Liz- I have been lucky with CRS referrals. Before I got my CRS last year, another CRS in a neighboring town was sending me all her CRS referrals for my niche. (So I got CRS referrals, before I was a CRS) I think I have gotten at least 3 in 2007 on my own.

For me, there are a couple of factors. There are only 4 CRS in my market. I have the best web presence and the only blog of the 4 of us. I also work for a large regional company, so all the Windermere CRS are likely to contact me first. I'm guessing you have a bit more competition.

Where do buyers for Katy TX come from? I would network with agents from there and make sure they remember you. My buyers come from Seattle and Bellevue, so I take my continuing ed there and network at the same time.

I wouldn't waste money on print ads. Nuff said.

Hi Geodie, thanks for the advice!  But I'm not sure the area I work is saturater with CRS, in fact I know it's not, so I truly don't understan why I don't get more referrals from small source of my businesss.  Katy is located 28 miles from downtown Houston, and is "The place to buy", it is close to the energy corridor, and most people comute so they can live in the area.  It has the top rated KISD school distirct, many subdivisions, and Cinco Ranch a mater planned community is wold know for the oil co. people who are transfering in and out all the time.  As I said I opened a large C-21 office right off I-10 @ Mason Rd. 32 years ago and left 2 years ago and whent on my on, which I should have done many years ago.  Since my name is my brand I don't need a franchise, which never brought me any business either.  Most of my business I built up over the years with the help the last 16 years of Mike Ferry.  He helped me grow my business form 60-75 deals a year to my highest year of 243 homes sold in a year and I've grossed over a million in income for many years, thanks to his training.  So when people talk about Houston, they are usually going to end up in the west side of town...Katy or Sugar Land.  I service all three areas and several more, so send me your referral and if it is not an area I work I willl let you know who is best. 

My husban Bill Gronvold is from Seatle, born and raised, got transfered to Houston and the rest is history :).  He was in the off shore oil industury and worked for Honeywell in Seatle.  Now retired, he also works on my team.

You say not to advertize...what have you done within the CRS community to get the referrals you have?  Do you know Joan Pate?  She is an MFO agent from your area.  Any guidance you can give me would be appricated.  By the way how long have you been on AR, and have you gotton any results from this?  Liz

Liz  I have not done well at all with CRS referrals, because ther are countless numbers of us in Northern Virginia.  I do well with my WCR ads,  Karen

Liz-

My web presence is my advertising to fellow CRS, e-PROs and Windermere agents. Of course we get KW referrals too (No KW in town).

Both my blog (not AR, but my real blog) and my website are on page 1 of Google for Leavenworth Real Estate. When CRS agents look at the directory (book or online) I assume they do a bit of research before calling. They see professional sites and if they search on a large regional website like Windermere.com they will see that I am the prominent listing agent among the CRS here.

How can you differentiate yourself from your peers in the CRS directory? I don't think you can.

And yes, I have gotten results from AR. It has really helped my SEO and my blogging skills. Sellers call me and ask for my help after finding me and my listings on the web.  Most of my clients are tech savvy and many work for Microsoft. An agent that blogs is an agent that understands them.

Thanks for the response and advice.  I'm just learing about bloging (never too old or too late to learn :) and trying to get good at it.  In the process of getting all my 36 litings on AR, and will see what the results are.  Happy New Year, Liz

Liz, I rely on about 5 quality Referrals from CRS every year. 

I do not use ads, though I do pay for the photo option on both print and online directory.

I have 2 peices of advice. 

Being an investor and agent of a KW franchise, I was told people don't like referring to broker owners because they likely do not sell.  I changed my description back to agent.

Second, I have become involved at the local state and now national level, I network and follow up with those i have met.  People know me. These people are likely the most connected people in their offices and if anyone in their office is looking for a name to refer to, they will pick me.

Hi Guy, thanks for the tips.  My co. is my team, so I don't sponsor other agents.  I am the one that is the "rainmaker", prospect, take listings, and manager the team.  I have 2 buyers agents that get all the buyers I generate, no matter the source or price point, $75K-$1 Million +, I don't "cherry pick", they go to Sandra or Jean.  The other part of the team is the administrative branch.  So not sure how I could change that part and be honest???  Any suggestions?  I've never gotten involved on the local, state, national level and I applaud you for doing so...maybe one of these day I will and I will meet you :).  Thanks for this and any other advice you have, Liz

I've been a CRS for less than a year now.  I've been overwhelmingly pleased with the referrals.  In my first CRS year, I've received seven referrals and sent out five.  I find that taking classes outside of my area is extremely beneficial.  Even networking on the state level has garnered me one referral. 

Brian...

Glad to hear it's working for you, that's an awesome return.  L

In the 2 years since I received the designation, I have received 3 inbound referrals for listing homes in the Northern VA area.  In all three cases, they were the result of attending CRS classes far outside of my home area.  I've been out to ProAct in Las Vegas twice and these referrals were the result of meeting agents there and then receiving a phone call months later. 

Hope this helps

Al & Jodee...

There is no magic pill!

Thanks for reminding me, guess I was asking if doing my 1/2 page ad in the CRS directory was worth the money, and you have confirmed it's not.  Unless I'm willing to follow up and join groups and attend meetings.  You have to get on a personal level and work to bring in business.

Just putting an ad out there will not bring in business from any source...thanks for the kick in the butt.

L