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Vflyer vs. Real Estate Shows, and other techno questions.....

HandsonLaptop I admit it, I am a newbie. And not just to Active Rain, but to technology in general. I've decided to go at this full-force, but boy! There is a really steep learning curve here!

I want to become known in my area for using all the internet technology that I can to get my listings sold, as well as to serve my buyers. The problem? I am still figuring out iTunes, and I got my iPod for Christmas. There you have it, I'm not nearly the techie that I aspire to be. Wait, there's more...

I am finally being forced to use Outlook. That's right, I said Outlook. For years, I have just used AOL, and didn't have to worry about this other 'stuff'. Well, now that I am trying to set up my own URLs, and we are finally getting a company website, I have to figure this out. My husband is going to sit down with me tomorrow to see if he can help me with it. Talk about the blind leading the blind!

And about the company website? Yeah, that's funny. I'm the most advanced technologically in our office, so guess who is going to be in charge of that once it's "done"? Oh, yeah, I'm pretty sure it's going to be me. system error

I have been trying to put my listings on Craigslist, and Zillow, and Google base, and am finding a host of other sites, and right now I am totally overwhelmed. I have found out that there are programs out there that will make my life in this area a little easier and a lot less time-intensive.

Speaking with so many other agents, and reading the blog of so many successful agents on Active Rain, I have decided to go ahead and get involved with either Vflyers or Real Estate Shows. I have looked briefly at both websites, and am a little confused. So, here's the thing -- Should I choose just one? If so, which one? Should I go with both? What are the advantages or disadvantages of one choice over the other? Any advice or testimonials would be great!

Thanks for taking the time to read the ramblings of a novice techie. Now someone has mentioned Point2Agent, oh, dear! A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing!

Posted by Marlene Scheffer, Realtor to Kitsap County, WA on 11/25/2007 12:26 AM

Comments (14)

vflyer, real estate shows, real estate, technology, bremerton, wa, realty station, kitsap

14 Comments on Vflyer vs. Real Estate Shows, and other techno questions.....

Good post Thanks for the info keep up the good work

11/25/2007 12:28 AM

by RICHARD PERKINS (Big Trees Realty)

Ahh come on, you know how I'm going to answer this question! :) Actually, a lot of our clients use both vFlyer and RealEstateShows.com. We were a bit late to the party with our RES Flyers, but they work pretty well in attracting eyeballs. vFlyer is a great service and they focus heavily on the syndication side and they provide some very nice listing widgets. We're working on those as well, but we've been focusing on some other features that we think are more important than listing widgets. They should be ready for launch in a less than two weeks.

Go to my blog and just test us out for free. Click on the ActiveRain Members Discount button and then email me when you've signed up. It won't hurt.

11/25/2007 12:33 AM

by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows)

OK, Jeff, I looked at your blog, and am still a little confused. I really like the look and aura of the RES shows that I have seen, they are very well done. Does Real Estate Shows do any syndication at all? Placement on other sites? Or is that pretty much up to the agent?

I don't even have my own website. And my 'other' blog is not well done, something that I will be working on in the next six months. So where would sellers go to see their listing on RES? See? Still a newbie......

11/25/2007 12:58 AM

by Marlene Scheffer, Realtor to Kitsap County, WA (Realty Station)

Well Marlene, you certainly got the right expert eyeballs drawn to your question! : )

There is sooooo much to read and learn here on ActiveRain, it can be overwhelming....and Absolutely Fantastic!

11/25/2007 01:50 AM

by Deborah Burns ~ Seattle Real Estate Agent (BRIO Realty)

Marlene, yes, we syndicate our RES Flyers to the same places the vFlyer does, plust you can link the shows directly to Realtor.com and we have MLS compliant players as well. So, it's pretty full featured. And more coming soon.

11/25/2007 02:56 AM

by Jeff Turner (Real Estate Shows)

Thanks, Jeff, I'll sign up in the morning. I'll need all the tutorials I can get, but I saw that RES offers those, thank goodness! BTW, don't you ever sleep?

11/25/2007 03:38 AM

by Marlene Scheffer, Realtor to Kitsap County, WA (Realty Station)

Shoot, Marlene, I was all set to tell you about Real Estate Shows and Jeff beat me to it!! They are FABULOUS and really save me a lot of time. Check out the ideas on the RES Blog, and if you have questions their help desk is great, or you can email me. (I work for them, too -- but I'm not a techie so check with the help desk if that's what you need!)

(And I'm soooo tempted to say that Jeff doesn't sleep, he waits, but you'd have to be familiar with Chuck Norrisims and Jeff to get that ... eh, but I went there anyway.)

11/25/2007 05:31 AM

by Sarah Cooper (Real Estate Shows)

RealEstateShows - hands down - it has more options - easily changed and more affordable - one yearly price and all the flyers you need - keeping it simple yet with RES you have unlimited flyers - it is a must

11/25/2007 03:43 PM

by Central Oregon Real Estate | Thesa Chambers, Broker (RE/MAX Sunset Realty La Pine)

I found Real Estate shows thru AR, and I've been a client for about 6 months. GREAT PROGRAM. I teach technology at our local board, and it's the only provider I reccomend.

11/25/2007 04:25 PM

by Greg Fox (Realty World Wichita)

Thank you for these questions and answers!

11/25/2007 04:46 PM

by Ricki Eichler, your Texas Hill Country connection (Hill Country Estate Properties)

Hi Marlene, thanks for bringing up this subject. I have a website with a virtual tour that is very similar to Real Estate Shows....it is simple, clients like it and that is the bottom line. You have to be able to attract clients, be able to use the software without hassles. I have most know tech stuff know to man....I know how to use most of it better than most too. Outlook is very easy by the way....and any book store has these books that will take you step by step through software....Microsoft has a free tutorial on outlook go to that on line. Hope this helped.

11/25/2007 05:50 PM

by Gary White~ Grand Rapids Real Estate, FLexIt Realty, a call or click away! (Flexit Realty~Serving West Michigan)

Marlene, I have many of the same questions and concerns that you do;) By reading your post, I am feeling much more confident and will have to check out the RES flyers.

It's a Good Life!

Fran

11/25/2007 06:15 PM

by Frances C. Rokicki, Broker~Mentor (Fran Rokicki Realty, LLC)

Marlene, High five on getting it all figured out. It seems like there's something new or different everyday! Good luck! :)

11/25/2007 09:12 PM

by Shannon Lefevre Naples, Florida CRS (John R. Wood REALTORS Inc.)

Deborah, I agree about learning here on AR. I keep getting on the computer this weekend at around 6, next thing I know it's 2 am. So much to learn, but it is all so helpful!

Sarah, thanks for the offer. I am planning to sign up with RES, and having met Jeff at the NAR convention, I can totally see him waiting, LOL!

Thesa and Greg, thank you, you have confirmed my initial thoughts. I love a confident review!

Ricki, hope the question helped you too. I'm not afraid to ask the question, if it means I can do my job better!

Gary, I will head to the Microsoft website soon, and I may head to B&N too. I am being very clumsy in my navigation of Outlook so far! :)

Fran,we'll definitely have to stay in touch and share ideas on how to use RES, especially when it comes to items of value..... Oooo, good blog idea, especially for Jeff or a Buffiniac, hint, hint.

Shannon, It appears my decision has been made. Now, to implement the plan.....

I am off to check out the camera that Jeff recommended on the RES website. Thanks to all who commented! And I welcome any other insight into ways to use these programs!

11/26/2007 03:14 AM

by Marlene Scheffer, Realtor to Kitsap County, WA (Realty Station)

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