We had the pleasure of interviewing Sotorria Calloway, a recent REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certificant looking to engage possibilities as an independent contractor, supporting technology and marketing for real estate professionals and companies.

Sotorria has completed the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certification recently and we asked her a few simple interview questions on her thoughts of the program.

1) What is your background?

I am currently a full time graduate marketing student and a former IT professional seeking possible independent contracting opportunities in real estate. I have been in the technology field for many years and look to a career change in the world of Real Estate.

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

I undertook the REW™ certification as I am (a) a fan of Real Estate, (b) have a strong technology background, and (c) am working on a graduate level degree in marketing. In many ways the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ was a blend of all 3. I believe there is a niche for me down the road to provide contractual services to real estate professionals; assisting them to create a "Consumer-facing, web presence" as discussed in the training.

3) What are your impressions of the online experience

Given my full-time schedule, I required self-paced, online training I could do on my own time. I really enjoyed the interactive presentations that included voice, versus reading plain text. I had lots of fun, engaged a few of the showcased products so I could get my arms around the lessons discussed. Given future clients of real estate agents and brokers, I am proficient to not only implement, but to consult on available technologies they may look to consider.

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

The training took about 15 hours, done at a leisurely pace.

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

With the certification under my belt, I believe I'm better equipped to pursue those opportunities. Thanks so much for making this certification available!!! I recommend this to agents who are serious about adopting technology, or to those who look to administer technology for others, playing a support role.

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Thanks Sotorria and all the Best!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Roxanne Tidmore, a recent REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certificant and Virtual Assistant with EliteREVA, based in Cincinatti, Ohio.

Roxanne is a National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) certified Real Estate Professional Assistant (REPA) and a certified Point2Point Virtual Assistant (VA). She is able to support a number of Real Estate agent and broker activities, such as Lead Generation, New Listings coordination, Marketing, Online Transaction Management, Point2Point services, and much more.

Roxanne has completed the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certification recently and we asked her a few simple interview questions on her thoughts of the program.

1) What is your background?

My background, before I became a Real Estate Assistant, was working as an Executive Assistant for about 20 years. I then decided to research the Virtual Assistant industry. I chose the Real Estate Assistant niche because I have strong administrative skills and I have always had an interest in selling real estate.

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

I undertook the REW™ certification because I liked the concepts offered and wanted to learn more about them through the training. Prior to hearing about their training, I had not throught of creating a seamless web presence through a series of different software programs and it interested me to see how it all would work together.

Also, I am always looking for outlets to improve my skills as a Real Estate Assistant. Webographers has classes that I could learn from and then immediately apply those skills in my services to real estate agents and brokers.

3) What are your impressions of the online experience

It was great! Big piece for me was the ability to engage and play with various products as well. Simply stated there is no other vessel that allows assistants to engage ZipForm, which is used by hundreds of thousands of Realtors, thus opening the doors to new clients and more hours.

I liked the self-paced learning which made it perfect for my situation. I was able to fit the training into my schedule and still have time to take care of my clients. Also, if you need technical assistance, you can always contact the Webographer support team. They have always been very helpful and courteous and able to solve any technical issues that I encountered.

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

The training took about 10 to 12 hours, spread over my spare nights and weekends.

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

Do it! If you do not have real estate experience, it gives you a foundation to build your knowledge about real estate. If you have had previous training, this will definitely add to it. You really can never get enough training!

Also a big help for me was the book that accompanied the training. I would read a chapter and then take the online portion. The lessons really made more sense to me that way - I could see them in action.

REW™ contains techniques and technologies that are another series of valuable services you will be able to offer to real estate agents and brokers.

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Thanks Roxanne and all the Best!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Butch Daviau, a recent REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certificant and top-producing REALTOR®/Associate with Emerson REALTORS® in central Massachusetts and the Boston metropolitan.

He services Boston and surrounding suburbs (Worcester, Blackstone, Sturbridge, Holden, Middlesex, and more). He represents both sellers and buyers in the Central Mass. area, specializing in single-family homes, condominiums, land, and income property. For more information about Butch, please visit his website (with a very slick flash-intro) here.

Butch recently completed the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certification and we asked her a few simple interview questions.

1) What is your background?

I'm a Worcester native having been born and raised in the local area. I graduated from high school in 1964 and immediately enlisted in the Air Force specializing in maintenance of jet fighter aircraft. After being Honorably Discharged in 1968, I started working as a civilian on Army helicopters for the Dept. of Defense. I retired in 1994 with the closing of Fort Devens in Massachusetts. I became interested in real estate and passed the state requirements for my real estate sales license. I have been representing both buyers and sellers since 1994.

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

Simply stated, it looked appealing. The curriculum looked in-depth, rather than just scratching the surface but getting deep into the "nuts & bolts" of real estate technology. I had been curious of technologies such as single-property websites, virtual tours and neighborhood search. The REW certification had training that looked comprehensive, discussing technologies I could add to my arsenal.

3) What are your impressions of the online experience?

It was better than just about all online trainings that can be found in the industry. Course materials were voice-driven, keeping my attention. In addition, strategy was also discussed alongside the value-proposition of various real estate technologies.

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

I was on the fast track and completed in less than two weeks. Took some extra time to play with some of the showcased products as well.

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

In terms of continuous learning, every agent should consider taking the REW certification. For Brokers, consider making it available to your agents!

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Thanks Butch and all the Best!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Judy McElvogue, a recent REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certificant and REALTOR®/Associate with RE/MAX properties in La Grange, IL.

Judy services many of Chicago's western suburbs (Westchester, Brookfield, Riverside, Clarendon Hills, Western Springs, Countryside, Willow Springs, and more). She and her broker's clients enjoy both convenient access to the big city and all the lifestyle benefits of small town Americana. For more information, please visit her web page here and review her broker's listings in Illinois here.

Judy recently completed the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ (REW™) certification and we asked her a few simple interview questions.

1) What is your background?

Over the past 3 years, my job has evolved from an administative assistant/buyer's agent to more of a webographer/photographer. My plan is to focus more on this side of the real estate business. My broker was the first in the area to engage Single-Property Websites, so myself and peers look to stay progressive on the real estate technology front. Personal attributes including honesty, dedication and determination have also sustained my 25-year Membership at The Chicago Board of Trade.

Those same qualities enable me to provide the personal and professional services that make the home search for my clients enjoyable, efficient and an altogether successful experience. With a prowess in interior design, I look to develop a comprehensive, well-designed web presence for myself and my clients.

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

The Internet is changing the way consumer's look for homes and there is a need for REALTORS® to expand their web presence with Single-Property Websites and Online Transaction Management. It is a full time job, keeping up with technology, and I think there might be REALTORS® in my office that could use my help! I looked to broaden my knowledge of online, consumer-oriented, real estate technologies. Given my passion of home design, I know my expanded online presence will be an effort of great "design", creating a destination for my clients and curious site-visitors.

3) What are your impressions of the online experience?

It was extremely informative and fun. Simply stated, the curriculum was extremely current and talked about RE technology within "scenarios", putting a real life spin to technology I've been considering acquiring. I had the option to "play" with real products on the market, to compliment the lessons. I felt like I was in the driver's seat, engaging materials, and taking additional time to do what I wanted within the training experience.

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

Given the time-frame of 90 days alloted to complete the certification, I completed the course in about 10 weeks. I enjoyed the fact that I was able to set my own pace and do the training when I could focus and enjoy learning! All-in-all, the training being self-paced and online, allowed me to complete the certification on my schedule.

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

Quite frankly, the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER certification is not just another designation. The experience was immersive. Going into my next meeting to "win the listing", this certification will be a hot topic of discussion because it's about what consumers are concerned about these days, real estate technology.

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Thanks Judy and all the Best!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Jayne Goldman, a recent REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ certificant and Virtual Assistant (VA). Jayne is an independent contractor via Team Double-Click, an official Technology Partner of The National Institute of Webographers and sponsor of the Virtual Assistant competency module. Given real estate technology, Team Double-Click provides virtual assistants to support technology adoption and administration on behalf of top-producing real estate agents and brokers. 

Jayne recently completed the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ certification and we asked a few simple interview questions.

1) What is your background?

I was a Systems Programmer/Analyst for a worldwide insurance company for 15 years. During the last four years of my career there, I was allowed to telecommute. In 2005, during a company merger, my job was eliminated along with many others from my department.

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

After I was laid off, I decided to use this as an opportunity to pursue something that I was really interested in. I have always had a love of real estate but I could not devote the time necessary to be a good agent so I have been looking for a way to provide support to the real estate industry.

Since I am also looking for something that will allow me to work from home, I signed up with the virtual staffing agency Team Double-Click. It was through this agency that I learned about the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ certification. I decided to take the courses to expand my knowledge and to make myself more marketable as a potential employee.

3) What are your impressions of the online experience?

I love to take classes online. It allows me to take the classes at my own convenience, whenever I have a little bit of time. Being a mother of three, I do not have the time to travel to a classroom to take courses so this allowed me to obtain a certification that I would never have had the time to pursue otherwise. These classes were very easy to understand. The hands-on exercises helped reinforce what I learned in each class.

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

It took me about 6 weeks. I would work on it for about an hour a night during the week after my children went to bed.

5) What real estate technologies are you considering implementing (for yourself or your clients)?

My father runs his own computer consulting business and he has a client who has expressed an interest in having a single-property website for a rental building that is currently under construction. Now I have the knowledge to assist my father, if this website becomes a reality.

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

I would tell them to take the classes! There is a lot to learn, it is fun and it does not take that much time.

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Thanks Jayne and all the Best!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Tim Fisher, a recent REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ certificant and Marketing Manager and REALTOR® with ResortQuest Real Estate.  ResortQuest offers real estate sales and vacation rentals in resort destinations throughout North America and Hawaii.

Tim recently completed the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ certification and we asked a few simple interview questions.

1) What is your background?

I’m a licensed REALTOR® and the marketing manager for ResortQuest Real Estate in Bethany Beach, Delaware. We are the real estate sales and vacation rental leaders at Sea Colony and throughout the Delaware’s Quiet Resorts, and we have been for four decades. My primary job for the sales side of the business is getting quality buyers to our talented sales team through comprehensive marketing – direct mail, print and, increasingly, the Internet.

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

Business, real estate included, is moving online because that’s where the consumers are. I started looking for a resource that could fill in the gaps in my knowledge of how the Web works and introduce me to the emerging technologies that will shape our business, allowing us to better serve our buyers and sellers. I found it with the REAL ESTATE WEBGRAPHER™ certification.

Using technology effectively, and adopting early in the cases of the most promising developments, means better marketing, more efficient processes and, ultimately, more time to focus on what really matters – providing exemplary professional services to our buyers and sellers. The Web is constantly evolving and continuously offering new opportunities if you know where to look. As marketing manager, it’s critical that I stay engaged. Webographers.com provides a great starting point and an ongoing resource.

3) What are your impressions of the online experience?

The certification program is comprehensive, covering topics ranging from virtual tours to online transaction management to mobile technologies. It discusses both the technologies and their applications, as well as the benefits of their use. While each lesson is targeted to pieces of the technology picture, the theme of a unified Web presence is continuously reinforced by discussing how these technologies and techniques can, and should, be used in concert.

The concepts discussed in the lessons are reinforced by activities using products actually available – making the information learned in the lessons more real and more applicable to the day to day business of real estate. Having that sandbox to play in before completing the lesson was important to solidifying my understanding of the material.

Those looking to improve their grasp of technology and how to apply it to make them more successful will benefit greatly from this approach to learning.

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

I completed the training over the course of a couple weeks, dedicating about 20 hours or so to complete all 11 courses, exams and opting to complete all hands-on activities. I had 90 days to complete all of the courses, but once I got started I was hooked and finished it in some pretty intensive bursts.

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

Do it. I was looking for a certification that featured a variety of technology. This one fit the bill. It’s worth the effort even if your goal is just to increase your technology vocabulary.

If you’re intimidated by the rapid advances in technology, this certification will put you at ease because it’s self-paced, the text reinforces the online courses and the activities let you apply what you’ve learned with real programs and applications that are available in the marketplace today.

The Internet isn’t going anywhere and, if the past few years are any indication, it’s going to continue to revolutionize the way we do business, the way we market our services, the way we interact with our customers and a few more things we haven’t thought of yet.

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Thanks Tim and all the Best!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Russ Loop, a recent REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ certificant and REALTOR® currently with Lyon Real Estate in the Sacramento, CA area. He services many areas including Lincoln, Rocklin, and Roseville as well as other surrounding Sacramento areas. For more information please visit his website, www.RussLoop.com.

Russ recently completed the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ certification and we asked him a few simple interview questions. As an added bonus to completing the certification, each certificant is provided with a sample press release they can tailor to their liking, as well as several Press Release outlet sites to submit it to. To see Russ Loop’s certificant press release, please click here.

1) What is your background?

I’m a licensed REALTOR® with Lyon Real Estate and live in the Springfield Active 55+ Community of Whitney Oaks in Rocklin, California. My previous job (34 years) involved working in the Medical Imaging marketplace. I was involved with the Sales, Service, and Manufacturing processes involving digital imaging equipment used throughout the world in hospitals and clinics. My start in retirement did not set well as I had a need to be more involved on a daily basis. I was used to dealing with over 900 computer systems per month.

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

With my previous involvement in planning and building homes on the East coast, I chose to enter Real Estate in 2002 when I retired. I learned to use the skills provided by HTML and Webographers.com to develop a seamless transition to the marketplace for my web site. As a REALTOR®, it’s critical to stay engaged and promote your business in this very crowded field. Webographers.com appeared to be a great starting point and will continue to be an ongoing resource for me as well as in my new found career.

3) What are your impressions of the online experience?

So many online courses in the web world tend to tell you what you know and sell you more of it. The Webographer system teaches one in a way where you are always advancing in an area of new expertise. They are superb in giving one little bits of knowledge and then letting it be applied in a real time exercise. By the time one takes each short course examination, one cannot help but feel that they have definitely learned something new that will serve them well.

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

I completed the 11 course training during a two week period. This included the study material, practice assignments and hands-on activities. I had 90 days to complete all of the courses but I found myself doing it in 14 days. It was intensive but satisfying to be able to see “real” results as each session was completed. Happily, I finished with an average of 95+ on all of the course material.

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

Why wait to learn something today that will help you throughout your career? I was looking for a certification that featured a variety of technology. As one of my country sayings laments – Go for It and get’er done!

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Thanks Russ and all the Best!

We had the pleasure of interviewing Melissa Boyd, a recent REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ certificant and real estate professional who provides technology support and administration to agents & brokers.  Melissa recently completed the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER™ certification and we asked a few simple interview questions.

1) What is your background?

Personally, I am a military spouse and a mother of one.  Professionally, I am a Virtual Administrative Professional (a.k.a., a Virtual Assistant). I provide off-site support services for Real Estate (R.E.) professionals. My company is named iAssist Virtual Services (www.iassistonline.com).

While growing up, all I wanted to do was work in an office and provide support.  As a kid, I drove my sister and friends crazy playing “office”.  While in high school, I was fortunate enough that our school offered a very comprehensive business curriculum which really helped to jump-start my V.A. career. I started my first assistant job before I even graduated. Prior to launching iAssist, I worked in various support roles in several industries; however, Real Estate is my passion.