Patty Silverstein presented the Economic Outlook for Denver at #REBCDEN

Thanks for stopping back by! Have you submitted your email address so you can be notified of upcoming REBC events? You can do so on the right sidebar, just scroll down a bit.

Patty delighted the audience with her attention to the Twitter Wall during her presentation.  She admitted she was accustomed to receiving instantaneous feedback on her talk!  Patty delivered some powerful facts and figures about Denver and the economic climate.  We certainly have some things to think over.

Here’s her slide show:

Sponsor Mark Schow of Obeo Brings a Ton of Experience to #REBCDEN

Mark Schow doesn’t know this, because I’ve never told him, but awhile back I had a buyer-client tell me he only looks at listings with OBEO shows on them.  Of course he didn’t say OBEO he just indicated to me which logo he clicked on!  Guess that is a testimony to the quality of work Mark and his company produces.  So much for the other properties, in my client’s mind they didn’t exist!

So naturally when Mark Schow indicated a desire to sponsor REBC Denver, I was delighted to have him!  Please welcome Mark as a sponsor as we learn a little about his background…

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

I quit my engineering job with Shell Oil Company way back in 1983, packed up all my stuff (everything I owned fit into my Ford Bronco) and move to Colorado to be a ski bum!  Bold move, but I wouldn’t change a thing and I developed much of my entrepreneurial spirit during my early days in Colorado.  Lots of character building during my five year stint as a Boulder street performer, 250 shows as the MC for a Chinese acrobatic troupe at the old Elitch Gardens, Tom Bosley’s stand-in on The Father Dowling Mysteries series and a variety of bit parts in plays, TV commercials and corporate videos.  I was happy to meet my wife 15 years ago who helped me settle down as we raise our two beautiful daughters and enjoy life in Lakewood.

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

I launched Mediamax, Inc. 8 years ago to act as the Colorado distributor for Obeo.  I started the business from the ground up and personally photographed over 3000 homes in the early years of my business.  I guess I’m a professional photographer, but I was lucky enough to surround myself with many other more skilled photographers who are the real reason for my companies success.  After working for myself for the last 8 years I honestly think I’m un-employable anywhere else.  I absolutely love the challenge & independence that comes with managing my own business.

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

My new iMac with iMovie09 and my Canon Vixia camcorder with lots of cool accessories.  They’re my favorite because I love the creative, storytelling, process that comes with producing videos.  Online video is absolutely booming and becoming bigger part of our service offering.

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

I need to improve my WordPress blog design and integration into my website.  I’m hoping to learn more about that and actually find a good WordPress developer at REBC who can help.  I also want to hear Real Estate agent success stories using Social Media as a business & customer development tool . . . is anyone actually making money from their social media efforts? I’m guessing the answer is yes, but by very few agents at this point in the social media evolution.

Do you play to present a topic?  If so what would you like to talk about?  (Give us a brief outline.)

My videographer and I are planning to demonstrate the various options available for producing online video . . . from a ‘do it yourself’ Flip camcorder production to a high definition professional video, we’ll provide an abbreviated demonstration of the steps to shoot, edit, upload and distribute video on the web.

Are you involved in social media?

Yes, but not consistently and not effectively enough to see a measurable difference in my business.  That’s why I’m attending REBC-Denver.

How do you use social media to leverage your business?

I’ve been fairly active with social media, but I feel I’ve spent the last couple years learning and setting up the infrastructure for leveraging social media to drive more business . . . now it’s time to put a plan into action and measure the results!

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

We like to think high quality visual content is essential in today’s real estate industry.  Our services save the agent time, help agents win listings and ultimately captures the interest of online & offline buyers and makes the agents phone ring!

Mark Schow

Mediamax, Inc. – Colorado’s Exclusive Obeo Distributor

(303) 988 7497 Main

(303) 988-6809 Direct

(303) 884-8535 Mobile

(866) 809-0286 eFax

Michel Brossmer Denver Native Looks Forward to Learning WordPress

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

Inman Innovator Award Winner Pat Kitano to Attend REBC Denver

Rob Lang is Flying in from Kansas

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®:

MLSPlease
Ask RobLang

785-393-2274

Justin Smith Plans to Attend RE BarCamp

Metro Denver is lucky to have so many terrific technical people who are willing to share their knowledge.  Justin Smith of Searching Solutions in Castle Rock is planning to be at RE BarCamp Denver.  As he says in the video, he’s “pumped to be able to talk on Search Engine Optimization.  Anyone who has a website or wants one should make a point to hang around Justin.  Watch this video and I’m sure you will agree…

REBarCamp Denver from Justin Smith on Vimeo.

As a professional SEO expert, Justin has a natural ability to take difficult topics and break them down into bite-sized understandable concepts everyone can understand and implement.

Thank you Justin for contributing on this video and agreeing to be a big part of RE BarCamp Denver on May 22. We look forward to hearing and learning from you!

Justin Smith can be found at Searching Solutions.

Please be sure to RSVP for REBC!

RE Bar Camp Blog welcomes Sam Basel from Estes Park

Today’s interview comes to us from the wonderful mountain resort town of Estes Park.  Sam Basel who just recently implemented social media into his business plan has RSVP’ed to attend Real Estate BarCamp Denver to expand his growing knowledge.  Sam impressed me very much when he flew to Las Vegas to attend the REBlog World Conference last September.  At the time Sam was just learning about blogging.  His commitment to being a successful REALTOR was very obvious.

By the way, when Sam submitted his photo, he said, “That’s not a fake background!”  Yes, we know how beautiful Estes Park is, and we are envious!  Let’s talk about you now…

How long have you been selling real estate?

First of all, thank you for interviewing me, Kristal. It’s definitely an honor and I’m very much looking forward to REBarCamp Denver in May.

I am a real estate agent in Estes Park, Colorado at Estes Park Realty and have been selling real estate since 2004 in one capacity or another. I specialize in second homes and condominiums for clients who come from all over the country.

What made you decide to get into the business? What were you doing before real estate?

I usually tell people I fell into the real estate world by accident. I landed in Estes Park, Colorado straight out of college pursuing a career in Recreation and Tourism. My first job was managing vacation homes and I was encouraged to get a get a real estate license to sell the vacation homes that we managed.

Real Estate has turned out to be a great fit for me. I enjoy helping people and I enjoy real estate. The challenge and freedom that comes with running my own business is very exciting.

We first met at REBlogWorld in Las Vegas, how long had you been blogging at that point in time?

I was introduced to the world of social media at the Denver Realtor Rally in March of 2008. After lurking on many blogs and social media sites to get to know how it worked, I began to blog for myself in July of last year. Honestly, I really didn’t know what I was doing and I still have a lot to learn.

REBlogWorld was extremely influential in my education about social media and how to blog. Most of it was way over my head but I learned a great deal and met a lot of great people.

Social media has become so popular in the real estate industry. Can you tell us what it has done for your business?

The biggest benefit I have gained from Social media has been the huge boost in my credibility in the eyes of my past, present and future clients. It is so easy to find a real estate agent online these days. Standing out among the competition can be difficult. My blog and my web site gave me a chance to show off my expertise and gain credibility in a non-intrusive way. I would say it complements my Sphere of Influence focused business strategy quite well.

If you could pick only one aspect of social media, what would that be.  By that I mean you must choose from Active Rain, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and any of the hundreds available, which one would you use and why?

While there are benefits each of the social media sites you mentioned, the goal is interaction with people in your market place. I think Twitter and Facebook are two of the best ways to accomplish that.

Facebook is a ton of fun to use to connect to people but I’m having a hard time finding the balance of how much real estate information I throw in front of my close friends and family.

There is a lot of value in Twitter to find what people are saying about your local area in regards to real estate. I use Tweetdeck to follow local conversations about Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park. I contribute when I have something to offer as another way to interact in my community.

Are you coming to REBarCamp Denver?  What topics would you like to see presented?

REBarCamp Denver is definitely in my schedule. If I still used a paper calendar, I would put it in ink. I think it has the potential to be the most important social media and technology event in Colorado in 2009.

I am looking forward to the round table discussions and brainstorming with other real estate agents and technology wizards about how to take the endless social media avenues available online and turn them into one cohesive strategy to serve my clients and grow my business.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Sam!

For our readers, Sam’s blog is Estes Park Homes for Sale I’m sure he would love for everyone to stop by and leave a comment!

Next Page »