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The Best Business Networking Groups

Posted on by cvargas

If you are a small business owner, a solopreneur or in sales, marketing is an imperative part of what you do. How do you get your name and your business ‘out there?’ One of the best ways to spread the word about what you offer is to be a member of one (or a few) local networking groups. Here are a few examples of groups you could join, along with short descriptions from their websites:

  • Business Networking International (BNI) – “By joining BNI, you’ll increase your exposure to like-minded professionals, gain referrals from a global network and sharpen your networking skills with exclusive member resources.”
  • Boston Business Women – “Boston Business Women aims to provide women with a platform to build connections, support personal and professional growth, and gain the tools and resources needed to succeed in both business and life.”
  • Rotary International – “The collective leadership and expertise of our 1.2 million members helps us tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges, locally and globally. We are united by common values and vision for the future as we sharpen our focus with targeted specific causes that will reach communities most in need.”
  • Kiwanis International – “We are passionate about making a difference. Helping kids grow and succeed is at the heart of everything we do. We believe our neighborhoods and our world are best served when people of all ages and different backgrounds work together to share their time and talents.”
  • Infinite Business Networking – “The mission of Infinite Business Networking is to help grow and nurture each other’s business through word-of-mouth referrals and professional development.”

Here’s one tip, though: if you are interested in joining one of these groups, make sure that you have enough time to dedicate to your membership. Just having the card isn’t enough – you need to be an engaged participant in meetings and activities in order to get the most of the experience. You also need to have a pretty good description of what you do, who your best customer is, and for best results, attend each meeting with a “story” or “drop” some knowledge on the others in the group.

In addition, when joining these types of organizations, it’s important to realize that the relationships that you build and the referral system in place are both two-way streets. It’s not enough nowadays to just give someone your business card. You need to build a relationship. And if you want to gain referrals, you have to expect to give referrals and don’t forget to follow up, follow up, follow up with everyone that you meet!

If you need some advice and guidance on joining a business group or just how to be a better networker, I am available to help.

And if anyone you know is ever in need of a great Boston insurance agent, please tell them to contact us at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency. We appreciate your referrals!

Carlos

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Fear Is My Motivation

Posted on by cvargas

 

I hope that you are getting ready for your long weekend!

Here are a few words of wisdom to ponder over the next 3 days:

“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing which you think you cannot do.”
-Eleanor Roosevelt

Growing up, school dances were a significant source of anxiety for me. When I was 14, I had no idea how to talk to girls, much less ask them out. What would I say? What if she says no, or already has a date? Where would I run if I bombed or froze up? Those were legitimate fears of mine – after all, isn’t rejection a teenager’s worst enemy.

I know I’m not alone in this. No matter how suave and smooth you may be, putting yourself out there is scary. Everyone’s had that moment where they had to psych themselves up to approach a member of the opposite sex… And the longer you wait, the more anxiety you feel. Then the fear sets in. If I were a braver soul, I would write a whole book about fear.

We’ve all been told not to give in to fear. And more so constantly if you’re a male in our culture. Fear is somehow a bad thing. So is failure. At least, that’s what we’re told. Well, that is a lie!

If you dwell on fear, you get a mental block and stop working effectively toward your goal. If I wrote a book about fear, would you read it? Maybe you won’t read this message.  You’ll skip it because maybe you’re worried (more fear!) that I’ll make you feel guilty.

Fear is a powerful and useful tool. But, just like fire, you have to respect it, and you have to choose to use it that way. Fire is necessary for human survival (cooking food, purifying water, cauterizing wounds), but it can burn a house down just as easily. Fear is the same. It can burn your mental house down.

I use fear to get informed, I am motivated by fear, but I never let it guide me. How about you? Do you feel fear, and are you moving forward? It’s simple, but it’s not easy. Just remember, your excuses will never be as interesting as the story of how you got it done.

I’ll tell you a few more secrets about fear, if you’re interested:

  • Fear without knowledge is amplified.
  • Fear without a plan is debilitating.
  • Fear without a goal is endless

“Fear will crush and dominate more dreams than failure ever will.”

What fixes it all?

  • Fear without knowledge is amplified – so I seek knowledge of what I needed to do.
  • Fear without a plan is debilitating – so I have a plan to keep me moving forward.
  • Fear without a goal is endless – so I put a simple goal in place.

I create a purpose so I can grab a hold of fear and keep my business (and life) on a simple track.

If you find this interesting, let’s grab a coffee soon. I would love to learn all about you and your business and see if I can be of help, or just learn about you and hear your story.

Remember, I’m always here to help you and your clients win. It’s what I LOVE to do.

Now, go DOMINATE your week!

Carlos

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Valentine’s Day – Time to Rekindle with Your… Insurance Agent?

Posted on by cvargas

When was the last time you had a real ‘heart-to-heart’ with your insurance agent? Even though it may have been a while, now is the perfect time to rekindle your relationship – it is Valentine’s Day, after all!

Did you know that you should talk to your insurance agent at least once a year to ensure that all your policies are up to date, and that you have the right amount of coverage?

As you chat with your agent, you can expect to review all the major changes in your life, including:

  • Changes in relationship status (marriage or divorce)
  • Children being born, starting to drive, or leaving the household
  • Windfalls or (hopefully not) major monetary losses
  • New ‘toys,’ including cars, boats, RVs, and motorcycles
  • Other purchases – like Valentine’s Day jewelry, perhaps?

In addition to updating your insurance policies to reflect the recent changes in your life, your insurance agent will use your annual meeting as a chance to search for any new discounts for which you may qualify. This means that you may come out of your meeting with a decreased insurance premium! Wouldn’t that be nice?

If you’re ready to rekindle your relationship with your Vargas and Vargas Insurance agent, just call 617-298-0655. We can set you up with an appointment and let you know what to bring to get the most out of your meeting. Also bring a list of all your insurance questions – we love to make sure our clients are well-informed about their insurance!

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Friends Are The Most Important Ingredient

Posted on by cvargas

“Friends are the most important ingredient in this recipe of life.”
– Dior Yamasaki

I thought this week I would give you a few Facebook tips that I have found very helpful in our business.

In the presentations that I do, I’m often asked for tips and strategies to create and connect with friends and customers on Facebook.

Here’s a few:

  1. When a person “likes” your Facebook post, always respond with a comment with their name in it. Use their name to personalize the comment.

If you start to type their name in, Facebook will fill it in, and it will tag them.  If you want to make it more personal, you can back out their last name, which is what I suggest.

Here are some examples:

Mary, I love that you enjoyed this.

Mary, I knew this message would resonate with you.

Mary, I love it when you like what I share.

2. In the beginning of the post that you do, encourage people to share it with others. What I do is simply write on the top of the post:
“This is worth sharing with your friends.”

Or

“Please share.”

Put a message either at the top of your post or at the end of the post encouraging people to give it away.

  1. When someone shares your post, send them a “private message” thanking them for doing so.

    Here are a couple of examples:

    Mary, thank you for sharing my post.

    Mary, I am so glad that you found my post helpful, thank you for the share.

    Mary, thank you for the share! I hope that you are well and business is going well, let’s meet for coffee soon.

  2. If a person comments, always “like” their comment and respond to it with a question.

For example, if a person says, “That is really cool”, you would comment and ask them what is it about his that you found to be cool?

Just have some fun with it.  When people comment, don’t let them hang, go back and say something about what they said.  You want to encourage and facilitate a conversation and therefore build the relationship with them.

  1. Don’t forget to wish your friends a happy birthday on their birthdays.
  2. Use the list feature to sort our your friends, clients, colleagues, acquaintances, etc.  Learn more about Facebook lists here.

Why is this Key?  I call it the “Law of Familiarity”, the more communication, in whatever form, you have with people, the more familiar they become with you.

The reality is that people love to do business with the people they know, like and trust, and they love to refer others to people they are familiar with. Facebook is the ultimate way to create a high level of familiarity with others.

I LOVE connecting with people. In fact, if there was just one thing I feel that I am THE EXPERT in, it is branding and marketing. I use what I have learned to work with a few local business folks on how to connect and grow their brand both online and offline.

I am so committed to these local business friends that we have a Monday accountability call each week. The good news is that I have room for a couple more of these Monday accountability calls. So, look at 2017 – if you’re trying to START or GROW your personal brand, let me know. We’ll spend a little time together, and I will give you an assessment and a clear direction on HOW TO CRUSH 2017 to BOOST YOUR PERSONAL BRAND. Want to meet in person? We can do that too. All you have to do is comment below now, and I promise to make time for you because you are important to me.

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“When The Leader Lacks Confidence”

Posted on by cvargas

As people, we sometimes find ourselves in situations that leave us feeling uncomfortable and uneasy. As business people, leaders, entrepreneurs, and solopreneurs, that’s pretty much a constant.

Being scared is part of being alive. Accept it. Walk through it.
-Robin Sharma

You know what I mean, it could be something positive—maybe speaking to a large crowd, launching a new product, or meeting with an important client.

It could be something negative—a confrontational meeting, an unexpected call, or an ambush instead of an actual sale.

In my experience, as a business person and leader, the day is filled with a mix of both the positive and negative. And, if you’re like me, sometimes we don’t always feel up to either.

Challenges are a constant, but confidence is not. It comes and goes. It ebbs and flows, but we have to learn from both and become better at dealing with our uncomfortable zone.

I experience the greatest doubt and anxiety at the start of something new and big. Whether it’s good or bad, I’m usually fine once I’m going. But until then, I’m like the person on the tip of a black diamond ski slope, overlooking way too much white powder.

Here’s the problem: If you’re a leader, going back isn’t optional. You have to go—and you have to go first.

So, how can we kick fear to the curb long enough to get off the slopes? For me, it comes down to connecting with three critical truths. And I think these can help anyone facing a moment of doubt or uncertainty.

Truth No. 1: They Matter

Whoever you’re dealing with, whatever their circumstances, they matter. This is non-negotiable for gaining confidence. Why? Because it draws us out of ourselves and our own concerns and doubts.

Truth No. 2: It Matters

Not only do others matter, but so do our solutions. As business people and leaders, our job is to meet needs. We could also say—just as easily and accurately—our job is to show how our offer meets our client’s needs.

Truth No. 3: I Matter

Frankly, this truth might be the hardest for some of us to believe. The people you’re dealing with matter. And yes, you know what best addresses their situation, even if it’s bad news.

You have to believe in yourself. Let these thoughts fill your mind and  see how they sound:

  • I am not here by accident. God sent me. To this person (or people or company). At exactly this time.
  • What I have to share is vitally important. It matters, to them, to their loved ones, and to the world.
  • I have all the resources I need to make a positive difference in this situation.

Go ahead and jump!.

This is not going to solve all your problems. You’ll still have the uncomfortable meeting and the angry clients. But who cares?

QUESTION: What big move, positive or negative are you dreading right now? I would love to know, leave a comment below.

That’s it for this week!

Now, go out and DOMINATE your week!

Carlos

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Must Have Apps for Real Estate Professionals

Posted on by cvargas

9-30-16-must-have-apps-img

 

A smartphone is a must in today’s world, especially for a Real Estate agent. You probably use yours several times a day to talk to clients and schedule showings, but are you using your phone to its fullest potential? Here are four areas where you may be able to leverage your app store to make your life easier:

  • Social Media – Social Media doesn’t rest, so you need to be prepared to post and interact with clients and followers at all times. Your phone is a key player in having your profiles at your fingertips. You obviously need Facebook, but also try apps like Instagram, Vine, Snapchat, HootSuite and (my favorite) Buffer
  • Organization – Staying organized on the go is a key trait for Realtor success. Apps like Dropbox, Tempo, and (my favorite) Evernote and more will help you have all of your documents and appointments at your fingertips, no matter where you are.
  • For Showings – Did you know that there are apps that you can use to help you with your listing appointments? Route 4 Me helps you determine an optimal route to get clients around town efficiently, and Supra eKey can turn your smartphone into a lockbox key!
  • For Listings – In addition to using your social media accounts to promote your listings, you can use apps like Camera+ to take and edit pictures of your listings for your social media posts, or you can use your iphone like I do.  There is also a DocuSign app to help you send, track, and sign documents digitally to help sales go through smoothly.

What are the apps that you can’t live without? Tell us about the apps that we missed, and we may use them for another app feature in the future! And, as always, stay tuned to the blog for more technology tips.

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What to Do If You Have an Accident at Work

Posted on by cvargas

What to Do If You Have An Accident At Work

If there’s one rule in life, it’s that accidents happen, and they can happen anywhere. Whether you work a physically demanding job, or sit in a cubicle from 9-5, there is always a possibility that you could have an accident at your workplace. If an accident occurs, there are a few major steps that you should take in order to protect yourself:

Fill Out an Accident Report

No matter how trivial an accident may seem, you should always fill out an accident report, even if you don’t think you are injured. Most workers compensation insurance policies have a very short window after the accident in which an accident report must be filed, so filing an accident report regardless of the severity of the accident will protect you in case any injuries manifest in a few days as a result of the accident.

Reporting the accident to your workplace will also allow the business to take measures to ensure that an accident like yours does not happen again to another employee, so fill out an accident report for the safety of your coworkers.

See a Doctor

Again, regardless of the severity of your accident, you should take the initiative to see a medical professional. If your injury is serious, you need to go to the emergency room for treatment. Otherwise, ask the appropriate party at your workplace if there is a specific doctor you need to see or if you can go to a doctor of your choosing. Have the doctor that you see perform a full evaluation, and ask what you should look out for, and what physical symptoms would indicate an injury.

Report all Injuries ASAP

There is always a chance that an injury won’t manifest immediately when you have an accident. Because of this, you need to be vigilant in paying attention to your body for several days after an accident. If you do discover an injury after the fact, report it to your employer immediately, and speak to a medical professional to get treatment.

Inquire About Workers Comp Coverage

Whether you report an injury immediately after an accident or after some time has passed, your employer should file a workers compensation insurance claim with their insurance provider on your behalf. Ask the person at your workplace to keep you updated on the status of your claim, and stay on top of the claims process.

If you run into any issues with your claim or anywhere in the process, you may want to contact a lawyer that is experienced with workers compensation claims. They will be able to fill you in on what you can expect from the claim, and make sure that you receive the appropriate benefits.

Businesses that are looking for business insurance or workers compensation coverage should contact Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency at 617-298-0655. We are a premier provider of Massachusetts business insurance policies, and can get a business great coverage at a great price.

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Ten Reasons to Support Local Businesses

Posted on by cvargas

Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency, we love to support local businesses. After all, local businesses are what make our neighborhoods unique! It may be convenient to go to a chain store where you can get everything that you need in one stop, but next time you go out shopping, consider shopping at local businesses.

Support Local Businesses

Here are ten good reasons why you should make your next trip out a small business shopping experience from our friends at Sustainable Connections:

  1. Strengthen your local community – When you patronize local business, more of your money stays in the community, being used to support other small businesses rather than going to national chains and lining the pockets of big-wig CEOs.
  2. Support community nonprofits – Local businesses are approximately 250% more likely than larger businesses to give to non-profit organizations. Shopping at small businesses helps your community in so many ways!
  3. Keep the community unique – Every city has the same national chains. It’s the locally owned businesses that distinguish our community from all the others.
  4. Decrease environmental harm – Local businesses typically buy local – this means less sprawl, less congestion, less habitat loss, and less pollution than when you purchase from a large chain.
  5. Create more local jobs – Small businesses are the largest employer nationally when considered as a whole. Spending your money locally ensures more jobs stay in our neighborhoods.
  6. Get better service – Local businesses have a reputation for hiring the best employees – they don’t settle for any warm body.
  7. Invest in the community’s future – Small businesses are an integral part of any community, and they tend to be invested in the community’s future. It’s why we attend and sponsor so many community events here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency!
  8. Use your taxes wisely – Because small businesses are, well… smaller… they use less infrastructure than their national counterparts. This means that your tax dollars will go further if you support small businesses.
  9. Ensure innovation and competition – Local businesses sell products based on the needs of the community, not as the nation (or world). This means that the products sold at small businesses will be better tailored to meet your needs as a consumer.
  10. Encourage community prosperity – Did you know that entrepreneurs and skilled workers are more likely to settle in communities that back small businesses.

If you’re interested in supporting businesses in your area, consider joining a Cash Mob. A Cash Mob is an organized event designed to increase revenue at pre-chosen local businesses, like shops, restaurants, and more. Visit the Vargas and Vargas Insurance website’s Cash Mob page for more information, and to find links to the Dorchester and Stoughton Cash Mob Facebook Pages.

Continue to support local Massachusetts businesses by purchasing your insurance through Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency. We provide local consumers with top of the line home, auto, life, business insurance, and much more. Simply call 617-298-0655 and one of our agents will get to know you and assess your unique insurance needs. Don’t wait any longer – call now!

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8 Apps to Improve Your Productivity

Posted on by cvargas

8 apps to improve your productivity

Do you want to be more productive? Who doesn’t! Here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency, we want to make sure that our clients have all of the tools that they need (including Massachusetts home insurance, auto insurance, business insurance, and more).

Save yourself time and increase your money-making potential by using some or all of the following apps. We have included a link and a short description of each, but we encourage you to give all of them a try to see which should be a permanent part of your repertoire.

1. Dropbox – Have you ever needed to access a file while on the go? With Dropbox (or any of the several similar services like Box and OneDrive) you can have your important files in the cloud, and accessible from a phone or tablet whenever you need them.

2. Evernote – You’re on the go when inspiration strikes. What do you do? Most people are stuck hoping that they can remember their idea later, but with Evernote you can take notes or save images and access them later. Make sure that you’re always prepared for a stroke of genius!

3. Magisto – Apps make previously impossible tasks as easy as 1-2-3. This is especially the case with Magisto – an app that can help you make videos, movies, walkthroughs, and so much more. In addition to their web app, they now also have a mobile app called Magisto shot.

4. Buffer – Everyone knows the importance of having a social media profile that is active and updated regularly. Schedule your social media posts with ease on Buffer. Just link your Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn accounts and begin scheduling posts for a whole week (or more) at once!

5. Keynote – Apps like Keynote can help you create beautiful presentations with “dazzling effects!” Designed for simplicity, Keynote allows seamless collaboration between Mac and iOS devices, and also allows work with PowerPoint users.

6. LinkedIn – I know that you probably already have a LinkedIn account. Did you know, though, that you can keep all of your professional contacts at your fingertips with the LinkedIn app? Get updates from your contacts, see a newsfeed of content from colleagues, recruit on the go, and much more.

7. Streak – Gmail is a powerful business tool. You can make it even more powerful with Streak. When you install this app, you will obtain access to an arsenal of CRM and Email tools within your existing Gmail account, including sales tools, deal flow, hiring help, email tracking, ‘send later’ functionality… and the list goes on!

8. Bond – The power of a handwritten note is undeniable. There’s nothing quite like receiving a letter from a friend or a business. If you want to harness the power of the handwritten letter without wasting time improving your penmanship, Bond allows you to type out a letter – they will use their handwriting technology to pen your words and send the note for you!

To further increase your productivity, get the peace of mind only offered by top of the line insurance policies – like the ones you can get here at Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency! Call 617-298-0655 to speak to an insurance agent about gaining protection for your home, car, business, and more.

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The Power of Testimonials for Massachusetts Businesses

Posted on by cvargas

Business owners know the power of marketing. After all, potential customers won’t patronize your business unless they know you exist, right? So many businesses nowadays focus on a plethora of different technological marketing techniques. While we won’t deny that it’s important to have a good website and a Facebook page, also make sure that you’re not neglecting other significant factors. One of the most overlooked portions of a business’s online presence has been around for hundreds (even thousands) of years – the testimonial.

The Power of Testimonials for Massachusetts Businesses

You can have the best SEO, post on Facebook and Twitter, and everything else. In the end, though, there will always be people who wait to purchase from you until they receive a positive review or testimonial. This can be reading a review on Yelp or on your website, or even a recommendation from a friend or coworker. So how do you get these testimonials? Just ask!

Let your customers and clients know that you’re looking for reviews. Ask them to give their honest opinion of your business. If you’re looking for longer reviews, here are a list of questions adapted from Big Brand System that will help guide customers to write a review that will help others see the benefits of using your business:

  • What was your situation before you started buying from our business?
  • What problems does our business help you solve?
  • Did you have any hesitations about our business? If so, what was the truth behind your qualms?
  • Which of our products or services do you typically purchase?
  • What results do our products or services help you achieve?
  • What specific feature do you like most about what we do?
  • What are three other benefits of doing business with us?
  • Would you recommend us to others? If so, why?
  • Is there anything else you would like to add?

If your raving fans could answer just a few of these questions, you would have a review worthy of posting on your website and on social media. Send out a bulk email to your client list asking for a review with this list of questions attached, and you are sure to get a few glowing responses that will help others realize that they are missing out if they aren’t using your business.

If you want to focus on more than just a website-based review system, you can also direct your fans to post reviews of you on external sites, including Facebook, Yelp, Google, and more. Also see if there are any review sites specific to your industry – like Expedia and Trip Advisor for travel and tourism businesses.

To encourage your customers to review your business, consider offering some sort of a reward to customers that give you a testimonial. Enter them into a drawing for a new gadget or a vacation, or give them a coupon to use the next time that they use your business. Just remember – the better the offer, the more reviews you will likely receive.

If this blog has inspired you, consider showing your appreciation by leaving a review for Vargas and Vargas Insurance Agency on Facebook or on Yelp! And make sure that you consider calling our agency at 617-298-0655 the next time you need a Massachusetts business insurance quote.

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