There Was a Free Lunch...WCR in Baltimore

Thursday's lunch (free!) sponsored by the WCR drew a good crowd to the Greater Baltimore Board of Realtors® offices. It was a good way to introduce people to our WCR and the perks that come with membership – including 12 credits FREE during the year just by being a member. That's a nice benefit especially with this economy.

The discussion included "Marketing to Women." The presentation included reminders about working with Boomers, who make up 38% of the full time work force, and how important it is to ask what they want instead of telling them about you – they are focused on their needs, not on you. We were reminded that people under 30 don't watch TV as much; they go to the Web to buy, that includes houses. Boomers and busters (kids of boomers) have a lot in common. Market to the boomer's children. Another point ..younger women trust women more, they like to work with women and are not as competitive.

Marney Kirk spoke about social media - Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and - Tah dah! - Active Rain. She kindly called me the "Guru of Active Rain," and used my site and my blog as examples. I didn't plan it that way, but it worked out great since up popped my post with May's schedule and the GBBR logo right up top. That gave Kim Jones, who was sitting right next to me, a chance to invite everyone to the May 1 GBBR Rookies meeting when I'll be speaking.

Someone suggested that we check out Trulia, and there we found the announcement that Fran Thorsen will be here on May 18, along with Joeann Fossland, right in the same room at GBBR. I'm hosting this dynamic duo, and everyone is invited, again for the free, to an informative session.

Every one of those May events I announced a few days ago figured into the afternoon. During the meeting I got a call from Laura at the gallery telling me the postcards announcing the art auction were in. She kindly delivered them right to GBBR and I was able to hand them out on the spot. Don't you love it when things come together like that?

I sat with Erica Solomon who told me she joined ActiveRain after hearing me speak at that WCR meeting a year ago at the Suburban Country Club. She wrote a post about the meeting – good for Erica!

I walked out with a bunch of agents' cards interested in Active Rain – that's one of the best parts, isn't it? I sent out eight invitations. Wonder how many will join. It is fun sharing AR with new folks and seeing how many become Active Rainers.