C.H. Brown Co. - December 2023

Take a look at our December newsletter!

DECEMBER 2023

307-322-2545 • CHBEF.COM

EMBRACING THE MAGIC OF THE SEASON

The holiday season is upon us, and for many, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. It’s a time when our world is twinkling with festive decorations and hearts are glowing with the spirit of giving and togetherness. Christmas holds a special place in our hearts as a celebration of family, faith, and because of the support they bring. At its core, Christmas symbolizes the power of family bonds. During the holiday season, we come together to exchange gifts, share meals, and create lasting memories with those who matter most. Family is the cornerstone of our lives, providing the support and love we need to navigate life’s challenges and pursue our dreams. Christmas also embodies the true essence of faith. Whether rooted in religious beliefs or personal convictions, the holiday fosters a sense of faith — in God, in each other and, perhaps more importantly, in oneself. This unwavering belief in our own strength and abilities empowers us to overcome obstacles, chase our aspirations, and achieve success in various aspects of our lives. Speaking of success, as we stand on the cusp of 2024, a new year filled with opportunities and possibilities, now is the perfect time to reflect on the significance of goal setting. The dawn of a new year beckons us to envision our aspirations, whether related to health, relationships, or business. However, setting goals is only the first step. To truly bring these aspirations to fruition, we must establish processes that guide our decisions and actions. These processes serve as the guiding compass that keeps us on track. They provide the structure and strategy needed to work toward our goals effectively. With a well-defined plan, the journey becomes more manageable, and success is within reach.

For us at CHB, our goal for 2024 is to build stronger connections with our brokers — the lifeblood of our organization. Our commitment is twofold. First, we intend to enhance our support for our current brokers, recognizing their dedication and the pivotal role they play in our success. By strengthening our existing relationships, we aim to foster trust and encourage growth. Second, we continue to welcome new brokers with open arms and a determination to earn their trust. We aim to lay the foundation for enduring partnerships and collaborative success. We believe the key to our growth lies in the relationships we build in our CHB broker community. As we enter the holiday season and prepare to welcome the new year, we wish you all a holiday filled with joy, love, and the warmth of family and friends. May the spirit of Christmas inspire faith and unity, and may the new year bring opportunities for growth and success. We look forward to the journey ahead and the challenges we’ll conquer together. Happy holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! See you in 2024! –Kit West & Ed Meyer

CHB will be closed on Monday, Dec. 25, 2023 and Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 in observance of the holidays.

CHB is glad to welcome new associates to the team: Jenny Harrelson, Torena Pike, and Bennie Rodriguez.

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YOUR RESOURCE FOR DIGITAL MARKETING SUCCESS Small Business, Big Impact

As a small-business owner, the internet can become one of your best sources for growth. In fact, 86% of businesses report having increased their brand awareness by using digital marketing, and 75% say doing so also boosted their brand’s credibility with their audience. However, not everyone knows where to go to learn more about digital marketing and how to use it in their businesses successfully. That’s why we compiled a list of FREE resources to learn more about digital marketing and boost your business’s online presence. Resource No. 1: Fundamentals of Digital Marketing by Google Digital Garage This self-paced course contains 26 modules covering several aspects of digital marketing, including how to use analytics and plan your online business strategy. It also features videos for more visual learners, and after completing the 40-question exam at the end of the class, you’ll receive an officially recognized digital marketing certificate from Google. You can find the course by Googling “Fundamentals of Digital Marketing by Google Digital Garage.” Resource No. 2: Digital Marketing Training by Neil Patel If you haven’t heard of Neil Patel, you should know he’s one of the leading voices in digital marketing today. He’s wildly successful and offers to teach others what he’s learned over the years for free. You can

learn more about SEO, conversion optimization, YouTube, and more using his courses and the worksheets he provides. To access Neil’s library, visit NeilPatel.com/training and use the “What do you

want to learn?” table of contents on the left of the page to choose what you’d like to learn about. Resource No. 3: Answer the Public

One of a business’s biggest struggles when growing an online presence is creating content that results in profitable engagement. The best way to discover what matters to people is to ask them! That’s essentially what Answer the Public does FOR you. It pulls the most popular internet searches regarding any topic you type into the site so you can see what people want to know about your niche.

WHAT DO THESE BANS MEAN FOR THE HOUSING MARKET? Almost everyone has stayed in an Airbnb or at least heard of the global short-term rental company. Since its inception in 2008, Airbnb has offered listings worldwide. The company has been providing budget options Cities in California battling inaccessible housing have also released new regulations on Airbnb hosts. Even in San Francisco, where the company originated, hosts must be full-time residents and cannot rent out listings for more than 90 days a year. The Fall of Airbnb and Short-Term Rentals

and, more recently, high-end lodging for every type of traveler. But the golden age of Airbnb may be over.

Dallas has been the most recent to establish regulations, asserting that all short-term rentals are banned from neighborhoods of single-family homes. Short-term rentals in communities with multifamily dwellings are still allowed but must pay the same taxes and fees as hotels. How will the housing market be affected? As the bans continue to roll out in cities worldwide, many hope this will bring more low-priced properties into the market. While plenty of talk about these changes may encourage real estate investors and homebuyers, the truth is that it might not make a difference. Experts say these short-term rental owners won’t simply start selling their property. Instead, they’ll work around the restrictions and likely

U.S. cities have recently tightened restrictions on Airbnb hosts and anyone renting short-term accommodations. The

reason is that Airbnb listings have caused local rent prices to skyrocket, especially in tourist destinations like New York City. According to Jorge González-Hermoso, a research associate at the Urban Institute, the Big Apple recently showed more Airbnb listings than actual apartments for rent. More tourists than established owners/renters were living in residential dwellings. Airbnb regulations vary. So, how are cities working toward preserving their communities? By implementing tighter restrictions that severely limit the types of short-term rentals allowed. New York City was one of the first to put what Airbnb called a “de facto ban” on these accommodations. In 2022, the city prohibited owners from renting out a unit for less than 30 days at a time without the host being present in the unit.

transform listings into long-term rentals. Don’t get your hopes up!

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Active Listening: The Key to Client Happiness

TASTY HOLIDAY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Effective communication is key to building trust, understanding client needs, and succeeding as a business. One of the most powerful communication skills at a broker’s disposal is active listening. This skill goes beyond just hearing words — it involves fully understanding, processing, and responding to what clients say. Here are five tips for brokers to improve their active listening skills and foster more meaningful client communication. Be Present To be an active listener, you must be fully present in the conversation. Eliminate distractions and give your client your undivided attention. This shows respect and allows you to absorb all the details of the call. We always advise you to listen first, then ask a question, then listen again, and again, and again. Maintain Eye Contact If you are talking with your client in person, eye contact is a non- verbal indicator that you’re engaged and attentive. It communicates that you are focused on the client’s words and value their perspective. However, be mindful not to make it uncomfortable — find a balance. Show Empathy Empathy is a huge part of active listening and allows you to understand and share the feelings of your clients. Try to put yourself in your client’s shoes to see the situation from their perspective. Respond with empathy, and you’ll create a strong connection. Use Open-Ended Questions Open-ended questions encourage clients to share more details and express themselves fully. Instead of asking yes/no questions, pose inquiries that require more thoughtful responses. This helps you gain deeper insight into their needs and preferences.

INGREDIENTS

• 10 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped • 4 tbsp butter

• 4 large eggs, separated • 2 tbsp granulated sugar • 1/2 cup heavy cream

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium heatproof bowl, add chocolate and butter. Set the bowl over a saucepan of barely simmering water and stir until chocolate and butter are melted and blended, then remove from heat and let cool slightly. 2. In a medium bowl, beat egg yolks until thick. Then gradually add melted chocolate mixture, stirring until blended. 3. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites until foamy. Then gradually add sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. 4. In another bowl, beat cream until stiff peaks form; fold egg whites and then cream into the chocolate mixture. 5. Pour into individual serving dishes and chill for 3 hours or until set.

Take a Break

Stay Silent When Needed Sometimes, the most powerful

moments of communication occur in silence. Allowing moments of reflection and pause in the conversation can give your client

space to think, and it can also indicate you are taking their words seriously.

By truly hearing and understanding your clients, you can tailor your services to meet their specific needs and build lasting, trust-based relationships. Active listening will help to set you on a path to success and client satisfaction.

CHIMNEY CHRISTMAS GIFTS IGLOO

MISTLETOE ORNAMENT PARKA REINDEER

SLEIGH SNOWMAN WREATH YULETIDE

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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

C.H. Brown Co., LLC A PLATTE VALLEY COMPANY 20 W. Frontage Rd. • Wheatland, WY 82201 307-322-2545 • chbef.com

Inside

1 Celebrate the Holidays With Family and Unity 2 Your Essential Digital Marketing Resource Guide for Small Businesses 2 Will the Airbnb Crackdown Lead to Affordable Homes? 3 Tasty Holiday Chocolate Mousse 3 How Active Listening Elevates Client Communication 4 The Art of Overcoming Client Objections

Your Key to Handling Objections With Ease Mastering the Client Perspective

Understanding and effectively addressing client objections is crucial when selling financing. One of the most valuable skills a broker can possess is the ability to see things from the client’s perspective and convey the message that both parties share the same goal: a successful outcome. First and foremost, it’s essential to recognize that objections often stem from a difference in perspective, not a difference of opinion. Instead, it may indicate that there are unexplored angles in the client’s mind. Therefore, approaching objections with empathy and a willingness to understand the client’s viewpoint is key. Listen carefully. Encourage your clients to express their concerns, doubts, or reservations and actively listen to them. By doing so, you create a

safe space for them to share their perspective. Instead of immediately countering objections with your own arguments, ask questions to delve deeper into their concerns. This shows you respect their viewpoint and are genuinely interested in addressing their needs. As you’re listening, remember that you are not trying to convince your client to adopt your perspective. Instead, aim to uncover and understand their concerns fully. This is where the “superpower” of perspective understanding comes into play. Express a shared goal. You and your client are trying to reach the same objective: creating a successful financial arrangement that benefits both parties. Emphasize that you are on the same team,

working together. This can help build trust and align your interests, making it easier to find common ground. Offer solutions. When you handle objections, it’s critical to offer tailored solutions that address the specific concerns the client has raised. Show that your financial proposal can mitigate their worries or provide alternatives that align with their wants and needs. In the end, effectively addressing your client’s objections is an art that hinges on understanding their perspective. Remember, objections are often about unexplored viewpoints, not a battle of opinions. Show empathy, actively listen, and convey that you are on their side — it will work wonders!

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