Real Estate Blog - DYNAMIC CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASS? YOU BET - WHEN THE SPEAKER IS ENGAGING AND THE SUBJECT MATTER IS CRITICAL TO YOUR JOB.

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DYNAMIC CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASS? YOU BET - WHEN THE SPEAKER IS ENGAGING AND THE SUBJECT MATTER IS CRITICAL TO YOUR JOB.

I WILL NOT BE COMPLAINING WHEN I PAY MY ANNUAL DUES TO THE VIRGINIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® EACH YEAR. This is one fee that gives much back to me through Continuing Education.

CONTINUING EDUCATION IS ALWAYS A GOOD USE OF MY TIME. Even when the class covers a familiar subject, as was the case today I learn and often have fun. When the speaker is engaging and thoroughly versed in the subject matter, CE can be fun. The class I attended today was the best 2 hours CE this year.

DAAR CLASSROOM

VA Continuing Education

Class: Serving and Protecting Clients in the Internet Age

Location: Dulles Association of REALTORS®, Leesburg, VA

Speaker: Ben Martin, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Virginia Association of REALTORS®

Class goals: To prepare REALTORS® to serve the Internet savvy consumer through social media; protect the agent and broker in Internet publishing; acquaint students with social media platforms and the regulations covering use of social media advertising.

ALL OF THAT IN A 2 HOUR CE CLASS! Indeed. Ben Martin was totally prepared, had the course material cold and presented it extemporaneously. I was impressed. Ben refers to himself as a social media evangelist and I can attest to his knowledge and skill on all platforms.

FACEBOOK, TWITTER. . . . and more. Ben introduced the class attendees to Facebook, Twitter and covered other matters of importance related to social media. Most of the class was interested in Facebook and Twitter. We ran out of time before we got to ActiveRain. However, Ben does follow ActiveRain and has posted some interesting articles. I'm subscribed to his ActiveRain blog so I don't miss future posts.

Internet Class

OF COURSE LENN HAD HER CAMERA! I asked for and received permission to photo the class, Thanks. I mentioned that I would be blogging them and that I blog about everything. Ben graciously recognized my name.

This is one class I'd gladly take again and I wish it had been longer. I don't need the CE hours. It's nice when your work is also a lot of fun.

Courtesy, Lenn Harley, Broker, Homefinders.com, 800-711-7988.

Posted by Lenn Harley, Real Estate Broker, Maryland & Virginia on 10/14/2009 05:49 PM

Comments (34)

Continuing Education in the Training Channel

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34 Comments on DYNAMIC CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASS? YOU BET - WHEN THE SPEAKER IS ENGAGING AND THE SUBJECT MATTER IS CRITICAL TO YOUR JOB.

OCT

You know you've really accomplished something when Lenn Harley takes your photo and writes a blog about how knowledgeable you are. You are a great endorsement for Ben Martin. I'm subscribing to his blog right now. Thank you for sharing.

Lina. Thanks. I don't believe he will post often. However, when he posts about social media, we should take notice.

Hi Lenn, I agree when the when the speaker is engaging and thoroughly versed in the subject matter any subject can be fun. I went to Ben's blog and subscribed as well.

Lenn, thanks for sharing! I recently renewed my VA license, so it is time to start taking new classes. I will sign up for Ben's next CE class and blog.

Hi Lenn. He sounds knowledgeable. I usually enroll in an online CE course. In the past instructors were far from engaging. I can only that some instructors were engaging here. ~ Lana

Lenn, yesterday I was on a social media panel with Ben Martin as the moderator. One of the topics that came up was copyright violations on blogs. Among the other examples I cited, I mentioned to the audience that "There's a broker named Lenn Harley. If you are on ActiveRain you likely know her. Do not steal her maps. She will sue you and she will win."

Later, someone in the class asked me again for your name.

I replied "Her name is Lenn Harley. Google her. DON'T STEAL HER MAPS!"

Ben's a great guy and very knowledgeable about his subject matter.

Sounds like a class I would love. And thanks for the link to Ben.

Thanks for the post and the VERY kind words. It was so nice to finally meet you in real life. BTW, I don't often post to my ActiveRain blog: most of my content goes to VARbuzz.com. Click here to subscribe.

Lenn,

I am surprised. I am so thrilled that now you can do it on the Internet, and for several years already... I thought you, guys, could do it on the Internet too

Lenn: With so much information/education to be had, it's a shame to see any empty seats. I've heard Ben's classes are great, but haven't yet taken one.

Lenn- I wish that experience would be here! We have the most boring CE stuff so I do the online courses. I am glad you learned and had a great time with a speaker who was prepared:) Katerina

Chris. There weren't too many emply seats. I shot that photo early before class began and everyone was present. The Dulles Area Association is a small board. However, they offer a good ongoing schedule of classes, some for credit hours and many not.

I attended one last week about Zoning in Loudoun County that was not for CE and was packed. Just Realtors learning about selling property in their area.

Jon. In Virginia, we can take CE online. However, I prefer the classroom instruction because of the interaction. In Maryland, my other state, classroom hours are required and nothing online for CE.

Ben. The class was very informative and enjoyable. Thanks for dropping by. I'll encourage all of the brokers and agents in my network to attend this class when it's in their area.

Katerina. CE is offered online for VA licensees. I still prefer the classroom. The information presented by Ban Martin today could not have been provided online.

Barb. Actually, he seldom posts on ActiveRain. Best go to his VAR page to keep up.

Brian. That's funny. Hopefully, they don't expect me to practice law, which I don't. I'm sure the panel with Ban was very good. He is extremely knowledgeable.

Lana. I keep hearing that CE is boring. Not so around here, usually that is. I've attended some required CE hours that were simply regurgitated year after year by the same instructors. However, the electives are usually intresting.

Simone. I have the needed hours. I just pop into classes in Leesburg because they are so convenient.

Rebecca. I don't know if he goes our of the area for classroom instruction. If so, try to make one.

Lenn -

Thanks for bringing attention to a great trainer! I don't think everyone realizes how much prep time is required as a trainer to deliver a great class!

David. Indeed. Preparation is always awesome. Ben also is well versed in the subject of social media.

Lenn, I agree with you 100%. Even if you know a topic, there is always something to learn. I wish Ben would come to Florida!

Frank & Sharon. He's a part of the Virginia Association of Realtors. I don't know if he goes out of the area. However, with his social media expertise, he would be a benefit to any panel or class.

Hi Lenn, I share your opinion about CE. I made a statement after serving my community as a REALTOR for just a couple years that if I studied for the rest of my life, I could never master the width and breadth of this industry. But is fun to learn and engage in the many arenas that we have at our disposal. This industry is so big with so much information. Those that have a passion and as you say "are vested in the sbject matter" can make it such a wonderful ,worthwhile and pleasant process.

OCT

I think I first knew of Ben on Twitter. Early on, on Twitter I was following mostly Virginia RE people it seemed.

I read VARbuzz occasionally. I used to read it a lot more.

OH RE needs to catch up... OAR ought to be watching Ben and reading VARbuzz.

The question is .. .why aren't you teaching it Lenn? You should be on the front. . .I would come to your class!

William. I agree completely. Real estate is a very complicated business. CE helps us understand our business better and helps make us more successful.

Agents and brokers who take CE hours simply to renew their license miss a lot.

Maureen. BINGO! I was quite pleased at the breadth and wealth of Ben's knowledge. Further, he's an excellent trainer with clear and well organized material.

Fernando. Not I. I am pleased to discuss what I do. However, I never discuss how.

I was happy to present an overview of the Internet in real estate practice last year at the NVAR. The class was very well attended and great fun. However, they wanted me to discuss in detail how I manage my web sites and, how much money I make, etc. That goes too far. Don't forget that the 150 or so in the class are my competitors.

Lenn ~ Here in NC we have 8hrs of CE to take every year. Of course I take mine as soon as they are offered. That way I will benefit of knowing what is coming, changes and tips for the whole year. Lots of folks wait until the last minute which I think is ridiculous. (just my 25 cents) I too like prefer class room interaction and I think its fun. Its all in the attitude.

June. Good for you. As a broker in two states, I have a good number of required CE hours. I take them and more. In fact, I just joined this small BOR in Loudoun County VA because they offer wonderful and frequent CE just 30 minutes away from my home.

Hi Lenn - Thanks for the referral to Ben's blog as I did not know Ben previously. I have now subscribed to his blog.

Marc. I don't believe you'll be disappointed. Virginia real estate practice doesn't represent the world but the Interent surely does.

Lenn,

Thank you for introducing Ben to us. I too went and subscribed to his blog and I am sure that I will be learing some good stuff from him in the future. Sounds like it was a very interesting class.

Don. In deed it was. This gentleman know his social media.

Lenn, I had a class Tuesday I would gladly take over. The instructor, Tim "Imallwood taught us how to prove with MLS data something we all take for granted, that days on the market cost the seller money. He showed how to use it to get the seller to price the property correctly. (No more "I'm in no hurry, I'll just wait to get my price".

The class was so data intensive, it would take another session to get all of the rest that he presented.

Jim. I LOVE those classes.

I have research that very same matter and found a direct relationship between price/DOM and final closed price.

I'll take that if it comes in my area. I don't list properties, but I just love those little "brain imprints" that we get from this type of information.

Thas is a class I would love to attend whether or not I needed CE. I am intrigued by the subject matter, and mesmerized by a great speaker.

Jim. Which is precisely why I was there and why I enjoyed it so much.

Ben rocks!!

He has done such an amazing job for VAR.

I visit that site all the time and like to follow their blogging contests.

YOU should join the next one.

I have a couple of favorite speakers at our local Realtor Association. Most all of them are good, but a couple of them are especially good! When I see the names of my favorite speakers on the list, I sign up for whatever they're teaching. lol

OCT

Lenn- I saw Ben at the Lynchburg, VA Rebar Camp last week. I met some great people there, and no wonder it was fun. Nothing like the personal interactions :)

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