Using Flickr, Pinterest, Instagram, For Showing Off Your Community! REALTORS

Posted on Thursday, January 5, 2012 by

One thing I discovered real quickly when I started Blogging and participating in Social Media was the accumulation of photos on my hard drive. I ended up with so many photos and files it started to become very overwhelming. Real estate agents are always telling me they are overwhelmed with all these tools we have to use. I suggest you choose one at a time and do a great job with it versus trying to use them all.

Below are some wonderful programs and apps that will allow you to shoot and share photos on the go and get extra exposure for your community and yourself at the same time.

When you have a free Flickr account, you can upload 2 videos and 300MB worth of photos each calendar month which maybe OK to start with. I upgraded to Pro for $2.00 a month and store all my photos on Flickr.

Here’s what you get with Pro

  • Unlimited uploads and storage
  • Unlimited sets and collections
  • Access to your original files
  • Stats on your account
  • Ad-free browsing and sharing
  • HD playback for high-definition video uploads

Note: I also use Picasa for storage

Sharing on the Go!

Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. Pinterest allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse pinboards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.People use pinboards to plan their weddings, decorate their homes, and share their favorite recipes. I visualize REALTORS using Pinterest for promoting lifestyle, events, food, homes, and other highlights of the community you service,

Instagram is a fun way to share your life with friends through a series of pictures. Snap a photo with your iPhone, then choose a filter to transform the look and feel of the shot into a memory to keep around forever. Again, I would visualize an agent using this for promoting the community, special events, and occasional real estate highlighted photos. You can share the photo immediately on Twitter and Facebook.

Go check these site out and feel free to contact me if you have questions. If you like this, feel free to share it with other real estate agents.

“Expect the Best’ Mike 

 

Posted in Blogging, Realtors, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Real Estate Brokers, Managers & Agents – Make 2012 A Time To Learn and Act

Posted on Sunday, January 1, 2012 by

I’ve met some really wonderful real estate brokers, agents and managers over the years, in addition to many real estate related ancillary business people who have inspired me by their conviction, dedication, and passion for the real estate business. That’s what makes my career so exciting. But, here’s a question for those who are falling behind. IF Not Now, When? Someone’s going to come along with a better mousetrap while you and your agents are resting in your apathy. It’s past that time to begin, but tomorrow is a new day. I believe our industry is operating on a new playing field and those who adapt will be very successful in the years ahead, what do you think?

The broker, owners, and managers need to take a serious look at their mission statement in your company, share that mission with your agents and create enough passion, excitement and enthusiasm for learning that everyone buys into the plan. That means also holding your agents accountable to learn the new systems whether it is forms online, RPR, listing syndication, or how to properly market their listings on the Internet.

Advanced sessions of Blogging, Smart Phone Technology, Cloud Computing, iPad presentations, electronic signatures and forms also need to be part of the agenda for anyone expecting to compete in today’s real estate market.

Developing an edge in today’s market requires that real estate practitioners be proficient in Blogging, social media, search engine marketing, and how to work with the e-consumer once they contact you. I am confident, that if you are a dedicated fulltime real estate practitioner, spend the necessary time each day working the opportunities above and start collaborating with other professionals on Twitter, LinkedIn and other great social media sites, you will prevail.

It is imperative that those real estate professionals who have come through this challenging market be fully prepared to take advantage of new steady growth that will be forthcoming. My point is that our industry needs to step up to the plate and sharpen our competitive edge by using good old fashion service integrated with new technology. Consumers drive the industry and have always driven it, however today they are looking online first.

Are they finding you, when they go to Google, Yahoo or Bing? If not, you owe it to your family, company, and yourself to get on board and learn this business all over again. All this is part of your newfound professional development, learning new trends, and adapting to a more complex industry, wouldn’t you agree?

“Expect the Best” Mike 

Posted in Realtors | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

“Expect the Best” in 2012 – Happy New Year

Posted on Saturday, December 31, 2011 by

As we reflect back over the past 52 weeks, I am sure many of you as REALTORS are looking forward to a new year. This comes especially true for the real estate industry that has suffered many blows this year. (The Past;-) Below please find a short and sweet message that I sincerely send each of you from the bottom of my heart. I am optimistic for our future in 2012, provided each of us take steps for improving our careers and being the best we can be. Go Make It Happen!

“Expect the Best” Mike

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Happy New Year 2012 “Expect the Best”

Posted on Friday, December 30, 2011 by

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Are Real Estate Companies Passing the Test? What Do You Think?

Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 by

Here’s an important quiz for Realtor/Broker/Owners and real estate agents to take. Be brutally honest as you look at your organization to see how your team is handling change and innovation.

True or False: Our Company website has been brought up to date to Web2-3 functions that allow our consumers to have a better user experience, obtain all of the information they need from us, like searching for homes, community information, lifestyle search, demographics, customer testimonials, real estate news, ancillary services, and instant communication, to name a few.

True or False: Our Company is teaching, coaching, motivating our agents about electronic forms, smart phone technology, text messaging, search engine marketing, social media, and open transparency with the e-consumer.

True or False: Our Company is attracting the experienced agent that will expect multiple experiences created by the company that keeps them abreast to the latest trends, technology, and Internet marketing tools as a result of showing them, not just telling them.

True or False: Our Company is promoting a culture of the Connected Consumer or e-consumer through Internet marketing, Blogging, websites, and search engine optimization with the idea of being part of the next generation brokerage?

True or False: Our Company is teaching our agents to build BRAND for their business (not just a logo) with a value proposition that makes them unique, makes them stand out from the crowd, and  that differenciates them from others.

So here’s the Bonus Question for Agents:
Value Added Services are what make you unique and differentiate you from other REALTORS. These services could be Internet marketing, special designations, creative marketing with innovation and technology, or just being a specialist for the neighborhood or community you service. Regardless of what you choose to offer as a “Value Added Service” it must be “Over the Top” and different from the next agent. Maybe your company has special programs that you can offer clients and customers. That’s well and good, however “You” are the one they end up hiring, so be unique, be different, and offer a real “Value Added Service”

Agents, do your Broker a favor. Print this off and hand it to him/her and ask them how you can help take the company into the 21st century. It’s your future, wouldn’t you agree?

“Expect the Best” Mike 

Posted in Realtors | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The Best REALTORS Are Quick to Identify and Embrace Innovation

Posted on Wednesday, December 21, 2011 by

The real estate industry is in a constant state of turmoil these days with economic challenges, regulations that have changed the way we do business and innovation in technology that most brokers and agents are not keeping up with. In my opinion, I think the number one challenge in our industry is educating the masses of agents who have refused to buy into technology and innovation over the past 5-10 years; most of them became overwhelmed and just avoided technology all together.  Now that they lost a few listings or received an iPad for their birthday, they come into a training session asking questions that should have been addressed a few years ago.

According to NAR’s recent 2011 Member Profile the median age of Realtors® has steadily increased in recent years from 51 years of age in 2007 to 56 in 2011. Trying to communicate with the average tech savvy first time homebuyer at 30 -34 years old can be challenging for the agent who does not speak their language when it comes to technology.

The Best REALTORS are quick to identify and embrace innovation that enhances their business and offers better service to their clients. Adapting to the complex challenges means that a real estate agent must invest time and money into their career at the same time they are taking a huge hit on earnings due to economic conditions. To some this is a catch 22 dilemma and to others it’s opportunity time.  I would suggest that agents keep it simple to avoid becoming overwhelmed. Here’s a list of can do, must do and or should do items.

  1. Automate your contact list for mailings
  2. Start a WordPress Blog about your community and real estate
  3. Get IDX on your Blog for search capabilities
  4. Put a profile up on Google Plus, Realtor.com, Zillow.com, Trulia.com
  5. Join Facebook and build a business page for real estate
  6. Build a business page on Google
  7. Own a Smartphone with real estate & business apps
  8. Listen online more than you talk online J
  9. Take 30-60 minutes of training/education daily

OK, so that’s a basic simple start for any real estate agent. Now that you have a simple plan, complete it and start adding one or two new items at a time for the future. The one or two new items should not include all the new shiny objects that come along, it should be items that you have researched and others have found to be productive. Number 9 above should help you there. Here’s a short list of sites that I suggest you follow.

Inman Next
Inman News
Facebook Group: Tech Support Group for Real Estate Agents
Facebook Group: REALTOR iPhone and iPad Group

Now, I suggest you follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus for all the latest real estate education, innovation and technology resources, plus be sure to sign up for updated posts on PRETEC and Tech Savvy Grandpa. Wishing you the best in 2012 and as always…..

“Expect the Best” Mike

Posted in Education, marketing, Realtors, Technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 9 Comments

Approach 2012 With New Goals, Inspirations, and Challenges

Posted on Tuesday, December 20, 2011 by

As we begin to approach 2012 with new goals, inspirations, and challenges, review the list below to establish a few new goals for you. Hopefully this will give you something to use as a guide for 2012, to begin outlining strategies and tactics to put into action, which will bless you with the best year ever 2012.

Attributes of a successful real estate agent:

1. They have high standards for customer service, professionalism and ethics in the real estate industry. They are committed to improve the real estate industry.

2. They are committed to success, their career, and education by staying abreast of the latest trends that can help them reach the next level and the competitive edge through their ongoing education.

3. They contribute to their industry by getting involved on a local, state and national level of their Association of Realtors, their company, and the community they live and work in.

4. They have core principles of sharing with others about systems, tools and other ideas that benefit our industry.

5. They Use the Web to Build Influence, Improve Reputation, and Earn Trust

6. They are quick to identify and embrace innovation that will enhance their business and they adapt to the complex challenges in the marketplace.

7. They position themselves to effectively deal with the trends and the shifts in the market and stay ahead of the knowledge curve. The real estate industry is in a constant state of evolution and change.

8. They establish goals to deliver quality service, streamline operations, and integrate new technology that provides outstanding value to the consumer.

9. They are solution oriented toward the challenges of our industry and can navigate the challenges in our market and approach them with a positive and professional attitude, not professing to be savvy in segments of the market that they lack education. (Examples; Foreclosures, short sales, commercial, investment properties) These clients should be referred to those who specialize in those areas. (See article 11 NAR Code of Ethics)

10. They engage prospective clients rather than sell to them. Real estate needs to be transparent. Transparency creates an environment of trust, in addition to open, honest, and respectful communication. It provides a balanced and accurate story of what is happening in the real estate market.

11. They offer Value Added Services with ‘today’s’ marketing and business models providing a brand & position that meets the needs of the e-consumer.

12. They are results oriented and responsive to those seeking their service with business strategies to improve their performance, realizing that consumers drive the industry.

13. They use savvy marketing techniques with technology, combined with local knowledge that educates consumers, and are willing to knuckle down and really put in the hours needed to establish an Internet presence that differentiates their business from its competitors.

14. They understand that real estate is local and know their market, by staying abreast to industry issues, trends, news, and community information about restaurants, services, parks, things to do, and all the many services you should expect from your Realtor.

15. They keep the consumer informed of Stats, reports, market updates, and information that pertain to local government and development projects by Blogging on such subjects.

Remember, real estate is a contact sport, a people business, and results driven. Consumers want to do business with those whom they like and trust. Go build relationships and be the best at what you do in 2012. What’s your thoughts? 

“Expect the Best” Mike 

Posted in Realtors | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

REALTORS Can Make 2012 a Huge Success – With a Great Plan of Action

Posted on Thursday, December 1, 2011 by

Real estate agents have had a tough stretch of recession with a whole new set of rules over the past four or five years that have either made them more likely to succeed in the future or have driven some right out of the business. On last count our local association had 783 members compared to a high of around 1500 in the peak of good times. Keep in mind as a REALTOR, that a real estate market is neither good nor bad, it is a real estate market. We learn to adjust with the market conditions. If you hate change, this is not the career for you, because change is part of industry.

Besides, as of today, you have no place to go but up. 2012 is just around the corner and it’s a great time to begin your business plan for a brand new year. here are some ideas for you to ponder and use to enhance your plan of action for 2012.

  • Are you being found online? Stop right now, open your browser and type in your name. Now look at each of the sites that are on that Google page. You should be finding your profile for Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, your website and your Blog. If not, I would suggest you add that to your list of things to do
  • Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Do you have one? Is it updated? Are you using it? There are plenty of great contact tools and systems for REALTORS to use in their business that help automate your mailings, phone calls and appointments. Top Producer, Point2Agent Professional, or Outlook come to mind. Remember, the best software is the software you use. Make December your time to put in place, update, and send your mailings. Plan for the entire year what goes out and when.
  • What’s your strengths? What’s Your Weaknesses? Make a list of the tools and systems you need to learn, the classes you need to take, the areas of improvement you want to accomplish for business, family, personal, and community. Those who fail to plan, plan to fail.
  • Now You Know Your Strengths, Go for it! Become great at what you’re good at and refer the rest to others. What I mean is, specialize in 1-3 areas and refer the rest. Focus on the segment of the real estate market you shine in. If your a great listing agent who lacks the knowledge of short sales and bank foreclosures, maybe it’s best you focus on the sellers relocating, moving up, or estates. Remember, you can’t be all to everyone just because you have a real estate license. Team up with another great agent who specializes in short sales and foreclosures to handle that business.

Article 11 of the REALTORS Code of Ethics Says:
REALTORS are knowledgeable and competent in the fields of practice in which they engage or they get assistance from a knowledgeable professional, or disclose any lack of expertise to their client.

May your 2012 be a successful, productive year for “Raising the Bar” in your career.

“Expect the Best” Mike

Posted in brokers, managers, real estate, Realtors | Tagged , , , , , , , | 8 Comments