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REALTOR Trade Shows - You have to do them!

By
Home Stager with First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign

We just finished our 2008 Association of Realtors Trade Show and I cannot tell you how successful it was!

We had a booth, sponsored the Realtor of Distinction Luncheon, and hosted a Break-Out Staging Seminar. Our seminar was finished by approx. 12:00, and by 12:45 I had already received a message from an agent in attendance about giving her a quote on a vacant. She said she was going to do whatever I said because we are the experts, and really know our stuff! (I'm sure Melissa will go into more detail about the seminar - she is much better at that than me!)

By 4:30, I had received 2 more phone calls from agents who I spoke with at the Trade Show about homes they had listed and how I am going to work with them!

I cannot stress enough the great results I know our company will receive from attending this 1 event. I have 3 leads, and have only been finished for about 3 hours!

Whether you do a little or a lot, a big booth or small one, it is worth the marketing expense to get your name out there!!! Even if it is your first year, I recommend everyone do them - I think it is vital to getting your name in front of the agents, and keeping your name at the top of the mind for staging services!

Melissa Marro
Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL
Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging

B - great post & great advice!  One of my favorite parts was all the positive recognition we received from the agents for sponsoring the luncheon.... it was also a lot of fun to see our logos on every table & on the big screen during the luncheon. 

I am glad to be able to get back to work though! 

Feb 19, 2008 11:50 AM
Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario
Bevin, glad that the trade show was a success for you.  They can be expensive, but I think it's important to get your name out there.  I'm doing one next month.  I have my fingers crossed.
Feb 19, 2008 12:15 PM
Bevin Googer
First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign - Mount Pleasant, SC
www.StagingAndRedesign.com

Melissa - I am trying to do some work now, but keep getting distracted by AR - imagine that...

Charlene - thanks! We chose to participate in this particular trade show of real estate agents, since that is really our target market. We did not spend a ton on the actual show, but did invest in marketing materials, which will last beyond the show. I honestly feel that if you are targeting agents for your business, the money you spend for a presence at the show will pay off. Good luck!!

Feb 19, 2008 12:35 PM
Sandy Ridgway
Designs For You - Columbus, OH
Designs For You

I am newer to this.  Where would I get info on a Realtor trade show in my area?  Columbus, OH

Feb 19, 2008 01:21 PM
Marci Toliver
438-4642 - Mauldin, SC
Anderson SC, Spartanburg,Greenville SC, Home Staging
Bevin, congrats to both of you!  Sounds like yall did GOOD!
Feb 19, 2008 03:10 PM
Audrey Hoffman
VoteAudrey blog - Columbia, SC
VoteAudrey

So true! Thanks for sharing Bevin!
All the best,

Audrey 

Feb 19, 2008 03:17 PM
Michelle Minch
Moving Mountains Design Home Staging, Pasadena, CA - Los Angeles, CA
Home Staging Los Angeles and Orange County, CA
Congrats Bevin. Sounds like trade shows are a must to build awareness and our businesses.
Feb 19, 2008 04:28 PM
Bevin Googer
First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign - Mount Pleasant, SC
www.StagingAndRedesign.com

Sandy - You will need to contact your local Association of REALTORS. Go to this site, http://www.realtor.org/directories/index.html, and search for the board in your area. They should be able to help you. Good luck!

Marci - Thanks! We had a good time, but my feet were killing me at the end of the day :)

Audrey - Of course! Thanks for stopping by!

Michelle - I agree - it is a must to keep your name and face in the minds of all those potential clients out there!

Feb 19, 2008 11:22 PM
Sandra Hughes
Redesigned Spaces - Northern Virginia - Fairfax, VA
Redesigned Spaces - Fairfax County, Virginia
Congrats on your success.  I am hoping to do my first Realtor trade show this year.  That is great that you already have calls pouring in!
Feb 20, 2008 06:33 AM
Melissa Marro
Keller Williams First Coast Realty - The Marro Team - Orange Park, FL
Jacksonville Real Estate and Home Staging

Sandra - All 4 of the stagers in our booth have had appointments off of the show.  Three of us are booked nearly solid for 2 or more weeks.  I say nearly because we still have some walkthrough appointments.  I gave out 6 quotes this week alone and have 4 more walk throughs on Monday. 

YOU MUST DO THE SHOW!  Make sure you follow up afterwards. That is a key ingredient!

Feb 23, 2008 03:23 PM
Terrylynn Fisher
Dudum Real Estate Group - BuyStageSell.com - Walnut Creek, CA
HAFA Certified, EcoBroker, CRS, CSP Realtor, Etc.
GREAT advice.  Follow through but just do it...can't hurt, and results are in writing here.
Feb 23, 2008 04:15 PM
Bevin Googer
First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign - Mount Pleasant, SC
www.StagingAndRedesign.com

Sandra - Like Melissa & Terrylynn said - follow up is key! The money we spent on the show was definitely worth it for all the new leads we have received, as well as actual contracts already. Good luck!

 

Feb 25, 2008 12:11 AM
Karen Hubert
Center Stage Design-real estate staging, Ancaster/Hamilton - Ancaster, ON
Home Stager
Thanks for encouragement Bevin, I am doing a realtor trade show in Toronto in May.  I hope it is a success.  I am looking forward to learning from it  and hopefully getting some business.
Feb 25, 2008 09:15 AM
Bevin Googer
First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign - Mount Pleasant, SC
www.StagingAndRedesign.com
Karen - I am sure you will get business. Even one client would make it worth it! Good luck in May!
Feb 27, 2008 01:13 AM
Brian Bloom
www.AllinOneStaging.com 1-630-292-2710 - Bartlett, IL
All in One Staging Inc. - Home Staging Consultant, Redesign Expert

Bevin

Barb the owner of Stagedhomes & ASP asked Sandra to do a trade show for her last year for the 07 Realtor convention here in the Chicago area.

You are absolutely right, the more expose you get the more leads you generate the more work you get period!

You can't just sit here on AR or your website and wait for people to find you, YOU have to find the people (clients).

I love AR and doing Blogs, but in all reality it has not got us much more then a hand full of jobs. We hit the ad campaign hard when we first started AIOS, and still do with Realtor presentations, and flyer handouts.

I think you get out of it, what you put into it, no matter what business you choose!

Great topic!

Regards

Brian Bloom

Feb 27, 2008 12:18 PM
Bevin Googer
First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign - Mount Pleasant, SC
www.StagingAndRedesign.com
Thanks Brian! I am off to read your blog now - it sounds like a good one!
Feb 28, 2008 11:34 PM
Sheri Davis
Transformations Home Staging and Redesign - Caldwell, ID
HSR, ASHSR

Bevin,

Thanks for the encouragement.  I have been getting involved locally with realtor organizations and would like to do a booth at a trade show.   -Sheri

Feb 29, 2008 09:30 AM
Sheri Davis
Transformations Home Staging and Redesign - Caldwell, ID
HSR, ASHSR

Bevin,

Thanks for the encouragement.  I have been getting involved locally with realtor organizations and would like to do a booth at a trade show.   -Sheri

Feb 29, 2008 09:30 AM