A Guide to Real Estate Certifications and Designations: What You Need to Know
Real estate certifications are an important part of the real estate industry. They provide a way for agents to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise in the field, and can help them stand out from the competition. Certifications also give agents access to exclusive resources and opportunities, such as networking events, educational courses, and special discounts on products or services. With so many benefits associated with certification, it's no wonder why more and more real estate professionals are seeking out certification programs to boost their career prospects. What is a certification in real estate? Real estate certifications are a way for real estate experts to prove that they have knowledge in specialized sectors in the real estate industry. These certifications are issued by a number of real estate associations at state and regional levels. From a broker perspective, hiring certified real estate professionals is ideal — certified individuals will improve a firm's credibility, thereby increasing your chances for client referrals. What are designations in real estate? While the words designation and certification are often used interchangeably, there are some slight differences. A designation refers to specialized credentials for members of the National Association of Realtors. Designations offer extensive benefits for REALTORS® who pay annual dues and maintain membership with NAR. A licensed real estate agent can obtain a certification by paying a single fee and maintaining membership. Some examples of real estate designations include: Accredited Buyer's Representative (ABR®) Accredited Land Consultant (ALC) Seller Representative Specialist (SRS) Counselor of Real Estate (CRE) What is the best commercial real estate certification or designation? Investing in commercial real estate can be a great way for real estate professionals to diversify their portfolios and create steady income streams. Obtaining certifications in commercial investment real estate is a crucial part of establishing yourself as an expert in the field. CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) is a certification recognizing the top experts in the field of commercial real estate investing. According to the CCIM Institute, "The CCIM lapel pin denotes that the wearer has completed advanced coursework in financial and market analysis, and demonstrated extensive experience in the commercial real estate industry." Some other commercial certifications include: Certified property manager (CPM) Society of Industrial and Office REALTORS® (SIOR) What is the best residential real estate certification or designation? Residential real estate is an ever-growing field, and there are many certifications and designations that can help professionals stay ahead of the competition. With so many options available, it can be difficult to decide which certification or designation is the best for a residential real estate agent. Here are some of the residential certifications recommended by NAR: Certified Real Estate Brokerage Manager (CRB) Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Certified International Property Specialist (CIPS) Residential and commercial real estate certifications are becoming increasingly popular, as they offer a range of benefits that make it easier for real estate agents to conduct their real estate transactions with confidence and increased knowledge. Whether you want to become a real estate negotiation expert or get training in real estate business management, certifications can be a great way for today's real estate professionals to stand out from the competition. Along with designations and certifications, agents who invest in themselves and their education are proven to see more results! Want to boost your overall expertise? Explore education with Elm Street Academy. Elm Street Academy offers online and in-person educational experiences that are designed to educate, entertain and inspire. Whether you are just starting your business journey, or are a seasoned professional looking to "up your game" with the latest tech tools, marketing masterminds, and ongoing continuing education, Elm Street Academy is focused on supporting you every step of the way. Explore all Elm Street Academy educational opportunities here.

10 Things for New Users to Know About RPR Residential
If you're an RPR new user, then welcome aboard! We know you have a lot riding on your next deal (maybe your first!), which is why we built the nation's largest property database. And we built it for one thing: your success! We're committed to helping REALTORS® like you do more, and do it in less time. Once you become familiar with RPR's data, tools and reports, you'll become a more efficient and more skilled real estate agent. Designed exclusively for REALTORS®, RPR is included in your membership dues, and requires no extra fees or upgrades. Simply go to narrpr.com, and get the login process started. You'll soon be searching properties, creating reports and delivering data-rich, professional-looking materials to your clients. And in no time, you'll use RPR to "wow" your clients and close more deals. Need help or have questions? We'll guide you along and help you learn every step of the way As an RPR new user, you might have a few questions or need a little help here and there. Don't worry, we've got you covered. The RPR Learning Menu is accessible on almost every page within RPR. We also offer Guided Shortcuts that help you through, step-by-step and click-by-click, some of our most used (and most helpful) features. For the Learning Menu, simply look for the "LEARN" tab that appears in the upper right of the site's navigation bar. Click it to reveal a drop-down menu that provides users with tips, links, videos and answers to commonly asked questions. And because it resides within the context of whatever task you're completing, it's a convenient way to get knowledge, yet keep focused on what you're doing. The Shortcuts reside right on your homepage. Look for seven icons just below the main search area, labeled "Shortcuts." These are some of our most powerful and popular features. Clicking one of the icons will reveal a magenta pop-up box that will take you on a guided tour, explaining each step as you click through. Want to learn how to build a CMA in RPR? Click the icon and follow the prompts—it's that easy. Just for You: The RPR New User Series Another useful source for new members is the RPR New User Article Series. We consider these features to be the "pillars" of what RPR has to offer. These ten straightforward "how-to's" cover everything from simple searches, to gathering data on schools and neighborhoods, mapping, and our ever-popular RPR reports. Each article includes a breakdown of what you can expect from RPR and how to easily incorporate RPR tools and features into your everyday business operations. Here's an overview of what you'll find in the RPR New User Series: Homepage The user-centric RPR Homepage is built for efficient productivity, with a REALTOR'S® regular routine in mind. It offers "Shortcuts" to tools and features, and customizable "My Market" areas with quick access to property hot sheets. Property Search As an RPR® user, you have the power to capture real estate data to the extent that no other search mechanism offers. In fact, no other real estate data sharing website offers side-by-side, listing vs. public record comparisons like RPR. Maps The RPR map is a powerful way to visually search for properties and uncover market trends. From aerial, road, and overhead views, to schools, parcels, estimated values, heat maps, overlays and more, we'll show you how easy it is to draw or designate your map in ways that suit every type of interest or need. Property Details RPR's Property Details page offers a wealth of data not found on any other real estate platform. Here you will find side-by-side comparisons of MLS vs. public records information; sales, tax and mortgage histories; property photos, school and neighborhood profiles, interactive maps, and more. Property Pricing RPR shares four tools that will help you refine the value of a property, use the platform's flexible comp analysis tool, create a Sales Comparative Analysis and Valuation Workbook for harder-to-price properties, and run a real-time analysis for investment properties. Neighborhoods Finding the right neighborhood for your buyer is easy thanks to the housing, demographic and economic data found within RPR. Here, we'll run you through the basics on how to help your clients find a home near desired amenities and within commutable distances. Schools Test scores, parent reviews, enrollment data and more help REALTORS® quickly drill down to schools best suited to client needs and expectations. Search for schools within 5 miles of a location; by city/state, school, or district name; and even by type of school (elementary, middle or high school), as well as up to 20 nearby listings. Market Activity Report The Market Activity Report delivers a snapshot of all the changes in a local real estate market, including active, pending, sold, expired and distressed properties. It's a quick and convenient report that will get your clients up to speed, and a surefire way to impress prospects. Reports Easily create and share RPR's colorful, client-friendly reports from your phone, tablet, laptop or desktop. Customize the elements of your report to suit client interests and brand each with your name, photo, logo and contact information. And even add your own pages to the report (biographies, testimonials, and marketing tools). RPR Mobile™ Downloading the free RRR app to instantly view on- and off-market properties, leases, valuations, tax and mortgage info, distressed data, maps, schools, neighborhoods and more. The app also provides a customizable feature that allows you to create, save and share reports with just a few quick taps on the screen. To view the original article, visit the RPR blog.

4 Places to Find Training for Your Technology Tools
You can find just about anything on the internet; I have heard this phrase for many years and I firmly believe this to be true. You can seek just about anything on the internet, including training! Last week, hopefully, you read the article "3 Powerful Technology Solutions You Already Have Access to (Or at Least Should)." Now that you have access, you need to learn how to use it! For example, I will use Homesnap. You can find training on the company's website, in your MLS, your brokerage, and on YouTube or Google. This is just a start. The Technology Company's Website A good technology partner will make it easy for you to understand their product. They know if someone is properly trained to use their product, that agent is more likely to keep using it. Homesnap makes it so easy to get training. Just go to homesnap.com/university and you have everything you need. You can find live training with one of several coaches. You can click on tutorials to find an explanation for a specific feature, recorded webinars, or FAQs—I'm not kidding, the list goes on. A good technology partner will make it easy for you to understand their product. Your MLS You have probably noticed a theme with me; I believe that you should rely heavily on your MLS because it is a powerful marketing partner. Just like with technology companies, the better you are trained, the more likely you are to keep using their product(s). With that being said, your MLS should provide you with training. If you are not sure where to get training, either call your MLS or visit their website. Look for either education or training. For example, on the Greater Southern MLS's website, they offer webinars, training videos, classroom training, and more! Your Brokerage As an agent, you have a village around you that wants you to be successful. If you are successful, then the client should have a great experience buying or selling property. Your brokerage is no different. They are there to help you. Keller Williams is a great example of training that brokerages should offer. They have Keller Williams University, giving you a plethora of options to choose from. YouTube and Google YouTube and Google belong in the same bucket, partially because they are the same company, and also because the search is nearly identical. You can learn just about anything on YouTube. There are videos to get you motivated and there are videos to help explain what a CRM is. Just about any question, you can think of, you can look it up on YouTube or Google. If you don't know what to ask, just start typing stuff in and keep refining your search. Now, It's Your Turn We all have something we can learn to help ourselves be better. Take the next 15 minutes to learn a new feature about a product that you already use. Go to the product's website, your MLS, your brokerage, or YouTube and learn something new. Chances are it will help you provide more value to your clients. Come back next week to learn the long and effective way to become a better agent (and a better person). If you have any questions about training or have suggestions for other articles, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] or on LinkedIn.

The Top 5 Online Education Platforms for Real Estate Agents
Enlightenment is power! The more you know, the more you succeed. That's why it is important to have general knowledge about everything. In every industry, in any type of business, you need knowledge to be successful. It is not easy or simple to be a real professional. You should take several courses. You should evolve over time to be successful, and you should know the trends in order to generate more leads. The year 2020 showed us the importance of internet marketing, online courses and much more. If we want to be more successful, then we should definitely take some online courses. General Overview: What Real Estate Agents Should Know Before starting professional courses for real estate agents, there are several things that should be considered. There are several things that we cannot study from courses/universities, and you should have information about them before entering the industry: Location Without local knowledge, it's almost impossible to become a professional real estate agent. Quite simply, you should pay attention to the neighborhood where you work. You need to have general knowledge of nearby places. That's why it's important to be a detailed-oriented person even before you enter the real estate industry. Communication Communication is a very important aspect of every industry, but for real estate agents, it is definitely the essential tool. Real estate professionals are having communications with hundreds of people on a weekly basis. As a real estate agent, you should be able to have online and face-to-face communication skills. Since people in this industry are working remotely in most of the recent cases, we already have a blog about Online Communication Tips and Tricks for Real Estate Agents. Answering Tough Questions While speaking with real estate agents, clients are mainly interested in knowledge and information. That's why if someone wants to become a real estate agent, they should have answers to all the tough questions the customer will ask. It isn't that hard, right? You just need to prepare the answers before meeting or communicating with your clients. Property Evaluation When you already are a part of the real estate industry, one thing you should know is that the correct property valuation is one way to success. Location, neighborhood intelligence, interior and other additional information is what will help you while evaluating the property. Good Time Management Real estate agents handle many tasks at once, so it's important for them to have good time management. This will help real estate agents to balance their working hours and have time for entertaining as well. Top 5 Online Education Platforms for Real Estate Agents Now it's time to speak about professional courses in the real estate industry. Quite simply, every industry requires education, and the real estate industry is not an exception. There are hundreds of online courses for real estate professionals. Let's speak about the most useful online courses for real estate agents. Today, we will discuss some of the most well-known platforms for every type of course in real estate, including Udemy and four other platforms, which are mainly designed for future real estate professionals. Udemy Udemy is the global marketplace for everyone interested in education in general. It offers thousands of courses for every industry, and can be used by real estate professionals as well. Udemy offers real estate agents full courses about real estate leads, real estate investments, commercial real estate investing and more. Udemy courses are cost-effective and you have the opportunity to choose the right online course for you related to the real estate industry. You can see the reviews before applying to the course, so everything is kept very simple. Real Estate Express If you're looking for online courses by professionals, then this is the platform for you. It was created to be the leading force in online education. They have been providing people with the courses for 20 years, so they definitely know what they are doing. Real Estate Express offers courses in every state of the U.S, and the tiers have expert instructors that are approved by each state in the U.S. Real Estate Express has four different categories of study: The Basics Exam Preparation Exam Preparation + Ultimate learning These four categories allow their users to choose courses according to their needs. So if you want to build up your knowledge of the real estate industry, it's a good way to start. Aceable Agent This is the best version for young professionals in the real estate industry. The courses here are designed to be lighthearted and accessible from any device. The courses are updated frequently so you don't have to worry about information accuracy. Unlike other online courses, Aceable Agent offers exam preparation only for four states: New York, Texas, Virginia and Michigan. They have mainly two types of courses available: individual and course packages. AYPO Real Estate Sometimes, there is no need for a mentor/teacher while taking courses. What if we only want the materials because we are sure that we can handle it ourselves? AYPO is the best self-study version for real estate agents and professionals. AYPO stands for at your pace online, which simply outlines the fact that you are independent and you don't need a mentor/teacher while studying. Self-study simply means that you study whenever you want or wish. Everything is dependent on you in this case. The courses itself are available only for five states: Michigan, Oregon, Florida, Texas and Alabama. Mbition-Learn Real Estate Mbition is one of the trusted online course platforms for real estate agents. Here, each real estate class is fully accredited by all regulatory bodies in every state. Here, you have different choices of study. You can take a program to study for the first time for your licence, you can upgrade your licence and just simply study for the upcoming exam. These courses not only provide you with textbooks and study materials, but they also allow you to speak with instructors by phone or email for assistance. Mbition is always updating, so you don't have to worry that the materials provided by this course will be out of date. Suggestion From the Author After working hours, the best way to achieve your goals is to work on yourself even when you're tired after a tough day. If you spend hours working for others, why don't you take time for yourself as well and study new things, evolve, and enlighten yourself? Just remember, every hour spent on studies is one step towards success. To view the original article, visit the Realtyna blog.

Use this Downtime to Up Your RPR Skills
By now, you have undoubtedly been affected by COVID-19, commonly referred to as coronavirus. The term "social distancing" is now part of your vocab. News, questions and guidelines are changing and being updated by the hour. If you have children, they're now staying at home. If you go out frequently, you're now staying at home. As a REALTOR, you're probably used to working remotely. However, going into the office is most likely not an option for the time being. You're essentially landlocked... and staying at home.

C2EX: Professional Growth for REALTORS
We know you're on top of your game when it comes to "wowing" your clients and closing more deals. If you want to boost your professionalism even more, look no further than C2EX. Short for "Commitment to Excellence," C2EX is an NAR program that was designed to empower REALTORS to elevate every single aspect of their skills, strengths and standards.

We Don't Rise to the Level of Our Expectations, We Fall to the Level of Our Training
First, let's settle who I am quoting in the title of this article. According to many sources, it was Archilochus, a Greek lyric poet from the island of Paros who lived from 680 BC until 645 BC. But it really doesn't matter who said it. What matters is the point of the quote. Many times over my 19-year career in real estate, I have heard REALTORS say, "Every time I get a new designation like GRI or CRS, my income increases." Many will attribute increased income from even 3-hour classes, seminars and webinar as the agent expands both knowledge and confidence.

5 Tips for Your First Year as a Real Estate Agent
Whether you're already in your first year as a real estate agent or thinking about a career change, you've probably had an image of agent life in your head. Whatever notions you might have about life as a real estate agent, it's important to manage those expectations and build a solid foundation for your business. Here are five things to do in your first year to make sure you're building toward a successful career:

How to Join Online Meetings and Webinars
There are many benefits to attending webinars and meetings online. They allow people located far distances from each other to connect and share ideas. They conveniently allow us stay in our own offices and desks during the work day. They don't require expensive software or technology to use. They allow for more attendees than traditional meetings and training sessions. Online meetings and webinars are great, but if you haven't attended one before, they may be a little confusing. If you've been invited to an online meeting using GoToMeeting, here's a great resource explaining how to join your meeting. Attending a webinar? In this post, we'll explain four things you should know!

Summer School: 3 Online Training Opportunities for Real Estate Agents
The kids may be out of school, but class is still in session for agents who want to gain new skills this summer. Just this week, we learned of three new educational opportunities in areas like listing photography and social media. All options are offered online, too, which means that you can work through them at your own pace while powering through the busy season. Here's a quick rundown of each: #GetSocialSmart Academy For years, Katie Lance has been real estate's go-to guru on all things social media. It's likely you've heard her share her knowledge on stage at real estate conferences, or read her name in any number of industry publications. On Tuesday, Lance launched her latest knowledge sharing venture, the #GetSocialSmart Academy. It's a web-based "learning portal" featuring social media training videos, downloadable materials, and live webinars. The content is based on Lance's 6-week coaching program, and covers topics like content strategy, blogging, Facebook advertising, Instagram, Pinterest, video marketing, livestreaming, LinkedIn, Twitter, and beyond. Until June 30, Academy membership is available at a deeply discounted "early bird" rate. Check out GetSocialSmart.com to learn more. Looking for similar training opportunities? Check out The Paperless Agent and/or their Real Estate Digital Marketer (REDM) certification course.

How Technology Training Revolutionized One Realtor's Business
It was a fluke that led John Diaz to the training program that changed the direction of his real estate career. In August of 2013, he had been in real estate for over a decade, and a broker since 2005. Diaz already knew that leveraging technology was important for success in real estate, but he struggled with how to implement it. He planned to get an iPad, but hadn't yet. He had also tried Evernote, but "could never put my arm around how to use it for my business." That all changed when he travelled from California to Chicago for a conference hosted by his franchise. There, he hoped to learn how to better use technology in his business, but was largely disappointed—with the exception of one fleeting moment. "What I had flown to Chicago for I didn't really find," said Diaz. "But what's interesting is that the speaker I went to listen to briefly mentioned The Paperless Agent. He's actually the one who pointed me in their direction." The Paperless Agent is a training program owned and operated by the leaders of GoodLife Realty. GoodLife is an independent brokerage in Austin, Texas that's well known for driving sales through their innovative use of technology. Through The Paperless Agent, they share the technology systems and best practices they successfully use at GoodLife Realty with other real estate agents and brokers. On his flight home, Diaz took advantage of the onboard wi-fi to work through the first training session of The Paperless Agent. He was so impressed with what he saw, that he immediately went out and bought his first iPad and started implementing what he had learned.

6 Online Resources for Real Estate Education
Looking to complete CE credits? Find software user tips? How about discovering new sales techniques to leverage? Whatever your particular situation, you can satisfy just about any educational need online. The big question is--where to start? A search for "real estate education online" turns up 358,000,000 results on Google. The problem isn't a dearth of information, but an abundance of it. To help you cut through the noise, we've created this quick guide to our favorite online educational resources for real estate. Check it out to find six great places to start your learning journey. Through your Broker, MLS or Association We'll start with the most obvious. Checking the educational offerings of your brokerage, MLS, or association should always be the first thing you do. They often offer training in conjunction with their technology partners on tech solutions used within the organization or offered as a member benefit. Your MLS or association should be your go-to source to find continuing education opportunities. Start by checking their website for more information. If your organization's website is a little thin, don't hesitate to call or email them directly. And don't forget to check out NAR. Their REALTOR® Education page offers a wealth of information and links to learning resources: http://www.realtor.org/education

5 Ways to Grow Your Business with Designations
Real estate agents are busy people, right? Between prospecting for business and working with clients, who has time to earn real estate designations? It's true that only a small percentage of agents have completed the requirements for one of the official designations or certifications awarded by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). But don't assume they have plenty of time on their hands. Rather, designated agents represent the upper echelons in their field, go-getters who consistently outperform other agents. Here's what they gain from their designations: 1. Fresh ideas. Every agent can benefit from learning new and better ways to do things. NAR's designation courses are packed with regularly-updated information on the best ways to work with buyers and sellers—and deal with other agents. If taken in a classroom setting, designation courses also provide a great opportunity to hear fresh ideas from some of the best instructors in the industry, as well as other attendees. 2. Time savers. Designations are about much more than training and education. They also provide members-only access to many time-saving tools that simplify your work with buyers and sellers, including professional marketing materials, consumer education tools and other benefits. 3. Competitive edge. In a crowded market, designation training helps agents bring more skills to the table and tout their credentials online. It's tangible evidence that you've set the bar higher and could easily be a key difference-maker when consumers compare your credentials to a competitor's.

Do’s and Dont’s for Thriving in the Electronic Information Age
Being a top agent means more than listing and selling more homes. Today's agent must be tech-savvy and prove to potential clients that they can leverage leading edge tools. Real estate technology is moving at such a blistering pace, most agents will eventually fall behind if they don't have a strong electronic marketing campaign. Here are a few "do's" and "dont's" to help get you started. Don't Use the "Buckshot" Approach It's not enough to simply haphazardly toss your listings online – a buckshot approach that lacks precision. Intention and strategy are essential. This means two key things: Carefully fine-tuning your listings, making sure they are optimally crafted for the online environment; Making sure they're seen in the right places (as well as keeping them from ending up in the wrong places). Electronic real estate marketing is becoming more competitive every day, and your listings have to stand out from the crowd. Do Rely on the Experts There are so many avenues and options, finding a combination that continues to work, and implementing all the necessary tools for every listing, is a full time job. Don't hesitate to take advantage of the many people who specialize in this area. After all, we live and breathe online marketing–so you can allow us to do our jobs, enabling you to focus on your job (helping people buy and sell houses).

Learn how to be a Paperless Agent™ with the GoodLife Team and RE Technology!
"I've begun to wonder how many agents who own iPads actually know how to use it in their business. I've speculated that the majority of these agents do not. Anyone can buy an app from the app store – that's a piece of cake – but what they're missing is the knowledge of what to do with the application once it's been downloaded." -- Krisstina Wise, Why You Must Be A Paperless Agent RE Technology is proud to present a free webinar with Krisstina and Garry Wise of the GoodLife Team next Wednesday, January 23. Whether you're an iPad expert or a rookie, you'll learn how to use your tablet for everything from home tours, listings presentations, transaction management, and more! See the video below to learn more about becoming a Paperless Agent™, then register for the webinar.

IMSD’s Makeover: Quality and Quantity
The real estate training powerhouse – IMSD – is rolling out some big changes this week. Focusing on both quality and quantity, the "Geeky 2.0" release will mark the first major makeover of the popular system. We chatted with IMSD's leadership team to learn more about what real estate agents can expect. Meet IMSD IMSD (which stands for "Internet Marketing Specialist Designation") has become a household name for many real estate professionals. However, before we look forward to their new launch, it may be helpful to look back and clarify who they are and what they do. IMSD was founded in 2010 through a partnership between top real estate broker Ben Kinney and Market Leader, Inc. Kinney's own early struggles and subsequent successes with online marketing gave birth to a proven system, now in use by thousands of real estate agents nationwide. What is great about Ben Kinney is that he practices what he preaches. His team closed over 500 transactions in 2011 and ranks 18th among all brokers in America for transaction sides (according to REAL Trends and the Wall Street Journal). The training provided through IMSD focuses on online marketing for lead generation and lead conversion. The curriculum is completed through a series of live and online classes that include homework assignments to help drive the lessons home.

Sales Skills: Some Kids Are Just Born With It
So you call yourself a sales person?  Sales takes skills and certain type of person.  The question is: is it nature or nurture? In the case of this young rockstar the verdict is nature! 

5 Easy Ways to Integrate Video into Your Marketing Efforts
Guest Contributor Veneeta Eason says: Real estate professionals know that success is, in part, driven by how well they can create a connection. One way to do that is to integrate video into your marketing campaign. With today’s technology, it is easier than ever to capture great video. What previously required a studio, a green screen and professional media equipment can now be done with a handheld video camera and a computer. More importantly, video has the ability to increase your business, build better relationships and amplify your credibility.  Here are five easy ways to integrate video into your marketing efforts:

8 Tips for Holding a Successful Open House
With spring just around the corner, the season for open houses will soon be upon us. As we at HomeFinder.com know, open houses give sellers an opportunity showcase their home in a casual way to serious home buyers and generate interest in their property.   A successful open house, however, requires a bit more than just being sure that the home is clean. The ultimate objective is for potential buyers to be comfortable in the space, with a sense of being able to envision themselves living there.  We have compiled a list of some simple adjustments you can make in preparation for your open house to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.  

Part 2: Building Relationships, Not Barriers
When it comes to technology and the real estate agent, I believe agent want to use technology to its fullest extent to serve customers better and in the most cost-efficient way. But they have been overrun by technology. Some real estate agents are are searching for a technique, tool, software or system that will eliminate the task of prospecting, when in fact it will only eliminate prospects. It’s time to get back in touch with some real, fundamental principles about the reality of prospecting. Tip #2: Build relationships, not barriers! This is still a people business, so the ultimate goal of prospecting is to secure a face-to-face meeting. Too many agents use the wrong contact methods at the wrong time and the misuse of technology has hurt the business as much as the proper use of it has helped. Technology can build a barrier between the agent and the client. Are you properly handling your technology?

Sell More, with Less Words
It's true. The best advice I ever got as a salesperson was to shut up. Too often we tend to think a moment of silence is only for funerals or church, but one of the keys to making more sales is to quickly make your point, ask for the sale, and then be quiet. Nine times out of ten, the first person to speak owns what you are selling. If it's you, then you are still stuck with what you wanted to sell, and that's not who you wanted to buy what you are selling, is it?

Part 3: Avoid the Quicksand of the Trivial
When it comes to technology and the real estate agents, I believe agents want to use technology to its fullest extent to serve customers better and in the most cost-efficient way. But they have been overrun by technology. Some real estate agents are are searching for a technique, tool, software or system that will eliminate the task of prospecting, when in fact it will only eliminate prospects. It’s time to get back in touch with some real, fundamental principles about the reality of prospecting.

What Is In Your Twitter Toolbox?
If you set out to learn something, you might as well learn from the best. One of the pioneers of social media marketing is Chris Brogan, founder of New Marketing Brands. He works with large and mid-sized companies to improve online business communications like marketing and PR. With a vast Twitter following and a number of tools by his side, Brogan consults and speaks about how to better utilize Twitter for business developement. What type of tools does he use to make Twitter easier to use, and more effective? Keep reading to find out.

10 Action Steps to More Strategic Social Media
It's an action oriented world.  Social media is fast paced and before you know it the three or four well-planned Tweets you prepared are burried in two minutes.  We are all just figuring out how to use utilize social media to grow our business. Some have made social media the focus of their professional practice and research.  One of the more noteable leaders is Dan Zarella. As a preview for his upcoming webinar, he has taken ten of the most important lessons from his research and distilled them into actionable advice that you can implement in your own marketing strategies and tactics.

Connect the Past with the Present Using Facebook
Facebook is the most popular social network by professionals stretching from college age students on up. For most, about 20 percent of the people you know are already using Facebook. Facebook reports around 400 million accounts. The younger you are, the more people you will find. Also note some of the most recent Facebook statistics: More than 500 million active users 50% of our active users log on to Facebook in any given day Average user has 130 friends People spend over 700 billion minutes per month on Facebook More than one million websites have integrated with Facebook Platform More than 150 million people engage with Facebook on external websites every month There are more than 150 million active users currently accessing Facebook through their mobile devices

LinkedIn - Provider of 4 Degrees of Separation
Since you are already familiar with Plaxo, you should know that LinkedIn.com has a number of similar features. LinkedIn allows you to stay connected to people who are in your address book.  LinkedIn also allows you to see what is happening with the people you know, but most importantly, it allows you to find people. Remember the wisdom of six degrees of separation. The theory is that we are all connected to everyone on the planet in some way through someone who knows someone, who knows someone, and so on—six times. LinkedIn supports four degrees of separation.

Go Big or Go Home – Network with Google Using Gmail
The next place you will want to do networking is with the largest online company on the internet – Google.com.  Specifically, you want to establish a Gmail account. Do not fret! You do not need to use the Gmail email address, although it is free, has unlimited storage and is the best at protecting you against spam. The goal of the Gmail account is to put your contacts in a place that will allow you to easily join other social networks and find your friends who are already there. As you may have noticed when joining Plaxo, all popular social network sites allow you to connect to your Gmail account to retrieve your contacts. When you do this, they search their registered members to see if there is anyone using their network that you might know. This is not unique to Gmail, although it is the most commonly offered service. You will find that many social networks allow you to use your hotmail.com or yahoo.com accounts also. Another great benefit of Gmail is that they make it easy to get your email anywhere, anytime. They support mail on your phone, and you can access your mail from any computer by simply logging in. Here is how to get started: Go to www.gmail.com

Microsoft Outlook For Effective Contact Management
Learn how to effectively use Microsoft Outlook to build your real estate business. Work smart with an accurate database. Color Manual Provided Bring Your Laptop! Registration: $50.00 ($20 Cancellation Fee)   Gather information about alternative ways to send and receive email in Microsoft Outlook Customize Microsoft Outlook preferences for optimized use Create and manage client email sub-folders Create voting email buttons Create effective file management system for each client Utilize Outlook Calendar with color coding, recurring appointments, reminders and invitation Add and assign Tasks Create effective email signatures with your picture and other images Create distribution lists Create emails with embedded flyers Add contacts with categories and key words for effective filtering Create Email Mail Merges with Contacts Create Mailing Labels with Contacts Set up reminders for active clients and prospects Export closed emails to external client file folder Contact: Desiree Savory  Technography Solutions  [email protected]  713-557-1531 Where: Check A Pro  16300 Katy Freeway at I-10 and Park 10 Exit Suite 170 Houston, TX 77094 When: Thursday August 12, 2010 at 9:00 AM to Thursday August 12, 2010 at 4:00 PM

Step 4: Getting Online Home Buyers to Your Open House
In an effort to empower real estate agents to convert online listings to leads, REALTOR.com published the 6-Step Online Optimization Plan. This report covers the following topics: Intro: Get more buyer leads from your online listings Step 1: Generate more buyer leads with photos Step 2: Get more calls with Persuasive Property Prose Step 3: Capture more buyers with full-motion home tour videos Step 4: Getting online home buyers to your Open House Step 5: Your social network is still your #1 profit center Step 6: Increase exposure, increase buyer inquiries Following step three of this report, step four discusses tips on how real estate agents can get online buyers to their open house.  More consumers are now searching online for homes and open houses. That’s why it’s more important to optimize your listings and your Open House promotions in the places where more consumers are looking.

Get More Buyer Leads from Your Online Listings
In an effort to empower real estate agents to convert online listings to leads, REALTOR.com published the 6-Step Online Optimization Plan. This report covers the following topics: Intro: Get more buyer leads from your online listings Step 1: Generate more buyer leads with photos Step 2: Get more calls with Persuasive Property Prose Step 3: Capture more buyers with full-motion home tour videos Step 4: Getting online home buyers to your Open House Step 5: Your social network is still your #1 profit center Step 6: Increase exposure, increase buyer inquiries Today's column will begin with the introduction to the report. In order for real estate agents to maximize on their listings, they need to successfully convert these listings into leads. To learn how to do this, begin by reading REALTOR.com's advice...

Communication Alert! How Behavior Impacts Clarity
According to E. H. Schein, Consultant, the most important thing for people to understand is what goes on inside their own heads.  If we enter into a conversation without knowing how we assert our own feelings and biases, we won’t be able to tell whether the information we are receiving is based on reality or our perceptions.  As human beings, we can’t help but filter all communication through our own personal filters which include prejudgments, expectations and alert our defenses if we hear or read a statement a certain way.  Because of our tendency towards misperception of what happened or why it happened, we may “allow” ourselves to respond emotionally to our interpretation without being aware that it is based on incorrect information.  As a result, if we don’t check whether our observation and emotional reaction were correct and appropriate, we may act rationally but make the situation worse.  How do you think an argument can brew to a boiling point after discussing the type of cheese you may want to incorporate into a salad? To illustrate and imbed what E. H. Schein has discovered, I’ve often used the “telephone game” in my training sessions.  I whisper a short five sentence statement into the ear of a volunteer.  That person then repeats the statement to another person and tells them exactly what I told them.  This whispering process is continued through 10 people.  Much like gossip, don’t you think?  Someone hears something interesting, they pass it along to another person, and before you know it, when you hear the information it is the truth, nothing but the truth, so help you God!  Wrong.

Connections Rule
I keep hearing social media is about “building relationships”.  I even say it when I teach Social Media for Real Estate.  “Build relationships, establish your community… “  I am not saying that is incorrect, but I think that perhaps the process may not be clearly explained, or defined. You don’t just dive into a relationship. There are founding measures that occur first, which allow for a relationship to develop and a community to build.  The question then also becomes, are you really establishing a “relationship”, perhaps you are building affinity, fondness, or friendship?  I think we may be putting the cart before the horse. What is a Connection? Merriam Webster defines connected as: 1 : joined or linked together 4 : having social, professional, or commercial relationships 5 of a set : having the property that any two of its points can be joined by a line completely contained in the set; also : incapable of being separated into two or more closed disjoint subsets. A connection is defined in this instance than as: a person connected with another especially by common interest. In social media we are all seeking to make a connection with people who have common interests, therefore I would surmise that social media is more about making connections, connecting people, and expanding those connections to grow larger networks, thereby permitting more connections to be made, and eventually relationships to grow and communities to be created. That is why I say – cart before the horse.

Top Producer 8i or Microsoft Outlook?
Top Producer 8i and Microsoft Outlook are both contact management database programs. The biggest difference between them both is that Top Producer is was designed specifically for real estate and Microsoft Outlook is not. In my opinion, choosing a contact management database can’t be made solely on what the program is capable of doing, but how much time and dedication is given to the program and the experience that the REALTOR® has using computer software.  

Real Estate Blogging: Quantity, Not Detail!
Beginning a blog is hard. What do you write? How long does it have to be? Does it fully capture who you are and what you can offer your readers without making you sound lame? Jim Cronin of Real Estate Tomato hears these types of questions all day long, when working with real estate professionals who want to begin to blog. In answer to these frantic, initial questions, here's what he has to say: "The following is based on a phone rant that I have let loose so many times that I’m starting to feel myself on auto-pilot, almost thinking about something else, as I explain the basic formula to guaranteed blogging success. It struck me that I need to write this down before I mistakenly consider it to be no longer relevant. The fact is that it couldn’t be more relevant for new and struggling real estate bloggers. I am adding this article to the Pre-Class Homework that all of our new clients will receive, for it is the foundation of their path to blogging reward.

7 Steps to Powerful Online Seminars
As the global marketplace moves real estate communication and closing transactions online, online seminars create the ability to move a sales or training presenation online. Online seminars are increasingly replacing face-to-face meetings. In the real estate industry, online seminars are not just for NAR speakers to record their presentations, although that is useful. This technology can be harnessed for the real estate industry. It can be used to provide valuable and engaing information to potential clients or current clients. It can be used for brokerage educational meetings, all online. Online seminars can also be a profitable and cost-effective alternative to hosting live events. For those agents, brokers interested in learning how to create powerful seminars, John Jantsch of Duct Tape Marketing recently posted a blog containing seven steps necessary to creating online seminars. Continue to read John's seven steps...

Ten Tips for Using Twitter to Drive Traffic!
Real estate professionals are tapping into the marketing resources Twitter facilitates! They know it is more than a vehicle to complain about your coffee spilling in route to work. Agents and brokers know the power Social Media has to drive traffic to their company site, or blog. Social Media guru Mark Hayward, who writes for Problogger, has learned how to harness Twitter and use it to drive traffic to his blog, which drives traffic to his business. He states that Twitter is not easy to learn. So he recently shared ten tips for using Twitter to drive traffic to a blogsite. These tips, however, are just as valuable for driving traffic to property virtual tour, your single property website, technology business or brokerage. Using Twitter can take time, but these tips will help you generate traffic by making sure you do things like complete your bio or add branding to your background.  Online networking is a science, but it is worth learning. To read Mark's ten tips for using Twitter, please continue...

Twitter Marketing Tips
Social media is all the buzz in the real estate space. Blogging, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and more are commanding a lot of attention in the real estate space. Twitter is now talked about in the mainstream media, and is one of the fastest growing and most heavily trafficked website on the planet.But where does the real estate agent start?

If You Don’t Offer S’mores…You Should!
Show me a man who cannot bother to do little things and I'll show you a man who cannot be trusted to do big things. ~Lawrence Bell It was just a s’more. Yes, I’m talking about a graham cracker, a little chocolate and a marshmallow. It probably had a cost of a half-cent to the business offering it, but that s’more made an impact. It symbolized a small act of kindness and generosity—with no expectations attached—that made a lasting impression. And THAT, my friends, is what each of us MUST replicate if we want OUR businesses to last and thrive in today’s unpredictable economy.