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Craig's Crossroads - October 2011

By Craig Daniels

Education & Training with Tech Training for You!

October 22, 2011 02:12 AM

flickr images by Brian Hillegas and 'Sarah/Mike'

New day... New challenge

Life just threw me anther curve ball yesterday. I was cut from my full-time job.

Long story semi-short...
I'm an IT guy for an Architectural company. The company was recently bought out and merged with another. For the past several months, we've been working ultra intensely to marry the technologies of two companies. And happily it is a successful report. Now that things are merged and budgets are tight, a three man IT staff cannot be supported. So the man in the buyee side of the equation gets the short straw. I've got one more week.

Glass half empty? Glass half full? I'm hoping the latter, but you can imagine the stress!

Wende and others are encouraging me that "doors closing so a window can open." I know that forced change sometimes 'nudges' us into a better position that we would have been otherwise afraid to take.

You guys know me because of another curve ball a couple of years ago. Economy downturned, company cut all our hours, to supplement my income, I had to find a second niche besides architecture so I found it in technology coaching for the Real Estate industry. About fifteen months ago I rediscovered blogging in the form of the ActiveRain network and what a great time here! I had a recent milestone I'm proud to share that I made the top 10 in the list of most subscribed to bloggers on AR with over 1400 subscriptions.

Sandra's New Blog Page Theme

Now's the test! Can I come up with a business model that will work? I'd really like a foundation part time position two or three days a week somewhere (ideally Real Estate or Architecture) and then build the rest of my income in consulting and teaching. I have in the past worked with agents where we blocked out a regular 6-10 hours per month of my consulting time to cultivate their web marketing strategies. That is also a good foundation to have. I'd need to build as many of those accounts as I could.

Besides that, I like to do small pick-up projects like the page theme (banner/footer/background) that I recently just completed for Sandra Mathewson.

Craig's Virtual Classroom
(on the drawing boards)
each class 10 modules of
about 15 minutes each
playback online and podcast download

GB101 Graphics for Bloggers
AR101 ActiveRain for Newbies
GC101 Google Cloud - Gmail and Docs
PC101 Picasa Photo Tool for Presentations
PW101 Becoming a Power User
RV101 Video for Real Estate
SM101 Social Media (FB, twitter, G+)
HT101 Basics of HTML in your Blogging

Also in the works, I've been busily building a list of online courses that I want to record and put online. Craig's Virtual classroom! These are a combination of what I have been teaching in my blogs and webinars but with a more comprehensive syllabus. So far I've got several courses outlined in detail and several more on the drawing boards beyond that. I'm thinking of a fair price (what are your thoughts?). Each class has 10 modules outlined of 15 minutes per module. Nothing is recorded yet, but it looks like I'll be starting sooner than I thought!

Well that's news from me. I'm looking for feedback and ideas. Your turn! I'll look forward to your comments below.

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Larry Story ALC

Total Care Realty - Greensboro, NC

Beneath it all is the Land, Covering all of NC

Craig,

Hey I can help out with that right now. I would love a theme banner like what you made for Sandra. Plus a couple of the classes are a definite must have for me right now.

Oct 24, 2011 02:07 AM

Carol Fox

Allen Tate Company 704-905-3935 - Matthews, NC

Helping You Discover Charlotte's Best Small Towns

Good luck, Craig!

Oct 24, 2011 03:15 AM

Craig Daniels

Tech Training for You! - Staten Island, NY

Technology Instructor/Project Consultant

Melanie - thanks for reinforcing some good planning thoughts - I'll put that in my 'things to develop' list! thanks very much :)

Andre - I jumped over the site for a quick look, bookmarked for more review when I have more time - I have one final week in the office. Friday is my last day. Look forward to chatting with you again soon and one day soon finally seeing you in person! :)

Larry - that's terrific! I have the final week "at the office" and then I'm cut free! I'll be in touch. thanks :)

Carol - thank you very much!

Oct 24, 2011 05:24 AM

Jeremy Wrenn

Winslow Homes - Youngsville, NC

VP of Finance, Winslow Homes

Craig, glad to help encourage! (saw it on Google +)

Oct 24, 2011 05:41 AM

Gail Robinson

William Raveis Real Estate - Southport, CT

CRS, GRI, e-PRO Fairfield County, CT

Craig - Brad Andersohn started out just helping others on AR and then became an employee of AR and finally went to Zillow. I think that AR is a great platform from which you can demonstrate your knowledge and skills. I agree with the comment above that you should expand to all small businesses, not just architecture and real estate. Every small business needs a social media strategy and technology assistance.

Oct 25, 2011 04:49 PM

Karen Crowson

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Rancho Bernardo, CA

Your Agent for Change

Craig, I haven't read all the comments, but get yourself on a plane to NAR in Southern California. I can't think of a better place to talk in person with many of the best and brightest real estate industry professionals. Keep us all posted on your progress!!

Oct 25, 2011 04:56 PM

Fred Carver Real Estate Consulant

Retired BC Realtor - Victoria, BC

Accredited Real Estate Consultant

Hi Craig...Changing times for many, hopefully you'll look back and see you were just changing gears.

Good Luck and thanks being in the Rain!

Oct 25, 2011 05:53 PM

Christine Smith

Buyers Brokers Only LLC - www.BuyersBrokersOnly.com - Canton, MA

Exclusive Buyer Agent & Attorney, Canton, MA

Craig.....I am sorry to hear that but am hoping that the architecture firm's loss will be AR's gain. I think you would make a great AR trainer. Reach out to your local Realtor groups too. So many have just not jumped on the technology bandwagon yet & it seems many of them will need a lot of training and/or assistance.

Oct 26, 2011 02:04 AM

Sandra Mathewson

RE/MAX 4000 - Grand Junction, CO

CRS, CLHMS, ABR, SRES, GRI, CDPE, PSA, SFR, CNHS

Craig,

I think we have all been in that position once or twice in our life. In fact, I think it is good, it teaches us to be resilient and look for other opportunities.

I think you will look back on this event and be happy it happened. You have the support of the AR community.

I am going to email you some ideas.

Regards,

Sandra

Oct 26, 2011 02:55 AM

Melissa McKinney

Everything Pines Partners Fayetteville - Fayetteville, NC

Realtor, www.LivingFayetteville.com

Craig~ So sorry to hear that! But sometimes things happen that seem like it is really bad at the time and it turns out to be the best thing that could of happened! I am speaking from being very close to where you are now as my husband got the same news this week... Sign of the times... But on to the next big adventure! You my friend will succeed with whatever you put your mind to!

Oct 26, 2011 03:25 PM

Lyn Sims

Schaumburg, IL

Real Estate Broker Retired

Wow Craig, what a bummer. I have to laugh because you said when a door closes a window opens - yes it does but don't forget the window is smaller than the door so you have to be nimble & fast! Don't take all your baggage thru the window either - travel light. Hopefully something will come along for the extra $$. I could use some too now that you mention it!

Oct 27, 2011 05:27 AM

Brad Rachielles

CENTURY 21 Peak, Ca BRE# 01489453 - Upland, CA

REALTOR, CDPE, Upland, CA

Craig, If you feel that your strength is in support of the real estate industry, I second Karen's (#101) suggestion after doing some investigation. You will likely find good ideas from the individual state associations too, and local boards are always looking for ways to help their local members progress. Add to this the groups supporting lenders, stagers and other related skill groups, their national, state and local associations, all needing just what you have been bringing to us and your market prospects grow substantially. My perception is that several of these are not as far along into social media as real estate.

Social media is the hot ticket and in the last several days, I've read AR posts about "buggywhip" attitudes needing to change. So many don't know how to start.... but you do! DEFINITELY DO!

It may be hard to see this right now, but this is the start of something new and exciting for you. Embrace this change and spread the word beyond your known world.

Best of Success! I will be checking your blog for frequent posting.... hint.

Oct 28, 2011 06:42 AM

Craig Daniels

Tech Training for You! - Staten Island, NY

Technology Instructor/Project Consultant

sorry guys - fell a little behind with a busy week on getting to respond - last day 'at the office' was friday and to top it off I had to replace the hard drive in my laptop and reinstall my OS and all my apps again - had a little down time but much better now!

Jeremy - always glad to see you

Gail - thanks for the good reminders - I'll start with my foundation and grow outward from there!

Karen - I hope to explore all the networking channels out there as I go! thanks for visiting :)

Fred - thanks for the encouragment, time to change gears :)

Christine - I think the need is real potential matchup for me, very true! :)

Sandra - I'll watch for your email - AR community is good two-way support! thanks for the thoughts

Melissa - thanks for the kind words - sorry to hear of similar circumstances in your household - now to the next successful followup report on both sides!

Oct 30, 2011 06:08 AM

Craig Daniels

Tech Training for You! - Staten Island, NY

Technology Instructor/Project Consultant

Lyn - great comment - thanks! nimble and fast and drop the baggage, great stuff

Brad - good suggestions all that you said - now it is to the first step of my new journey - thanks! :)

Oct 30, 2011 06:11 AM

Jack O'Neal

HomeSmart Elite Group - Gilbert, AZ

Good luck, you will do well, I always enjoy your articles/blogs

Nov 12, 2011 03:26 PM

Pacita Dimacali

Alain Pinel - Oakland, CA

Alameda/Contra Costa Counties CA

Craig

Sometimes it takes something like this to point you in the right direction where you can/will be happier.

People like me who were downsized from corporate America, turned to real estate, and so much happier for it.

Will be in touch. I need help with my blog and my website.

Nov 25, 2011 07:37 PM

Craig Daniels

Tech Training for You! - Staten Island, NY

Technology Instructor/Project Consultant

Jack - love to hear that thank you

Pacita - thanks for coming over to my blog post to visit - I look forward to soon talking with you - Your own example of making a new start is an ecouraging one, thanks :)

Nov 26, 2011 03:16 AM

Peggy Hughes/pha logistix, inc.

pha logistix inc - San Francisco, CA

SF NYC LA

Hi Craig,

I'm really late to the table as I've not been on AR in quite some time. However, I'm sure with your skill set, you are well on your way to great success as a consultant. I join all the well wishers before me - I'm looking forward to hearing about your next "chapter" :)

Dec 08, 2011 07:15 AM

Craig Daniels

Tech Training for You! - Staten Island, NY

Technology Instructor/Project Consultant

thanks Peggy - glad you found your way over for a visit - catch up with you again one of these days :)

Dec 08, 2011 02:14 PM

NoCo Home Team

C3 Real Estate Solutions - Fort Collins, CO

Sell Smart, Buy Wise & Live Well in Nrthn Colorado

Goodness, Craig, so this is what you meant for a lot of chaos in 2011! I hope that things start to level out and will definitely keep your new ventures in mind as we build out our new brand. I'm sure you can do amazing things to help us reach our goals and am hoping to send you some business next year.

-Dee

Dec 14, 2011 07:40 AM