We had the pleasure of interviewing Kim Noel, a recent REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certificant. Kim has worked in many different fields providing her assistant services, but has become a valuable member of our Technology Partner, Team Double-Click.

We took a few moments to ask her a few simple interview questions on her thoughts of the program.

1) What is your background?

I have many years of experience as an Administrative Assistant in a Bricks and Mortar setting.  I have worked within Real Estate, Car Manufacturing and Modular Home Manufacturing as an Assistant.  Mixed with my fascination with computers and technology, the evolutionary step was to work virtually at doing something I love to do.  I have to thank Team Double-Click for that opportunity.  They are a wonderful Virtual Staffing Agency for Independent Contractors to work with and you couldn't ask for a better support system.

2) Why did you undertake the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certification?

I took the Certification to increase my knowledge base so that I may in turn help my clients and future clients have a solid web presence for their businesses.  With this knowledge I can improve their presence on the web at a fraction of the cost and increase their sales; all from the comfort of my home office.

3) Which course (or courses) did you find the most value in?

All the courses were packed with useful and very interesting information, but I have to say the Online Transaction Management (Relay) and Agent Websites (RapidListings / Point2) courses were the highlight for me.  All the modules were easy to understand and very thorough.

4) In what ways will you utilize the technologies you learned in the REW™ certification to enhance your career or business?

With my new REW Certification I can now offer my clients a whole new area to help them increase their web presence and get them on the path to marketing and lead generation the web-savvy way!

5) How long did it take you to complete the certification and what are your impressions of the online experience?

It took me a week to complete the certification.  I went head on and worked at it daily.  I had a hard time putting my mouse down so to speak.  The program was excellent!  It was easy to understand and each module prepared you fully for the Learning Lab case-studies as well as the test questions.  I would certainly recommend this course to any VA who is interested in being an RE Assistant.

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Thanks Kim and all the Best!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Sandra Sims, a recent REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certificant.

Sandra is a Virtual Assistant (VA) involved in the Real Estate Industry for 20+ years. She is REPA certified and pursued the REW program in order to be able to offer more services to her clients so that they may use their valuable time doing what they do best - bringing in new business. She found her answer in REW.

We took a few moments to ask some questions on her thoughts of the program.

1) What is your background?

I have been in the Real Estate Industry for over 20 years. I started out working for several Property Management companies handling leasing of properties, doing administrative duties along with becoming an Office Manager. I have become NAR REPA (Real Estate Professional Assistant) certified which is a National Association of Realtors designation along with having extensive experience with real estate operations specializing in property management. I enjoy what I do and it enables me to spend time with my family.

2) Why did you undertake the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certification?

Megan Barber of Barber Virtual Assisting Solutions suggested that I take this course since she had just completed it herself and said that it would help all of us Real Estate Professional Assistants. I am proud that I now have my REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHERS™ certification. I took this course to further my education and to be able to offer more services as a Real Estate Virtual Assistant. I own my own business and feel that continued education of technologies is of up most importance in keeping up with the constant changes.

3) Which course (or courses) did you find the most value in?

In the REW course I learned so many different programs and feel that all were very valuable to me and my business and I highly recommend this program to help keep pace with the changing technology of today!

4) In what ways will you utilize the technologies you learned in the REW™ certification to enhance your career or business?

The course has allowed me to be able to offer more services to Real Estate Professionals and there businesses along with offering more as a virtual assistant to small businesses too! This will give my clients the opportunity to hand off to me their day to day tasks which lets them have more time to increase their business and close more deals.

5) How long did it take you to complete the certification and what are your impressions of the online experience?

It took me several weeks to complete this course due to my not having time to complete it all at once. But I enjoyed being able to take it on my own time which allowed me to work it in between my not so busy times!

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Thanks Sandra and all the Best!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Kathy Goldman, a recent REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certificant.

Kathy is a Virtual Assistant (VA) involved in the Real Estate Industry for over 14 years.  She currently owns and operates her own business, REVAonline.  REVA Online provides the admin and technology expertise Realtors® need to take their Real Estate business to the next level. They take over the behind-the-scenes administrative tasks to allow the RE professional to concentrate on what they do best — listing and selling properties!

We took a few moments to ask some questions on her thoughts of the program.

1) What is your background?

I have 4+ years as a virtual Real Estate Assistant and 10+ years of in-house real estate experience. I am familiar with many website hosts and their products as well as lead generation tools and website content and maintenance. I have a team of experts trained to support the various tools and services that help integrate and streamline my client’s businesses. We provide website support and maintenance, website content, single property websites, lead management, post card campaigns, Virtual Tours and more!

2) Why did you undertake the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certification?

I believe that you should never stop learning. Although most of the information covered in this course was review, there were many things that I was able to take from the course as well. I prefer to stay on top of the game by taking courses and vendor training when the opportunity arises.

3) Which course (or courses) did you find the most value in?

I though the whole course was a great “package” offering insight and training into many areas Realtors® may not have know about. This is just a great all-around insight into tools and services that agents can utilize to streamline their business.

4) In what ways will you utilize the technologies you learned in the REW certification to enhance your career or business?

I will apply these techniques daily in the support of my clients. My clients look to me to be on the cutting edge of technology and to find ways to make their businesses better and thereby enhancing their client relations and their marketing opportunities.

5) How long did it take you to complete the certification and what are your impressions of the online experience?

I may not be indicative of the average person taking the courses. I used all the days, but that was due to my own time limitations. The course is somewhat lengthy, but covered all the topics necessary. Once in with the online instructor, the time flew by quickly and the courses were easy to understand. This is definitely a series I would recommend to my clients!

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Thanks Kathy and all the Best!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Ekemma Mmeje, a recent REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certificant.

Ekemma is a Virtual Assistant (VA) working out of Silver Spring, MD. Having been approached several times by many RE professionals looking for help creating and maintaining an online web-presence, Ekemma seeked out the knowledge to broaden her own RE technology skill set, and improve her value as a VA. She found her answer in REW.

We took a few moments to ask some questions on her thoughts of the program.

1) What Is Your Background?

I have over 5 years of experience working as an office Administrator. I decided to offer my services as a virtual assistant, to help small businesses and busy professionals who are faced with day-to-day administrative challenges to meet their business objectives. As a Virtual Assistant, I enjoy having some time to myself as well as practicing my profession. I currently run my own business, Xpertva serivces, and can be reached at xpertva@yahoo.com, or by at phone 301.943.6096.

2) Why did you undertake the REAL ESETATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW)?

I have been approached several times by real estate professionals to assist them with their office management and to also help them create a solid web presence. Because of this, I decided to take this certification to help me broaden my knowledge base in this area.

3) Which Course Did You Find The Most Value In?

The courses that I find the most value in include the following: Online Transaction Management (OTM), Mobile Technology, Electronic Forms (covering MLS, IDX, VOW and ILD Technologies).

4) In What Ways Will You Use The Technologies You Learnt To Enhance Your Career Or Business?

I will use the technologies that I have learnt to assist real estate professionals in their business. I will support their online transactions, create and maintain a web presence and help improve their office management. This will give them more time to interact with their clients, generate more leads, and close more sales.

5) How long did it take you to complete the certification and what are your impressions of the online experience?

It took me 3 days to complete the course and it was very interesting and educative. I have more insights now with the latest technologies in online real estate technologies.

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Thanks Ekemma and all the Best!

The National Institute of Webographers is proud to announce a partnership with VANetworking; offering the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW)  for both regular members and VAInsiders at VA Networking. For additional details about this special offer, please click here.

VA Networking is the largest online Virtual Assistant Networking Association business network available for aspiring and successful Virtual Assistants and Virtual Achievers to share, learn and succeed. To become a member costs nothing, and the site contains various information about what a VA is and the benefits of becoming one. Also available are a host of services to aid VA's including discounts on popular technologies and certifications as well opportunities to share information with the thousands of VA members and networking opportunities.

With 8,000+ members and growing, VAnetworking discovered a group of VAs ready to kick things up a notch looking for something a little more “exclusive,” a “total package” designed for the discriminating VA who hasn’t got the time to shop the forums for the best deal. For those members, VA Networking has responded by offering an exclusive membership referred to as VAInsiders. For a comparison of the extras available as a VAInsider, please visit here.

At the completion of course materials for the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER certification, candidates adhere to (initial) the REW Commitment Document. 

Within their first year, REW certificants commit to implementing or administering at least 1 web-centric, real estate technology - whether for themselves (agents, brokers) or for their clients (assistants).  Certificants provide proof of implementing or adminstering a technology via the Technology Proof Form.

Recently, we had an REW professional, Marie Martinez, go above and beyond in her implementation of web-based real estate technologies, per her completion of the Technology Proof Form.  Marie didn't just show proof of one web-based online technology, but FIVE!  Click each technology below (individual components of her fax to Webographers) as inclusive proof of implementing and administering real estate technology.   

- Broker Website - Maintaining a broker's website.  See website here. 

- Virtual Tour - See the actual tour here. 

- Single-property Website - using postlets.com

- Online Classifieds - syndication of a listing on craigslists.

- Direct Marketing - eNewsletter of the listing using constant contact.

The REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER certification is not just about learning the value-proposition of today's foremost real estate technologies--but having the commitment to adopt and implement real estate technologies.

We had the pleasure of interviewing Marie Martinez, a recent REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certificant.

Marie had an extremely successful career as a travel agent for a corporate firm. Following a relocation, she moved into real estate. She completed REW™ to aid in both her professional and personal businesses and has excelled in both!

We took a few moments to ask her a few questions on her thoughts of the program.

1) What is your background?

I worked as a corporate travel agent for 17 years and edged out with the increased use of technology. After a layoff, I decided not to pursue my career any further. After a couple of years and a relocation from New York to South Carolina I found my niche as a real estate assistant. I enjoy the marketing aspect of the job and in 2005 launched my part time business: Low Country Virtual Assistant.

2) Why did you undertake the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certification?

To assist in both my full time job as an Executive Assistant to three very busy real estate agents and to promote myself as a Virtual Assistant.

3) What are your impressions of the online experience?

I loved the training and knowledge I received and can now bring to the agents I assist both during the day and for my own personal business. Technology is here and it is the future and we have to keep up in order to be competitive.

4) How long did it take you to complete the certification?

It took about two weeks to complete it.

5) What would you tell those who are considering this certification?

Take it! You will not regret one penny. Money well spent. I am able to bring something to the real estate office I work for as my full time job as well as options for the agents I assist in the evening.

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Thanks Marie and all the Best!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Twyla Chapman, a recent REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certificant.

Twyla is a Virtual Assistant (VA) with CreativeVASolutions.com and undertook the certification to improve and supplement her VA skills to win additional listings and increase her service offerings.

We took a few moments to ask some questions on her thoughts of the program.

1) What is your background?

In addition to growing up on a ranch, I am a mom of three with one left in high school and a ranch hand which entails about everything there is to do on the ranch. I also barrel race on horses that I have trained myself and work as a VA at CreativeVASolutions.com.          
 
2) Why did you undertake the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certification?  

I wanted to back off the ranch job but still earn a great income without having to drive so far into town to get a minimum wage job. Further, since I'm working as a VA, the completion of the REW Certification would greatly improve my marketability and pay.  Since I could take the courses right over the internet from home and had 90 days to complete it I went for it.  Even though the cost of the cert is extremely low, the increase in pay I could achieve with REW greatly offsets the cost of it. 
 
3) What are your impressions of the online experience?

I thought it was very informative and the courses were well laid out. I liked the fact that after each course you had an assessment that allowed you to go back over any questions that you got wrong "on the fly" making it easier for me to understand it all. I really am not an excellent test taker and I completed each course with flying colors. Also, I enjoyed the experience.
 
4) How long did it take you to complete the certification? 

I completed the certification in 8 days.
 
5) What would you tell those who are considering this certification?

I would tell folks to go for it because it will help you understand the aspects of what a Real Estate office needs for greater exposure and what an assistant can do to improve that exposure. Oh, wow it is just so full of good things! Moreover, with this certification under your belt, you will drastically increase your marketability making it more likely for you to be chosen for a VA job with a salary higher than a purely assistant position.  If you are afraid that you are not very good with tests and you might have a tough time completing the cert, trust me, you won't. Each course is broken down and explained extremely well and they have assessments after each section so you can ensure you understood everything. If you don't complete an assessment you can easilly go back and focus on the things you didn't understand where you messed up and get a real good understanding of it. So, it is not tough to get through. Go for it!

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Thanks Twyla and all the Best!

In order to highlight exceptional implementations of the tools available through the REW Affiliate program, NIW is creating a "REW Affiliates in Action" category for our blog. This week, we look at Megan Barber, a recent REW™ certificant.

Through minimal effort, Megan successfully integrated the tools available via the REW Affiliate program to advertise REW on both her personal business website, Barber Virtual Assisting Solutions, as well as her ActiveRain blog account. Using the custom HTML code provided, she added click-thru logos and banners linked to both Webographers.com for additional information, her personal landing page seen here, and directly to the REW sign-up page using her affiliate 15% discount coupon code.

Even with the cut and paste ease-of-use, the new additions jive perfectly with each site's look and feel. Megan understands the key to creating a seamless partnership is choosing visibly appealing and relevant locations for the custom affiliate tools; Megan's implementation is near picture perfect!

For more information about the REW Affiliate program or to sign-up and begin making 25% commission through the sales of the REW cert, please click here.

To see a shining example REW Affiliate tools in action, or for additional information on the Virtual Assistant services her company offers, please visit Barber Virtual Assisting Solutions, or visit her on ActiveRain.com.

Laura Monroe, president & owner of Creative Agent Solutions, conducted an interview with Marc Grayson, President &  Founder of the National Institute of Webographers.

Interview for Virtual Assistants
This interview, conducted in the Real Estate Virtual Assistant Group at Active Rain, examined the applicability of the REW™ certification for the audience of Virtual Assistants. The interview can be found at Laura's ActiveRain Post.

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Learn More About Creative Agent Solutions

Providing "real estate support and virtual assistance for agents and brokers", Creative Agent Solutions can maintain and administer online real estate Marketing, Listing Coordination, and administrative tasks.

-- Input new listings into MLS and manage updates/changes.
-- Enter listings into KWLS (Keller Williams Associates only)
-- Set up & manage showing feedback system
-- Order/Create/Post Virtual Tours
-- Enhance REALTOR.com listings
-- Design a professional color flyer or brochure
-- Create & send Just Listed/Sold Postcards
-- Design flyers, luxury property brochures, postcards, and multi-media presentations
-- Prepare and send newsletters
-- Manage neighborhood websites
-- Customize Point 2 Agent websites
-- Write, create & record IVR recordings (audio tours, hotlines)
-- Design & create print ads approved by you
-- and so much more!

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Learn about VAs...from VAs
For those interested in learning more about Virtual Assistants, or submitting an RFP, please check out the REVA Group (private group where you must ask for permission) at ActiveRain.