On the hunt for new real estate marketing tools!
The great folks at Inman News have asked me to put together a 15 minute presentation at SF Connect this year… and I’m downright excited about it. The title of my presentation: 50 Technologies To Help You Survive the Downturn.
I’ve got some huge shoes to fill in that both Jamie Glenn of Trulia and Brian Boero of 1000watt have given versions of this presentation at recent Connect Events… and their presentations were top notch.
The Plan?
I’ve been given 15 minutes to talk about 50 technologies… Let’s break down into what that means in terms of the amount of time I have to explain each technology. Fifteen minutes is 900 seconds. Given the fact that I at least have to introduce myself and let my audience know I’m available for speaking gigs, I’ve already blow 30 seconds right there… Combined with the fact that I’ll need at least two 10-second water breaks, I’m down to 850 seconds or 17 seconds per technology! I’m known for speaking fast, but the pressure is really going to be on! 
I Need Your Help!
Real estate agents: Do you have a favorite tool or technology that has become indispensable at making your business operations more efficient? My preference is online tools, but I’ve have to find 50 of them, so I’m honestly not very picky at the moment!
Real estate tech providers: Do you have a tool you think is worthy of being featured at SF Connect? Let me know, but make sure I can “sell” it 17 seconds or less! I make no promises, but again, I’ve got to find 50 tools in less than 50 days, so I’d appreciate any help you can give!
My Bag of Tricks
Here’s an outline of the previous presentation.
Jamie Glenn:
- Listing Sites (12 sites)
- Social Media (9 sites)
- Multimedia (15 sites)
- Communication (7 sites)
- Blogging (9)
Total: 52 sites! Plus, his last slide through in 9 “bonus” resources!
Brian Boero:
- Things that will help you work smarter and cut costs (10 actions)
- Things that let you engage customers and prospects in new ways (8 actions)
- Things that will help you grow your professional network (3 actions)
- Blogs you should read (and watch) (7 actions)
- Market smarter – and cheaper (6 actions)
- New advertising opportunities (5 actions)
- Technologies that help you leverage your knowledge (3 actions)
- Things that shrink space and time (3 actions)
- Technologies that help you meet the neighbors (4 actions)
Total: 49 actions. Although much to his credit, each-and-every “action” included at least one technology tool and many of them included multiple tools!!!
I have both presentations in front of me, and I can tell you that they both did an excellent job of providing a wealth of information in only 15 minutes!
My Presentation
Lucky for me, I still have over a month! Unlucky for me, I just typed out all the notes I’ve taken to date and I have only 33 technologies listed that are appropriate for the title: “50 Technologies To Help You Survive the Downturn.”
Here’s an outline of how I grouped the various tools, concepts, websites so far (but note, I’m positive the final outline will be MUCH different):
- Online Marketing Basics
- Publishing Tools
- CRMs
- Inspiration
- Analytics
- Listing Syndication
- Listing Tools
- Connecting with Consumers
- Connecting with Professionals
- Video Podcasts
- Communications
- Identity Management
However, rather than bias you’all by starting with my list of sites I would include (or listing out the websites from the the previous presentations), I’d LOVE LOVE LOVE to hear some of the tools, techniques and technologies that you think would be worthy of being included in this list!
Thanks again!
Brad Coy 1:26 am on June 11, 2008 Permalink |
http://box.net/
http://highrisehq.com/ and/or http://www.37signals.com/
http://www.picnik.com/ used with flickr
Dan Green 4:39 am on June 11, 2008 Permalink |
Bring the Blog (http://www.bringtheblog.com) could be a worthy inclusion. It’s the “Associated Press for Weblogs”, helping real estate and mortgage professionals fill their pages each day with relevant and timely content.
Disclaimer: I am the company founder and principal owner
Joseph Bridges 9:11 am on June 11, 2008 Permalink |
Dustin,
That sounds like a great opportunity and I bet you can cover each in 16 seconds if you really had to
Some technologies that my brother and I use on a regular bases for our work:
1. Get Response – automatic e-mail follow-up. Not our standard procedure but good.
2. Top Producer – I know you like them and we continue to use them for our CRM software.
3. Website Platforms – We really like two when it comes down to it and we know you have used both (Diverse Solutions & Top Producer)
4. TextMyMLS – This is a great new marketing tool we have been testing with great results. People can text from their phone and get information on their phone. More information at http://www.TextMyMLS.com. The owner is a great guy (Randy) and you can also speak with Christian Stefferud who is the CA rep we deal with and he is at http://mastermymarketing.blogspot.com/.
Those are few that we use and thought they might add to some discussion for you and for your work.
Jon Strum 10:29 am on June 11, 2008 Permalink |
I think that Retaggr (http://www.retaggr.com) represents the ultimate web 2.0 business card. It could fit into your “Online Marketing Basics”, “Connecting with Consumers” or “Connecting with Professionals” categories.
I just posted a write-up on this new company and why this is a “must have” for real estate agents on my blog at http://www.LARealEstateBlog.com. Instead of repeating myself, I’ll invite you to check it out!
Steve Jagger - Ubertor 11:10 am on June 11, 2008 Permalink |
Hi Dustin,
I’m obviously quite biased, but Ubertor would be an excellent addition to your list.
I would also suggest Google Adwords and the Flip Video Camera including Vimeo, YouTube and Viddler.
Thanks and I hope all is well.
Steve
Dustin 11:50 am on June 11, 2008 Permalink |
thanks everyone for the suggestions! I’ve also been getting a few more on both email and friendfeed! In particular, on FriendFeed, Brad Coy added http://box.net/ http://highrisehq.com/ http://www.picnik.com/ to the mix.
Dustin 11:52 am on June 11, 2008 Permalink |
Jon: I just signed up for retaggr yesterday and was impressed with some of their features… However, from a marketing point of view, I think the one thing that is going to limit their growth is that like MyBlogLog, website owners have to activate/install the service for it to be viable… and there isn’t the obvious, quick benefit to website owners that MBL gives. Nonetheless, it is a really interesting service!
Joseph Bridges 11:52 am on June 11, 2008 Permalink |
Dustin,
I must be having a few issues as I left a comment twice that didn’t take. Anyway My brother and I really like
http://www.TextMyMLS.com. They are a text to phone service that has tested well for us and others. Great service (Randy the owner) and the CA rep is Christian Stefferud.
Dustin 11:56 am on June 11, 2008 Permalink |
Joe: Your comments were eaten by the Akismet monster, but I just released them! So was Brad Coy’s comment (#1)… which takes the sting out of my last comment!