This is a tale of the interesting journey that started with my comments on Active Rain regarding the effectiveness of Open Houses. Ironically, it started on the day I was inputting the internet marketing for my next Open House.
I picked up the phone and heard, "Hi, This is Marcie with Realtor magazine. I read your 
comments on Active Rain and would like to interview you for our upcoming article "Open Houses That Work". My first thought was "sure you are....." as I tried to indentify the voice of the practical joker. Imagine my surprise to learn that she really WAS a reporter from Realtor magazine and really WAS interested in hearing my internet marketing strategies for an effective Open House. I happily chatted away not really believing that a word I said would actually show up in print. In fact, I was so certain of it that I didn't mention the interview to anyone.
Much to my surprise, I was actually quoted....and even more surprising, I started receiving phone calls from Realtors all over the country asking if I would share more specific details. The most common questions are "How did you learn internet marketing?", "When do you have the time?" and "If I had to pick three things to do immediately, which three should I pick?"
Here are my answers (but, hey, still feel free to call because I have enjoyed many interesting conversations):
"How did you learn internet marketing?" Brad Andersohn! I met Brad before he was an Active Rain "Big Kahuna" and he introduced me to internet marketing. When Brad joined Active Rain, I quickly bookmarked his blog because the topics are always presented in an easy-to-follow, step-by-step format.
"When do you have time?" I have a designated "learning pile" and pick an item whenever I have some down time. When the pile gets too big or an individual topic appears to be complicated, I schedule an entire learning day. I like learning days the best because I can delve in and accomplish a LOT but, I must confess, my butt gets really flat from sitting in the chair so long.
"If I had to pick three things to do immediately, which three should I pick?"
#1: If you haven't already, sign up for Active Rain immediately. Blogging may scare you, but Active Rain is an amazing resource of the best and brightest in the industry (IMHO) who willingly share everything they know. The Active Rain search function provides very valuable information and interesting blog discussions.
#2: (Specifically as they relate to effective Open Houses) - pick the top two property search engines in your market, set up your profile and spend time learning how to use the marketing features of each.
#3: Post your listing and Open House in Active Rain MLS for good Google juice.
Wendy Cutrufelli
Broker Associate
925.917.1135
The positions on this site are my own and don't necessarily represent Alain Pinel Realtors' positions, strategies or opinions.
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Wendy: What a great summary of your knowledge on this subject. I bookmark lots of stuff for my learning pile, and it sometimes gets quite large. Thanks for the tips!
Thanks for commenting Melissa. I love the learning pile method of staying current and I'm chuckling that you utilize the same method. Catch as catch can is better than not catching at all!
Wendy, Thanks for the great tips..... Surprisingly or not I too have a learning pile, in the form of a really long list. I'm sure that most agents do......I think I would be more concerned about the ones that don't!!!!
That is one of the great things about this industry is that it is always changing and thankfully we have ActiveRain to keep us informed.
For me AR is like a like a funnel cake.....you pick a topic to learn more about and before you know it your off on three different tangents, learning more and more interesting stuff as you go and adding more and more to your learning pile.... and just like a funnel cake, the more you eat the more you want........one is never enough!
Connective Realty: Perfect - and very funny - analogy! And, I agree with you that we should be concerned about the Realtors that DON'T have a "learning pile". Pretty safe to say that they aren't on Active Rain "eating funnel cake". Smile.
Great tips on how to use the internet. So many real estate agents don't use the internet at all
Hi Wendy - You must have had a heart attack when you found you really WERE quoted in REALTOR Magazine! CONGRATS on that awesome accomplishment! :)
Russ: Your comment is EXACTLY what I found out from the phone calls I received. Many agents don't use the internet because they think they have to pay BIG BUCKS to get it done. When I tell them about Brad's Active Rain Blog and confess that is exactly how I learned, they are unbelievably stoked.
Coleen: You are so right. I was completely surprised to find out that I was actually quoted.....I mean, seriously, who among us honestly thinks we have something interesting enough to say that someone would really quote us in a magazine article? For me, the best part of that has been the phone calls where I get the opportunity to "spread the gospel" that the internet (and specifically Active Rain) offers us amazing resources for our ongoing learning and education.
Way to go Wendy! Learning something new every day has always been a good idea and in this fast moving world of information and technology, it's critical.
Good for you, Wendy. What a nice collection of information about Open Houses and more.There is so much here to learn about, it's almost mind boggling. I love the "learning pile" - I don't call it that but I have a hard copy file as well as one on-line, then of course all the stuff I have bookmarked. Congrats on a well-deserved feature.
Jeff
I belong to the Activerain MLS group but have never put my open houses on it. Think I will as I have one next Saturday on a REO listing that is going to auction.
Congrats on the interview, Wendy! I really like your idea of learning days. A lot of agents are good at gathering ideas, but it's those who implement them who really shine online.
It appears that many of us have the Learning Pile! LOL I take mine on trips to read on planes and at bedside in hotel rooms for conferences:)
I also keep a list on a bulletin board of all my "To Do Projects". It keeps my ideas in front of me. I just cross through the done projects (instead of erasing them) which keeps me going when I feel like I'm not making progress...right in front of me I have a visual of accomplishments, I can see that stuff does get done and I can just continue to keep working:)
Marian: "Fast moving world of information and technology", you are so right! But here is what is interesting (to me anyway) is when you embrace it, really understand it, a new world of creativity opens up before you. As an example, having completely accepted the fact that 87% - 94% of buyers "preview" online and choose which homes to view in person AFTER weeding them out online, I realized a BIG GAP in online marketing. What CAN'T you see from pictures and visual tours? The home's layout! SO, on one of my Learning Days, I learned how to create floorplans on Excel so internet shoppers can see the pictures AND the layout.
Hi Jeff: Nice to see you (I see you often on AR)! What I find so darn interesting the number of people I admire in Active Rain who have their own version of the Learning Pile. Good to know that I have the positive habits of the Realtors I admire.
Cameron: I think I need to clarify. When I take a listing, we schedule the date for the 1st (and most important) Open House....so I put the Open House WITH the new listing on Active Rain MLS. Not sure AR intended the AR MLS for Open Houses alone. But, hey, I could be wrong so let me know if I am.
John: I think most want to learn, it's just finding the time to do it that is difficult. The Learning Pile works for me (and apparently for many) but everyone needs to find their own way and method. I have a great role model. My step-dad (who is turning 80 in July) has two lists. The first list is everything he wants to accomplish while he is physically able. The second list includes all the items he wants to learn that only require his mind. Here is the best part, he received his PHD at age 70. Love that!
To you who has no name (but I appreciate your comments): I really like the idea of a "projects" bulletin board and crossing out instead of erasing when they are accomplished. I think I'm going to start that tomorrow because the sticky notes in my daytimer are getting a bit overwhelming!
Wendy,
Congrats on being quoted in the article. I don't have a "Learning Pile" designated, it is part of my ever fluctuating "inbox". I will have to set aside a special spot for those little learning nuggets I've gathered. I also agree that floor plans would be an awesome addition. How the heck are you doing them in Excel? I'm both intimidated and curious!
Wendy - I've been interviewed by Realtor Magazine and I even got asked to write an article for Texas Realtor magazine awhile back, both because of my presence on ActiveRain.
Wendy, have you made copies of that article and sent it to your local media, published it in your local blog and sent copies to your clients? It is a great marketing piece! I would also frame it and hang it in your office...
WoW Wendy.... Congratulations on the full circle. Getting into the Realtor Magazine is great
Hi Wendy ~ I think it is exciting that you have been interviewed by Realtor Magazine! I haven't thought about putting any of the open houses on Activerain MLS, great idea!
Wendy, congratulations on being interviewed and quoted in Realtor® Magazine! Thanks for referencing Brad's post - I did not even know about that group. I'm joining :)
Good job, Wendy! My learning pile IS realtor mag and a few others and AR, so I guess I'll be seein' ya around!
Wendy: More terrific news about the power of Active Rain! I am amazed myself at the ever-juiced wonders.
It does take a lot of time to learn the various nuances that is for sure. There is so much out there. Just one day at a time. I have to pull myself from the computer sometimes and do some transactions.
Thank you
Congratulations on the recognition.
As to your tips, Active Rain is an amazing source for learning. I think I need a few learning days to implement some of them.
Marci ... Congrats on the feature in Realtor Magazine (and everything you have learned on AR)
Wendy,
The same thing happened to me when I mentioned how staging helps Real Estate agents get listings on Linked In. Bay State Realtor asked if they could quote me.They were doing an article on what tools agents use to secure a listing. I was thrilled because it is great PRfor my business. I am happy for you that you were quoted in Realtor Magazine. Your hard work paid off!
Congrats,
Marianne
Wendy- good post. Making the time to learn is important and most people procrastinate. As for the marketing of your open houses the tips you provided make sense. I hope they result in a good stream of qualified ready willing and able buyers and many successful sales!
I didn't know there is such a thing as Activerain mls - thank you for the great tip!
Congrats on your feature here in the Rain as well as your interview for the magaine. I blogged not too long ago that MANY of the quotes in the magazine com from the Active Rain community members - WHY? Because we are on top of our game, we share and we are successful - you have just added to that!!! Great advice for Open Houses and thanks for shairing!
A big thumbs up for you Wendy. I hope you get a lot more where that comes from. Good job.
Wendy:
This all came about from comments you made on the effectiveness of open houses and not a post on it? That is pretty interesting in itself.
I always tell other Realtors to join Active Rain. Even if they are shy about blogging, there a fountain of knowledge here to draw on.
Wendy, great post. I just bookmarked Brad's article and put it on my to do list. I want to check out your magazine article. I do the same thing and calling it Learning Lab Day. It is Wednesday for Project Day and the Learning Lab day rotates according to schedule. I need more explanation on tip two above.
Wendy - you make us proud! Thanks for the mention, but as I recall, it was you who were the master expert at your "craft" I was just sharing some additional tools with you. CONGRATS Big Time!! :-)
Hi Jason: I'm suprised that you have only been asked to participate it two magazines. You have a lot of good things to say.
Evelyn: OMG, NO I haven't done any of those things. Great ideas, I better get on it!
Roland: Thanks!
Vicki: I post the listing and Open House to Localism and to Active Rain MLS.
How cool to see how different marketing channels in real estate connect.
Sharon: Definitely bookmark Active Brad's blog. My Learning Pile is normally six months behind his posts but better late than never!
Scott: It is so easy to get caught up on the computer. That is the very reason I started my Learning Pile, so I don't feel I must do it RIGHT NOW and lose track of the priorities of my day (my clients).
Christine: Apparently the Learning Pile / Learning Day method appears to be an effective method for many here. I know I enjoy them.
Sharon You certainly have a handle on the new business techniques - congratulations Karen
Marianne: Thanks! Now I am intrigued and will have to hunt down your article.
St. Cloud: Since this all started with discussions about Open Houses, I would be remiss if I didn't point out that I get a significant number of my leads from them.
Betsy: Definitely check out Active Rain MLS.
Leesa: So true!
Charita: Thank you!
Claudette: Yes, the phone call from Realtor magazine came to me from my comments, not a blog. I, too, found that very interesting.
Cheryl, I think Brad's blog should have a warning about future "flat butt syndrome". He makes it so easy that I find myself doing "just one more" on Learning Day. Smile.
Wendy, from an ActiveRain post to the REALTOR® Magazine. You can beat that kind of exposure. Good job and thanks for the tips.
Brad Andersohn: I may have been the master of my craft at that time, but your vision of the future was a real eye-opener for me. YOU probably don't remember what you said but I sure do...."The internet will completely change real estate marketing and, given the speed of the internet, the change will happen faster than most people are prepared for." I was simply smart enough to believe you and start "eating the elephant" one bite at a time with your help. I am forever grateful for your knowledge and your ability to break things down to chewable bits!
Wendy,
Fantastic! That really must of amazed you to see it in print. Congratulations!
Lori: You are located in Pullman, the home of Washington State University, my alma mater! Hope your market is doing well. Thanks for your comment.
Wendy, love to see 'local girl' does good! Congrats to you and well deserved!
Hi Terri: Thanks so much for the "local girl kudo"!
Wendy,
I think Realtor magazine is regularly raiding AR for material and personalities! Congratulations to you and thanks for the extra tips.
I will have to look for this in the mag, thanks for sharing this online as well.
Congratulations Wendy and thanks for the great tips! I didn't know about the AR MLS group.
NJ Monthly called me once for an article and I was such a blabbering fool because I was so nervous! I wanted to tell them I'm much better in writing-- just take quotes from that! :))
Hi Wendy, Congrats on the interview ! I do quite a few open houses but haven't been entering them all in AR> Thanks for that tip ! Have a terrific Memorial Day weekend !
Good afternoon Wendy,
It stands to reason Realtor Magazine would go to the best source for information..AR!! Congrats on the interview and have a Happy Memorial Day week-end!
Yes, there are stalkers in the rain; goes to show you we never know who is reading our posts and our comments. Congrats.
Congratulations! How exciting to be interviewed because of something you did here on the Rain! And thank you for sharing your tips and directing me (and everyone else) on how to post your listings.
Wendy,
Reading Brad's blogs will certainly get anyone quickly in on Internet marketing, and then some. Great honor to get quoted on Realtor magazine.
Active Rain is one of the most cost effective marketing tools I have. It may be more important than my web site.
Hello! I too was featured in Realtor Magazine in January, because they read one of my blogs in October and asked if they could use it in an article. They are reading.
Irene: Realtor magazine couldn't find a better place for topics and quotes than AR!
Lawrence: You're welcome!
Michele: I think the only reason I wasn't nervous is because I didn't actually believe I would be quoted and I do love the chat about one of my favorite topics - internet marketing to drive business.
Bill: Definitely worth it to put your listings in Active Rain MLS!
Dorie: I agree! You, too, have a terrific Memorial weekend:
Norma: I found it interesting that I was called due to my comments, not my blog.
Esko: Yep, anyone wanting to learn internet market should definitely bookmark Brad's Blog
Gene: I completely agree. My Active Rain participation is a major driver to my website. The website would probably be wallowing in No Google Land without it.
Erica: Congratulations! Wow, quite the compliment to you that they wanted to use your blog.....it must be very well written. I am going to head over and take a look now.
Wendy,
The Bay State Realtor article is not out yet. I believe that it is May/June Edition and the premise is "different ways that Realtors secure listings". I, too will take Evelyn's advice if they indeed use my quote and try to get extra mileage!
BTW- I learned alot from your blog and appreciate the info!!!
Take Care,
Marianne
Congrats on your feature being carried forward all the way through the Realtor magazine.
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