Jennifer Allan is one of the first people to develop a Sphere of Influence business model for real estate professionals. This is a totally different and very refreshing approach you will want to learn more about. Listen to my interview with Jennifer and discover what you can be doing to cultivate your Sphere of Influence and the impact it will have on your career.

Like many real estate professionals I know, I love to travel.  Life is such an adventure and a real estate career is our ‘ticket to ride’.  We just have to get a little organised and as I’m about to share with you, it really pays to go travel shopping at the right time and in the right places.  Some years back, a friend in the travel business gave me his ‘secrets’ to cheap flights and accommodation.  He said there are 2 types of travellers: One who just rolls up and pays full ‘whack’ and the other who knows where to look and when to buy.  So why pay the full whack when you can save a fortune?  If you love travelling as much as me, I know you’re going to want to try these ideas as soon as you can.  Enjoy!

This week I had occasion to drag out my Cheap Travel Secrets.  I’ve had a dozen emails from people in other states and NZ wanting to attend our 45 Day Heroes Live coaching event (50 places only) in Brisbane on Thursday June 11. 

Here is a typical response I sent:

Dear Amanda. 

So pleased you can join us at 45 Day Heroes on June 11.  I have seen the updated content for our event and believe it’s some of the finest personal training and mentoring material I’ve ever been involved with.  Plus, in a room of only 50, you’ll be getting all the personal guidance and coaching you need to make your next year a ‘cracker’ and leave your real estate competitors in the dust.

And just to tease you…there is one new idea/concept we are going to present that will be worth you getting there.  The rest of the day will be a huge added bonus!

Okay, you asked me about flights and accommodation in Brisbane…  I have used these travel’ rules for years and they rarely let me down.  I now entrust them to you and hope you will pass them on to friends and family or anyone who wants to save on travelling expenses. 

I always shop online for flights and accom on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.   It seems the airlines load seat prices on the weekends because that’s when the bulk of the population get an opportunity to log on.  However, if a ‘seat sale’ starts and is not sold off, it will run over the weekend too. 

The airlines almost always launch seat sales on a Tuesday afternoon around 2pm eastern.  I follow availability online and normally book a week or two before.

Last week I bought a flight for next week from Buffalo New York to San Francisco for $89!!! (you couldn’t walk there for that!!!)

I then went to orbitz.com and found a really nice hotel in San Francisco near the water for $120 a night when the going room rate in this hotel is $350 per night.  I don’t always have that much luck but it’s fun to try.

For Aussie flights and deals, I go to webjet.com.au.  I then check the site of the best airline for more details.  I just looked at webjet.com.au and notice Jetstar have a 4.35pm Avalon to Bris one way Wed June 10 for $99!

I use orbitz.com and wotif.com to shop for good hotels at cheap rates.  I Google map the venue where I’m going and see where the hotel ‘cluster’ is located.  I don’t necessarily need to stay at the or near the venue I’m attending in any city.  I like to get accom near a local dining strip (that’s local not tourist) so I’m not held ransom by the hotels for food)

If I can’t find a hotel I like at the right price before I leave, I generally get to my destination city by lunchtime and get myself to a good local bookstore.  I find a good guide to that city at the bookstore (you don’t need to buy it) and see where the good dining, shops and fun places are.  (you can often research this online before you leave)  I’m looking for non tourist areas where I won’t be ripped off. 

I will ask a cab driver where the best hotels are and call in later in the day and say something like;   “I’m just shopping around for a good room rate for the night, do y0u have any deals?”  The receptionist will then go into sales mode and I normally get a reasonable discount on a good room.  This is a bit risky I know but I have NEVER missed out and ALWAYS got a deal. 

In summary, I treat it as a bit of an adventure. 

Hope this help.  Cheers Ray

PS:  I should mention my Golden Travel Rule as well.  Make sure you aim get to the airport 2 hours before your flight.  If traffic delays you, it will help.  If your flight is cancelled you can often grab another that actually leaves before your scheduled (now cancelled) flight.  You can also get the best seats (I like exit aisle for the space and comfort).

I used to be a ‘last minute larry’ but trust me, it’s way too stressful.  I get there early, get a good seat, then read my book or a magazine or answer some emails while I wait for my flight. 

+++++++++ end of email message to Amanda+++++++++++

So there are my secrets.  Why not try out my cheap travel secrets for yourself now and get yourself to 45 Day Heroes for an action packed day of solid coaching and mentoring that promises to be the best financial investment in yourself you will ever make!

Click here to book now.

Dream Big & Take Names,   Ray

You may or may not realise that many of your real estate competitors are really struggling in this economy. But now, more than ever, your success options to grow your personal business and gain market share have never been greater. Here is EXACTLY how you can do it.

Check out this 4 minute extended version of the moment 13,500 people sang Hey Jude together in Trafalgar Square.  Everyone involved arrived thinking they could be dancing – no-one had any idea how the event would unfold. It’s funny what can happen when you forget about the product and market the emotion. 

This might just be the tough love your sellers need. Sometimes it helps for sellers to hear what they need to hear from someone else. How To Get Sold is a ‘firm’ reminder for sellers that time on the market is a critical factor when selling for more. Listen to the audio program now and order your packaged copy here. http://raywood.net/2008/how-to-get-sold.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXqg9z_B0qM

Here’s something fresh to send out  to contacts on your data base.  And the good news is that I’ve done all the typing and it won’t cost you a cent!  (I just had to read that again as it sounds too good to be true…)  All you need to do is create a  link to an article on HotSellerTips.com in your emails and send to your database. 

For example: Here’s a new article I’ve just put up about Google Street View.  So your news item in your newsletter would say ‘Google Street View puts your home on display’ and the test is hyperlinked (which means when you click on it it goes to the site as in this example) and ‘Bingo’ you’re in business.  In fact, I’m predicting the more often you do it, the more business you will have. 

There are a growing number of articles at HotSellerTips.com and you’re welcome to find one you like and tell your contacts about it.

Dream Big, Take Names     Ray

Here's a really cool way to get more leads more listings and more sales. To celebrate the launch of HotSellerTips.com I'm giving away 25 Free Profiles on the site. To see how a profile looks, feed this site url into your browser. To find how you can score a free profile, listen to the podcast!

http://hotsellertips.com/profiles/find?country_id=4&region_id=25&city=Yreka&x=75&y=22

Searching through my iPod for 'fresh meat' this week, I came across my interview with Chris Hinds. It's a fantastic insight into one of real estate's highest achievers and more relevant now than ever. Chris gives us a very revealing and detailed look into his success. So switch off your mobile, turn off your email, grab a latte, sit back and enjoy the next 28 minutes of GOLD.
Dream Big & Take Names, Ray

4BC's Real Estate Talk host Kevin Turner interviews Ray Wood and 'soft launches' HotSellerTips.com