Hi...I'm an Acronym. KISS

Deb, I would venture to guess most consumers don't know what ANY of those designations stand for,yet they are valuable education and certification for the agent.

Hey Deb it is great to see you again, looks like your back for good. Designations are great, like insurance they are earned and well deserved, but I don't think folks really give a darn one way or another.

Deb

I used to use a CCIM until one day someone asked how much I payed for that. I agree people want to see the person behind the writer.

Woo Hoo it is good to see you back!  I think the only designation that they know is BROKER!!

I agree, I always spell it out and put links to the pages on the designation sites that explain why it is beneficial to have a CRS, e-PRO, ABR, GRI or whatever working for them.  But on the humorous side...in my community everyone thinks that GRI stands for Gorgeous and Really Intelligent, because when I first got my designation and plastered it all over town, people would ask what it stood for and I would say "Gorgeous and Really Intelligent!"  OR...."Grumpy and Really Irritable" depending on what day it is!!! :o))))

I have always trie to KISS and I call it "Keep It Simple Stupid" and don't get full of myself.

Folks just want good service and knowledge of the market.

What a hoot.  I've posted about this subject and here's the deal - most people DON'T know or care what those letters stand for.  BUT they know they mean you have something that you learned, or earned, or did, that not everyone does.  It does give you some credibility.  And, the more affluent your clients, the more they respect them, even if they don't understand them.  I would never say "I'm a GRI" but I have descriptions of the who/what/why of my designations on a page of my website with links to information about that designation.  I know I have won business directly as a result of my credintials vs. someone who didn't have any.

Janna R. Scharf, GRI, CSP, CLHMS, CNS, EIEIO, LOL

GREAT POINTS!!!

I am SO GLAD to see you back!!!! I understand completely though, 'cause I had to take a break as well.

Happy SELL'ng out there from North Texas.....just plain ole REALTOR!

Excellent suggestion Deb!! You are right that most consumers will have no clue, at lest not until they hear it the first time. If someone just starting to look, they will have no idea what those acronyms mean. I think your idea to explain it makes a lot of sense.

Howdy there Deb

Its for sure folks don't like to be talked down to. Thats for sure! Will my friend, have yourself a real fine weekend. I'm sure glad your going to be active in the Rain.Your such a real fine blogger.

Deb,

Really good suggestion and good point. Although the designations are valuable to both the holder and the client, generally the client doesn't even know what they mean. So it helps to explain it in a few short lines.

:)

Deb,

Great Post.  I think it is very important to market those designations to let potential clients why you are different.

Thanks for sharing,

Matt Naumann

 hi Deb, on behalf of home owners everywhere let me say, most of us don't know and don't care about the letters/designations. Just sell my home quickly, at a decent price and I'll be a happy camper.

marti, HCG (highly caffeinated geek) ;-)

Great post...Thanks for sharing it.

Ginger

Deb,  You are so right.  I know a lady that had 8 or 9 designations after her name on all her advertising and it was so distracting you couldn't even see her name.  She wised up and took them all off recently.  Maybe she read your post :)

Deb - I have never bothered to get any of the designations (other than broker), but I think those who have them need to spend time educating their clients on the value of each one.

Deb,

Well done!

This reminds me of an Army General with campaign bars across their left shirt pocket- I guess it shows status and we should recognize that.  Mostly though it shows the general survived those wars.  Can we have one for survival, for each of us?  To have survived the last 3 years is deserving of a medal.