Luxury RE Marketing

LRE Announces Award Winners

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 08:19:36 -0500

RISMedia reports that LuxuryRealEstate.com has announced nominations for its eight annual awards which will be presented to members of its international network at the 12th Annual Membership Conference in Vancouver, B.C. from Sept. 29 to Oct. 2.

Categories include: Best Brand Integration, Best Overall Marketing Package, Most Innovative Marketing Technique, and Best Web Site. Three of the award categories are based solely upon data, including: Most Outbound Referrals.

A few of the award nominees are:

BVG Incorporated

Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty

Diane Turton Realtors

Harry Norman Realtors

Lila Delman Real Estate

Slifer Smith & Frampton Real Estate

Turnquist Partners

For more information, read the full article from RISMedia.

50 Ways to Market Real Estate Online

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 06:52:49 -0500

Online WalkThru just completed a two week stint out West. We had the privilege of attending the CEO Exchange in Sedalia, CO and Inman Connect in San Francisco, CA. One interesting segment at the Inman conference was Trulia's Jamie Glenn discussing the Top 50 Online Ways to Market Real Estate.

We had wonderful intentions of posting each and every one of these, but alas the work waiting at home made it impossible. Well, thanks to the Inman blog and Jamie Glenn, the presentation was posted online for all to benefit from. (Of course we'd love to see a list like this for luxury). But kudos to Trulia and Inman for teaming up on this information.

Photo Credit: Erik Hersman Realty Thoughts

Top Producer Jacky Teplitzky joins us on Vox1

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 21:48:48 -0500

From her start in the travel industry to her success in the Manhattan residential real estate market, Jacky Teplitzky tells us her story on the latest Vox One episode.

Plus find out where Jacky sees luxury real estate is headed and why she feels discount brokerages will not make a dent in the Manhattan market. Join us for Vox1 - Episode 4. Drop us a line to give us some feedback, or even to let us know of someone that you think should be on Vox One.

Online WalkThru to speak at Inman Connect

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 16:35:07 -0500

Fresh off our trip to Sedalia Colorado for the CEO Exchange, Online WalkThru is heading back out west for Inman Connect in San Francisco.

Held at The Palace Hotel in downtown San Francisco, this event always draws a large contingent from both the real estate and technology sectors. With new players entering the market each day, Connect is an opportunity to take a look at some of the emerging technologies and see what kind of impact they may have in the near future.

This year Online WalkThru's Lathe Poland will be a guest panelist on one of the Innovation Tracks - Digital Video: Adding Dimension that Works. Stay tuned for this and other coverage from Inman Connect SF.

Voxury Home of the Week - July 30th

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 08:51:40 -0500

Set on over four acres, this home offers European ambiance and over 6000 square feet. With five fireplaces, three circular terraces and a custom designed conservatory this property is the perfect country abode. Metro trains put you approximately one hour from New York city, adding to the convenience of this home.

Contact Barbara Cleary to get more information on this or other New Canaan homes.

DV Expo East this weekend

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 06:43:02 -0500

For all of you tech junkies out there, especially in the video world, today and tomorrow is a nice opportunity to see what's up and coming in the industry. DV Expo East is here in NY this weekend at the Westin Times Square Hotel.

The expo will feature programs with leading industry experts in production and postproduction, along with the latest products from top vendors including: Apple, Avid, Panasonic, Sony, Grass Valley, SMPTE, and the crew of the award winning "Rescue Me" series.

If you're an independent filmmaker, producer, or play any role in the professional video industry, the Digital Video Expo East is a great opportunity to see the tools powering next-generation productions. While certain programs require paid admission, show floor admisson is free, as are some of the educational sessions.

RIS Media's CEO Exchange

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 10:44:28 -0500

RISMedia will hold its 2nd Annual CEO Exchange this year on July 23rd & 24th at the exclusive Sanctuary Golf Course in Sedalia, CO, owned by RE/MAX founder Dave Liniger.

The event is an exclusive gathering of 100 top brokers and real estate industry leaders who attend the invitation-only event to discuss the most pressing issues facing the residential real estate industry.

Online WalkThru is proud to be one of the event sponsors and we look forward to experiencing the gorgeous surroundings first hand.

The Exchange was created to focus on key issues affecting CEOs and high level executives in the real estate profession, including generational marketing, capturing and managing customers you can’t see and examining new business models.

The event will cap off with guests being treated to a fundraising game of golf on the Sanctuary Course, one of the most exclusive golf courses in the country with picturesque fairways surrounded by waterfalls, rolling hills, and the magnificent Rocky Mountains as the backdrop.

Voxury Home of the Week - July 16th

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 08:58:00 -0500

Looking for the perfect spot in Tribeca? Richard Orenstein of Halstead Property has a pulse on some of the hottest properties on Manhattan's West Side. This property is one of our favorites, and recently went under contract. Recently featured in Interior Design magazine, this sophisticated high floor double-corner loft will take your breath away! Grand-scale entertaining space wrapped in glass features soaring ceilings, state-of-the-art chef's kitchen and unobstructed city and river views from endless floor-to-ceiling arched casement windows.

Contact Richard to find other Manhattan gems.

Home of the Week - premieres Monday July 16th

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 11:39:23 -0500

The response to our Vox1 segment on Wednesday's has been very encouraging. It seems as though the real estate audience has a real thirst for video content. With that in mind...beginning Monday, July 16th we will be featuring videos of different luxury homes each week, both on our AR blog and on Voxury Populi.

We look forward to having visitors from all over stop by to see the latest in luxury homes across the country. Have a great weekend!

Vox1 - Latest Top Producer interview

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 10:29:36 -0500

Westport, CT is a beautiful community with a village right on the water and close proximity to New York City. It certainly falls in the category of a luxury market and real estate competition is plentiful. So how has top producer Michelle Genovesi thrived in the Westport market for over 20 years?

She sat down with us to tell her story and share her experience with others. Take a moment to see what she had to say on Vox1 - Episode 2. As always, we welcome your comments and critiques.

Referrals in The Rain - 4 tips to improve social networking

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 07:44:19 -0500

Active Rain has become a hub of social networking in the real estate industry. As it's membership continues to grow, each day new bloggers join it's ranks. The community is a great way to stay up to date on current issues, exchange ideas and allow your voice to be heard. For many who enter the community, it is also a fine way to acquire and cultivate leads.

Lasting relationships are formed when there is give and take. Human nature lends itself to the taking part with no problem whatsoever. It is the giving that seems to require constant effort and attention. Here are a few tips on how to make AR work for you and benefit your peers.

1. Be observant - Pay attention not only to what others say, but also what it is that they do. How does their business work? Who is their ideal client? How can you help send referrals their way?

2. Look for opportunities to assist others - Don't just look to randomly send a "lead" to someone. Be aware of what their interests are. If you come across an article that directly relates to another AR member, send it to them. If you hear of an opportunity they should look into, let them know.

3. Refer cautiously - Only refer clients to people that you would not hesitate to do business with yourself. Long time AR members and those who take an active share in the community are more likely to be worthy of a referral. Remember, if you refer a client to someone, how they treat that client affects your reputation as well.

4. Send qualified leads - The same principle in point 3 applies here. If you would not want this client then don't send them to a fellow AR member. If you come across a lead that you do not know personally be sure to specify that this person came your way but you can not vouch for them. That allows your fellow community member to pursue the lead if they wish, but not with blind trust that you have put your stamp of approval on them.

Use common courtesy. Plenty of AR members are noted as regular "givers". Such individuals usually see their generosity rewarded in some form or fashion. Line yourself up as a consistent "taker" and the well is certain to run dry.

Photo Credit: Flickr

Top Producers...How have they done it?

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 09:12:16 -0500

Well, it's been one week since the premiere of Vox1 and we are still receiving email and comments on the segment. It seems viewers have an appetite for understanding what makes a top producer like Carrie Chiang so successful. We look forward to completing our next episode for July 11th.

In the meantime, if you have not done so, feel free to stop by and take a peek at the interview. We welcome your comments and critiques.

Luxury Real Estate Vidcast Premieres June 27th

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 05:55:44 -0500

June was a busy month for us at Online WalkThru. That translated into a blogging hiatus which was not ideal. The good news is, the break was well spent and we have some exciting content to share in the coming weeks and months. On June 27th our Luxury Real Estate blog will debut a new weekly vidcast, Vox One.

The focus of the show will be one on one interviews with top producers in the luxury real estate market. We look forward to having viewers not only tune in, but offer comments and constructive criticism on how we can improve the show week to week. Enjoy the weekend, and we hope to see you on Wednesday at Voxury Populi.

Sometimes Quitters ARE Winners

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Fri, 18 May 2007 13:25:43 -0500

Hall of Famer, Vince Lombardi is quoted as saying, “Winners never quit and quitters never win.” While his point is well taken (we need to persevere during tough times), quitting can be a good thing when done selectively.

If you are a real estate professional and you are wondering whether you should keep hanging in there with the market in a funk, it is vital that you come to grips with this concept. Best selling author, Seth Godin in his latest book, The Dip, talks about how quitting can be the best career move you ever make.

The book is not simply about quitting your profession, but rather how to determine when to abandon certain tactics, ideas and services that are stealing your time and energy. We make it a habit to laud individuals who are well rounded. In certain cases however, being well rounded equates to having a lack of focus and spreading oneself too thin, both of which will have catastrophic results. If you are finding yourself in the position where you are an average agent, an average home stager, an average photographer, you have a decision to make.

You can continue to be average and find limited success, or you can quit the things that you are not very good at and do not have a passion for, and become the best at something. How do you figure out if you need to get out of your profession altogether? Let me not spoil the book for you, it is a great read, (or for those of you like me who are on the go, a great listen). Noone wants to be called a quitter. But some times we have to quit certain things in order to find ourselves a winner.

Luxury Properties - Should you consider a short term rental?

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Wed, 16 May 2007 07:45:41 -0500

Luxury home owners looking to sell are benefitting from short term rentals of their property. Depending on the location of the home, short term rentals can bring in a healthy source of revenue. Christine Karpinski, author of How to Rent Vacation Properties by Owner states, "even an average home can bring in $30,000 a year." Ms. Karpinski was recently quoted in a NY Times article by Jay Romano.

There are some items to be mindful of such as being aware of local tax laws and deciding if you want to use a manager. In many cases the same real estate broker that is marketing the home for sale can also assist home sellers with short term rental of the property. Such rentals can offset the continued costs of home ownership (mortgage, taxes, maintenance, etc.) and are obviously more feasible for second homes.

On the other hand, if you are a homeowner and have not yet decided to list your second home for sale, there are a variety of ways to market it as a rental online. Here are a few sites that see a steady flow of traffic (not endorsing these, just an FYI):

Be cautious when using any online rental company. Be sure to understand their fee structure, responsibilities and reputation. It is also good to qualify renters and have some level of confidence that they will treat the property with respect and care. Luxury homes generally stay on the market longer than other listings. A short term rental is one option that many home owners are now considering.

Photo Credit: flickr

Social Networking: 7 tips to keep from being Anti-Social

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Sun, 13 May 2007 13:08:59 -0500

It's called "social" networking. Make no mistake about it, most of us are here to network not just have fun. On the other hand, there are a few groups that are created for just for breaking away from the every day. If you are here to network don't forget the social aspects. Here are a few reminders:

1. Respond to comments on your blog - If someone stops by to express their opinion or give you some kudos, acknowledge them. Not only is it polite, but it encourages them to return.

2. Keep blog topics positive - Occasionally you may cover a tough topic, and say something that needs to be said. This will be taken a lot more seriously if you are positive in your delivery and keep topics helpful and encouraging.

3. Offer genuine commendation to others - If you read a post and really enjoyed it or found it insightful, let the writer know. I am not talking about a "Nice post" line to get yourself some points. Be specific. Mention what in the post was helpful, and how you might use it.

4. Keep comments related to the topic at hand - Nothing derails a great conversation like someone jumping in and changing the subject. If you comment, stick to the topic that was blogged about and keep links to a minimum. Blatant self promotion will only annoy others and make them ignore your future blogs and comments.

5. Disagree, but don't Attack - Having a difference of opinion is not only acceptable, it is how a community learns and grows. Personal attacks will cause others to feel that you are not objective and don't have a real point. Keep opposing arguments civil, and be sure to mention that it is purely your opinion, and that you welcome responses to change your thinking.

6. Subscribe to your favorite bloggers - It increases their popularity and is a sign you are being "active" in the rain.

7. Add selected individuals to your Associates list - When appropriate, adding someone that you have had positive dealing with is a great way to increase your circle of contacts.

Remember, it's networking but it will only be effective if you are social.

Photo Credit: Flickr

Education vs. Exasperation: Time to Move On

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Fri, 11 May 2007 20:09:10 -0500

I am a firm believer in educating potential & current clients. This is especially necessary when the service you are offering is new to the real estate industry or perhaps not fully understood by real estate professionals. We spend time educating brokers and agents when it comes to:

features of our service
potential benefits for the agent and their client
ROI
how to make preparations for our visit
how to utilize the finished product in the most effective way

Many times this means making an office visit, providing a presentation, and usually a follow up phone call or email. When a client is genuinely curious, and just needs more information this is time well spent. Just be aware that you will come across individuals who just do not get it.

The best thing to do when this happens is move on. There is no need to be rude or petty, just politely inform the client that the service you offer is most likely not the best suited to their needs. Early signs that an individual or office may not make a good potential client:

1. Asking for volume pricing before you have finished your presentation

2. Unfavorable comparisons between your service and something that is not remotely similar

3. Looking for you to remove key components of your service for a discount

By themselves, any of those three points may not be an unreasonale request. But if a client is stuck on price and has no interest in discussing the return on investment or benefits they will reap, it is best not to waste either of your time. Spend time with individuals who want to understand what you are offering. Looking for clients who are willing to be educated will keep you from constantly being exasperated.

Agents - Sell the home (not the homeowner)

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Thu, 10 May 2007 08:05:13 -0500

Recently, we were setting up a video shoot for a gorgeous muliti-million dollar exclusive. The agent was eager to get started and was looking forward to the process. "I can't wait," she confessed "I think this is going to be so exciting." She then informed me that she would like the owner to participate in the interview process. Actually she was hoping we would follow the owner around and let them talk about the many features in the home.

It took a bit of persuasion, but after a few minutes it was agreed that we would not have the owner on camera. Am I a video snob? Not even close. Let me just say, just as it is your responsibility as an agent to look out for your clients best interest, it is our job as a production and marketing firm to look out for your best interests, and in turn the sellers as well.

Question: When you take photos of the home, is it recommended that the owner be included? Of course not. But why? It is the same reason that most agents recommend that owners remove family photographs and personal items and even bring in a home stager. The home needs to appeal to a potential buyer. They need to see themselves and their family in the home, not be thinking about the current owner and their family. The last thing we want is for a buyer to feel like they will be taking someones memories from them.

In rare cases (an investor who renovated bought and renovated a home, the custom builder who knows every nook and cranny) the seller can be included in the interview process. But as a general rule: use your video to sell the property, not its occupants.

Active Rainers are SLOWING Global Warming

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Wed, 09 May 2007 07:39:57 -0500

Impossible you say? Follow my logic (or perhaps lack thereof) in this 7 step process:

1. A key contributor to global warming is Greenhouse Gases (GHG)

2. The greenhouse effect is increased primarily through the release of carbon dioxide (CO2)

3. Increased CO2 concentrations are linked directly to deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels

4. Paper consumption is one of the catalysts for deforestation (each year the world produces 300 million tons of paper. In the US, paper comprises 40% of municipal solid waste)

5. AR empowers its members to communicate via the internet, thereby saving paper

6. AR promotes online networking in turn reducing the need to burn fossil fuels while traveling

7. Active Rainers are slowing global warming

Fine...it's a bit of an overstatement. But there are plenty of things that our members are doing, and doing well. I for one appreciate being a small part of it.

Image credit: flickr

7 Hot Topics that will earn you a Featured Post

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Tue, 08 May 2007 20:30:21 -0500

Okay, okay first the disclaimer: As an Active Rain newbie I have not even had a featured post. A good title will not assure anyone that they will be a "featured post". However, what I have done however is study the last few months of featured posts and tried to see some patterns in the titles that become Featured Posts. Here are some observations in no particular order:

SEO - Everyone wants to know how to be ranked higher on the search engines. Google in particular will draw a good bit of attention. These posts in specificly have to be written in a simple, easy to read format. Most RE pros are not web or computer gurus. If the tips are concise and easily executed, this is a big plus. (Recent topics: Meet the new owner of GOOGLE, Broker Bryant, Marketing your blog - Google Juice)

Active Rain - If you have something to offer your fellow Active Rainers, when it comes to communicating in this forum it will be well received. The "Week in Review" segment of course is always featured. You also might discuss great AR features and functions, How To's, or community questions. (Recent topics: AR - Are you Treating it as a Business?, Let's nominate...Active Rain!!)

Numbered Posts - What?!? Yes, people like to hear the top 10 reasons why...or 5 keys to a successful...These posts should have quick but useful insights, small chunks of information that can easily be digested. (Recent topics: 12 U.S. Laws that Impact Bloggers, 10 ideas for Localism Posts...)

Blogging - Yes, believe it or not blogging about blogging is a very popular topic. There are so many new people to blogging (myself included), it is always beneficial to share tips to help everyone to become more proficient and responsible members of the blogosphere. (Recent topics: Itsnoteasytoreadyourpostsifyoudon't Give Them Some Air, For a QUICK DIVE in Blog Readershi...Go on Vacation)

Rant - Topically, this can be very effective. A word to the wise on this, don't play the rant card too often or you will alienate your readers. Everyone loves to hear a sane person have a well deserved rant. But if someone rants all the time, it will reflect poorly on their attitude and professionalism. (I'm not giving recent posts on this, since most rants are "members only" posts and that should be respected)

You Tube - This is one of the hottest sites on the web. Many RE pros are wondering if they should make use of the capability to post videos on You Tube. If you have an opinion, a success story or even a warning on this, it is worth sharing. (Recent topics: You Tube Is Not a magic elixir..., more available to members only)

100th post - When you hit this landmark, let the community know about it. It is a great way to be featured and you will receive a lot of healthy encouragement to keep up the good work. (Recent topics: I suggest you go ahead and type 100th into the Search feature on the home page)

A few other notable ideas - Foreclosures, The Flat Guys (Ben, Matt, James, Jonathan, etc), anything "Green", Localism tips

Hope these prove helpful. Have a great week!

Inman News talks Home Staging

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Mon, 07 May 2007 09:06:14 -0500

Since all of you Home Stagers are always sharing great items with the AR community, I thought I would share this article on Inman News this morning.

It was entitled "Get the most out of your home stager" by Dian Hymer

It is encouraging to see the media, and in this case the Real Estate media give attention Home Staging the attention it deserves. While there is more education to be done, the word is certainly spreading on the benefits of staging to sellers and agents alike.

Eric

4 basic ways to enhance your URL links

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Sun, 06 May 2007 08:47:32 -0500

So you're blogging along and you decide you want to add a link to your site. I've noticed some people are still just typing their URL's in their post and expecting readers to copy and paste, (http://www.onlinewalkthru.com). People are busy. As quick and easy as a copy and paste may be, many will not do it unless they are really intrigued by what might be at your website. They will simply move on to the next post and you will have lost their interest. Here are a few things you can do to add web links to your post in an appealing way.

1. Simply make the web link clickable:

http://www.onlinewalkthru.com
The code for this looks like: <a href="http://onlinewalkthru.com">http://www.onlinewalkthru.com</a>

2. Have your company name or website name appear as a link:

Online WalkThru
The code for this looks like: <a href="http://onlinewalkthru.com">Online WalkThru</a>

3. Use the same idea as #2, but have the link open a whole new window. This is very useful when you don't want visitors wandering away from your post. That way when they close the link window, they are right back to your blog:

Online WalkThru
The code for this looks like: <a href="http://onlinewalkthru.com" target="_blank">Online WalkThru</a>

4. Include a graphic that links to your website. For starters you need to know the URL for your graphic. In this example the graphic is on my blog server (the voxurypopuli.com entry), and I am linking to my website (the onlinewalkthru.com entry), which will open in a brand new window. The image is 100x100 and it is aligned on the left side of the page:

The code for this looks like: <a href="http://onlinewalkthru.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://voxurypopuli.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/owt-logogray.jpg" alt="OWT logo" width="100" height="100" align="left" /></a>

Important Reminder: Don't put all sorts of weblinks in your comments on someone elses blog. A link to an article or feature that applies is one thing, but even so, use this sparingly on others blogs. People are there to read what the blogger and commenters have to say, not to be re-directed to a site that has no bearing on the conversation.

Used wisely, links can be a great tool that will benefit your audience and bring you added exposure.

Active Rainers ask: Is YouTube a good place for my video?

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Sat, 05 May 2007 11:20:51 -0500

As video continues to make its way into the Real Estate market, professionals want to know how to best distribute their content. A question we occasionally are asked is, "Can we post our video to YouTube?"

The short answer is yes, it is possible. To me, the more valid question is: Should you post your property video on YouTube? My answer would be an unequivocal, NO. I am a big fan of what YouTube has done. I regularly stop by and check out funny or amazing clips on the site. But from a marketing standpoint, do you want your property video sandwiched between silly pet videos and wedding bloopers? How many qualified luxury buyers are stopping by YouTube to find their new home?

In reality, if you have a Real Estate video the best place for it to reside is on a real estate site. If you are selling a luxury property it should be a site where luxury and second home buyers are searching. A few weeks ago I wrote a post about luxury portals. These are some of the spots you might consider linking your luxury video:

Luxury Real Estate, duPont Registry, Luxury Portfolio, Luxury Homes, Unique Homes

When it comes to non-luxury properties, there are specific sites devoted to Real Estate videos. Phil DiGiulio has done some nice work with Wellcome Mat, a site devoted to property videos. Inman Stories also are focused on the world of real estate.

Keep in mind though, you want your distribution vehicle(s) to deliver to your target audience. If you have a multimillion dollar property, you want it seen by potential buyers, not property gawkers who just like cool video tours. Google, Yahoo and YouTube are not the right place for your real estate video. If you want distribution, think about where qualified buyers are looking and find a way to get the video in front of them.

Poll for RE pros: Which (if any) appeals to you?

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Thu, 03 May 2007 21:19:22 -0500

Just a quick question for any of our professionals out there, but especially our RE agents and brokers:

If you were to pay for a video production, which would appeal to you more...being included in an onscreen interview, or having a professional VO (male/female) instead? Take a look at the samples and let me know what you prefer.

Onscreen interview

Professional VO

Music only

Thanks,

Eric

Go Ahead, Invite Yourself Over

Eric Carlsen (Online WalkThru) — Wed, 02 May 2007 08:02:00 -0500

If you are a professional who provides real estate brokers and agents with a service, sometimes the toughest task is just getting in the door. Look at it from a RE professionals point of view, they are constantly being sold to. Agents and brokers receive more sales pitches in a day than many of us do in a month. What does that mean for you as a homestager, financial pro, photographer, or other service professional? Know how to invite yourself over. Here are a couple of tips:

Via phone - Trying to land a client on a cold call is like trying to force feed a child vegetables...he/she may need what you have, but forcing it down their throat is going to make for a messy situation. After a brief introduction get to the point quickly. If speaking with the owner or office manager state that you would like to drop by or email them some information that fully details your services. Let them know that you would be very willing to do a 5 (or 10 max.) minute presentation on the day of their scheduled office meeting. Reassure them that if invited, you will not be expecting their agents to "buy" anything on the day of your presentation. Make it clear that if their are questions after the presentation, you will be happy to answer them, but if not you will leave them to their business. If your product or service is the least bit interesting there will be questions...which is precisely what you would like.

Via email - The approach should be similar to above, with the exception that if possible you include the information in that first email. Be sure to put any links to before and afters, or other samples of your work in the email. Do not make the email long winded or detailed. Provide enough information to spark their interest, and let them know how they can respond. If they do not respond, you can always do a follow up phone call in 24-48 hours. Important: Be cautious with your Subject line. Using buzz phrases, and exclamation points are red flags that will get your email deleted. Make the Subject: Request for appointment or something of that nature.

Once you have achieved scheduling your presentation, stick to your word. Do not be like that crazy uncle that comes over your house and will not leave until you shut off the lights. Make what you have to say brief but compelling. If the agents ask questions that keep you there longer, that is fine. After a few, you can always give the owner/broker a nod and ask if it is okay to continue to field questions.

If what you have to say will help agents, go ahead invite yourself over.

Photo Credit: Flickr Photo