Gretchen Faber is a very active member of the real estate community.  She is a manager at her company, a NAR Director and a member of countless committees.  REBC is very grateful to have a strong supporter like her on board, as this is the second year she has sponsored the event.

I would like to introduce you to the readers of the REBarCamp Blog.  Would you please tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a 40-something workaholic with not enough hobbies.  I just love the real estate business!

How long have you been in the real estate industry?  What did you do before?

I started selling real estate in 1996 after a divorce. I needed to reinvent myself and find a new career.  I had been working with my husband and that obviously wasn’t working out too well.  We owned an advertising agency specializing in print and radio for small financial institutions.

Tell us about your company.  How long have you been working there?  What services does you company offer in the real estate industry?

I work at The Kentwood Company at Cherry Creek.  We’re a locally owned brokerage and I’ve been with the company since 1998.  In 2007 I became the Broker Manager of the office and I still handle my real estate clients as well.  I guess that’s my hobby.

Our company has made a concerted effort in the past 3 years to really leverage our online presence. We’re also blogging and on Facebook, tweeting, etc.  Our industry has changed so much, and more changes are on the way!

Are you involved in social media?

Yes! I’ve been blogging about Denver and real estate at www.LifeStyleDenver.com for three years.  I also use Facebook, and to some extent Twitter to focus interest back to my personal web site.  My blog also links to my web site, www.GretchensDenver.com.  On that site people can search neighborhoods, look for properties, map areas they like and find relocation information.

How do you use social media to leverage your business?

The more circular links you have, profiles on a variety of sites, the more you can drive traffic to your site.  I’ve also had good luck by being very focused.  There are times when I’d love to write a blog post about tips for brokers in the business, or ruminations on something random and then I remind myself that LifeStyleDenver is about real estate and the readership is buyers and sellers.

The best way I’ve leveraged social media is to communicate with good, interesting content that keeps potential clients engaged and gives them a reason to contact me.

How can your product/service benefit those in the real estate industry?

I’m always happy to help with advice, tips or tricks.  Sharing with each other is one of the great aspects of our business.  We’re a cooperative bunch!

Are you coming to REBC Denver and would you like to present a topic? Which topic?

Yes, I’ll see you tomorrow!  I presented last year about writing for blogs. This year, I think I’ll just listen and take it all in.

How can we contact you?

grf@gretchensdenver.com

The national recession that started in December 2007 was the worst that has happened in the U.S. since the Great Depression. How might the country and Colorado pick up the pieces left from the collapsed financial markets, employment declines, and eroded consumer confidence and rebuild an economic system that has growth potential throughout this decade?

This presentation includes current and projected growth trends at the national, state, and local level. It focuses on the industry developments that are impacting the seven-county metro Denver economy, including employment and unemployment trends, population growth, construction activity, and the real estate markets. While the Metro Denver economy remains challenged by cautious consumers and businesses and governments working through a damaging combination of lower sales, property, and income taxes, improvements in the Metro Denver economy will become more apparent by the middle of 2010.

Don’t miss this opportunity to get a preview into Denver’s economy and market throughout 2010.  There will be time allowed at the end of this presentation for Q&A.

Today’s media landscape is vastly different from just a few years ago.  Speed of information into various news channels happens almost instantaneously with varying points-of-view from numerous sources.  So, how do real estate professionals cut through the clutter and get noticed by reporters?

A panel of local reporters will share their insights about the best ways to communicate with the press, how to get relevant information in front of the media and the impact of social media during REBAR Camp Denver from 3 to 4 pm.

Moderated by Melissa Olson, Metrolist Senior Manager, this media panel will include reporters from various news outlets – broadcast, print and online Panelists are Ana Cabrera, Channel 7 News; Paula Moore, Denver Business Journal; and Andrea Altieria, Examiner.com.

Ana Cabrera grew up in Denver and Littleton and joined the 7News team in July 2009 as weekend morning anchor and reporter.

Prior to coming to Denver, Ana was an anchor and reporter at KHQ-TV in Spokane, WA.  In Spokane, Ana’s work was recognized with awards from Community Oriented Policing Services and Veterans of Foreign Wars organizations.

Ana earned her B.A. in communications from Washington State University and the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish.  She is an ambassador for the Special Olympics and has served on the board of American Cancer Society.

Paula Moore is a reporter with Denver Business Journal and covers residential and commercial real estate news.

Andrea is the Managing Broker of the Walters Team @ Candlewood Realty, where she employs all of her prior business knowledge to help her clients find the best possible property for them. She is able to build solid, sustainable relationships with broad range of customers, including individuals, federal government and private industry organizations.

She’s been a resident of the Denver Metro area since 2004, after escaping from a 17-year term in Washington, DC where she spent most of her career writing and directing government proposals.  Andrea has a MA in Journalism from the American University in Washington DC and is currently the Denver Real Estate Examiner at Examiner.com

Most people realize the best way to learn is to align yourself with those who know what you don’t and are willing to share their knowledge.  Rich Morrow is a professional developer with a marketing background.  He brings not just experience but his time-tested talent to Real Estate Bar Camp Denver.

It’s with great pleasure I welcome Rich a real Geek to #REBCDen…

Tell  us a little bit about yourself, are you a Colorado native or what brought  you to Colorado?

I’m a CO native who’s moved around quite a bit (Bay Area, Tokyo) & come back home 4 years ago. I’m a Web Developer by trade & have nearly 2 decades experience building top-shelf product for Fortune 500 companies like Amazon.com, FedEx, Nike, and Goldman Sachs.

Who do you work for and why do you enjoy your job?

Self-employed as an independent Web Developer & Business owner. My boss is a slavedriver.

What is your favorite tech tool for business?  Why is it your favorite?

For small & medium businesses, I have two favorite tools — Drupal and Rackspace Cloud. Drupal because it lets me get sites up in days instead of weeks and it’s incredibly secure & well designed. Rackspace Cloud because it lets me host extremely scalable sites for ridiculous cheap (as little as $11/month).

What would you like to learn more about at REBC-Denver?

Pain points that Agents + other RE pros have when it comes to leveraging technology for their business, and how to better remove their roadblocks.

Title: Engaging, Sales-Driven Website Development + SEO

Synopsis: Building an extremely professional, results-driven site no longer requires a Developer, Designer and thousands of dollars. I’ll share 20-30 different design and functionality principles that anyone can easily integrate into their sites with CMS’s like WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla. I’ll share 5-10 different online tools & services you can use to get valuable free advertising and exposure for your site. Users who implement these principles soon find their sites on Google 1st page for some extremely competitive terms like “[STATE NAME] mortage” or “[CITY NAME] mortgage”. We’ll take one extremely successful Agent’s website & dissect it to show you exactly how they achieve success.

Title: Securing WordPress & it’s underlying LAMP stack.

Synopsis: A brief intro to some simple but effective things that individual WordPress site owners (and you don’t have to be a programmer) can do to keep hackers out of their site(s).

Kevin Cullis was introduced to me a couple months ago by master networker, Mary Steinmeyer.  She knew Kevin and I would hit it off right away because he is such a geek (meant in a kind way!).  Well she was right.  Kevin has such enthusiasm for what he does, it’s hard not to get drawn in.  He recently authored and published his own book and is now in the process of marketing it.  His experience will be interesting to hear about.  Since we all have a book inside of us perhaps Kevin will inspire us to write.

It’s my pleasure to introduce Kevin Cullis to REBarCamp Denver blog…

Kevin you recently wrote and published a book.  Could you tell us about your book?

What is it about?

There are currently two general genres of books: business and computer books. Business books that cover all types of imaginable topics and computer books covering how to use and fix computers, but nothing that brings these two subjects together into one: A business or project management perspective of using a computer. Just as you get a drivers, and not maintenance, manual for your new car, my book is about the same. I provide a business the computer “drivers manual” giving you the essential of things you need to do for your business on a Mac. A PC version will be coming out later.

How would it relate to us in the real estate industry?

No matter if you run an online business, a traditional brick-and-mortar business, or a real estate business, there is a computer at the center of it. Unfortunately, many business resist technology and never fully maximize what their computers can do. In many cases, they may be searching for solutions to difficult business problems – solutions that are hiding in plain site, right on their computers! Every business deals with marketing, sales, and the actual running of their business and at each step it takes time, and in some cases, money, to make a business work. Spending some time learning how to do better on your computer will actually save money, in some cases, many times over.

Are you involved in social media?

Yes, I’m involved with FaceBook, Twitter, and LinkedIn with Facebook getting my most frequent use.

How do you use social media to leverage your business?

By far the first and most important is making connections with others on a regular basis. All sales are about relationships and social media helps bring it together.

First, it’s all about connections with others, especially of like-minded individuals, such as fellow entrepreneurs and business owners. Some of my connections have some of the greatest daily encouragements, and as any business person can tell you, we all need it everyday. I even have a Facebook fan page for my book, “How to Start a Business: Mac Version” that I can interact with my fan base. This will become more important as I can target specific people on Facebook with their advertising as I see fit and can draw in more fans.

Are you coming to REBC Denver and would you like to present a topic?

Yes

Which topic?

How to establish instant credibility with your clients by writing your own short book in 90-120 days.

How can we contact you? (email, phone, twitter handle)

Kevin Cullis

Chief Business Geek

MacGetIT.com

kevin@macgetit.com

Cell: 303-500-2839

LinkedIn

Facebook

Twitter: @kevincullis

I would like to introduce you to the readers of the REBarCamp Blog.  Would you please tell us a little about yourself?

I am one of those mostly natives to Colorado; I’ve lived in Colorado Springs since I was 6. I live downtown, work downtown, love downtown, drive a 1980 P200e Vespa and say “Ciao” everywhere I go on the Vespa. Have a lovely wife, Julie and 2 super cool kids, daughter Addison age 3 and son Thomas the 6th age 1.5.

How long have you been in the real estate industry?  What did you do before?

I marketed myself as a Real Estate Agent for 3 years, then I worked helping others market themselves, I am now on the title side to combine it all.  Before all of my real estate experience, I worked as a “coffee master” at a coffee shop for 5 years!

Tell us about your company.

I am part of Legacy Title Group in Colorado Springs and I work in business development as well as teach and train on technology for real estate agents and loan officers. We are a local business, we are committed to local businesses and our owners are the primary closers for your real estate transactions.

What services does you company offer in the real estate industry?

Title Insurance, Escrow, superb closings, on and offline marketing assistance and free rides on the Vespa.

Are you involved in social media?

I am very involved in Social Media and am continuing to learn a whole lot every day about it. I try daily to remember the whole reason Social Media exists…people.

How do you use social media to leverage your business?
I have primarily used Twitter as an educational and listening tool.  I must say I have learned more from the articles and people I have found on Twitter than any other platform. I use Facebook for “hanging out” and interacting with Real Estate Agents and Lenders, because most local agents and LO’s are there. I am currently working with Linked-In for all of Legacy’s employees and incorporating it into our everyday systems as a title company.

Also, I am working on and with a network of experts to provide quality content to professionals in real estate and consumers in Colorado Springs for the bettering of the real estate market here.

How can your product/service benefit those in the real estate industry?
We help by keeping the transactions smooth and the closings efficiently fun.

Are you coming to REBC Denver and would you like to present a topic? Which topic?
I am most definitely coming and I love engaging with people on Cloud Computing and how to get all of your technology to play nice.

I hope to learn more about some heavy duty techy stuff like css3 and html5.

How can we contact you? Google me… I’m there.

Michel Brossmer is coming to REBC to learn, but typical of most attendees she shared a great tip with us.  Read more about her favorite tech tool and get some insight into how Michel grows her business!

Let’s welcome Michel to the REBC Denver blogsite…

Tell us a little bit about yourself, are you a Colorado native or what brought  you to Colorado?
I consider myself native. I was conceived in Denver and then my parents moved to AZ where I
Was born. By the time I was 1 they were back for good and so was I.  I have lived in Denver
Proper most of my life. I left Denver from 94-2003. 1st I went to AZ to help my grandparents then
I met my husband and he was transferred to San Antonio.  After 4 years of hot weather and nothing
to do I put my foot down and we moved home.  I’m a Denver East  and Metro Grad.  I’ve had my
license since 1992 and love working in the city & county of Denver. It is home you know.

Who do you work for and why do you enjoy your job?
Kentwood at Cherry Creek.  It’s fun when people are so excited about moving into their
New home or rewarding when you have helped a seller move to their next step in life.
Working for Kentwood I get to see some amazing homes and that’s pretty fun too. The
Other part I really like about my job is the flexibility.  I’m the PTA President at Edison Elementary
School in NW Denver and if I had an 8-5 job I would never have the time.  It’s great to be
Able to  be involved in my kids lives.

What is your favorite tech tool for business?  Why is it your favorite?
Get Response.com.  I have been collecting names in my get response account since
2003. It’s like a cash cow.  It drips on people that come to my website.  I get
Emails regularly from people who are ready to move And have been receiving my
Emails for 6 mos to a couple years.

What would you like to learn more about at REBC-Denver?
WordPress

Do you plan to present a topic?  If so what would you like to talk about?
No.

Contact Michel:

Michel Brossmer

Kentwood Company of Cherry Creek

44 Cook St 9th Floor

Denver CO 80206

303-336-0340

Michel@DenverRealEstate.com

www.LivingInMetroDenver.com

Dena Stevens from Pueblo has been an online friend for years.  On Active Rain I watch her write about Southern Colorado Real Estate and take some great photos of the area.  Dena will be heading north on REBC Denver Day more to hook up with old friends and meet some new ones.  Be sure to meet Dena, you can’t miss her because her sunny smile will be lighting up the room!

Let’s hear from Dena…

Tell us a little bit about yourself, are you a Colorado native or what brought  you to Colorado?

I moved from Los Angeles to Denver in the early 1980′s and have never regretted it. Since 1999 I’ve lived in Southern Colorado, I can’t imagine ever living anyplace else but Colorado.

Who do you work for and why do you enjoy your job?

Colorado Western Real Estate based in Pueblo CO.This will sound corny but, I enjoy my job because of all the people I get to meet and the places I get to go. I can be in La Veta, Canon City, Ordway and Texas Creek all in one week. I can’t imagine working in an office environment looking at the same 4 walls everyday. But the best part of my job?  Meeting and helping people, great stories, opportunities to take pictures and awesome local food!

What is your favorite tech tool for business?  Why is it your favorite?

Tech tools are actually a two edged sword for me. While 75-78% of Americans have access to the internet the areas I work are very rural. Many people may have the internet but, many don’t and still do business face to face. So my favorite tech tool is simply the internet as a whole, it cuts down on a lot of driving and phone calls when both my clients and I can use it.

What would you like to learn more about at REBC-Denver?

How to intragrate all these “tech tools” and make them more accessible and understandable to the average consumer / client. While professionals in the real estate industry are becoming more and more techie I have to wonder, are overwhelming the our clients? Many of my clients turn their computers on once or twice a week, or maybe only if asked to do so. And many agents and mortgage lenders I know are attached to the internet 24/7. Where is the happy medium? How do we all work together and use current technology?

Contact Dena Stevens at Colorado Western Realty

Amy Cesario is a connector, it’s evident to anyone who follows her on Twitter or even more so when you meet her in person.  When Amy volunteered to assist in organizing REBarCamp this year I was delighted.  Amy exemplifies the proper use of social media, she knows how to start a conversation and keep in touch.

It’s with great pleasure I introduce Amy Cesario…

Tell us a little bit about yourself, are you a Colorado native?

I grew up in the heart of Denver. I wasn’t born here, but have lived here since I was a year old.  I went to West High School, live the first 20 years of my life on the West Side and the next on the East Side of the city. Now that my son is off to college I’m thinking of trying out the center of the city.

Who do you work for and why do you enjoy your job?

I work for the Berkshire Group.  My last client told me I would be a good detective, sometime’s to sell real estate, that is what you have to be.  You use your gut instincts, you listen and hear what your clients are saying (and sometimes what they don’t say), and ultimately you solve the mystery of how their house is going to be sold with the least amount of disruption to them and their families and where the next chapter in their live will be spent.  Many times they don’t know exactly what they want, but they have many of the pieces of the puzzle I can help put it together and fill in the missing pieces.

What is your favorite tech tool for business?  Why is it your favorite?

Lately my favorite tech tool has been twitter.  I have connected with people I never would have met without it.

Do you plan to present a topic?  If so what would you like to talk about?

I would present “Twitter-pated”.

There is really only only one reason to be on twitter and that is to connect.

1. implement the tools to find out who you would want to connect with (hootsuite/tweetdeck/seesmic etc)

2. learn the language/rules/safety

3. decide how you are going to meet face to face or how you are going to convert via internet

Ask the group for feedback on what their strengths are…mine is face to face… tell how that works for me…

First I am not all that great on the phone or on the computer, the best place for me is face to face and this is what twitter has done for me, it has allowed me to place myself in rooms of people.  When I am around people I can make a connection. What do I mean place me in rooms of people? I mean tweetups, fundraisers, restaurant openings, Burger contests, networking groups, geek trivia games where I don’t really fit in but have had a ton of fun, poker games, etc.

Conversations are so easy with a room full of people who have twitter in common with you, you have a name tag and you walk in and…the conversation starts like this…Oh, you are “BiggPolo” (on twitter)…nice to meet you…and he responds, “Oh, you are the Realtor right?”  Well, that is MUSIC TO MY EARS! Even though I don’t talk a lot about real estate, the people on twitter get to know you, read your blogs, comment on your photos, so when you are face to face they have a built in knowledge base of who you are and what you like to do, we connect. Connecting is what I like to do. I like the twitter love, the positive attitudes, the camaraderie.

Maybe someone really is better on the computer, I can share how I have met people from across the country and ultimately showed them houses here in Denver, not my goal, but a by-product. Maybe someone in the group can share a story about how they are better on the computer and how that works for them.

How to use and why would you use Foursquare or yelp? Open house announcements… Share safety issues…

I imagine the group to be interactive. There are always tons of questions and people who have an opinion on twitter I can handle the objections and the positive experiences.

Contact Amy Cesario at The Berkshire Group, Realtors

303-995-3180

amy@tbgdenver.com

Amy is very visible online on both Twitter and Facebook.   I chuckle at how she has decided to market herself, by using the letters in her name to illustrate what she does for a living…can you guess?  aMY L cavENDER

Yes, Amy is a lender who works for Simplified Mortgage Solutions.  Let’s hear a little more from Amy:

Tell us a little bit about yourself, are you a Colorado native or what brought  you here?

I was born in Gunnison, Colorado and have lived on the front range for most of my life.  Attended CSU and lived in Ft Collins for 18 years.  About 5 years ago I moved back to Colorado Springs to start a business with my dad and be closer to my immediate family.

Who do you work for and why do you enjoy your job?

My father and I have Simplified Mortgage Solutions.  We can up with the name of our company about 4 years ago,  how ironic it’s turned out to be.  I still try to make the process of buying a home as “Simplified” as possible.  New challenges with disclosure make it a little rough though.  I love helping people purchase their first, second, or last home.

What is your favorite tech tool for business?  Why is it your favorite?

I am really enjoying using Facebook and Twitter for business.  I want people to get to know me, trust me, love me.  Those relationships are much stronger than the ones you could get from advertising in the newspaper.  I don’t push what I do for a living in people’s faces.  It’s pretty apparent what I do for a living and I don’t think my personal Facebook page is a place for it.

What would you like to learn more about at REBC-Denver?
Wordpress

Contact information:

aMY L cavENDER
Simplified Mortgage Solutions, LLC
719-321-4575

www.simplifiedmortgagellc.com

Twitter: @Mylender