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Be on your best behavior, make Emily Post proud...

Welcome to the fourth and final week of our series on making a great first impression. Today we are going to tap into the fundamentals of technological etiquette.

The fallowing are Modern Real Estate Post top 3 tips to using a cell phone politely:

1. Know when to silence your phone or turn it off all together:
Never be caught on the phone when meeting someone for the first time. What kind of an impression will you make if you are talking with someone else when the person you are meeting arrives? The person you are meeting deserves 100% of your attention. When you are with a client, try at all costs not to answerer your phone. If you know you maybe expecting a call, make sure to tell your new acquaintance before hand that you maybe receiving an important call. Your goal is to try to make your client feel like they are your only client.
2. Never be on the phone, text, or e-mail while driving:
It is essential that you never talk, text, or e-mail while driving. If you need to make a call or send a message, inform your client/ new acquaintance that you need to do so an pull over. There is nothing dire enough to put your life and your client's life at risk.
3. Don't check your phone every couple of seconds:
People find it very frustrating to be around someone who is checking their phone every couple of minutes.....specially clients. Be aware, of how often you play around with your phone, touch your phone, and check your phone. All of these behaviors are distracting for your new acquaintance, and quickly become a source of aggravation. We are often not aware of how often our phone is in our hands and in our sights...be aware!

You have just seconds to make a first impression. It is nearly impossible to change someones initial impression of you. Give each new encounter your best. Much of what you need to know is common sense. However, with a little preparation you can make every first impression not just good, but great!

Thank you for fallowing MRP blog these past 4 weeks. Check back often for industry tips, current events, and MRP give aways!

What are you Talking about?...

Welcome to week III of our series on making a great first impression. Today let's start small:Small talk = Big results

Meeting someone for the first time is always a bit nerve wrecking. If you want to connect with someone, you must be willing to take a chance and move beyond your anxieties. Conversations are based on verbal give and take. Some simple conversation strategies can make all the difference in your meet and greet.

Refocus your Anxiety:

Instead of worrying about how people are going to view you, re-frame your fear.  Ask yourself, "who can I meet here, what can I learn?" This allows you to most past your anxieties and refocus your thoughts on finding the advantage of the introduction rather than the fear.

Do your home work:

 It is often helpful you to prepare questions you have for the person you are meeting for the first time. If possible take a few minutes to learn something about the person you are meeting before you get together. This can be a great way to open the conversation and to keep it flowing. 

For instance, over the phone your potential client mentions he is an avid runner and is looking for a home near running trails. You then learn some running basics ie. a marathon is 26.2 miles. You meet your potential client, it goes something like this; 

you: Hi I am (your name here.)

potential client: Hi I am ( potential client name .)

You: It is great to meet you. I think you are going to be pleased with this community you will have no problem training for that 26.2 mile marathon. This community has miles and miles of running trails!

(new) client: That is great! I am currently training for the Boston Marathon I ran a 3:10 during my last marathon..........

Taking a few minutes to learn  personalized information made the introduction comfortable and effortless.....the potential client walked away thinking highly of you. You walked away with a new client!

Arm yourself with openers:

Maybe it is simply not possible to learn about the person you are meeting beforehand. In these instances it is helpful to have a few go to "openers." Use ice breakers that will turn a greeting into a conversation. Open ended questions are usually the safest way to achieve this.

Here are a few of our favorite ice breakers:

" I want to hear all about....( ex.your desire to relocate to the beach!)

"what do you think about ....(ex. this coffee shop, house location, ect)

" What is your opinion of ....( ex. the neighborhood?)

" Tell me about your ....( ex.desire to live near jogging trails.)

"Can you recommend ....( ex.a great place for us to grab a cup of coffee )

Implement these tips and your bound to make a great impression. You will find you have more opportunities to learn, that you are not tongue tied and will get the results you want!

{MRP suggested read; What do you say when.....by Florence Isaacs...}

Is your appearance saying the right things about you?

Welcome to week II of making a great first impression. Today we are going to talk about presenting yourself in an appropriate/ professional manner.

When meeting someone for the first time, your physical appearance is the first frame of reference they have to go on. Your physical appearance matters. There is no need to look like a model. The key to making a good impression is to present yourself in an polished professional fashion.

Before meeting someone, determine what is the appropriate dress for the meeting. Does your meeting require a suit or casual attire? A general rule of thumb, is to be over dressed rather than under dressed. Studies have shown that certain clothes lend an air of confidence and authority to the person wearing them. Consider the fallowing suggestions:

• Invest in a few quality pieces, such as a tailored suit.
• Use sophisticated colors as the "base" of your outfit ie. navy, dark gray, black, taupe, etc. Use brighter colors as accents by wearing them in a tie print, shirt stripe, purse or jewelry.
• Wear small, sophisticated prints and tweeds avoid large shapes and designs.
• Carry a leather briefcase or handbag, in a dark neutral color.

For men:

1. Your go to outfit should always be a clean shirt, pants & tie
2. well groomed hair, pay special attention in keeping your neckline well groomed.
3. no piercings or tattoos showing
4. clean shoes
5. clean nails

For women:

• Always add finishing touches to your outfit -- a belt, a small pair of earrings, a necklace, this is the key to going from dressed to polished!
• Wear a short heel, this will improve your posture making you look more confident.
• Pay special attention to your nails, at the very least they should always be filed and buffed.....never allow yourself to be caught with an overly chipped and worn manicure!
• Choose a hairstyle that is low maintenance and works with the texture of your own hair, to ensure your hair is groomed daily.
• Learn how to create a chic and polished pony tail or bun for those hectic days when time is short.
• Wear natural make up, choose to accentuate one feature. For example, play up your eyes and wear a natural shade of lipstick, or wear a bolder lipstick but keep your eyes natural. The key is to avoid the dreaded "overdone" look.
• As a rule of thumb, never leave the house with out lipstick and a pair of earrings. You never know who you will run into, and what opportunities may await you, be prepared to always make a great impression!

Appropriate dress and grooming will help make a good first impression and help you feel "the part," so you feel calm, confident and ready for success!

 

 

You never get a SECOND chance to make a FIRST impression...

Welcome to week one of our four week series on making a great first impression;

Once upon a time there existed not; text messaging, e-mail, or smart phones. People communicated the "old fashion way". In a time where people are accustomed to communicating with the aid of technology, people often forget how to make a great first impression face to face. Today, let's back to the basics;

Be on Time:

Adopt a new personal motto I will "AEA" (arrive early always.) It is better to arrive early than late. This is the first step in creating a great first impression. Plan accordingly, so you can be early. Take in consideration there could be unexpected delays,such as traffic or difficulties in finding your meeting spot. Remember,someone you are meeting for the first time is not interested in your "good excuses." Get started off on the right foot....be on time!

Make eye contact and smile:

A smile accompanied with brief, but direct eye contact is a great way to make the other person feel at ease. A confident and friendly smile will create an inviting atmosphere, making introductions between you and the other person comfortable and easy. This will allow for a natural flow or transition to discuss things related to business. Caution, do not go overboard –be genuine.  People who over do it often seem insincere and can be off putting. Most people know to smile to make a good impression, but often forget to restrain, and blow their chance to secure a great first impression!

**Stop by next week for part II of our series as we continue to learn how to make a good first impression. We will be covering the topic of presenting yourself appropriately!

First Impressions.... working for you or against you?

When meeting someone for the first time, it takes seconds, for someone to evaluate  and form an opinion about you. With each new encounter, you are evaluated and yet another person's impression of you is formed. These first impressions can be nearly impossible to reverse or undo, making each first encounter  important.Whether in your career or social life, it's important to know how to create a good first impression.

Follow us as we begin our 4 week series on making great first impressions. We will teach you simple tips to give you the tools to showcase yourself in the best professional light, so you can make a great first impression every time!

Competitor posts (pictures from actual listing:)

Modern Real Estate Post (Picture of install:)

                              Make a great first impression....It's not just a post, it's your image!

Celebrate the launch of MRP ... the blog!!

Welcome to Modern Real Estate Post's blog! We are excited to have you as our guests, please feel at home, and feel free to call us by our nickname, MRP. This blog will keep you informed and connected with the Southern Califonia Real Estate world. We will keep you current with the hottest trends in marketing your listings. Check back often to see Southern California real estate news, events, and exclusive MRP promotions for blog fallowers!