I have been asked to give a 10 minute presentation at my local Realtor's office. Does anyone have any creative, audience participation type things that I could use duriing my presentation? I really want to knock their socks off! Home Staging isn't a common practice in my neck of the woods, but I am here to change all that. How do I get them use a stager for all their listings? At church we have "Eating Meetings" and that attracts tons of folks. Now there's an idea....
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Akron, OH
I would love to be your Realtor® in Akron Ohio!
In just 10 minutes, I would show them success stories and lots of before and after pictures, There are really good stories and pics on AR. Good luck and remember, we Realtors like to eat.
Dec 29, 2008 11:00 AM
Merck Team Realty, Inc - Brandon, MS
Food, Food, Food! Bring Food! Show before and after pics.......just make sure there's Food! Realtors like Food. It's easy to capture an audience of Realtors............just bring Food. Lots of luck!
Dec 29, 2008 11:22 AM
Ellicott City Clarksville Howard County Maryland Real Estate - Ellicott City, MD
Luxury service in Central Maryland
Ready 2 Stage - Cleveland, TN
Thanks for your comments....say ya'll like food then? Would some gourmet bakery muffins do? The meeting is early morn...9:00 a.m.
Dec 29, 2008 11:41 AM
Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com - Austin, TX
Realtor,Mediator,Ombudsman,Property Tax Arbitrator
Along with pictures, if you could bring a live sample and stage a before and after room right there for them to see... or bring some examples of how you pretty the towels up with raffia or something tangable they can hold.
Dec 29, 2008 11:46 AM
Coldwell Banker Realty - Columbia, MD
Creating Generational Wealth Through Homeownership
The facts speak for themselves. Staged home sell faster than homes that aren't staged. What are the statistics? Show them before and after.
Dec 29, 2008 11:51 AM
Creative Concepts-Home Staging and Contracting, Salem Oregon - Salem, OR
Home Stager, Salem Oregon
I have a power point presentation that I use that has great before/afters. I always make home made goodies and put them on a spectacular platter - take fancy paper plates and napkins. Have handouts for each realtor as well . . . with a large color before/after. Do a drawing and get all the agents business cards. Send a thank you or email afterwards . . . try to engage them - what do they NEED from you?
Dec 30, 2008 05:16 AM
Picture it SOLD! Home Staging - Novato, CA
Marin Home Stager Staging
Talk to them about how staging benefits them (not just their clients)... when their listings sell for more money, or more quickly, they get paid more and sooner.
Also offer a first-time realtor client special, like $500 off a complete vacant staging or offer a 3 hour "makeover" staging service for $100 (or whatever seems like a screaming deal in your area). You really want to work so they'll use you again (at full price!)
Dec 30, 2008 10:37 AM
Ebby Halliday - Dallas, TX
Lori-I provide a colorful file folder with my brochure, staging articles, biz card, etc. labeled with my business name and phone number. I have received good comments on this. The realtors love it and I really think they keep it. Easy to file in their drawer. Do a give away. That way you will collect a ot of cards. Good luck!
Jan 04, 2009 12:29 PM
Redesigned Spaces - Northern Virginia - Fairfax, VA
Redesigned Spaces - Fairfax County, Virginia
If you could show a before and after of one of their listings that would be great - just one room. Of course, that is more work for you but you could show a photo of one of their listings and point out everything that is wrong and how staging could fix it.
Jan 04, 2009 11:16 PM
Stage to Sell - LA Home Staging - Los Angeles, CA
Stage to Sell, Los Angeles Home Stager
Lori, These are all good suggestions. I agree that you should use lots of photos and statistics! The numbers are what is important to Realtors. Also we had a realtor panel in my local stagers group and the realtors all said what they wanted from us was a sheet they could give to their clients to explain Staging, the pros and cons and some ballpark pricing. Plus before & after photos. I took that to heart and now give those sheets out at all my Realtor presentations. Explain to the Realtors that it is something they should put into their listing presentations to sell their clients on Staging. Of course it will also have your name and contact info on it. Good luck!
Jan 05, 2009 08:17 AM
Ready 2 Stage - Cleveland, TN
Thanks to all for the great suggestions and ideas. I am getting nervous as the time gets nearer. Please pray that I don't faint in front of everyone!! lol
Jan 05, 2009 09:02 AM
Anonymous
Lori: How did the office presentation go? I am also a "rookie" stager in Utah and would like to know what you felt worked for you in our current market. By-the-way, how did you get them to "let" you do the presentation? I've asked for this opportunity and have not been invited back yet.
Jan 15, 2009 08:23 AM
#13
Anonymous
Debra, The presentation went pretty well, I think. I was pretty nervous--needless to say--I'm not excited about public speaking! My 15 year old son made me an awesome Keynote presentation on his MAC and that sure helped. I recommend having some kind of visual to help take the focus off of just you! I included staging facts and statistics and also addressed the challenges that Realtors face concerning staging...i.e. convincing the seller, incorporating the staging consultation into their listing package, finding a reputable stager, and cost. I addressed each of these challenges and I also had before and after photos from my portfolio. I collected business cards and did a drawing for a $25.00 Cracker Barrel Gift Card as a door prize. We provided an assortment of muffins from the local bakery and hot apple cider, but I failed to call attention to the fact that I had put "the goodies" in the break room for them, so most of them didn't even know that they were there or where they came from. Uggh.
I sent out e-mails to each agent on December 29th and within 10 minutes I received a response from the managing broker from the agency--she carries a blackberry--and she immediately asked me to come. Whew...that was easy. Needless to say, I did not receive a single response from anyone else. Why don't agents respond to their e-mails? Anyway, I have since sent them more information and am waiting to hear from any of them. No response so far!! All I know is that they are going to get sick of seeing me and my e-mails! haha
I have a presentation at another office on January 27th--I just simply asked the Office/Manager and she booked me right away. We live in a pretty small town and there aren't any stagers within @50 miles. They seem eager to let me speak--I just hope that they are listening! Agents--call me soon!
Good luck Debra! Keep hounding them--you will finally get a meeting!!
Jan 15, 2009 08:47 AM
#14
Elegant Stager - New Lenox, IL
Elegant Stager, New Lenox, IL
Lori~ So glad to hear it went well. I too just did a presentation a few weeks ago. Unfortunately I was not welcomed with open arms. I was immediately told that they did not need to see pictures because they were aware of staging. Let me tell you that totally caught me off guard. Was not expecting that at all. I know my face had to be cherry red. The first thing that came to mind was "what the heck did you ask me here for then"! I held back saying anything and asked what type of experience they had with staging? They said none! They did not know how to approach clients with staging. I was prepared for that question. It turned out a little better then I thought. No calls back yet, but we will see. I am getting a better response from my mailings directly to the sellers. I also had good luck from a article that my local paper did. I sent out press releases to all of the local papers in my area. One of the editors called back and asked to do a story about staging. I got a call from a home seller the same day the article came out. I'm staging her house tomorrow. Keep the marketing going and don't give up.
Jan 18, 2009 02:15 PM
Ready 2 Stage - Cleveland, TN
Belinda,--Thank you for your comments. I'm glad that the Realtors in the area SEEMED to be open to the idea of staging--but I have yet to have any calls from any of them for FREE consultations or anything else. I haven't had much response from my postcard mailing either. I have had one call after sending out @50 cards. Do you send cards or letters? Thought about the letter route. Postcards may just get tossed. The article in the paper is a great idea. What kind of press release did you use? I think that I will pursue that also. That would be great free advertising. Advertising in the paper is extremely expensive. I am trying to stay positive and not get impatient.....after all it's just my first month! Thanks again!
Jan 19, 2009 02:12 AM
Elegant Stager - New Lenox, IL
Elegant Stager, New Lenox, IL
Comments(17)