Sure, business might start slowing down for the next couple weeks.  But on January 2^nd, you’d better be prepared to start the year strong.  Here are several things you can do over the next 10 days to start the New Year strong.

1. Build a Plan: What’s your income goal for 2010?  How many buyers and sellers do you need to get there?  And how do you intend to find them?  Creating a marketing plan for next year is Step One.  Make sure you do that now, so that you’re focused on execution in early January.

2. Market the Tax Credit: Make sure everyone in your farming area knows about the new, expanded Tax Credit.  Use our marketing ideas, like these real estate marketing ideas for 2015, as inspiration for building your own plan

3. Resolve New Year’s Resolutions: Many of your prospective customers in 2010 will start the year with a New Year’s Resolution to buy or sell a house.  That activity, even if it’s for later in the year, will be top of mind.  Use that to get their attention and build a relationship now.

4. Lock in Advertising Rates Now: Everywhere you spend your marketing dollars is ending their month, quarter and year in a few days.  They’ll be ready to negotiate great rates.  Locking in your advertising and marketing now will save you money vs. doing the same thing in early January.

5. Call Past Customers for Referrals: Believe it or not, now’s a great time to call.  They’re working a bit less, and are more likely to be home.  Call with a simple holiday greeting (write a short script for voicemails too) and you’ll be pleasantly surprised how many customers want to introduce you to friends, neighbors and more (either right away or in early January)

Now it’s your turn.  What are you doing over the next 10 days to set up a BIG January?  Add your ideas below, and we’ll re-publish the best ideas back to our agent community (with full name attribution, as well as a link to your own Web site).