Don't forget your phone etiquette!

If you "study" people like I tend to do, you've probably noticed some very interesting behavior on the part of most individuals when ever their cell phone goes off.

Their first reaction is one of surprise, as though this has never happened to them before. Their next reaction is to retrieve the device and look at it in total amazement. Last, but not least, they are compelled to answer the call no matter what they're doing or where they are.

Cellular technology is certainly cool, but when did it start possessing the power to control our lives?

As a professional sales person, your cellular device should be a tool, not something you're a slave to.

Nothing says "Your not that important to me" more than answering your cell phone while you're engaged in a conversation with someone else.

Your client's deserve your full attention, and 99.9% of the time there is no call that is so important that it can't wait until your time with that client is over.

Unless you're in charge of protecting the rest of us from certain catastrophe, remember to use all of your cell phone's features. The off button is one of them.

If you think that getting all those calls shows just how important you are, you need to re-think what you're actually demonstrating.

To many it shows that you're full of yourself, don't know how to prioritize and that you're a real nincompoop when it comes to social graces.

Improve your business in a down market

I often wonder what agents do when they have no business? I hear them talk about going on appointments all the time. Too often when they use this form of "real estate speak" they're actually talking about a tanning appointment or the like.

Just because you don't have a current client or customer doesn't mean that you put everything on hold until one comes along.

This is a great time to build on your future business. Whether it's bringing your data base up to speed, or putting together next year's business plan, you can always be working on your business.

I tell my agents to try and preview as many new listings in their market area as possible when they have the spare time.

Imagine how valuable this mental inventory is when you suddenly get the opportunity to talk to someone that's a real buyer. Instead of using the old stand-by of "Let me get back to you with a list of homes", you can talk about the newest listings with that prospect right then and there.

If this buyer has talked with other agents, they most certainly will pick up on the fact that they are now in the hands of a real professional. Give it a try.