The Relationship Revolution

Blog your Sweepstakes

We've been having a lot of fun updating the PropertySource Blog, and I know many agents are currently exploring this technology.  Most Blog interfaces allow you to insert snippets of code to develop special features and to tie in other media - like YouTube videos, photo galleries, etc.

I just thought about how great it would be to also tie in the Sweepstakes program to your Blog.  So, I'm going to paste my personalized Home Sweet Home Sweepstakes banner code into my blog ... right here:

Powered by PropertySource Network

Wow!  Looks like it worked.  To make this happen, I simply asked one of our ever-helpful Systems Coaches for the special HTML code that's tied to my personal membership record.  Then, as I was typing my post above, I switched to the "Edit HTML" mode and pasted in the code.  It automatically created the banner - and any registrations that are generated from this ad will go into my personal Relationship Manager. 

Remember, you can use this code on any websites you have with other providers.  And, if you're blogging, this might make a great addition!  Let us know if you've found other creative uses for this code, and we'll pass the word along!

$7000 in Donations

Our Giving Program, benefiting the American Cancer Society, is growing!  We introduced our Giving Program just four weeks ago, and agents from across the country have joined us - generating to date $7000 to help the ACS fight cancer and find a cure.

We're hoping to run out of materials!

Agents have been responding with comments like this:

• Laura: "Absolutely fabulous! I'm an 8-1/2 year breast cancer survivor, and each holiday season make a donation on behalf of my clients to ACS. Appreciate your helping what I feel is a wonderful agency!"
• Greg: "Great idea! I hope you have lots of RealtySouth agents take you up on this new program!"

The enthusiasm is contagious! In fact, many of the professionals came up and told me that the Giving Program was the thing that made them decide they had to join us. We're donating $50 from every new membership in our relationship marketing program. I've talked to many agents who said they wanted to donate more than the $50 that we are giving out of each new membership. We think their contacts and customers will feel the same, so we included a page on every agent's web site with information about the great work the ACS is doing, and how to get information on donating money or time.  Take a look at a sample.  And, get involved!  It's an amazing way to give back, while you're also generating referrals from your closest relationships.

What, no Internet?!

We arrived in the office this morning, excited to tackle a new full week.  As most of our staff were just getting their day started, we lost our office's internal Internet connection! (Don't worry, this does not affect any of our Relationship Manager systems, as they are all housed in our amazing data center off-site.)

As you can imagine, the buzz started and everyone was discussing how we could live without our connections.  It was like taking someone's Microwave away!  Folks began to talk about going home to work as we anxiously waited for an update from our provider.  Fortunately, we were able to regain composure, and think "back to basics."  I'm proud to say that several of our Member Success Team members are now busy working in the conference room on their personal handwritten notecards!  Donna Rae Hollis, our Member Success Team Leader, coordinated the effort, and we're reaching out to Relationship Masters who have not logged into their Relationship Manager recently.  (In this case, I hope you don't receive a notecard in a couple days!)

For those of you trying to reach us by email, we appreciate your patience.  We hope to be operational by mid-day and will catch up as quickly as possible.  Our phone lines are still operational, so feel free to call us at 800-298-5055 if we can assist in any way.

Then Everyone Stood

What an experience rolling out our Giving Program has been! We're generating donations for the American Cancer Society, and witnessed a dramatic example of how important that foundation's work is - probably to everyone we know.

A "Blank Page" Saves the Day

We love our new Articles of Value that are Monthly Digests - and so do our Members. But we have to admit there was one thing about them that bothered us ... until today. Jessica emailed us the solution: Insert a blank page!

Brand Loyalty & Relationships

One of the leading relationship marketing agencies in the country just released a study in which ING – the financial services brand – emerged in the #1 spot for brand loyalty. What's different about this is that the winners are usually car companies and airlines. ING outperformed, rather than outspent, its competitors. The study describes how ING customers feel "a sense of community" with other users of the brand, and that the company focuses on "keeping customers happy and committed by delivering a positive experience" rather than spending billions on brand advertising telling them that they are. Isn't that what we do with our clients when we make contact with them consistently? And it's contact that we personalize to make it more meaningful, whether that's in an e-Greeting, an e-Newsletter or our other relationship marketing tools. This study underlines that it's not just about making your brand (YOU) visible . . . it's about making interaction with your brand a positive experience your clients will remember.

Announcing the Referral Challenge Holiday Giving Program

Generate new leads and give back

This holiday season, our new and renewing members will have the opportunity to combine a powerful, lead-generating campaign with an enduring gift to the American Cancer Society.

The Realtors and Lenders Reach Out program was originally launched following the events of September 11, 2001. An immediate outpouring of contributions and volunteer efforts followed, as thousands of agents provided information and resources via their PropertySource websites, e-Newsletters and e-Greetings. Over the years, PropertySource has continued its commitment to giving, and we’re now including our members in the process!  Maya Angelou’s quote on the cover of our new Referral Challenge holiday notecards says it all:

“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”

Want to participate? Read on - Time is of the essence!

Export Your Tasks

                     

Did you know ...

You can now export your active (or active and inactive) tasks directly to Microsoft Excel, or as a CSV (comma separated value) file. This allows you to sort, organize and print your tasks in your favorite program.

Just one more enhancement that's a result of member feedback! Have an idea on how we can improve the Relationship Manager? Send us your suggestions!