When I was a little girl...I learned early on...ask and you shall receive.. sometimes I had to ask a couple of times using different methods..I know you understand what I am talking about..after all each and every one of us were kids once and even as adults we use this method...its pretty simple..I call it..
P-R-O-S-P-E-C-T-I-N-G
When I started the fundraiser I raised $700.00. Prospecting to the test...warm calling that is...Midori Style!
For me I thought this was going to be a piece of cake but once I got there..my goal was too high. I say that because I was slow putting my web page together...sending emails and making phone calls and darn it I ran out of time to send that final email reminder to my sphere of influence. I waited..I got busy...doing other things...any thing except what I was supposed to be doing...looking for the donations for the MDA that would mean prospecting every chance I had!
I set my goal for $1,000.00. Many of my friends are in the real estate business. I know real estate professionals they are so giving...which leads me to say many contribute to many charities..small donations. Many organizations...so I know I can't be greedy..I was willing to take a dollar, anything because I knew the strength would be in numbers. Real Estate is a numbers game and so is prospecting!
So with laptop in front of me and my cell phone and headset on..I began..it was a slow start but then I got on a roll. I had tabs across my browser...activerain, my mda page, email and the google search. I started calling and emailing and an amazing thing happened. When I left I raised $925.00. I was disappointed in myself..do you ever feel that way about prospecting? Commit to a realistic goal of prospecting..via face to face, online and on the phone!
It definitely was a networking event..business owners..city representatives, heck I road back with a real jail guard. It was funny..the jail guard went to jail! (I have a secret to reveal, I kinda felt bad..he didn't raise very much money) I think he might need to work on his sphere. One of my friends from RE/Max stopped by to see me to drop off her donation..wouldn't you know it by just showing up and talking with people..she actually has a potential listing. Be creative in the networking events you attend!
I Wrote a few posts...others wrote posts...maybe a total 6..oh and 2 re-blogs baby! Sent an email out..and casually talked face to face..and phone. The day of...I called..warm called..to people who I had never called before but called people who I feel I know because of my social networking..time was of the essence. Manage Your Time!
I called, no answer, I listened to the message. Very few gave their email address in their phone message but many stated they would respond within 24 hours or as quickly as possible. Nope I did not leave too many messages. Just like a buyer or seller sometimes 24 hours is too long.
By the end of the day I was done! In all honesty I probably worked 4 hours prospecting. I don't recommend that much every day but I would prospect until I got an appointment.
I was so excited each and every time I spoke to someone heck I even called Sara Bonert and asked her for Zillow ..I thought I'm going to call Spencer Rascoff. Today I got guts! I remembered as a kid..ask and you shall receive. Take a leap of faith, sometimes people really surprise you!
This evening I came home and found a few surprises in my email. I am still raising money..sometimes you have to patient and know prospecting efforts will pan out and if you stay in touch your odds have increased. What you do now will come to you within 90 days!
During the entire event you could ring the bell or use the hand clappers for donations of $100.00. My goal was many donations but I would have loved to hear the bell go off just once.
Spencer Rascoff of Zillow.com sent me an email and happily donated to MDA. I ran out into my living room and rang my little oriental bell, OK I admit I got goosebumps and star struck! :) Hey it's Spencer and Zillow.com.
One thing about Spencer he made it clear, 24 hours by phone or for a faster response email him. I liked that! I emailed him..and wouldn't you know it he ended up my biggest contributor so In the process I changed my voice mail recording. People can sometimes surprise you..ask and you shall receive.
The MDA girls, they were cute..and did an excellent job. They knew who I was because I sent them the link to my blog..I just knew their names but now I know the faces. I was impressed..with the marketing..I was impressed with all the volunteers..with all the sponsors..and how they treated us. Those girls treated us like celeb's and I had a blast!
This morning when I walked in the office..I started cleaning up my desk..I gotta get better organized and adjust a few things but after just being released from jail...and a good nights sleep...It felt good but better yet it produced results. I'm going to be prospecting more than ever!
Tomorrow's post...Who did I talk to? Who donated? Who acknowledged I was prospecting? Whose autograph did I request? Stay tuned!
Great persistance and for a good cause!
Still a great job, don't worry !
Thanks,
Tom Davis
World Class DE Realtor
Glad to hear you raised that much, every little bit counts!!
Congrats Midori, I knew you could do it. Never a doubt.
Midori, Thank you for taking the time out of your day to volunteer for such a worthy cause. I am glad to hear that you reached your goal.
Persistence and determination will take you a long way... I practically live on them. - Sometimes I'm too dumb to realize it can't be done and go ahead and get it done it anyway.
Great work! I'm sure the kid will enjoy the camp!
words of wisdom!!!
Every little bit does count - great job!