I cannot stress the utter importance of having an email signature on all of your business correspondence. Your email signature should be composed o f your full name, your company name, your office address, phone number and fax, your cell phone, your email address, your personal website and any other pertinent information. Many real estate agents are adding their PA Real Estate License # to their email signature these days. At the moment, this is not required, but it may be down the line, so adding it is a good idea.
Without an email signature, you are flying blind and you are anonymous to anyone you email. Your email signature is as important as your business card. Yeah, I said it. Same difference! It PAINS me when an agent or anyone really email me without an email signature.
Some other popular email signature additions include:
- the URL 's of your social networking profiles (especially LinkedIn)
- your business photo
- your business motto
- a word about "being green"
- random quotes (Gmail will automate this for you)
Your email signature can be extension of your personality – embrace it! Don't forget to spell check :)
Stefanie Hahn
Education Director
Coldwell Banker Hearthside, Realtors
705 N. Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090
Email: s.hahn@cbhearthside.com
Office: (215) 659-6200 x3151
eFax: 1.610.672.9595
eCard: retaggr.com/card/StefanieHahn
www.StefanieHahn.com
One of the most important discussions of yesterday’s General Session came when Jim Gillespie, president and chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate, moderated a panel with Richard A. Smith, president and chief executive officer of Realogy, Alex Perriello, chief executive officer of the Realogy Franchise Group, and our special guest, Marc Becker, a partner with Apollo Management.
So much has been written and said recently about the future of the Coldwell Banker brand, Realogy and Apollo. It was time to set the record straight and Gillespie represented the agent, manager and broker/owner population in asking questions.
Smith said that while competitors are hoping for Realogy’s demise, Realogy is not going anywhere. In fact, Realogy remains the largest provider of real estate and relocations services and participates in one of every four real estate transactions by volume. He discussed the financial state of the company and Realogy’s ongoing commitment to the Coldwell Banker brand.
Perriello discussed how Realogy is using its leadership position to impress upon Congress, the Treasury and the White House on the importance of housing.
Becker explained how Apollo Management, which owns Realogy, fully values its investment in Realogy and is committed to it for the long-term. Apollo remains supportive to the success of Realogy, and fully understands that Realogy and all in the industry are navigating through an extremely difficult cycle in housing and in our economy.
Meanwhile, Ashleigh Banfield, who continued to do a great job as host of IBC, moderated a panel consisting of rookies who “didn’t know they couldn’t.” Amy MacDonald from Coldwell Banker Plourde Real Estate in Waterville, Maine, Brett Lueken from Coldwell Banker Shook in Lafayette, Indiana and Kim Shacklock of Coldwell Banker Barnes in Brentwood, Tennessee, came into the real estate industry during one of the most challenging years in history. They clearly had a different take on what it took to succeed and generated a lot of discussion, even amongst the most experienced sales professional.
Later, Banfield moderated another panel. This one showcased the differences in the individual vs. team models. Jodi Kerby from Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors in Dallas, Texas, and David Young from Coldwell Banker United in Houston,Texas, had plenty to say about molding a good team. Amber Morrow from Coldwell Banker Elite in DeRidder, Louisiana, and Carol Foltz with Coldwell Banker Developac in DuBoise, Pennsylvania, gave their perspective on benefits of working alone.
Two of the major Coldwell Banker awards were presented today and both drew tremendous applause.
Steve Barnes, a senior vice president for Coldwell Banker United in Houston, Texas, won the Chandler Barton Spirit Award given annual to a member of the Coldwell Banker system who exhibits a “can do attitude.” It was five months ago when Hurricane Ike battered Galveston, Houston and much of Texas. It was Barnes who became a one-man crusader against the storm. He made certain his sales associates, staff and customers were well taken care of throughout the ordeal and amazingly had 14 of Coldwell Banker United’s 20 area offices back online within 5 days. But he wasn’t finished. Barnes set up a fund that guaranteed financial support went to the neediest in his Coldwell Banker family.
Robin and Scott Gwaltney, from At Your Service Real Estate in Rochester, Minnesota, won the Preserving Trust Award for their exemplary efforts in their community. Not content to simply raise funds for the Rochester Better Chance organization, the couple has “raised” 46 young people over the past 15 years, along with two kids of their own. They received a standing ovation after it was also revealed that they were one of five national winners of the National Association of Realtors Good Neighbor Awards.
Another highlight today came when Banfield announced that Kisti Skaar from Coldwell Banker Holtan, Albert Lea, Minnesota, won the 5-night trip to Pamplona, Spain for the “Running of the Bulls.” Have a great time Kisti!
And, as was the case yesterday, the four educational sessions were well attended. While San Antonio clearly offers a variety of activities, the overwhelming majority of attendees took advantage of the 36 courses offered today. Four members of the Coldwell Banker Professional Development Series faculty – Dirk Zeller, Dennis Walsh, Matthew Ferrara and Martha Webb – drew big crowds.
What was so impressive throughout the IBC was the networking that went on. Everywhere you looked, in the trade show, at every break and during meals, there were groups sharing ideas, success stories, developing referral relationships and forging friendships.
Then we were off to Sunset Station for the Final Night Celebration. It is one of the coolest places in San Antonio, built in 1902 as the Southern Pacific Railroad Depot.
Finally, good luck to all with the spring buying/selling season!
The mood was upbeat as many sales professionals started their three days of networking opportunity by sharing stories about market conditions and how they are working to get sellers to price correctly and get buyers “off the fence.”
Yesterday began with a General Session where Jim Gillespie, president and chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC, kicked off the meeting with his traditional, rousing “Hellooooooo Coldwell Banker!” welcome.
In his address, Gillespie challenged attendees to do what they could to improve consumer confidence. He told the audience that it is not enough to say that now is a smart time to buy, we have to show why by knowing the facts and explaining them in concise and simple to understand ways.
He said, “While outsiders have been trying to re-cast homeownership as the American Nightmare, we must remind Americans that this is not true. Homeownership is, and will always be, the American Dream!”
Gillespie, while explaining the $8000 tax credit and efforts to help those mired in financial distress is a good start, he also challenged the United States government to do more to stimulate home sales. He said, “It is a shame that our representatives all talk about the need to fix housing but then missed out on the opportunity to help housing which would help our economy by creating jobs – housing does account for approximately 20% of the Gross Domestic Product in our country.”
He ended his 20-minute remarks by again challenging attendees. “It is a smart time to buy; we just have to convince them!”
Gillespie then introduced Rick Davidson, president and chief executive officer of Coldwell Banker Commercial, who now also serves as the Chief Operating Officer for Coldwell Banker Real Estate. Davidson reminded the audience that it is essential for them to become their client’s most trusted advisor.
Michael Fischer, senior vice president, marketing for Coldwell Banker Real Estate, then presented a robust 2009 marketing plan that included two new commercials to be used on television and the Web, receiving a strong ovation for both.
Fischer revealed that last year’s Founder’s campaign worked on many levels, including the signature line, “Coldwell…Yes, Banker,” clearly separated the brand from the competition. He also admitted that research showed the spots did not fare as well in explaining why Coldwell Banker is the most innovative brand in real estate. He vowed to correct that and debuted the commercials to a welcoming crowd.
The first recognizes that the American Dream of Homeownership is still alive and that a home “is part of who we are.” The optimistic commercial concludes, “For 103 years, our agents have helped people find the houses they’ll call home. And now, more than ever, it’s important that we never stop moving.”
The second commercial employs Coldwell and Banker to showcase the brand’s “listings anytime, anywhere” mantra by focusing on the brand’s innovate use of home listings on Smartphones.
One of the day’s highlights was the Sales Associate/Representative panel - “Running with the Bulls” - moderated by Ashleigh Banfield. Karen Bernardi with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Boulder, Colorado, Chris Shupe with Coldwell Banker Upchurch Realty in Athens, Georgia, Sandi Pressley with Coldwell Banker Legacy in Albuquerque, New Mexico and Andrew Hilt, with Coldwell Banker Excel Realty in Casa Grande, Arizona, discussed the habits, skills and activities that have principally contributed to their success. The audience found the session both insightful and entertaining.
The General Session was shortened this year to allow for an extra education period and attendees choose from a wide variety of courses including hot topics like understanding the Stimulus package, foreclosures and short sales. The overwhelming majority of attendees took advantage of all four sessions.
The MarketPlace was busy. Attendees lined up at the Coldwell Banker booth to shoot their first YouTube video as they explained why consumers should consider living in their market. They also experienced the latest Coldwell Banker innovation – the use of MicroSoft Surface technology. All attendees received a bar scan that, when placed on the interactive screen, automatically called up their profile page and listings. Surface was a huge hit as many remarked, “It is just like how CNN used their map to cover the elections.”
On deck for today, Day 2, another shortened General Session featuring sales professional and broker panels along with an event at Sunset Station.
