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Small Town Sales and Technology

In the past I worked in a small town selling real estate although I now work in the city, Portland Oregon. Small towns can benefit greatly from the use of technology. Not all of the technology that is used in the city is needed or appreciated in small towns. More often than not some technologies are even looked down upon in some towns as absurd or frivolous and left with a " City Slicker Nonsense"comment as its epitaph.

Such technologies as Twitter have suffered such ridicule in small towns. Yet in reality Twitter might just be the technology that would be very advantageous to country folk. As an example: Your Wife or loved one is a Realtor(R) and shows small country properties. They are often gone for hours at a time. By following them on Twitter you could provide the both of you with some peace of mind.

I also think that social platforms like Activerain , Facebook , and Myspace just to mention a few could be used much more to your advantage than you may have ever considered. Posting local attractions, photo's, community events etc. on these platforms will play to the internet crowd who might be looking for just the type of community that you work and live in for there next home.

In this country their are thousands upon thousands of great communities that do not see the light of day to the outside world. Mostly because they do not have the budget or the savvy to attract people especially on the net. You could become that portal. ActiveRain's Localism provides an ideal platform for this.

You could also dominate your market ( if you are not currently doing that already ) by demonstrating to the community your expertise in technology. Often times I found that Buyer's and Seller's in my former small town did not themselves use technology but were pre-convinced that the technology advanced sales person stood head and shoulders above those who chose to only follow the old methods especially when times are tough.

So if you live in a small town or a big city and have resisted technology or even been part of the nay-sayer's perhaps you should take another look. You might just surprise yourself with the beginings of a great 2009 through the world of technology.

Let Technology take you to fabulous_Portland_Oregon and find out why more people are moving here than ever before. Either to Downtown Portland or one of our many small town suburban areas and towns.

Let technology help you to stay on top of the Portland Real Estate market and Let_your_next_Home_find_you! Presented by Real Estate Broker Herb Hamilton

Search Portland Oregon Homes For Sale Right Here

" A Real Estate Transaction with Herb is one YOU will Profit from "

Posted by Downtown Portland Real Estate Broker~Herb Hamilton on 12/14/2008 01:23 PM

Comments (53)

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Originally posted at: Herb's Portland Oregon Real Estate Blog your RE/MAX Agent: Small Town Sales and Technology

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53 Comments on Small Town Sales and Technology

DEC

I agree that technology is a great thing and can definitely benefit smaller communities.

I agree. In fact, I think those who embrace technology in small communities (even communities where you don't think "anyone" else is using that technology) are the agents who will be able to do a TON with that technology.

Thanks for sharing!

Steven,

Thanks for stopping by.

Joel,

It never ceases to amaze me how many people let the advantages of techology pass them by.

DEC

It's amazing that even some large towns "haven't embraced technology." I always congratulate those agents for figuring it out!!

Great info Herb, I still have been sorting through twitter and trying to get that started. I agree with you on the Myspace and Facebook also. Interesting Platforms.

Best to you and yours

great post - more agents need to take advantage of the internet. seems like they don't want to spend the time it takes!

very nice post and a real confirmation about what is going on in our market as it realtes to technology Thanks

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I too believe that social networking is very important, yet sometimes I wonder if it's a great use of my time.

Herb, I need these reminders on a daily basis to keep me going on the technology trail...thanks.

Thanks all nice comments. When it comes to having time I can definately relate. I often do not have time to search my Stats to see where the Buyer's and Seller's are coming from.

Howerver, there is one stat that I do not need to track in order to know if what I am doing is working or not.

Each time I write a Post or I put in an ad to Craig's List etc. I begin to see an increase in the numbers of people who sign up for My_Portland_area_Real_Estate_Search_Site . Works every time.

I am by far not a techy person, but found this a great kick in the .... Thanks!

Thanks Charlene for stopping by I am glad you enjoyed and found it usefull. If it starts you to thinking then it accomplished its goal.

I find it so hard to stay on top of all the technology... There is so much that im currently using that I know could be utlitzed more efficiently.

So much technology So little time. Sounds like my dilemma as well Lee.

Herb~ I have been forcing myself to embrace technology this past year. I am really learning alot about all of the technology available and am getting so much better in my utilization of technolgy.....

Thanks Vickie, Cute picture of the grandchild.

Herb, I think that many in small towns don't think they can do it or just don't bother. I have tried telling many and they say yeah I have to start but never do. Going to do my best to keep promoting but I have a lot to learn myself and have learned a lot. I thought I was pretty good at it but let me tell you everyday there is tons of new stuff. I mean tons just when you think you might be close you are miles away. Just got introduced to Skype today and now I am noticing more links in posts and comments to Skype. Go figure.

Great post and I agree. It is the use of technology that will set us apart from a lot of the agents (small town or big city). There is so much to learn each day, so exciting!

I think there are so many good things about blogging, and even though I don't live in a small town, I can certainly appreciate the efforts made there as well!!! Congrats on the feature

Lisa,

You can drag the horse to water, but you can't make them drink. Being the exclusive successful Internet agent for your area would not be a bad goal I think.

I think we are only on the cutting edge of technology and we will be more amazed with what will come. Heck when I got into the business a phone that you could carry around in your pocket was only science fiction, now look what we have, I am always taken aback by the new tech!

Marjorie, Emily,

Thank you both for the comments. It truly is exciting and expanding day by day. I wish you both success.

You make some good points. I hadn't thought aboutgetting attention to your town that way. Most people we've sold to have been moving here from larger areas.
One thing, though- you mention using Twitter to keep up with someone's wherabouts, would they need a cell phone signal? One of us may be out in the woods for an hour or two, but we don't get cell phone service in most of those area- too many mountains.

Great post! As someone else mentioned, I think that the medium to large cities have many agents who aren't fully embracing all the new technology. I know that I'm always a work in progress, but I definitely try to stay (way) ahead of the curve.

Good post, Herb. I think someone needs to start a "techie tutorial" service. If someone could just walk me through using Twitter, putting pictures in my blog, answer questions about personal blog vs AR blog, etc....it just all becomes a blur to me. Maybe someone at AR would help me with some of this. I am in a small town and very active in the community, so would be the perfect person to blog about it - just need a little instruction! Thanks for the post,

Herb, excellent points and so true ! It is great to utilize the technology to expand one's presence in both a small town as well as the city, and certainly the neighborhood expert for those choses neighborhoods. Also, that is a great idea about sending Twits when done at certain properties for safety and the like... Great post !

Herb, what you say about small towns is so true. It is all about making a niche for yourself.

It seems like technology would equally benefit someone whether they were in a small or large community. The small town agent could really have the opportunity to shine if they are first to jump on the bandwagon.

I love all of this new technology! It is just a little harder to "get it" I think when you are older. The younger generation is way ahead of us, but I think us oldies but goodies are holding our own and catching up with em!

Happy Holidays!

Debbie

Caren,

Thanks for stopping by and the comment.

Leslie,

I did think about that. Just as I thought about structuring the sentance to reflect that It was not going to be a perfect system but at least would give someone a time frame. You can even supply photo's as well. Like License numbers or Buyer's first meeting potraits.

Kerry,

I think we are all a piece of work in progress.

Eileen,

You are in luck. That has already been done. Use the Search function at the top of the page. It is designed to pick up posts written here in AR about almost any subject matter you want to know about including several on Twitter and about how to add photo's right here in AR.

Christopher and Stephanie,

Thanks for you kind comments.

Go getum Gary.

Diane,

You are so very right. Lately there seems to have been a number of posts that I have read from people who appear to live in small towns and their reluctance to technology. It is for us all to use, enjoy and prosper from not just the cities.

Debbie,

I hear you. I have always tried to stay ahead of the competition. I of course do not, but I try.

I don't don't think you really need all that, prove me wrong. If you represent babyboomers and or do nothing but foreclosures do you think that stuff is really needed.

Charles,

I do not use print advertising. All of my clients come from the Internet on one site or another. I don't even seem to get Sign Calls anymore. At least not in the volume that I recieved some 5 years ago or better.

They are all from the Internet in one form or another. In fact frequently the client has been on so many sites that can't remember where they found you. It probably has to do with the same thing that I do when surfing. I will often write down a Local Name and Number when searching for something local. I then forget where I found it.

Charles you do not have to play. But someone will and they will dominate. By the time you figure it out there will only be scraps left to pick up.

Of course you already no this as outlined in your profile :

" Technology - Charles is the leader in Internet Marketing with his award winning web site. Innovative, colorful, entertaining on the cutting edge is just a few of the words clients use to describe this site. Don't just take our word see for yourself. "

Hi Herb, That was so well said. As a newer 'Rainer I am trying to absorb and incorporate some of this knowledge. This is an awesome network! I thank you for your contribution :~)

Since i am on the internet so much I figure that there are others like myself who want to buy or sell. Why not get a head start using technology, especially when so many others are still having trouble just posting decent MLS photos.

Marian,

Joining Activerain is a great first step. There is so much information here you can not help but learn.

Kathleen,

Technology is the field of equalizers. Just look back a little into the past. Remember the agents who were the first to have Cell phones? How about those offices that had the very first Fax machines. There are countless benchmarks throughout our history.

DEC

Great post. We couldn't agree more. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

Herb, I couldn't agree with you more. I live in Lewisburg, West Virginia. Lewisburg is a city in Greenbrier County. The population was 3,624 at the 2000 census. I've been adding tools from suggestions of the AR community. What a great network of people. Thanks for the post.

Great info and thank you for sharing. Lots of good items in there.

Yvette & Dennis,

Thanks for stopping by and the comment.

Rebecca,

Best to you for 2009, show Lewisburg the way.

Jon,

Best of luck to you and yours for the new year.

Networking on Active Rain is great, but Localism rocks. I can find something in almost every small communit I visit to write about.

Sometimes I have the time, sometimes I don't, but I do have the pictures that tell the story.

Just gotta take some time to wirte about it briefly and push it to Localism.

Erby,

Rock on!

Excellent post, Herb! We service an area with several large suburbs and then some smaller towns further out. I know when we came into those small towns, it was pretty easy to dominate the marketplace.

Kris,

It is amazing how quickly the tide can change for someone with a little vision.

You are right about technology Bob. Being up to speed with new ways to expose the property you worked so hard to list and the low low prices in small rural America make for attractive investments for those not so hot over stocks that tank. Real estate does not disappear and is not a concept..it is real and you can stand on it, everything is built on it! Good post!

Andrew,

I can also stand upon the Dead Stock Certificates that I own as long as there is Real Estate underneath that.

They do make fun place mats though.

I find that most people I talk to about Twitter who are not involved in Real Estate don't understand it or see the need for it...a shame really.

Sonja

You know that it is not always important that everyone understands the technology. Just as long as they believe you do.

It is that " Winning through intimidation" by Winger ( the book )

Herb - what great points - thanks - wish the hubby would turn on the computer it would make life easier

Thesa,

Thanks for stopping by and your comment as always. Are you saying your other half does not care for the Internet?

Herb,

Thanks for the post...I'm still very behind on technology, but I've had the very same thoughts as you have mentioned. Many in our market have been slow to embrace technology and I once was one of them...Active Rain has been a big boost for me. I'm now #1 in my market on Active Rain and someday I will figure out what "twitter" is. I hope to be the driver of the wagon on technology in my market. The other realtors will be sorry they didn't get on earlier. Technology pays off and AR is wonderful! Thanks for the reminder. Yes, city slickers use technology and some of them eventually move to small towns or have family there. Internet is how they shop.

DEC

Jeff and Lisa,

Thats what I'm Talking about!

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