Join Kellen Vaughan and Kenneth Travis in this week's episode as they delve into part three of their six-part series on the 5,4,3,2,1 strategy. This time, the focus is on Network Interactions, exploring the power of connecting with partners through SMS, Messenger, or video, unlocking new possibilities for business growth. 3:08 – Recap of 5,4,3,2,1 strategy 4:18 – Network Interactions 15:48 – Final Thoughts Takeaways: The key to achieving great results lies in consistently applying effort and str...
Aug 01, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 223
In this week’s episode Sean Zalmanoff sits down with guest realtor Dawn Griffin to uncover powerful insights on cultivating and expanding your relationships within the industry. Tune in to discover how to effectively move the needle with your partners and achieve remarkable growth in your real estate journey. 2:18 – How Dawn got into the Business 7:48 – Q&A Begins 20:48 – Wrap-Up Takeaways: Staying in constant communication with partners is crucial. Maintaining an active presence helps origi...
Jul 28, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 222
In this week’s episode Next Level Co-Founders Kellen Vaughan and Shane Kidwell delve into the powerful realm of Social Interactions as a key growth strategy for your business. Building on the previous episode, they emphasize the significance of maintaining a strong presence in front of your audience while fostering meaningful connections to enhance referral relationships. The 5,4,3,2,1 strategy continues with a focus on authenticity and engagement, urging LOs not to overcomplicate matters. Tune ...
Jul 25, 2023•16 min•Season 1Ep. 221
Join Next Level Coaches and Co-Founders, Kenneth Travis and Sean Zalmanoff, as they share powerful insights on driving loan applications and closing deals in their latest episode. Learn actionable strategies to become an invaluable resource for your agents, providing them with the necessary value and education for success. 2:28 – Sean’s Strategy to Stand Out 12:48 – Inside the Community 13:32 – Power of Handwritten Notes Takeaways: Don't passively wait for loans to come in; you need to take acti...
Jul 18, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 220
In this week’s episode, hosts Kellen Vaughan and Shane Kidwell dive into the crucial concept of non-negotiables and the impact of focusing on the actions that truly matter in the world of loan officers. Through insightful discussions and personal experiences, they unveil the transformative power of intentional seasons and highlight the importance of consistent execution. From the foundational steps of the initial 90-day season to the advanced strategies of the power-packed second season, this ep...
Jul 11, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 219
In this podcast, Kellen Vaughan and Sean Zalmanoff uncover the importance of effective agent outreach and the impact it can have on your success as a loan officer. They discuss the significance of segmenting agents based on their time and dedication, and why narrowing down your universe of potential clients is crucial to managing your energy efficiently. 3:30 – Kellen’s Agent Plan 6:23 – Sean’s Agent Plan 9:50 – Low Effort, High Impact Strategy 16:40 – Wrap Up Takeaways: Segment your agents into...
Jul 04, 2023•19 min•Season 1Ep. 218
In this episode, Kenneth Travis and Shane Kidwell dive into the topic of the intake call and its immense power in building trust with potential buyers. They discuss how these conversations can be used to confront the truth and establish a strong foundation of trust that can ultimately lead to successful business relationships. 2:00 – Myth Buyers are Liars 4:00 – Difference Between Perspective and Truth 16:30 – There is Always a Next Step Takeaways: There is often a difference between the perspec...
Jun 27, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 217
In this week's episode, join Kenneth Travis and Sean Zalmanoff as they discuss the crucial role of follow-up strategies in building strong relationships with realtors. It’s important to focus on what makes you different from other originators and show realtors the benefits they have working with you and helping them see their blind spots in their business. 4:05 – Follow Up Strategy 7:00 – 80/20 Rule 16:44 – Creating Your Image Takeaways: You have to focus on what makes you different, you want to...
Jun 20, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 216
In this week's episode, Kenneth Travis and Kellen Vaughan discuss an important aspect of achieving success - embracing discomfort. They highlight the significance of enduring hardships in today's market, so that when the market improves, you will already be that much more ahead of your competition. 4:30 – KTs Race Day 19:27 – Lessons Learned 26:36 – Final Lesson Wrap Up Takeaways: You have to be willing to go through the pain and discomfort in your business in order to succeed. Running in the sn...
Jun 13, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 215
In this week's episode, Shane Kidwell and Sean Zalmanoff, co-founders of Next Level, share their insights on how to engage in more organic conversations and attract additional applications during an unstable market. They introduce their 3, 2, 1 Strategy, which involves focusing on specific actions that matter and making them non-negotiables in your day-to-day. By following this strategy for 30 days, they guarantee that you will receive an additional application. 1:14 – 3,2,1 Strategy Introductio...
Jun 06, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 214
In this episode, Kenneth Travis and Sean Zalmanoff talk about the importance of trusting the process in order to achieve success. There is a process that needs to be followed in order to become great, and it requires a willingness to put in the work and do the less exciting tasks that no one sees. 1:18 – ATMs 6:30 – KT’s Early Days of Building a Team 11:45 – Setting up Systems and Processes 16: 50 – Recap Takeaways: Prioritize your day at the beginning and focus on the money-making activities fi...
May 30, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 213
On this episode, Dan Munford Branch Manager of Benchmark Mortgage, joins Shane Kidwell and Kellen Vaughan to talk about how to add value to your database. Dan discusses how to categorize your database into 5-star groups to determine what you can do to provide value for them. 2:08 – Dan Munford’s Background 3:28 – Database 4:36 – Meet with Your Database 9:46 – Affinity Network 13:18 – Static and Dynamic Takeaways: Owning your database and the real estate partnerships are the fundamentals that a l...
May 23, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 212
On this episode, Kellen Vaughan and Sean Zalmanoff talk about getting back to basics. You have to be willing to do what other loan officers are unwilling to do. Doing some simple tasks, such as picking up the phone, can be the difference between success and failure. 3:43 – back to basics 10:53 – generational phone adverse 11:18 – power of conversation 12:16 – make a commitment Takeaways: Every deal counts. Every deal matters right now. Do the things that make you uncomfortable first. Get it done...
May 16, 2023•17 min•Season 1Ep. 211
On this episode Shane Kidwell and Sean Zalmanoff discuss the industry lies vs the industry truths. There is still a lot of business to be had in today’s market. Be high class and provide a high-class experience and you will not just succeed you will build the base to thrive within months in the industry. 2:45 Hitting Reset 3:05 The Changing Market 4:45 Sean’s Originator Experience 8:45 Industry Lies vs Industry Truths 16:45 Automation 20:40 Winners Takeaways: You have to decide how you want to n...
May 02, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 210
The market doesn’t have to dictate your success if you take action to reset what is important. On this episode Shane and Sean Z discuss the three steps you can take today to reset your success in a down market. 1:30 The tough reality 4:30 Planting seeds 6:30 Hitting reset 9:35 Events 15:36 Making an impact 19:45 Education Takeaways : You are building for success in the future even if you aren’t seeing success now. First reset step was being the digital mayor with content creation. Money is nice,...
Apr 18, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 209
Using a tool like ChatGPT when used properly can increase the sum of your income. On this episode Kellen and Sean Z discuss the opportunities ChatGPT creates and how they both are using the AI tool. 1:30 Creating an impact for the future 4:40 Using ChatGPT 11:00 Examples of using AI 14:30 The importance of prompts 18:20 Use AI as an opportunity Takeaways: The invest you make today is going to pay off 3, 6, 12 months down the road and it will continue to pay off. ChatGPT is a tool, not a replacem...
Apr 11, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 208
The more people you network with, the more business you will do. It's that simple. On this episode, The Home Loan Mom, Kristi Norton, joins Sean and Shane to discuss how her networking focus has helped her succeed as an originator. Kristi also discusses how her positive mindset and experience, outside of mortgage, have helped her shape her business. 1:45 Intro to Kristi 8:06 Mindset 13:00 Experience outside of mortgage 16:50 Power networking 24:19 Being disciplined Takeaways: A negative mindset ...
Apr 06, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 207
Sometimes doing what is required in this business can be painful. But you have to weigh that against not doing what should be doing, as there is going to be pain either way. On this episode KT and Kellen talk about being honest with yourself so that you can break out of your negative thoughts and tough situation to chart a path to success. 3:15 Being honest about where you are 6:55 Choose your pain 11:00 Opportunity are everywhere 17:05 Fish where the fish are 21:00 Commit to action Takeaways: Y...
Apr 04, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 206
You don't have to talk about products or rates to get business. You simply have to provide value that the competition can't or won't. On this episode, Quinton Harris of The Market Distillery joins Brett May and KT to talk about how he uses data to separate himself in the Jacksonville market. Quinton discusses how he uses data to generate business and create conversations outside of just being a mortgage loan officer providing a commodity service. 1:15 Intro to Quinton 5:15 Separating yourself 8:...
Mar 28, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 205
How would you like 75% of your business to come from referrals? Relationships turn into revenue when you spend more time with the people you know than those you don't know. On this episode Linda Davidson joins Kellen to share her systems of success and how that has created a massive referral business for her. 1:30 Linda’s three keys when she started 7:05 Doing business your way 10:50 System of residuals 16:55 System specifics 20:10 Staying in touch T akeaways: Systems and processes can fix and p...
Mar 23, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 204
Success is not always a straight line. Sometimes you have to take a look at where you are and ask yourself; Are you in the right boat? On this episode, Kellen and Shane discuss resetting your path, defining your success, and building brand awareness that isn't just a soundbite. 1.30 The great reset 7:20 What does success means to you 9:20 Being known and memorable 13:00 Using stories 20:00 Who has the answers Takeaways: Sometimes you need to reset where you are and what you are doing, when you a...
Mar 21, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 203
The lesson is simple. Embrace where you are, learn to love the challenge, and beat the competition because their focus is on things they can't control. On this episode Sean Z talks about not letting the things that don't matter take your focus away from what is important. 1:30 Change in the times 3:05 Letting things get to you 5:40 What are you doing now 7:55 Looking forward to the challenge Takeaways: You don’t get rid of bad habits. You have to create good habits to overcome what isn’t working...
Mar 14, 2023•11 min•Season 1Ep. 202
When mistakes are made, you need to own it, fix it, and take responsibility. In this episode, Kellen and Sean Z discuss how having tough conversations and taking responsibility can actually lead to more business. 1:15 DFW live event 2:45 Tough conversations 13:00 Taking responsibility Takeaways: Avoiding tough conversations with your consumers can erode trust. Don’t run away from things you can’t control, instead be an educator, lean into them and explain why they happened. Sometimes things just...
Mar 09, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 201
Interrupting the pattern, creating content, marketing consistency, execution, and creating solid agent relationships have been major keys to growing origination. On this special 200th episode, the guys look back at the tactics that have made the most impact for them. 1:30 Reflecting back 7:57 The 5k & 10k guarantee 15:45 Content & social media 21:10 Creating agent relationships Takeaways: The biggest impact for Kellen was the 10k guarantee on his pre-approval. Major Key: Pattern Interrup...
Mar 07, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 200
Create an endless supply of opportunities for your business by having conversations that other loan officers don't. KT, Sean Z, and Kellen discuss how educating agents on niche programs will generate referral leads across the entire spectrum on loan products. 3:30 Meeting buyers where they are 6:52 Creating conversations 12:55 Getting smart on different products Takeaways : Just because you market a product doesn’t mean that is the only product you can do. Use niche products to get your foot in ...
Mar 02, 2023•18 min•Season 1Ep. 199
Divide and conquer take on a whole new meaning when you are married and happen to work together. Sam & Anisha Mauldin join Sean Z and Kellen to discuss how they balance work, being parents, and, more importantly, being there for each other. 3:45 Intro to Sam & Anisha 6:21 Divide and conquer 10:55 Balancing work & life 13:25 Being a husband-wife team 16:45 Maintaining focus Takeaways: 2022 showed the difference between action and inaction with origination results. In a team, there wil...
Feb 28, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 198
There are opportunities everywhere if you have the right mindset and take the right actions consistently. Thomas Frank joins Kellen to talk about the current state of the market, mining your database, niche products, and keeping a positive outlook. 1:55 Mindset 4:45 Reality of a high-rate environment 6:55 Database mining 9:10 Niche products 15:05 Fundamentals Takeaways: You have to take action otherwise you won’t get where you want to go. For the consumer, it really isn’t about the rate it is ab...
Feb 23, 2023•22 min•Season 1Ep. 197
Tomorrow doesn’t exist, when you are just trying to get through today. On this episode John Torrijos joins Sean Z to share his Covid story, where he went from months in the hospital, given a 50/50 chance to live, to getting back into the game with a new perspective on what is important. 1:42 Intro 4:19 John’s story 16:45 Coming back into the market 21:20 Gaining perspective Takeaways: Don’t underestimate the power of your mind in times of crisis. Your mindset needs to focus on what you need to d...
Feb 21, 2023•30 min•Season 1Ep. 196
Stop with the cookie cutter nonsense and just bring value! Sean Z and Kellen talk about how they have provided value to agents by working a niche to fill a need and how agent education is still a number one driver of value. 1:50 Just bring value 5:50 Working a niche 7:40 Finding the audience 13:15 Agent focused events 17:00 Just do something Takeaways: Be careful with cookie cutter scripts as they may raise red flags with agents. Focusing on a “unsexy” niche allows you to dominate a market segme...
Feb 16, 2023•20 min•Season 1Ep. 195
On this episode Brian Sacks joins KT to talk about how Loan Officers can make themselves a true value to agents by becoming a utility. Brian also talks about his top advice to loan officers, how to attract business, creating agent partnerships, and how to show up as an expert. 1:15 Intro to Brian 3:10 Advice to loan officers 7:20 Attracting business 11:30 Treating agents as partners 15:00 Don’t assume 18:20 Finding a good fit 22:10 How do you become a utility 26:44 Top Originator Underground Tak...
Feb 14, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 194
