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The Secret Ingredient That Makes These 5 Cookies So Amazing

Boy, do I have a treat for you today! :-) What would you think about a soft, cake-like cookie that requires only three ingredients to make, AND that can be ready to eat in under 30 minutes? If you're anything like me, you might be skeptical that such a cookie exists, yet intrigued enough to learn more. (I admit it-I have treat-based trust issues! I've been burned before by recipes that sounded amazing, but never lived up to the hype.)

But I swear on my honor that these particular cookies are the real deal! They're called cake mix cookies, because (you guessed it!) you make them using boxed cake mix. The resulting cookies are so soft and chewy, you might have a hard time putting them down! And you can use any cake mix you like to make these cookies, so the possibilities are almost endless!

First, I'll show you exactly how to make these cake mix cookies. (Spoiler alert: it couldn't possibly be any easier.) After that, I'll share 5 different tasty flavor combinations that you can try out at your leisure. By the end of this post, you'll understand exactly why these versatile cookies are quickly becoming the new favorite at our house! :-)

How To Make Cake Mix Cookies

Add cake mix, butter, and eggs to a mixing bowl. Stir until they come together to form a dough. Drop the dough in rounded tablespoons onto a greased or lined baking sheet.

Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes at 350°F.

Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

5 Delicious Cake Mix Cookies To Try

1. Sandwich Cookies

This is less of a cookie variety and more of a method, but I'm including it anyway! Sandwich cookies are like Oreos-two cookies with a layer of icing in the center. You can use any cake mix for the cookies and any flavor of icing. There are endless ways to mix and match flavors into delicious combinations! Here are a couple of tasty combos to get you inspired:

Red Velvet: We whipped up a batch of cake mix cookies using a red velvet cake mix. For the icing “filling,” we chose a cream cheese frosting. The results were absolutely delicious!

Homemade Oreos: Use a chocolate or devil's food cake mix to make the cookies, and sandwich them together with vanilla icing. It's a tasty ode to the most famous sandwich cookie of all!

2. Birthday Cookies

Use funfetti cake mix to whip up a batch of celebratory birthday cookies! (You can also use a white cake mix with 3 tablespoons of sprinkles mixed in instead. The results are very similar either way!)

3. Caramel Surprise Cookies

Use a devil's food cake mix to prepare a batch of cake mix cookie dough. While you're portioning out the dough, press one Rolo into the center of each ball of cookie dough. The melted chocolate and caramel in these cookies makes for a sweet surprise!

4. Snickerdoodle Cookies

Use a spice cake mix (or yellow cake) to make your dough. Before baking, roll each ball of cookie dough in a shallow dish of cinnamon sugar. Yum!

Lemon Crinkle: Use a similar method to make tangy lemon crinkle cookies! Use a lemon cake mix to make your dough, then roll the balls in a layer of powdered sugar before baking.

5. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

These seasonal favorites are made with a spice cake mix, but the ingredients are slightly different than the other cake mix cookies. Check out the full recipe at the link below!

Related: How To Make The Best Pumpkin Cookies Ever With Only 3 Ingredients

What type of cake mix would you choose to use in these cookies?

Cake Mix Cookies

What would you about a soft, cake-like cookie that requires only three ingredients to make, AND that can be ready to eat in under 30 minutes? They're called cake mix cookies, and they are the real deal! 

1 cake box mix ((the dry mix only, don't add any of the ingredients listed on the box))

1 stick melted butter

2 eggs

Add the cake mix, butter, and eggs to a mixing bowl. Stir until they come together to form a dough.

Drop the dough in rounded tablespoons onto a greased or lined baking sheet.

Bake the cookies for 8-10 minutes at 350°F.

Allow them to cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes. Then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

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How to Make a Planner Vision Board

Did you know that the second Saturday of January is National Vision Board Day? With two weeks into the New Year, we've gotten our acts together and settled back into our “non-vacay” mode.

As a crafty girl, I take my vision board very seriously! It has to be functional. It has to be accessible…and oh yeah…it has to look good! Now, without throwing any shade, let me say this. I've seen lots of vision boards and many of them look like ransom notes. I'm just keepin' it real! All the chopped up magazine words and images can easily come together to look like crime scene evidence rather than an inspiration. To remedy the epidemic of ransom note vision boards, I'm sharing a few of my own crafty tips for making a vision board that works!

My first tip for vision boarding is to use you planner as the home of your board. Your planner is always within reach and you can reference your vision board whenever you want. By keeping a planner vision board, you'll constantly be reminded and inspired by the goals you set.

To make a planner vision board, you'll need a few crafty items:

12 x 12 patterned paper. Use whatever you love. This will add some color to your vision board and serve as the base of the project.

Stickers!!! Obviously.

Magazines. Even though we're ditching the ransom note look of vision boards, you can still make good use of magazines. Just don't start chopping up too many pictures and words.

Printable journaling cards – YAY! You'll want to have a spot in your vision board for making notes and writing some journal-like entries. We've created an empowering collection of journaling cards that you can download for FREE!!!

A planner. If you're going to make a planner vision board, you'll need a planner. As you probably already know – my go-to planner is my Happy Planner.  This super-customizable planner is perfect for adding your own creative elements…like a vision board.

A Planner Punch Board/Word Punch Board from We R Memory Keepers. This punch board let's you punch holes in the edge of your vision board, so you can easily store it in your planner. You're also able to use the Word Punch Board to create custom words for your vision board!

Scrapbooking ephemera. If the word “ephemera” is new to you don't worry! Ephemera are essentially cute decorative pieces of paper that you can use to decorate your planner, scrapbook, journal etc. Most ephemera packs include frames, journaling cards, images, motivational sayings and more. To find your favorite ephemera pack, just head over to Amazon and search “American Crafts Ephemera.” You'll find lots of options!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD & PRINT YOUR JOURNAL CARDS

STEP ONE:

Use a paper trimmer to cut your patterned paper to 9.25″x12″

STEP TWO:

Use a scoring board to score the paper at 7″

STEP THREE:

Fold the paper as shown

STEP FOUR

Punch the edge of the paper with the Planner Punch Board and insert into your Happy Planner

Now that you've created the base of your vision board, you can get to work adding all the goals and decorative elements that will make this board an inspiration all year long! Here are a few tips for how I but my vision board together!

TIP: Use journaling cards or ephemera frames on the outer fold of your vision board. This can be a place to write down all your main goals for the month, year, season…whatever!

TIP: Use the inner portion of the paper for placing images, inspirational phrases and notes. This can be the place where you dive into each of your goals and create a more traditional vision board. 

TIP: Print off a few extra journaling cards to use throughout the year! Vision boards are a great way to jump start your motivation and these journaling cards are quick and easy ways to keep you going. 

Happy vision boarding! Be sure to tag #DamaskLove and @DamaskLove on Instagram to show how you're creating your own vision board this year.

And if you're in the mood for even more vision board inspiration, head over to Live Abode where we're sharing some awesome tips for creating your own vision board party! 

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Animal Lover? Pet Sitting Just Might Be the Paw-Fect Side Gig for You

Diana Sanchez grew up surrounded by animals. So much so, her parents used to joke that she grew up in a zoo, complete with six fish, four dogs, two cats and a dove. Whenever she visited an animal shelter, she tried to bring home a potential new pet.

When she left home in Plant City, Florida, to attend the University of Tampa, she could not take her pets with her because dorm life wasn't an ideal fit for them. But by her senior year, she really missed being around animals. While hunting for a part-time job in 2016, she discovered an ad from Tampa Pet Sitters.

“At first I thought it was too good to be true. 'I get to pet dogs, and I get paid for it?'” she says. Fast forward to today: Sanchez, 25, is still pet sitting part time when she's not teaching elementary school students.

Pet sitting as a side hustle is on the rise, according to a Penny Hoarder analysis of U.S. Census Bureau microdata. In 2017, 135,584 people in the U.S. classified themselves as part-time nonfarm-animal caretakers. That's up from 74,349 in 2007 - an 82.4% increase.

Overall employment for all part-time workers increased only 16% in the same period.

So if you looking for a side hustle and have a love of four-legged furry friends, here's what you need to know about being a pet sitter.

What Does a Pet Sitter Do?

Pet sitters provide owners peace of mind by watching over their animals while the clients are away. Jennifer Palhete, who works in Lakeland, Florida, about an hour from her home in Tampa, Florida, can't let her three dogs out during the day. Knowing a pet sitter is going to be there to feed and let them out takes a huge burden off her shoulders.

“I never have to think about it, and the peace of mind that they offer is huge,” she says.

Some of the services offered by pet-sitting companies include midday walks and visits, in-home overnight watches and boarding at the sitter's home.

For midday walks or in-home visits, a sitter will come to the client's house to feed and let the pets out for a set period. The visit duration varies depending on the services provided by the company.

During in-home overnight visits, a sitter will stay at the client's house to feed, walk, administer medication, play with and watch over the pets all night. “It's very similar to an Airbnb experience, plus a pet to take care of,” Sanchez says.

People who opt for the in-home service do not want to board their pets in a kennel, she adds. All three of Palhete's dogs were rescued, and one has special needs after suffering severe abuse. She knows putting them in a kennel would be detrimental to the progress they have made toward being comfortable around people.

“The fact that they can stay in their own house, have their own food and stay on the same schedule is such a huge help to me,” Palhete says.

Some services offer boarding where the owners drop their pets off at the sitter's house instead of having the sitter stay in theirs. This option allows Lisa Peddicord, a part-time pet sitter and dog walker with Tails and Trails in St. Petersburg, Florida, to simultaneously care for the client's and her own pets.

What's the Work Schedule and Pay Like?

According to Sanchez and Peddicord, pet sitting is a flexible side job that works well for their respective schedules.

Sanchez says the demand for pet sitters usually increases during vacation times like spring break, the summer and holidays. This fits in perfectly with her day job as a teacher. Working seasonally, Sanchez says she's able to make $200 to $300 in a weekend doing multiple overnight in-house watches or by doing one overnight with several midday visits.

Peddicord, who works in the evenings as a vet tech at an emergency animal hospital, is able to work 10 to 15 hours per week as a midday dog walker. Last year, between dog walking and boarding pets at least once a month, she was able to make just under $10,000.

“That's the difference between going on vacation or buying your first house,” she says. “So it makes a big difference.”

What Makes a Good Pet Sitter?

Both Sanchez and Peddicord offered some tips and advice to anyone considering becoming a pet sitter.

Build a Trusting Relationship With the Owners

Peddicord says not all pet owners are alike when it comes to trusting sitters. Some need more reassurance than others. To establish that rapport, she suggests meeting the owners with the pet for a “coffee date” or going to the owners' home to have them demonstrate their routine.

Then during your visits, text the owners pictures of their pets with updates on what they did that day.  “I think that helps you build trust by filling them in on daily activities,” she says.

Be There On Time

Another way to establish trust is to be at the client's house on time. Sanchez says most services offer a time window so the owner knows when to expect the sitter. For example, Sanchez may tell a pet owner she'll be there between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. If you have two or three appointments during that two-hour window, make sure you stay on schedule.

Have Patience

Sanchez says most of the time when you walk through the door, dogs are ready to play and the sitter has to be prepared for them to have a lot of energy. But some dogs require a little more work than others. She recalls working with a dog that was newly adopted from an animal shelter. The dog would vet Sanchez by cautiously sniffing her before exiting the crate. “Every single visit, he would do this thing before I even tried to put a leash on him,” she said. “I made sure he was comfortable.”

Learn About Different Pet Personalities

As Sanchez notices more people getting into the field, she encourages potential sitters to become familiar with animal behavior. She says you may know what works for your dog, but that may not work on other people's dogs. “There are so many pets out there that want attention in different ways, so familiarize yourself with different animal behaviors. It will make your job so much easier.”

Don't Have Experience? Volunteer

If you don't have much experience with animals beyond your own pet, Sanchez recommends volunteering at an animal rescue or shelter. Also, if you have a friend who owns a pet, offer to pet sit if they go out of town. That way you can see how pets respond when their owners are not around.

She says, “The more patient and friendly people we can get into pet sitting, the better.”

Matt Reinstetle is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder. He writes about side hustles and the gig economy. Follow him on Twitter @MattReinstetle.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.

The Penny Hoarder Promise: We provide accurate, reliable information. Here's why you can trust us and how we make money.

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#126: Is Your Home Making You Grumpy?

Lots of us want a more organized home, but are we going about it the wrong way? Today we're talking with a home efficiency expert about how rethinking our approach to organizing could end up making us all happier – and maybe even help us be more patient partners and more present parents. She also explains why we should treat our kitchen like an operating room, how Sherry's minimized closet could be better, and why garages are so hard to keep under control. We're also sharing how a random phone call and a dicey forecast sucked the momentum right out of our duplex progress, but we're still finding some silver lining in the news. Plus Sherry falls hard for some fairies.

You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify – or listen to it below! Note: If you're reading in a feed reader, you may have to click through to the post to see the player.

What's New

That's a quick video tour of our messy garage, filled with boxes and stuff to be hauled in a big moving truck to the duplex – including the two Crate & Barrel sofas we ordered over a year ago! (Bonus: some dining room insanity)

NOTE: If you're reading in a feed reader you may need to click through to view the video. You can also watch it here on YouTube.

We bought those sofas way back in Nov of 2017 (!!!) right after buying one for our Richmond house because they were having a crazy sale and we loved the one we got for our house. We have the “Steel” color here, but the duplex couches are both “Truffle” because it was the color that was deeply discounted.

The rest of the boxes include things like window blinds, curtain rods, curtain rings, toilet paper holders, shower rods, and hardware for kitchen. Oh, and there are some rugs in there too.

And here's the picture of my infamous moving-truck-in-the-ditch moment when moving out of our first house eight years ago. You can read about the whole ordeal here.

Stephanie Sikora, Life Made Simple

If you'd like to learn more from Stephanie, check out her new book Simplified: A Real-Life Guide To Organizing Your Space And Saving Your Sanity

Or check out her website, Life Made Simple, for blog posts, online courses, and consultations.

We're Digging

Those are the books Sherry has been poring over these last few weeks. The first book in the series is A Court of Thorns And Roses, followed by A Court of Mist And Fury, and finally A Court of Wings And Ruin. (There's also a box set if that's your jam).

Sherry says it's similar to The Selection series she recommended a while back – although she might slightly prefer these (in her words, “they're a bit more Game Of Thrones meets Hunger Games – plus fairies, but cool ones that wear leather outfits”)

And she's already picked up the first book in Sarah Maas' next series, A Throne of Glass.

Below are just some examples of the range of shower heads that have that H20Kinetic technology (again, not sponsored – I just really like the ones we've bought and can tell a difference). Most of these also come in multiple finishes: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

The one we found on the clearance rack doesn't seem to be sold anywhere anymore, but it's similar to #7

If you're looking for something we've dug in a past episode, but don't remember which show notes to click into, here's a master list of everything we've been digging from all of our past episodes. You can also see all the books we've recommended on our Book Club page.

And lastly, a big thank you to Grove Collaborative for sponsoring this episode. Sign up at Grove.co/YHL to receive their FREE gift: a trio of Mrs. Meyers cleaners, a set of walnut scrubber sponges AND a tin cleaning caddy. Yup, all of that's FREE!

Thanks for listening, guys!

*This post contains affiliate links*

The post #126: Is Your Home Making You Grumpy? appeared first on Young House Love.

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Why Should You Consider Finishing Your Basement?

The basement is often one of the most underutilised spaces and most homeowners simply use them as large laundry rooms. Instead of letting the basement collect moisture and lint, you should think about basement finishing.

Affordable Solution for Adding More Usable Space

Denver basement finishing provides a cost-effective way to add more space to your home. Compared to the cost of an addition, basement finishing is relatively affordable and requires less structural work. In many cases, these projects can be completed quickly and efficiently, providing minimal disruption to your normal routine.

Basement Finishing May Increase Your Property Value

Finishing your basement adds an extra room, helping to boost the overall value of your home. Whether you use the finished space for a bedroom, office, or living room, the new room may count as another bedroom for property valuations and assessments.

Along with increasing the property value, basement finishing often provides a greater return on investment compared to other renovation projects. In fact, for every $1000 that you put into the project, you may increase the value of your home by up to $700.

Accommodate Your Growing Family with an Extra Room

With basement finishing in Denver, you may not need to move when the size of your family grows. You can add an extra room in the basement, ensuring that you have the space you need.

If you want to add more space to your home, consider the advantages of basement finishing in Denver, CO. It is affordable, is efficient, and may boost the value of your property.

The basement does not need to be a dark, damp place. With a finished basement, you can gain an extra bedroom, bathroom, home gym, or storage space.

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My Spending Has Put Me in Serious Debt. Should I Consolidate?

Dear J.J.,

That “I can't stop spending” feeling isn't just some kind of personal weakness. It's a widely studied psychological phenomenon.

Behavioral economists have figured out that various forms of payment have different “pain” levels. Pain of payment is worst when you pay with cash, because you can see and feel the bills leaving your wallet and entering someone else's register. There's a little bit less pain when you use a debit card and the money leaves your checking account immediately.

But credit? Paying with a credit card is just about painless. Not only are zero dollars leaving your account at the time you acquire an item or service, but you also have the option of putting off that payment for weeks, months, years, forever. Just as much as we love instant gratification, we love procrastinating.  

So when you see a credit limit that you have not maxed out, you see a big green light. Go! Do not slow down. Spend it until it's gone. The pain hides until it's time to pay the tab.

You need a big change to get out of the cycle. You need to plot out every dollar of that debt and how you're going to pay it off. Taking a personal loan to consolidate your credit card debt only works if:

The interest rate is lower than all your other debt.

You take out a loan for the exact amount you need to cover your current debt - and not a penny more.

You need to create a financial no-temptation zone. It's time to call in an accountability partner. This is someone you trust and can talk to about money - a friend, a colleague, a cousin. Someone who will scold you gently if you get off track and cheer you on when you hit small goals along the path to paying off your debt. They'll make sure your payoff plans are bold but reasonable. They'll help shoulder the pain of paying off your debt and remind your brain of the intangible, but important, pleasure of having less debt.

This will take years, and I don't mean just paying off your debt. I mean rewiring your brain to live within your means. It's something even the most financially savvy of people struggle to overcome. It's easier to spend money than ever before, especially money that is not truly yours to spend. Paying it back will feel distinctly un-fun.

But if you can envision a debt-free future and the ease it will bring to your life - your accountability partner should help get you pumped up for this - you'll start to see those debt payments as steps toward financial freedom.

Have a tricky money question? Write to Dear Penny and you might see your question answered in an upcoming column.

Lisa Rowan is a personal finance expert and senior writer at The Penny Hoarder, and the voice behind Dear Penny.

This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, which helps millions of readers worldwide earn and save money by sharing unique job opportunities, personal stories, freebies and more. The Inc. 5000 ranked The Penny Hoarder as the fastest-growing private media company in the U.S. in 2017.

The Penny Hoarder Promise: We provide accurate, reliable information. Here's why you can trust us and how we make money.

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Indoor Plants & Greenery for the Holidays

This time of year, it's wonderful to bring holiday lights and greenery into the house to remind us of our gardens and add sparkle and cheer to our homes.

Green is the color of renewal and regeneration, and for centuries evergreen trees and greenery have been used in winter celebrations as a symbol of everlasting life. From swags of evergreen to miniature table-top gardens, here are some ideas we love for decorating your home with live plants and fresh-cut greens and flowers.

  Forcing bulbs is one of the easiest ways to brighten up the darkest weeks of the year. Image: Pistils Nursery.

  Honor winter with a garland, anywhere in your home. This mix of fir, pine and arborvitae branches is accented with dried citrus, but you could decorate with anything that cheers your soul, from ribbons to seashells to toy animals. Image: One Kings Lane.

  Fiddle-leaf figs are wildly popular for many reasons, including the fact that they bring a huge, bright pop of green indoors. Apartment Therapy has some good tips for keeping your fiddle-leaf fig happy and healthy. Image: Making It Lovely.

  Norfolk Island Pines are wonderful evergreen houseplants-an excellent low-maintenance, small-footprint substitute for a Christmas tree. Image: White Flower Farm.

  Decorate a centerpiece or add adorable details to a gift presentation with rosemary and holly berries. Image: Monrovia.

  Make the most of winter sunlight by moving your houseplants to your brightest windows, and add even more beauty with pots of forced bulbs. Image: A Garden for the House | Delicious Living.

  The post Indoor Plants & Greenery for the Holidays appeared first on Home Outside.

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Why a Bad Drip Sequence Is Worse than No Drip Sequence

We've all been there.

Tempted by that perfect piece of content, we gladly offer up our email addresses, only to regret it later. With each generic, templated email we receive, we're one step closer to hitting the unsubscribe button.

Well, guess what. If you can sniff out a mass email from a mile away - so can your leads. Because the one thing we seem to keep forgetting is that no two subscribers are ever the same, and over-relying on the same played-out drip sequence won't help you win their loyalty.

But what if you could close more deals with less effort by simply using your tech tools more intentionally?

If you're looking for ways to use automation to connect with your leads on a deeper, more human level - keep reading. We've got some proven tips to help you use tech for good.

Real estate drip campaigns are not a cure-all

Before we dive deeper into how to fix your drip campaigns, let's talk a little more about why they're broken in the first place. Because the irony is, we all know we need to nurture our leads. We've heard it a million times.

We've read all about the business owners who make 50% more sales at 33% less cost because of their awesomely warmed-up databases. And the 18X more revenue targeted emails can bring. But these results often feel like they're meant for someone else, someone who has more time, more resources, or both.

So what most of us end up doing is set up an automated drip sequence, and walk away. We feel good about having ticked another box off the “should-do” marketing list, but deep down, we wonder how effective it'll actually be.

Because the truth is, in today's always-on age of chatbots and social media, having a drip campaign for the sake of simply “staying in front of” your prospects no longer makes sense.

Buyers are more empowered than ever before. And though the volume of homes hasn't changed all that much (we're looking at the first major market shift in a decade), the ways in which we sell those homes have changed dramatically.

It's time come out and say it: All this technology is making agents lazy.

To be fair, maybe “overwhelmed” is a better word. But whichever way you cut it, not calling leads, ignoring emails and sending the same generic auto-responder to all prospects just proves most agents don't really understand their leads - and worse, they're not concerned with making themselves truly valuable to their prospects.

Still, the numbers don't lie. 80% of marketing automation users have seen an increase in leads, and 77% have seen the number of conversions increase. The question isn't whether or not you should use technology - obviously, this stuff works.

The real question is this:

How can you use technology to stay one step ahead of the competitors, disruptors and ultra-informed leads who are permanently changing the way homes are bought and sold?

Scrap the generic drip sequence and close more deals

From VR property viewings to transaction management via the blockchain, most agents are afraid of being replaced by technology.

According to Joshua Smith coach, mentor and host of the #1 Most Downloaded Real Estate Agent Podcast, GSD Mode, “There are several things happening in our industry currently. First, we have a market shift that is taking place, but this is nothing new for our industry, just remember: 'There Is No Such Thing as a Bad Market, It Is Always Good for Someone'. As Real Estate Agents, we need to identify who the market is good for and adapt to serve their needs. That's how you thrive in shifts.”

As disruptors continue to shake up even the most tried and true industry best practices, experts like Joshua say that what separates the winning agents from the rest is whether or not you can resist the urge to bury your head in the sand. “We need to take massive action on this as the future role of the real estate agent depends on it,” says Joshua.

Segment your list based on what really matters

Let's imagine a perfect scenario where prospects walk right into your office with a complete profile including details about their knowledge of your brand, level of interest in buying or selling, what type of house they're into, budget, etc. That'd be amazing, right?

But since it's rarely (if ever) the case that you have that much intel, you need to put a real effort into narrowing down your lead segments based on what you do know about them. Then, regroup your sales and marketing efforts to consistently deliver what they want, when they want it.

Most CRMs allow you to get extremely specific, narrowing it down to:

Demographics: Income, Family size, Occupation, Gender, Race, Generation

Geographic aspects: School district, Neighborhood, Employer, City

Psychographic aspects: Pet owners, Lifestyle seekers, Friends/Family in the neighborhood, etc.

In Follow Up Boss, we think a simple approach is best:

Lead type: New leads, buyer leads, seller leads, past clients and of course, hot leads

Lead behavior: Price, lead stage, last activity

No matter which of the hundreds of CRMs you've singled out as the one that'll work for you and your team, it should be flexible enough to adapt to the real-world behaviors of your leads - and your team - so that you're always ready to act anytime a lead takes a big leap forward in their buying journey.

Keep your emails succinct and human

There's something about the 9-Word Email that makes it so effective.

Business owners who use it say the engagement with their leads is higher and that leads convert faster. So next time you're sending out an email, why not try it out?

You could write something simple like, “Are you still interested in housing in South Carolina?” or “Have you seen our new listings in Wrigleyville, Chicago?”

In Follow Up Boss, you can create Smart Lists of segmented leads and send tailored follow up emails your leads will actually reply to. Here's a quick example:

Hey [Lead Name], I've been sending you new listings for a little while now and just wanted to check in to make sure I'm sending the kinds of houses you're interested in. Want me to make some adjustments? Or any you'd like to schedule a showing of?

[Agent Name]

Let's not forget, one of the main reasons consumers love technology is because it's so simple to get a fast, frictionless reply. Make it easy and they won't be able to resist.

Plus, all customers care about the little things. Let's say you've closed a sale - this doesn't mean your work is done.

Show your gratitude by using a personalized drip campaign to send a short “Thank you for trusting us” email, then add your new customer into a past client follow up sequence that includes a mix of direct mail, phone and email correspondence. Trust us, it will make a difference.

Never forget the power of face-to-face interaction

We obviously believe technology is a force for good. But even we have to admit that it comes with a serious downside.

For one, nearly half of the US population is lonely.

No matter how many awesome tech tools are at our disposal, nothing can replace human connection. Successful real estate agents know it's important to truly connect with their leads and clients - on the phone, via video and, not least, in person.

Want more on how to win with video? See how agents like Taylor Hack, Team Leader of HACK&Co use video to build a personal connection with leads.

Leading agents use tools like BombBomb to put a face to their drip campaigns, making it that much easier to stand out above the noise get a face-to-face appointment. In fact, even simply using the word “video” in your subject line can boost open rates by 19% and clickthrough rates by 65%.

This stuff is powerful.

For times when you can't connect in person, sending a quick, personalized thank you video message is the next best thing. And if you want to get even more personal with your leads, check out how real estate agent Kinny Landrum uses BombBomb to send (belated but still awesome) birthday wishes.

Your focus is all you have

With technology taking over industry after industry, it's natural to feel a bit uneasy. But whatever you do, don't waste your time focusing on the wrong things. Because at the end of the day, your focus is the only thing that matters.

It's the one thing you can count on to make sure that every time you pick up the phone, text a reply or hit send on an email, the person on the other side knows you're worth their time. So focus your full attention on the people who are most ready to buy. And do it every day.

For everyone else, take a day or two to step out of the chaos and create a truly relevant drip sequence that delivers value at every step of the journey. Keep them short, sweet and use the tools available to you to show them you're a real person with real insights they can rely on. Automation is here to help you with that. But it can't do it all on its own.

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REAL Trends and Tom Ferry form new company

Steve Murray, president of REAL Trends, told Inman that the new company will now handle the annual rankings, which will be rebranded REAL Trends & Tom Ferry The Thousand and REAL Trends & Tom Ferry America's Best Real Estate Professionals.

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How Patio Planning Goes from Overwhelming to Fun and Easy

If you're in the process of patio planning, even if you've only just begun your research, then you may have already realized that there's a lot involved. There are so many different factors in play and a big range of choices when it comes to patio materials and even patio builders (all with different price ranges), and you might feel terribly overwhelmed.

If you are going to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a new patio, you want it to be perfect. It ought to not only look nice but should not have ongoing problems with it either. You should be able to create a patio that meets your needs and doesn't have you wondering if you wasted your money.

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Winter Basket for the Front Door

      Sometimes I like to use alternatives to the

traditional front door wreath.

Click here to read the rest of this post...

Homeroad

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Glowing Christmas Lights Night Tour

There's nothing more magical then twinkling Christmas lights and this marks the fourth year of sharing my glowing Christmas lights night tour that positively sparkles. Cozy up by my roaring fire and enter this magical winter wonderland. Don't miss the end of this post where I link to 20 other bloggers who are sharing their […]

The post Glowing Christmas Lights Night Tour appeared first on Kelly Elko.

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Cauliflower Rice Chicken Biryani

This quick and easy Indian-inspired skillet dish, is a low-carb take on Chicken Biryani, made with riced cauliflower in place of rice. It's also Keto, gluten-free and Whole30 compliant.

If you have been following me for a while, then you know how much I love Indian and Persian food! Some favorites are this Chicken Tikka Masala and this Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk. (more…)

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The Benefits of an Outdoor Fireplace

Invest in an outdoor fire pit in 2019!

If you're looking for a unique way to make your landscaping more inviting this year, a fire pit may be just what you need! Fire pits are a great way to add an element that will be loved by your entire family, and they can be used all year long. With a little creativity, you may find that your new fire pit becomes the center point of numerous new family traditions you'll treasure year after year.

Cooking

Is there anything that helps create a feeling of nostalgia like cooking over an open fire? From hot dogs and s'mores to more complicated dishes, cooking with fire can be a delicious way to bond with your loved ones and make memories you'll cherish. Plus, if you're hosting a large gathering, a fireplace with a grate can become a vital cooking service for help feeding the crowd when your stove and grill aren't enough!

Warmth

Whether it's a chilly summer night, the fresh air of fall, or a frigid winter evening watching stars in the snow, your backyard firepit offers a warm spot to drink a cup of tea or cocoa. Even in early spring and into fall, a daytime fire pit can help extend the season of your backyard parties.

Mood

There is little that can beat the instant mood enhancer of a crackling fire. Depending on the setting it can inspire feelings of summer fun or winter warmth. Even those who aren't great party hosts will have an instant focal point and conversation generator when they add a firepit.  

Entertainment

Because firepits are a natural gathering place, they can be the basis for all kinds of family entertainment. Depending on the type of gathering you're hosting, you may try out a few different kinds of fireside play, stargazing is a great start. Additionally, if you have family or guests that are musically inclined, your fire pit can make for a great jam session setting. With family and small children, you might also try a fireside storytelling tradition. When you add a versatile and stunning fire pit to your home landscape, the options are endless.

CALL IN THE PROFESSIONALS FOR YOUR LANDSCAPING NEEDS

EVERGREEN GENE'S OFFERS PROFESSIONAL LANDSCAPING AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES THROUGH THE STATE OF MARYLAND. WE ARE HERE TO MAKE SURE YOUR GARDENS AND GROUNDS LOOK AS BEAUTIFUL AS POSSIBLE YEAR-ROUND. INTERESTED IN HOW WE CAN HELP YOUR GARDEN LOOK ITS BEST? GIVE US A CALL AT (410) 766-6877 OR VISIT US ONLINE. TO SEE EXAMPLES OF OUR WORK AND GET MORE HELPFUL GARDENING TIPS, FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, GOOGLE+, PINTEREST, LINKEDIN, HOUZZ, AND TWITTER.

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January Black & White Calendar - Free Printable

2018 is coming to an end. I hope you enjoyed my free calendar throughout the year. If you have not had a chance to grab them you can find them all HERE. For 2019 I wanted to go with a simple black and white theme. This will be perfect for those of you who prefer to save on ink or who don't have the option of printing in color.

Read more »

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10 Ways to Upgrade Your Rental on a Budget

There are a lot of reasons why renting is an ideal way to go when it comes to finding housing. Maybe you prefer the flexibility of not having a mortgage, or the freedom of not needing to worry about fixing major items – whatever your reasoning, you've decided to rent. But what if you want […]

The post 10 Ways to Upgrade Your Rental on a Budget appeared first on Unpakt Blog.

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Goodbye 2018 + A Reader Survey

Signing off for 2018, but not before we do one more thing...

Keep Reading

The post Goodbye 2018 + A Reader Survey appeared first on DIY Playbook.