But that is what Michael does, not who Michael is. I believe he is a passionate, funny, thinker that cares about the real estate industry.

I asked him yesterday what tools does he use and how does he become a Productivity Junkie. Check out his educational and funny  video in Productivity Nugget #148 – Productivity Tools For Real Estate Agents.

Productivity Tools #1  – The Apple iPad

I saw Michael using his iPad in person at the Agent Reboot Seattle event.

Even though he jokes in the video and brings up my lame iPad, I see so many ways that the iPad could be a great productivity tool AND a presentation tool.

Productivity Tools #2 – Apple products in general

All Apple products. I use a Mac. Michael uses a Macbook Pro and his iPad.

Why? It just does thing faster and easier. Having a Mac has saved me many of frustrations. I think this is a good productivity tool.

Productivity Tools #3 – Things – task management on the Mac

Next, Michael shares about Things, a productivity tool and project manager that he can use on his iPad and Macbook Pro. He does point out a draw back to Things is that he can share your list, info with someone else.

Something I noticed though was that Things costs $50. Interesting the Michael would choose to invest in his business vs. using so many free productivity tools out there, don’t ya think?

Productivity Tools #4 – Personal Brain – Mind Mapping

For bigger ideas Michael uses mind maps. And he recommends Personal Brain. I also use mind maps, simply because that is the way my mind works. I doodle with pen and paper and draw out my ideas and thoughts. That is what mind mapping allows you to do. Interesting to see that Michael uses this technique and I might have to check out the tool he uses for it also.

Productivity Tools #5 – Over schedule

I guess he is using the Ben Franklin philosphy “If you want something done, ask a busy person.”

Productivity Tools #6 – Accountability Partner/Coach

Michael mentions that his business partner Todd Waller helps keep him focused and  having an accountability partner or a real estate coach could be great productivity tools.

I think this is a great idea and if this is the right time for you to start a coaching relationship with me, feel free to head over to my Productivity Junkies Facebook Page and leave a comment that you are looking for an accountability partner. Maybe you will connect with another Productivity Junkie there.

The Giveaway Portion Of Our Productivity Nugget

Thank you to Michael for sharing these productivity tools for real estate agents. Some great tips and some fun in the video also. I thought to keep you focused on being a Productivity Junkie and to make sure you watched the entire video, I will do a giveaway.

If you would like a Crush It book, autographed by best selling author, Gary Vaynerchuk, be the first to leave a comment below on who made a guest appearance at the end of Michael’s video.

Gary Vaynerchuk and Darin Persinger discussing Crush It!

If we already have a winner by the time you get here, please leave a comment with your favorite productivity tool. I would love to have add to the discussion!

“What you do is what matters, not what you think or say or plan.”
— Jason Fried

Obsessed With Jason Fried

I’ve always been intrigued by Jason Fried of 37Signals but over the last couple weeks have become obsessed with his insights and philosophy.

Jason has written a couple books and his company makes Project Management and Productivity Tools.

Do You Have A Small Business Mindset?

As I talk about in the real estate training video, Jason Fried caught my attention when he said his company builds products for the small business. A small business will invest. A small business doesn’t like free.

Free lacks support and security.

“I believe you, the real estate agent, can determine your own destiny because you have a choice to either: 1. Practice real estate as a job 2. Run your real estate practice as a business” – Gary Keller Millionaire Real Estate Agent

A small business wants to know that the product and service they are using is going to be around and have service and support when they need it.

I see so many real estate agents NOT acting like a small business. They are always looking for the FREE version. The FREE real estate training. The FREE service.

I get it!

I’ve bootstrapped too and still do in many cases of my business. I run very lean, but I also invest in my business, myself and my clients.

• I have invested in hard products like my MacBook and FlipCam.
• I have invested in personal and business development by purchasing products and 1 to 1 consulting. I belong to a Coaching University, that I pay a monthly subscription for.
• I have invested in software like ScreenFlow, Dictate and Scribe.
• I pay for a product to help me optimize my online presence called ScribeSEO.
• I pay for my CRS, Oprius, plus I use the paid version of MailChimp.

I’m committed to my business. I know I have to invest in it because after all….

“You Get What You Pay For!”

What do you think? Why should someone invest in a product or service or look for the FREE version? Leave me a comment!

Did you practice breaking any bricks this last week?

You could sit around thinking about the right technique to break bricks. You could visualize your self breaking bricks. You could make a schedule of how to develop the strength to break the bricks.

But until you actually start trying to break bricks, you’ll never know if you can or not.

Ideas Are Worth Nothing Unless Executed

It’s so funny when I hear people being so protective of ideas. (People who want me to sign an nda to tell me the simplest idea.)

To me, ideas are worth nothing unless executed. They are just a multiplier. Execution is worth millions.

Explanation:

• Awful idea = -1
• Weak idea = 1
• So-so idea = 5
• Good idea = 10
• Great idea = 15
• Brilliant idea = 20

• No execution = $1
• Weak execution = $1000
• So-so execution = $10,000
• Good execution = $100,000
• Great execution = $1,000,000
• Brilliant execution = $10,000,000

To make a business, you need to multiply the two.

The most brilliant idea, with no execution, is worth $20. The most brilliant idea takes great execution to be worth $20,000,000.

That’s why I don’t want to hear people’s ideas. I’m not interested until I see their execution.

—Derek Sivers, president and programmer, CD Baby and HostBaby

What will you implement this week?

As you evaluate this last week (a good time to start using my PIE METHOD, ) don’t be so focused on the event or idea, true success comes from the process.

Get focused on what you really want. Get focused on the most important thing that you want to accomplish. Start implementing and see it through. Don’t give up in the red zone.

And remember to implement, execute, to do it now.

Too many times, we are waiting to get in shape before we go to the gym.

If you have ideas but aren’t executing them

or

if you are great at implementing but aren’t focused on the right things

Learn more about Productivity Junkies Coaching

That term, Viral Engagement, caught my attention. I had never heard it before. I found it later, Nik_Nik had never used it before.

During the tweet up after the Agent Reboot Seattle event, I was able to grab Nik_Nik and ask her on camera about Viral Engagement.

Take a look at your online activity. How are you using facebook, twitter and other online platforms for real estate business development?

Are you just broadcasting or blasting information online?

Or are you engaging in conversation?

Are you providing information and ideas that people will share, comment and respond to?

I suggest you check out a recent blog post by Nik_Nik, Forget What the Experts Say…You CAN Shortcut Your Way to Success with Social Media for more info on engaging and connecting in the social media space.

Leave me a comment -

How do you use social media?

Do you agree that you should strive for engagement and conversation?

What is working for you?

This last Wednesday real estate agents in the Seattle Washington area had the opportunity to learn about this real estate marketing shift. Agent reboot came into Seattle bringing with them some amazing speakers and also showcasing our local talent.

Nicole Nikolay a.k.a. Nik_Nik was our host and MC. She rocked the house. Literally. She started off the day showing us an evolution of dance and business.

Chris Smith of TechSavvyAgent.com was the first speaker on stage. Chris shared with us about mobile applications. All stats and data show us that mobile is where everything is heading. He showed us how to maximize the use of mobile applications to succeed in the real estate business.

Photo courtesy of Chad Johnson, Agent Evolution

Then I was on to talk about lead conversion. I shared why I feel that lead conversion optimization a.k.a. LCO is actually more important then search engine optimization a.k.a. SEO.

A local real estate agent by the name of Aubree Hazel with Coldwell Banker Bain then joined me on stage and talked about how she’s converting leads and also using Facebook advertising to generate traffic.

Dale Chumbley of 365 things to do and Vancouver Washington was of course there. This guy seems to be everywhere. It’s my belief, the reason why Dale is succeeding with real estate blogging and social media is because he really understands that this business is relational. And he uses the online space to amplify and echo his every day activities in the community that he lives and sells real estate in.

Teri-Lyn Conrad gave us some great, direct no fluff information about how to succeed in social media. And also the things that she’s doing to build her business. She also gave a shout out to me and ProductivityJunkies.com and said that Vancouver BC loves Darin Persinger.

Dale Chambley countered and said Vancouver Washington also loves Darin Persinger.

Check out the recap Teri did on the Agent Reboot event and the video with Nik_Nik.

Do you know who Michael McClure is?

Probably not. But you’re going to soon. Everyone is going to soon. Michael is absolutely crushing it in the social media space. He shared with us if there is any ROI in this little social media thing. He says yes and he backed it up With what it’s doing for him. Check out his recap of the Agent Reboot Seattle event.

Sherry Chris is the CEO for the real estate franchise Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. Not only did she look fierce in her red and black heels, she talked to us about the next phase of branding for real estate agents. She calls a lifestyle branding. You might recall a conversation I had with Wendy Forsythe the VP of Broker Services for better homes and Gardens Real Estate were we chatted about lifestyle branding in real estate.

A local real estate agent with Better Homes and Gardens Executive that I thought had great content was Garret Nelson. The thing he said that I liked the most was “Don’t do something at home or in the office that can be done in public”. Garret works from coffee shops and specifically Zoka. I know that because I just checked in there yesterday on foursquare and guess who the mayor is?

Social media training doesn’t end at the training

If you’re planning to go to any of the upcoming agent reboot programs in a city near you, or any training event that will cover social media keep this in mind:

The really really really good stuff usually takes place both for AND after the event.

Sometimes the good stuff takes place over a cocktail or glass of wine. Sometimes over pizza. Sometimes over pancakes the next morning with a sassy server that helps make everything more memorable.

There is a great Tweetup that was organized by Coldwell Banker Bain the night before on Lake Union. It was a great time, there was smart people sharing ideas and new and old friends sharing laughs.

Then after the agent reboot event there was another Tweetup where I think the real learning took place and relationships became cemented.

I highly encourage you to make plans to show up before the event and stay after the event to get maximum benefit. You won’t be sorry.

One person that did the before and after is a client of mine Dan Keller, a mortgage lender in Mill Creek. Check out this great blog post Dan wrote and the video where he shares a great story about his experience with the event and social media.

Another great read to check out is from an attendee of the event, Keoki McCarthy, Designated Broker/President of Real Living Northwest. As they put it “fantastic day of technology, energy and education.”

I think Rick Schutte, a Coldwell Banker Broker in Oak Harbor, Wa did a great job of capturing the whole day from an attendees point of view. Check out his video Agent ReBoot 2010.

Upcoming Agent Reboot Events

If you wrote a blog post, did a video or have a story from the Agent Reboot Seattle week, please share it with me so I can add it here.

How to use WordPress features and a few others to easily fight spam and bots!

Take a few moments to protect you and your visitors from spam and bots!

There is nothing worse then working hard on blogging, SEO or simply building your website and your brand, only to have your first comments and inquiries be from “bots”. Bots are automated visitors that spam your comment boxes in order to farm for email addreses, leave links to their website and sometimes to place dangerous spyware on your website.

WordPress makes it very easy to stop these spammers dead in their tracks. We will cover three simple techniques to make your website spam proof and keep your comment section clean.

1. Captcha Plugins. I’m sure everyone has seen “Captchas”. A Captcha is a human verification form which asks the visitor to read an image and type the letters and/or numbers into a form box. Only humans can read the image, which makes it impossible for bots to complete the form.
   1. Here are several captcha plugins:
      1. http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/simple-captcha/
      2. http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-captcha-free/
      3. http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/si-captcha-for-wordpress/
2. Email Images. The best way to have your email spammed is to place your email in text on a contact page or anywhere else on your website. A good practice is to either spell our your email addresses (gilbert AT wpchemist DOT com) instead of (gilbert@wpchemist.com). As of now, bots cannot read email addresses when typed out.
   1. Another option is to use paint to type your email address and then save it as an image. Notice the following email address is actually an image and not text. Bots cannot read an image.
3. Form Box. Another alternative to email addresses is a form submission box. Depending on the form box you are using, you can alter it and rename all of the fields.
   1. SurveyMonkey.com is a great way to not only control spam, but to automate email campaigns for those who fill out your forms. It’s free and you can create as many forms as you want. Here is a great example of form box http://productivityjunkies.com/products/how-to-self-host-using-wordpress-org/
   2. The WordPress Plugin “Contact Form 7” http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/contact-form-7/ is an easier alternative to surveymonkey, but it doesn’t have email campaigns.

There are a lot of ways to protect yourself from spam and bots, but whatever you do, just choose something.

Once spam has gotten out of control and your email address has been sent all over the internet, there it is typically too late.

If you have any questions, and would like further instruction, simply:

Agent Reboot is a power-packed, low cost, local event for real estate professionals. This one-day, fast-paced program, will equip agents with the latest in business development, technology and marketing skills to help them be more successful.

I was really looking forward to this real estate training event. The people involved with it, from the sponsors to the host, Nicole Nicolay are people and brands that I really respect. It just so happens that I have been asked to speak at Agent Reboot Seattle. ( I will be speaking at other Agent Reboot events around the country, stay tuned for those locations.)

To register for Agent Reboot Seattle and get a ticket for $79 use the promo code “darin”. Ticket prices are $149 at the door.

Other Events This Week During Agent Reboot Seattle

With such a great event coming to town it makes sense to leverage every one coming into town for some fun and other real estate training opportunities.

Here are some other things going on that I will be involved in this week:

Coffee With Keller

Tuesday August 18th at 10:00 am PST.

Dan Keller is a mortgage lender in the Puget Sound area that does masterminds and education programs with area real estate agents. I will be talking to him and his group tomorrow morning about my Geographic Farming 2.0 method.

If you would like to come check out Coffee with Keller, here are some driving directions.

Coldwell Banker Bain Technically Speaking

From 2-4 pm I will be sharing info about video, photo, blogging, facebook, twitter and community connection with:

• Rhonda Porter | @mortgageporter | www.mortgageporter.com
• Rich Jacobson | @kitsapagent | www.activerain.com/rich
• Dale Chumbley | @dalechumbley | www.facebook.com/WhyVancouverWA

To register for this event Click Here

Get Social – Tweetups

There are two I know of.

The first one is Tuesday night at McCormicks and Schmicks after the Technically Speaking panel event.

The second one is directly after Agent Reboot Seattle at Lot No. 3 in Bellevue. I’m told that Sherry Chris, CEO of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate is buying the first round.

This is what I know that is going around Seattle this week. If you know of something else, please leave a comment below and I hope to see you!!!

If so keep reading.

Inbound Marketing Is About Getting Found

How are you getting found in the Search Engines?

Using real estate blogging will help increase your exposure online. Optimizing your content, making it remarkable and getting other talking about you, AKA linking to you will help with this. It is a way for you to amplify your marketing.

You can use video blogging or activity based marketing as part of your content creation strategy. Creating quality content that is of value to your target audience will help you get found in the search engines.

How are you getting found in the Social Networks?

Social networking is just that. Being social. And networking.

To be effective in the social media platforms look at creating relationships and providing value. Conversations take place in the social networks and it’s crucial that you are starting conversations, joining in on conversations and listening.

You can gain influence by becoming interested in other people and their projects. When people feel that you are being authentic the Law Of Reciprocity will kick in.

How are you getting found in your local community?

How much time do you spend behind your computer vs. out in your community?

Being involved in your local community and enhancing the relationships you have with regular face to face conversations will help you grow your sphere of influence and increase the number of recommendations you receive.

How are you providing value to your local community? Look at helping local businesses, events and places get found in the Search Engines, Social Networks and by your sphere.

Inbound Marketing In Real Estate

There are so many ways for you to use Inbound Marketing to get found by customers and clients that are looking for a service you are providing.

The market has shifted and marketing has shifted too.

Inbound Marketing is a great strategy for every real estate agent to add to their lead generation strategy.

What are you doing to get found?

Implement Inbound Marketing In Your Real Estate Business

By joining Productivity Junkies Coaching

The iPhone and the Droid have become the superstars of the mobile device world. They are fun. They are sexy. They have touch screens. They have apps. They do a lot of things that a Blackberry can’t do.

So what does Blackberry do?

Do they try to play on the same playing field as the iPhone and Droid?

No.

We Got What They Don’t

They have focused their marketing around a feature that those other guys don’t have. The Blackberry Messenger. It is their way of saying we have something those other guys don’t have. If you go with one of those other phones, you will lose the benefit of the BBM.

I believe the marketing is actually to KEEP current Blackberry users, not to try to get new ones.

Take a look at one of the commercials:

What Are You Doing In Your Real Estate Marketing?

Are you focused on what you don’t have?

Are you focused on the competition? Are you trying to beat them at their own game? On their own field?

Or are you focused on what makes you different?

Get focused on what you have, that they don’t.

What do you do that no one else does? What makes you unique?

PS – My BBM is 30E1C5C8

If you are on Blackberry send me BBM and let me know what you think of this blog post.