Ticor Title is extremely proud to have brought their community contributions to a total of $14,915 with 5 years of Ticor Thanksgiving. For 2009, Ticor Title is committed to donating $5 for every order opened in the month of November to local charities. This year they plan to go beyond the monetary donations by facilitating a food drive.
Quoting Hunger News from Marion-Polk Food Share "MPFS network of 83 member charities are being called on to provide food boxes for an all-time record average of 6,500 families a month. That is an 11% increase from the previous year or, put another way, it is 631 more families who are hungry in an average month than a year ago at this time."
"At a time when the need of our community members is at its greatest, it is very difficult for charities to raise the contributions that they need. Going into our 6thyear of Ticor Thanksgiving, I am pleased to see how excited our employees and clients are about our annual drive. We know the need is there and we know we can help. Every small contribution adds up to making a difference in your neighborhood. Every transaction, every dollar, every food item. We look forward to serving you and partnering with you to make a difference during the month of November," said Rob Lowe, Vice President & Counsel of Mid-Willamette Valley Operations.
Rosi Green, Business Development Specialist for Ticor said, "We want to do more to reach our goals of feeding as many families as possible. In addition to our monetary donation, we are hosting a "Ticor Thanksgiving Kick-Off" with a chili feed for our clients in both Corvallis & Salem. People are invited to bring in non-perishable food items. Food barrels for Marion / Polk Food Share and Linn / Benton Food Share will be in our lobbies all month."
Every small contribution adds up:
1 lb. = one meal
$1 = 3 meals
$8 = 3- to 5-day's food for a family
$10 = 60 lbs. food collected, sorted and distributed
Source: Marion / Polk Food Share
If you want to help, you can donate food at either of the following Ticor locations during the month of November:
222 High St. SE, Salem
456 SW Monroe Ave., Suite 108, Corvallis
You can also contribute by letting your Realtor or lender know that you would like to choose Ticor Title to handle your transaction when you are buying, selling or refinancing a home. Every order, every pound, and every dollar translates into help for our local communities.
Salem Branch Manager and Certified Senior Escrow Officer, Dana Esterbloom shared, "We are extremely grateful to our clients and the community members who contribute to our annual drive every year. The increasing health of the Real Estate industry this year has been a welcome change and this allows us to continue our tradition. Sharing what we have with those in need is very rewarding."
Charity Snapshot:
Salem- The SAR Community Fund
Silverton - Silverton Area Community Aid (via Marion/Polk Food Share)
Woodburn - Woodburn Food Bank (via Marion/Polk Food Share)
Monmouth/Independence - Ella Curran Food Bank (via Marion / Polk Food Share)
Dallas - Dallas Food Bank (via Marion/Polk Food Share)
Linn / Benton Counties - Linn / Benton Food Share
To learn more about the local charities and why they were selected, please continue to read:
SALEM AREA:
"We are proud to once again announce the Salem Association of REALTORS Community Fund, Inc.as the recipient of our annual donation. The SAR Community Fund supports several local charities, including Habitat for Humanity, Annual Children's Christmas Party, Family Building Blocks, and Northwest Medical Teams. We look forward to supporting their efforts this year in making our community a better place," said Leslie Thompson, Business Development Specialist, Ticor Title.
ABOUT THE SAR COMMUNITY FUND
The mission of the Salem Association of REALTORS Community Fund, Inc., a charitable organization, is to make grants available from earnings and donations by REALTORS®, industry affiliates, and friends, for the welfare and prosperity of the community at large.
Goals:
To help break the cycle of homelessness and provide opportunities for affordable housing
To serve disadvantaged children and families in crisis
To contribute to the livability of the community and build a sense of pride in the neighborhoods
Grant recipients include:
Habitat for Humanity
Home Youth & Resource Center
Family Building Blocks
NW Medical Teams
Annual Children's Christmas Party
Salem-Keizer Community Development Corporation
SILVERTON/STAYTON/WOODBURN AREA:
Rosi Green said, "Seeing how dollars translate into food makes the $5 donation figure more meaningful. It's nice to have a clear picture of what every opened order truly translates to when feeding families. We will be giving to the Marion / Polk Food Share and have our funds designated to the local food banks in Silverton & Woodburn."
Marion - Polk Food Shareis the regional food bank serving Marion and Polk counties that distributes food to hungry neighbors through a network of 70 food pantries, shelters, meal sites, foster care homes and gleaners. Their mission: Leading the fight to end hunger in Marion and Polk counties...because no one should be hungry.
INDEPENDENCE / MONMOUTH / DALLAS AREA:
"We chose TheElla Curran & Dallas Food Bankbecause the need has grown exponentially. There are people going to get food boxes who never have needed to in the past. We enjoy giving back to the communities where we work," said Tasha Walery, Escrow Officer.
ALBANY, LEBANON & CORVALLIS AREA:
"I was shocked to learn that 1 in 5 families in our area are in need of a food box at least once every year. When a family is trying to decide if they buy groceries to feed their kids or pay to keep the lights on, it really highlights the importance of helping the food bank serve our community. I'm proud to be a part of Ticor Thanksgiving," said Laura Piatt, Business Development Specialist.
Linn - Benton Food Share is the regional food bank for Linn and Benton Counties. Since 1981, Food Share has been committed to fulfilling our goal that "Everybody Eats." Through our network of 74 agencies we attempt to reach every person who cannot find enough resources to adequately feed themselves or their family.
Linn Benton Food Share prevents hunger by soliciting, transporting, storing and distributing nearly 4.5 million pounds of food each year to our 74 member agencies -- emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters, child and senior care centers, shelter homes, and gleaning groups.
By providing this centralized food distribution service, Food Share allows these agencies to strengthen their services and programs with the money they would otherwise be spending on food. The estimated value of the food we distribute is $7,550,000.
Source: Community Services Consortium website
With your help-and only with your help-we can ensure that food will be available for people in need.
Ticor Title began operations in 1893 with a goal of providing the highest possible level of customer service.Ticor issued Oregon's very first title insurance policy, and has operated continually in our state since 1908. Today in Oregon, Ticor operates in 15 counties with branches in 37 different locations from Portland to Ashland and from the Coast throughout the Willamette Valley.
TICOR is a proud member of the FNF, Inc. (NYSE: FNF) family of companies, which collectively represent the largest title insurance company in the United States. Nearly one in two U.S. title insurance policies is issued by our family of companies providing claims protection of more than $2.7 billion for the highest level of protection for the transactions we close.
Experience the eclectic blend of boutiques, art galleries, salons, and over 40 restaurants! Every first Wednesday of the month, 5-8pm. Watch the video trailer.
A Message from Suzi Bicknell of Go Downtown
October 7th First Wednesday - Downtown Goes Pink!
The theme for October First Wednesday is Downtown Goes Pink. We are helping drive breast cancer awareness. Marion County has the highest incidence of breast cancer in Oregon and Oregon ranks 5th in the Nation. Sylvia Dorney from Greenbaum's Quilted Forest and Sandy Powell from Olivia's put there heads together to create Salem's Artfull Brassiere Event. This is a fund raiser for local women waiting for breast cancer screenings through the YWCA. Greenbaum's customers and staff designed 33 "artfull" bras that will be displayed in downtown stores through the month of October.
A colorful brochure has been produced and sent to medical offices throughout Salem as well as being distributed downtown. The minimum bid for each art piece is $75.00 or a direct purchase of $250. If all bras are bought at the full price of $250, we will provide screenings for 66 of the 100+ women currently waiting for help. Auction sign up sheets will be in the stores with each art bra. There will be Remembrance Trees on State St. displaying ribbons honoring names of loved ones lost to breast cancer. And, breast cancer survivors may add their ribbons to the Celebration Trees. Ribbons will be available on First Wednesday. Suggested donations of $3.00. Many businesses are selling pink merchandise and offering pink treats.
Also, in partnership with the City of Salem there will be a ribbon cutting to launch the new historic plaques that have been installed on over a dozen buildings. We will be conducting horse drawn tours to the various locations.
We will also celebrate the newly opened Indigo Wellness Center Downtown Yoga. Stop by and welcome Dr. Zorha Campbell. The studio entrance is in the alley to 155 Liberty NE. between Court and State St.
There is something special for children. The Marionette Lady and Her Puppet Show will perform, "Jaz-Man Raven and the Blackbird Song". Lower level at the Reed.
Please share your First Wednesday event, special, or activity so we may include it in the event program. Please email mike@godowntownsalem.com. The more we know the more we can promote.
Recently, I was at a round table discussion group with a dozen or so realtors. And as we talked about what it means to bring our 'conversation' to the web, the inevitable happened. Someone chimed in with the question, "How much time do I have to spend on all this stuff?" He continued, "I don't have all day to play around online..." This question comes up quite often when someone is introduced to the idea of establishing their presence on the web. It seems overwhelming... It seems like it's a job for geeks... It's going to take over my life...
And for some, a little bit of fear lurks behind this question. We are confronted with the unknown. We must recognize that we have our old habits. We are challenged to do something different in order to get different results. We begin to wonder what activities equate to productivity? And at the heart of the question for a businessperson is, "How is this going to tie to the deal?" That's a logical and reasonable question. I mean, if I'm going to put in some effort, I want to know what kind of results I can expect in return.
So what is my take on this question? First, I believe being present online and having an ongoing conversation has everything to do with community and thus 'the deal'. Secondly, I believe that like everything in life, we reap what we sow.
Like Rene Fabré so aptly puts it, "Conversations are markets... Conversations create community. Communities consist of people participating in conversations." We are in a relationship business. People prefer to do business with people that they know and trust, right? So the big question is how will people find you and trust you except through communities? With the majority of the people searching for real estate online, doesn't it make sense to be present and participating in communities and conversations about real estate there?
Another way to think of it is like this. Let's say there's a very seasoned, skilled, knowledgeable, and personable realtor named Pat that has been doing business successfully in the northwest for 20-years. Pat may be a stellar agent but how does the rest of the world know that? The 200 million people on Facebook would only know that if he's present and engaged in conversation there. Google searchers would only know that if Pat is part of a conversation anywhere else online. After all, Google can't read minds (at least there's no proof of it). Google needs to see strong evidence of who Pat is before it will reward him with a high rank. The evidence will be found when Pat becomes present and engaged online by contributing content that explicitly reflects who he is.
So, in response to the big question above ('how much time do I have to spend on this stuff'), finding the answer requires another question. How big and of what quality do you want your presence to be?
It's helpful to think of your internet presence as if it were your own garden. The content and conversations you have online are like seeds. Some of them will take root, grow and and bear fruit in the form of new relationships, trust, and business. Others will not take to the soil and will be forgotten. But either way, like a garden, your presence online won't necessarily bear fruit overnight. It is a direct reflection of what you have put into it. It takes careful planning, sowing, cultivating, early attempts at success (a.k.a. mistakes), and faith that something is going to grow from it. Because after all, we can prepare, plant, water, and cultivate, but how something happens to grow is a wonderful mystery. Is it not?
Why social media / internet marketing is important
Where are you in the realm of this social media mania?
Goal / Strategy - SWOT, 10 Strategy Questions, Action Plan
Time Management - Priority List / Schedule
How to stay on track, accountable & results driven
Why social media / internet marketing is important
Let's begin at the beginning... what is the point and why should you care about your presence on the internet?
Over 87% of home buyers begin their search on the internet.* They are already out there looking-how will they find you?
These people are on a journey to you. Along the way they will be "shopping," getting educated, comparing prices, looking at pictures and videos, checking up on you and your referrals, and judging your level of professionalism.
The internet is a very passive form of shopping and in the end you get a client who is pretty savvy but still very much in need of your local, professional expertise. Buying or selling a home is quite different from buying or selling say, books or shoes on-line. A client can't just put their credit card in and get the keys to their new house in the mail. They need to connect with YOU to make that actual transaction take place, moving the virtual experience into a real life connection.
It's time to evolve and utilize the tools that are on the internet to help you connect with these shoppers. Allow your mind to shift toward some new ideas. Start exploring innovative ways to stay connected with your sphere and to prospect for new business. How is that expensive newspaper, yellow page ad and postcard campaign treating you? What is your return on investment? How can you get the same (or better) results and not spend a dime?
You can't hit a home run unless you step up to the plate.
You can't catch a fish unless you put your line in the water.
You can't reach your goals if you don't try. Kathy Seligman
Where are you in the realm of this Social Media Mania?
You are a busy professional and you understand the concept of a business plan, strategy, setting goals, return on investment, and managing your time wisely.
Now you have a fairly new marketing opportunity that might not be incorporated into your master plan yet.
Take a moment to consider where you are in the natural evolution of social networking and internet marketing:
You are in total denial and you refuse to spend any time on this craziness
You know you need to get on the band wagon but don't know where to start
You've done your duty and spent the minimal amount of time getting started and left it at that
You feel in complete control and your business is growing as a result
You are devoting a scattered 12 hours a day and getting nothing out of it
The entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity. Peter Drucker
STRATEGY / GOALS
SWOT, 10 Strategy Questions, Action Plan
If you want to get results you need to put some thought into what results you want to achieve.
S.W.O.T. yourself and your company
Strength / Weakness / Opportunity / Threat
This is a good starting point if you're drawing a blank with what your goals should be. Sometimes outlining where your strengths are and what needs some developing will be the answer to what your goals and objectives should be.
Ask yourself these 10 strategy questions:
Who is my audience?
Where is my audience-geographically and on the web?
What information is my audience most interested in and how can I provide it in an engaging way?
What is my competition doing and how can I stand out?
What can I do to create conversation - conversations are markets!
What type of personality or culture do I want to portray?
How does my social networking tie into the rest of my plan?
How can my personal passions / interests / hobbies become a business builder?
Where will I be professional and where will I focus on relationship building in a more casual way?
What is the end result I want to achieve? Future vision - say it out loud... "I am the number one producing real estate agent in my market today because I focus on ______________ and __________________ and _______________.
What are your internet marketing goals? (Add a page to your business plan, create a stand alone action plan, or keep it simple with a list of specific / weighted goals)
Organize my internet marketing efforts by priority
Show up on Google-page 1
Stand out from my competition
Increase my website conversion rate
Brand myself as a trustworthy professional
Brand myself as the local expert
Collect 25 client references in 6 months
Generate 24 referrals in 12 months
Connect in real life with internet prospects
Stay connected to my sphere
Increase my income by 15% in 6 months
Stay educated and up to date on relevant real estate topics
You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you are going, because you might not get there. Yogi Berra
Time Management - Priority List / Schedule
Begin by scheduling an appointment with yourself. (Initial set-up, monthly, weekly, daily maintenance.)
Create a list of every profile and every site where you have a presence; this is your web presence map. Take this list and prioritize it. Make note of how much time you are willing to spend on each site. (See the example below.) This will help you stay focused and spend time wisely on the sites that matter most.
Don't question where clients are looking. BE everywhere but really focus the bulk of your time on the places where you can find customers, where you can build relationships and be present. Pick 3 that you will spend more time on. Create profiles on others and spend minimal time on them.
Research time saving syndication tools. Example: Postlets can automatically syndicate your listings to several listings sites and also to FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn and more. Just be careful to "keep it real" with syndication. Nobody likes spammers BUT - this can increase your footprint on the web with minimal effort. Put on your expedition hat and see if this works for you.
You've spent the time building your presence - drive people to your sites with a retaggrcard. This ties everything together and turns every e-mail that you send into a tool to drive people to your sites.
If you want to make good use of your time, you've got to know what's most important and then give it all you've got. Lee Iacocca
How to stay on track, accountable & results driven
Keep your goals specific, measurable, attainable, relevant & timed.
Don't fall prey to the paralysis of analysis. Spend some time thinking about a strategy then GO DO IT.
Be flexible. If something is not working change or alter your plan.
Share your goals and strategy with a trusted business partner, your Principal Broker, your spouse or a friend and ask them to check in with you from time to time to see how it's going.
Be true to yourself and authentic. Your strategy should match your personality and highlight the things you enjoy most about your career.
Measure your success with hit trackers and conversion rates. Ask every caller, client and referral how they found you.
Keep it Simple
Strategize
Write down your goals
Prioritize your presence
Manage your time
Take action
Stay consistent
You will never plough a field if you only turn it over in your mind. Irish Proverb
*According to a study conducted by National Association of Realtors conducted November 2008
Rene' Fabre was in the Mid-Willamette Valley in February for a grueling 9 presentation whirlwind tour of Internet Marketing inspiration for area Realtors and Lenders. He generated so much excitement on that round, it was DEMANDED that he come back for more and he finished up round two presentations in March. It has been DEMANDED that he come back again stat! We are happy to announce that Rene' will be in the Mid-Willamette Valley for round three July 28 - 30, 2009.
For our last group of classes, we did one hour sessions and we had groans from the attendees when I gave Rene' the 5 minute warning to wrap it up. "Do we have to be done in 5 minutes or can we keep going?!" That is a true testament to the excitement that Rene' generates with what he has dubbed "Brother Love's Traveling Internet Marketing and Real Estate Salvation Show!"
Rene's presentation style is very authentic and comes across like a conversation rather than an internet flight that goes right over your head. He very magically appeals to ALL tech levels. I've been astounded at the connections he makes with people who have stomped their foot and said they would never, never succumb to this social internet stuff. Then they attend a class, clearly see the value and go home to spend hours getting all their profiles up to date and creating a presence for themselves on the web.
Rene' is always thinking creatively and he comes up with very unique ideas that are not the traditional avenue to increase your web presence. He experimented with Yelp and discovered that while you are providing positive reviews for your favorite hair dresser, hardware store, and restaurant you are giving that business "Google juice" and also increasing your own footprint on the web.
Today's marketplace really benefits from this positive work that drives people to local business and gives you some exposure at the same time. An added benefit is that it truly only takes you moments to do this good deed.
So if you argue, "We're trying to connect with new buyers and sellers how does this help?" Rene' relates this to placing ads in the traditional newspaper or magazine or local business guide. You did that because you wanted some name and face recognition and you wanted to connect with people reading that publication. This isn't that different... you are "showing up" (many times) on page one of Google searches along with these businesses that you've reviewed. There you have it, name and face recognition in your local area for free. Thanks for this creative and karmically responsible idea Rene'.
I really appreciate Rene's perspective, "I do not claim to be an expert. What I am is an explorer." That's what we should all aspire to be as we grab onto our spinning heads and dive into the pool of internet marketing and presence. Like it or not, over 85% of people are going to the web first to look for a home or a loan... or a new car, mattress, fridge, you name it. Again, in the words of Rene', "They are already there looking. How will they find YOU?"
We held some informative mini-sessions on the benefits of staging at Ticor Title on April 22nd and April 29th. Agents in attendance were pleasantly surprised to learn so many tips on how to use staging as a powerful marketing tool. So, before you recommend that $10,000 price reduction, consider a small investment in staging. The statistics support this as an effective tool that pays for itself.
My top 10 favorite take-aways from these sessions...
•1) Staging is a marketing and packaging tool very specifically catering to real estate home sales.
•2) Selling the benefits of staging to your seller with confidence will greatly improve the chances of your seller investing in this tool.
•3) There are many materials available from our speakers to help you guide your seller into acceptance that their home is now a "product" and something to be packaged and sold. This can be a difficult, emotional shift for your seller.
•4) Consider staging part of your marketing package that you offer your sellers and you will set yourself apart.
•5) Stage before you take those pictures for fliers and the MLS. Those first days of activity on new listings are strongest and you want the home looking it's best.
•6) Include in the comments section of your MLS listing that the home is staged and buyer's agents will feel more confident showing your listing.
•7) Statistics show that staged homes sell 85% faster than homes that are not staged.
•8) We've been running a parade on the benefits of internet marketing and this is a big part of it. Over 87% of people shopping for a home are looking at those pictures on-line to find their next home purchase. The pictures need to have that home looking it's sharpest and staged pictures make a world of difference.
•9) You want to maintain a positive relationship with your seller. Some staging suggestions can be hard to communicate. How do you tell your seller that their home smells horrible or that the designer paint color that they chose is atrocious and has to go? Bringing in a third party who is a professional can really help you maintain your relationship with the seller and get that home packaged to sell faster without hurting anybody's feelings.
•10) Staging costs less than you might think. You can get a very comprehensive staging consultation and suggestions for not much more than you would spend on detailing your car. Liz Harrison had a good point when she said that people will pay $100 - $150 to get their $20,000 car detailed before they sell it. Why wouldn't they invest some money in getting the biggest investment of their life in top shape to market it for sale?
Many thanks go to our speakers for providing these classes for us and our area REALTORS. They also generously gave out FREE staging consultations for 5 lucky winners who attended. If you want to learn more about staging or connect with either of our speakers you can reach them here:
Liz Harrison, ASP-Staging Consultant of Spruce it Up! Home Staging & Redesign
Our next mini-session is on how to Leverage the Web to Maximize Market Exposure and will be presented by Rene' Fabre. This will be held at Ticor Title, 222 High St. SE, Salem on Friday, May 8th from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This is a small, interactive session so class size is limited. Please RSVP to 503-585-1881.
Learn some of the latest trends, tricks and tools on the web in language you can understand!
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." ~ Benjamin Franklin
"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." ~ Benjamin Franklin
We've shifted our focus for client education to holding some smaller, more intimate classes at Ticor Title in the Mid-Willamette Valley. We found, from a great deal of feedback from Realtors and lenders that they learn better while engaging in conversation and interacting with the speaker and the other professionals who are attending the classes. Smaller class sizes allow this to happen and you walk away from the hour you've invested in education with more knowledge that you might have in a class with 300 people in it.
We need to hear from you on what you would like to learn in these sessions. Please tell us your most urgent education needs.
What classes have you attended in the past that leave you scratching your head, having not learned what you thought you would on the topic?
What tools to do you need to do your job better?
What professionals in our industry do you want to connect with, network with, and learn from?
What perplexes you most about the title and escrow process?
Do you have an area of expertise that you would like to share as a speaker?
What else?
Let us know and we'll get to work organizing these sessions for you!
Our next class is April 29, 2009 at Ticor Title 222 High St, Salem, OR
Topic is "How to Help Your Seller Embrace the Staging Process
Margaret Oscilia - Staging/Redesign Specialist - Creative Concepts and Contracting
Silverton Ladies Night out is TONIGHT! (This is a Women's Event - if you are reading this and you are not a lady - tickets are a great gift!) Proceeds benefit the Silverton Area Chamber of Commerce. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you can't afford a big trip this year, you can plan on a "staycation" in Silverton and "Escape to the Riviera" - We're have transformed the J. Frank Schmidt Pavilion at the Oregon Garden into a bit of the French Riviera. You can dream of warm nights and Monaco glamour while you cruise through the 33 vendors who have been specially selected to cater to women.
Prizes and raffles add to the evening's spirit. With your admission you are entered into a raffle for a romantic week-end at Domaine Margelle, a reclusive country getaway. The lucky winner's retreat will include a sumptuous dinner prepared by local culinary artist Chef Jeff Nizlek. As part of the event, women can buy a commemorative glass filled with a sapphire cocktail and a Diamond Raffle ticket for $10. Two lucky women will win either a diamond tennis bracelet or diamond pendant from Allison and Israel Jewelers. There are thousands of dollars of additional prizes from the vendor booths and there is a fun "wheel of prizes" where you can buy a spin and a chance to win for $3.
Ladies Night Out is an unforgettable event for guests 21 years of age and older. Designed to feature local businesses that cater to women, this event is the premier Women's show in our area. With this year's theme: "On the Riviera" - you'll find vendors showing clothing, jewelry, purses, shoes, accessories, beauty supplies and services, fitness and travel. This truly is a night of pampering for women! Tickets are $35 and include a complimentary cocktail upon arrival, appetizers and dessert, coffee lounge, shopping, fun, and many chances to win prizes. You can e-mail me regarding tickets or you can visit the website to register! Register Here
We are incredibly blessed here in the Mid-Willamette Valley of Oregon to have our Rene' Fabre joining us next week for a series of classes. He brings us cutting edge updates and inspiration and helps us wrap our brains around a topic that can feel a bit intimidating. We can't wait to see you next week Rene'! See his blog about a very successful and relevant event for our market... Real Estate BarCamp Seattle 2009.
Contact me for a schedule of Rene's appearances in the Mid-Willamette Valley February 24 - 26, 2009.
The barcamp event this past Friday (2/13/09) in Seattle at Zillow HQ was an absolute winner.
An awesome free flowing day exchanging ideas and experience on most every topic imaginable that had to do with technology, social media, blogging, SEO, SEM, and marketing real estate.
Creativity, openess, passion, and discovery permeated the spaces all day!
A very special event that was so generously facilitated, supported, and presented by members of our very own communities. Those we draw from for ideas, inspiration, guidance, and support.
I was also at the Bloodhound Seattle Unchained prequel event the day before, also at Zillow HQ. Many of us attended both days and a big thanks goes to local Realtor Scott Cowen for being the catalyst.
Between the two events we hung out with a lot of passionate professionals. Many with differing points of view on the future of real estate and technology. Both presenters and attendees shared ideas openingly with a wonderful and obvious compassion for a better future. All talking very openly about the roads they travel and what they have personally discovered with their online efforts and what is working for them. More important than answers, I was impressed about the questions that were shared. It was very inspiring.
At the Bloodhound event on Thursday, Brian Brady (America's #1 Mortgage Broker) talked and also hosted the festivities. There were several great conversations... One being between Glenn Kelman, CEO of Redfin and Greg Swann of BloodhoundBlog. (Greg already posted the video on his blog, shot by Marlow Harris.) Both Glenn and Greg had their own segments where they openly shared their experiences and vision. Then, in a friendly round robin debate with Brian Brady and Rich Jacobson they shared opinions, methods, and thoughts about real estate on the web, social media, and being successful (meaning: how do we make money at this) etc.
There were great take aways...
Follow the ubiquitous road... be everywhere on the web.
Be in the community... feed it if you like it.
Today's consumer on the web is looking for reasons not to do business with you.
Show the past (leave your breadcrumbs) so the consumer knows what you've done.
Later, the blogpanel with Rhonda Porter of Mortgage Master's, Marlow Harris of 360Digest.com (and numerous other sites), and Brad Coy of San Francisco Real Estate Services talked about their blogging and online marketing styles and strategies. I really enjoyed how each of them approached their online endeavors differently, yet with a similar straight forwardness and honesty of purpose. They all said, "it's not always about real estate. It's about your passions and serving others."
The barcamp event was delightful. It started right up with a lot of energy that never subsided. I'm not even sure where to begin or end talking about this event. We had a wonderful day of presentations and breakout groups on blogging, SEO, website development, lead generation, and online real estate technology. For me personally, I was in heaven.
Kevin and Monica Ray, Active Rainers from Missoula, Montana, were there and shot a lot of pictures. If you are friends of theirs via Facebook, you can see them there.
Jim Marks of Virtual Results did an outstanding job talking about website traffic and conversion. "It's about killer content. If you're interested, it will be interesting." And, is the value of your website INSTANTLY apparent.
David Gibbons, Drew Meyers, Rich Barton from Zillow had a great conversation about keywords, crosstalk, inbound linking, anchor text, and page ranking. That might at first sound geeky, but it was very fun and engaging. They also talked about using Google and Yahoo Site Explorer to analyze and tweak your website/blog.
Mike Simonsen and Scott Sambucci from Altos Research chimed in on that conversation and also had a great presentation of their own technology, market statistics and analysis and how to leverage market data. I loved the point they made that data is not the answer. Data should be the illustration of the point you are making to help your client make an intelligent decision.
All in all a fabulous couple of days not soon to be forgotten... I know I've left a lot of people out, but I'm sure you'll soon find more attendees posting comments and pictures. I have a pile of notes I still need to decipher.
Once in a great great while, if you're very lucky, you have a special time where the universe pulls a particular energy together and you find yourself in the midst of a bunch of people that share a common interest, enthusiasm, passion, and dedication. This was one of those times. If you missed it, go to the next one no matter where it is... If being 'online' is a way you do business, it will be worth the trip.
Many special thanks go to...
Active Rain * Agent Image * Altos Research * Bloodhound Blog Unchained * Center for REALTOR Technology * Diverse Solutions * Education.com * Front Seat * Hawaii Real Estate Guy * Inman News * MLBroadcast * Onboard Informatics * Real Geeks * Redfin * RETechy * Trulia * Zillow
I see that Rhonda Porter on Facebook took a lot of pictures also...
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
An awesome free flowing day exchanging ideas and experience on most every topic imaginable that had to do with technology, social media, blogging, SEO, SEM, and marketing real estate.
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