After taking some additional training, I learned how to improve my business and to improve my internal system. Let me share a few tips that I put to work and perfected for real estate business.
The first thing you need to do is to have a clear understanding of what you are trying to accomplish. How would you explain the steps of your business to someone else? I did this when I was trying to explain to my husband one day about what task I accomplished each day and why. I am a visual person so I found that creating a diagram worked best for me.
I started by creating a diagram showing the different strategies I was contemplating with my business.
Then I took one specific strategy and I created a new diagram with more details for that specific strategy.
This now gives me a very clear image of what I am trying to accomplish and from there I can start writing down a list of tasks I need to do to complete a project.
Once I have my "To Do List", I get tools that can help be delegate or simplify these tasks. Here are some of the tools I have recently started adding to my business system that I have found to be extremely helpful.
www.upwork.com
I use upwork (which used to be called ODesk) to employ virtual assistants. The main task I have them handle is to answer the emails coming in from my ads. I provided the VA (Virtual Assistant) with the response I want to inquiries on my ads and files to attach. My main VA is a mom from the Philippines that requested $3.50/hour.
Be sure you are very clear with the tasks you want accomplish and how to do it.
www.fiverr.com
I am completely addicted to Fiverr at the moment. Very similar to Upwork, I mostly use Fiverr for random tasks. I had them design my new business cards, I had them redo my brochure so that it would have a more professional look. It's called Fiverr because you can request any jobs done for as little as $5. Had I know about this sooner, I would have them create my website, design a logo, and so much more. They are quick and very talented. Again you are using the skills of people from all around the world.
www.emailmeform.com
This as proven to be a great tool and best of all it is available free! I mostly used this for my tenant-buyer. When they answer my kijiji ad my VA forward to them my brochure, a link to my website as well as a link to my "Pre-Application" form which is an "EmailMeForm". This also keeps track of all the information collected into a database. It is possible to export that information to an other software such as Excel.
www.docusign.com
I have discovered this tool early on in my business. When I first started my real estate investment business, when I placed offers on properties, I would print out the offer sign it then I would either fax it or scan it and email it back. This became difficult when I started travelling for Rich Dad Education. Now with DocuSign I can place my signature directly onto the contract emailed to me and I email it back. No need to print or scan. Big time saver and so much more efficient.
www.setmore.com
This as been a new addition to my system. Once I received the pre-application from potential tenant-buyers I would then start playing phone tags with them. Altough I ask when is a good time to call, we wouldn't always connect. I started using SetMore which is a scheduling software. So now I sent the tenant-buyers a link and SetMore will show them my schedule of when I can take a call and they can schedule their call. If I have an appointment that comes up I can also block off sections of times. Such a time saver!
These are only a few I am currently using. I hope you find these tools helpful for your own business. Please leave a comment and share some of the ones that you have come across.
