Steven Shewell's (sshewell) Blog

Are you good at probing?  Do you consistently ask the right questions or do you often put size 12 shoes in your mouth when you try to sell?  Chances are you've learned how to ask good questions but haven't been taught the meaning and intent of the answers.  When a customer speaks, he communicates...

I just read a story in my local paper regarding Google.  Okay, it was last Sunday's paper, but I've been busy.  Give me a break.Any way, I responded earlier to a post regarding Google and I said that I really didn't care about what they did.  However, in the Sunday paper, the article stated that ...

Have you ever stopped to think about the message you are communicating to the public at large and if it should be more targeted to a specific clientele?  What would you do if you found out that your message was delivered to someone that may not have an interest in what you are promoting?I write a...

As you read today's column, make a mental note of those ideas/concepts that might be holding you back, and conversely, what you need to do to set yourself up to win instead of fail.1.  Setting Unrealistic GoalsAn unrealistic goal is a goal you can't see yourself achieving.  An unrealistic goal is...

It's not about customer service; it's about customer loyalty.  It's not about brand awareness; it's about brand insistence.  And it's not about closing a sale; it's about attracting and keeping clients for life.  To achieve success at a high level in the real estate business, you have to reach be...

It's no secret that many parts of the country are experiencing slower sales activity as listing inventories seem to be growing.  So, why won't your house sell?One day a woman named Mary called to ask for real estate advice.  She started by saying that her house had been listed for four months wit...

Have you ever received a thank you letter from one of your clients after a job well done?  Doesn't it make you feel good to receive these letters, just when your clients are feeling their best after selling a property or buying their dream home?Have you ever given thought to the marketing effort ...

In life, business, relationships, you name it, when we fail, we fail primarily not for what we don't know, but what we do know but don't act upon.  Inside each of us, there are elements pulling in many different directions.  Some of these things hold us back from reaching our true potential, and ...

What kind of business are you running?  How you position yourself to the consumer will ultimately reflect in the types of clients you attract.For today's article, I want to talk about commissions.  Are you operating a full service business that recognizes its value or are you more of the flea mar...

Does your environment promote success?  Who you associate yourself with may have a bigger impact on your career than you would suspect.You're sitting in your office.  Very little is happening.  There is no energy.  A colleague asks how you're doing.  "Not too well," you say.  "The market's been k...