Treasure Chest of Business Tools found at RESA 2011

By
Home Stager with Home Matters Property Stylist Group, Indianapolis, Indiana

chestA week ago, RESA Stagers set sail to Treasure Island in Las Vegas to find and fill a treasure chest of business tools that will help them grow their home staging businesses. During their three day excursion they met with each other and shared their business strategies and in that process discovered the value of personal connections.  It was indeed the very first nugget they received for their treasure chest.  

While being a castaway on this island of knowledge and self discovery, each stager wanted more and more tokens to add to their treasure chest.  Shell Brodnax, President and Ceo of the Real Estate Staging Association gathered the staging brethren and spoke about what RESA is and how you can participate in local chapters to help you grow your business.  She went on to talk about the education and what the RESA-PRO designation is and its benefits.  A ruby gem was added to every ones chest.  Still there were many other tokens to be had; and so the "seek and discover" treasure hunt began.  

Next to enlighten and delight the masses was Ashley Whittenberger, CEO-The Interiority Complex University.  Ashley spoke about diversification in business and how it can be a wealth building strategy.  She went on to speak about the creation of multiple income streams and how to incorporate them into your business strategy.  Again another priceless nugget from her hand to yours-you just had to reach out and grab it.

The next piece of gold was in the message of Jackson West. His streamline approach to the proposal process is simply priceless.  He spoke about the importance of communicating your value without giving away your design plan and how the verbiage used in your proposal can be an asset to you getting work.  By now it is obvious that you are gaining a treasure throve of information and your collection of golden nuggets are stacking up quickly.  But avast....there is so much more gold to be uncovered.  

Next on-broad was Sandy Dixon with her message of Repeat and Referral Business strategies'-or as they say on the island; Going for the GOLD!  Sandy shared her client magnet system and ways to create a top-of-mind marketing program with the natives gathered at Treasure Island.  You should have felt the tokens of prosperity running through your fingertips as you learned that there was so much more value coming your way as you start to realize your own hidden treasures.

"It's not green eggs and ham" stated Tammie O'Brien, with her entertaining program on Inventory management. Using real world examples and sharing anecdotes that can be learned by experience, she explained how and why carrying and tracking your treasures is simple and necessary.

crowd

By this point there were so many gold pieces in your treasure chest that the sight of them was almost blinding. But our adventure was far from over and there was more gold to be found. So we relaxed, and discovered all that was ours-just for the taking; Leaving us with no need to pilferage and plunder.

Imagine being able to attract only prospects who are interested in doing business with you without ever feeling to salesy, said Alice Chan. She suggests offering free valuable information to attract your prospects and also how to develop a relationship and keep following up with your prospects until they are ready to work with you.  Alas, another golden piece added to your treasure chest.  Did the value of your education surpass the value of the golden nuggets collected in your treasure chest?

Audra Slinkey took the helm and educated on how to effectively use accessories, art and color.  Her use of examples and how to effectively draw the buyer's eye through strategic placement was tremendous.  For the love of color and especially that nugget of gold we will forever covet.

Building your business by bringing on other staging mates was the topic of discussion from Jana Uselton, about taking your one person business to a multi-level team concept with little or no cost to you.  From setting the vision to accountability and enriching the lives of those that partake.  No Parley will be granted once onboard....Just kidding!

And now on deck...Can you do the Math?  Melissa Marro takes the use of statistics and converts them into great marketing pieces that helps clients see the value of her staging services and makes the sales conversion as easy as 1, 2, 3.

How green is your business? Christine Rae shared her knowledge and passion for going green for yourself and your business.  She taught the principles of green and how our industry is being impacted by the green movement.  Now you have an emerald amongst the gold.

Moving right along on this voyage of education, Dan Eason shared the message we all need to know and believe...You are awesome...Now Prove it to your Prospects.  Getting yourself focused, developing a long-term communication plan and proving that your prospects need you.  A special token was given in Dan's presentation. Don't you think? 

And finally, after all that educational information and a treasure chest full of golden nuggets, emeralds, and rubies; the keynote speaker, Matthew Finlason who in his typical style created the Perfect Storm here on the island. With insightful quotes like "neutralize, don't sterilize",  "the enemy of staging is mediocrity", "Be outstanding on any budget" and "It takes ¼ cup of crazy to be in this industry".  Matthew shared how Upping the Ante with Lifestyle Merchandising can change and redefine us, causing a paradigm shift in the world of staging.

Drink up me hardies....yoho...yoho!

RESA-2011

BARNETT'S OUT!

Home Matters Home Staging and Training a professional home staging company "Servicing the needs of our Real Estate community here in Metro Indianapolis and all of central Indiana" We help real estate professionals, home sellers, builders and investors with their home staging needs and we provide the most relevant and up to date Home Staging Training that the industry has to offer through the Staging and Redesign (SAR) 3 and 5 day courses.  For more information regarding our services and our training schedule, please contact us at 317-209-9801 or visit us on the web. http://www.homemattersllc.com/

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Home Matters is a home staging company that offers services for both occupied and vacant homes. We work with all budgets and have received Angie's list highest rating for the past three years. Visit Home Matters website for more information.

Comments (27)

Charlene Storozuk
Dezigner Digz - Burlington, ON
Home Stager - Burlington Ontario

You did a fabulous job of recapping the conference Linda.  It was such a pleasure to see you and Gary again :-)

Jan 31, 2011 05:01 AM
Ginger Foust
Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA
Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Love your summary and clever treasure chest connections Linda.  I'm bookmarking to help me remember some of the highlights because my notes seem a bit jumbled.  Thanks!

Jan 31, 2011 07:02 AM
Margie Kopp Sorrell
Coldwell Banker Lake Oconee Realty and Lake Country - Greensboro, GA
Lake Oconee Real Estate

Linda-it's like we as the readers were sitting right there! Incredible summary of your trip! Thanks for taking the time to share with everybody.

 

Jan 31, 2011 08:47 AM
Linda Barnett
Home Matters Property Stylist Group, Indianapolis, Indiana - Indianapolis, IN
Home Matters Indianapolis Indiana

Elisabeth;  Thank you and it was a blast both the conference and writing this recap.  Hope you enjoyed it and found your educational gold as well.

Michelle;  Thank you my dear;  I don't have to even ask you about the conference fun you had... Everyone should have that much fun! 

Cathy;  Thank you and next year I'm spending more time with you.  Thank you for all you do for RESA...  Us hoosiers appreciate it.

Tammie;  Thank you right back.  Remember the project I talked to you about, you are the person to make it happen... After all, you are the inventor and creator of great things us stagers need. 

Michele;  You are most welcome... Love spending time with you and Janine.  Ya'll are awesome!

Melissa;  Thank you and get yourself better quickly...we got stuff to do!  I know you are already working on other big things for the industry. We're excited to witness!

Maureen;  You're Welcome!  Glad I got to meet you at the conference.  And yes the point is to make those understand the value of this conference and how they need to come and learn with the rest of us.  Very inspiring conference indeed!

Charlene;  Thank you and we were thrilled to see you again.  Next year lets spend more time--ok!

Ginger;  You are very Welcome!  and great to meet you in person and although we didn't get to visit that much because of that conference thing, I did enjoy what little time we had.  Next year we need more meet and greet time...Don't you think?

Margie;  You are Welcome... That was the idea was to make you feel as it the recap of events was somewhat of a treasure hunt of helpful tokens that could turn into gold in our businesses.

Jan 31, 2011 09:19 AM
Adrienne Harris
A Lasting Impression Home Staging & Design - Vernon, BC

Great job Linda!  I love how you captured each speaker and their value they added to the convention.  

Adrienne

 

Jan 31, 2011 11:52 AM
Marianne Cherico
Interiors by Marianne Cherico - Foxboro, MA
Home Stager -Massachusetts and Rhode Island

Linda,

I wish I had met you at the conference...great recap for a great conference!

Marianne

Jan 31, 2011 11:59 AM
Jose Dias
Home Sellers Help in Scottsdale-Phoenix-Peoria-Glendale - Scottsdale, AZ
Sell Your Home in Scottsdale-Phoenix-Peoria-Glendale-Goodyear

Linda, I am not a stagger but I felt like I was at the conference... great job recapping it... :O)

Jan 31, 2011 04:22 PM
Michelle Minch
Moving Mountains Design Home Staging, Pasadena, CA - Los Angeles, CA
Home Staging Los Angeles and Pasadena, CA

Linda: Thanks for the re-cap. The conference was indeed loaded with gold and golden nuggets of opportunity. But, for me, the greatest treasure was getting to network with my home staging peeps and spend time with wonderful people like you and Gary :o)

Feb 01, 2011 02:43 AM
Jill Banks,
Happily Better After Room Redesign & Home Staging - Mt Laurel, NJ
South Jersey Home Stager

It was a great conference--thanks for the terrific recap!

Feb 01, 2011 04:52 AM
Michele Rose
Rose-Colored Staging - Mount Holly Township, NJ
Burlington County Home Staging & Redesign

Linda, what an entertaining recap!  Was so sorry to have missed it this year-- so I'm REALLY happy to hear what you've all learned.  Thanks for taking the time to express it in such a fun way!

Feb 01, 2011 05:09 AM
Karen Otto
Home Star Staging - Plano, TX
Plano Home Staging, Dallas Home Staging, www.homes

What a great summary of the tools and tips provided at the RESA Conference Linda! I'm still processing it all!

Feb 01, 2011 07:39 AM
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

I like the one speakers point of 'communicating your value without giving away your design plan and how the verbiage used in your proposal without giving away the farm!' Applies to all sales.

Feb 01, 2011 10:44 AM
Gary Barnett
Home Matters - Indianapolis, IN
Home Matters Property Stylist Group, Indianapolis

Arrrr

Feb 01, 2011 03:14 PM
Jan Laurie
JL Residential Styling & Staging - Nanaimo, BC

This post is very creative and a delight to read. It sounds like a terrific event.

I loved the 'neutralize, don't sterilize'. 

Feb 01, 2011 03:37 PM
Linda Barnett
Home Matters Property Stylist Group, Indianapolis, Indiana - Indianapolis, IN
Home Matters Indianapolis Indiana

Adrienne; Thank you and sorry we didn't really get to spend a great deal of time together; I think we should try to next year.

Marianne; Yes I know, we need to work on that next year for sure. 

Jose;  Thank you and glad you enjoyed it.  Do you currently work with a stager in your area?

Michelle; Thank you and Us too; let stay in touch throughout the year and then again at the conference next year.  It's a done deal.

Jill;  you are most welcome.  Did you get to attend?  I missed meeting you in person.

Michele;  sorry you didn't get to come, but start planning now for next year and let's meet for sure.

Karen;  There was a lot to process.  I'll be doing it little by little. 

Lyn;  Yes, that's right...we are in the sales business too.

Gary;  What are you doing?  Did you collect your nuggets of gold?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Feb 01, 2011 03:49 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

For someone not in the industry, your post gave insight into your profession. Thanks!

Feb 01, 2011 07:07 PM
Michelle Finnamore
Toronto GTA, Alliston, Newmarket - Vaughan, ON
Preparing your property for sale

Hi Linda, Having not been able to attend the convention, I think the two speakers I missed seeing  the most were Jackson and Matthew for their insightful view of the staging world. They are on the leading edge in their staging style, styles that I admire very much.

Feb 02, 2011 01:19 AM
Gene Riemenschneider
Home Point Real Estate - Brentwood, CA
Turning Houses into Homes

Sounds like a great time.  I am gaining more respect of stagers all the time.

Feb 02, 2011 03:08 AM
Linda Barnett
Home Matters Property Stylist Group, Indianapolis, Indiana - Indianapolis, IN
Home Matters Indianapolis Indiana

Marte; You are Welcome; I'm happy you liked it. If you are interested in more home staging information you should really call a home staging professional in your area and have coffee. 

Michelle; I'm sorry you didn't get to attend; however I do believe there are many stagers in the arena that are exceptional in their "staging world". I will agree that Jackson and Matthew are amongst them.

Gene; It was a great time and like NAR conventions there is alot to learn about the ever changing world of real estate and how staging impacts the marketing and sales process.  Have you had coffee with a local stager yet?  If so, I encourge you to see how they can help you and your clients achieve great results, faster.

Feb 03, 2011 03:21 PM
Sylvie Stuart
Realty One Group Mountain Desert 928-600-2765 - Flagstaff, AZ
Home Buying, Home Selling and Investment - Flagsta

Sounds like a great conference! Thanks for the recap and info!!

Feb 11, 2011 09:52 AM