PDF files can offer real estate consumers valuable content. There is a great example of maximizing the use of lead capture technology on Joeann Fossland's inspirational blog, RELAXED Real Estate for MAGNIFICENT Agents. Joeann is a Master Certified Coach and is widely regarded as a premier coach in the real estate industry, if not THE premier coach. Her blog content is rich and I can personally testify to life changing shifts that I have made after reading select posts at her blog in the last couple of years.

Assess your forms software. Point2 Agent web site owners have access to some great, easy-to-use forms software on that web platform. Top Producer users also have access to forms.

Today's offering to Joeann's blog readers is a 30-day plan that can change your life. (I am presently working on Day 8 of the same book.) Joeann has a PDF file and link that blog readers can click to collect this prize. The link takes readers to a page with a link to the PDF. She follows up seconds later with an autoresponder. (Can you tell that Joeann is a Certified e-PRO Trainer?) Simple. Easy. A gateway to a plan that can change your life. How many blogs have you read today that can change your life forever? Don't miss this one!

I have discovered numerous uses for the PDF upload feature on real estate blogs since I discussed it here last week.

1. Market Data Statistics. Do you look at tables sometimes and wish you could use them on your blog, but they are so large and complicated that it would consume too much time? Here is an example of a PDF upload that I did at RealTown earlier today. Check out the rich data and the CLICKCABLE links!
   
   EXAMPLE: Click here for U.S. Foreclosure Market Statistics by State – Jan 2008.
   
   
2. Pre-Listing Package. Why not put a Pre-Listing Package online for sellers to download? Be transparent! Be bold! Be brave! Make a package complete with forms and checklists. Afraid that other people will see it? Trust me, most agents will not spend the time and energy to do this. Differentiate yourself. Stand apart from the crowd.
   
   
3. Relocation Package. Save the postage costs and save time. Send your clients in other cities a link and let them print the package at home or read it online. They will be impressed with your tech savvy.
   
   
4. Sample Contracts. Explain agency with downloadable forms that they can print and review at home. You can create PDFs with a watermark that says COPY or other words if you have a concern about people using them. Or, populate the forms with names like John Q. Seller on a blank listing agreement or agreement of sale.
   
   
   
5. Moving Checklists. Create your own checklists that feature your name and logo prominently.
   

Do you know that you can use Windows Office 2007 programs to save files as PDFs? Convert your Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, Outlook calendars, and PowerPoint presentation files to PDFs as an alternative to standalone PDF creators. There are numerous free PDF makers online.