Magnets USA
October 2, 2008
Here’s a video interview with Nancy of MagnetsUSA at VAR08 Expo.
Image Maker 360 Virtual Tours
October 2, 2008
Here’s an interview I shot with Uncle Andy of Image Maker 360 Virtual Tours at the VAR 2008 Convention.
LLE Language Services: Translation services for REALTORS®
October 2, 2008
Here’s another informative video I shot at VAR’s Convention & Expo 2008. This one’s with 24 Karat Affiliate Member LLE Language Services. They provide VAR members with preferred pricing on translation services for real estate transactions with non-English speaking clients.
Interview with VAR08 keynoter, Andy Sernovitz
October 1, 2008
Tina Merritt, a Virginia Beach REALTOR® sits down for with the author of Word of Mouth Marketing, Andy Sernovitz, at VAR’s Convention & Expo 2008. Keep your finger on the volume button because the audio is a little uneven, but here’s an in-depth interview with one of the foremost authorities in word of mouth marketing. Enjoy! And stay tuned: Tina will be sharing more videos in the coming days!
VAR’s Saturday Morning Session: A Blast from the Past
September 29, 2008
The opening session on Saturday included a classic duet song courtesy of VAR’s CEO and President.
Speed Networking: Does it really work?
September 28, 2008
I had the opportunity to participate in a speed networking session this afternon as part of my attendence. As a quick overview this session was approximately 14 people who spoke with each other regarding themselves (and their real estate businesses) for just few minutes before switching and doing the same with another person until everyone had networked.
I have been social networking with other real estate professionals for several months and have made many good contacts through it. I was curious to see if a condensed real life networking with fellow REALTORS(r) that I had never met before.
In my opinion I felt it was a great experience. I made several solid contacts with people in localities where I did not currently have an agent to defer to if I had a customer interested in that particular area. Actually one agent I spoke with had a SOI clients living in my local market and looking for an professional to assist them with their real estate needs. I am curious to see how that turns out.
The most interesting thing I took away with me were the conversations. I position myself slightly differently in the indsutry and my expereinces were well-received and brought out the curiousness of many people.
Finding Opportunties
September 27, 2008
I absolute look forward to conventions every year. The ability to connect, share and learn is a value greater than the cost for those who know how to take advantage of east. However, not everything I’ve learned or the networking opportunities I’ve taken advantage of were at the “schedule times.”
While sitting in the Virginia Leadership Academy Alumni Meeting this morning, I overhead a tip from Candy Lynn about the Ning site we use to communicate; that I didn’t know existed. While facilitating a class , I connected with an instructor who reads www.AgentGenius.com and we were able to share our admiration for the resource.
Yes, of course I’ve built relationships in networking opportunities, get-togethers and such. Yes, I’ve learned (a lot) in training courses I’ve sat through. But the real value is working toward doing both at the same time and keeping an eye and ear out for opportunities to grow your business and careers!
The skies have cleared in Baltimore
September 27, 2008
After a full day of rain, it looks like it will be a great night for the Inaugural Party after all. Remember, the party starts at 7 and the boat departs the dock at 8 for a two hour cruise. VAR staff will be in the lobby to direct you to Pier 5.
Social Media for the Technologically Challenged
September 27, 2008
I just finished attending Danilo Bogdanovic and Tony Arko’s presentation on Social Media for the Technologically Challenged. They covered everything from MySpace to LinkedIn to Twitter, then discussed blogging platforms like Typepad and Wordpress. The question and answer session that followed was fantastic as well. Clearly, this was a topic that could fill a whole conference, not just one session.
To illustrate Social Media in action, here’s some of the ‘tweets’ that appeared on Twitter during their presentation:
NRVLiving: #VAR08 when starting your online presence, I.e. Blogging, start by keeping your blog private to hide your voice and seed with postsNRVLiving: #VAR08 blogging allows you to focus on the clients you want to focus on, rather than just try and reach everyone @tonyarkomattwilkins: “A blog is your voice and will always be different from every other blog out there” according to @tonyarko #VAR08mattwilkins: “Google has surpassed REALTOR.com as source of finding homes acording to California survey” according to @tonyarko #VAR08
Have The Best Conversation of the Convention In The Hall
September 27, 2008
VAR Convention & Expo 2008 has been held at the beautiful Baltimore Marriott Waterfront, and the facility is
Rock Paper Scissors?
fantastic. Great location - unless you’re using GPS to get here - and the speakers have been top notch. It’s been a good convention so far, and we’re still not done.
I’ve found, though, that the best part of the convention isn’t in the sessions or the Expo Hall. It wasn’t Robyn Waters’ speech at the opening assembly, or Lem Marshall’s legal update.
Poll anyone and you’re likely to hear a recurring theme on where convention-goers are seeing the most value, and it’s not in the scheduled activities. The real value at this year’s convention seems to be in the halls. The conversation, the engagement, the opportunity to share in a one-on-one setting; I’ve learned more about brokerage strategies, new marketing techniques and alternative strategies to set my business apart from the conversations with practitioners from around the state that I find myself sitting down several times a day to write down another great idea.
I know there are so many others that feel the same way. We’ve got just a few more sessions before the end of this year’s convention - stop someone new in the hall, strike up a conversation about their area and see what kind of new and exciting things you can learn from them. It’s likely to be the best event you attend the whole week.
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VAR's Convention & Expo Experience
