This is a common tossed around topic.  Since the last time I discussed it in my blog I have added a few more alphabets after my name.

In the past a few spirited discussions about the wisdom of getting designations broke out when I tied profession development to professionalism.  With time my opinion has only got stronger.

Here are a few of my thoughts on the topic.

1. If you are planning to make your living as a real estate agent you need the best training possible.
2. You are the business; you need to invest in yourself like you would any other business.
3. There is a lot of competition out there.  Training and designations are one way of distinguishing you from the competition.
4. The process of getting designations provides you many needed skills.
5. You gain a network of other top agents in your area.
6. Designations tell the public that you have had training and take your profession serious.
7. In a competitive market you need every edge you can get.

Here are the designations I currently hold:

• ABR - Accredited Buyers Agent
• AHWD - At Home With Diversity, Certification
• CRS - Certified Residential Specialist
• e-PRO - Certification of Internet Professionalism
• GRI - Graduate REALTOR® Institute
• I also hold a Broker's License.

Does that list alone make me a better agent than others in my market?  In some ways it does.  If the agent I am competing with has no designations and a salesman license, what statement has that agent sent to the potential client that we are competing for?  What is that agent giving the public to help with their selection of an agent to represent them?

This subject hit home with me yesterday.  Two of my best friends and clients have a home they own in California and they asked me to refer them to an agent in that market to sell their home.  I did not know an agent in that particular market; so on the internet I went.

Here are a few of the things I found.

From their Board of Realtors site only 92 agents took the time to post an agents page.  Of the 92 only 3 held a CRS designation.  A couple more than that had a GRI, ABR or e-PRO.  Not one agent had more than two of the above.  The overwhelming majority had no designations.  So here I am a potential piece of business for them and so far most have given me no reason to pick them.

I started with the three members who had the CRS designation.  Of the three, the first one's website link did not work.  The second ones website was one of those canned agent sites that you buy for about $39/month and it was not finished being built.  No bio, nothing to tell you anything about that agent other than 2 listings and a picture.  This is getting depressing.

The third agent not only had a pretty good website.  She had a bio, many listings and had other designations and was involved with her local Board of REALTORS®.  The final plus mark was she is an Active Rain member, which allowed me to read more about her.  I liked what I read and picked up the phone.

She and my clients are now connected and if they decide they want to list with her, I will post again and give you an update.

Why did I add this story?  It was to illustrate that process that many use to select a REALTOR®.  How do I know this?  Well I have had a couple of recent closings with clients who found me the same way.

Over 90% of my clients are shopping on the internet.  Almost every one of them has been on my website and blogs before during and after their transaction.

I know the number may be less for some agents and in some markets.  Lets assume some of your clients are not internet savvy; I bet their children or family members who they discussing their upcoming transaction with are on the internet and feeding them back information.

You need to ask yourself, what are you giving them to help make their decision to select you as their agent?

• If you do not believe they are checking you out?  You have another thing coming.
• If you do not think they know those designations are after your name; you are wrong they can read.  My website has the designations and explanations and I know they read it, because they reference them when I get interviewed.
• My clients on several occasions have also mentioned my involvement in the community and with the Board of Realtors.  They have also referenced my broker's license.

Here are a few tips I would like to leave:

1. Get Professional Development; including designations and certifications
2. Let the public know, through your marketing
3. Be sure your web presence includes a good bio, including your professional designations.
4. Be active on Active Rain.  Clients will find you here and they will read what you write.

Good luck and good selling.

Here are some other posts on the this topic:

• What is Your Definition of Professional Behavior for a Real Estate Agent?
• The Market is Slowing I Need to be at the Top of My Game
• Success Has Nothing to Do With Luck
• Getting Real Estate Designations
• What Part of What I Said Do You Disagree With?
• My CRS Designation
• Accredited Buyer's Representative Class was a Great Investment of Time and Money
• Am I Being Mean For Expecting Professional Behavior?
• Bad Contracts, Sloppy Agents
• I Now Have My e-PRO Designation