This morning we had a fantastic guest speaker- John Ingrassia from Image in Stone. He makes some AMAZING custom products, such as business card holders, golf tools, and gorgeous personalized gifts. Reach out to him for more info! 

Every buyer has a dream home in mind, but the buyer who wants to purchase a historic home has a vision of the future and also the past history.   Some buyers happen upon a historic home by chance, others by decision.  It is a decision based on a love of history, architecture and perhaps being an “old soul”.   Some of the features of historic homes are cornices, stained glass, lattice windows, pantries built in the wall, window seats that bring us back to days gone by.  Also, floor to ceiling windows and paneled shutters.  A buyer must either have the resources to make changes within the parameters of a landmarked home or be very skilled at restoration themselves.  This will be a work in progress and there will always be something to attend to.  
Savvy buyers might consult with an architectural historian or a building conservation expert.  Some might plunge right in and make an emotional decision without consulting these experts.  Most buyers look for good bones but are willing to make changes.  Some will even lift joists and fix structural issues that may arise.  A smart decision would be to hire an engineer that has an extensive knowledge of historical homes and will know exactly what to look for.  Bear in mind there may be electrical, plumbing updates and interestingly enough I had one couple tell me about “powder post beetles” that existed from the time the home was built, a serious issue to tackle.  The definition of a “powder post beetle” is a small brown beetle whose wood-boring larvae reduce wood to a very fine powder.  Not something a new homeowner wants to hear……………….
Some buyers will be attracted to tax incentives offered or lower interest loan options and grants available.  Most buyers want to purchase in an area that lends itself to historic homes, but some are more interested in the school district, what the area offers their family and convenience to the workplace.  An established neighborhood may be a draw to some or some may prefer a more rural area.  Buyers should research a landmarked property and understand that they have to maintain the original integrity of the home.  This may be as simple as using the same paint colors or it may mean  restoring the exterior, or restoring a cupola which is a small, most often dome-like, structure on top of a building. Often used to provide a lookout or to admit light and air, it usually crowns a larger roof or dome.
There are many advantages to purchasing a historical home.  Such as unmatched architecture, it can serve as a place for public functions such as wedding or tours.  Also valuable outbuildings that may come with the home such as a caretaker’s quarters, stable etc. The disadvantages of owning a historical home are costly restoration, possible structural issues, hazards like mold or lead paint, upkeep and maintenance costs and of course adhering to the strict guidelines, rules or restrictions.  
The history of the home is often an appeal to most buyers.  So an historic home is going to appeal to those who have a love of history and architecture.  There is nothing more charming than a home that has features of yesterday and beckons us back to a simpler time.  With this an owner will feel the warmth and keep the love in an older that it so justly deserves.  However, this gives an opportunity to buyers to have their heart in the history of the home and a chance to preserve a precious gem for future generations.

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Blog courtesy of Lisa Nielsen of The Next Step 1234

​POTENTIAL NEW SERVICE OFFERING FOR THE NEXT STEP - HOW AN ENTREPRENEUR CREATES NEW SERVICE OFFERINGS
Blogging Service from The Next Step (service idea in infancy stage)
I want to introduce a new service idea that started with my recent speaking engagement at the Richmond Business Connections Group last week.

The Next Step is considering to offer a service to help small businesses or individuals build their own blogs. I talk so much in my new EBook Entrepreneur-ing (click here for information on EBook) about blogging and establishing your self and/or business as an expert.

For me and my business, my use of blogging has been the key to my success. I get over 1400 unique visitors per week to my site without paying any money in advertising. Yes, you read that right – it is without an investment in boosting my posts or otherwise marketing them.

I am now up to 160+ blog posts and sharing this information live with my blog, Instagram and Twitter has enabled me to be noticed in a potentially crowded market place. I am working on building my reputation as an expert and a speaker, which is why I have chosen to also self-publish books in addition to the content I create and share on my blog.  Click here to book me -  The Next Step speaking engagement.
 
My Lessons for You to Blog
Here is some quick lessons of how I use my blog and also a basis for me to use to consider breaking this out as a product offering:

1. Get a website or incorporate a BLOG page on your website
   Most small businesses do not have a website, according to some recent studies I have read. In this day and age, you MUST have a website to be competitive and to be found, too. Once you promote your business, people will look for you online and if they cannot find you, chances are they will not call you.
   If you do not have a website, I have recommended many times my web provider Weebly.com. My site is from their services; I have made it my own but it started as a blank template.
   
   There is a blogging feature included and I love how everything fits together so nicely and is simple to make and update, in my opinion. (Bloggers Note: 1 - no compensation was given to me by Weebly to promote their service and 2 - I do have a “technical” background and comfort level with website development from the past 15+ years of web based project work in my career and previous websites I have built).
   
   If you have a website already, you can look into adding a blog function to it or perhaps if need be use Weebly or another service provider to create a blog and then build in links to it in your current site.
   
   
2. Identify your schedule – this is very important in blogging – you should be consistent. Do not bite off more than you can chew. For me, because I love to write and I have so many “lessons” up my sleeve as an educator, I am comfortable creating new content 5 days a week. That does not mean I always am “ready” for 5 days of content – there are times I hit writer’s block head on but I find that during my weeks, I am inspired by at least 3-5 things for my weekly schedule and then can plan out my posts during the weekend in between hanging out with my kids and doing all the things that need to get done over the weekend. I can help you identify this schedule of posting for you. I plan out my posts on the weekend and then make time to post them throughout the week. This would be a unique plan for you and your business or yourself (more on that next).
   
   
3. You can blog for personal reasons, too. My new EBook about Entrepreneur-ing really pushes people to consider branding themselves as an expert for their career, too. This is not something you should only do as a small business –you should consider yourself and your career as though you are a small business. If you have a portfolio of work you are allowed to share, you can build off of that to create some content. You can share news stories and provide commentary on it to begin with and then move into creating content that applies to what you want to shine for – what makes you YOU.
   
   
4. Blogging is a great way to build your reputation and to share it. I use various tools to schedule and post my content across all of my social media accounts. I use Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram as my base to share my content and drive people to my site. I also schedule tweets via SocialOoomph to share my content and other Webpages. I can provide more lessons and information on this in my service offering to create the full blogging process.
   
   

My Potential New Service - Pricing and more
What do you think of this potential service offering? I think it fits nicely into my wheelhouse and allows me to expand to a consulting service. I have already spoken at a local business group on how to blog and I am going to create an EBook on blogging – How to Blog Like a Pro-fessor.   

For this service, I am thinking of beginning to offer it to local small businesses and considering to offer a lump sum option “Full Blogging Turn Key Operation” for approximately $500 – this would include the full website integration, plan for blog posts and content and how to promote the posts - it would be "turn key" in that once the set up was done, I would step away and the business owner would create the content.

I would also offer the option to create content but I would have to charge by the hour for that option. So I would create the site and then offer consulting / writing services for $50/hour for creating new content for the site.

For individuals, I would offer a blogging tutorial / training for $75 and this would include up to 3 hours of review and implementation of a personal blog. What do you think?

Special thanks to Brian Spicciatie from Hospitality 10 Card Inc (www.hospitality10card.com) for brainstorming with me on this potential product.

What do you think of this potential service? Happy Hunting!
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New Member Ilene Greinsky, MS/Eldercare Resources works on assisting seniors in regard to in house Medicaid, Medicaid Pool Trusts and at the end of the day she is the hand holder for seniors. Ilene can be reached at 917-301-7624 or isgreinsky@aol.com for any of the above needs
Ida Coohill VP/Branch Mgr at Northfield Bank Tip of the Day is to beware of ATM machines. There are thieves who are installing cameras that can steal your data. Ida can be reached at 718-948-6700 or idac216@aol.com for any of your banking needs
Vanessa Rumayor, RN/BSN of Adele's Electrolysis Tip of the Day is watch out in this fluctuating weather that your allergies don't act up and you mistake it for a cold, see your doctor. Vanessa can be reached at 646-270 2607 or vmrumayor@aol.com for any of your beauty needs
Ronald P. Cutrone/Financial Advisor at Foundation Financial Advisors has two offices one here in Staten Island and one in Manhattan near Carnegie Hall. He uses strategies that other financial advisors do not use to build your portfolio. He specializes in covered calls, hedging and other financial strategies. Ron can be reached at 718-757-5100 or RPCutrone@brillsec.com for any of your financial needs
Sam Schiff/Owner of Computer Sam does computer, phone and laptop repairs. Sam can be reached at 646-761-5807 or computersamnyc@gmail.com or www.computersamnyc.com for any of your repair needs
Ed Brochin/Franchise Consultant/Fransight Tip of the Day is make sure you build your email address. Ed can be reached at 347-524-0222 or ebrochin@fransight.com for any of your franchise needs or if you're thinking of franchising your business
Dr. Joseph Castellano/Castellano Chiropractic wants to mention the difference between health and wellness and he does patient counseling and chiropractic health and wellness. His Tip of the Day is to beware of winter dehydration, keep yourself well hydrated and use lotion for dry skin. Dr. Joe can be reached at 718-236-8886 or drJoeCastellano@gmail.com for any of your health and wellness needs
Our Guest Speaker today was Lisa Vento Nielsen, MBA, PMP and she has opened career doors with her constant blogging. She teaches at The College of Staten Island and is affiliated with the Board of Education and their Ladders for Leaders program. She advises to use newsletters, blog and be informative and engaging and highlight your expertise. She writes her own content and if finished two e books. She has a corporate background of 15 years. She also advises in your business be an educator, lecture but use brevity and get your point across. She is a avid fan of Instagram, Instaquote and Twitter as well as YouTube.com. Use the power of social media to build your business, she builds her client base via blogging. She specializes in college and career readiness. You can visit her website at www.thenextstep1234.com. 
Today our meeting generated two referrals. 
Please visit our website http://www.rbcofsi.com
to view our member testimonials 
Get Connected Together We Make a Difference!

Member Brian Spicciatie/CEO Hospitality 10 Card Tip of the Day is when you are shopping for advertising or a social media package always negotiate price there is usually flexibility. Also for the month of February there are some special discounts at participating restaurants that accept the card. Brian can be reached at brian@hospitality10card.com or 718-554-4190
Gene Lattanzi/Loan Office/Prime Lending Tip of the Day is when you move make sure you change your address at the Post Office for free. There are services offered for a fee but it can be done at your local Post Office. Gene can be reached at GLattanzi@primelending.com or 347-234-0155 for any of your lending needs
Sam Schiff/Computer Sam Tip of the Day is to look into SILive on line advertising they provide very good target market tools like Geodata. Sam can be reached at computersamnyc@gmail.com or 646-761-5807 for any of your computer/phone/laptop repairs
Diane J. Malagreca Associate Broker/DiTommaso Real Estate wants to make you aware that there will be an Agent Day/Trade Show at the Hilton Garden Inn on 3/24. If you want to attend contact Annmarie Izzo at SIBOR at 718-979-0007 this is a great networking opportunity. Diane can be reached at dmalagreca57@verizon.net or 917-842-7936 for any of your real estate needs
Ronald P. Cutrone Financial Advisor/Foundation Financial Advisors specializes in puts and options. Ron can be reached at RPCutrone@brillsec.com or 718-757-5100 for any of your financial advisory needs
Ida Coohill VP, Branch Mgr/Northfield Bank mentioned that Money Markets are a good investment for over $100K. Her Tip of the Day is that some homeowners are taking out home equity loans to pay off student loans as the interest rates are lower than the student loan interest rates. Ida can be reached at idac216@aol.com or 718-948-6700 for any of your banking needs
Ed Brochin Franchise Consultant/Fransight specializes in seeking investors looking to franchise their company or their business that have a concept that might fit be suitable for a franchise. Ed can be reached at ebrochin@fransight.com or 347-524-0222 for any of your franchising needs
Greg Argila/Gregory Argila Tax & Accounting Services Tip of the Day is DO NOT FORGET TO FILE YOUR ESTIMATED TAXES. Greg can be reached at gargila@aol.com or 718-273-7400 for any of your accounting needs
Dr. Joseph Castellano/Castellano Chiropractic Tip of the Day is make sure you put proper shoes on in inclement weather to avoid any injuries. Also make sure you check your cell phone even if your message indicator is not on you may miss an important message. Dr. Joe can be reached at drJoeCastellano@gmail.com for any of your health and wellness needs
We welcome New Member Ilene Greinsky MS/Eldercare Resources, Inc who specializes in Medicaid Pool Trusts and other matters for seniors. Ilene's Tip of the Day is to make sure you consult an Eldercare Attorney about addressing your home ownership and the legal options available to protect your most valuable asset. Ilene can be reached at isgreinsky@aol.com or 917-301-7624
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