OK, don't laugh but I see this all over the net.  I guess I notice these things more since I am no longer a REALTOR and tend to look at the Internet marketing of REALTORS as a consumer. So lets dig a little deeper and without your REALTOR hat ok?

CRS,ABR,CDPE,ALC,CCIM,CRS,CRE -There is More Where These Came From

As a consumer?  What the heck is all that?  What does it mean?  They sound important but what do all the letters mean?  Why do some agents only have a few?  Could this be their license #? HUH?  

OK, I hope you get the point and I am in no way knocking designations! Many designations require true skills and actual experience, I understand and respect those that have taken the extra steps to better themselves but take a minute and look at it as a consumer.

REALTORS - if you want your designation to really work for you.  Let consumers know what the heck they stand for. I mean if you really look at it, its not impressive based on a bunch of initials..its rather silly looking but if you were to take the time and explain what the heck all those letters mean, it would help the consumer to understand the importance of your additional training, expertise and experience rather than bragging rights of something they will not know based on initials.  Do you think consumers will automatically Google it?  Do not assume anything!

Better yet..why not consider...

Creating a kick butt bio of yourself and a full explanation of your designations on a page of your website can always be very useful.  Add that link to all of your social profiles or go ahead and add your designations directly to your profiles.  I would pick the most cherished designation initials to sit by your name or at most two! Providing a full explanation of your real estate designations can help consumers understand what all the initials mean.

What do you think?  And do you think having 8 sets of initials behind your name really impress the consumer or does it confuse them?

 
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58 Comments on CRS,ABR,CDPE,ALC,CCIM,CRS,CRE - WHAT? Really? Wait There's More!

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

AUG
03
2011
476,201 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I've got a bunch of the alphabet letters but the only one that's ever been of any real value is the CRS.  The rest are just for my own personal satisfaction.
8:56am • #39
620,671 Points 97 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

The only thing those initials are impressive to is other Realtors(r) maybe LOL :)!  Explaining what they mean and what value they bring to your client is very important.  These are some terrific tips!
9:48am • #40
498,639 Points 150 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

Coming from the lending side, it's helpful to know just what kind of educational background I might be working with regarding a realtor.  Having that insight, does help some.  But as a consumer?  Not thinking so much .. as I don't think the average consumer knows what the heck they mean.  I feel the same way about appraising designations and lending.  Helpful if you're IN the biz, but for the consumer ... nope.  Perhaps the choice of when and where and to whom you are marketing should decide whether they are added or not ...

Gene
10:11am • #41
840,383 Points 69 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

It used to mean something special at one time and people used to want to know. I think it has been played out. Okay, you got the alphabet behind your name. Question: Can you score? Good one Midori
10:21am • #42
1,347,714 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I know some of these can be helpful and adding a couple of designations is well worth the time and money but enough is enough. it is like alphabet soup. How about simply offering a REAL university degree in real estate! I think it makes more sense. But then I think every new Realtor needs to have at least an AA to get into the field. Too many new agents can't even complete the contracts correctly!!!
10:22am • #43
975,855 Points 6 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I like the follr.me product. Maybe a website explanation tied in with this is a good idea, too.
10:24am • #44
731,093 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Midori, other than the education you receive by taking these designation courses they don't mean much to the general public. NAR has gotten carried away with designations. There are so many they don't mean much anymore.
10:31am • #45
696,282 Points 39 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Midori - great to see you back. And with a feature. Yay! All vaild points and we too don't really use the alphabet soup theory in our marketing but we do like your idea of the video explanation.
10:46am • #46
189,171 Points 1 Featured Post

but, that's where the money is in real estate. Those who can't sell teach the rest of us jargon and BS. They even make us take classes to maintain our license while Brokers continue down the broken path of "hiring" as many agents as they can under the theory that if you throw enough crap at a wall some of it will stick.
10:49am • #47
569,544 Points 1 Featured Post Localism Sponsor Outside Blog

Morning Midori,  I read the results of a poll indicating why clients chose their agent.  The lowest ranking item was the alphabet soup following an agents' name.
10:51am • #48
763,389 Points 107 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

As previously stated, I have only gotten the designations that are feel help me be a better agent. Otherwise, too time consuming. I've never had a client ask me what designations I have?
11:11am • #49
193,378 Points 1 Featured Post Attended Rain Camp

Those who don't have them prefer that the others don't use them to create a sense of equality. Those who do, worked hard to get them, made a commitment to improve themselves and further knowledge, and wish to inform their constituents that they may be a notch above (I said 'maybe') or at least of accomplishments and professionalism. Educating the consumers is a key objective as well in our profession.

I disagree with the comments that the letters are meaningless. This is so wrong. Meaningless to someone perhaps without them.

As for the other comment, that he's never used his education as part of is marketing, well, that's too bad. I'm sorry to hear this that he can't put his knowledge to good use.

 
11:27am • #50
441,192 Points 113 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

the letters are not meaningless..because it required time, energy and experience but when u have several and list them behind your name..not only does it look ridiculous...it cheapens them.. how the heck does a customer know what they are..really?   

designations are not obtained to impress your peers or your clients for that matter...its to better assist your customers. 
12:27pm • #51
197,761 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I AGREE MIDORI! Creat a great bio that explains what all these initials mean, otherwise its pointless to include them all. (My only designation is MBA)
12:30pm • #52
Outside Blog

After reading the comments I then looked at their byline at the bottom to see how many had designations listed. I only have one on my business card and it's written out, not just initials.

 
1:03pm • #53

Happy Wednesday!
2:23pm • #54
1 Featured Post

While the designations are well earned, they look like an ego stroke.  For that matter, so does the laundry list of awards people tag on their signoffs.  Humility people, humility.
2:35pm • #55
AUG
05
2011
193,378 Points 1 Featured Post Attended Rain Camp

Midori, I beg to diagree, again. Maybe you clients and customers don't know what they mean. Why don't you tell or explain it to them? Mine do.
3:52pm • #56
441,192 Points 113 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Richard you have 3 behind your name...that is not what I am talking about here at all.  I have seen some with soooooooooooooooo many initials behind just as I posted in the title.  What does the # of initials say to you but better yet..its not about YOU..its about our customers..do you think they get it?  Really?

To me a very smart thing to do is to include in your listing presentations..your website and profile Full explanations.. 

I am not standing in your shoes..I am a former REALTOR, a former real estate training..looking into a business as a consumer. 
4:14pm • #57
SEP
13
2011
280,432 Points 3 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp

Midori, you struck a cord, luckly I only have a few, but who really cares, just do the job right.
6:55am • #58

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Midori Miller - Homes In Fort Lauderdale

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