Technology Tools to Build Your Business
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January '10 Tech Tidbits
- Huge "hard" and "soft" cost savings for the office and agent. "The paperless system is already saving us at least $500 a month in hard costs - probably more" - MCA KW Preston Road.
- Eco friendly and no software or hardware required.
- Greensheet and auto communication integration.
- And probably the biggest benefit of all, secure legal compliance and document transfer; which gets up to 25% off of E&O insurance premiums for many offices.
Click here to view a Demo and contact me to set up a webinar to see the program in action. - Google Voices - Create one number for all of your numbers and SMS.
- Google Picasa - Fantastic tool to edit your photos.
- Google Knol - Share what you know. Post a Knol - a unit of knowledge.
- Google Web Elements - View and create valuable addons to your website.
- Google Wave- Is this the future of online collaboration. Check it out and find out for yourself.
- Find a Balance - Promoting your business is an effective way of generating leads, but make sure your message is not always about business. Always being "On" may cause your Friend to tune out to the message.
- Don't Be a Fan of Your Own Group - Ex. Michael Tritthart Suggested You Become a Fan of Michael Tritthart. Doesn't look right. Get a friend to be a fan.
- Don't Overshare - Ask yourself will anyone care about this status update?
- Limit Facebook Chat - Just because they are online doesn't mean they can talk, especially during business hours.
- Don't 'Poke' Your Friends - Basic rule of thumb for this tool is if you are over the age of 16 don't use this tool!
- Not Everyone is Quizzical - You may want to find out what Transformer you are or what flower you are. But skip the steps of inviting friends and showing this on your wall so it doesn't show on your friends' wall.
- Huge "hard" and "soft" cost savings for the office and agent. "The paperless system is already saving us at least $500 a month in hard costs - probably more" - Elaine David, MCA KW Preston Road.
- Eco Friendly and no software or hardware required
- Greensheet and auto communication integration
- Secure legal compliance and document transfer; which gets 25% off of E&O insurance premium for some offices.
Contact me to Request a Demo - Huge "hard" and "soft" cost savings for the office and agent. "The paperless system is already saving us at least $500 a month in hard costs - probably more" - Elaine David, MCA KW Preston Road.
- Eco Friendly and no software or hardware required
- Greensheet and auto communication integration
- Secure legal compliance and document transfer; which gets 25% off of E&O insurance premium for some offices.
Contact me to Request a Demo - Listing info updates in less the 45 minutes. See new listings, foreclosures, price changes here first.
- View market activity for the previous 5 days
- Show photos, virtual tours, sattelite maps framed in your site with built in lead capture for you.
- Only $150 a year.
- KWLS auto-population for Keller Williams agents. A huge time saver!!
- Complete and virtual instant listing control, whether your listings or a fellow agents listing.
- Automatic price, status and virtual tour updates on all listings.
- Categorization of listings based on your choice of category or price range.
- Open House setup.
- Up to 14 huge pictures...if you are going to show pictures, give people something to look at!
- Satellite imaging for individual listings.
- Provide printable flier of home for site visitors.
- Room sizes and general property information.
- Easy cross-marketing with other agents.
- Up to 4 featured property links on your home page.
| 2009 Technology in Review |
| There were a ton of technology advancements that improved the Real Estate process in 2009. From marketing to lead generation to database management and more, many new and improved sites popped up. Here are just a few of my favorites and highlights from the past year.
HouseLogic from NAR. This site offers valuable consumer information. Add the RSS feed to your website to your Search Engine Optimization WuFoo.com. Yes, I like the name, but there is more to it than just that. This site allows you to create free, custom forms for your site. Xobni.comandMyRedTools.com. Both products improve data management and marketing. Xobni is free plug in for Outlook. Outlook user? USE THIS! MyRedTools is a fee based competitor to Top Producer. Very easy to use, but very powerful. Go to MyRedTools.com and use coupon code t10k to get some bonus items when you sign up. Google Voice This free tool has phone companies running scared. So many different ways to use it. This is by invite only and you will have to wait, but it is worth the wait. Slydial.com Have you ever had to call someone to give them info, but didn't want to get into a long conversation? This free service is for you. |
| 75 Market Centers and Counting |
It's time to keep more of your Market Center money in-house! There are currently 75 offices on  the Paperless Transaction Tool from REMicrotools.com, with another 10-12 coming on this month. Here are just some of the features:
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| New Workshop - 2 Day Workshop - KW Website Enhancements |
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Want to start Social Networking for the first time? Want to start doing a better job of what you already do? Then attend my 3 hour Social Networking workshop. Contact me to get this course in your office. Tech Workshop This 2 day workshop covers the following: Internet Lead Generation Marketing, Blogs, Social Networking and Website Design. Contact me for details on how to get this workshop for your office. KW Website Enhancements Do you need help in updating your KW Website? I offer assistance in creating a site to meet all of your needs and have done this for over 1,000 agents. Contact me for details and pricing. |
Michael Tritthart's Sept. 09 Tech Tidbits
Become "Googlelicious "
Google is constantly creating tools to make your life easier and add value to your business. Here are just a few highlights. View all of the Google links listed below and more valuable links on my site. The best part...Most of the links provide FREE services!
Come to one of my technology classes to learn more about how to implement tools like these onto your site. View my calendar here.
My September Training Schedule
View my training calendar at MichaelTritthart.com.
I'm teaching this month in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. I hope to see you there!
New Social Networking Workshop!
Want to start Social Networking for the first time? Want to start doing a better job of what you already do? Then attend my 3 hour Social Networking workshop. Contact me to get this course in your office.
Tech Workshop
This 2 day workshop covers the following:
Internet Lead Generation Marketing, Blogs, Social Networking and Website Design.
Contact me for details on how to get this workshop for your office.
KW Website Enhancements
Do you need help in updating your KW Website? I offer assistance in creating a site to meet all of your needs and have done this for over 1,000 agents.
Contact me for details and pricing.
August '09 Tech Tidbits Newsletter
| Use Facebook The Right Way |
 Here are some etiquette tips for Facebook users that want to use it for business and personal use.
Come to one of my Social Networking classes to learn more about Facebook, Twitter and more. View my calendar here. |
| FREE Help For Real Estate Agents |
| FreeHelpForRealEstateAgents.com is a powerful site for agents. You can download free ebooks, webinars, podcasts and online courses that help you with various topics. View this site and other beneficial sites on my Websites for Your Business Page. |
| Save Money For Your Office and Time For Your Agents |
| The Paperless Transaction Tool from REMicrotools.com is an amazing tool that will immediately put money back on the office bottom line and save time on every transaction for each agent. Here are just some of the features:
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| New Workshop - 2 Day Workshop - KW Website Enhancements |
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Want to start Social Networking for the first time? Want to start doing a better job of what you already do? Then attend my 3 hour Social Networking workshop. Contact me to get this course in your office. Tech Workshop This 2 day workshop covers the following: Internet Lead Generation Marketing, Blogs, Social Networking and Website Design. Contact me for details on how to get this workshop for your office. KW Website Enhancements Do you need help in updating your KW Website? I offer assistance in creating a site to meet all of your needs and have done this for over 1,000 agents. Contact me for details and pricing. |
Michael Tritthart's July 2009 Tech Tidbits Newsletter
Wild About Widgets
Didn't get enough of the widgets from my newsletter a couple of months ago? Here are some more!
Widgetbox.com provides valuable real estate related tools for free or you can also upgrade to the Pro status for additional features.
Some Highlights of Widgetbox.com:
Add to facebook, blogs or websites
Home Staging Ideas Widget
Local Area Information Widget (My Personal Favorite)
Mortgage Rate Watch Widget and more!
Left click here to view this site and many more useful links for your business.
And Your Office Doesn't Have This Why?
To be fair, many offices do have the Paperless Transaction Tool from REMicrotools.com but there are still quite a bit of offices that can benefit from it. Here are just some of the features:
Michael Tritthart's June Tech Tidbits
Acer in the Hole
Always feel like you are on the go with clients (don't complain - that's a good thing!) Do you travel out of town on a regular basis? Want the ability to use something slightly bigger than your smart phone but still keep it lightweight? Want to still buy a new machine with XP on it and not Vista? Then check out the Acer Aspire One netbooks.
These slim, cool, ultra light netbooks are very affordable. All the rage in Europe, they are starting to catch on more and more in the US. They have a built in web cam and wireless. They come with 1 GB of Memory but can be upgraded to 2 GB. They range typically from $280-350. Most come preloaded with XP (yeah!) and have a Microsoft Office 07 trial version preloaded. They can fit inside most folders and are perfect for your on the go needs. I just bought my wife one for Mother's Day. I will have to "borrow it" for my out of town training sessions!
Left click here to go to my site to check their specs and pricing. Do check the reviews for info about the "black screen." That has been a minor problem on some machines. Happy hunting!
New Social Networking Workshop!
Want to start Social Networking for the first time? Want to start doing a better job of what you already do? Then attend my 3 hour Social Networking workshop. Contact me to get this course in your office or local board.
Tech Workshop
This 2 day workshop covers the following:
Internet Lead Generation Marketing, Blogs and Website Workshops.
Contact me for details on how to get this workshop for your office or local board.
Chat to Text is a New Valuable Communication Tool
Ok, you have to check this out. This is a great link for your business and personal contacts.
http://www.chattotext.com/amember/go.php?r=17775&i=l0
It's a 5-minute video about a brand new tool you can add to your social network page (works now with MySpace, Facebook, and Bebo) or any web page or blog or even email. You just add a link and your friends can send you a private text message to your cell phone, and you can reply with your cell phone and they'll get it while they're still on your chat window!
It's called Chat To Text.
It's all explained in the video:
http://www.chattotext.com/amember/go.php?r=17775&i=l0
I've installed it already - look for the "Text Me" button on my website and Facebook page and send me a text message to my cell phone...too cool!
Let me know what you think!
April Tech Tidbits Technology Newsletter
I released my newsletter today. There is a great site on there for technology training called common craft show. I also have some tips on using Twitter.com more effectively. Download April Tech Tidbits here and my April Training Calendar here. I'm teaching in Texas, Tennessee and Arkansas this month. In May I will be in Louisanna, Texas and New Jersey.
Michael Tritthart's March Training Schedule
Check out my training schedule here. Training in Mississippi, Lousianna and Texas this month. I hope to see you there!
My March Tech Tidbits Newletter
Check out my monthly tech newsletter and find out what the heck is WuFoo????
KW Reunion Training in Orlando
Just want to let everyone know my training schedule at KW Reunion in Orlando. I will be teaching in the eAgentC training room. The courses are 50 minutes long. I hope to see many of you there!
Sunday, Feb. 22nd 3 pm EST - Top Ten Items to Add to Your KW Website
Tuesday, Feb. 24th 2 pm EST - Top Ten Widgets and HTML Programs to Add to Your Site
Four Ways On How To Improve Your Business in 2009
You should be constantly looking for ways to improve your business; we all know that. What's key is to find items that are easy to use and/or provide a positive return on investment. Here are four items that I suggest that you look at for 2009.
Snap.com This free tool can be used on your website and blog. It allows you to create previews for the links on your site. Very useful for your listings and other important links. Click on the photo to view more information about this site and other helpful links.
SingleEntryListing.com This is a tool purchased by your office. It gives agents in that office unlimited access to add their listings into KWLS easily. This is a no brainer, it saves time, money and pays for itself with banner ads. The best part, it creates marketing materials such as individual property websites automatically. Clients love this and it is so easy for the agent to create and market. Click the image to view the site, video and the marketing samples.
Paperless Transactions for KW Offices Another tool that can be purchased by your office and offers unlimited use. This KW specific product allow agents and MCAs to communicate and transfer transaction documents. It is simple to use and the offices that are using it are saving money and time. The MCAs love it since they are more efficient in their day to day duties and the money saved is better used elsewhere in the office budget. Clickthe banner above to view more information about this on my site.
Two Day Tech Workshop covers Creating a Real Estate Blog, Internet Lead Generation and the Top 10 Items to Add to your KW Website. This is timely material that will increase your business. In the near future, I am teaching this in Market Center/Regions for Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee; with others soon finalizing the training dates. Contact me for me details and to set a time for this much needed training.
My Biggest Aha From the Shift Tour
The KW Shift Tour had a recent stop in the Dallas Ft. Worth area. Gary Keller did a great job in presenting the material. Most of the topics we have heard before because it's all about the basics. Doing the fundamental items will allow agents to survive the shift.
However, Gary comments reinforced what I have been saying to the agents that I train and consult with. Change your mind set. Don't focus on surviving the shift, focus on gaining market share. There is no better time for an agent with good systems and practices to grow their business. Some of your competition is getting out of the business. There will always be houses bought and sold; maybe just not at the price or volume that you want. Own this market and you will be set for when the market shifts up; because it will shift up!
A New, FREE Picture Stitching Tool
Check out a new product from Microsoft Live Labs titled Photosynth. This FREE tool allows you to stitch multiple photographs together. A great tool to create a virtual tour of a listing, your neighborhood, a local event, etc.
I Didn't Know That Tech Support Has Been Around This Long!
DFW Housing Market Website
DFWHousingFacts.org is a new website that highlights the positive features of the Dallas Ft. Worth Real Estate market. For those not in DFW, there is many national stats and content on the site that is applicable to your market.
One suggestion is to design a site similar to this to promote your Real Estate market. One of the biggest problems is the tendency for the national media to proclaim the whole real estate market as having problems; when in fact there are many markets that are holding their own or growing.
To view this site and other helpful sites, click here.
What is an RSS Feed and How Can it Help Me?
A fairly new technology item - RSS Feeds (Really Simple Syndication) are an easy way to keep your website updated with current information. Having this info on your site helps with your website Search Engine Optimization; plus it also benefits those who use your website.
Below are some of the RSS Feeds that contain data beneficial to Your Real Estate market. Click here to view the full list on my site and to access other beneficial links.
CoStar Commercial Real Estate News
PeopleNewspapers.com An RSS feed for Dallas Ft. Worth Communities
RealEstateJournal.com Wall St Journal
RIS Media Great Real Estate Feed
Add U.S. Census Data to Your Website for Free
Here is an interesting website to checkout. I have it added to my website, so click on ZIPSkinny.com and scroll to the bottom of the page. This site will allow you to compare U.S. census data by zip code. You can even create a FREE (my favorite word!) widget to add to your website. This is a great tool for your buyers.
Test Those Toys!
Happy Holidays everyone! I hope that everyone had a safe and enjoyable time. Nothing beats watching your kids enjoying opening their presents and having a great time.
Now that your kids have all of their shiny new toys, here is a website that I suggest that you use. Go to my website and you will see a link for a lead inspection kit. You can purchase these kits and easily test the new toys and any of the older toys that your kids have. We found a couple of toys on the recall list and removed them before testing. Some friends used their kits and found 10 plus toys that tested positive for lead. Unbelievable that this is something that has to even be considered in this day and age. But better safe than sorry.
Real Estate Agents: Remember that this can be a valuable gift for anyone in your database!
Controversial Mortgage Website
We are all very aware of the current mortgage situation throughout the U.S. ML-Implode.com, a site based in California, is considered a controversial website by some. However, it does list all of the Mortgage companies that have "imploded" since late 2006. It does also include mortgage blogs and current national mortgage information and some of the top "non-imploded" mortgage companies nationwide.
Quick Tips for Faster Internet Searches
Hi everyone. Below are a few simple tips can help you find the answers to your web searches without wading through pages of useless links. Picked these up from PC World.
Put Quotation Marks Around Your Query:
For example type "air conditioning" instead of air conditioning. This creates the query as one unit, so all the results have that set of words. Without the quotes, you'll end up with pages on air quality, hair conditioner etc.
Use the Minus (-) Sign:
This tells the search engines that you do not want a word. For example Shakespeare - William will pull up pages for Shakespeare with no reference to William.
Get Definitions:
Need a quick definition? Then type define word. Google users must type define: word.
Identify The Area Code On An Incoming Call:
Enter the Area Code in the search field to find the city/cities for that number. Please remember that if the user is calling from a VoIP line, he or she may not be located in that area code's geographical region.
Quick Weather Updates:
Traveling to Dallas, Texas? Type in Dallas weather for a fast forecast.
Information Courtesy of
PC World June 2007
"Ahas" from the August 2007 Keller Williams Megacamp
Top 10 List of Ahas from Keller Williams Megcamp. 1. There is a big difference between the "market" and your "mindset" 2. You need to embrace the hard times and embrace the opportunities 3. Focus to make appointments - Hit your numbers 4. "A big shot is just a little shot that keeps shooting" - Zig Ziglar 5. Times are difficult you can't be choosy - you're going to have to do things you don't want to do 6. If the appointments aren't there then make different contacts 7. Real estate will rat you out - No Production - No Income - Lead Generate 8. Time Block!!!! Block everything else out 9. You need to FOCUS! 10. Change is very hard to do alone - no one succeeds alone & fails alone Courtesy of The Real McCoys & Brooke Herrin, Team Leader - KW Plano 
See Dallas Ft. Worth Listings Virtually Up to Minute with the PowerPage
| Give Your Buyers, Sellers and Investors an Edge with the PowerPage and Listing Manager from REMicrotools.com |
