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I've stayed a little quiet on this subject for the past couple of years but noticed a similar trend this year when 
nominations and finalist categories over the years and fully understand why. They do look better in most cases than having to utilize what a house may have and that is your only choice! I'd love to see an occupied home staging submission go toe to toe with a vacant! But even if not why let that stop you? A buzz is sounding about having separate catagories the next year to feature vacants and occupieds. While it may not happen this conference, share your voice and your work by submitting your best transformations whether they are occupied or vacant!
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24 Comments on RESA Award Nominations and why you should consider it even if your photos are of OCCUPIED Properties
You're right Maureen about the deadline, it is this week! But I'm hopeful that if there are still those on the fence about submitting that even if they are a few days late we'll have enough entries for each Region.
I'm glad you wrote Kathy because it helps others realize they are not alone in their thoughts about the jobs they may be doing.
Karen - Good for you for giving those who are reluctant to submit an extra little push. I had no problem nominating myself last year, nor did I have a problem with the fees etc. What I found difficult was writing about my marketing efforts. That took some soul searching. I'm not sure if the emphasis is on that this year...
Ok...definitely not going to make it for this year unless they extended the deadline but that's ok. Now that I am actually familiar as to what the requirements are I am going to work really hard this year to make it an awesome year because like Sally said about the marketing...I didn't really do as much as I could have this past year. I actually had more design clients but I PREFER staging so look out 2012...Here I come. I plan on having a great year and then celebrating by hanging out with all of my staging buddies at RESA 2013!!!
Hi Sally, you make a very good point about the questions and marketing efforts regarding emphasis. I believe this is a new portion for submission this year but something that if you made it to the finalist spot in the past was still a required portion to submit if I'm not mistaken. I just don't know if this segment of the voting process is open for all members to see. That's something to follow up about... thank you!!
That's great to hear Valerie! I think if we all start our year out with the motivation and intention of making it the best ever (vision board anyone?) we have a goal in mind and the opportunity to share our success with the RESA membership in awards and at the conference is always amazing. Thanks for coming back!
Karen, So glad you wrote this post...and this is being discussed. I've always been concerned about the occupied vs vacant homes. Like Kathy I do a lot of consultations...that is the majority of my work. I also have another concern that is not mentioned. It's the regional thing....this seems unbalanced to me. You have some regions that have more stagers than others. If I remember correctly last year there were some regions that if you submitted you were automatically a finalist. Members didn't even get to place votes on these stagers. I do not mean to hurt any ones feelings but that does not seem fair overall.
I understand that having regions does offer more opportunity for other stagers and offers more awards. Other than the issue with my photos that is another reason I did not submit my work this year.
I hope RESA doesn't see these comments as complaints but rather input from the membership. I appreciate all the RESA does for the industry and don't know where my business or our industry would be without them!
Karen,
Can outsiders nominate? I'm in your court!
Mike in Tucson
Hi Donna, all comments, concerns and compliments are welcome and this is not meant to offend anyone (you make very valid points!) but to open the dialog and move forward with everyone who wants to enter feeling comfortable about it. I think it's important that in order to grow, change is often necessary and RESA is member governed organization where your voice counts!
I'll take that Mike!
Excellent post Karen and an important one. Sometimes as an entreprenuer we feel uncomfortable tooting our own horns. I've found that if we don't promote ourselves though, no one else will do it. I am so glad that you are encouraging stagers to be proud of their accomplishments and to throw their hat into the ring.
Hi Karen - I like the blue ribbon you have displayed on your blog. All the best with the upcoming award.
Hi Karen, Thank you for addressing these issues. I'm in a similar camp as Valerie, much more redesign work here. After reading your post, however, I'm also encouraged and will most definitely throw my hat in (as Sara said) next year. I'd also love to join all of you at RESA 2013. Best of luck!!
Hi Sara, so true about being "solo"preneurs and tooting our horns - it's not always easy but we don't have a team always behind us marketing - it's me, myself and me...Thanks for commenting!
Thank you so much Teral!
Hi Kim, the RESA conference is always a great event to learn more and meet others. It's a wonderful event that I hope you can make next time!
I started to comment on this great post as I really want to explain how much we do appreciate and listen to all of the feedback we get. My answer got way to long so you can jump over to this post to get a full understanding of all the changes we make each year, why and how we are going to recognize occupied stagings this year.
Thank you Shell, I just left a comment to the blog, I so appreciate the open communication!
Great post Karen. It's always so nice to see your smile. Everyone who stages homes to the degree that their work helps the home compete aggressively in the market, is doing their job and should be proud and recognized for that fact, whether it's a vacant or occupied home. As you know we are on the other end of the spectrum in that around 85% of the 175-200 homes we stage this year are vacant... But I think if you asked our consultants they would tell you they are proud of all the homes they stage and help sell, whether occupied or vacant. Maybe we should forget photographs and simply say "Hello, I'm So and So and I have staged 10 homes of which 9 sold for a 90% success rate." If a stager can exhibit that they do what thier clients pay them for at a high degree... They get my vote.
Since the beginning of the yearly awards, I always looked at them as an opportunity for stagers to market the good work they do. I'm really happy to see Shell continue to grow and expand the awards so that there are more and more marketing opportunities for more and more stagers. Shell, none of us can truly express our gratitude for how you have helped move this industry forward.
Karen, excellent blog article and I'm so glad you put out there what so many have been talking about. I think the hardest thing I find with the whole awards process is the self nomination part as I see so many ultra talented stagers out there and think .. huh .. do I stand a chance against them? It's hard - you don't want to to toot your own horn too much because it can come across the wrong way so putting together a submission for the awards can be daunting.
I will say IT"S WORTH IT! Whether you're or not you're a finalist and/or a winner is not the point. It's about taking the time - once a year - and patting yourself on the back and saying .. ok, we do great work and regardless of the types of jobs we do, we deserve a shot at some recognition.
So, since the deadline has been extended, I hope a whole bunch of stagers will take the time to toot their own horns and submit themselves for the RESA awards this year!!
Sweet Gary! So nice to "see" you my friend. I agree with what you say whole heartedly and your final word to Shell is echoed by me and many others as well... RESA with Shell at the helm has really helped moved the industry forward. Looking forward to seeing you and Linda in 2012!
Heather you hit the nail on the head! Taking the time once a year and giving yourself the credit for all the hard work, regardless of an award, is so important!! Also, as these conferences move forward and we challenge ourselves to up our game so to speak, the level of the work we do can only improve. I hope to see you in Vegas!
Karen really great post. I too have struggled with all the points you noted. Having read the reasons 'why' I think I will submit something. Thanks for this post.
What a great post Karen. We need not be afraid of what we do. It doesn't matter if you have done 100 homes or 10 homes... everyone has their best shot. Shell has allowed us this unique opportunity to show our work and be appreciated... best of luck to everyone.
Karen, WOW! OK, so I am not affiliated with any professional Home Staging organizations, but your blogs have inspired such. For many years I've worked privately behind the scenes without a desire for publicity and I have to agree with your comment, "I'd love to see an occupied home staging submission go toe to toe with a vacant!"
Thank you ever so much for sharing your thoughts and promoting RESA. 2012 membership, OK, I'm in, if only to make the acquaintance of those like yourself.
I hope you did Wendy, thank you for reading!
Amen Lori! See you in Vegas!
Hi Sebastian, I'm glad to hear it! I am the RESA Texas State President (and will remain in the role for 2012). The Central Texas Chapter in Austin is the place you'd meet and it's a wonderful chapter!
My philosophy with RESA has always been the "rising tides will raise all boats" motto. Most home stagers are "islands unto themselves" and RESA provides an opportunity not only to network with others in the industry & affiliates who are beneficial to us but is creating awareness, professionalism, codes of ethics in business practices and education for Realtors and home sellers alike. As an "unregulated" industry, home staging hasn't always had a consistent reputation and the random nature of how home staging is utilized in many areas of the country reflects a lack of knowledge on the industry itself by those we wish to serve. Collectively RESA provides an avenue for home stagers to have a voice and a role in the Real Estate Industry and RESA is open to ANY home stager regardless of affiliation with a training school or not. I hope you will join as I've really enjoyed what you've written and believe you can be a powerful voice for the industry as well!
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