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NEW Continuing Education Courses on Blogging Approved in Michigan!

By Lola Audu

Real Estate Broker/Owner with Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate

April 18, 2008 03:03 AM

EXCITING NEWS!

The State of Michigan has recently approved TWO NEW COURSES ON BLOGGING & WEB 2.0 TECHNOLOGY for Continuing Education Credit for Real Estate Professionals! These ground-breaking courses are designed to give real estate professionals the vital information they will need to participate responsibly in a Web 2.0 Connected environment.

Technology has transformed many essential elements of the real estate process. Today, new and experienced agents find that they need to understand the dyanmics of the online community or risk being marginalized. This coursework will not only provide a comprehensive overview of Web 2.0 in today's marketplace but will also touch on important topics that have significant legal implications for professionals who engage in online transactions.

DATES: MAY 21 & MAY 28, 2008

TIME: 8:00 A.M. ~ 12:30 P.M. Registration begins at 7:30 A.M. & Class will commence promptly at 8:00 A.M.

PLACE: Grand Rapids Association of Realtors (GRAR) 660 Kenmoore SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Course ID# K355-1061 Blogging Basics for Real Estate Professionals

Course ID# K355-1062 Blogging Ethics for Real Estate Professionals

Sponsor ID# K355 Audu Real Estate

*PLEASE NOTE: to obtain State Continuing Education credit, participants must attend the entire session. Students arriving more than 15 minutes after the start of the class will not receive credit. A 15 minute make-up session will be available at the end of the second class. Please be sure to bring your Driver's license and State ID/Pocket Card for Identification. Registration is not confirmed until payment is received. Please e-mail laudu@grar.com or call 616-791-0511 with any questions.

Topics that will be covered include:

*Blogging & Marketing Your Skills in A Web 2.0 Connected World

*Connecting with the Online Consumer

*Keeping Your Blog out of Legal Trouble

*Protecting your Content

*Ethical Issues including Fair Housing & Discrimination

Light Refreshments will be Served

Both Courses are approved for 2 hours each of Continuing Education Credit for a total of 4 hours!

Registration is required. Walk-Ins will be seated as space permits. Don't miss this Great Opportunity to learn more about how to move your business Forward with technology through this Practical Continuing Education Course Offering!

Click the link or picture To Download a Printer Friendly Version of this form. Make sure you check the HTML printer friendly option.

Registration Forms Mailing Address or Fax Number: Audu Real Estate 3659 Alpine Ave NW, Suite 102, Comstock Park, MI 49321. FAX: 616-791-0535

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Lola Audu

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Diane, Thanks for stopping by. We're very excited to be able to share this important knowledge and information with real estate professionals across the State of Michigan. It is vital that we as professionals gain a working knowledge of this emerging dynamic within the context of what it means to do things properly and ethically as we serve the public.

I am not aware of this type of coursework being offered for Continuing Education Credit...particularly the combination with the Ethics, but perhaps it is. Nonetheless, it's a credit to our State that they are taking the lead role in offering this benefit to members of the business and real estate community.

Apr 19, 2008 02:39 AM

Lola Audu

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Hi George, Thanks for your comment. Blogging and Web 2.0 Technology is having an enormous impact on the business community. We need more qualified individuals to teach and train people to understand and communicate effectively.

Apr 19, 2008 02:44 AM

Lola Audu

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Hi Lisa, It is very new information. There are many real estate professionals who have no idea what this is or how it can be used in a professional forum. A lot of education is needed. Those of us who are blogging need to be talking to members of our associations and educating them about Web 2.0 technologies.

We have several conferences last year in the Grand Rapids area and the State Association and local Board has also sponsored other events designed to bring this knowledge to the forefront. That's how it starts! You're on the leading edge...

Apr 19, 2008 02:47 AM

Lola Audu

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Kathleen, Thanks for your comment. Grand Rapids, Michigan is a great place to take a 'sudden vacation' particularly when you can attend a Continuing Education Class. :)

Apr 19, 2008 02:49 AM

Lola Audu

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Terry...Great Question. This was part of the discussion with the State regarding this coursework. In the future, the online version may be a possibility. But, we decided to do 'Live' training right now because we want to allow the opportunity for interaction. The material is so new to so many individuals that we think that offering the coursework in this way is appropriate for the time being.

Apr 19, 2008 02:52 AM

Lola Audu

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

William...you make a great point. Community blogging has the added benefit of interaction and learning from others. That is why it is so important that real estate professionals understand the legal and ethical implications of using Web 2.0 related technologies. We can do much good if these tools are used appropriately.

Apr 19, 2008 02:55 AM

Lola Audu

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Russ...Thank you for your comment. This is a good Continuing Education Course for those who want to understand more about Web 2.0 and also provides some food for thought for those who are blogging and want to ensure that they are operating within the guidelines which govern our profession as real estate agents. Thank you for your support.

Apr 19, 2008 02:58 AM

Joan Whitebook

BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH

Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Lola ~ This is great news! If I had the time, I would fly to Michigan to take your courses. You have contributed so much to Active Rain! I know your course is going to be awesome. What about a correspondence course??????

Apr 19, 2008 01:57 PM

Virginia Tatseos

Stage-Show-Sell - Bloomfield Township, MI

How forward thinking. I'm so sorry that I've done my con ed for this year.

If I find myself with nothing on my plate on one of those dates I'll drive up for the course.

I'll be calling my WCR friends to see who can put me up for the night.

Apr 19, 2008 02:20 PM

Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI

Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Gwen emailed me from Facebook and told me you worked hard to get this approved. Good job, I may pick your brain on how to get it approved in Ann Arbor or try to come so I can see how it works. Yea Lola good job.

Apr 20, 2008 12:40 AM

Bonnie & Terry Westbrook

Westbrook Realty - Ada, MI

Grand Rapids MI Real Estate

This is wonderful news, Lola, and I can't think of anyone I would rather see teach the class. ( Having attended one of Lola's blog classes last fall, I can hardily recommend it) I hope we see more local agents get into blogging soon.

Apr 21, 2008 11:53 AM

Tom Vanderwell

Straight Talk About Mortgages - Grand Rapids, MI

And to think, I knew Lola back when.....

Seriously, congrats on getting this put in place. It's going to be a good thing and another opportunity for the best (the best of the Realtors and the best of the lenders) to distinguish themselves from the crowd.....

Apr 24, 2008 02:27 AM

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Keller Williams Realty - Ann Arbor, MI

Ann Arbor Area Real Estate

Congats to you! I would recommend you to anyone who needs a push to "get it". Congrats on your class.

May 15, 2008 02:19 AM

Mary McGraw

GLREA - Rockford, MI

2015: Solar Energy Is Still A Simple Machine!

HI Lola,

I was very excited when you told me you have gotten this coursework approved and disappointed when I found I would be out of state during the seminar series. You put on a very dynamic presentation and I am certain that you will put your heart into this, as always, especially because this is for CE credits. Your first blogging seminar which I attended last year has made a profound difference in my life and career.

No doubt this current seminar will provide valuable information and new techniques for the professionals who attend. I highly recommend it! I give your course the "Ma" stamp of approval! LOL! I know you have worked hard not only to develop a high quality content but also to go through the daunting process of getting this approved for CE credits! What an accomplishment! Additionally, I am happy to hear you are providing a legal/moral/ethical section. Bless you for sharing your knowledge so freely!

May 16, 2008 11:12 PM

* Rate A Home

Rate A Home - Saugatuck, MI

Lola, is this course mainly for the Agents continuing ed, or would it work for the newbie's looking to learn the art of blogging?

May 21, 2008 03:52 AM

Ethan Dozeman

Realty Executives Platinum Group - Grand Rapids, MI

Real Estate in Grand Rapids

Another great class. Why did we only have 8 agents who attended?

May 21, 2008 04:12 AM

Lola Audu

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Duane, the course is suitable for anyone who wants to understand blogging and Web 2.0. The fact that you can get Continuing Education Credit while learning this type of information is a remarkable opportunity for forward thinking individuals.

May 21, 2008 06:05 AM

Lola Audu

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Ethan, It was a pleasant surprise to see you! Your question was asked by several others in the class & it generated a lot of interesting discussion. For those who attended, it was very clear that this information is vital to our ability to engage effectively in the real estate marketplace.

Perhaps, one answer lies in the fact that this paradigm shift is NOT being driven by real estate agents and/or brokers. The public, media and web based entrepreuners are the main influencers right now.

And, THEY are defining the conversation about real estate on a national scale in a way which has not happened historically. For our industry to remain focused and relevant this presents a real challenge.

For the most part, we are scrambling to try to understand these concepts or thinking we can afford to ignore this whole revolution.

But like Mary W said during the seminar...this is a seed...a powerful seed. I'm glad that your schedule permitted your participation. It's good to be ahead of the curve...

May 21, 2008 06:15 AM

* Rate A Home

Rate A Home - Saugatuck, MI

Lola, sounds good, I sent an e-mail to a few people about your class. Is it a double class or two individual classes? I know one was this morning already.

May 21, 2008 07:19 AM

Lola Audu

Lola Audu~Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI Real Estate - Grand Rapids, MI

Audu Real Estate~Grand Rapids, MI ~Welcome Home!

Duane, The Blogging curriculum is 2 classes held one after the other ~ Blogging Basics for Real Estate Professionals K1061 and Blogging Ethics for Real Estate Professionals K1062. These were taught today AND will be repeated on May 28th.

On May 28th, we will have 3 Classes as Gwyn Bessner of the Acme Institute will be teaching in the afternoon the Code of Ethics Class. #K299, K5047

This class will provide 3 hours of continuing education and also qualifies for 2 hours of the Core Curriculum/legal update segment that all agents in Michigan must take every year. Registration forms can be downloaded above and at Gwyns' website.

May 21, 2008 10:38 AM

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