Eight years ago when I started speaking nationally I remember having a carpenters tool belt loaded with stuff an agent needed to preform their duties as a Real Estate Professional.  My point was all that "stuff" can be loaded into a device or two.  I also remember telling agents that if they didn't email they would probably not be in the business very long.  I had agents argue with me that email was a passing fad and people would never give up that personal contact of a telephone.  Gee a day without email?  Ain't gonna happen!

So my new message is text messaging, if you don't text you are cutting out a large chunk of business that wants to be handled with text messaging.  In all my classes I ask how many agents have worked with clients by way of text messaging?  Normally between 1/3 and 1/2 the room raises their hands.

Here's some interesting facts from CITA The Wireless Association;

Text messaging has now become a part of everyday life.

Not only can you use it as a means to communicate with friends and family, you can also use it to participate in polls, voting, games and a variety of other exciting mobile applications.

Here are some interesting stats: 

• In 2007, 362.6 billion text messages were reported in the U.S.
• In the U.S., approximately 690,000 text messages are sent per minute.
• In 2006, 81 billion text messages were reported in the U.S.

So do you text?  If not you need to start!  Now I am not talking about BFFL or LOL or any of that other stuff.  I am talking business texting where you either ask or answer a question or set up meetings or phone calls.

Now what's cool and most people didn't know you could do it, you can turn text messages into hard copy MS word documents.  If you have a Palm Operating phone check out how;  http://www.dickbetts.com/tipstricks/palmos.html

Gee I wonder what I will be saying eight years from now as to what the new trend will be.

Dick Betts

National Real Estate Speaker

National Speaker Real Estate

Mobile Technology Trainer

www.DickBetts.com

Dick@DickBetts.com