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Is It Called The Blind Leading The Blind....Or Taking The Bull By The Horns???

By Barbara Todaro

Services for Real Estate Pros with RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired 104763

November 17, 2011 12:45 AM

Sometimes you have to take the bull by the horns and create a path that is easy to follow and put into action. It may sound like a hand holding exercise, but if hand holding is what it takes for agents to blend into using online marketing, so be it.

RE/MAX Executive Realty started the process by offering a roundtable event that had a very good turnout. We have 95 agents in our firm and over 33% attended. If we had stopped there, I assure you that no additional bloggers would be added to the list of RE/MAX Executive Realty agents who blog.

Our marketing department has scheduled a mini roundtable in each of our offices. This is a question and answer session. It’s a session of learning some terminology and some basic blogging points.

The next step is mine. I meet with agents individually and get them off the blocks. We join ActiveRain and post a blog; we create a listing website on Realbird; we talk about Animoto videos; we talk about keywords and links; we share a lot of information for one session.

As more agents participate in blogging the better the chance that additional agents will blog. Is it safety in numbers? Is it that an agent doesn’t want to appear to be not as capable as others? We ARE in a competitive business and there is competition within the office as well as outside.

I always ask that each agent share what they know with others within their office. It’s an opportunity for each agent to participate in mentoring. They should be helping each other, and if I’m helping them, my request should be carried out.

Broker/owner/managers, if you want your agents to participate in online marketing, it’s not going to happen on its own. It will happen if you participate in their success. It will happen if you can easily teach them the basics. None of us are tech savvy users, but we know enough to pass that basic information along to others. It’s taking the initiative to pass “basic technology information” through the pipeline one agent at a time. Nothing's easy....but it will all get accomplished!!!

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Brenda Mullen

RE/MAX Associates - San Antonio, TX

Your San Antonio TX Real Estate Agent!!

I think it's wonderful that you try to help other agents get involved with online marketing Barbara! Lots of folks would try to keep the secret of success to themselves so that they could get all the business, lol :)! There are also plenty who..no matter how much hand holding you do, will never do what is necessary in today's market to get noticed.

You know what they say...you can lead a horse to water...etc. etc.

Suggested :)!

Nov 17, 2011 01:13 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Brenda....I think there is always a way....the path of least resistance is to use Realbird and post those listings to ActiveRain.....that's the game plan I'm using with everyone....

Nov 17, 2011 01:16 AM

Sharon Miller

RE/MAX Platinum - Crane Hill, AL

Barbara,

A number of good points made in your post. Here are a few tidbits about blogging which most realtors don't realize. I have learned through frequent posting, one does not have to possess a degree in creative writing in order to achieve success with blogging. Each individual has his or her own style. What's most interesting about blog posts, common subjects can be addressed where numerous viewpoints are shared using a variety of writing styles. Once a person begains to blog, they will soon develop a writing style, which like a "fingerprint", is unique. This point can't be overstated. Like anything else, practice improves your skill level, the more you write, the easier it becomes.

Nov 17, 2011 01:18 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Sharon....I agree wholeheartedly....however, most agents who are hesitant about participating in blogging are fearful of making grammatical errors more than creativity....well beyond what spell check can catch and correct....for that reason, I encourage realbird to start with and then we'll progress to market reports....hopefully some will eventually gain the courage to write a brief narrative and see comments posted....it only takes one and then the fear subsides....thanks for your comment....it's greatly appreciated.

Nov 17, 2011 01:27 AM

Jerry Newman

Brown Realty, 210-789-4216, - San Antonio, TX

Texas REALTOR, San Antonio Military Relocation

Good Morning, Barbara. I love your idea of agents helping other agents with their online marketing efforts. Brokers should get more involved in the process with some of these basic technology skills. I have learned that you certainly do not have to be Tech Savvy Guru to Blog. You just have to start blogging and continue to get better at it.

Nov 17, 2011 01:32 AM

Bill & Cyndi Daves

Hiawassee, Young Harris, Blairsville, Hayesville, Murphy and Beyond! - Hiawassee, GA

TeamDAVES - Your REALTORS In the GA/NC Mountains!

Barbara - If YOU are doing the leading, then there's obviously no "blind leading the blind" here!! But of course there's no old saying about the blind being led by the master!!! I like your suggestion to start newbie bloggers out with realbird and market reports. There's an agent in our office who, although she's a member of AR, is afraid to blog because a client once made a negative comment about her grammar. It's sad to let one persons opinion keep you from moving forward with something!

Nov 17, 2011 01:35 AM

Doug Rogers

RE/MAX Coastal Properties - Destin, FL

Your Real Estate Resource!

You would think as independent contractors these agents would all be actively seeking such training.

Nov 17, 2011 01:51 AM

Tim Bradley

Contour Investment Properties - Jackson Hole, WY

Commercial Real Estate Expert in Jackson Hole, WY

I got a call yesterday from a large real estate investment company interested in exploring commercial opportunities in my market. Their minimum transaction is $3 million, and the typical transaction is between $20 and $40 million. We chatted about the market, my qualifications and their needs, and I've been retained. When I asked how he found me, he said: "The internet. Your picture had the label Rainmaker under it, and that's what we're looking for." Thanks, AR! Blogging works (even for a sporadic blogger like me!)

Nov 17, 2011 02:08 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Jerry....no one has to be a tech savvy person to blog or to teach blogging....

Bill and Cyndi....I think if you did a survey, you'd find that the majority of people WANT to blog but they are insecure about their proper use of grammar.....

Doug...it's easier to avoid it....

Tim....blogging works and you're to be congratulated for using this method....so many more need to.

Nov 17, 2011 02:13 AM

Al Raymondi

Ocean View Realty Group in Ormond By The Sea Florida - Ormond Beach, FL

Ormond By The Sea Florida - Home and Condo Sales

Nice post Barbara, there are so many agents, many already members of ActiveRain who are not doing enough blogging. Kudos to you for getting those bull horns pointed in the right direction.

Nov 17, 2011 03:40 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

thanks, Al....I think most really want to participate but they don't know where to start or how to start....it can be done simply enough for starters....I did a post yesterday with an agent and within minutes it was on the first page for a google search for that keyword phrase.

Nov 17, 2011 03:45 AM

Conrad Allen

Re/Max Professional Associates - Webster, MA

Webster, Ma, Realtor

Hi Barbara - Leading by example and not taking no for an answer is real dedication. Great job.

Nov 17, 2011 05:24 AM

Roger D. Mucci

Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH

Lets shake things up at your home today!

The agents in your company are so lucky to have someone like you to learn from Barbara. You are truly the consummate professional. Excellent post.

Nov 17, 2011 05:48 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Conrad....this can be done in any office by the broker/owner/manager....eventually, it will become part of the job description of the managing broker...it will be expected.

Roger....thanks, but they'll be learning from each other too....

Nov 17, 2011 05:55 AM

Carol-Ann Palmieri

RE/MAX Executive Realty, Al and Cal Realty Group - Franklin, MA

"Cal" the Real Estate Gal

Hi Barbara. Awesome!

Nov 17, 2011 10:09 AM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Carol-Ann.....Having fun doing it.....

Nov 17, 2011 10:12 AM

Joy Daniels

Joy Daniels Real Estate Group, Ltd. - Harrisburg, PA

You are so right...our agents are looking to us for guidance, ideas and education. I am definitely going to set up a meeting and work with the agents in my office, thanks!

Nov 17, 2011 01:42 PM

Kay Van Kampen

RE/MAX Broker, RE/MAX - Springfield, MO

Realtor®, Springfield Mo Real Estate

I agree with Fernando, you should be an ambassador. Mentoring your fellow realtors is a great way to keep the office productive and the agents working. Wonderful post.

Nov 17, 2011 01:56 PM

Sally K. & David L. Hanson

EXP Realty 414-525-0563 - Brookfield, WI

WI Real Estate Agents - Luxury - Divorce

Blog is still a four letter foreign word in many markets.....and they don't know what they're missing !

Nov 17, 2011 02:04 PM

Barbara Todaro

RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA

Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

Joy....it works....they want it....

Kay....it works well for those who are interested in jumping in....I promote AR all the time....don't need the banner.

Sally....in most markets....we're in the minority on this one.