Getting ready for Camp! RE BarCamp in Raleigh NC that is!

 

It's been very exciting for me as one of the organizers putting this all together.  There's a lot to an RE BarCamp!

I got to thinking how with almost 300 coming to RE BarCamp RDU  there must be a few out there that are a bit intimidated or unsure about what they've gotten themselves into.  One of my collegues even said to me the other day - I'm not going.  When I asked why knowing that he signed up - his response was it's going to be way too over my head and I'm going to look like a fool.

Wow - that really hit home ~  so in a way this blog is for him....

Let's get ready to go to camp...

As with any camp or event you go to sometimes spending a little bit of time planning will take you a long way.  So just how can someone plan to attend an RE BarCamp?

First of all go to the official webpage -  www.REBARCAMPRDU.com.  It has a lot of information about what you can expect...  There's a list of thought leaders - people coming that have the experience to lead discussions on various different topics...  Also read about the charity that we'll be donating to Homes4NC.

Thursday evening there's an event you won't want to miss.  It's called Beer for Bloggers at Rally Point Sport Grill.  But don't let the name fool you - it's really a great social networking opportunity to get to know those who you'll see the next day.

So what's going to be discussed while at camp?  Let's take a minute to look at some of the topics that just might come up.

 

Twitter - if you haven't already done so go ahead and sign up.  Once you've signed up (which takes just a few minutes) do a search for something that interests you - or even just your home town - find a few people that look interesting and start to follow them.  Getting a feel of what you'll find on twitter - and what it looks like will help you understand when someone starts discussing #(hashtags) or DM (direct messages) or even what to RT (retweet)

Then there's getting connected socially online.  Places like  LinkedIn - this is one of the best professional networking sites out there, and one that most of you are probably already aware of.  But did you know you can join groups on LinkedIn?  There's groups for just about everything.  In real estate if you're an ABR or CRS you could become a member of the ABR - Accredited Buyer Representative group,Council of Residential Specialists  group, or the Council of Residential Specialists.  I enjoy RTPconnected and Linking Raleigh, NC.  as these groups connect me to others in the area and they provide great information about things going on here in Raleigh (outside of just real estate related happenings).  Listen for ways to get involved in conversations on LinkedIn.  Just another way to socialize online.

Blogging is a topic that comes up often at an RE BarCamp - if you've thought about blogging but weren't sure where to begin - I invite you to check out ActiveRain.  It's where I started and it's a great place to learn from others in the real estate industry.  With over 160,000 members it's an environment where you can establish business relationships both within the industry and with consumers.  Go ahead and sign up (you can do so with a free account to start) and start reading what others blog about.  It won't take you long to start to formulate your own potential blogging plan and that will trigger questions that you can watch for discussions on while at camp.

That's a few of the places online I'd start with.  But there's going to be more - much much more...  Strategical planning - how to use all of these sites in your business, using videos, photo blogging, discussions could arise on ethics and compliance online, the topics are terrific!  So think about which of these you would like to focus on before you head to camp.  Start to put your questions down on paper to use to seek out answers from some of the best in our industry.

What else can you do to prepare for camp?  Below are some of Jim Mark's ideas he came up with for RE BarCamp that was held in SD. 

Remember there are no rules.  RE BarCamps are put together for you to take out of them what best suites YOU.  But you could plan to show up early get registered, and get acquainted with how the days going to set up. 

The Raleigh Board of Realtors has a great facility. We'll be using 5 of their rooms the day of the event.  Break out sessions will run simultaneously so be sure to familiarize yourself with the map we'll have for you.  There will be an introduction/explanation chat at 9:00 am so you'll really want to be all settled in by then.  The break out sessions, times and locations will be put out for everyone to view - and remember to choose wisely.  That's where some of your pre-planning we discussed above will pay off.  You'll be able to choose the break out sessions on topics that affect YOU!

Remember that this is a day where everyone is a volunteer!  No one is paid, or screened, or certified.  Take the time to read about some of the thought leaders and watch for a session that they are holding if they interest you.  And if you feel like it - it's OK and you're encouraged to throw your thoughts into the discussion - ask questions! 

There is actually one rule - it's called the 2 feet rule.  IF the session isn't what you thought it would be - remember there's others going on - use your 2 feet to go find one of value to YOU.

There's to be absolutely NO selling at camp.  Not from thought leaders, sponsors or organizers!  The only way someone can pitch a product or service is IF you let them.  Don't.

Make a commitment - make a commitment to stay the whole day AND to take back JUST one thing you'll start to implement on November 9th.  You're going to learn and hear a lot of ideas - which sometimes can be overwhelming.  So be sure to CHOOSE just one thing to start off with.

Take time to meet other people while at camp.  How often in our industry do we actually take off our name badges and get a chance to our colleagues on a personal level?  Remember we're all here to learn new ideas, and ways of bettering our business. At whatever stage we're in. 

And one last thought that Jim recommended and I think is great: do something really nice for another camp participant during the day.  Or as we say Pay it forward...

So come early - dress comfortably - jeans are fine, bring your laptop and your notes and you'll be guaranteed a day of learning that will rock your business!

 

 

About the author:  Pamela is a Raleigh Realtor with The St. Peter HomeSelling Team at Prudential YSU Realty in the Triangle. 
A team of passionate North Carolina Brokers dedicated to connecting their clients to success in home buying and home selling in the Triangle. Pamela can be reached via email at Pamela@RaleighHomesOnline.com or by calling (919) 645-2522.

For your real estate needs The St. Peter HomeSelling Team serves the following areas; Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Morrisville, Holly Springs, Fuquay Varina, Garner, Wake Forest