How to Use Evernote + The Full Focus Planner for Real Estate Success

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We all only have 24 hours in a day. How you spend that time can either make you want to pull your hair out or set you up for success. Because when you're organized with the right tools to support you, you can focus on what matters most - professionally and personally. 

And when it comes to your real estate marketing, you will be more effective if you're organized in an enjoyable way. There's nothing worse than tech that is so complicated it doesn't help! So, in today's episode, I'm covering how to combine my favorite all-in-one digital tool with a pen & paper system to keep you on track. 

And spoiler, I use both these tools every day and know you'll find value in them too!

Organizing Your Business, Marketing, and Day  

Over the years, I've tested all kinds of systems guaranteed to make you more productive. Whether it's the latest tech or a business strategy, I'm always looking for ways to stay organized, on task, or to solve a specific challenge. And through managing a professional marketing department, working with hundreds of agents, and using tools myself, I've found some tools I can't live without. These tools not only will help you be more effective but are also very user-friendly. So, you want to use them! 

One is a digital tool. You can use it on the go, on your phone or computer to organize your entire business, including your marketing. And the other you can hold in your hand and write on with a pen to streamline your day. 

Because do you ever feel like you information all over the place? From notebooks to CRMS to transaction management platforms to files on your computer, that's a lot of places you need to access. And then on top of that, you have a mile-long list of things to do. It can be overwhelming mentally to keep up with it all! 

That's why I recommend the use of both of the tools I'm talking about today. There's nothing worse than feeling like you're not accomplishing anything, and it's so easy to get distracted or interrupted throughout the day. If you have a system that organizes your business and day, you'll not only be more productive, but you'll also be happier. 

So, for each of these tools, I'll be sharing what it is, why you should use it, the cost, how to use it, and my best tips:  

1 - Evernote for REALTORS 

At the top of my list is Evernote. I first heard about Evernote 7 or 8 years ago at a conference; however, I only recently started using it and am obsessed.

What It Is: Evernote is an all-in-one organizational system that can be accessed on your desktop or used as an app. Their website states that it's your place to "remember everything and tackle any project with your notes, tasks, and schedule all in one place." And it truly lives up to that statement! 

You can think of Evernote as a hybrid of the notes on your phone, project management app or to-do list app, calendar, Google Drive or Dropbox, and even CRM. Anything that you want to organize in your business, Evernote can help you do this. 

Why It's Good for REALTORS: Evernote is perfect for REALTORS because it's easy to use and replaces a variety of tools. If you find yourself avoiding tech because it's cumbersome or doesn't meet your needs, you can make Evernote precisely what you need. Think of Evernote as the dashboard for your real estate business. It's also an ideal way to organize teams and partnerships!

Cost: There is a free version, but I recommend the yearly professional plan at $8.33 or $99/year. That way, you can take advantage of all the features and integrations. Try Evernote here using my link.

How to Use for Real Estate: Evernote can be used in a variety of ways! The basic setup contains "notebooks" and "stacks" which you can think of as folders on your computer, and interactive "notes" within those notebooks. 

For example, I have a "notebook" labeled podcast, and within it, each "note" is a different episode of the Ideas for Real Estate show. Evernote is exceptional in its ability to insert various features into each "note" such as: tasks, calendar events, tables, attachments, photos, YouTube videos, checkboxes, audio recordings, and even sketches. 

So, you could make an entire "notebook" to help you stay organized with one customer or transaction. 

For example, your "notebook" titled "Amy Smith | 123 Main St - Buyer" can contain everything you can imagine to help you keep track of that transaction. 

• One note could be a detailed overview of the customer, including their contact information (which you can organize in visually appealing tables).

• Another note could be the answers to your Buyer's Consultation.

• You can create individual notes for each executed document (you can attach documents or embed PDFs you can flip through in Evernote) or make a note where you link to documents in another system like Dotloop.

• And if you have tasks you need to do or reminders, you can easily add them within each note!

It also works well to organize your real estate marketing! 

Let's say you're focused on new construction marketing. 

• You can create a notebook for a new construction community and notes about that community to use in your marketing.

• You could create a note for each model home and embed a description of the home, a video tour, and even embed PDFs of the floorplan.

• That way, when you want to promote that home or share the info with a client, you have it all in one spot.

• This setup also makes it easy to access content to share on social media!

Another use case for real estate marketing is to create notes with your most-used marketing collateral. For example, you could make a note "about you" and include a written bio, embed any video introductions you've filmed, and any print documents like an agent resume all in one place. 

In addition to text, notes are an ideal way to organize documents and visual assets. In a past episode, I shared "How to Turn Old Listing Photos Into New Social Media Posts." You can use Evernote to organize the best community photos, high-end kitchens, and other home features that you want to re-share on social.

You can also create checkboxes and keep track of how you've used your marketing collateral, such as testimonials. You can keep all of your testimonials in one place and include a checkbox feature to note if you've uploaded the testimonial to your website, added as a recommendation on Realtor.com, or shared it on each social platform.

It's all about organizing your marketing assets, so it's easier for you to get the most out of them!

Tips: My biggest recommendation for Evernote for REALTORS is to identify your biggest pain point when organizing your business. 

Are you struggling to stay organized throughout the transaction? Then, start with getting all of your critical information into Evernote and proactively take notes and assign yourself tasks within the system. You can continuously improve upon your system, but if you find yourself struggling because you're using multiple platforms to access information, then Evernote might be right for you!

Want to Try?: - Access my Evernote link here and try for free. 

Now that' we've discussed tech, let's go back to pen & paper. 

2 - The Full Focus Planner 

I've noticed a marked improvement in my productivity since switching to the Full Focus Planner. While I use this in conjunction with other digital project management systems like Asana & Evernote, the Full Focus Planner ensures I stay on track and accomplish what matters. 

What It Is: The Full Focus Planner is a traditional planner in that it's a well-made paper planner. However, it's utterly modern in its approach to achieving your goals and managing your time. 

It's a quarterly planner that includes room for you to track your goals, an overview of the week, room for self-reflection, and daily breakdowns. The Full Focus Planner is most known for its use of the "Weekly Big 3" and "Daily Big 3." So, instead of starting your list with 100 tasks to do, you break it down by your three most important tasks. If you accomplish these tasks, then you'll have made significant progress in meeting your goals.

Why It's Good for REALTORS: I recommend this paper planner for real estate agents because it empowers you to block out the overwhelm and only focus on what's going to make a difference in your business. That way, you'll have clear goals and less overwhelm.

Cost: I prefer the coil-bound version for $39.99 a quarter. This might sound pricey, but it's high-quality, and above all, this system works! Claim $10 off your order here.

How to Use for Real Estate: When you get your planner, you'll be guided through a section where you define your goals, daily rituals, and your ideal week. 

You'll also have a section to set you up for success for the week where you look back on your most significant wins from the previous week and complete a mini-debrief on the actions you took. Within this weekly overview, you also have room to take notes on what's important to you personally & professionally that week, a daily overview of the week, your "Weekly Big 3," and a self-care planner. 

All of this is designed for you to be more intentional with your time.

My favorite aspect of the planner is each day itself. On the left side, you have room to list your "Daily Big 3," other tasks, and an hour-by-hour timeline to note meetings or use for time blocking. The right side of the planner is blank to use for notes for that day. 

This simple system has been a game-changer for me. I start each day by creating my list of action items for my "Daily Big 3." These are the three most important tasks that I want to get done that day. I also include any other smaller tasks that I would like to do, note any meetings, and time-block the day for myself.

You probably have a long list of tasks that you need to do every day! 

The Full Focus Planner helps you narrow down what's the most important and beneficial so you can make progress towards your goals. It's so easy to get caught up in the day-to-day that you don't have time to complete the action items you need to meet your goals. The Full Focus Planner helps you stay on track with your life personally and professionally. 

"Daily Big 3" Example for Real Estate Agents

For example, your "Daily Big 3" might be: 

1. Prepare for an upcoming listing presentation

2. Attend a showing/s

3. Watch a marketing masterclass to generate seller leads.

You might have other tasks to do, such as following up with customers or going to the grocery store, but you know that your "Daily Big 3" will be accomplished.

Tips: It's essential to recognize that this is not your traditional calendar-based planner. In fact, I recommend you use something like Google Calendar online (which works with Evernote!) to keep track of your meetings. 

It's not designed to be a notebook where you jot down your dentist appointment next month. It's an intentional practice of better managing your time and day to meet your goals. 

And from a real estate marketing perspective, I'd recommend you make one of your "Daily Big 3s" a marketing task. That way, every day you're committed to growing your brand and making connections as an agent. However, the best part of the Full Focus Planner is that you decide what will make the biggest impact.

Want to Try?: - Access my discount code here to get $10 off.

Using Both Systems Together

The magic comes when you use both of these tools together. 

Evernote empowers you to keep everything you need all in one place! This is especially useful for teams and partnerships. You don't need to log in to multiple systems to stay organized from managing your transactions to executing your marketing. Everything that matters will all be in one place, and you can easily assign yourself tasks, view appointments on your calendar, and create notes. 

And when you start every day off with the Full Focus Planner, you'll be executing your "Daily Big 3." So, no matter what the day throws at you, you can determine the most critical tasks and make headway towards your goals. 

Both of these systems will challenge your mindset and encourage you to use organization for productivity. It's not about cramming more into your day - it's about being more efficient. That way, you can spend more time with your family and doing what you love - and less time trying to find a file on your computer or never finishing a to-do list.

I can personally attest to the value of both of the systems. I use them daily and find both easy to use. Take these systems and leverage them to accomplish your goals and live the life you want through real estate. Try both Evernote & the Full Focus Planner (& access discount codes). 

UP NEXT:

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I’m Heather Colby, host of the “Ideas for Real Estate Podcast.”

If you like what you read here today, I’d encourage you to take a listen to the episodes. :