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Changing in an EVER Changing Market

Every year we have an awards banquet to recognize the top producing agents of all the Century 21 offices in Hawaii. It definitely was a very small group that attended this year compared to last and showed just how much the market has played a role in sales numbers this past year.

Before the awards ceremony we run around to all the vendors tables and gather up information and booklets and so forth. (Title Guaranty Escrow to the right)

The 'training' class was definitely one of 'change with the changing market' themed and though much of the information was 'spot on' there were a few areas that I spoke up on. Like blogging on ActiveRain. (a couple of people nodded their heads and one agent came up to me later and said he has to blog his wife?) They don't get it.

For one, Century 21's national website has all our offices on it with webpages for all....and though the listings we submit go to 100 some odd sites as well I did try to make a few points I felt I needed to voice.

I explained that the other sites that I submit listings to allow a space to enter a headline.
I told everyone how I have been blogging on ActiveRain and that when we write we enter a title, and enter tags in our tagline and have specific keywords that Google catches on to.
I explained further that when a potential buyer enters keywords into Google it definitely is not going to be an address but more like neighborhood oriented words like "Royal Kunia Home" or "Mililani Condos" and the like.
Another agent mentioned zip codes get found. HUH? I just entered into Google search the zip code of a neighborhood of my listing vs. Royal Kunia Home. For the zip code there wasn't my current listing (the first page is what I want) For Royal Kunia Home it came up FIRST spot ....FROM ACTIVERAIN!

I then asked if that would be a possibility...to add a place for a headline and tags when we enter listings. A couple of people had grunted a word or two of acknowledgement and the speaker moved quickly on.

That's okay, I know what I need to do and it's what we all do here. We find our niche market and our niche in cyberspace to market our listings, our services and more. Blogging and 'fixing' my website has been my main source of marketing for the past two years. It allows me to be me and to tell my story, to relate to the consumer and my peers through the written word about the real estate industry in MY neighborhood. To get out the current information in my local area and to show a bit of me through my writing.

WE are independent contractors and find our own way of doing business that fit our needs.

IT IS ALL ABOUT CHANGING WITH A CHANGING MARKET. Right?

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Randy Prothero wins the Emerald Award!

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Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocating to Hawaii, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents. Website: www.hawaiihomesmarket.com

Posted by Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman HAWAII Relocations & Real Estate on 02/21/2009 10:38 AM

Comments (37)

century 21, century 21 liberty homes, blogging for business, active rain blogging

Post is included in group: POSITIVE ATTITUDE for the Weary Soul
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37 Comments on Changing in an EVER Changing Market

FEB

It's great Sally with all your knowledge about blogging, SEO, and web sites that you can help the others. Great photo of Randy.

Well darn it, I thought I was going to be your first but see that Gary meat me to it!?!? I do agree with him that you are certainly focused on what it takes to help and service your clients which in turn makes you successful! have agood weekend!

Hi Sally, sharing and helping keeps the community growiing and knowledge based methods keep you on top! Nice post Sally.

Good broker support and good broker promotion. Every bit helps these days.

I like that "The Price Is Right" posting. I suspect that it's a trademark violation, but nice anyway.

Some folks are "in the know" and some want to learn...and then there are the others. Sounds like you met some of each!

Gary: I'm definitely not all that savvy but every bit I've learned has helped. Randy's a ham for pictures :)

Russell: Yup...he meat me to it lol! Thanks...changing with the times is what it's all about.

Lenn: I tried to give suggestions but seems that they don't get it...internet IS a lot to do with marketing and they didn't want to hear suggestions. Oh, well. I can just keep adding to my marketing plan. :) That was one of the points made. Have to have the home priced right...but I see what you're saying there :)

Gary: Yup....as is the case with every big meeting lol. I think you caught what I was getting at....and it's true. Some just don't get it.

I am still trying to get my real estate peers to see the value of blogging. The majority of them just don't seem to get it.

Ann: Okay...you got it too...Our newspapers are laying off big time....they get more action from online reading. So...I think internet and blogging play a major role in marketing properties and listings.....

Another thing I wanted to stress but didn't is the poor quality of pictures in our mls....or none at all. The marketing in a down market is poor....how is that giving good service?

Sally - I enjoy reading all of your blogs - they are always entertaining and informative! thanks for writing them!

Barbara: Thanks....

Some people will never really get what we do with our blogs, but like you say we all have to find what works for us.

JL: No matter what....that's the bottom line :)

Sally ... thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience about social marketing, blogging, etc. with us and others involved in the RE business. Please keep up the good writing. Best wishes.

Sally, Some things never change and that's what a wonderful job you do for the people you serve!!!

Hi Sally, I knew I could count on you to catch up on at least some of what I missed by not attending! Congrats to Randy!

Harrison: Thanks....some have to pass on info...others have to grasp it.

Cyndee: Yup...some things...people....refuse to change and try new ideas. Don't know unless we try right?

Hey Mike! WooHoo..I have yet to shake your hand too ya know...

Hi Sally,

I thought it was you asking those questions... I was there too & yes, I think that the majority of the agents present don't have a clue about blogging & certainly don't know anything about search engine optimization...

Don't you think the event was a great "recession" award party?

Great recap. Thanks for the inspiration and congrats to Randy.

Sally i love your comments .

I always say you get from your marketing exactly what you put on it .Having a website for example and not working on it minimum 30 min a day , will not be as effective , it is just better not to have one then .

Also it is recommended to try different ideas , never judge something that you have not tried because what work for some may not work for others .

Never fear to anything new it is fun and creates more oportunities .

Sally - sounds like this was a great event and a terrific opportunity to spread the word about on-line marketing for folks who are willing to hear. And congatulations to Randy! Haven't seen or heard much from him lately.

Jeff

FEB

I know I have not been on Active Rain as much lately. I have been busy servicing my clients.

Sally you hit on an important point. With all their resources, the franchises and most agents for that matter are just not getting it. Those of us who have been active here are getting it. That is why in such a tough market many of us still had a pretty good year.

Sally, You did the right thing. If they aren't ready for web 2.0 then they'll soon be out of business. We are perhaps all ahead of the game even if it seems otherwise. Blogging, Social networking online is a supplement to our business, but something that will soon become absolutely vital as our clients are going online seeking questions on trulia voices, zillow questions or here, etc and it is with the interactions of agents and consumers alike on those sites where they decide if they are going to get an agent and who they will seek out. You are a great reminder of someone who is successful in both your terrestrial environment and in what is a foreign world to most agents. You Sally, are an inspiration. Props and kudos to you!! Thanks for constantly looking to help others, it's really a beautiful thing to see someone as compassionate as you offering what took you perhaps years to learn. Wishing you contnued success in 2009. You deserve it :)

Sincerely, Active Castellum

Thanks for the great post. I always take away something I can use. Keep up the good work.

Monique: Aww....you should have come up and introduced yourself! Always nice to meet a member :)

Terrylynn: Thanks much.

Mariem: Thanks for the input...

Jeff: He's all over the place....working hard too :)

Randy: You are 100% correct....I did better last year than the year before...Hope this year is just as good :)

Thanks Much AC! All we can do is give the information...all they can do is put it into action.

Tricia: It's a great place this ActiveRain :)

Hi Sally—What I would like to see is how your stats stack up to those who don't "get it." I just know yours are better and that difference ultimately means a happier you and more money in your bank account :-) Sometimes folks refuse to change even when there's someone successful willing to show them the way... I don't "get" the other way (scratching head and rolling eyes - LOL)!

Linda: Not so much more money in my pocket but it does well. I have minimal costs (advertising) and utilize every lead I get to live a comfortable life.

Congrats to my Friend across the country ...Brotha Randy!

Congrats on the award. I have been telling people for two years now about how great active rain is. My company website doesn't come close. You go girl.

Sally, Some people don't want to hear the value of blogs...or choose not to believe it. I often hear "I'm too busy." Except I don't see them working very much. This is a fantastic site and if people don't want to put the time into it, they will get left behind. Now I'm off to Google my zip code (?) :)

Sally: What an interesting post. You may recall our broker quit back in November. When the owner of our company showed up in our office to announce the new broker, she mentioned that the Internet is the place we need to be, and we need to blog! I about fell out of my chair!

Well, it's 2 months later, and our website is nowhere to be found on the Internet, and I mentioned Twitter to a couple agents in my office and I thought they would never stop laughing!

WE are independent contractors and find our own way of doing business that fit our needs.

You Said It!

FEB

Hi Sally, Congrats on the award! I'm so with you on 'headline and tags'. I'm really fortunate that my Broker has embraced web 2.0. He kept telling me (and the entire office) about Active Rain, so I had to go and check it out. Missy has been giving blog presentations to my office as well as regional ones. Lola Audu just did the first state approved con ed on Social Networking right here in Ann Arbor, MI! The innovators will jump on board. The others?

Hey there pretty lady! Great post! I see my old crew in that picture... You are right, times are changing and I'm working on changing with it. See you around.

FEB

Sally, I heard also that people search by zip code - that seems wierd to me and I wonder how they would know most zip codes. But I have been sticking them in blog posts anyway, just in case.

Congrats to Randy for winning the Emerald award - I knew he was not just a pretty face.

FEB

Hi Sally, Nice that you can share so much with others in your office. So many don't understand blogs, SEO and websites...and don't want to. That leaves more clients for us!

MAR

Nice post. You are giving me hope that I can establish my presence mostly through the Internet.

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