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Next... Question # 2

By
Education & Training with Real Estate Base Camp

The next question we need to address is, "What new skill have I learned today?"

In order to accomplish this great habit of lifelong learning, think about the skills you need to learn to be successful in this market; then make a list of what you need to know.

Sample list:

•        How to negotiate? (Over the past several years that became a lost art- we only had to ask, how much over asking price do you want to spend.)

•       How do I handle selling foreclosures and REOs? (Essential today!)

•        How do I syndicate my listings?

•        How to take great photos to market my listings online? Or, who can I hire to do that for me?

•        How to use social networks?

•        How, where, what to blog?

•        How to organize and send a group email in Outlook?

•        How to use a CRM (Customer Relations Management system) to stay in touch?

•        How to use the functions on my new Smart Phone?

We can learn something new every day - especially in the Internet marketing and tech arenas. If we learn a little bit at a time, it is not overwhelming.

Schedule yourself! 

Sign up for a good class or designation class on negotiating and/or foreclosures.  Stop by a Mall kiosk where they have Smart Phones. Ask them to show you how to use it.  Schedule 1 hour per day, from 7:30 - 8:30 am just to try out and learn a new tech skill or marketing skill.  Go online and set up your profile on Zillow and Trulia- it is free; it is straightforward.  Try it.  Next, go in and read the Q/A on Trulia or Zillow- post a comment in your area of expertise.  Next try out something new online.  Check out websites.  Because of the recession, Microsoft is providing some free online classes on their products, so you can learn how to use some of the tools you have.  In this market, most agents spend at least 1 hour a day worrying- get into the game!  

You can do this!  Remember, a bite or byte at a time...

What have YOU learned today?

Travis Olson
Agent Breakthrough Consulting - White Bear Lake, MN

Hi Claudia,

You're right, learning new technological skills is so important in our industry. You can't get better if you don't make your professional education a priority. Thanks for the post. The night is still young, I might learn a thing or two before I call it a day. 

Apr 22, 2009 12:15 PM
Donna Harris
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator

It's interesting how one thing online dominos to another. I was signing up on an REO site, and they sent me to another which sent me to another, so I got signed up on several sites, and they all work thru each other.  Weird, but it's something new I learned today.

Apr 23, 2009 02:18 PM