Wednesday, July 4, 2007

My Tech class review - 6 months makes a big difference!!

I'm teaching technology for Realtors tomorrow at our local board. You would think this would be easy? I read my outline from 6 months ago. OH BOY. Maybe I've learned more? Maybe a lot of technology is coming to the rank and file. I've made lots of adjustments.
First, the class is difficult because of age difference. Some "older" folks are just getting their first Cell phone. Next to them is the 20 something who can text faster than I can type. How do I keep the interest of one, without losing the other completely? With a good mix I guess.
First and foremost, they must all realize that no matter how good the tool, it's no good if you don't use it. I've spent 6 months automating my office. MLS integration to my back office, and to mailing just listed cards to the 100 closest addresses. Drip email that comes staight from my website so I don't even have to copy the names. Auto insert to newer search engines like Google Base, Trulia, oodle. But the key in these things was automation. Hands off and work is done.
Cost? How many free Realtor websites can I make in one night? Virtual tours that cost $125/year, unlimited, with branded and unbranded. Even free VT's. And do you invest in this, or go Video? Youtube is free, but quality is down. Blogs? Geez. I have my own, and I belong to 4 others. And I'm not trying very hard. Don't pay for any of them.
Coming tech? More click to talk, and IM communication with the buyers. Search by Map and Satellite pics for IDX (here, but mostly in larger markets), PC Tablets? Paperless? You bet, First American and FNIS are buying lots of things, so more integration will happen. RETS will open doors we've only dreamed of. But mostly - I think our clients are using and wanting more technology. We better deliver, in searches, our response time, in features that operate simply. They can text, but can they program?
And while our young crowd is changing.... well my mother is 72. Doesn't buy anything without a web search.
In hindsight, every thing I'll teach tomorrow was being developed, or starting about 6 months ago, but just look at how far we've come. So after all that....
What's the newest technology you just can't live without? So I'll have one last tidbit for tomorrow.

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