LarryClarkBlog.com

As you have probably guessed, if you visited our Business sites, I am a big fan of marketing on the internet. It is a extremely effective way to get “your message out” to the most amount of people. Hey, we even have an in-house web Director that makes sure we update information all the time, change designs to be more information orientated and to make sure we have excellent ‘organic’ web positioning on the search engines.

My issue is there is a BIG difference between being a Company that markets online and being a Online Marketer. Let me explain.

Do you remember the old stories of the turn of the century gold rush? Average people who left families, jobs and Countries to seek the quick “bonanza” of gold riches. The stories in the papers and of course word of mouth, were saying just get yourself to the Klondike, and the nuggets are just laying on the ground! Ya right. But people obviously bought into it and some paid even with their lives. Ok, so seeking quick riches on the internet may not be life threatening, but the same “stories” of the gold rush are alive and well online. I get bombarded with offers that are saying this is the next thing, ‘easy’ ‘quick’ ‘solution in a box’ ‘even your dog could do this’ ...Ya right. Sound familiar?

I have been marketing online now for over 10 years and let me tell you, it is not an overnight success story. It was hard work, persistence, trial and error and many mistakes. You eventually learn what works and what doesn’t and if your experience is there, you can adapt to the changes online. There is fortunes being made online but they are not the get rich quick programs, its the Internet Marketing Guru’s spreading stories of “gold on the internet” just waiting for you. What they are really doing is selling you the shovels, picks, buckets, blankets, flour, etc. that you need to try and find the so called ‘gold’.
Who really wins in this scenario? I will let you decide that.

As a conclusion, what you can learn from this is if there is a strong market out there that you have knowledge of, you can introduce a complimentary product to service that market and do very well. A good product in a good market will be openly received. I didn’t invent panelized housing but I saw what was being sent and said I can do that better.
Don’t forget the miner’s and prospectors came unprepared for the harshness of the north. The problem was they were usually sold substandard products at outrageous prices. Hey, that sounds allot like some of the most recent offers I was sent online…

Please don’t think of doing this as your success will be short lived.

Regards,

Larry

Always the one to find new ways to market, I have been setting up “lenses” at Squidoo.com

I did ones for our Companies and just finished a personal one for my Real Estate Site. You can go here to view the Squidoo Lens (page) and see how easy it is to do and fun.

Have a Great Day!

Larry

I just returned from a business trip to Toronto and my wife gave me a book to read while on the plane. I tell you honestly, this book is a life changer! The book is called ” The Go Giver” and was written by Bob Burg and John David Mann. I usually don’t read fiction but this was worth the read. It is based on a ambitious young business man who gets introduced to a Mentor who teaches him ” The Five Laws of Stratospheric Success”.

I guarantee this will change your paradigm about what you believe success is in business and life. Please take the time to buy this book and pass it onto family and friends.

Well, I am back from a Christmas week in Palm Springs California. Weather was great and it was a relaxing time to refresh my ‘batteries’ and spend time with the family. After a challenging year both physically and in business, I am a firm believer in taking time away from the home front, phones, etc. to reflect on what is important.

Now it’s time to get back to work refreshed and ready to go! Below is a picture of me “reflecting”.

Just set up my Facebook account and started searching for old friends and acquaintances. Sure was great to start hearing from childhood friends and schoolmates. I am pleased to know I am not the only one going grey!

Not sure about all those cheesy super wall things, but overall is a great way to see what everyone is up to. If haven’t signed up, I would encourage you. If you need help getting up and running, try www.facebook-tutorial.com

See you all on Facebook.

Larry

I have decided to do a video blog entry (VLOG) instead of typing. Make sense to me… enjoy!

That’s right…I was on a getaway weekend with my wife and friends at Salt Spring Island and fell off a rented scooter and broke my left leg !

I now have my leg pinned and I am out of commission for least three months. Thank the Lord, I am set up at home in my home office and have all the technology, I need to continue in business.  The next step will be surgery and rehab.

I think I must to looked like a crash test dummy when I went flying over the handlebars. The good news is there is no other injuries and I will try post a picture for you.

best regards, Larry

Returned last week from a 5 day stay in Korea. It was business related and went very well and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide home packages for their 270 lot Development. I will keep you posted on our progress and you can see some pictures here.

I sold my first home in Real Estate!! Great couple, Brock and Jenn were looking for their very first home and bought a condo. Congratulations to you both and I think I will start a Real Estate blog next as I foresee I will be busy there as well.

I have learned in the last couple of years that developing residual streams of income is a great way to prepare for shortages in business and to prepare for retirement. We all know that we cannot depend on a Government pension to survive. In the next few blog entries, I will teach you how to get started and show you what works for me and hopefully inspire you to get started and grow an additional monthly income.

Stay tuned.

Larry

I have a new specialized Real Estate Site online…www.listwithlarry.com

I decided to invest in the MyRealPage system that includes daily updates of listings in our area through their VOW system (Virtual Office Website) that icludes real-time updates of new listing usually 2-3 days ahead of www.mls.ca This allows our clients to see listing well ahead of most buyers allowing them a distinct advantage in a competitive market.

This version of www.listwithlarry.com should be up by May 1st so check back.

I am flying to Calgary today to meet with a Korean Developer who flew to Canada to meet with us regarding panelized homes for his Development near Seoul, Korea.  I will update and let you know how it went.

Regards,

Larry

This is my first post for 2007 so Happy New Year to everyone. I am progressing through my Real Estate Course and have completed chapter 16 of 20. Should write the final exam in March. Math was a real eye opener for someone out of the algebra class of ‘78 !

I will be working with a great friend on mine, Brian Kirkwood and Prudential Realty in Langley will sponsor my license. Being a University credited course, it feels great to be able to accomplish this in a few months while still keeping the ‘hand on the wheel’ at Allpro.

My wife, Robin, and I are now the team leaders at the new Healing Rooms location in Langley B.C. If you have not heard of the Healing Rooms, you can read the history at their main website here. We are very excited about what God has in store for the people who come and for us. We love this Ministry and look forward to going every week.

Off to the International Builders Show on February 03rd for the week and it is always a great show to meet new clients and reacquaint myself with suppliers. The weather and golf is not too bad either!!

All the best for this year,

Larry