things you want to accomplish for the day, the week, and even the month. Always list them in the order of priority. If things get cut off when you run out of time at the end of the day, at least it’ll be the things that are not as important or time sensitive. As with anyone, your time is your most valuable commodity and should be used wisely. When you make your list, you can even schedule tasks as if they were a meeting, giving yourself a little time goal to beat, as 17

well. Treat your time with the same respect you would a colleague’s or client’s and don’t ever waste it.

As with anyone, your time is your most valuable commodity and should be used wisely. When you make your list you can even schedule tasks as if they were a meeting, giving yourself a little time goal to beat, as well. Treat your time with the same respect you would a colleague’s or client’s, and don’t ever waste it.

to accomplish it? Write it out and then incorporate that into your prioritized ‘to do’ list.

You’ll be amazed at how driven you become to reach that goal when you actually write it out with clarity. And, the sense of accomplishment you get upon completing it will carry over to the next day. It’s important to remember to be specific. Once you get into the habit of meeting your goals, exceeding them won’t be far behind.

2. Remove distractions

when you need to focus This is especially hard when you’re a Realtor®. Most are constantly connected to their phones. But, unnecessary distractions can get you off schedule and make you lose your focus instantly. If you can, turn your phone off for the half hour it takes to do a task. Interruptions make everything take twice as long, especially when you take that text and then decide to check Facebook for a second.

We all do it!

Complete your task, then take ten minutes to respond to all texts and messages before you start up the next thing on your list. You can even schedule those ‘text backs’ into your schedule. A concentrated effort is always more effective than going back and forth between things.

3. Set daily goals This is so key. What do you want to accomplish for the day and what do you need to do 18

4. Don’t make excuses There’s that old saying, “The buck stops here”. Well, take it to heart. This is your business and you are responsible for doing everything you can to make it successful.

Sure, there are reasons for why you didn’t get a listing or why your business is slow, but what are you doing to change things and make them better? Successful Realtors® work harder and come up with innovaTop Agent Magazine

tive ways to stand out when times are tough. They don’t look for excuses, they look for solutions.

5. Be deliberate

about everything you do When you’re making your list, it helps to have a goal in mind for even the smallest task. If you’re calling past clients to touch base, have a specific reason why you’re calling. Are you letting them know some market news?

Thanking them for a referral? When you’re meeting a referral partner for lunch, have a goal in mind for what the outcome of that meeting will be as well. Yes it’s good to socialize and build relationships, but if you have a reason, make sure it isn’t put off until the final moments, when things are wrapping up. Always having a purpose in mind will also help you prioritize your list better.

6. Always look for ways to

get out of your comfort zone Yes, you are prioritizing what is most important or urgent to your business, but it’s also important to make an effort to break out Top Agent Magazine

of your routine as much as you’re comfortable doing. Trying out new things or taking some time to learn about new and innovative real estate techniques and technology, can have an energizing effect on your business.

Not only might they lead to things that make you more productive, but it keeps you sharp and engaged. And, ultimately keeping yourself at the top of your game is what it’s all about.

19

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?

20

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

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

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

Top Agent Magazine

21

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.

22

Top Agent Magazine

Top Agent Magazine

Laughs!

Graham Harrop Graham Harrop Cartoons Cartoons

Putting the power of humour to work for you!

Putting the power of humour to work for you! grahamharrop.com

grahamharrop.com Top Agent Magazine

23

mailto:mag@topagentmagazine.com

24

Top Agent Magazine