Ok, so apparently my focus was in the right place at the right time (or at least my mini-van was!). I was on my way to an appointment for a large renovation vacant home staging job when I got a call on my cell phone. Those of you with advertising on your vehicle (that's all of you, right?) know how it goes....
"Hi, are you driving a red mini van? Great, I'm in the car behind you....." The caller goes on to say that her sister, an elderly woman, just moved into a new home and needs help! Today I did a general walkthrough to estimate the time it will take to unpack her home and set up everything. My estimate is approximately 3 days, maybe 4. My daily rate is $750. We begin work on Tuesday - my first available day. (I have to unstage 2 homes and stage 3 others between now and then!)
The moral of this story....
1) ALWAYS have signage on your vehicle. Why are you paying for a website and NOT for car signage? And don't tell me you don't have a website either.... we'll need to have some serious conversations if this is you....
2) FOCUS on the business you would like to have. I've found whenever I start thinking of what I WANT to work on the universe provides
3) REMEMBER that there are many ways to bring in income in this business. Keep your options open & constantly look for possibilities!
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Melissa Marro, a published artist, now turned staging advocate and national speaker speaks her mind about real estate and the home staging industry. In her 'no holds barred' approach, audience members find real answers to the industries pitfalls and learn how to overcome them with tried and true information and guidance. With marketing as her passion, she turned a small home based business into one of the nation's largest home staging and training facilities. Selling her successful home staging company in January 2012, Marro is now a full time speaker and instructor for Staging And Resign and Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)'s trade events.
For more information on having Marro speak at one of your real estate functions, please contact her at 843.619.1593 or email at marro.melissa@gmail.com
Melissa - One day I was in Pier one, I had about a dozen pillows that had dragged over to this couch and I was arranging them to see which colors worked best. (I'm sure you've been there) This woman comes up to me and says are you a home stager? I was like, um yes, How did you know? She said she saw the sign on my van, came in and looked around to see which person was the likely stager - she guessed the one arranging dozens of pillows (and by that time I had coffee table accessories to match). I ended up doing a staging for her son who was moving.
You know how they say cops have a certain look, well maybe stagers have the same look when they are in the zone. ;)
Excellent post, Melissa. Yes, I too have magnet signs on my car. In fact, I met a broker while pumping gas once. Oh, and a painter to boot.
Kathy
Karen - I actually have lettering on my vehicle, not magnetic. I think it is more eye catching personally. You can have either done at pretty much an signage shop. Look at the little strip centers for a Signs ASAP, Sign it Quick or something similar. It's pretty inexpensive to have done & one job will pay for it! Also, I HIGHLY recommend that you have the back of the vehicle done if at all possible (which is one reason I have lettering). WHY the back? My phone calls always start the same way when they see my car, "I'm in the car BEHIND you...." It is never NEXT to me.... always BEHIND me! Get the point?
Maureen - YES! I have been there done that.... at Pier 1 actually... lol! I seem to be there A LOT though, maybe it is just law of averages...
Kathy - Whenever I drive by an agent (and how do I know it's an agent - their car signs!) I always say (to myself) .... Are you looking?? Hello... pay attention to me!!! YOU NEED ME!!!! .... lol!
Oh YES Melissa, I blogged about signs a while back. I have three on my vehicle (big lettering) and one yard sign. Its like insurance, you can never have too much!
Terry Haugen - STAGE it RIGHT!
Ooh! I can answer this one. I had collected two names of places to do decals when I was in network marketing (what was I thinking?) Now, I can put that info to use. Here you are:-
http://www.webdecal.com/customorderpage.shtml
and
http://decalkits.com/
Do you get a lot of move-in business? I've always turned it away in the past, but maybe it's good money and if you were doing surface staging for them, you probably know the homeowner's stuff as well as they do.
What does your decal/car signage say?
Great post Melissa!
I whole heartedly agree! I put car magnets on each side of my car about 6 weeks ago. We leave them on and go everywhere. I got the idea from Val Allocco and other Realtors in my area doing this. It also lets the homeowner know when you have arrived.
Most importantly, you could be grabbing lunch and someone could be writing down your info! Keep it simple and to the point. Your company name, number, website and email, I used a catchy short slogan instead of the email since it is on my website anyway.
Great post. I just posted a blog on marketing tips and if it's ok., Melissa we can add it to the list? Question, $750 day includes all furniture and accessories from your inventory or is that just your time and furniture rental is separate?
Lisa - The $750 rate I mentioned is for move-in services or owner occupied properties (and is only my or my team's time, anything additional would be an additional charge). When I stage a vacant home I charge $500 staging fee, $100 delivery fee and then monthly rates range from $350-$600 depending on size and price point of home. There is also a 3 month minimum. The average vacant contract runs between $1650-$2400.
YES! You can feel free to add it to the list.
Betty - Good for you! Keep us posted on how things go!