“A lot of talented actors still have to pay their bills.” - Mark Wahlberg

Sometimes it seems like bills come through the door as much as customers do … And knowing which bills to pay in which specific order can be difficult. 

And just like some customers are worth more than others to your small business, some bills need quicker attention than others as well. You put things in priority order for your company every day. You should do the same for your expenses. 

We’ve got some thoughts on how to do that. 

Which bills to pay first and why

You’ve heard about keeping the lights on? It’s true. Whether your business relies on the internet, machinery, handwashing, or heating, your utility bills have to be near the top – if not always first – on your pay list.

You also need a place to work – there’s no debate if you arrive at the office one morning and find the door padlocked. Pay your rent. 

Now for bills that can have wiggle room (but precious little of it): 

1. Taxes. Fines and penalties are the stick for taxes. Fail to pay property or income taxes, fail to remit the sales or payroll taxes you’ve collected, and government action will be swift. Pay taxes, because they’re not going to go away. Also remember that what you collect from federal payroll taxes – Social Security and Medicare – and state sales and income taxes does not belong to you, no ... Read More…

"Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes and having fun." -Mary Lou Cook

I'll be honest ... I hate the buzz phrase "new normal".

None of us want this present reality to remain the permanent reality.

That said, I use it because I think you understand what I mean -- the ground has shifted under our feet.

So, what will we be doing about this?

I should state from the outset: I'm not a marketing guru. But, I keep my eyes open and notice what is working!

How do you do that?

1) Share Yourself
Chances are, you're not the only person selling what you're selling, right? But people will listen to what you're saying, not only because of your content or products, but because they enjoy hearing you share your actual experience.

If you've had a specific experience that relates to what you're talking about, share it. Believe it or not, this can actually have a big impact on people feeling like they can trust you. They'll feel as though they know you more. The internet has torn down the false wall of impersonality. The pathway to profit lies behind it.

Further, here in 2020, trust is at a massive deficit. But when you share more of yourself, you signal that you're worthy of it.

2) "What's In It For Me?"
The old "WIIFM" question is one you should answer as quickly as you possibly can, in any kind of marketing piece. Marketing content which rambles on and on without being crystal clear about what the reader is getting does not ... Read More…

If you attend MAREIA meetings, you’ve probably heard me talk about OPM. Most people think of this as a term in business standing for Other People’s Money. And, by the way, it’s also the title of a good movie starring Danny DeVito as a shrewd businessman. His speech about business and capitalism near the end is something more people should hear.

However, my definition of OPM is Other People’s Mistakes and how that information can be many times more valuable than not using your own money in a deal. This month, I’m going to relate some details of a deal (almost) gone bad and tell you how you can avoid similar problems.

In this deal, I broke my own rules and it cost me thousands of dollars of profit. Here’s what happened. . .

I had an assignee for a property that I owned (I bought it as a short sale with the intent to flip it quickly). I assumed (mistake #1—never assume anything) that this would be like any other deal. My assignee and I had agreed on a price and he said he’d make the arrangements for the purchase and rehab money before we met to sign the contract.

Within a day, I received a contract from a real estate agent. It turns out that my assignee had never bought an investment property on his own and wanted the agent for protection. He had solid credit, had agreed to pay the agent’s fees and I didn’t have other buyers lined up so I signed the contract (mistakes #2+3—use your own contract and never let an agent come between you and your assignee/buyer. Agents are best suited t ... Read More…

Below you will find the new MAREIA Member Benefits that were just unveiled at the annual National REIA Mid-Year Leadership Conference* in Provo Utah. In addition to the New Benefits many of the existing benefits received some major upgrades. These discounts are only available to members.

The Home Depot

Our friends at the Home Depot keep providing us with newer and better opportunities. This year it includes:

2% Semi Annual Rebate*

20% savings on paint stains and primers

Volume pricing on large orders

Dedicated national support team

Bulk pricing discounts on thousands of items

Exclusive online appliance program with free delivery and haul off

Hampton Bay kitchen and bath cabinet discount program up to 20% off

Arcana Insurance

Arcana insurance has been around for a long time and now has four unique programs designed for the real estate investor and property manager.

Residential Property Insurance Program

Tenant Discrimination Program

Landlord Supplemental Protection

Renters Contents and Liability Insurance Program

Office Depot Office Max

Office Depot / Office Max member’s only discounts. Free Shipping for orders of $50 or more

10% Branded toner and ink

20% Office Max brand toner and ink

20% to 50% Cleaning and Break Room Items

10% Average technology core items

Black and white copies $0.025 each

Color Copies $0.22 each

Rent Perfect

Rent Perfect is the solution rental property owners and managers have been crying out for. All you need is ... Read More…