I have just returned from the NAR Convention in Orlando. Although attendance was down from previous years, the speakers were great, the products offered were innovative, and the entertainment (Lionel Richie concert and REALTOR^® Night at Universal Studio) was outstanding.

I'd like to share some insights and tips I picked up.

Almost every vendor without exception is focusing on internet marketing.

Virtual tours are being replaced by video presentations with voice and music.

All the instructors were carrying the new FLIP^TM camera which range in price from $100 to $250. I could devote a full article to the REALTOR^®'s use of this camera.

I was introduced to ChaCha, a text messaging system that can answer any question you want to ask. One of the participants in the class asked ChaCha how old the instructor was, and it actually came back and told her.

Podcasting, blogging, and social networking are terms that will soon be commonplace.

Here's some info I picked up from the seminars I attended:

Professional Standards Top Ten - Diane Mosley

• Listing a property for sale, then withdrawing it several months later, and relisting it as a new listing could be a violation of Article 12 (True Picture) of the Code of Ethics.

Low-to-No Cost Marketing - Pat Zaby

• Use "free" internet marketing sites.
• Invest in a marketing software program one time, and then USE IT!
• Develop a Customer Appreciation Program.
• Create a monthly mailing plan.
• Use a Contact Manager software program.

Outwit, Outsell, Outlist - Max Pigman

• Get an attitude check. Put a big smiley face on your computer and remember to smile every time you answer the phone.
• When asked, "how's the market," reply, "Thanks for asking. The market has definitely changed and I've had to change the way I market real estate. But I'm really excited about it because it's really the best opportunistic market I've seen in a long while. There are great opportunities for both Buyers & Sellers. By the way, when do you think you'll be making your next real estate move?" Don't be afraid to ask for the business!

How Top Agents Tackle Tough Times - Gary Keller

• Most agents do the things they want to do. BUT you're going to have to do the things you don't want to do to survive.
• Shifts happen when supply and demand get out of balance. Our market has shifted. How are you responding to the shift. Definition of "insanity" doing the same things you've always done and expecting different results.
• You must spend at least one hour per day (he suggested 3 hours per day) on lead generation.
• Analyze your expenses. Are you spending advertising dollars and getting nothing in return?
• You must learn to time block (setting aside time, and putting it on your daily calendar in writing) to generate leads (prospecting) and then setting aside time to convert the leads.

Technology Courses in Power Point, Publisher, Outlook, Blogging, and Word - Stewart Title

• I thought I was computer savvy, but I found many new features on all of the above programs. Each program was a separate class so it was nice to focus on just one program at a time. Stewart Title also gave each attendee a CD with the Manuals for all of the above classes.

It was a great experience to attend (even though I've attended many other NAR Conventions). It renews your enthusiasm, provides networking opportunities, and furnishes you with lots of new ideas to be successful. If you ever get the chance to attend the annual Convention, do it. Next year it will be held in San Diego. Maybe I'll see you there!

See you next week.

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