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Market Trends and Training
The word on the street is that the business of real estate is getting back on track, after a few months of "normalizing" or "slowing down" or "correcting" or whatever we want to call this down market. So, now is the time for all of us to gear up for a busy and prosperous new year!
According to industry analysts and experts (based on what we've been reading in various real estate publications), real estate professionals need to focus on education, training and sales skills to be successful and remain competitive in today's market and to prepare for a better market tomorrow.
Skills-based training and education have always been our main philosophy at Matthew Ferrara & Company. Our training and education programs are specifically designed to help real estate professionals maximize their opportunities and realize their potential.
Our programs incorporate the latest technology techniques that can boost productivity. An important component of all of our programs is that we do not tell you to go out and buy every new gadget that comes onto the market. However, we do show you ways in which you can better use the technology you already have and guide you in the right direction when you need to upgrade your technology.
There is no silver bullet or magic button that will insure success. But, we can certainly show you ways in which technology and proven sales techniques can help you be more successful.
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New Vistas on the Horizon
By now it's no secret: Microsoft's new operating system Vista is shipping - somewhat - to beta testers and early adopters (a.k.a. geeks) in a few select corners of the world. After a number of substantial delays and critical decisions to drop a few components, Microsoft is preparing to change your view
of computing with its latest OS. How real estate professionals will benefit - should they even decide to upgrade - is yet to be seen.
» Read the full article
Also, visit the Microsoft website for more information about getting ready for Vista.
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Messaging is not Child's Play
Although email is one of the most common communication tools today, instant messaging and text messaging are becoming more and more popular in businesses across the globe. No longer is this communication medium just for kids. At Matthew Ferrara & Company, we use instant messaging to communicate with our employees throughout the day and many of our clients are in touch with us instantly through our instant messaging tool.
What's the difference between instant and text messaging? Both are similar in application, but a little different in the way they are used.
Instant messaging requires that you subscribe to a messaging service, such as Yahoo!™ Messenger, AOL AIM® or Windows Live™ Messenger. They all basically work the same and they are free to use. You simply go to the appropriate provider's website and download the messenger application.
Once you've selected a messenger service, you will create your profile and add the contacts of other messenger users to your contacts list (this is a great time to start asking your clients and other business associates for their instant messenger account name so that you may begin building your messenger contacts list). You can instantly start communicating with your contacts in "real time". You'll know when one of your contacts is online simply by looking at their name in your contacts list. It will either show them as available or not.
When someone sends you an instant message, a small window will appear on your computer screen. You simply type a response to them and press send. You are now engaged in a communication process that is similar to talking with them over the phone - it's just that you are typing instead of talking. Some messaging applications even allow you to send files, pictures and even talk with your contacts through a Voice Over IP (VOIP) connection! Imagine sending a photo of a "just listed" property to one of your potential buyers through instant messenger. They'll receive it right away and can respond to you instantly.
Text messaging is typically conducted via a mobile device - such as a cell phone or PDA. You may receive text messages on your mobile device and you may also receive text messages from a mobile device to your instant messaging service. You are required to subscribe to text messaging services through your cellular service provider and there is usually a fee associated with sending and/or receiving text messages. Costs vary among providers.
Text messages sent and received on mobile devices can be less intrusive when you want to reach someone via their cell or PDA. Instead of calling a contact and, more than likely, getting their voice mail, you can simply type out your message and send it to your contact's phone number that you have stored in your mobile device's phonebook. Your contact will then receive a text message on their mobile device. They can either reply to you via a text message or they can call you when they are available to talk.
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Tech Tip #12: SpellCheck Shortcut!
Using the "F7" key is a quick way to spell-check a document in Microsoft Word. Get into the habit of pressing this handy key before using CTRL + S to save your Word document!
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PowerPoint Series Tutorial #2
Add Power to Your PowerPoint Presentations
PowerPoint is one of the most widely used presentation applications in businesses today and we encourage real estate professionals to use PowerPoint when creating Listing Presentations for their prospects.
PowerPoint has numerous built-in tools to make even the most basic presentations more powerful. Consider using the video and audio tools to add movies and sound to your next Listing Presentation.
» Click Here for complete Step-by-Step Instructions! |
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03.21.07 - Portland, ME
In cooperation with the Maine Association of REALTORS, we will be holding our next Ultimate Technology Course at the Portland Marriott Hotel in Portland, Maine on Wednesday, March 21, 2007.
Learn more about our Ultimate Technology Course and how you can attend if you're in the local area.
We are also planning to hold another Certified Home Marketing Specialist program in the Boston area in April. Please check our website for more information about this outstanding program. |
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How much prospecting do you get done during your coffee - or other favorite beverage - break each morning?
Do you prospect to 5 potential customers? How about 10? What if we told you that you could prospect to 20 or more potential clients in about 10 minutes each day? No kidding. It's as simple as "copy, paste, send". And the really great thing about this process is that you don't need a huge database or fancy software to help you do it. How is this possible?
We'll give you a hint: This and other valuable information about prospecting and sales techniques can be learned in our Ultimate Technology Course.
Contact us today to find out how you can bring this outstanding program to your organization.
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