What’s in a name? Well everything of course
Behind every door and around every corner is that next great idea. We have all had them and some of us actually act on them.
Okay, so you have this amazing idea or passion that you have decided to act on in true entrepreneurial spirit, the first thing we tend to worry about is the name. What do we call our new company or this earth shattering new product? This is where you need to STOP and step back for a moment. Ask yourself, do you want to be completely original or just tell it like it is. Either way can be good, it simply depends on how much work you are willing to put into it.
A name is crucial to any new endeavor. For easy understanding, let’s use a fictional gollywidget product that enables homebuyers to make an instant offer on a home from curbside. (POS / point of sale system). Now we have two directions we can go regarding the birthing of a brand.
The first and potentially the easiest (but not forward thinking) is to call it “Buy Me Now” or something similar. This implies what the product does and is easy to remember, thus allowing you to create all of the raw material needed thereafter. But what happens in ten years and you have that next great idea? You are then back to square one since you will have no choice but to build an umbrella brand in conjunction with the second product.
The second, and frankly the smartest way is to create a core brand. Stop and really think about the type of company you want to see in ten or twenty years. From there you want to think of a name that truly represents this new venture and its overall potential. Look beyond the product and go for strength and longevity. For our parent company, the name Platinum Sales Systems gives room for growth, additions to the product lines and continued trending.
Which ever road you take, be smart about it. You will become that name and you want to always be proud of it.
The Next Generation of Virtual Tour is Available as an App
As a fairly new user to the world of mini applications that we call Apps, I am constantly shocked at what is available. If you take a look at iTunes, Android and Windows together, there are over 500,000 Apps available. Ranging from CRM platforms to Virtual Tours, there is everything a REALTOR could possibly need to manage and grow their business. All you need is a Tablet and a Smart Phone and you have the tools to be a super agent.
My recommendation for today is that any REALTOR or professional that uses Virtual Tours as part of their marketing strategy should check out the iPad/iPhone App from Tour Wrist. This application takes things to a whole new level. Some are even calling it “The #1 Free App of All Time”. According to Adam Curry‘s The Big App Show ”It just blows me away… You will love this, I guarantee it.”
With Tour Wrist®, iOS devices become portals. So when you point your device up, you’ll truly appreciate a new property’s grand staircase. Turning around will give you the full stadium seating experience. And looking down will reveal just how much leg space a vehicle has to offer. And even if you don’t have an iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad, or the brand new iPod Touch, you can still view “tours” through our intuitive, touch-based controls. Check out travel destinations one minute, hotels and restaurants the next, or even look inside new homes. With powerful search, sort, and sharing tools, Tour Wrist® gives you the power to travel, remotely. – TourWrist.com
FEATURES:
• Breakthrough, 3D-viewing technology tracks your device movement to show corresponding views on-screen.
• Intuitive, touch-based navigation as well.
• Access to beautiful imagery from some of the world’s most talented photographers.
• Powerful filtering allows you to search by keyword, geography, popularity, and more.
• Supporting descriptions, maps, and web links give you a broader understanding of each area you explore.
• Bookmark your favorite tours, and even share them via email, Twitter, or Facebook.
• Tour Wrist® is entirely free!
Check it out in the iTunes Store, you will find it fits every REALTORS needs.
Are Reporters Banging Down Your Door? They Can Be!
Most REALTORS would love to have their brokerage, brand or new listing appear in the local media. Unfortunately they assume that the only way to get that type of exposure is through a press release or press conference.
In comes Bill and Steve Harrison’s Reporter Connection. About a year ago I received an email that screamed SPAM, but it was so bad that I read through the entire piece. Despite the unappealing way that the emails come across, there are big name, media outlets that show up. What they are is a connection hub between professionals and experts from all walks of life and the media.
It takes about 10 minutes to sign-up and you will start to receive daily emails that detail the topics, region and experts being sought that day. I went with my instincts and said to myself ”it couldn’t hurt and it may pay off at some point”.
For the first few weeks I didn’t pay much attention to the emails, but I have now gotten into the habit of trying to take a look at them when they come through. As a PR and Branding Consultant for the real estate industry it is only on occasion that I see a topic or request that I would want to respond to.
Earlier this week, I received an email from Radiospectives’ Shannon Hooley asking if I could fill in for a last-minute cancellation. Since the topic was Social Media and the foreseeable future, there was really no reason for me to say NO. I made a few calls and shifted my calendar so that I could do the half hour, call-in interview. The best part, when take the exposure for Ardynn PR out of the equation, is that I am now a part of their expert line-up.
REALTORS should make sure to sign-up in their local market. YOu never know when a real estate expert will be needed.
The Platinum Insider To Deliver Consumer Real Estate News
The team here at the Platinum Insider is pleased to announce our newest addition – Housing Trends for Home Buyers and Sellers.
Housing Trends eNewsletter is a monthly real estate market update to share with your clients and prospects via email, your website, blog, email signature and social media sites.
Housing Trends eNewsletter is filled with local and national real estate sales and price activity provided by MLSs and the National Association of REALTORS®, U.S. Census Bureau key market indicators, housing market video reports, blogs, real estate glossary, maps, mortgage rates, calculators and consumer articles.
The real estate industries most comprehensive Housing Trends report with data from the National Association of REALTORS®, the U.S. Census Bureau and Realtor.org reports, videos, key market indicators and real estate sales statistics, a video message by a nationally recognized economist, maps, mortgage rates and calculators, consumer articles, plus local neighborhood information and more.
Below is a brief recap of what you will find in the monthly eReport.
The homeownership rate in the third quarter 2010 (66.9 percent) was lower than the third quarter 2009 rate (67.6 percent). In the South and West, the homeownership rates were lower than a year ago, while the Northeast and Midwest showed no significant change from corresponding third quarter 2009 rates. (4th Qtr 2010 Rates will be reported in February.)Sales of new one-family houses in November 2010 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 290,000. This is 5.5 percent above the revised October 2010 estimate of 275,000.
“What Is Your Home Worth” HAR’s Consumer Knowledge Series can be applied to anyreal estate market.
Please click here to view the full JANUARY – 2011 Newsletter Housing Trends eNewsletter.
If you are interested in determining the value of your home, click the Home Evaluator link for a free evaluation report.
2011 is the Year of Engagement
The first real estate industry conference of the year has come and gone. Real Estate Connect NYC was a tremendous success (despite blizzard warnings and conditions). Many new companies and vendors where showcased. Trending topics revealed and debated from across the board. Deals were struck in the most unlikely of places as iPhones and Droids were more prolific than ever.
The general census and feed back that this industry expert heard was the delivery of an industry Smack Down when it comes to engaging the consumer. The NY Times presented the second day and a large portion of their presentation surrounded engaging the consumer in THEIR chosen form of communication. Now, this is something that the team here at Ardynn PR has been saying for a couple of years. What is the purpose of REALTORS integrating Facebook, Twitter, Skype, texting and Email into their websites? To say that they have them?
If you are starting to use these various engagement mediums, then you DO NOT have a choice but to respond in the same manner that the consumer originated contact with. That is where their comfort level lies and it needs to be respected. So don’t pick the phone and call back just because that is where your comfort level is or that you feel you can fast track the deal. Responding through the same channel may add a little time to the process, but lets the consumer know that you work at their level and can even lead to the assumption that you are of the same generation demographic.
Related Articles
- Marketing Strategy, REALTORS and Beyond (thelimemagazine.wordpress.com)
REALTORS, the Media and Growing Exposure
with Michael D. Harris Jr.
When most REALTORS think of the media, they automatically think about articles and press releases and that is a good starting point, but that does not include the whole picture. Media firms are much more than just news outlets. They are crucial relationships that every REALTOR should be cultivating.
Besides acting as traditional news outlets, today’s media firms offer advertising services, host their own industry- based conferences and other consulting and marketing services. Let’s take Inman News, based out of San Fransisco, for example. They not only are one of the largest media outlets, but host to the first major real estate conference of the year. The 3 days of Power-Packed Learning and Networking tends to give us a glimpse of emerging trends and new technologies that will play a crucial role in the way that we manage our brands.
“Inman Connect is one of the most highly regarded real estate technology events that takes place throughout the year. It’s an opportunity to network with leading edge companies, share ideas and connect with people in the real estate industry. Many great ideas come from this event. I am honored to be a speaker this year, representing EXIT Realty and accompanied by many of the finest leaders in the industry” says Jeff Lobb, EXIT Realty, Technology Specialist.
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David Reed, former mortgage banker and best selling, real estate finance author of Mortgage Confidential (AMACOM 2006, 2010)and Mortgages 101 (AMACOM 2004, 2008) officially joins the team at Platinum Sales Systems as of January 1st. David’s roles at Platinum will be varied, from overseeing content for their various business channels to managing the social media and the creative departments.
Platinum Sales Systems, based out of Austin, TX, is one of the real estate industries fast growing marketing platform providers for REALTORS. They provide everything from traditional marketing collateral and educational articles via their Platinum Insider blog, to individual / community websites and the Platinum Luxury Listings portal. “In order to provide our clients with the most engaging, SEO content available, we knew that we needed someone that truly understands the power of the written word. So for us, it was logical that we look at best selling, real estate authors to meet our needs and David Reed fits the bill to a T” says Platinum Sales Systems President, Curt Warner. “Not only does David have an insider’s knowledge of the industry, but has the ability to relate to all age-demographic groups.”
David is the author of Mortgages 101, Mortgage Confidential, Your Successful Career as a Mortgage Broker, The Real Estate Investor’s Guide to Financing, Your Guide to VA Loans and Decoding the New Mortgage Market, all published by AMACOM of New York City. He has more than 20 years experience in the real estate industry, particularly in the field of residential and commercial mortgage lending.
“Leaving the mortgage banking industry after 20 years took more than a little reflection but I’ve been following Platinum’s progress over the past 18months and when the opportunity to help take Platinum to the next level I couldn’t pass it up,” said Reed.
He has appeared on CNN, CNBC, Fox and Friends and the Today In New York show. His advice has appeared in the New York Times, Parade Magazine, Washington Post and Kiplinger’s as well as other newspapers and magazines from around the country.
