RE Technology Seminars and you...

[jessiesc]

This topic is targeted more towards the less technical on the board, although opinions of how the more technical made the transition is welcome...

I know many of us on this board are very comfortable with technology in our business and there are quite a few less technically inclined.

NAR and other agencies have publicized the need for agents to welcome technology and as a by product so many 'experts' have arrived to take agents money in the form of seminars and other technology driven events.

So the questions:

As an agent/broker, do you attend these seminars for the information and knowledge you can attain or do you attend for the CE's?

As an agent/broker using technology, do you find these seminars of value?

The reason I ask these questions is: I am in a very low tech area and attend quite a few of these types of seminars. I am always amazed at the size of the turnouts I see when attending.

I expect to see alot more attendance then 20 or less people showing up at these seminars as I know most agents and brokers in my area are not technologically inclined.

I realize of course, tech is not for everyone and not everyone agrees with using technology. But still, how can agents ignore the use of technology today?

Many of these seminars are sales pitches for products. However, keeping up to date on what is offered in technology I would think valuable for anyone.

[darrenwoodard]

I never go to these myself, but just about my whole office goes if it is on something like Outlook and Paragon (which is our MLS provider). I can't really think of another Technology item that gets as much attention as those two. What did you have in mind?

[Malok]

For me, whether or not I go is how familiar I am with topic/concept in the first place. Also if its something new that sounds interesting, I'll go.

But, if I don't see any real benefit after giving the speakers a reasonable amount of time to get their point across, then I'll walk out. I got better things to do with my time.

[Rene Galvan]

I found that many of the seminars are sales pitches. They can be useful if you have no knowledge of the product at all.

The best way that I have learned about technology is from reading books on the topic. Books allow more in depth learning and at your own pace. My preference is for books that deal the big picture and how technology changes industries. Once I have an idea of where I want to go, I might acquire software and the "How to" manuals.

For very specific issues, searching online will usually give you the answer.

Hope this helps.

[OCTeam]

But still, how can agents ignore the use of technology today?

Easy... it costs money. While you may think it is valuable, most agents don't want to spend the money to attend anything. If/when they do, they figure it costs them more money to buy something. And, if they buy what's offered, they don't spend the time to learn how it works or how (or if) it can benefit their business. Just take a look at a web site company like AA with some 30,000 agents supposedly using their template. Most don't do anything to their sites and then wonder why they are not getting leads. Technology requires you learn something new, and what's new today may be obsolete next month. When technology doesn't work for them, they blame the company for their failure not their own lack of how to use it. So in the end, they simply decide they can do business as usual as they really don't want to change.

[Rene Galvan]

Just take a look at a web site company like AA with some 30,000 agents supposedly using their template. Most don't do anything to their sites and then wonder why they are not getting leads.

From my perspective, this scenario only makes my life easier and will allow me to gain market share in a "down market".

[coastal]

I had an agent in my office ask me if I was E Pro Certified and I just laughed. She was extremely offended. "she just paid good money to become E-pro certified","It was a whole class where they lerndt to send e-mail and that it wouldt be a good idea to have a website"

I don't need no E-Pro cert to tell me the internet is where it's at, nor do I need an E-pro Cert for my clients to find me at the #1 position on google.

Let the lame, lazy and stupid believe their E-pRo cert means jack Shi* in the eyes of the consumer. If you are not in the top 5 on google e-pro will make no difference if they can't find your website and send you e-mail through your contact forms. Just another instance of the REALTOR organization stealing money from poor housewives and semi retired agents who are lucky if they sell a house a year.

I've been thinking of creating my own "Real Estate Masters of the Universe certification" and posting it on my sites. If you would like a copy of the logo for your own site just prove that you know how to send e-mail and send me a check for $250.00 USD

[jessiesc]

I don't need no E-Pro cert to tell me the internet is where it's at, nor do I need an E-pro Cert for my clients to find me at the #1 position on google.

This one is the most rediculous cert I've ever seen. They are constantly having classes at our local board for epro and pushing it like it was the best thing since sliced bread.

I can not believe agents pay so much money for this dumb cert.

I cringe every time I see our board offer this as a "don't miss certification".

But this is exactly my point... Agents line up at the door to learn how to send an email, yet the really interesting seminars on things like: Web promotion, Marketing on the internet, Technology for the mobile office are ignored completely.

[darrenwoodard]

If someone gave a good seminar on how to convert an Internet Lead into a Sale, I would probably go. I'm not talking about a slam dunk. I am talking about keeping your name in front of the person that is not looking to buy for 2 to 3 years. Converting them into a long term client that utilizing only your web materials. Once they are ready to buy, they call only you to represent them. Show me that seminar and I will be there.

[OCTeam]

The e-PRO certification can be done while watching a Monday night football game and you won't miss the game. I thought I would learn something. I take a look at their forums from time to time and I am shocked at some of the posts about web sites, SEO, link exchange, etc. But Coastal sums it up.. it's about email and get a website.
Maybe agents use the designation so they have something to talk about to show their clients how technical they think they are?