Guest blog post by: Rich Epstein, Broker Associate, Residential Properties Ltd., www.RhodyJuice.com, Twitter @repstein
Within the first hour of attending my first Inman Agent Reboot seminar my business model was not just changed; it was torn up, cast aside and later disposed of. The way I approached sales in general was completely and radically altered. I had been to many real estate education seminars in the past twelve years of my business practice. I am pretty much all set with the Stuart Smally daily affirmations, and trying to transform myself into a magnet of sorts. What I needed were tangible working tools.
I have a healthy appetite for technology. I had always strived to implement new measures of connecting with my sphere and reaching out to new prospective clients. As the Corporate Trainer for my company, it was also my obligation to know what was available to us as agents.
With a positive recommendation from our IT Director, Tom Flanagan, I set off for my first Inman Reboot two years ago in New York. My initial plan was to better understand the use of blogs and social media in our business. What I got was a lesson in psychology that absolutely blew the fog off of the science behind client interaction.
Each speaker had a different area of expertise, from SEO to blogging platforms. Each though, showed a clear representation of how and why people interact with each other, and through honest communication and interaction, one’s sphere of influence can not only be maintained, but grown exponentially. I was able to have one on one conversations with the speakers during breaks, and that was another tremendous help.
So, armed with this new sociological understanding, I renamed my blog and completely re-tooled and re-designed it. I was also texting Tom throughout the day dropping bits of Geek his way as I knew he was already onboard with a lot of this information.
This past January I went to my second New York Re-Boot and I could not believe how much the program had grown. We went from one good sized hotel ballroom with round top tables to an entire theatre experience with two stages and seating for hundreds. The program did not disappoint. There was a lot of emphasis on mobile technology, specific uses of Facebook, You Tube and other social mediums.
Again, I left with a lot of fresh information I was able to immediately utilize. These conferences, to me, are the way I can stay ahead of my competition in the technology realm. If an agent just used a handful of ideas from the Re-Boot their business would certainly benefit. There is no wave of a magic wand.
Keeping on top of all of these tools takes a little time, but it is the future of our business.
Even with a down year in the market, the price was very affordable. The cost, in my opinion, is pennies compared to what you will make back in business. Another way to look at it is the education one gets is what will keep them in the business a year from now. That’s got some value!
To be honest, I didn’t know how much new information I was going to get at the second Re-Boot , but the half life of technology is so short. Another Re-Boot, another filled notebook. Already looking forward to next January.
Check out when Agent Reboot is coming to a city near you – next up…Atlanta!
Katie Lance, Social Media Director, Inman News, @katielance
