By Anthony Garritano

NEW YORK-Now is as good a time as any to really talk about the problems that exist in the mortgage space. And certainly there are a few problems out there. Gone are the days when it’s best to keep everything close to the vest to maintain a competitive advantage. The industry has to open up and communicate, and let’s face it open communication is what the Internet, and more specifically, blogs are for. And slowly but surely, the industry is getting this message.

For example, Cyberhomes recently launched a blog that extends the full potential of information exchange and social networking to professionals in the real estate and mortgage industries. CyberhomesBlog.com delivers writing and analysis of real estate trends and technology. Cyberhomes.com is the home and neighborhood evaluation portal launched in 2007 by Fidelity National Financial Inc., a Fortune 500 provider of products, services and technology solutions to the financial and real estate industries. “Internet and social networking technology have brought us to the point where a well designed and maintained blog can now serve an entire industry the way the water cooler, bulletin board, break room and even test kitchen once served a single office,” said Reggie Nicolay, Cyberhomes’ director of social media in a prepared statement.

Also, Bill Adamowski has taken the idea of blogging even further by launching MorLinkz, the first professional online networking community dedicated to the mortgage industry. Free to mortgage professionals, the MorLinkz network enables its members to connect with each other and collaborate online. In addition, members can post jobs, find jobs, get industry news, discover new business opportunities, publish blogs, participate in forums, etc.

Here are some simple ways to promote your products and services in 2009 courtesy of Salesrep Radio (check out their excellent podcast here):

1. You talk about your product/services – face to face networking like BNI
2. You write about your product/services – start a blog
3. Other people talk about your product/services – testimonials

Testimonials – use them to fulfill this third type of marketing

• Holidays – we just came through the rounds of cards so send a note anytime you can add some value to your clients’ lives.
• Use social opportunities to build relationships – there really is something to those extra football tickets after all
• ASK for the testimonial using these questions:
  • Why was it a good experience?
  • Describe the experience with your salesperson
  • Describe your experience with the product/service
• Use an online assessment tool – like SurveyMonkey
• Methods:
  • Written – develop a scrapbook, use your website (think of Amazon user reviews)
  • Audio – carry a voice recorder or turn your phone into one
  • Video – next wave – by seeing that client, prospects can see the sincerity of the message.  Check out the Flip MinoHD

Image consultant Gloria Starr said “In every business and personal life situation, appearance counts! Packaging is all about appearance. Will someone like you, trust you, buy from you, hire you, date you or ask to marry you?

Your brand at a glance: The way you package yourself is not a mask to disguise yourself. It is exactly the opposite. Your personal packaging is a way to communicate the substance, the integrity and likeability of you as an individual.

“People are influenced consciously and unconsciously by your appearance, your physical attributes, your accessories, your speaking pattern and grammar and your gestures. You will be evaluated on your business card, your resume, the car you drive, the pen you write with, the clothing you wear, your voice and your posture.

“Polish, poise, posture, presence and positioning all add up to a fabulous presentation of yourself. Always showcase yourself in the best possible way – your personal and professional most appealing and authentic self.

“Learn to stand out in the crowd. Select garments that suggest power. Clean lines, solid colors and accessories that spell success. Build a core wardrobe around two or three basic colors and add accents in a blouse or shirt and your accessories. Cloak yourself in the garments that spell leader.

“Excellent posture adds presence, makes you look thinner and adds to the look of confidence and leadership. Head to toe, your package should express your talents and ability, your winning attributes and charisma.”

http://www.gloriastarr.com