Need Some New Marketing Ideas: Try These

I recently monitored  the CRS 201 LISTING STRATEGIES class in San Diego. This is really a terrific class to take in this market since many of us can always use new skills and strategies in order to land and sell listings. 

One of the fun group exercises was developing a list of marketing ideas, both for marketing listings but also ourselves. The list was so good I decided to share some of it.

You can read the full article on my ActiveRain blog at "Maybe THIS WIll Grab Your Attention: Marketing Ideas You Can Implement."

Waaahh! I Don't Get Any Referrals

A common complaint I hear from CRS members, and an excuse often given for not joining or rejoining the Southern California CRS Chapter is "I don't get any referrals."

Certainly getting referrals is one of the benefits of being a CRS member and, in particular, part of the local chapter. But it is definitely not the only benefit. But this post IS about that issue.

The question, perhaps, is "why do you not get referrals?"

Or put another way, "Are you referable to?"

Anyone who is an active member of the CRS organization will be listed in the on-line database and thus searchable by other members looking for a referable agent. But that's not enough. Here are some thoughts:

1.  Are you attending any meetings? We have them throughout the year and they are an excellent way to meet other Southern California CRS agents face-to-face. The personal contact can go a long way toward separating you from the rest of the pack in your city if someone needs to refer to your area. If they know you, vs. the other "faces" in the directory you will likely get the nod. And how about Sellabration?

2.  Are you setting yourself apart in your on-line profile? Part of membership is being listed in the on-line database.

• I am amazed at how many members I see who do not have a PHOTO nor list a WEBSITE. Most agents I talk to will not refer to someone who does not display their photo. And not having a website, or listing one you do have, is a red flag for most people because of concerns that you are not tech savvy or do not use technology in your business. This could be a red flag for consumers, too (Know that displaying a photo on the National CRS database or in their print directory costs more money than a plain display ad, but it worth the visibility - BUT your member photo on the Southern California CRS roster is FREE!)
• And what about the other information that CRS allows you to list in your profile? Your designations and languages, for example. And how about your areas of specialization? You should include as much information as the profile allow, incouding listing your social media network profiles
• And WHEN was the last time you updated your profile? Is the address and contact information all up to date. If they can't reach you, you won't bet getting a referral (and I have run into this a number of times personally)

3.  Are you visible? People have to know you are, or at least be aware that you exist, in order to refer to you.

• You can improve your visibility by attending meetings, and having a complete up to date CRS member profile with a photo.
• Continuing your education is also important - not only do you improved your skills but this is yet another means to interact with other CRS and non CRS members to get you name out there.
• Participating in the Southern California CRS Chapter Board of Directors is a great way to increase your visibility, plus learn a heckuva lot and help the Chapter continue to meet the changing needs of its membership. We can always use more help...in technology, membership, programs, fund raising for Chapter with a Heart and so on. Simply ask one of the current members (visit the leadership page of the website).

4.  Do you refer to others? Yes, reciprocating referrals is a great way to enhance your volume of referrals. You refer out, and that person may refer back. Plus it's a great way to increase your business.

5.  Use the SoCal CRS Website. We have a roster of all our members and this can be searched by ANYONE looking for a potential agent to refer to. Wile the roster contains any information you have listed in the national CRS database (see item 2 above), as a Southern California Chapter of CRS member you can also enhance your member profile on our website to include you photo and any other information you wish to include. You can read more here on how to create and update your SoCal CRS member profile on our website. NOTE - This is a benefit for SoCal CRS Chapter members ONLY and you must have a log in ID and Password for the website to make these changes.

6.  Participate in Social Media. You have heard the buzz and hopefully are participating at some level with Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, blogging and more. If you aren't you should so you can build connections with other agents in teh businss (including those who are not CRSs or members of our Chapter). But that's beyond the scope of this article, so stay tuned for more on this topic.

So instead of complaining about not getting any referrals, and using this as a reason to not be part of the Chapter, why not seek out the ways you can ENHANCE YOUR REFERABILITY?

Why not join our Facebook group for the Southern California CRS Chapter. And connect with us and other members on LinkedIn.

Follow us at Twitter - @SoCalCRS

Learnings from the Q1 2009 SoCal CRS Membership Meeting

There were some good learnings coming out of the Southern California CRS membership meeting held on Friday April 24th in La Quinta.

Enjoy the photos from the meeting.

You can read the full article about what I learned at this meeting from Gov Hutchinson, who spoke about the impact the Government Bailout is having on the real estate business.

Is the Government Bailout Affecting Your Real Estate Business? You Be It Is!

So Cal CRS is Now on LinkedIn.com

The Southern California Chapter of CRS is now on Linked In.

You can visit the group and join here

SoCal CRS Now is on Facebook

The Southern California Chapter of CRS now is a group on Facebook

Southern California Chapter of CRS Board Members

Hotline for Foreclosure Assistance

A new HUD-approved 24-hour hotline, managed by the Homeownership Preservation Foundation, provides assistance over the phone (bilingual) for consumers who may be facing foreclosure, or fear that foreclosure may become a reality due to job loss and other family circumstances.

If you know anyone who may benefit from this hotline, please share it.

HOPE NOW

1-888-995-HOPE (4673)

Want to know more about issues YOU should be aware of here in California regarding foreclosure and pre-foreclosure properties? Check out my article on foreclosure advice for agents.

Installation of 2008 SoCalCRS Officers - VIDEO

Here is our FIRST video for SoCalCRS, of the installation of the 2008 Officers. The quality is OK as is the sound (you may need to click TWICE on the arrow to start the video, and turn up your sound).

Thanks to RICH LOMBARI for managing the video while I was sworn in. Thanks for your help, Rich!

Online Videos by Veoh.com

2008 Board of Directors

Here are the Officers and the Board of Directors for SoCalCRS for 2008.

Deborah Kniss - President; Marlene Bridges - President Elect; Jeff Dowler - Treasurer; Debbie Browne - Secretary; Emily Link - Past President

AREA VICE PRESIDENTS:

Orange County - Donna Sutton

San Diego - Barbara DuDeck

Temecula - Vicki Puterbaugh

Santa Barbara - Joanne Schoenfeld

Ventura County - Susie Hafer

Victor Valley - Jeff Longshore

Riverside - Heidi Franklin

Palm Desert - Larry Griffith

San Fernando valley - Jim Ezell

South Bay - Louis McGraw

COMMITTEE CHAIRS:

Technology - Jeff Dowler

Communications - Rich Lombari

Education - Donna Sutton

Membership - Shirley Tenger

Programs - Roberta Trousdale

Public Relations - Mike Duncan

Sponsorships - Tom Tucker

ADMINISTRATOR - Kari Casarietti

Southern California Fires - Need Help? Offering Help?

The fires in Southern California, which are still burning in some areas as of this writing, have caused major damage that will take years for repair and recovery.

Many families lost their homes and had them damaged, and recovery will be difficult. There are many ways that CRS agents can and are helping. WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND HEAR ABOUT YOUR IDEAS FOR HOW FOLKS CAN HELP OTHERS IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY.

There are also agents who suffered from the fires and may need assistance. WE WANT TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE and WHAT HELP YOU NEED!

Please feel free to post your requests for assistance, any ideas for how CRS members can help, and share what folks (agents or otherwise) in your area are doing to assist those who lost their homes or businesses in the fires or had damage.

Here's a very useful website to share:

SDCountyRecovery.com

Simply add a comment below with your request, suggestions, ideas and comment, OR send me an email

San Diego Fires

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Southern California Chapter of the CRS, I want you to know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We hope you are safe and well and have not suffered, but please know that if you have we are thinking of you.

If we can offer any sort of assistance at any time, you only have to ask. We will be there for you and will help in any way we can!

Here in Carlsbad that we have not suffered the fire damage that has struck so many other communities and continues to threaten so many. If I personally can help in any way with a place to stay, a jeep to help move, etc. please let me know.

Jeff

Here's a helpful site to get updated information on the fires and conditions in San Diego County.

Red Cross - Call 1-800-RED-CROSS (733-2767) to list your name as someone who is as safe. Friends, family and neighbors may call to check, especially in cases where phone or Internet communication has become a problem.

Are You a Member of SoCalCRS?

Are you a member of the Southern California Chapter of CRS (known as SoCalCRS)?

You're not? Well, you should be. There are lots of good reasons, such as the $50 rebate that you can use for your next CRS class.

Read more about membership on our website, or contact the SoCalCRS Administrator for an application. For the rest of this year (2007) the fee is JUST $25. You must be a member in good standing of the national CRS Organization.

Our Success at the SDAR Trade Show (San Diego)

I wanted to share the success of our Southern California CRS Chapter at the SDAR Trade Expo, held yesterday (Friday May 4) in San Diego.

The booth was set up Thursday afternoon, and we were there all day Friday from 8 am until 5 pm. Here are the highlights:

• 114 agents came by, dropped off business cards, and spent time talking with us about CRS - what the designation is, how to obtain it, the value, the costs, and more. Most people who came by had heard of CRS but were not clear on what getting the designation entailed. We had a great time sharing what we knew about being a CRS and the value that it has for all of us. It was also a chance to tell folks more about our terrific chapter and being elected Chapter of the Year in 2006.

GARY WILSON of Coldwell Banker in San Diego won the $100 Crate and Barrel Gift Card drawing.

Three people signed up for the next CRS 210 Class in San Diego on May 24 and 25.

One person joined our Southern California CRS Chapter on the spot.

I want to share a SPECIAL THANKS to the CRS Chapter members who helped with setting up the booth and staffing it during the trade show. I could not have done it without the help of these dedicated individuals, and I'm sure each was an inspiration to the individual agents they talked with about becoming a CRS.

Lois Hughes (helped with set-up AND running a shift) - Keller Williams Central Coast, Pismo Beach (MIDDLE LEFT PHOTOS)

Barbara Brokaw - Eagle Estates Realty, San Diego (MIDDLE RIGHT)

Shirley and Peter Tenger - Prudential California Realty, Dana Point (BOTTOM RIGHT, on the right)

Barbara DuDeck - RE/MAX Ranch and Beach, San Diego (BOTTOM LEFT, on the right)

Vicki Puterbaugh - Rancon Real Estate, Temecula (BOTTOM LEFT, on the left)

Rita Brooks - Keller Williams Realty, Escondido (BOTTOM RIGHT, on the left)

Thanks to all for making this a success!!

Jeff Dowler, ABR, CRS, e-PRO, SRES

Area VP - San Diego, SoCalCRS

RE/MAX Associates, Encinitas

SDAR Trade Expo May 4, 2007 Reminder

I assume everyone is aware of the upcoming REALTOR Expo being sponsored by SDAR and held on May 4, 2007, from 9 am until 5 pm. There will be seminars, a luncheon with a speaker, and of course the exhibit hall. Make your plans to spend some time here and taking your business to the next level (see link directly below for more information).

TRADE EXPO "Tools for Your Trade"

I sent around an email a few weeks ago to solicit volunteers to help me staff the SoCalCRS booth in the exhibit hall. Thanks for your great response and enthusiasm. I have all the shifts filled with some extra folks who plan to stop by to help as well.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Jeff

AREA VP - San Diego, So. Cal. CRS

SDAR Trade Expo May 4, 2007

The San Diego Association of Realtors will hold its 18th Annual

TRADE EXPO "Tools for Your Trade"

on Friday, May 4, 2007

 Grand Exhibit Hall of the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center

500  Hotel Circle North in Mission Valley (San Diego)

9am until 5pm

The Southern California Chapter of the CRS is proud to be an exhibitor again this year. We are looking for some volunteers:

• To help set up the booth the day before (minimal time), probably in the afternoon
• To staff the booth for 2 hour slots (2 people per shift, or more), at total of 8 people minimum

If you would be willing to help staff this booth, and be available to answer questions, and share your knowledge and enthusiasm for the CRS with attendees, please let me know. I will be sending out a series of emails with more information and requests for assistance as we get closer to the date.

Here's a list of the exhibitors to date.

Jeff

1st Quarterly Coffee Chat in San Diego

We held the first coffee chat today in San Diego for the CRS members there. It was a small group but those who attended enjoyed it and the feedback was positive - the time was convenient, the location was as well, and people are glad we are getting this sort of activity going in our area. So we will continue to do so.

Chris Comer, from Pacific Capital Mortgage, spent a few minutes talking about his services, and we look forward to his continued sponsorship. We are planning to hold a similar event EACH QUARTER in the same location with Chris sponsoring and providing coffee and snacks. Hey, it's free, even if you only want the food! But come for the networking and learning, too!

We also learned quite a bit about using our Self-Directed IRA or other defined benefits plans for investing in real estate. MUNZER GHOSHEH, from Entrust, spend about 45 minutes educating us on how to do this - it was great. For more information visit their website or give him a call at 310-899-3811. I have plenty of brochures from his session and will have them at the next meeting. Or send me an email and I will mail you one.

We hope to have a variety of topis during the year, so if you have any ideas or a particular person you would like to suggest we bring in, please let me know. Right now there is strong interest in marketing ideas, so we'll see what we can do with that.

Hope to see more of you there next time - probably in May. Stay tune for updates.

Jeff

February Coffee Chat for San Diego CRS Members

The email went out last week from Kari!

Put the date on your calendar - February 13 from 10 - 11:30 for our first coffee chat in Carmel Valley.

I have already heard from a number of people who are planning to attend. Don't miss out - it should be a fun networking and learning experience.

Need to refer a buyer or seller in another part of San Diego County - this is your chance to hook up with the right CRS to help!

Call or email me if you have any questions.

Jeff (760-840-1360)

Realty Blogging

I don't know how many of you are doing any blogging as part of your real estate marketing, but if you aren't you might seriously want to consider it.

I started blogging about 5 months ago and now have several sites I maintain. While it is a bit of work (you really only need one site), it is a great way to network with folks around the country, learn, move up in the search engine rankings, and potentially attract clients, among others.

I am reading a terrific book, "Realty Blogging,' on the subject and wanted to pass it along in case you had an interest. Their website is also a great resource for agents interested in how to use blogging effectively.

(NOTE: While you cannot "CLICK TO BUY", the photo is clickable and links to their website)

Coffee Chat for San Diego CSR Members

You should be receiving the email from Kari Casarietti TOMORROW regarding this FREE upcoming, informal meeting and education session in Carmel Valley for San Diego members, in advance of the membership quarterly meeting on March 30.

The meeting in FEBRUARY 13 from 10 - 11:30. The email has more details.

Registration is NOT necessary but I would appreciate knowing if you are going to come. You can send me an email.

Chris Comer, from Pacific Capital Mortgage, will be our host and will share some information about his services, and answer any questions about mortgage programs.

Our speaker, Munzer Ghosheh, is from Entrust, and will talk with us about investing in real estate with your IRA.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

Upcoming Coffee Chat for San Diego CRS Members

This is advance notice that you will be receiving an email from Kari in the very near future regarding an upcoming COFFEE CHAT that Vicky Campbell and I have organized for all San Diego Chapter members.

This 1 1/2 hour meeting will be in Carmel Valley, just off the 5, so it should be convenient for most people. We will be starting at 10 so you can avoid the traffic.

As the Area VP for SD, yy goal is to get more members involved, and to encourage attendance at the quarterly meetings, including the ones out of our area. These are great opportunities for learning, networking and fun. But I also want to hear from you about how we can make our chapter even better.

The COFFEE CHAT is FREE and is a chance for you to:

• Hear more about the upcoming CRS meetings, especially the one in March
• Hear from Chris Comer at Pacific Capital Mortgage about their programs and services
• Learn from Munzer Ghosheh at Entrust about how you can invest, and help your clients invest, in real estate using IRA and similar funds
• Network with other San Diego County members
• Drink coffee and have snacks!

Stay tuned for your email. Or check back here for all the details in the next week.

A Message from Our Chapter President - Deborah Kniss