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"What, How-N-Why?" This was How Our Day Flew By...

By
Industry Observer

 Blogging was QUITE a popular topic yesterday at Emagine 2007 Expo... and educational event Coldwell Banker held for its agents in Chicago.

I'm happy to report back that the day FLEW BY as ActiveRain's Caleb Mardini and I answered questions about blogging in the "Blooger's Lounge" set up at the Expo. I gotta admit it was very clever and forward thinking of Coldwell Banker to devote an area to where its agents could come and inquire about blogging. The Blogger's Lounge was very, very popular. (See Photo - Left) In fact, at one point I actually thought I was going to loose my voice as we answered over and over again the same 3 questions about blogging, which were:  "What is it?" "How is it done?" and "Why do it?"

I believe that there are no such things as coincidences... when the time is right the right things will come.  And the right thing came for us. A simple and definitive example to the power of blogging came early in the morning that would be the perfect answer the "What, How -N- Why" questions we would be hit with all day long.

Early in the morning 2 agents came up to us to inquire about blogging. As one of the agents was talking, she looked at me and said... "Hey, I know you. I was on your blog this morning!" When I asked WHY she was on it, she said that she had lost her info sheet for the day's upcoming Expo. In hope of finding the address and times for the event she decided do a goggle search on the term "Emagine Expo." Where did that search taker her? RIGHT to my, my September 28th blog post "EMAGINE... Education is Part of the Silver Lining in a Slow Market " posted here on ActiveRain. My blog and that post was #3 in google search results and considering that yesterday there 143,000 possible results (Caleb and I checked) on Google for that search phrase... THAT is amazing placement! When we pointed out this to her and the many other What,Why-N-Hower's throughout the day, we could literally see people "getting" the powerful impact blogging has.

From the Blogger's Lounge experience to participating as a guest expert in 2 great panel discussions (on blogging & home staging) I have to say I really enjoyed being part of such well planned out and executed day. Anne Marie Schafer, Director of Professional Development & Education for Coldwell Banker and her team put to geather a top notch educational event. The venue was perfect, the exhibit area was great, the general assembly speaker was informative, the food was plentiful, the break-out sessions were varied and well attended. Considering the challenging market, the day could have gone quite differently,,, but the end of the day speaks volumes as to how successful the day was. for about 1,000 agents stayed on to celebrate and enjoy a wonderful cocktail party.

So thank you Coldwell Banker, for the opportunity to share my wisdom and insights on my 2 marketing passions... blogging and home staging. I was honored to be asked and proud to be part of this QUALITY educational event.

Blog On and Stage It Forward...

Me

 

PS: Click here to read a "staged blog." This quirky explaination shows just how these 2 marketing tools are more similar then you might first think.

 

 

 

Anita Lewicki
Prudential First Properties - Fayetteville, NY
e-PRO
Nice blog. yes Coldwell Banker dose think out side of the box, that is one good thing about that company I did like, I just did not like my mangers way of thinkin.. LOL.. thanks for letting us know that bloging is getting talked about
Oct 04, 2007 09:53 AM
David Spencer
Keller Williams Northland - Kansas City, MO
Show Me real estate in Kansas City
I should have crashed Coldwell Bankers program. Do you think they would have minded if a KW agent popped in?
Oct 04, 2007 10:23 AM
Jackie Peraza
Perceptions AdverStaging(TM), LLC - Framingham, MA
Home Stager - Framingham, Massachusetts

Craig - Very exciting that you had the opportunity to be a part of the Expo.  I do wonder how it's possible in this day and age for any business person to not know about blogging! 

I paid close attention to the post on staging a blog - test time may be coming up!  THANK YOU AGAIN for being as generous as you are with your successes.

Jackie

Oct 04, 2007 10:46 AM
Monika McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH
Southern NH & the Seacoast Area
How very cool Craig! Congratulations it must have been a very exciting day.
Oct 04, 2007 10:52 AM
Joan Mirantz
Homequest Real Estate - Concord, NH
Realtor, GRI, CBR, SRES - Concord New Hampshire

Now if that wasn't re-affirmig...nothing is!

Thanks for a post that showed "it really does pay off" we need to hear that on occasion!

Oct 04, 2007 11:45 AM
Dena Stevens
Rocky Mountain Realty - Canon City, CO
Putting The Real Into Realtor Since 2004
Maybe you two were the reason why I got a cold call today. A Realtor from somewhere called and was asking me all sorts of blogging questions. Blogging is catching on fire!
Oct 04, 2007 12:15 PM
Janice Sutton
1st Stage Property Transformations - Murrieta, CA
Home Stager - Temecula Murrieta

Craig - Glad the Expo was a success and that you were able to educate the masses.  A gift of yours.

I loved the "staged blog."  I am slowly getting better at blogging and the analogy between staging and blogging was fantastic.  I will try my best to "stage" my next blog.  Thanks for the inspiration!

Oct 04, 2007 12:16 PM
Christina Bennani-Persechini
Keller Williams Realty Boston North West - Lexington, MA
Realtor - The House For You
I love that they had an area set aside  for blogging!
Oct 04, 2007 12:17 PM
Kimberly Wester
Valparaiso, IN

Craig - I love the picture - it made me giggle. You are so good at those.  You are right (as usual) you inspired me to create a 'pretty' blog of my own.  It's not as pretty as yours, but it is getting there!

I'm glad the day was such a success!

Oct 04, 2007 12:23 PM
Betty Haney
Haney Consulting - Calgary, AB
Craig, I am so glad you posted on how the day went - was looking forward to it.  I think a number of the realtors present joined AR yesterday and today.  The numbers have really gone up.  I am going to try and write a 'pretty blog' - and thanks to you it just might turn out.  Betty  PS  You did all stagers proud.
Oct 04, 2007 01:31 PM
Sharon Simms
Coastal Properties Group International - Christie's International - Saint Petersburg, FL
St. Petersburg FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS
All of the attendees were lucky to have you and Caleb there. Your analogy of staging and blogging is great.
Oct 04, 2007 01:52 PM
Andrew Trevino
ADT Real Estate - Wilkes Barre, PA
Wilkes-Barre Homes For Sale

Craig,

Sounds like a great opportunity to spread the word about blogging. I wish we had something like this in our area. Maybe you guys can do a nationwide tour. Whatdya think?

Oct 04, 2007 02:29 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services
Craig -- I think I need to find a blogger lounge -- It looks like this was a great event.  I am sure that you had a lot to offer.
Oct 04, 2007 03:05 PM
Cindy Lin
Staged4more School of Home Staging - South San Francisco, CA
Host, The Home Staging Show podcast

very cool, i am glad that it was a great experience ;)

cheers,

cindy 

Oct 04, 2007 04:51 PM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes
Sounds good. Thanks for posting.
Oct 04, 2007 05:37 PM
Judy Greenberg
Compass - Long Grove, IL
Compass- Long Grove -Buffalo Grove

Craig,

   Your blogs crack me up, especially the blogging picture.  It was so nice to meet you at the expo.  I'm the girl who was blasting you with blogging questions, one right after another.  First about blogging, then about staging, then blogging, - I probably made your head spin. 

 You are an inspiration for me to start blogging.  Thanks again. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oct 05, 2007 01:24 PM
Esko Kiuru
Bethesda, MD

Craig,

Good to hear that the expo was a huge success. Hopefully it gets Coldwell's agents all motivated and producing even in this market. Must've been plenty fun answering hour after hour those three questions. The good food and high-octane cocktails probably made up for the frustration.

Oct 05, 2007 03:16 PM
Linda Sanderson
Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific - Benicia, CA
Thanks for sharing....Congratulations on your successful day!  The last Coldwell Banker conference I went to ( March'07 in Las Vegas) they didn't have anything like this at all.... bummer!  I hope they continue the forum, it sounds like a wonderful addition.
Oct 05, 2007 05:28 PM
Jay McGillicuddy
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Exeter, NH
Real Estate Broker

Craig I think what's amazing as Monika and I have spoken about blogging to many agents and they are all excited about it at first and then after you leave they never follow up and put it in action. The ywil put up there picture ans a small bio here on AR and that's it. They're done.

You can lead a horse to water but you just can't make them drink.

Oct 15, 2007 11:24 AM
Minnesota Home Staging Firm, Minnesota
Minnesota Home Staging Network~ MN's Top Home Staging Firm - Inver Grove Heights, MN

You make me laugh Craig!  How did you edit that picture - too funny!

Glad the day was such a success. You are a marketing genious!

Oct 23, 2007 09:59 AM