This is the first of 3 articles focusing on what REW can do for the Real Estate professional and how he or she can and will benefit from the addition of these three letters to their name "R-E-W". This week, we will focus on real estate agents, the ones at the forefront of our market.

What REW is not

REW is not a case study in the latest fads, trends and buzz technologies. How do you know what's a fad? Easy, check out your favorite blog or RE news site. There will be a host of articles on the most trendy technologies. I'm not saying the latest trends are ineffective, I simply believe they are not time-proven. That is what separates the successful, and PROFITABLE web-technologies found in the REW certification from the rest.

So what can REW do for Agents? In two words - EARN REVENUE. How you might ask?

1. GENERATE LEADS - Obviously before you can make connections, wow your clients, and close sales, you need to find them. REW answers two questions every individual has about marketing on the Internet: (1) Where do I start? (2) How will people find me? It starts with the basics of a web-storefront and advertising (Agent Websites and Single-Property Websites), and moves on to gaining exposure (and therefore web-traffic) to your site (Lead Generation and Blogs).

2. EARN TRUST and CREDIBILITY - Everyone knows to be successful in sales, you need to earn your client's trust, which ultimately lends you credibility. Clients these days are web-savvy - it's just a fact. They expect salespeople, ESPECIALLY RE Agents - facilitators of probably the most important purchase in their life - to be as knowledgeable if not more.

Picture this - a client finds your Agent Website and surfs your Single-Property Website listings.

a.) Credibility #1 - Without even having to contact you, they can make a decision if you are offering what they are looking for. This may appear negative - trust me, it's not. You will definitely be more successful with clients that reach out to you. Assume they decide to send a request to your email. You respond promptly via your phone or other mobile device because you utilize Mobile Technologies.

b.) Credibility #2- Your client is impressed with your prompt reply. Eventually they engage your services to close a purchase or sales transaction. You handle all paperwork via digital documents online via your PDA or laptop while enjoying coffee with them in the local coffee shop.

c.) Credibiilty #3 - Efficiency, consistency, and ease of the entire transaction. Your client completes the transaction without hardly breaking a sweat and you earn revenue.

d.) Credibility #4 - But it does not stop there. Your client is so satisfied with your service, they refer YOU to additional friends and family. Instant leads are created, and the process repeats itself.

3. IMPRESS YOUR CLIENTS - At one time or another, we have all had to work with a salesperson - whether it be purchasing a new car, or even a coffee maker. Whatever that item is, you have questions and you need answers to make the best informed decision. I'm sure you can remember the salespeople that were truly helpful and in important purchases, you probably would refer them to a friend or relative. Possessing the technology and web-savvy skills to impress and satisfy your clients is what will keep them AND their contacts coming back - whether it is next week or in a few years.

REW is not just another cert you complete and add to your letterhead. It is a lasting reference, providing you with the tools to help yourself. But like any reference, it needs to be utilized. If used properly, there is no limit to the benefits you can attain.

With REW, you work smarter, not harder.

The National Institute of Webographers, owner of the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW) certification and ZipForm, the leading provider of Electronic Forms software have teamed up to provide a hefty discount towards enrollment of the REW™ certification; exclusive to ZipForm subscribers.

The REW certification is the ideal training for new agents looking to enter the market and build their online reputation as well as seasoned agents looking to sharpen their online-technology skills and offer more to their clients.

If you have been putting off your technology awareness training for the right time, that time is now!

Discount for ZipForm Subscribers Ends 04/16/2008

One interesting thing about Web 2.0 is the enhancement of communication between real estate professional and consumers, establashing transparent dialogue that is also of interest to other potential clients.

When we think of communication such as blogs & email, this communication is asyncronous. This means it's not in real-time and dialogue occurs when you can get to it. In Web 2.0, realtime or syncronous communication is the next unchartered wave of the Web 2.0 ocean.

Chat tools could be effective as real-time communications, but there exists a problem of agents (or their assistants) being tied to a computer to chat in real-time.

WEBINARS & ONLINE MEETINGS
Many of you agents and brokers have attended a webinar to listen in on a new product your thinking of purchasing, or have attended a webinar for training of a product you have purchased.

(a) Use by Agents / Brokers
Given realtime communication, agents / brokers could hold online meetings w/ prospective buyers and sellers in their own marketplace. From a Web 2.0 perspective, online meetings still keep that "buffer" consumers enjoy online of not meeting someone in-person until they are ready to conduct business. These meetings could be "scheduled" during evenings when prospective clients can "sit in" from the comfort of their own home.

(b) What to Discuss
Listing Presentations and knowledge on the current market would play into such online presentations. You'd be surprised that you likely have all materials handy to create, for example, a Powerpoint presentation. You could have a series of online meetings targeted to niche consumers, i.e. "First Time HomeBuyers".

(c) Who'd Attend
Besides the agent and prospective consumers, mortgage brokers and even previous clients who can bring "testimonials" to the table, are ideas of who could attend. Having an assistant on hand to take notes, write down questions of consumers where time outside the meeting is required, is also a smart idea. As with any "meeting", a single person such as the agent or broker, must keep things moving and not let anyone person dominate the dialogue.

(d) Marketing Your Online Meetings
Besides your agent website and blog, direct marketing can be used where it makes sense. Consider holding informational webinars for the niche "First-time Home Buyers". You may want to develop flyers and target apartment complexes in your direct marketing, advertising your online meetings and webinars.

(e) Online Meeting Software
Tools like Yugma and Gotomeeting are great tools to assist in sharing your desktop w/ consumers, but also scheduling and pre-registering invites given different packages from such vendors.

In conclusion, Web 2.0 is about creating a dialogue with your current and prospective clients. Realtime chat is of great challenge. Online Meetings are a "scheduled" chat, can be visually stimulating, and inclusive of many prospects when done properly.