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Views from a Chilliwack Real Estate Kiosk - The Rhythm of the Mall

Our office now has a Kiosk in Cottonwood Mall. Yep 14 of us Realtors pay to sit for a couple of hours 2 or 3 times a week to meet and greet ~ I've always enjoyed people watching...but who has time these days other then at a stoplight?

Well here I sit, nestled between Cobbs Bakery where I get to inhale the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread...

And the Flight Centre - where there's a huge map of the world and I get to fantasize where I would like to put a pushpin next.

And the rest of the time I get to talk about Real Estate - and who doesn't like to talk about Real Estate? The people come, and they pause and watch our Two Big Screen T.V.'s with scrolling images of our office listings.

They pause to talk about prices, market conditions, mortgages, and sometimes about 'their Realtor' who currently has their home for sale. Just to make sure they have their home priced right and doing everything they should :-)

Other then that...there are the babies in buggies, young love strolling hand in hand and oh did I tell you there's a Chatters Hair Salon across the way too? I get to watch the ladies walk in and then see the Big Reveal when they walk out! :-)

There's also the mother and teenage daughter who like to discuss household chores a decibel too loud. The guy that tells his girlfriend its ok to go into another shoe store :-) I watch the tanned and leggy 20 somethings and remember when. The guys with the 'black socks' and sandals......The elderly pushing their walkers in a painfully slow rhythm. The retiree who likes to tell me about his tools (no really) and how many air miles he's collected.

Fat, skinny, young, old, loud, silent....The Rhythm of the Mall.

And maybe...just maybe....one day I'll sell a house :-)

If you or someone you know is thinking of Buying or Selling property in Chilliwack, Hope, Abbotsford, Langley or anywhere in the Fraser Valley Area of B.C. - or if you would like more information please give Liz Moras of Landmark Realty Chilliwack a call at- 604-799-0459 or e-mail at lizmoras@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2009 By Liz Moras, All Rights Reserved. All photos by Liz Moras(except the one of Claire). All information provided by this author is only an opinion, it is not guaranteed, may be based on information collected from several sources, and may be time sensitive. It is not necessarily representative of the opinions of Landmark Realty Chwk. Ltd..

Posted by Liz Moras ~ Chilliwack Realtor, Garrison Crossing,Chilliwack, Abbotsford on 08/15/2009 12:47 AM

Comments (123)

Kiosk Marketing in the Regional (Localism) Channel

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Originally posted at: Liz Moras' Real Estate Blog: Views from a Chilliwack Real Estate Kiosk - The Rhythm of the Mall

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123 Comments on Views from a Chilliwack Real Estate Kiosk - The Rhythm of the Mall

AUG

2009

Liz, I spent a fair amount of time in a mall kiosk. Lots of atmosphere and conversations, but not a lot of transactions came of it...

Hmm Brian - you could be right - its only been 6 weeks - we shall see!

Liz: That sounds like a great idea. I imagine sooner or later we'll see those kiosks pop up in many more shopping malls. Please keep us updated on how things go with it.

Kiosk:

Kurious about RE? Come by and talk.

I wonder what I could be doing that would be more productive.

Oh, if our Kiosk was just located over there, it would probably work great.

Somehow I think I'd enjoy watching people more ..if only I wasn't the one on display.

Kind of hope this is a voluntary part of my job.

Liz,

I have been playing with the idea of setting a kiosk in the Mall for a long time. It is an expensive proposition, unclear of the effectiveness, so we never tried.

Our Mall is on a steep decline, so it is unlikely there is any sense to do it now. Will be interesting to see how it works for you guys.

Brilliantly written post. Liked it very much. Keep us posted about the kiosk

Why thank you Jon:-) I will keep you posted - we have two malls in our town and this is the busiest of the two - the traffic is good -but yet to see if it will materialize in any business :-) Jim - how cool the Anagram - you clever feller you :-)

Karen Anne -here they've been around for quite a while -but our company just got dibs on one a few weeks ago :-)

Liz: I am very afraid that if I worked at this same kiosk... I'd spend much too much time over at the bakery. Yum !

Karen Anne - I limited myself to one white chocolate and raspberry scone a week :-)

Liz - I love to inhale the sweet aroma of freshly baked bread... You are so lucky!

VB ;o)

I am familiar with several broker/company koisks in malls. All appeared to produce business.

Good luck.

Liz...

This is an interesting concept. I never go to malls myself (I don't like crowds) so I never realized that real estate companies were doing ANYTHING like this!

I think I'll pass this on to the powers that be at my firm!

This also seems like a good idea to me, please let us know how it works out.

Liz, It's true, malls can be a great place to people watch :) And you never know who you'll run into! Nice pictures and I love the bakery.

Liz, we have a kiosk at the mall, if it was across from a bakery I would be there every day. I have done kiosk duty and have had some people come by...mostly I give directions. However if included in a real estate business plan, it could be as worthwhile as phone duty, or sitting in an open house. You never know when that buyer or seller is going to call or stop by. We as a company have definitely had agents who have gotten business from kiosk.

Liz, it sounds like SO much fun! People watching is always fun and add to that the business potential = a win / win!

I'd love to do something like that.

Meet and greet.

People watch.

Talk about what we love doing.

And write blogs with great titles like "Views from a Real Estate Kiosk - The Rhythm of the Mall".

Well done my friend!

I think I spent time at the same kiosk as Brian, with similar results. One tip we learned was try and appear busy ! Schedule people to visit you there to initial contracts,pick up copies of something. If the agent is busy more people are likely to slow down and look things over. But don't sit there as one agent did and play computer games, great image to all !

Our 3 local malls are definitely empty these days. I played with the thought of relocating my office to one, because the rent is so cheap now and the parking is great! Walkin traffic might be a good thing.

Liz, TLW and I used to work a Kiosk in a factory outlet mall hawking timeshare tours. We did it for several years and were very good at it. The hours were great 10-4 five days a week. Plus Sabarros pizza was only a few doors down.....and the sticky bun place. Yum yum.

There's a RE office in our local outlet center but no one seems to ever be there!

I'd think good exposure.

One of the old timers in my area was telling me she was considering doing a kiosk at our Wal Mart SuperCenter. THAT might be a good idea!

This is definitely something our office will not be able to take advantage of. The closest mall to us is 45 minutes away. We are just shy of an hour from Ft. Worth so the benefits of us having a kiosk will not be there. I would love to have some way to be in better touch with people though. I've been trying to think of new ways to draw people (buyers mainly) in to our office. We don't have a shortage of sellers right now, but we have a shortage of buyers. Although homes are selling, they are selling at a rather slow pace. We don't even have many people taking advantage of the $8000 tax credit. Our problem out here seems to be credit and down payment issues. I've spoken with a few other agents in our area and the issues seem to be the same. No one saves money anymore and they still think they can get into a house with not great credit and nothing to put down. Almost everything we have qualifies for the USDA loan program (except mobile homes of course), but even with that, people are still having problems.

I should hate bread but with that smell I go weak in the knees. I wonder if the kiosk should go through themes. My team does short sales, and it could be an interesting idea of have a short sale kiosk. If some markets have 25% and up people underwater on their mortgage, then a lot of mall traffic is going to include those folks and they would like to talk about it. Mall walkers are older. What about a day where you feature downsizing or reverse mortgage information. I am intrigued.

Liz, I worked for a company a few years back that had a Kisok at the mall. A great opportunity to pass out your business cards to everyone. You never know where your next client will come from. Good luck!

Sounds like floor time, only you said you have to "pay" for it. So you are paying a contribution to do floor time? Sounds like a broker expense to me.

I could have said exactly what Carolyn said in 22 (except we have malls around). Too many sellers, not enough buyers right now. Need to find those buyers.

Hi Liz -- What a cool idea, not one I've run across before. I'll be interested to see if there is an ROI.

Liz, think of it as lead generation. If you can go home with at least one lead to follow up with daily, then I'd say it is worth your time. Now you just gotta figure out how to do that! Good luck!

Always be thinking of ways to interrupt their thinking and then engage them, you will do great - then the mall will be observing YOUR rhythm!!! Rock it Liz!!!

Liz,

I have had a kiosk with professional art work and a place for brochures but not manned......please keep us posted. Congrats on the featured post.

it does sound like floor-time, in the mall... representing the company and the office.... giving you a community presence. I, too, am surprised that you would have to "pay" for that privilege.

Liz--Here's a suggestion: Send an e-mail to everyone in your database inviting them to visit you at the kiosk during your next scheduled time. Tell them if they can't stop by, call or e-mail you for all their real estate needs. Try it, it may work. Let us know in a future post.

In the meantime enjoy the smells and the rhythm of the mall.

Hi Liz - Keep us up to date on the amount of business generated at the kiosk. I know that one couple from a different brokerage maintains a kiosk at a busy mall (Vaughan Mills) in Vaughan, just north of Toronto. However, the couple of times I have been at the mall, I have never seen it staffed.

There is also a HomeLife franchise in a inside store location at Markville Plaza in Markham, just north of the other side of Toronto, It is right beside the Walmart but I have never seen anyone go into it. I think their overhead costs must be quite a bit higher than if they were in a strip plaza. I don't know how effective it is.

Sounds like a fun way spend a couple of hours and maybe get some leads in the process. I hope this brings you some business. Let us know.

Liz - A few companies have done it in at least a couple of area malls around here, but I have yet to hear anybody actually getting enough return out of them. Kind of like the ads on shopping carts (around here they don't produce good return either). It will be interesting to see how your's works out. ~Rita

Oh forgot to say the bakery would be detrimental for my rear end :)

Hey Liz! Sounds like trouble to me....mall and being directly in front of a bakery, lol. I'd be in heaven! I hope your make some great contacts!

Liz, just looking at the bakery photo makes me ready to blow my diet! I remember in the old days when Coldwell Banker had mall offices - it was before the bought my old company. Sounds like not such a crazy idea.

Hi Liz. I like the idea of a sitting at a kiosk because people still shop at malls and where there are people there are buyers and sellers.

Liz, that sounds like fun! I hope it is a profitable venture for you and your office mates. The bakery would make a great Localism post while you're there - interview, free 'tastings,' works for me!

Sharon

Liz - We had considered doing this at one of the local outlet malls which is very popular. Do each of you pay a portion of the rental on a monthly basis, then divide the time equally somehow?

Good for you, Liz. If you were going there 5 days a week, I'd think it was a bad use of time. But mixing as A PART of your marketing plan, 2-3 days a week I think is brilliant. You might not catch a buy/seller today, but I'll bet you'll get a call from someone who took your business car months earlier and just liked your style. You are in it for the long haul!

hey liz

i have not seen one in my area yet but it seems like a great idea!

the kiosk looks great!

Our closest mall is 45 miles away and it is an open air mall, so we couldn't do something like this. I have heard that this formula works really well and I admire you for trying it. Hope you get your first sale from your efforts real soon!

Liz, what a very cool idea, especially since the kiosk is manned. I have seen this idea in a Florida mall once, but it was free standing and not manned. It was from United Country. I wonder how well they did, or maybe it was manned part of the day when I wasn't there.

I could be next to that bakery, I would loose all self control and gain all my weight that took three years to lose back.

Please keep us informed about the Kiosk I have been looking into one for our mall. I have been told that it doesn't produce. But I thought about for my rental dept.

Hi Liz,

This to me seems like a great marketing opportunity for you to promote your business. Although like everyone else bit surprised you have to pay.

BTW I have subscribed to your blog as I am curious it find out if you actually get a client.

Sharon

Liz, We have them here in the Phoenix area. The one at our Chandler Fashion Center always has someone on duty. In July and August people go there to get out of the heat and excersize (walk). Although I have never seen anyone actually talking to the agents, there is a lot of traffic. I'm not sure I would pay for the privilege. Love your writing style.

This sounds very interesting and I see it better than floor time. You have guaranteed traffic. I would think this would work and please write again after a time to give us results. Also, like others above, I would love to know an agents portion in $$ for this effort. Thank you.

Liz:

You get to visit with real live people who aren't anonymous. If the mall is strong, your business should prosper. Good luck and keep us tuned in on what is happening in your market.

I like the concept. A few times per year someone askes me if I want to have a booth at a fair or an expo. I haven't done it yet. Based on what you aere saying, I wonder if it is the best use of my time. Thanks for the post.

I love it! I am a people-watcher too and it seems you have a front row seat to it all! I must admit being that close to the bakery could be really BAD for me! Yummmmm!

No malls to sit, but circulating at many local diners, stocking shelves with local real estate brochures the next best thing.

Liz,

When I first entering the biz in 1997, the company I joined had a kiosk at the local mall. Not only did I hone my sales skills very quickly, I made a killing selling real estate. Owners of business' in the mall never had time to spend viewing property or interviewing an agent to sell their home so I became the answer to their problem.

One last lesson from this experience: complete your work with people so that next time you see them, you can be proud of who you are and the job you have done.

Hope to find another situation like that again.

Vegas bob - Is there a better more heart warming smell? :-)

Lenn - actually I know it will - it already has! more on that later :-)

Richard I seldom go to malls myself - but let me tell you a LOT of people do!

Lourdes - its actually a great way of generating business - at the very least it builds your contact base!

Hi Liz - I look forward to your updates on how successul it's working out to be. I know a few companies that have tried that here in Phx - not sure how it worked?

Carole - the people watching is sideline - but its not boring thats for sure! :-)

Thanks David - actually there is a lot of potential business available - if you're at all friendly and chatty and invite non threatening conversation :-)

Kris - you're right it is WIN WIN- hey your name is gone from your tag line!

Oh Craig - you always put a smile on my face - I actually always look forward to going there :-)

Michael - you're right looking busy is good - but if too many people are coming by to chat you don't get a chance to meet the new potential clients - I've found that can be a problem :-) they don't want to interrupt -and you don't want to appear rude!

Erica - although this isn't a mall office - it is a place where people can spontaneous cruise on by - look at photos/listings and they often do start up real estate related (and sometimes not :-) questions.

Bryant - in some ways whats nice with this is its never more then 2-3 hrs at a time - so it still gives you a chance to get your other work done - :-)

Candice - I think it looses all its potential benefit if its unmanned -then it just becomes an advertising bench :-)

Wow Carolyn- you're an hour away from a Mall - is there such a thing? lol........Contests - we used to have draws - where if buyers viewed a house with you their name would go in a draw for anything weekend away -tv - ipod.......some ideas? :-)

Joe -what a great idea -I love the 'themed day' concept ! I'll bring it up at our next meeting!

Michael - you're right - its all about opportunity - its really what you make of it!

Vicky - hmm interesting idea -but I feel like I'm promoting myself and services -not my company :-) Floor duty they have to come to you - here - we make it easy to 'meet in the middle' :-)

Erica -frankly a mall - wallmart - grocery store - are all good places to find those 'potential buyers' :-)

Chris - the ROI will be there - I know - if you 'work it' itwo' its there :-)

Bob - I average 2 to 3 leads a shift - that part is not too hard - its like any leads - qualifying and staying in touch!

I just watched I Love You Man a dvd movie about a real estate agent with no friends he get his picture out there in a different way. It made me think how could I get in front of more people.It is all about recognition and people will use people they are famillar with. By setting up in the mall you will get lookers at first but those with listed property when the listing expires may look to you to relist and others will say when talking with friends they spoke with you and how availabe you were it may be easier for people to approach a kiosk than to walk into a real estate store. Great Idea it has already worked look at your response.

I set up a table outside my local grocery store and just provided information and conversation. It was great to meet people I would not have meet and I got some leads but most of all I am recognized now by locals that I did not know before.

Dang . . . why didn't I think KIOSK when Greg Nino had a contest ("What to do if you had $5,000 to spend?") That would have been a good idea to toss out! in with the other suggestions.

What a nice post you composed! Great observations, yammy smell - even here at the Rain we can smell this bread. Wish you get sales from this nice duty. Please keep us posted!

Liz - I've seen real estate offices at the mall, but not a Kiosk. This is an interesting concept and I'd assume your time will payoff. Where else are you going to get that kind of foot traffic?

Liz, Sounds like there is enough people watching for you to do! I remember when I was with Coldwell Banker we set up shop in side the Sears stores. Can't say I got much business from it but being in a kiosk is far different than being in one store. Good luck.

Liz, I commend you for at least getting out there and doing something a little different. You are out in front of people and able to talk about real estate, what more could you ask for? I hope your hard work pays off.

Kind of like sitting in the food court watching the folks as my wife shops....interesting people come an d go while I just sit!

Liz this is an experience I have not had, please keep us posted. I am sure you will meet all sorts of people and I hope some of this contact will translate into business.

Liz,

Those are nice photos, Very appealing location.

Any chance we get to have positive face time with the public is not a waste of time. Good Luck!

A kiosk is a FANTASTIC idea! I've never seen one in a mall before, but what a way to get new buyer and seller leads. It is helpful to your business?

This is a very interesting idea.....why not give it a try and see. Nothing to lose.

Good Luck!

Patricia Aulson/portsmouth nh

Liz - hmm, interesting that the company has decided this makes sense. Is it working? I wonder if you will get more of the casual talkers and not serious buyers. Good luck - would be interested to hear how it goes.

Jeff

We had one of our local very large companies operating a kiosk at one of our malls. It didn't work out for them as they are no longer there. They, however, already had good recognition. It might be a good idea for a smaller company to do if the cost is not too prohibitive just to market their name and services. Good luck!

It sounds like fun; I love people watching. I'll be interested in hearing how effective it is. I'd been approached about this before, but wasn't convinced it would work well.

Liz... sounds like a great opportunity. Unfortunately we can't do this in our area as one Realtor did this a few years ago, and now in addtion to his kiosk, he has an office in the mall. We can't even set up a booth in a trade show. :(

AUG

2009

Dawn - now isn't that a cool way to look at it? Thanks! :-) Julie thanks! I was surprised at the feature - I really think it needs to be manned - otherwise you're just profiling the company? Alan - like I said earlier - I think of it as 'representing myself' :-)

Mary -thanks for the idea -I did think of it at one time and then it slipped my mind - thanks for the reminder! :-)Mark - i can't see what the point is if theres no one there to chat or answer questions? We get a fair bit of traffic -people are definitely drawn to the TV screens :-)thanks Irene- I Will!:-)

Morning Liz,

Good luck with the venture. Ya just never know when or where the next "UP" will come from. I thought the e-mail notice to all those in your data base was a good idea. Maybe buy some of those fresh baked goods to share with those that come to pay you a visit.

Liz - I think it is a great idea to get the name out there... of both the office and the agent. It is being proactive that is important. Sounds like fun too with the people watching : )

Liz- I saw something similar in the Discovery Mall here Gwinnett County. A company had a kiosk with flyers of properties. They may have upgraded it to tv now.

Liz, I wonder how that would work in my area? I never really gave it any thought until I read your blog,

AR amazes me with the wealth of ideas people share.

Thank you

Liz, it's always a pleasure to read your posts. The kiosk looks lovely in the photo - attactively displayed.

To support my realtor in selling our home(s) in the past I would ensure a batch of bread was baking in my bread machine during scheduled showings. How appropriate that you are located in front of the bakery. Limit of one white chocolate raspberry scone each week - that's what I call self discipline!

Tana

Maybe that's what I need to do? Set up a Title & Escrow KIOSK and try to catch realtors coming through the mall. "If you sold more, you could buy more?" Let's look at that listing, maybe I can help... (I'll have to think about that one.)

Nice post, good luck...

Hi Liz, yes I would be in trouble if there were a "sweet store" around. grin. Let us know your roi? this sounds like a good idea.. keep us informed. congrads on your feature post. wish you luck!

www.charlottelakewyliehomes.com

Hi Liz,

I hope it works out for you, and please keep us posted on any progress updates. I would olve to hear more.

I have a Realtor friend who just set up a kiosk at an outdoor mall here in Las Vegas, NV. Until it cools down, I don't think she'll be getting much business.... unless she's handing out snow cones! I'm going to send her here to follow this. Good luck!

Hi Liz. I hope you post an update on this. I am curious how it works out for you.

Great Post... very interesting.. our nearest mall is in Anchorage about 4 to 5 hours away depending on the traffic and the weather... but I too would like to hear how it goes for you... hope the 2 to 3 leads a shift all become closed transactions for you... now that would be wonderful....

Oh my goodness- that bread looks heavenly. Echoing a few other folks - I would be in big trouble if I worked right next to the bakery! Can't wait to hear how it works for you. Good luck!

Liz,

I just can't get my mind around going to the Mall to talk about R.E.! When I go to the Mall, it's to buy the items that I need.

Kathy Opatka

Liz - a well deserved feature - congrats! I too love your writing style. We have 2 big name brokerages with kiosks in one of our malls but I never seem to see anyone stopping by. I guess it all depends on who is manning them and how non-threatening (desperate) they appear. I believe in the concept though. Good luck with your leads.

Liz - good luck with this new venture, and congrats on the feature. This sounds like another great way to meet people.

My experience doing mall floor time is nearly identical to yours, except for the movie theater popcorn and Bath & Body Works fragrance aromas . I've gotten a few leads that could turn into something, and other agents have closed sales from mall leads.

My company prepares local market reports every month with year-to-year statistics, year-to-date, etc. They're a hit! In fact, they've generated enough interest that I'm going to start offering a subscription to everyone who takes one.

I approach the mall as a farming actiivity more than anything else because the people who stop in do so as an afterthought, not because they set out to talk to an agent that day.

Good luck!

The think I absolutely need to know, and please e-mail me direct! Is that a real working LEGO Camera? It may sound like an absurd question, but I would not put it past LEGO to have one.

Ooh - the bakery would kill me! But maybe you could partner up with them somehow on the drawings thing?

Like Daria's idea of the local market reports available there too. Our malls aren't doing very well, so don't know how well it'd be, but then again I almost always see someone I know when I'm there, so maybe it would work!

That kiosk looks great! My last brokerage had a mall kiosk for a while, but the agents who worked it kept leaving their post and going shopping. >..< LOL. That finally shut it down. I'm sure you're much more responsible that that though. I hope you meet lots of interesting people, and gain new clients as well =)

Lisa thanks! Yep I've noticed some of the realtors aren't showing up for their shifts - what a shame - but I guess that benefits me? :-)Sheree - You're right you almost always run into someone you know - especially if you're not wearing make up! :-) And I do like the of sharing some of the baked goodies!l

Gene - I'm sad to say - it is not ;-( daria - great minds think alike ! I'm in the process of putting together a newsletter to hand out as well ! Sharon - something outside the box.

AUG

2009

Nice Kiosk setup. But, being near the bakery would cost be dearly, no not the money the weight I would put on. LOL

Great post and enjoyed it very much.

Oh my gosh Liz, between the aroma of bread wafting through the air and the screams of the new shoes yelling "Buy Me Now', I couldn't wait for the end of my shift! I wish you much success at the kiosk.

I start my Kiosk duty next month. The folks in my office suggest that it is a great tool for finding clients...will keep you posted on my success (or lack there off) Have fun Liz : )

Nice looking booth! Keep us updated on how it goes.

Brittany Stewart

Liz, if the past is any indicator of the future, the kiosk will probably give you more time to hone your blogging skills than it will customers.

Our company paid for a "huge" kiosk in a local mall in Southern California (verrry expensive!Thousands $$$ each month) during the greatest Real Estate boom ever. The mall required it be manned from open to close or there was a fine, so it became a logistical nightmare as time passed.

Even though we were a lender, we offered Realtors the chance to man the booth with us and promote their properties, meet and greet, in short take advantage of the huge amounts of traffic that passed through there. The excitement level at first was through the roof! As time passed "not so much"

Results? Over a three year period, ZERO, ZIP, NADA. Not one transaction that could be tied directly to our presence.

Lesson learned? The most effective marketing is that which reaches people where they are looking for your product or service? Does anyone say? "I'm thinking about buying or selling a house, I think I'll go to the mall."

Hope you have better results than we did (by the way we were right across from Cinnabon and Hot Dog on a stick)

I too have done "kiosk time" and both love & hate it! While it doesn't necessarily produce a lot of "hot leads", it is an awesome ooportunity to listen to what people are saying (both directly to you and to others when they don't realize you can hear what they are saying) and thinking about the market. Most importantly, you can learn about how their various agents are doing (not for individual judgement but rather like taking a market survey). It provides a very non-invasive way to learn what peole like about what agents may be doing and what they may not like. The information shared in casual conversation is usually more useful because they aren't as guarded as they are when asked questions directly. This allows fine tuning of your business practice and that can result in an overall increase in your business.

The quiet inactivity of the mall kiosk can provide the time to blog, which in the course of conversation with someone could be mentioned ("...on my blog, I have noticed...", "I was just writing about....", "You might be interested in reading what others are saying about on my blog...") which of course gets you more exposure and a possible opportunity to build a future relationship with that casual contact at the mall or their friends and family.

Good luck and enjoy the experience!

Cynthia - I have done kiosks before and you're right! It can be a love hate relationship ~ the 'opportunities' you list are oh so true! Its wise to note that there are passive gains to be made in the process. Its all in how you look at it! Thanks so much for sharing :-)

Greg - its great to see yours and Cynthia's comments side by side - because they do provide the 2 sides of the coin. We dton't have internet service - so unfortuately I haven't been able to blog - not to say - that I haven't been able to hone ideas in my mind - like this post! I find often people/realtors may not want to do something if it doesn't provide immediate 'gratification'. And thats not typically how things happen here. I like what Cynthia said - it gives us an opportunity to get to know the public better - and listen to their opinions and concerns - and have our finger on the pulse! :-)

Oh and Greg - I don't believe the go to the mall with the intention of talking 'real estate'......what I believe in is 'timing' - emotive responses - and spontaneity! And people will make unplanned decisions based on any all of those points at times :-)

Brittany - I'm sure there will be some sequels - thanks! :-) Rob - you'll do great! I know you'll make it work - who wouldn't be drawn to you? :-) Cynthia B - you're so cute - it does provide a minor distraction when things are slow - thats true :-) Rebecca- oh temptation temptation its everywhere eh :-) Thanks!

Susan thats sweet thanks! We get people stopping all the time - hmmm it must be the big screen tv's! :-)

Kathy O ) people don't go to the mall to 'talk real estate' they go to the mall AND Oh Bonus there's a real estate kiosk - lets go see what for sale! :-)

Heather - hmm i have to admit i did have my second scone this week! ;(

Debra - I'll definitely be celebrating when I have my first (on here!) 5 hrs to a Mall? Probably a good thing, lol

Lana - For sure I will - thanks!

Brenda - outdoors? Hmm now that might be an idea - but cool air conditioned year around might be better? thanks for sending on this post! :-)

Randy - I will for sure ! ;-) Thanks ginger- I promise to! :)l Rene- you could have something novel there - who knows - we don't use tite people here - our lawyers do all that. Hey Tana - boy are we ever overdue for that coffee! bonnie - here it isn't uncommon - usually one per mall - in this case they never signed an exclusivity lease so there happens to be two - although the other one is seldom manned so guess where the people come? :-)

tisha - i've never seen one with a tv before ours but maybe!

christopher and stephanie - I think you're right - and it is fun!

Hal I like your goodies idea - and you are right - thats the thing with real estate - you never know where and when your next client will come!

Roland - why is that? I can see he might have exclusive rights now in the mall - but the trade show?

Christine it depends on what your investment is - whether is worth taking the chance - ours was not that much - $200 to buy in then $100 a month?

Barbara -its true there is the'company' aspect and then there is the individual 'realtor'.....even with a well known company - i'd still do this if i had the opportunity.:-)

Kerry - I think it is - and I do believe the potential is definitely there - the thing is - what else would you be doing with your time - if you are solidly booked with buyers from morning to evening then maybe you don't need to give something like this a try.......but if not? well....:-)

Damon -there you go! Love the positive attitude!

Steve - photos? thanks :)

Jennifer - you're right I'm sure it'll bring all kinds of things :-)

Gary you sit in the food court while your wife shops? lol - why do you go? :-)

Jeff - I think theres both - there will always be the casual talkers but one it a while there will be someone serious as well! It really is just another way of prospecting.

Patricia - Absolutely - my thoughts exactly! :-)

Dan and Amy - thanks for the pat on the back :-)

Barb S. -we have a sears around the corner too - but i think its better being in the mall close to an major entrance -)

Michele -you're right there is way more traffic then at an open house or floor duty. :-)

Hello Svetlana - nice to meet you - and thank you! :-)

Carla - Dang I didn't know Greg had a contest about that! :-)

Nunzio - you're so right! And its great that you took the initiative to set up a table at a store entrance - very cool!

Oh Rita - I don't think its like ads on shopping carts -you're a real live person they get to interact with and build rappore - sone once they met will come back again and again -or call your name acros the hall just to say hi. I believe long term it will be a good thing - the bakery........ummm not so much! ;-)

Elizabeth - i look forward to the contacts too -thanks!

Pat - No I don't think its crazy at all! :-)

Sharon - Cobbs is a bakery chain - you don't have them in the States?

Yes Jason - exactly we work on a rotation - 4 shifts a day - 14 realtors $100/mo so not to bad -cost of 1 1/8th of a page ad in the local paper for 1 week!

Phil - I think you're so right - you never know when someone will remember you - and its a nice brea from the usual routine :-)

Jane -Ithink if might be a bit more popular up here then down there :-)

Thanks so much Christianne - me too! :-)

Gary W - i think for it to be at all effective it really should be manned -otherwise you might as well just have a bus bench (which i happen to have too ...hmmm) :-)

Charles - its not a free ride -but I can't see how it couldn't be a benefit over the long term! :-)

Sharon S - thanks for subscribing! I have several clients so far - just nothing under contract yet :-)

Jeannie - thanks so much - Well - i'll tell you my bus bench costs me more then that - and this definitely gets more immediate results. Here the real estate companies don't pay for anything.........we independent contractors...........also you'd wrinkle your nose if you knew how much less we get in commission then you guys do! :-)

David C - $200 down and $100month - and it is better then Floor duty! :-)

Carole - yes - putting a face to a voice can be powerful! Thanks!

Patrick - I've had booths at 'fairs' before and they're great. You have a draw for something and get people to put their name and e-mail in for the draw - and you get to add them to your data base - and they get a wonderful prize - and Realtor! :-)

Jeanni - Yeah its great- i should pay them! - Hey I am paying them! lol

Andrew - yes if you get to chat with people at the same time!

Anna - Well we shall see - I'm thinking it will be good :-)

thanks for all the comments - and the feature! :-)

AUG

2009

We don't have a mall or a kiosk - clever ideas. But, we maintain a presence at the local coffee shop and bakery. With WiFi, it is our second office.

AUG

2009

Hi Liz,

Keep working at it. When I got into the real estate business in 1996, I had just moved to Richmond by myself (no family), had never lived here, had no friends or family here, etc. So my choices were to door knock (not comfortable), cold call (couldn't handle the constant hangups) or work a duty desk where very few people walked into the office. I chose to go to an office which was actually set up in a kiosk in a local mall. I worked every shift I could - what else did I have to do with my time! My goal was to walk away with 1 lead a shift, knowing that eventually only about 20% to 25% of those leads would materialize into anything. 13 years later, I have had referrals, repeat business and multiple transactions with people that I met at the kiosk in the mall. However, many of the people I met there did not begin to do any real estate business with me for 6 months to a year! So it is a long time before they are ready to do something, but at least I was able to get an address and/or email address & then I just kept them on newsletters, emails, etc. and finally they would begin to trickle in. So keep at it - it does work! Right now I am the #3 producing agent in my office of 115 agents! So it can certainly work! Good luck to you!

AUG

2009

Hi Liz

I think the Kiosk is a great idea, not sure if it would work for me, I love the big t.v. screen that you have going for advertising, very effective and a little added value to clients & viewers.

JAN

2011

Liz~I did have an opportunity to work for a company that had a Kiosk at a very busy mall. It was great, if you didn't walk away with 3 good leads you weren't paying attention. I enjoyed reading the other comments, thanks for your post.

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Liz Moras ~ Chilliwack Realtor, Garrison Crossing,Chilliwack, Abbotsford

Chilliwack, BC

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Harrison Hot Springs, Cultus Lake

Address: Chilliwack, B.C.

Office Phone: (604) 799-0459

Cell Phone: (604) 799-0459

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I look forward to this opportunity to share with both my fellow Realtors and my local community...some local anecdotes, tidbits of info - community profiles, real estate savy......interspersed with humor and inspiration!

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