Carol Grape to Offer Her Wisdom on Real Estate Photography #REBCDEN
June 10, 2010 by Kristal Kraft
Filed under "I'll Be There" Interviews
Carol Grape is came highly recommended to me several years ago when I was looking for speakers for REALTOR Rally. Carol volunteered to help and has been a steady supporter always willing to pitch in when needed. Carol’s photography talent is well placed in real estate and she is very popular due to her willingness to share.
Personally I’m a tad jealous of her, not only because she gets to take pictures all day, but because she is named after my favorite color and gets to wear it all the time! It’s just not fair!
Let’s welcome Carol to the REBC Blog, please tell us about yourself…
I am really a sculptor who makes a living as a real estate photographer. I grew up in the Maine, went to grad school in Ohio, lived in NYC for 6 years, then moved to Northern KY with my husband for 15 years. We have been in Colorado (in Ken Caryl) for 6 years this summer and love it. We try to ski 10-15 times a year.
How long have you been in the real estate industry? What did you do before?
I have owned my business, grape imaging since February of 2005. Before that and moving here to Colorado I was an adjunct instructor at the Art Academy of Cincinnati and Thomas More College. Just before leaving KY, I was the Chair for the Master of Arts in Art Education program at the Art Academy, as well as the Gallery Coordinator. I was also working actively on exhibiting my sculpture.
Tell us about your company. How long have you been working there? What services does your company offer in the real estate industry?
In my company, grape imaging, ltd I do photography and virtual tours for real estate, custom design flyers, postcards and brochures and design PowerPoint Presentations and Listing Proposals. www.grapeimaging.com
Are you involved in social media?
I am involved in social media a bit. I stay active on Facebook and have a blog, on which I am not as active as I should.
How do you use social media to leverage your business?
I use Facebook not only to show my personal side but to also promote tours that I do for my clients.
I use my blog http://grapeimaging.wordpress.com to primarily give good tips to those Realtors and offices that are doing their own real estate photography. I feel that doing the blog shows off my expertise as a real estate photographer.
How can your product/service benefit those in the real estate industry?
My goal is to promote an excellent visual presence on all real estate websites. I would love to see those fuzzy, dark, dismal photos that show up on mls sites across the country disappear and replaced with well lit, well framed, crisp images for the consumer to view.
Are you coming to REBC Denver and would you like to present a topic? Which topic?
I will be at REBC and would love to offer any information to participants on real estate photography and virtual tours.
How can we contact you?
cgrape@comcast.net or 720.981.3943
Inman Innovator Award Winner Pat Kitano to Attend REBC Denver
June 7, 2010 by Kristal Kraft
Filed under "I'll Be There" Interviews
Pat Kitano is well known in the world of Social Media. His list of credentials is long and distinguished so when I saw him register for REBC Denver, I was thrilled! Pat’s company Domus Consulting Group was the winner of Inman’s Innovator Award in 2009. Pat will be a welcome addition to our camp, let’s welcome him!
Tell us a little bit about yourself, where are you from?
I’ve lived in big cities since graduating high school – San Francisco, New York and Tokyo – and enjoy it. I apparently look like I’m from Nepal; I went into a Nepalese restaurant and they started to speak to me in Nepalese.
Who do you work for and why do you enjoy your job?
I’ve been developing new media and new community engagement concepts, and I enjoy the creativity of interpreting and applying the social media as it happens.
What is your favorite tech tool for business? Why is it your favorite?
Twitter is evolving into the broadcast tool that I always thought it would be. Most people still won’t admit that Twitter is for broadcasting. Facebook is really dominating the social messaging side.
What would you like to learn more about at REBC-Denver?
I’m always watching for the very newest ways real estate professionals are thinking about social marketing and how they apply them in practice. REBC is refreshingly much more about the execution than what one hears from the blabbing heads at conferences like Web 2.0.
Do you plan to present a topic? If so what would you like to talk about?
I’d like to discuss automated social media marketing systems. It’s a pretty unique topic because it contradicts a lot of the current thinking of social media.
Contact Pat Kitano:
Pat Kitano
Managing Principal
Domus Consulting Group
(415) 320-2844
Rob Lang is Flying in from Kansas
June 3, 2010 by Kristal Kraft
Filed under "I'll Be There" Interviews
Welcoming people from outside of Colorado is always fun. Rob Lang isn’t that far away in Kansas City. Hopefully Rob will be arriving via airplane and not on the tail of a tornado! (Sorry I couldn’t resist a little Dorothy & Toto humor!)
Rob was one of the first people to sign up to attend REBC, he did so with faith we would pull this event together. Thanks to people like Rob REBC is coming together and it’s going to be a great one!
I’m pleased to introduce Rob Lang to you virtually and soon in person, let’s give him a warm Colorado welcome…
Tell
us a little bit about yourself, where are you from?
I was born and raised in Davenport Iowa. 22 moves later my family has settled in Kansas (lived in Iowa, California, Illinois, Kentucky, Washington, and Kansas).
Who do you work for and why do you enjoy your job?
Working to take care of my family (wife, 4 kids, 3 more kids married in, and 9 grandchildren). Helping people buy and sell real estate and making their housing dreams come true is very rewarding. I have my own brokerage called At Home Kansas which best allows me to meet my clients’ needs on a very individualized and personalized basis.
What is your favorite tech tool for business? Why is it your favorite? HP TouchSmart Laptop and my iPhone. I can touch the screens of these devices which is so much faster than scrolling with a mouse or a touch pad. Using my iPhone to connect to my laptop remotely is a big plus to get the information needed when I am away from my office.
What would you like to learn more about at REBC-Denver?
1) The latest in tech tools. 2) New work apps for my iPhone. 3) Electronic signature software options.
Do you plan to present a topic? If so what would you like to talk about?
I really am coming just to learn but if you are short of presenters and really need someone, just ask.
Contact Rob Lang, ABR, CRS, ePro, GRI, CFPS, REALTOR®:
785-393-2274
Who should attend REBarCamp?
May 24, 2010 by Kristal Kraft
Filed under REBarCamp Denver
REBarCamps are a phenomenon that have been finding excited participants across the nation since 2008. Typically the topics covered at REBarCamp relate to the web, blogging, digital technologies, video, cameras, social media, mobile devices, conversions and conversations.
The most common question people want to know, “Is REBarCamp for advanced users only?” In a word the answer is “no!” Of course that doesn’t mean the topics covered are exclusive to beginners! The format of BarCamp is intended to bridge the gap so everyone can find common ground and learn a trick or two.
Traditional BarCamp agenda’s come together spontaneously on site. A grid is placed on the wall and speakers are scheduled to present that day as time allows. Each slot is 30-45 minutes where the speaker may introduce a topic and illustrate main points then open up the conversation to everyone in the session. This is when information exchanges and the learning begins.
As the organizer, I am asking everyone I meet if they have a topic they would like presented. It so, let’s hear it!
So far suggestions have been made for
- website optimization
- how to pick relevant keywords and tags
- How not just to use social media but more importantly to UTILIZE it to build business
- What are The Real Causes of Success in Real Estate
- Short Sale Strategies
- Photography Tricks and What camera should I buy?
- Help Understanding Video and it’s Usage
- Reputation Management
- Tech Tools that Will Provide Value Beyond Tomorrow
The list can go on an on. If you have a subject you would like to learn more about, bring it up. Also, if you are talented with a subject and want to share, show up and let’s hear your stuff!
So who should come to REBarCamp? Anyone no matter their skill level who is passionate about sharing, learning and is forever sharpening their skills to be the best!
See you at Camp!
kk
Change in Location!
April 29, 2009 by Kristal Kraft
Filed under REBarCamp Denver
The location for REBarCamp has been changed! The new location is at 2105 Decatur Street, Denver, CO.
The DPPA Event Center offers our group more space and abundant parking (Bronco Stadium Parking).
Please make this change in your calendar for May 22, 2009.
Map of New Location and Driving Directions from DIA
Susan Stewart of Stewart Title Utilizes Social Media for Business
March 23, 2009 by Kristal Kraft
Filed under "I'll Be There" Interviews
Social Media is impacting businesses of all kinds. Susan Stewart who works Stewart Title has embraced social media as a way to increase her sphere. Susan so impressed me with her enthusiasm and her willingness to spread the word. Susan is now teaching social media classes in Metro Denver.
How long have you been in the Title Business?
7 years
What did you do before?
Banking & College
We just meet last month at a Tweet Up. I was very impressed with your enthusiasm for social media. What attracted you to start utilizing social media?
Recommended by some of my clients to start engaging in it. Then realized the power of the networking sphere you have through this online world and its fun too.
What has it done for your business?
Given me credibility & strength, known as an innovator and trusted business partner with resources to help agents achieve results.
Assuming you have had enough experience using a variety of platforms, which social network is your favorite? And why?
Facebook, its the easiest/user friendliest, and lots of fun!
Are you coming to REBarCamp Denver?
Absolutely
What do you hope to gain by attending?
Broader understanding of the social media world, and how knowledgeable the Denver real estate industry is. And to network and connect with others interested in growing their social media marketing platforms.
Who do you think should come to REBarCamp?
Everyone in the real estate industry interested in learning how to utilize these social media tools to grow their networks and business.
Would you like to teach a topic?
I would love to offer any help in the intro social media cafe area, which can help newbie’s get started by getting any of their social media sites profiles set up and started.
REBarCamp Theme Song
March 18, 2009 by Kristal Kraft
Filed under REBarCamp Memoirs
It all started just over a year ago, when Andy Kaufman began kicking around the idea of replicating a silicon valley event for the real estate industry.
Now with 5 amazing events successfully completed and more than that on the drawing board, RE BarCamps have become a phenomenon in the real estate industry. They are free, informative and speak to the need of the attendees. How refreshing!
On May 22 RE BarCamp convenes in Denver, we too shall ROCK!
Will you be there?
Video Credit goes to the Real Estate Zebra, Daniel Rothamel song by Neil Diamond, starring many people who believed it possible and made it come true.
