All posts by pblofgso

Selling Is a Contact Sport (SW Cubed)

by Terri Hawkins

SW Cubed. What does it mean?

Some will.

Some won’t.

So what?

 

How many contacts does it take you before your contacts become clients? Does getting a great referral mean you can coast?

Face it, people are busy. Your prospective client may not yet realize how much he or she needs you, or they may have more urgent initiatives to juggle before circling around to you. But don’t disappear! Don’t give up!

Set daily goals for real contacts, whether by phone or in person. You can make 25 real contacts every day. It takes a lot more calls than that to make 25 real ones.

So, make a lot of contacts…don’t stop at four. The average client takes 5 to 7 contacts before becoming a client. Don’t take “no” personally. KEEP CALLING.

 

Some will.

Some won’t.

So what?

 

Got Too Many Dishes? (Satellite, that is)

by Terri Hawkins

Is your apartment complex starting to look like this?

As John Dunkelberger and Ben Price of Country Cable were talking about their DISH, internet and phone services, they highlighted to PBL a great service they provide for apartments and condominiums. They spruce up property cluttered by satellite dishes–simply installing two centralized satellites for each building  (one for DIRECTV and one for DISH). Need cable? Not a problem, they install a single cable box outside each building, too.

Once setup, existing customers can take their dishes off their patios. Country Cable can install equipment on poles, in natural areas, or wherever property managers prefer.

The price to install this clean, uncluttered solution? FREE! The only “catch” is simply that Country Cable becomes the exclusive provider for residents in the property, bringing them all the services of their professional, 100% local, highly trained technicians and customer service agents.

Their excellent service levels to thousands of satisfied residential and commercial customers in Burlington and Greensboro, NC, and has earned them the Preferred Dealer Awards from both DIRECTV and Dish. They sell in both for the lowest prices and packages, with FREE HD and DVR systems, and FREE professional installations.

Of your friends, do you know…

  • A property manager plagued by too many dishes?
  • Anyone tired of long waits and automated phone services?
  • How about a friend tired of high satellite, cable or phone bills?

If so, do them a favor, and refer them Country Cable today. They do dishes!

Relationships Key to Fitness Success

by Terri Hawkins

Are you “gutting out” your routines on your own? Worse yet, have you given up trying to stay in shape or reaching your fitness goals? An ABSolute Fitness change may be just what you need!

James Parker-Ashley spoke at our PBL group last week on the value of relationships that he and owner Ron Kennedy see at play in helping their clients achieve their fitness goals. At ABSolute Fitness, he and Ron consider each new client’s body and mindset, and then develop a workout program to suit his or her needs. From there, the accountability and commitment is a two-way street. As both sides communicate, they tweak each client’s program until they figure out what works.

While ABSolute Fitness is results-driven, they know results vary person to person. Besides stronger bodies, their clients say working with them helps change their mindsets, and even improve coping and focus skills. James has clients-who-become-friends ranging from children to grandparents (and some in the same family). The results family members see speak for themselves and draw others in. So do their words, such as from one loyal client, “James, I will go to you until I die.”

Now, a little disclaimer here: working out is not just a bed of roses:). James does admit some of his loyal clients may fuss all through their workouts, but as he says, “they smile when they leave, and keep coming back.”

Some great referrals for ABSolute Fitness would be
1) Family or friends looking for a facility where they can work out,
2) Someone who would like training to meet their goals (from basic, weight loss, dealing with aches…to preparing for a Panthers’ tryout)
3) HR/Corporate decision makers looking to implement or improve Corporate training onsite or offer group training, and, of course,
4) YOU!


After a simple phone call to discuss your goals, James or Ron will give you a one-hour consultation to talk and do an assessment to get you started. What are you waiting for?

What motivates you to work out? Are you meeting your goals?

Homes to Buy, Rent, Sell & Rent-To-Own

by Dan Dunbeck

  • Do you need to SELL your home, but have more repairs than  you can handle?
  • Do you want to BUY a home that has been renovated?
  • Do you want to RENT or RENT-TO-OWN a home?

Dave Kiddy of Real Estate Investors of the Triad offers creative solutions to meet the needs buyers and sellers, especially those buyers and sellers who are facing unusual challenges or feel they have run out of options.
If you are a SELLER, do you own an unwanted house and need to sell quickly?

Does this describe your situation?

• In foreclosure?
• Is your house vacant?
• Need repairs or renovations?
• Has your listing expired?
• Behind on payments?
• Job Transfer or Relocation?
• Bad tenants?
• Owe liens?
• Divorce?
• Estate Sale?
• 100% financed?
• Making 2 house payments?
Have you always dreamed of owning your own home? Do you have CREDIT problems? BUYERS, Dave can also show you how you can own your own home.

If you can afford a reasonable down payment and monthly payments, you may be able to easily qualify for one of our exciting home purchase programs!

Whether you are a buyer or a seller – Contact Dave today for a FREE Consultation.

Why Buy a Whistle?

by Terri Hawkins

Educational Moment
Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Larry Osborne continued his series about obstacles to selling as part of PBL’s Educational Moments, sharing about how truly helping our clients is vital. His inspiration for this series is from Larry Wilson (1930-2013), author, speaker, and founder of Wilson Learning Center, sales and business consultant.

We love our products. And we know what products and services will work best for our clients’ needs when we do our homework. But do we focus on nuts and bolts too much? Do we really understand their needs? Are we listening? Sometimes the feeling our customers will gain will make the difference in whether they buy from us.

Larry Osborne shared Larry Wilson’s story of military troops getting the full specs on some new, military-issue whistles, which none seemed to jump in line to obtain… until their smart sargeant explained: When you’re in the trenches and the enemy is about to attack you, these whistles would enable you to call for help when attacked. So when you’re saved from attack, one day you’ll make it home safe and sound, and you’ll be able to tell your grandchildren about your experiences.

So what happened? Done deal–they all wanted one. But they didn’t buy a whistle. No. They bought a ticket home. Plain and simple.

Remember, whether you’re selling a product or a service, you’re selling the feeling the customer gets when they have your product or service–you’re selling the end result.

What are your clients buying? Listen and understand what will really help them, emotionally.

 

Quote: “The ‘Wonderful Paradox’: I have more fun and enjoy more financial success when I stop trying to get what I want and start helping others get what they want.” –Spencer Johnson and Larry Wilson, The One Minute Salesperson

Military Whistle2

 

 

 

Get Your Weekends Back!

by Terri Hawkins

Each week, two PBL members share more about their business, and we post the highlights in our blog.

Carley Hampson of Complete Home Services goes the extra mile to clean your home. Her team is not an “army,” but provides consistent, personal, quality attention to your home. Their full maid services include regular home cleaning, laundry, and special projects, such as construction clean up and move-in and move-out cleaning.

If you or a loved one need time to relax, don’t have the time to do a full cleaning (or just have better things to do), call Carley to schedule your first Complete Home Services cleaning. And don’t clean before she comes. (You know you’re thinking it.) There’s NO JUDGING with Carley…just a great, clean home.

So what are you waiting for? Get your weekends back!

 

Have you used another cleaning service before? If so, what DIDN’T you like?

Never have? Why not? Give Carley a call!

Carley’s Tip of the Day: The Magic (bathroom) Eraser–the Cadillac of cleaning! Keep one on hand at all times. It cleans everything! (And always wet it before using.)

Tax Prep & Payroll Made Simple

by Dan Dunbeck

Do you want to pay fewer taxes?
Do you want to be sure you stay on the right side of the IRS?
Do you struggle with payroll?

Shelby Tew is a highly skilled accountant providing tax preparation and payroll services to clients across the Piedmont Triad. Shelby obtained her Certified Public Accounting credentials in 2009 and opened her own firm in 2011.

Shelby provides a full range of tax preparation and planning services to both individuals and corporations. She develops strategies for her corporate clients to ensure they pay the minimum tax. Whether you are an LLC, Partnership, S Corp, or C Corp, Shelby can help you.

Shelby provides a full range of payroll services:
• Direct Deposit
• Cut Checks
• Prepare 1099s
• Prepare W2s
• File state and federal payroll reports

If you are a QuickBooks user, Shelby also provides QuickBooks support and training.

Shelby Tew, CPA – Your one stop shop for all of your accounting needs.

Miracle Worker Tackles Your Clutter

by Dan Dunbeck

Has your clutter gotten out of control?
Would you like to park your car in the garage again?
Do you even know what’s in your attic?

Alli McVann of AlliCadabra is a professional organizer with a unique perspective and a unique approach. From a simple closet to the very emotionally demanding and difficult situations of “too much stuff,” Alli starts by simply talking to her clients and developing a personal relationship. Through honest conversation, gentle encouragement, and helping hands she helps her clients reach their goals–whether it’s in the basement, kitchen, attic, garage, office, bedroom or all of the above.

Allic has both one-time and long-term clients. She will tackle a hoarding situation or just help straighten up your home or office. She meets you at your point of need, and there is never any shame or judgment in seeking assistance.

Alli is a professional who is very efficient. She truly loves her job because she has a passion for helping people. She calls her work her ministry, and she’s committed to getting in and out quickly so you can get on with your life.

Contact Alli today…One call and it’s done!

How a Good Writer Helps Deliver Your Message

Do you get frustrated when you have to write for your business?

Do you feel like hiding when you have to put pen to paper?

Precise Creative can manage all of your writing and editing needs–all while getting your message noticed and creating customer incentive to buy in to your message. Here’s how…

  • Refine language – Remove redundancy, wordiness, extra prepositional phrases, etc. (a.k.a. Helps you deliver your message!)
  • Use power words– Eliminate weak verbs, forms of ‘to be,’ helping verbs, gerunds, etc.
  • Clarify your message – What does your customer need? Want? Dream? Hope? Desire? Then give it to them.
  • Create buy-in – Create incentives, a connection with your business, and help them feel good about the message they’re about to receive
  • Appeal to emotions – Trigger to purchase, call, subscribe—whatever you want them to do

Nikki Corbett can help these businesses (and many more) with brochures, rack cards, fliers, business cards, articles, website copy, video narratives, social media management, and much more:

  • Nonprofits
  • New businesses, Startups
  • Advertising/Marketing Firms
  • PR Agencies
  • Businesses that need a marketing boost
  • Businesses that don’t have time to do their own Social Media


What are your pains when it comes to writing?

Does Your Real Estate Attorney Travel to Your Location?

by Charmaine Blount

Your traveling Real Estate Attorney, Christie Bynum of the Bynum Law Firm does. Not only that, but you get a FREE $50 gas card if your conventional loan doesn’t close in 45 days! They also guarantee a 60-day closing for FHA loans.

Christie takes the hassle out of real estate closings by providing convenience for her clients.

 

As a traveling Real Estate Attorney, Christie provides the following professional services to every client:

1. Ensures that you obtain a clear title

2. Addresses current changes within the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA)

3. Provides knowledge so you fully understand the completed transaction

4. Furnishes reputable resources for other services you may need for your closing

5. Communicates with lender for a reasonable time line for your loan approval

6. Builds meaningful relationships through dedication and trust

 

Contact Christie Bynum to find out how she can hep you today!

 

What services do you want from  your real estate attorney?