Company founder Gary Keller offered a wide array of sessions for participants. Ranging from his opening presentation of his personal development course Quantum Leap to his Mega Agent Camp, Gary spent the week unveiling and discussing his vision for 2012, showing attendees the best ways to take advantage of the market of the moment.

Featured speakers included Keynote Speaker Chris Gardner and Cultural Summit Speaker Clint Swindall. Chris, whose memoir The Pursuit of Happyness (chronicling his struggles with homelessness in the early 1980s while raising his toddler son) was adapted into a blockbuster film of the same name, is CEO of his own Chicago-based stock brokerage firm, Gardner Rich & Co. Clint is the president and CEO of Verbalocity, Inc., a personal development company focusing on leadership enhancement.

The 2012 Family Reunion included the ever-popular KW Cares Silent Auction. KW Cares was the brainchild of Keller Williams agents who had a dream to reach out and support fellow KW associates facing financial hardship due to major emergencies. Mo Anderson, vice chair of Keller Williams Realty, Inc., took this dream and brought it to fruition as a public charity. KW Cares has become the heart of the Keller Williams culture in action – finding and serving the higher purposes of business through charitable giving in the market centers and communities where KW associates live and work.

And of course, participants delighted in Red Bash 2012, the annual Keller Williams Family talent show. The fun was topped off by Casino Night, the perfect way to unwind after an action packed day.

We can’t wait to speak with our clients, and hear about the great times they had at the Family Reunion!

Did you attend the 29^th Keller Williams Family Reunion? Leave your comments below, and tell us about your experience.

Regardless of your company affiliation, take your next step to increasing your profitability – contact us via email or give us a call for a free needs analysis. We’ll be happy to discuss the many ways in which we can serve ALL of your unique residential and commercial real estate business needs; ask how we can give your business a LIFT! Be sure to visit our website, and “like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RevstaffingVAs.

We urge you to bookmark this page to return for updates. If you need assistance in the meantime, please contact us by email at info@revstaffing.com or phone at 855-738-7821, extension 703.

2012 REVStaffing^©

REVStaffing‘s

Enter OpenOffice.org by the software giant Oracle, and Google Docs by Google. These free tools offer the same features – along with the bells and whistles – of a pricier software suite like Microsoft Office.

Google Docs

Since the application is on the Web, it can be accessed from any computer with Internet access without having to purchase or download/install software.

OpenOffice.org

A reputable competitor to MSOffice, OpenOffice consists of powerful applications for producing text documents, presentations, spreadsheets, diagrams, presentations and databases, along with HTML code and XML documents. Not only will it allow you to revise standard documents, which include letters and faxes; you’ll find it manages equations and sophisticated and multi-part documents containing bibliographies, reference tables and indexes as well.

Some benefits and advantages…

• They’re FREE!

• Your mobility and flexibility are enhanced since you don’t need your own computer to access your work.

• Simple to learn, making it easy for MSOffice users

• Can be opened and saved in MSOffice formatting for Word, PowerPoint, and Excel

• You can export presentations to Flash

• One common source base for open source office apps

• Loaded with practical and highly useful features

• Documents may be retrieved directly from the provider and directed elsewhere, or stored locally at anytime

• The user interface and features appear much like Microsoft Office products

Google Docs and OpenOffice.org are powerful alternatives for anybody looking for a cost-free office suite. As professional tools of choice, the question you should be asking yourself is…”Why aren’t I already using them?”

We are the ‘EXTRA’ in ‘Extraordinary!’ Let us be…your extraordinary resource. Take your next step to increasing your profitability – contact us via email or give us a callfor a free needs analysis. We’ll be happy to discuss the many ways in which we can serve ALL of your unique residential and commercial real estate business needs; ask how we can give your business a LIFT! Be sure to visit our website, and “like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RevstaffingVAs.

We urge you to bookmark this page to return for updates. If you need assistance in the meantime, please contact us by email at info@revstaffing.com or phone at 855-738-7821, extension 703.

2012 REVStaffing^©

1. Hide Facebook Questions and Polls with Kill Facebook Questions by Michael Donohoe. Add on for Google Chrome browser. Facebook introduced its “Questions” service as a way for users to get more from their social circle…and to compete with up-and-coming questions services. If however, you don’t give a flying hoot whether your cousin goes with the kitten heels or the peep toe wedges, you can vanquish such annoyances from your stream with this handy extension. Touts five stars. Version release 1.1., 6,742 users.

2. FB Purity by steeev+ . Add on for Firefox brower. F.B. Purity hides application spam and other annoying clutter from your Facebook homepage, lets you increase font size, and generally makes Facebook a lot less annoying to use. Find it at https://addons.mozilla.org/. Currently has five stars. Version release 6.4.0, 33,823 users.

Next month we will share another couple of ways to “go retro” with Facebook. Although Facebook belongs to the corporation, we believe you should have the option to be in the driver’s seat for once. These apps will help you do just that.

Here at REVStaffing, we know from experience the inestimable “pulling power “of words. Spoken or written, there’s no more powerful method to effect the human imagination than words. It’s possible to take a notion that didn’t exist just moments before, and create a compelling and provocative idea or image just using words. If you have ever thought about how to improve your ad copy and written sales material, then this article is for you.

“Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind” (Rudyard Kipling). Words have a genuinely fascinating effect on people. When a person reads words not just as sets of characters, but as ideas or feelings, the actual power of those words and phrases will stimulate, inspire, and encourage the reader.

In our business, many real estate professionals begin their career by learning scripts and dialogs to communicate the most effective, powerful answers to prospects’ concerns and objections. That’s because using the right words will produce a desirable result.
We all know that there’s a strong link between words and behaviors or actions.

If you want great results from your ad copy or scripts and dialogs, become a master in the study of words. Learn to harness the amazing power of words. Become meticulous in your selection of words for every piece of your sales and marketing materials, including your website and social media network. Deliberately select each word – it matters. Check and measure your words for maximum impact.

Consider these words: SPEND and INVEST. Do you want your broker to spend your hard-earned money, or invest it? Because spending your money doesn’t promise a return, you’d most likely prefer to invest your money, right? Now apply these same words to a buyer contemplating a purchase and pay attention to how that affects their thinking.

Now think about the words COST and VALUE. These words are not only synonyms, but also antonyms. Try the following to get the full impact of what I’m saying. In the sentence, “Mr. and Mrs. Buyer, the _________ of this home is at $286,000.” Fill in the blank using first the word “cost” and then the word “value”. You’ll hear the difference, and it’s considerable.

To be effective in your sales and marketing efforts, realize that the words you write and speak must have value to your prospect/client/customer. Simply filling space in a sales letter, email, or brochure with low impact words is like trying to boil cold water without a fire.

REVStaffing will show you how you can affordably shift your marketing efforts to create a profitable presence on the Internet. Take your business to the level you want with our professional help. We’ll be happy to discuss the many ways in which we can serve ALL of your unique residential and commercial real estate business needs; ask how we can give your business a LIFT! Be sure to visit our website, and “like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RevstaffingVAs.

We urge you to bookmark this page to return for updates. If you need assistance in the meantime, please contact us by email at info@revstaffing.com or phone at 855-738-7821, extension 703.

2012 REVStaffing^©

Here at REVStaffing, we are thoroughly knowledgeable about the various methods for successfully driving traffic to your web page. Let’s take a look at just three of the many means, and some ways to improve each for optimum results.

Direct website traffic occurs when site visitors type your site URL directly into the address bar of their browser (such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari). You can assume that these visitors are serious about your website, because they’ve made the effort to actually type-in your Web address, and not simply click on a hyperlink. How do you acquire more of these direct visitors? Direct website traffic generally originates from printed advertising for example your business cards, brochures, flyers or printed advertising and marketing.

To improve direct traffic to your site: Make sure to incorporate your Web address on all of your marketing material. Avail yourself of every opportunity to distribute printed sales and marketing materials whenever possible.

Advertising and marketing traffic results from your online advertising. You pay to have an ad which shows up on a different website and includes a hyperlink to your website. Internet advertising options generally consist of display or “banner” advertisements on websites highly relevant to your target customers, or ads that can be found in search engine results when consumers go to search engines like Google to find services like yours.

To improve advertising and marketing traffic: Use relevant keywords and phrases; target customers as narrowly as you can, and keep track of outcomes to assure great ROI.

Social traffic arises from websites such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. To get the most from social traffic, discover which social networks your target audience use regularly. Establish a profile on these websites and connect to prospects. As you in turn join in the “conversation” on these websites, far more users will become familiar with your business and be more likely to go to your web page.

To improve social traffic: Present intriguing and helpful content material in all of your social connections. Participate on a regular basis. Regularity is essential. Take part in several social networking sites to increase your reach and online visibility.

REVStaffing will show you how you can affordably shift your marketing efforts to create a profitable presence on the Internet. Take your business to the level you want with our professional help. We’ll be happy to discuss the many ways in which we can serve ALL of your unique residential and commercial real estate business needs; ask how we can give your business a LIFT! Be sure to visit our website, and “like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RevstaffingVAs.

We urge you to bookmark this page to return for updates. If you need assistance in the meantime, please contact us by email at info@revstaffing.com or phone at 855-738-7821, extension 703.

2012 REVStaffing^©

REVStaffing is all about providing our clients with top-notch, excellent service. Today we’ll briefly discuss the tremendous power of

In marketing, the words you use to create ads will fall into one of three categories. They are:

Intellectual: Words and phrases that are particularly effective when providing services and products that demand thinking or thorough assessment. Here’s an example: “Truly Smart People Who Understand Money, Read Newsworthy Reports”

Empathetic: Words and phrases that resonate with empathetic effect frequently draw out powerful and emotionally-charged responses in individuals. For instance: “We Definitely Hear What You Are Not Saying!”

Spiritual: Words and phrases that have the highest prospects for impact, and frequently interest individuals at a deeper emotional level. Such as this: “A Genuinely Smart Tool To Utilize”

With the potency of words, you are able to convert an enemy to a good friend, and turn a weakness into an asset. The best ideas on the planet are nothing without the skill to successfully convey those ideas.

How are you currently at conveying your thoughts and ideas? Does your sales message seem at all confusing or unclear? Does it create the outcome you desire? Many people assess communication through other methods that reflect lesser value for gauging the real efficiency of a sales message. The best barometer to appraise a sales message is to ask, “Does it deliver the results you want?”

Try this free online tool to experience the potency of using select words to infuse your ad headers with power. It will score your header according to its Emotional Marketing Value (EMV). Good headers may contain word with 30%-40% Emotional Marketing Value; better headlines may contain 50%-75% EMV words and phrases. A perfect ranking of 100% is uncommon for headlines of more than five words.

Many tasks for real estate professionals devour time that could otherwise be devoted to dollar productive activities like meeting with clients, customers and prospects. Take your business to the level you want with our professional help. We’ll be happy to discuss the many ways in which we can serve ALL of your unique residential and commercial real estate business needs; ask how we can give your business a LIFT! Be sure to visit our website, and “like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RevstaffingVAs.

We urge you to bookmark this page to return for updates. If you need assistance in the meantime, please contact us by email at info@revstaffing.com or phone at 855-738-7821, extension 703.

2012 REVStaffing^©

Here at

Radio
Radio generally is a complex marketing and advertising medium with which to work. Why? Because if folks tune in to the radio throughout the workday, it turns into background noise, and your sales message might not be heard. Yet individuals playing exactly the same station on the ride to and from work might hear your message and tune in. Look at your target audience to find out whether or not purchasing radio marketing would be good for your business.

Television
TV can be quite costly as a marketing and advertising medium, depending on the size of your target audience and the time slot you choose for broadcasting. Make use of the consumer research of independent companies to ascertain the easiest method to get to your audience with television. If employed correctly, television is definitely a powerful marketing and advertising medium.

Internet
The Internet has become a genuinely cost-effective alternative to both radio and television. Viral marketing and advertising on the Internet can reach huge numbers of people at any given time. Social networking sites enable businesses to generate profiles and contact individuals around the globe.

Every real estate professional should have an online presence that is considered the go-to site with regard to their market, delivering a trusted resource for information and facts for current and long-term customers and clients in addition to prospects. The Web makes it much simpler to reach and work with your target market. It demands time, in-depth knowledge, and the appropriate resources to complete the job properly.

REVStaffing will show you how you can affordably shift your marketing efforts to create a strong presence on the Internet. Don’t continue to struggle with managing everything yourself. Take your business to the level you want with our professional assistance. Send us an email, or give us a call for a free needs analysis. We’ll be happy to discuss ALL of your unique 2012 business needs; ask how we can give your business a LIFT! Be sure to visit our website, and “like” us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RevstaffingVAs.

We are announcing a modest increase to our rates for the first time in that four years. We will be emailing a copy of the revised Client Terms Agreement to all of our active clients this week. The new rates go into effect on March 1st.

We truly believe this nominal increase will have little effect on our clients, but will allow us to continue to grow our services to our clients. We thank you in advance for your understanding and acceptance.

Sincerely,

Deborah Steuer

President, REVStaffing

Like many parents, I start my day by getting the kids up and ready for school. I roll out of bed at 5:45 am, and my 14-year old is first. I (start trying to) get him up around 6am; anyone who has a teenager knows how difficult that process can be! Next, I have the challenge of getting my 13-year old up. She’s a typical teenage girl who wants her beauty sleep! Then there’s my 11-year old “BEAR” – so named because he truly is like a bear. If he could, he’d hibernate year ’round, and even calls his room “The Cave.” Once they’re up I immediately switch into my paramilitary “Mommy Mode” until they’re on the bus, which I’m sure every mother can relate to! Then I shift gears again and, if time allows, I’ll go for a run, or workout on the elliptical.

Now my work day starts. I truly love project management software, and I’m convinced that it was designed by a mother! Who else could be so detailed regarding multitasking. After I review my projects for the day, I typically begin replying to emails. If I need to make any calls during this time, I generally complete them while completing my assigned tasks. While working on a project for a client, if I notice an area that could benefit the client, I make a note of it and research it. I believe in being proactive, because things are always changing.

By now it’s mid-afternoon, time to refuel. I’m definitely due for a lunch break; depending on how many projects or assignment I have, I may actually cook something for lunch and eat it sitting down! By this point in the day, I may have a webinar to attend, or a REVStaff meeting via webinar. After which I follow up on more emails and phone calls; I also review my task manager to make sure that I’m on track.

At 3:15 on the dot, I shift gears again into mommy mode (NON-paramilitary!). The kids are home, and we take a few moments to discuss and review how each of their days went. They grab a snack, while I check for any updates and emails from our clients. By 5:30 or so I’m closing down my office, and shifting gears to attend to family needs. All in all, an exceptionally productive day!

There have be occasions when family life has caused a ripple…or two…or three…in my day. It’s then that I realize how happy I am to be working as a REVStaffing virtual assisteant. We are truly a team, with outstanding communication between team members. We’re always there for our clients, and for each other.

Send us an email, or give us a call for a free needs analysis. We’ll be happy to discuss ALL of your unique 2012 business needs; ask how we can give your business a LIFT! Be sure to visit our website, and “like” us on Facebook at  http://www.facebook.com/RevstaffingVAs.

REVStaffing 2012^©

1. Hide the News Ticker and Restore Your News Feed with Facebook Classic by Michael Donohoe. Add-on for Google Chrome browser. To compensate for the fact that it rearranges the order of your News Feed, Facebook now displays a constantly updated news “ticker” above the chat bar if you have it open, or the top right of your home page if you don’t. This continually updating stream is a source of annoyance to many, while the edited news feed itself makes many Facebook users apoplectic with rage. Facebook Classic will solve both these problems. In addition to nixing the ticker, it reverts your News Feed to chronological order. As a bonus, you can easily toggle it on and off. Find it in the Google Chrome store. Currently has 4.43 stars.

2. Facebook Ticker Removal by Ashley. Add-on for Firefox brower. This add on removes the new Facebook ticker from the page, whether you have the right-hand side chat window open or not. Find it at https://addons.mozilla.org/. Currently has four stars.

Next month, we’ll share two more ways to “go retro” with Facebook. Although Facebook belongs to a corporation (at least until their IPO later this year!), we believe you should have the option to be in the driver’s seat. These apps will help you do just that.