One thing you can count on in this business- things do not always go according to plan.

Today, I got an urgent loan signing appointment from one of my favorite clients. I got the call at 11:15 am, for one of their home buyers that was not too happy at all. Due to some mortgage hiccups, this poor borrower is closing 30 days later than expected, AND their new rate-lock expires today at 5:00pm. In other words, the loan HAS to close today, or they may lose their house altogether.

So, the lender needs the documents signed at 1:00pm and returned immediately to the escrow office in order to get this loan closed. And, the signing is in a little town south of Phoenix called, Maricopa...54 minutes away from title. 

It's cutting it close, but I could do it. I was already on the road for other signings, and about 20 minutes from the title office, so I swung by, picked up docs, and then decided to pass on lunch in Phoenix, so I could eat at a local coffee shop I know in Maricopa. That would...

Even though we all know that facial expressions, and body language in general, makes up an enormous part of the way we communicate to other people, many of us can be clueless as to what our face is doing when we aren't watching.

For some, our resting facial expression is one of disdain, anger, or sadness, and we don't even realize it. This is commonly known as RBF, or Resting Bitch Face. In every day life, this may not be that big of a deal. But, in business, it can mean the difference between getting (and keeping) a client, or never even getting your foot in the door. 

Your facial expressions can set the tone for a new client relationship, or even an entire loan signing. Whether we like it or not, people make judgements on who we are within the first few seconds of interacting with, or even just seeing, us. If you're RBF is on point, and you have a scowl, even if you're smiling on the inside, you could set yourself up for a rough signing. 

In my own business, I often have...

 Connecting Powerfully at the NNA (or any) Conference 

If you missed the live version of this webinar tonight, you missed out on some fun with Robbie & I. Luckily, we recorded and it so you can catch up on the excellent tips and strategies that Robbie offered to help boost your business, and your life, through networking.

Robbie Samuels, author of "Croissants vs. Bagels: Strategic, Effective, & Inclusive Networking at Conferences," has a different way of approaching networking. In tonight's webinar, he shared the importance of planning ahead, knowing why you want to attend your conferences, or special networking events, and be intentional in your approach.

While at the event, Robbie offers specific ways you can approach other people, start conversations, and leap frog through the room to connect with the very people that will help you enhance your business, or other endeavor. 

What I love about Robbie, is that he focuses on the authentic side of networking....

Hey, I know how it is when you're starting up a new business. Money is tight! And, you don't want to, or can't, spend unnecessary dollars.

Some of you are just trying to see if this thing will work out before you lay down some cash for a website. I get it. And, you set yourself up for failure by waiting too long. It's a viscious cycle because if you wont' build a website until you know this business is real,  then your customers can't find you, so your business fails, so you don't build a website...

At some point, you'll have to have a website. Even though you don't have to have a professional website from day one, you will need a digital presence, like a Facebook page.  Just some way a customer can find you online. 

Here are three alternatives to paying for a professional website:

For all three options, you will need a domain name, or web address for your business. These can be easily purchased through any domain registrar, like Go Daddy.

1. Utilize a free...

 Weekly MOREcast for 5/15/18

Signing Schedule

So grateful for an amazing team that is covering my siginings for the rest of the week. I'll be traveling to San Jose, California tomorrow for a very intense training, and I have peace of mind knowing that my clients are in good hands. Thank you to the students of Sign & Thrive who have helped make that happen! We are approaching the end of the month, and purchase-money signings are through the roof!

Quotes That Speak to Me

"Authentic is more important, and more powerful, than perfect." -Harv Ecker

We are craving authentic connection, and when you demonstrate this with people (your clients included), magical things happen.

What I am Reading

"Wisdom of the Shamans" by Don Jose Ruiz

I am just getting started on this one, but loving the message of interconnectedness.

What I am Loving This Week

Qapital Savings Account and App

This has been so handy! I can automatically save ANY percentage of the deposits into my business account....

Set The Scene

I am in San Jose, California, at an intense training to help me deliver more value through my business. My buddy Zion, founder of The Triple Threat Artist, joined me as well, and we’ve been having power lunches to digest and process the information we’ve learned.

Not having a car, we’ve relied on Lyft to taxi us around to our lunchtime adventures. We found this kind of cool place, called Rok, about a 7 minute car ride from our hotel. Rok is unique in that it serves your steak on a 700 degree volcanic rock, and it literally cooks in front of you, giving you total control of your taste experience. We enjoyed it so much, we actually had lunch here two days in a row.

Meet Our Two Drivers

On each day, we had two different Lyft drivers, both drove a Prius. So we are all clear, these are two people who drive for the same company, in the same city, in the same style of car. Lots of similarities, and some pretty glaring differences. Check this out.

Driver...

 Flexible Schedule

One of the best things about this business is the flexible schedule. You can work around your kid's sporting events, your day job, or your passion hobby of ice bowling. You get to decide which jobs to take, or not take. That said, there are soem considerations you should be aware of.

As a loan signing agent, many mortgage loan closings occur during regular business hours, 8-5 Monday through Friday. There are still plenty that occur in the evenings and weekends, but knowing this can help you structure your business model. There are essentially three main business models to choose from.

Business Models

One, you can just be an independent contractor working for existing signing companies.  These are nice because you don't have to find the business, you just show up and do a job. The downside is the signing company takes a substantial share of the signing fee.

Two, you can hustle for business directly from Escrow Officers/Closing Agents.  This cuts out...