Thursday, November 25, 2010
my old blog worked better.
Just a note to those who still check in on this blog.. I found that keeping my old blog space works better so be sure to change your bookmarks to my "other" blog at www.timesharegirlsblog.com!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Self Branding, Self Image.. Marketing Ourselves!
Daily I find myself with the priviledge of engaging in conversations with great leaders in our industry. Most of these conversations leave me feeling excited, renewed and almost always I walk away from the conversation having learned something new. I strive to educate myself on the industry, keep up to date with what everyone else is doing and stay in touch with the current trends. I consider myself to be a pretty quick learner and also to take advice with appreciation and consideration.
But some times... you hear something, or you know it for someone else, but when it comes to applying it to yourself it is easily given less credit then when towards someone else.
Through my years, I have learned that the image and branding of the companies I have worked for has been a necessity. With a well branded company or product, it is easier to give presentations with open reception, customers recognize you quickly and will seek you out when ready.. searching for you through what they remember about your branding. They might not remember the name of the company correctly, they might have your name mispelled and failed to write down your contact information.. so they search for you or the company based on those things that are ingrained in their head whether it is colors, logos, phrases and mottos, etc.
A previous company that I worked for is a prime example. To this date, I can be in a conversation with others in our industry, and they all remember and know the name of the CEO of that company... most have had dinners and drinks with him but believe it or not, they often confuse the name of the company itself. This is because the CEO has marketed himself so well, that he is known as the brand for his company. Now, if these people cant pull the name of his company out of their heads.. they will still be able to find him and the company, and they will know when speaking to a "copy cat" that it is not the same one even though there might be intense similiarities. Regardless of the pretty packages, everyone would know that they are in the right.. or the wrong.. spot. To take this example two steps further.. hang in there with me.. I am getting to my point...
This CEO could easily be described in my journals as one of the most influential (personally influential) mentors in my career. I mean no disrespect to my mentors, my father and brother, nor the mentors that shared their wisdom with them that was carried on to me such as Jim Lambert or Bruce Polansky.. but, the facts are as they are.
During my employment with this company, we had many conversations about branding and marketing ourselves. This was important and vital as we were marketing ourselves throughout the industry and building relationships and networks. I made quite a few mistakes in the early days to be honest. Innocent and unintentional mistakes, but big lessons not to be ignored. Sometimes it was as simple as not remembering the name of an important client, sometimes it was speaking out of turn in a meeting and other times it was a matter of enjoying the conventions in Vegas with just a little too much "glitter" especially at the cocktail parties. (come on guys, give me a break! We have ALL been guilty at that at some point or another especially at the Vegas conventions!!) :-)
So the years pass along and I learn my lessons. I stop marketing myself as an employee of another company, and instead begin marketing myself and representing the companies that I work for. Following through, I then work on the marketing and branding of the companies that I work for IN ADDITION to the marketing of myself. The end goal, to make sure that everyone who knows me and works with me, knows that no matter who I am working with, what I am marketing or what deals I am cutting, I can be trusted and am loyal with my network and relationships. This left the doors wide open for me to present new products or ideas to my network (clients) and friends... and they listen with open ears no matter what it is that I am presenting. My network is what I consider now to be "tight". Strong bonds, strong trust, strong loyalty, strong friendships, strong references, strong strong strong! solid!
A couple of months ago I was speaking to one of my long time contacts. I have done business with this person on several occasions and also consider them to be a great influential contact in our industry for me. Someone I respect. This person said to me "I love what you have done with marketing yourself. You have basically created your own brand.. the Freda brand!". We laughed a bit but I wasnt quite sure if I had really accomplished this goal or if it were more of a friendly supportive observation.
A couple of weeks ago, another contact of mine approached me and asked me if I would do a blog about them for my readers. Apparently, this person has recieved feedback and had conversations with others in our industry about things I have blogged about between the various sites that I blog or write on.
I could list a few more examples.. but to get to the point instead.. recently I observed and was involved in a social situation among peers that brought it all to point and the light bulb went off in my head! It clicked! I had been approached by a counterpart of mine, infront of a potential client. This counterpart made a remark that was first of all, not based on fact.. and secondly, was a little embarrassing and insulting. I simply smiled and shook it off as if it were nothing. My potential client excused themselves from the conversation only to track me down a few hours later to tell me how offended they were by the person who tried to embarrass me. They let me know that they prefer to hold their business with someone who acts professionally, can be trusted, and is not in the business of slandering others. I now have a new contract in my hand from this individual for their business with me.. or should I say, with the company that I work for! The decision of this client was not based on pricing, it wasnt even based on how far their dollars would go.. it was instead based on them wanting to align themselves with someone they trusted, who they liked, who held a high image in their eyes. The following day, my home phone rang. It was someone I had spoken with a few months back, who had thrown out my business card. They didnt know me, didnt need my product and just were not interested. I guess through the months, they came to know me through my self branding and imaging.. and searched for me to do business with me not even knowing the name of the company I work for. Didnt matter.. they wanted "in" with whatever I was doing. A second deal was landed simply due to my self branded image... I hope my boss is happy about this! I bet he is...
As seriously as we take the image and branding and marketing of our companies, the companies we work for or that we own, we need to take the task of our own self images and branding. The two go hand in hand.. What good is it to have a pretty logo for your resort, if the people at the front desk do not treat your guests well at check in? What difference does it make if you have a super motto, if noone in your group follows the mission of the motto? Image and Branding might be imperative on the outer shell, but it is just as vital and important on the inner shells as well.
But some times... you hear something, or you know it for someone else, but when it comes to applying it to yourself it is easily given less credit then when towards someone else.
Through my years, I have learned that the image and branding of the companies I have worked for has been a necessity. With a well branded company or product, it is easier to give presentations with open reception, customers recognize you quickly and will seek you out when ready.. searching for you through what they remember about your branding. They might not remember the name of the company correctly, they might have your name mispelled and failed to write down your contact information.. so they search for you or the company based on those things that are ingrained in their head whether it is colors, logos, phrases and mottos, etc.
A previous company that I worked for is a prime example. To this date, I can be in a conversation with others in our industry, and they all remember and know the name of the CEO of that company... most have had dinners and drinks with him but believe it or not, they often confuse the name of the company itself. This is because the CEO has marketed himself so well, that he is known as the brand for his company. Now, if these people cant pull the name of his company out of their heads.. they will still be able to find him and the company, and they will know when speaking to a "copy cat" that it is not the same one even though there might be intense similiarities. Regardless of the pretty packages, everyone would know that they are in the right.. or the wrong.. spot. To take this example two steps further.. hang in there with me.. I am getting to my point...
This CEO could easily be described in my journals as one of the most influential (personally influential) mentors in my career. I mean no disrespect to my mentors, my father and brother, nor the mentors that shared their wisdom with them that was carried on to me such as Jim Lambert or Bruce Polansky.. but, the facts are as they are.
During my employment with this company, we had many conversations about branding and marketing ourselves. This was important and vital as we were marketing ourselves throughout the industry and building relationships and networks. I made quite a few mistakes in the early days to be honest. Innocent and unintentional mistakes, but big lessons not to be ignored. Sometimes it was as simple as not remembering the name of an important client, sometimes it was speaking out of turn in a meeting and other times it was a matter of enjoying the conventions in Vegas with just a little too much "glitter" especially at the cocktail parties. (come on guys, give me a break! We have ALL been guilty at that at some point or another especially at the Vegas conventions!!) :-)
So the years pass along and I learn my lessons. I stop marketing myself as an employee of another company, and instead begin marketing myself and representing the companies that I work for. Following through, I then work on the marketing and branding of the companies that I work for IN ADDITION to the marketing of myself. The end goal, to make sure that everyone who knows me and works with me, knows that no matter who I am working with, what I am marketing or what deals I am cutting, I can be trusted and am loyal with my network and relationships. This left the doors wide open for me to present new products or ideas to my network (clients) and friends... and they listen with open ears no matter what it is that I am presenting. My network is what I consider now to be "tight". Strong bonds, strong trust, strong loyalty, strong friendships, strong references, strong strong strong! solid!
A couple of months ago I was speaking to one of my long time contacts. I have done business with this person on several occasions and also consider them to be a great influential contact in our industry for me. Someone I respect. This person said to me "I love what you have done with marketing yourself. You have basically created your own brand.. the Freda brand!". We laughed a bit but I wasnt quite sure if I had really accomplished this goal or if it were more of a friendly supportive observation.
A couple of weeks ago, another contact of mine approached me and asked me if I would do a blog about them for my readers. Apparently, this person has recieved feedback and had conversations with others in our industry about things I have blogged about between the various sites that I blog or write on.
I could list a few more examples.. but to get to the point instead.. recently I observed and was involved in a social situation among peers that brought it all to point and the light bulb went off in my head! It clicked! I had been approached by a counterpart of mine, infront of a potential client. This counterpart made a remark that was first of all, not based on fact.. and secondly, was a little embarrassing and insulting. I simply smiled and shook it off as if it were nothing. My potential client excused themselves from the conversation only to track me down a few hours later to tell me how offended they were by the person who tried to embarrass me. They let me know that they prefer to hold their business with someone who acts professionally, can be trusted, and is not in the business of slandering others. I now have a new contract in my hand from this individual for their business with me.. or should I say, with the company that I work for! The decision of this client was not based on pricing, it wasnt even based on how far their dollars would go.. it was instead based on them wanting to align themselves with someone they trusted, who they liked, who held a high image in their eyes. The following day, my home phone rang. It was someone I had spoken with a few months back, who had thrown out my business card. They didnt know me, didnt need my product and just were not interested. I guess through the months, they came to know me through my self branding and imaging.. and searched for me to do business with me not even knowing the name of the company I work for. Didnt matter.. they wanted "in" with whatever I was doing. A second deal was landed simply due to my self branded image... I hope my boss is happy about this! I bet he is...
As seriously as we take the image and branding and marketing of our companies, the companies we work for or that we own, we need to take the task of our own self images and branding. The two go hand in hand.. What good is it to have a pretty logo for your resort, if the people at the front desk do not treat your guests well at check in? What difference does it make if you have a super motto, if noone in your group follows the mission of the motto? Image and Branding might be imperative on the outer shell, but it is just as vital and important on the inner shells as well.
Friday, September 17, 2010
South Carolina Regional ARDA Conference
I will be heading to Myrtle Beach for the South Carolina Regional ARDA conference on Monday and Tuesday. I will be conducting video and audio interviews. Anyone going who is interested in being inteviewed, contact me to set up a time and place to meet while there.
fredastemick@yahoo.com
fredastemick@yahoo.com
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Island One Files for Bankruptcy
Island One Inc. and five affiliates of the resort company filed for bankruptcy Chapter 11, on September 10,2010.
The company listed both assets and debt in the range of $100 million to $500 million.
“The fall of the real estate markets in Florida and throughout the U.S. and the general downturn in the economy have significantly impacted the resort development and hospitality industries,” lawyers for Island One wrote in court papers.
The company listed both assets and debt in the range of $100 million to $500 million.
“The fall of the real estate markets in Florida and throughout the U.S. and the general downturn in the economy have significantly impacted the resort development and hospitality industries,” lawyers for Island One wrote in court papers.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Fractional Summit USA a success!
The leading Fractional Industry website, Fractional Life, (www.FractionalLife.com) hosted the inaugural Fractional Summit USA (www.FractionalSummitUSA.com) on August 31st and September 1st, 2010. Set in the beautiful Intercontinental Miami Hotel in downtown Miami, Fl., approximately 200 delegates arrived full of excitement and enthusiasm for the event.
Geared towards educating and uniting the North American Fractional resort and Private Residence Club industry, the Summit was a huge success for all delegates attending.
Day 1 of the Summit kicked off with opening statements by Piers Brown, CEO of Fractional Life, and went in to “Fractional 101”. Through four sessions, experts in various segments of the industry shared their knowledge discussing everything from obtaining financing, to developing and maintaining a Fractional Property. The day closed with a networking card swap, cocktail hour and a Zacapa Rum tasting event.
Day 2 of the Summit was packed full of sessions with discussions covering topics such as Rentals and Exchanges, Case Studies, Marketing strategies, Technology on the web, and restructuring current developments into Fractionals. A first ever “purchasers panel” was highly anticipated and successful. The panel of Fractional consumers gave the delegates an opportunity to hear directly why they purchased, feedback on what they purchased and what they would like to see next from their developers. Industry professionals will be able to review all of the forums and discussions via video production that will be posted on the Summits website at www.FractionalSummitUSA.com.
Andrew Vick, Director of Sales & Marketing for Blue Tent Marketing ( www.bluetent.com) stated that the “Fractional Summit USA proved to be a dynamic and valuable learning experience for us. We were pleased with the ease of networking at this conference along with the opportunities to learn more about the Fractional Residence Industry”.
The Summit was sponsored by such industry leaders as La Tour Hotels & Resorts, Robb & Stucky, The Registry Collection, Timbers Resorts and Peter Kempf International among others. Attendees included delegates representing companies such as First American Title, Ballard Spahr, Ragatz Associates, Premier Cancun Vacations, Merlin Software, Interval International and RCI.
Fractional Life is a newly registered member of ARDA, the American Resort Development Association (www.ARDA.org). Howard Nusbaum, President of ARDA and Darla Zanini, Executive Vice President of ARDA were both in attendance to show ARDA’s support of Fractional Life’s new membership and inauguration to the United States industry. In a recent press release, Piers Brown, CEO of Fractional Life was quoted as saying “Fractional Life and ARDA both share a common vision of the future which, despite these challenging times, is to help drive sales within the fractional real estate market”.
About FractionalLife.com:
Fractional Life is a Business-to-Consumer website designed to support readers in understanding and using the fractional ownership industry. FractionalLife.com is not limited to Fractional Vacation Real Estate, but in addition includes categories such as Auto, Jets, Yachts, Art, Wine Vineyards and more.
The concept of Fractional Ownership is to allow consumers an opportunity to share in owning luxury items versus the entirety, thereby sharing in the cost and maintenance of ownership.
Fractional Life also hosts a Business-to-Business website titled Fractional Trade (www.FractionalTrade.com). The website is an on-line community forum which provides free access to information, resources and suppliers for fractional developers, agents, sales managers, consultants and entrepreneurs. Fractional Life also hosts other B2B Industry conferences around the world throughout the year as well as a B2C Expo annually in London.
Geared towards educating and uniting the North American Fractional resort and Private Residence Club industry, the Summit was a huge success for all delegates attending.
Day 1 of the Summit kicked off with opening statements by Piers Brown, CEO of Fractional Life, and went in to “Fractional 101”. Through four sessions, experts in various segments of the industry shared their knowledge discussing everything from obtaining financing, to developing and maintaining a Fractional Property. The day closed with a networking card swap, cocktail hour and a Zacapa Rum tasting event.
Day 2 of the Summit was packed full of sessions with discussions covering topics such as Rentals and Exchanges, Case Studies, Marketing strategies, Technology on the web, and restructuring current developments into Fractionals. A first ever “purchasers panel” was highly anticipated and successful. The panel of Fractional consumers gave the delegates an opportunity to hear directly why they purchased, feedback on what they purchased and what they would like to see next from their developers. Industry professionals will be able to review all of the forums and discussions via video production that will be posted on the Summits website at www.FractionalSummitUSA.com.
Andrew Vick, Director of Sales & Marketing for Blue Tent Marketing ( www.bluetent.com) stated that the “Fractional Summit USA proved to be a dynamic and valuable learning experience for us. We were pleased with the ease of networking at this conference along with the opportunities to learn more about the Fractional Residence Industry”.
The Summit was sponsored by such industry leaders as La Tour Hotels & Resorts, Robb & Stucky, The Registry Collection, Timbers Resorts and Peter Kempf International among others. Attendees included delegates representing companies such as First American Title, Ballard Spahr, Ragatz Associates, Premier Cancun Vacations, Merlin Software, Interval International and RCI.
Fractional Life is a newly registered member of ARDA, the American Resort Development Association (www.ARDA.org). Howard Nusbaum, President of ARDA and Darla Zanini, Executive Vice President of ARDA were both in attendance to show ARDA’s support of Fractional Life’s new membership and inauguration to the United States industry. In a recent press release, Piers Brown, CEO of Fractional Life was quoted as saying “Fractional Life and ARDA both share a common vision of the future which, despite these challenging times, is to help drive sales within the fractional real estate market”.
About FractionalLife.com:
Fractional Life is a Business-to-Consumer website designed to support readers in understanding and using the fractional ownership industry. FractionalLife.com is not limited to Fractional Vacation Real Estate, but in addition includes categories such as Auto, Jets, Yachts, Art, Wine Vineyards and more.
The concept of Fractional Ownership is to allow consumers an opportunity to share in owning luxury items versus the entirety, thereby sharing in the cost and maintenance of ownership.
Fractional Life also hosts a Business-to-Business website titled Fractional Trade (www.FractionalTrade.com). The website is an on-line community forum which provides free access to information, resources and suppliers for fractional developers, agents, sales managers, consultants and entrepreneurs. Fractional Life also hosts other B2B Industry conferences around the world throughout the year as well as a B2C Expo annually in London.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Heading to the Fractional Summit
I am packing my bags to head to Miami to the Fractional Summit (www.fractionalsummitusa.com). Hope to see some of my vacation ownership buddies down there! I will return with reviews and updates on the conference. If anyone has any specific questions or people they would like to hear an interview from, let me know!
Friday, August 13, 2010
Timeshare Resales Leader Steps Up to Expand Timeshare Owner Options
DOVER, NH--(Marketwire - 08/13/10) - Sell My Timeshare NOW, the global leader in timeshare resales and rentals, announces that the company is expanding its services, introducing important new options for timeshare owners.
Jason Tremblay, the company's founder and CEO, says, "Timeshare owners want and need choices in how they resell their timeshares. In addition to the owner-advertising option Sell My Timeshare NOW has always offered consumers, we are expanding our timeshare brokerage service capabilities and will begin presenting those services as an additional option when sellers contact us."
As part of the new business model, Sell My Timeshare NOW is transitioning to a sales team almost exclusively comprising licensed real estate professionals. The company is serious about de-emphasizing timeshare advertising as its primary product: beginning last March, it has been conducting in-house training at the corporate offices in Dover, New Hampshire, to help prepare employees for the required testing they will face in obtaining state real estate licenses. Tremblay says that he sees this as investing in the company by investing in its employees, and that SellMyTimeshareNOW will also be looking to hire additional licensed real estate professionals for its Orlando, Florida offices.
Sell My Timeshare NOW offers by-owner timeshare advertising sold by trained timeshare sales professionals, and its affiliate Timeshare Broker Services offers a full range of professional real estate services. In 2009, the company's websites generated 61,743 offers to buy timeshare resales and 85,949 offers to rent timeshares.
Consumers who want to resell their timeshare intervals or timeshare points through Sell My Timeshare NOW can pay a one-time advertising fee ($599) for sale-by-owner advertising and marketing that the company provides through its highly visible, well-positioned websites. The owner's timeshare ad remains on the company's websites, continuing to be marketed until it sells, with the timeshare owner benefiting from a money-back guarantee should the timeshare sell through other means.
For owners who would rather let a licensed professional handle the details of the sales transaction, Timeshare Broker Services may be the better choice. Customers of Timeshare Broker Services pay no up-front fee to advertise their timeshares but will pay the greater of either a 15 percent commission or $2,000 when the sale of their timeshare closes. Brokered timeshare sales are conducted in much the same way as the sale of traditional real estate. "Both options are good choices," according to Tremblay, but he says the company recognized the importance of making timeshare broker services more readily available to consumers, since many people simply don't feel comfortable or have the time to be involved in the sales process personally.
Tremblay describes the overall timeshare industry as being in a period of growth and redefinition and discloses that Sell My Timeshare NOW recently obtained formal legal advice from the highly respected law firm of Baker & Hostetler LLP, affirming that the business practices of Sell My Timeshare NOW and Timeshare Broker Services are in full compliance with Florida real estate brokerage laws. Sell My Timeshare NOW is counseled by Robert J. Webb, RRP of Baker Hostetler, a board certified Florida real estate lawyer with substantial experience in commercial real estate, timeshare and hospitality industry law.
About Sell My Timeshare NOW
Averaging more than 2 million pageviews per month, Sell My Timeshare NOW provides internet advertising and marketing solutions for timeshare owners seeking to sell or rent timeshare while offering timeshare buyers and timeshare renters competitively priced vacation ownership and rental opportunities. The company offers timeshare brokerage through Timeshare Broker Services. Headquartered in Dover, NH with offices in Orlando, FL, Sell My Timeshare NOW has been recognized on the Inc. 500 and 5000 Lists for two consecutive years as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the U.S.
Contact:
Contact:Jay BadeVice President of Business Developmentjaybade@sellmytimesharenow.com 603-516-0680
Jason Tremblay, the company's founder and CEO, says, "Timeshare owners want and need choices in how they resell their timeshares. In addition to the owner-advertising option Sell My Timeshare NOW has always offered consumers, we are expanding our timeshare brokerage service capabilities and will begin presenting those services as an additional option when sellers contact us."
As part of the new business model, Sell My Timeshare NOW is transitioning to a sales team almost exclusively comprising licensed real estate professionals. The company is serious about de-emphasizing timeshare advertising as its primary product: beginning last March, it has been conducting in-house training at the corporate offices in Dover, New Hampshire, to help prepare employees for the required testing they will face in obtaining state real estate licenses. Tremblay says that he sees this as investing in the company by investing in its employees, and that SellMyTimeshareNOW will also be looking to hire additional licensed real estate professionals for its Orlando, Florida offices.
Sell My Timeshare NOW offers by-owner timeshare advertising sold by trained timeshare sales professionals, and its affiliate Timeshare Broker Services offers a full range of professional real estate services. In 2009, the company's websites generated 61,743 offers to buy timeshare resales and 85,949 offers to rent timeshares.
Consumers who want to resell their timeshare intervals or timeshare points through Sell My Timeshare NOW can pay a one-time advertising fee ($599) for sale-by-owner advertising and marketing that the company provides through its highly visible, well-positioned websites. The owner's timeshare ad remains on the company's websites, continuing to be marketed until it sells, with the timeshare owner benefiting from a money-back guarantee should the timeshare sell through other means.
For owners who would rather let a licensed professional handle the details of the sales transaction, Timeshare Broker Services may be the better choice. Customers of Timeshare Broker Services pay no up-front fee to advertise their timeshares but will pay the greater of either a 15 percent commission or $2,000 when the sale of their timeshare closes. Brokered timeshare sales are conducted in much the same way as the sale of traditional real estate. "Both options are good choices," according to Tremblay, but he says the company recognized the importance of making timeshare broker services more readily available to consumers, since many people simply don't feel comfortable or have the time to be involved in the sales process personally.
Tremblay describes the overall timeshare industry as being in a period of growth and redefinition and discloses that Sell My Timeshare NOW recently obtained formal legal advice from the highly respected law firm of Baker & Hostetler LLP, affirming that the business practices of Sell My Timeshare NOW and Timeshare Broker Services are in full compliance with Florida real estate brokerage laws. Sell My Timeshare NOW is counseled by Robert J. Webb, RRP of Baker Hostetler, a board certified Florida real estate lawyer with substantial experience in commercial real estate, timeshare and hospitality industry law.
About Sell My Timeshare NOW
Averaging more than 2 million pageviews per month, Sell My Timeshare NOW provides internet advertising and marketing solutions for timeshare owners seeking to sell or rent timeshare while offering timeshare buyers and timeshare renters competitively priced vacation ownership and rental opportunities. The company offers timeshare brokerage through Timeshare Broker Services. Headquartered in Dover, NH with offices in Orlando, FL, Sell My Timeshare NOW has been recognized on the Inc. 500 and 5000 Lists for two consecutive years as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the U.S.
Contact:
Contact:Jay BadeVice President of Business Developmentjaybade@sellmytimesharenow.com 603-516-0680
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