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Today I attended a workshop presentation by Amy Chorew at the Wisconsin Realtors' Association Convention in Baraboo, Wisconsin.  Ms. Chorew is an e-PRO Trainer and is a Senior Trainer with Matthew Ferrara & Company.  The workshop was entitled "Blogs and Podcasts, The New Interactive Web Tools".   There were just under forty agents in attendance at this workshop.

When Ms. Chorew asked for a show of hands in response to her question, "how many of you are blogging now?" three attendees raised their hands.  I was one of them.  The rest were mostly unaware of the basics of blogging and podcasting.

I was a bit startled to learn first-hand what a small percentage of agents are blogging as part of their business.  I have always heard estimates of 3-4% but had never actually witnessed a survey taken among a group of agents. 

Several of the agents in attendance said they were "overwhelmed" by the idea that this activity might become part of their marketing efforts, and by the time it might consume.  Most seemed open to the idea that blogging could help boost their own marketing program.

In my experience, Wisconsin agents are a progressive bunch and they tend to be receptive to new ideas and to technology.  I'm hoping this workshop was a step in the right direction towards bringing more agents up to speed nationwide on the subject of blogging, podcasting and the use of video by people in the real estate industry.

Copyright © 2007 by Eric Kodner, All Rights Reserved

 

 
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9 Comments on What I Learned in Class Today: Notes from the Wisconsin Realtors' Association Convention

Goodness Eric.  Why not just contact each of your local competitors and offer to help them set up a blog so they can be more efficient while competing with you.

 

09/24/2007 05:32 PM by Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Real Estate


Eric - I have had a similar experience. At our last quarterly CRS meeting (about 75 agents, all CRS) in Santa Barbara the same question was asked by our speaker. There were 6 people who raised their hands (so the % is a little higher but I was sure surprised, given the kind of sophistication you usually see in CRS agents.

Jeff

09/24/2007 05:40 PM by Jeff Dowler ~ Carlsbad Real Estate (RE/MAX Associates)


Jeff, yes, I too would have expected a higher percentage of CRS members involved in blogging.  I attended the CRS "Sell-a-bration" in Las Vegas in January of this year and there was very little discussion of blogging or podcasting in the technology seminar there. 

09/24/2007 10:47 PM by Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Luxury Homes


I too am surprised to read the statistics. I would have expected more from CRS. I wonder what the statisics are with EPRO cerified agents.

09/25/2007 07:07 AM by GITA BANTWAL, REALTOR BUCKS COUNTY, PA HOMES (ReMax Centre Realtors)


We are not surprised at the stats at all ....alot of agents don't even know what Blogging is!  We were laughed at for getting a website in 1999 by seasoned agents - never forget one Broker who asked sarcastically if the Internet was Psychic? LOL

09/25/2007 02:49 PM by Jeff & Grace Safrin-SpousesSellingHouses REALTORS, F.C.Tucker Company, Indiana (F.C.Tucker/Advantage Realty)


Gita -- At the last "Sell-a-bration" in Las Vegas, I didn't encounter more than a handful of agents who were blogging.  Maybe it's a generational thing, to some extent.  Some of the more "mature" agents I've talked to about blogging and podcasting seem to view it as a fad. 

It would be interesting to contact Saul Klein and see if e-PRO or Internet Crusade has surveyed those with the e-PRO certification.  Maybe that will be subject matter for my next blog..

09/26/2007 07:06 AM by Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Luxury Homes


Jeff & Grace -- Some agents are really phobic about technology!  That may be the fault of in-house trainers who have told them for years to do what has always been done.  

Some are positively enslaved by the old-fashioned way of marketing.."Work your farm, put together your mailing list and send out those client postcards every month"!

09/26/2007 07:10 AM by Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Luxury Homes


Eric

Again, lets be early adopters and get the full advantage of this social networking thing. Thanks for the post.

09/26/2007 06:58 PM by Amy Chorew


Amy, I think you "converted" quite a few of those who attended your workshop.  Thanks for bringing your presentation to the WRA Convention!

09/26/2007 09:36 PM by Wayzata Lakes Realty: Eric Kodner Sells Luxury Homes


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Eric Kodner, Lake Minnetonka Homes & Madeline Island Real Estate
Minnetonka, MN
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