Reveal the alphabet soup

Over the course of a conversation and dealings with a potential client, clients come to realize the acronym soup of real estate (NAR, C.A.R., VA, etc.).  At first mention in your email signature block or logo on your website of your designations / certifications, clients may not understand the value behind what you have earned, nor why it sets you apart.  These trade terms become part of the acronym soup that separates you from your clients (REW, CRB, CRS, GRI, etc).

I have a few friends involved with computer programming and I have heard them use acronyms like OOA, OOD, or J2EE over in passing. Of course, any person out of the computer programming field would probably not understand them and trust me, you don't want to. Even their meanings - OOA - Object Oriented Analysis, will escape most people. (By the way, OOD - Object Oriented Design, and J2EE - Java 2 Enterprise Edition)

So why not break down these verbal barriers and work with your clients on a common ground?  In a face to face meeting, you would probably take special care to explain these Real Estate trade terms to your clients, so why not on your website as well? 

One approach to achieve this would be to create your own "Certifications / Designations" web page within your website.  Organize these trade terms into seperate web pages detailing the designations and certifications you have earned, as well as the associations you are affiliated.   Display a logo and include a brief description (2-3 sentences)  to let your clients know what you have accomplished.

Clients are more than likely to work with an agent, broker or virtual assistant that stands apart from the crowd, so sell yourself, AND your RE marks along with your product. Let the folks who could be your new clients know that the letters after your name are more than just that.