Last week, I was in one of our nearby cities, and thought I'm going to test out the waters here. So, I looked up most of the Realtors offices, prepared a list of why Realtors should use home staging, and had befores & afters on glossies in a portfolio. I'll admit, I hate cold calling and even worse selling something. But I thought, I've got to get my name out there to Realtors to let them know about my services. I ended up stopping by 6 Real Estate Offices, handed out about 200 cards, and talked to the receptionists. It was funny, how everything seems to stop when you walk through the door, and all eyes are on you, even though, it appeared people were looking at their computers. All of a sudden, all I could hear was my heart beating faster and faster, and my voice echoing through the office. Just a tad intimidating. One realtor was standing nearby and said, I need a house staged, let me talk to you. I'm thinking, "OK, now I'm getting somewhere." He had a vacant home, which, I have not started doing yet. Well, shoot! Everyone was very friendly, liked my pictures, and said no one was doing staging in that area. Good news for me! And then, I was talking to one receptionist, and a lady standing next to her, blurted "What do you charge!". Found out later, she was not only a realtor, but an interior designer, think I might have hit a nerve.
The next day, my goal was to hit 2 more. As I was leaving town, to visit the last office, I introduced myself, and no sooner did I get home staging out of my mouth, and the office manager said " would you like to give a presentation at one of our Monday morning meetings?" After singing "I believe I can fly", and break-dancing. I calmly said, sure, no problem! So we set up a date, and I am set to present to 15 Realtors. !
The funny thing is, it was later in the day, and I can not tell you how close I came to not stopping at that particular company. But for some reason, something was telling me to make this last stop. I call it a God-thing!
I have been blessed beyond belief, there are no accidents in life, we are placed in locations for a reason. And like a small child, I had to toddle along, and got more confident with every step. I forget, God always watches over me, not just some of time, but, all of the time.
Now, that I've got my feet a little wet, I plan on hitting some local realtors, if nothing more, than to introduce myself, and hand out information and cards.
I found 99% of inquiries have been about vacant staging, so thats what I'm looking into now.
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© Redesign Etc.,Inc. 2006-2012. All Rights Reserved.
Redesign Etc. of Houston is a Full-Service real estate staging company. We stage vacant, occupied, builders specs, condos, townhomes, vacation rentals and commercial property. We offer furniture & accessory rentals at competitive rates. Insured & Incorporated with the State of TX.
Owner, Cindy Bryant has earned the RESA-PROTM designation, holding professional home stagers to the highest industry standards, ethics, integrity and proficiency in staging techniques while protecting Homeowners and Real Estate Agents.
Please visit our portfolio of before and afters and website for more information. Check out our profile page too! Check out our sister sites for the Houston Bay Area League City Home Staging and Galveston Home Staging. Please contact Cindy Bryant for more information or call 281-748-2170.
Areas Served: Houston, River Oaks, Tanglewood, Bellaire, Piney Point, Mid-Town, The Heights, Montrose, Texas Medical Center, The East End, West Loop/Galleria/Memorial, Downtown, Museum District, West University, Spring Branch, Royal Oaks-Lakeside, League City, Clear Lake City, Friendswood, Kemah, Seabrook, Pearland, Sugar Land, Spring, Cypress, Tomball, The Woodlands, Kingwood. And all areas down to Galveston Island.
Congrats to you!!! I think cold calling is the hardest part of our business. I too have a hard time with this. You have given me inspiration to get out there my self and "pound the pavement"
~Kimberly~
Cindy,
One good way to start with vacant home staging is to use one of the big rental companies if they are in your area. Use them for the big items of furniture and then you can come in and do the finishing touches with accessories and placements. I found a local company that I can use as an alternative to the big rentals when I am looking for something more unique. They have a very high delivery and pickup charge $1,000) but for their monthly rental we worked it out at 6% of the retail price. So for a two month rental on $10,000 worth of furniture I pay about the same as with the two large rental companies- ($2200 for 2 months) and with all of them the great advantage is that I do not have to do the schelping!
Cindy,
I have done the cold call with no success, the receptionist takes my cards, brochure and goody basket I have prepared and that has been the end of it.
My best opportunities have come from stopping at Open Houses on the week-ends. I was lucky enough to meet a broker at one of my stops and she invited me to attend a weekly sales meeting and present my staging business.
Congrats Cindy, and the fact that you acknowledged it was a God -" thing" is awesome testimony! I also believe there are no coincidences but recognizing them for what they are when they come is amazing. Listening to that "still, small voice" and acting on it led you to the right place. I can tell you many instances of the God - "thing" - in my own life - including this staging career - He has guided and driven me throughout this process and daily I see His hand in my life and work. Continued blessings to you!
Cindy,
You did yourself proud! Cold-calling is very intimidating and you carried it off beautifully! The vacants can be a bit of a challenge, but you can pull them off if you are able to be flexible. I just wrote a blog about that - you might want to check it out.
VAL
Cold calling does not need to be cold. New blog title! It can be intimidating but they receive it or they don't . You managed to give God the credit for stopping so just trust that He is ordering those baby steps of yours & trust.
What is the worst they can do to you?
Great information Cindy. I'm getting ready to deliver goody baskets but have decided to make cold calling part of the delivery. Two steps in one! Thanks!
Terry Haugen - STAGE it RIGHT!
Great job! Cold calling is not always easy. I worked at a florist all through high school so before cold calling I make up simple arrangements (usually alstromeria) put my business card on the card holder. As soon as I walk in the receptionist lights up, who are the flowers for? I am no longer annonying salesperson, I am the deliverer of happiness! She happily takes my flyers and brochures, the flowers are also a testimony to the fact that I am crafty. It is a great way to get in the door.
Erica,
Thats a great idea, now you've really got me thinking. Thanks!!
Cindy,
Your blog will be immensely helpful to many stagers who are intimidated by cold-calling. With about 12 years prior experience in outside sales, I LOVE walking in and talking to the receptionist (who is such a key person in 98% of offices). You had great results, and now you'll have the confidence to just keep doing this -- it gets easier and easier. I agree there's a reason why you stopped at that office....it's wonderful how synchronicity happens when your heart is in the right place.
Hi cindy,
have a brochure made up for your business. i got a local campany to do it and it turned out great. it had pricing info, something about me, thank you etc. you ask to put them in the mail boxes and most companies will let you do this. the more you do it the easier it gets. maria
Cindi: I praise you for having the confidence and stepping out of your comfort zone. Sometimes, God wants us to learn like that and see how much He has rewarded you. Congratulations. It's off to a good start. It's better than sitting at your office, creating heaps and heaps of awesome flyers and brochures but no one to show them to.
Cindy,
I am curious, how did the meeting go with the 15 realtors? I have a realtor friend who wants to set up a Monday morning presentation as well, and I am stumped!!!
Can I pick your brain about what you did?
Thanks so much!
Heather
Heather,
Unfortunately, I have not had the meeting yet, but will let you know. Their Mon. morning meetings were booked up until June. They did call one Friday and said they had a cancellation that Mon., but I already had commitments. I do plan on making it interactive, get them to start talking, it will help put everyone at ease. I'm sure you'll do fine, once you get going the words will come to you. I always have this fear, I'll either freeze or just chatter too much. While, it will be intimidating, remember, they are experts in their field, and you in yours! Best of luck to ya! Let me know how it goes.
Will do Cindy Thanks. You too, Knock em Dead!
thank you very much for the informative and interesting post. I get so much out of the active rain network.
Thanks Paul, this post is an oldie from 07, I'm surprised it's still out there : )