"I have hired Gail & Company for both business and personal projects (invitations, print and electronic direct mail and other marketing collateral). Ms. Lewis was my direct point of contact and she brings real value to a business relationship. I determine value as 'producing the desired result in a timely, creative, friendly, efficient and cost effective manner'." Michelle Williams | The Natural Juice Bar
Roughly sixty percent of real estate professionals are women. Surprised? Or does that sound about right?
The skill-set necessary for an agent seems right up the alley of a woman’s natural abilities. Work long and hard, connect with your customers on an emotional and professional level, persevere when road is bumpy and frustrations are plentiful. No matter what the occupation, women making a place for themselves have had to rely on those attributes to get by.
In her book, Iron Butterflies: Women Transforming Themselves, Dr. Birute Regine talks about the common traits of successful women, regardless of their age, ethnicity or nationality. These women have fought those battles, handled the frustrations and evolved into those “Iron Butterflies” – “radically vulnerable, revolutionary, a strong healer, and someone who welcomes the paradoxical into their life.” Through that revolutionary change, that empowering self-belief, they are able to collaborate, lead and negotiate through the next phase of their lives and careers.
Are you at a point in your career where that sounds like who you are? Or are you wishing tomorrow to wake up, climb out of the chrysalis, and live that life actively?
We all have our paths to take. We all have our particular positive attributes and the things we need to battle, internally and externally. In a world that sees a female Secretary of State and yet still a pay discrepancy between men and women for nearly every profession, it can be difficult to find your own “sea legs” when it comes to your real estate career.
How can we use the ideas of these revolutionary “Iron Butterflies”? Can you step into the impressions left by their shoe prints?
Think about what makes you a great agent—your personality, your experience and yes, even your gender. What you bring to the table is unique and special and it can be cultivated into an even more powerful tool in your arsenal.
And consider these ideas from Dr. Regine’s book—The Four C’s of Becoming an Iron Butterfly.
Connect to Your Passion. A lot of people are doing work they aren’t passionate about. It’s important to connect with something you are passionate about even if it is as hobby.
Collaborate with Women as a Way of Healing. Collaboration enables you to compete. There is a lot of distrust among women, but instead of being worried about betrayal, try to trust. Successful influential women always have a large support network.
Recognize Feminine Power as a Collective Power. “The world of collaboration is all new territory. That is what is Obama trying to do,” Regine says. “It requires a lot of self reflection, openness and it requires going beyond yourself. It is asking what is the common benefit for both of us? We are at a tipping point and moving from a domination-based society to a more collaborative one. There is the myth that you need to do it alone and be more effective.”
Have a Sense of Community and Find the Connectors. Know that you are part of a movement that is happening. On the average, most women are leading the way and often don’t realize they are part of something bigger. Most women show collaborative leadership. It is leadership that is done behind closed doors through mutual empowerment where there’s not a lot of chest pounding. It’s important for companies to find those connectors and start rewarding them.
(Source: Thank you to Dawn Reiss—a Chicago-based journalist who has written for a variety of outlets including: TIME Magazine, Chicago Tribune and Travel + Leisure—and her article, Iron Butterflies: How Remarkable Women Lead).
Recently, I was honored to be featured on page 76 of the “2011 Women in Real Estate” Spotlight Issue by The New York Real Estate Journal. When asked what advice I had for women in the commercial real estate business, my answer boiled down to this: Hone your craft. Be the dynamic resource your clients desire and demand. To achieve that, you need to reach down inside yourself and harness all that wonderful feminine power and emerge as an “Iron Butterfly”.
Believe and succeed!
UPDATE: View the video and photos of this event
The next stop for JudyNetworks’ Summer Soiree is Manhattan. August 12th be right in the heart of Manhattan overlooking Central Park. Join us at the Helmsley Park Lane for an evening of networking, history and fun with other real estate professionals.
The evening will be comprised of:
When shopping at the mall I take photos of a cute top or fabulous pair of jeans on my mobile and email it to my sister for her opinion. I sometimes send her a BB (blackberry instant message) with a link to the store’s site. She in turn sends me links to items she would like me to purchase. While in the store I open the link…show the item to the sales person and then I am off. No printing of lists (saving the trees!!) or trying to remember what she wants. Now my fellow marketers, do you see the goldmine that awaits you on the mobile phone? Each link I send or receive from my sister includes ads on the landing pages. Hence I am enticed to shop for other items. This month my magazine subscriptions have been chatting about mobile marketing. This post summarizes some tips from American Marketing Association’s (AMA) Magazine, Marketing News. I look forward to reading your comments about mobile marketing.
According to the Marketing News article Tao of Mobile Marketing (written by Elisabeth A. Sullivan), “Eastern markets like Japan and South Korea have led the way for mobile marketing. While the power is shifting noticeably westward—especially as the iPhone’s technological tentacles wrap around the globe—US marketers can learn from Eastern marketers’ mobile experience.”
Just the STATS
67% of the world’s population is using mobile phones, compared with only 26% who use the internet.
(Source: Marketing News, United Nations’ International Telecommunication Union February Report)
East Vs. West
(Source: Central Intelligence Agency’s World Factbook, www.cia.gov * in 2009 **in 2008)
Change is here—the ways in which your audience view and process information from standard media sources has changed. Technology has empowered the consumer to access information as they read and surf across offline and online media. My children (I am guilty of it as well) are engaged in watching TV, chatting with friends on Facebook and surfing the Internet to research a movie/song/gadget/concert all at the same time.
Small, medium and big companies are paying attention to the digital culture. Forrester Research provides a peek at the interactive marketing budget of US companies. The interactive marketing spending as a percentage of all advertising spending will grow from 13% in 2010 to 21% in 2014. The two top choices for interactive marketing investing are search marketing and display advertising. See chart below.
Staying in touch is an effective marketing tool because it keeps you at the top of the list with your clients and prospects. Here are six simple low cost ways you can stay in touch with your clients or customers:
Gail Lewis, founder of Gail’s Graphic Designs, was honored in New York Real Estate Journal’s 7th Annual Women in Real Estate Spotlight issue . In this issue Ms. Lewis answers the question “What impact has social networking had on your success?”
The special issue recognizes women and their achievements. “I am truly grateful to be named amongst the esteemed list of women honored this year,” said Lewis. “This recognition is a great way to end 2009 and start off 2010 as Gail’s Graphic Designs continues on its path towards great success.”
Ms. Lewis has more than 15 years of marketing experience, including senior level corporate marketing positions in leading commercial real estate investment and service companies. Ms. Lewis has extensive background in advertising, website management, events & sponsorships, marketing collateral, and email-marketing initiatives
A graduate from Bernard M. Baruch CUNY, Ms. Lewis earned her Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus on Operations Management. She is a member of the American Marketing Association (AMA) as well as the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce, Inc. (CACCI). Ms. Lewis is also a contributing writer to “Mind Your Business” column in Your Money eZine (Jamaica’s premier business and financial eZine).
About Gail’s Graphic Designs
Based in New York, Gail’s Graphic Designs offers a broad spectrum of creative design and communication solutions to assist in the marketing of your product or services. Visit Gail’s Graphic Designs at www.gailsdtp.com.
About New York Real Estate Journal
New York Real Estate Journal is the largest weekly commercial investment real estate newspaper in the state of New York covering all aspects of the commercial real estate industry. Learn more at www.nyrej.com.
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I conducted a mini survey of my clients and colleagues to see where advertising dollars are going. Well, more funds are being allocated to social media and online advertising in the coming months. After reading the August issue of American Marketing Association’s (AMA) Marketing News magazine, I must caution everyone on the online ad methods they use. Based on a survey done by a LinkedIn Research Network/Harris Poll survey, many viewers are not so happy with the online advertising techniques used today. Responders answered the question: “How frustrating are the following characteristics of Internet advertising?”
When creating your online ads for this fall, use the bells and whistles with caution.
Congratulations
Susie's Hot Sauce
“To entrepreneur Ms. Rosemarie “Rosie” McMaster who was recently honored with the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
She is the Managing Director of the award winning
Susie’s Hot Sauce”
(SunBiz Showcase Alliance PLLC, E-Newsletter July 17, 2009)
Rosie, there is no doubt that your recent achievements will be spoken of for some time to come and that the admiration for your accomplishments is felt by all of us within the industry as well as the general public.
Please accept my heartiest congratulations for your success.
About Susie’s Hot Sauce
Susie’s Hot Sauce is a small cottage business from the tiny Caribbean nation of Antigua-Barbuda, yet it is internationally renowned for its huge taste. It is almost impossible to visit Antigua without becoming intimately acquainted with this Caribbean delicacy. And once you’ve been introduced…It is even harder to forget! Susie’s has been pleasing palates since 1960 when Susie’s Original Hot Sauce was first introduced. Its award-winning red habanero and scotch bonnet hot sauces have captured the hearts, minds and taste buds of chile heads and pepper sauce aficionados all over the world. Visitors to our friendly twin islands insist on returning home with bottles of Susie’s sauces for family and friends, sharing the warmth of the sun-drenched paradise, its people, and the joy of their tropical experience. For more information, visit www.susieshotsauce.com.
A great time was had by many if not all exhibitors and attendees at the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade’s (NASFT) 55th Summer Fancy Food Show held at the Javitz Center in New York City —June 28-30.
According to NASFT’s website, “the recent Fancy Food Show attracted up to 24,000 attendees from every major food buying channel, influential members of the trade and consumer press and other related businesses. This year’s show had a record breaking 2,300 exhibitors showcasing 140,000 specialty foods and beverages from the U.S. and more than 70 other countries.” NASFT will continue its YouTube Channel and blog. So join them on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook!
I had an opportunity to meet with a few friends from the Twittersphere. One of my most interesting observations at the show was that some of the exhibitors used social media as a low/no cost option to promote their company and products/services. Congratulations to the exhibitors — @MarieSharps, @SomebodysMother, @CiaoBellaGelato, @FINDOOD, @patsysnyc, @IsabellasNYC, @GagneFoods, @KlickKitchen, @midclass, @Gourmetibles — who successfully used Twitter to gain booth traffic and potentially develop long term business relationships.
Conversation snippets heard on the floor:
For the 4th year, we worked with Sam Kruiner of The Caribbean Export Development Agency (Caribbean Export) in the marketing and promotion of Caribbean Export’s ”Caribbean Pavilion” participation in the show. We provided marketing consultation, event brochure design and PR services.
I was delighted to say hello to old friends as well as meet new ones at the 2009 Caribbean Pavilion. Exhibitors in the Pavilion included Baron Foods, Ltd, Belize Aquaculture, BABA Ltd, BIDC, Central Food Packers, Calypso Rum Cake, CED, De La Grenade Industries, Erica’s Country Style, JTI, Country Traders, Honey Bun, Value Manufacture, KC Candy, Matouk’s, Marie Sharpe’s Fine Foods Ltd, Susie’s Hot Sauce, St. Vincent Breweries, St. Vincent Distillers, TTABA-Flavour Islands, and West Best Foods.
Show Photos:
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