Ever wonder what technology is worth investing in and which is not?  We know we need to use today's technology to meet the needs of today's consumer, but there is so much out there, only so much money to spend, and we want to make good decisions.  We need technology that works for us, that makes us money, saves us money and saves us time.

Here are a couple of things I have learned over the years that should help you make the right tech purchase decisions:

Rarely, if ever, buy a product pushed by the sponsor of a seminar, especially at a free seminar.  There a lot of Web site providers out there, for example, and many are pushed by speakers working not on their own but for a site provider company sponsoring the seminar.  Too many of these sites, most actually, will not make the agent any money.  There are only a few template sites out there that are worth investing in.  We often fall victim to the impulse buy at such seminars, winding up with an inferior product.

See what an agent who uses technology in building a successful business gets...and then get it.  I rely on my CyberStars® for advice when I need to buy/use a technology tool.  They are good businessmen and businesswomen, they network with other successful agents, and the rarely make mistakes when it comes to a buying decision.  I ask them, and then I follow their advice.

Here, for example, is a list of what CyberStar® Mike Parker of HUFF Realty, Florence, KY (Northern Kentucky) uses. You can see Mike's Real Pro Systems Web site here. 

• Dell Latitude notebook computer with an "air card" for wireless connectivity
• Fujitsu ScanSnap S510
• Blackberry Curve & iPhone smart phones
• Respond real estate database
• Pat Zaby's Marketing Library
• Digital camera
• Flip Video HD digital video camera
• ISSUU online presentations
• Real Pro Systems Gold Website
• AnnounceMyMove viral marketing
• Social media (in order of importance)
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Plaxo

And here is the technology used by CyberStar® Jane Wolf of Legacy Real Estate, Midland/Odessa, TX.  You can see Jane's custom Web site by Sizzling Studios here. 

• Fujitsu ScanSnap
• Palm OS Treo 700
• PdaNet wireless modem for smart phone
• Toshiba Satellite Tablet Computer
• Personal Web site from Sizzling Studios
• IDX link on Web site
• Market Snapshot from Top Producer
• Blog
• Adobe Acrobat Professional
• Visualtour.com virtual tours
• Postcards from Color For Real Estate

Both Mike and Jane contributed their lists for my new eBook, "Digital Essentials for Today's Agent," and I thank them.  Their lists just might serve as a starting point for building your tech arsenal and avoiding mistakes!

It's a beautiful day here on the lake in Reston...hope it's a beautiful day wherever you are, too!

For more ideas on what technology to use...and how to use it...please check out Allen's new eBook here!