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Do You Want to Take Your Blog To The Next Level...New Expanded Seminar Coming Soon!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate

 

Blogging & Technology SeminarThis past week, I was at the Michigan Association of Realtors Conference in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. It was an excellent time of education, training and getting together with friends. I attended Saul Klein's class on the Future of Technology, Web & the Real Estate Industry. Truth be told...a year ago, this class would have had my head spinning.

But, that's the difference almost a year of blogging can make! I continue to be astounded at how much utilizing a blogging platform has changed my approach to business, my knowledge base and access to a whole new network of clients.

Klein's opening statement was a direct challenge: "Be Different OR Charge Less! He went on to talk about the fact that the real estate industry is at a crossroads; we are in the midst of a paradigm shift.

This fundamental change in the structural components of what a real estate transaction is will dramatically alter the landscape of current practitioners of the trade. Within this context, Klein briefly discussed the transition from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0. Although the discussion did not focus to the extent and detail which I would have found most useful, it was instructive to hear Blogging being addressed as a major trend of transformation occurring within the real estate industry.

Earlier this year, we had a Blogging Seminar in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Michigan weather being it's unpredictable self surprised us all with nearly a foot of snow in blizzard like conditions which started just prior to the seminar. In-spite of this more than 75 brave souls came out to Noto's to be a part of Grand Rapids, Michigan's First Blogging Seminar. The event focused on introducing the concept of blogging to the audience which consisted of real estate agents, brokers, mortgage lenders, stagers, title company reps & home warranty specialist. As a result of the feedback from that conference, 2 more Seminars are now scheduled!

These Expanded Seminar Offerings will Feature the Following Topics:

Blogging For Business...How to Make Money with Your Blog.

Blogging for Impact...How to Create Interesting & Visually Appealing Blog Posts.

Blogging to Capture Your Target Market...How to Differentiate Yourself through Your Blog.

Blogging Made Easy...Ways to Create A blog Through Utilizing Innovative Tools.

Using the Latest New Technologies to Boost Your Business & Income

Seminar Dates: October 25, 2007 AND November 7, 2007

Time: 9:00 a.m. - Noon  (Registration Opens at 8:15 a.m.)

Cost: $35.00 (Pre-Registration) $40 at the door. (E-Mail laudu@grar.com  or craigboening@sbcglobal.net  of America's Preferred Home Warranty Co. to register/pre-pay)

Where: Grand Rapids Association of Realtors Auditorium (GRAR) 600 Kenmoor SE, Grand Rapids, Mi

Speakers: Lola Audu, Associate Broker, Audu Real Estate & Sara Bonert, Industry Relations Manager Zillow.com

*FEEL FREE TO BRING YOUR LAPTOP.  Wireless Access available in GRAR building.

Click Here to read Blogging Articles by Speaker, Lola Audu

Stay Tuned for More Details...

Sponsored by: Metropolitan Title Company, First Horizons Home Loans, America's Preferred Home Warranty Company, Restorations Inc., Buchanan Insurance

Comments (21)

Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Hi Sharon...Your observation is very true!  There are so many more dimensions which can be covered now as blogging has gained prominence in the cultural landscape.  This seminar will be exploring areas which are not often talked about but will also have introductory information suitable for those for whom this is a first time experience.  Participants are encouraged to bring their laptops.

Sep 29, 2007 04:13 PM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents
I wish something like that would be offered near my area. Sounds like your local board is being a fore-runner.
Sep 29, 2007 04:21 PM
Jason Sardi
Auto & Home & Life Insurance throughout North Carolina - Charlotte, NC
Your Agent for Life

Lola - The style & substance of blogging will probably always be debated and somewhat defined on how it may help or hinder one's business, but blogging is out there.  It's real and it's Nationwide!  I should go to a seminar myself, but I just like writing....though I am more than willing to learn more & evolve!

Sep 29, 2007 05:05 PM
Randy L. Prothero
eXp Realty - Hollister, MO
Missouri REALTOR, (808) 384-5645
I am thinking about putting together a presentation on blogging for our regional REALTOR® group for next year.  Possibly we can tie in around the same time as the CRS Sell-a-bration.
Sep 29, 2007 05:57 PM
Mary Kent
Five Star Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Grand Rapids to the Lake Shore

Hi Lola!

I attended the 1st seminar in GR. I remember "thinking" while  driving from Hudsonville "Mar, your off your rocker for driving in weather like this!" I also "remember" coming out of the seminar with and foot of snow and ice to chisel off my car that I'd walked away with tons of information that would definitely benefit myself and business. While I'm still trying to find my way in the blogging world I thank you for introducing the concept to me and look forward to learning more at the upcoming seminars!

Sep 29, 2007 11:45 PM
Missy Caulk
Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI
Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate
Lola, I may come and then do one in Ann Arbor. Great job. Interesting YOU wanted more from Saul's talk and I bet it was over most peoples heads. LOL
Sep 30, 2007 01:01 AM
Andrew Trevino
ADT Real Estate - Wilkes Barre, PA
Wilkes-Barre Homes For Sale

Lola,

You made me want to go to Michigan, until you talked about a foot of snow. I'll wait a few more weeks until we get our own. I hope your blogging seminar does well and when you go on national tour, I'll be the first to come to the one in my area. Maybe Jason and I should put one together here. Thanks for another excellent post.

Sep 30, 2007 03:29 AM
Jennifer Fivelsdal
JFIVE Home Realty LLC | 845-758-6842|162 Deer Run Rd Red Hook NY 12571 - Rhinebeck, NY
Mid Hudson Valley real estate connection
Since blogging is here to stay, it is important to do it right.  Your seminar looks very interesting and I am sure will be very informative.  If you were closer I would stop by.
Sep 30, 2007 10:31 AM
Kimberly Grant
Exit Leon Crawford Realty - Huntsville, AL
Real Estate Agent - Huntsville Alabama
Great job Lola!!  That is fantastic.  I wish I could come but hopefully you will write a post about it so that all of us around the country will know how it went. *Hint Hint*  But we know you will do an excellent job.
Sep 30, 2007 02:24 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!
Hi Loreena, Thanks for your comment. We're happy to be able to offer this seminar at our local association office.  The sponsors of this Seminar cover a wide variety of businesses.  These innovative, forward thinking companies understand that there is a fundamental shift in the way business must reach out to consumers. 
Sep 30, 2007 04:32 PM
Bill Roberts
Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate - Oceanside, CA
"Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner

Lola, since Saul lives only about two miles from me I am embarrased to say that I don't know him. It is something I intend to do something about.

But I think Saul should say "change AND charge less." As the Internet changes the face of real estate it will also change the pricing structure.

Bill Roberts

Sep 30, 2007 04:33 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!
Hi Jason...I'd love to hear you speak at a blogging seminar!  You have definitely expanded my understanding of blogging and the way it can have an impact in the lending industry.
Sep 30, 2007 04:34 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!
Randy, that sounds like a great idea!  This is an area in which we need more education.
Sep 30, 2007 04:36 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Hi Mary, Thanks for your comment.  That was some day in Grand Rapids wasn't it!  I left early for the seminar and there was NO snow...nor any expectation of snow.  Imagine my surprise at the sight that greeted me after the event.  But, it was well worth it. The comments from those who attended were great! 

The number of new bloggers that have signed up in Kent County and the Grand Rapids area has grown.  This seminar is going to build on that base & help professionals make their blogs more effective.  But will also cover some of the basics elements of the first one.  Tell people in your office to come! :)

Sep 30, 2007 04:41 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!
Missy, We'd love to have you come!  Bring some folks from your office.  We are going to have time for questions & if you're there I'd love to have you share a little of your experience with blogging. :)
Sep 30, 2007 04:42 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!
Andrew...I promise, there will be NO SNOW!!! LOL  Boy, that's why I love Michigan, the weather has a mind of it's own!  Thanks for your comment...when the national tour starts, I'll be sure to let you know. :)
Sep 30, 2007 04:45 PM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Hi Jennifer, Thanks for stopping by to read & comment.  Grand Rapids, MI is a great place to visit, you're Welcome at any time. :)

Hi Kimberly, Thank you so much for your comment.  We're looking forward to this seminar.  The combination of being able to do some demonstrations as well as have Sara Bonert with Zillow brings an added dimension which will be very beneficial to the participants.

Hi Bill, Thanks for your comment.  The real estate transaction is definitely being re-defined through technology and other forces.  It will present unique challenges as well as some incredible opportunities for those who are able and willing to see & act on them. I think you would enjoy meeting Saul Klein...you should look him up. :)

Sep 30, 2007 04:50 PM
Ronald Gillis
Southwest Florida Notaries (Mortgage Notary Signing Agent) - Port Charlotte, FL
CNSA Southwest Florida. Notaries, Port Charlotte, 941-7-NOTARY

I hope they take something like that nationally, it looks like a great class!

Signature

Oct 01, 2007 12:21 PM
Gail Reeves Reid
Re/Max Realty Specialists - Mississauga, ON

Lola,

Have you ever thought about doing a web seminar on blogging? I live in Mississauga, Canada but I would do a web seminar on this excellent topic. Thaink about it.

Oct 02, 2007 06:54 AM
Lola Audu
Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI
Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Hi Ronald...Who knows...we may have the privilege of presenting this nationally someday!

Hi Gail, Thaks for the thought and the comment.  We are certainly taking these comments into consideration.

Oct 08, 2007 02:41 PM