Making Hay When the Sun Don't Shine!

Down market? For two CyberStars ®, Dianne Dunn and Leigh Brown, there are ways to thrive and survive, and they are going to share their success strategies. Usually CyberStar events are for members only, but on February 24 Dianne and Leigh will be panelists with moderator Allen Hainge on a webinar that's open to everyone. Even better…it's free!

The CyberStars® are a unique group that was created by Allen Hainge. There are only 200 top real estate professionals from the U.S, Canada, Australia, and the Bahamas in this group that focuses on using technology to build success. I've been a member for several years now and absolutely love this group of giving and caring people. I've learned so much from them while making some wonderful friends.

Dianne and Leigh have a great topic: “Making Hay When The Sun DON'T Shine: Surviving & Thriving in a Down Market.” That's certainly something we can all use today. The webinar is going to be an hour and a half chock full of information, beginning at 7:30 pm Eastern on Tuesday February 24. You can read more about it and register here (remember, it's free): http://tinyurl.com/bvs329.

Put it in your schedule right now. And I'll "see" you there!

Marketing and Media and My Face in the Paper

Here's the lead line of the article in today's Baltimore Jewish Times: "It takes a certain kind of personality to be a real estate agent, and Margaret Rome thinks she has the right type." The article goes on to talk about my new book, about my Type E personality, about the CyberStars®, and my particular approach to real estate. Please take a minute to read the article here.

I'm loving it, of course! But it didn't just happen – this kind of coverage in a weekly newspaper that gets delivered to my market area did not just fall into my lap. I've been a regular advertiser with the Jewish Times for years and have built relationships there. Some time ago I told one of the people I know at the paper about my book. She told someone else about me and my book, and before long I was talking with Maayan Jaffe, a delightful young reporter. That conversation lasted for more than an hour and I did whatever I could to provide her with information that would help with her article. I rearranged my schedule to meet the paper's photographer at one of my properties. And when the article came out, there was my picture at the top. Two other agents were quoted later in the article, but at least 2/3 was about me.

We've said it before – in real estate, building good relationships is the key to success. And sometimes, the key to getting great coverage that your clients, prospects, and friends will see, too.

When Saying "Thank You" Isn't Enough

Some people give so much, and when you are on the receiving end of their help, somehow "Thank You" is not big enough. But it's what we have, and so to make it bigger, I want to share with people who appreciate the importance of giving.

Allen Hainge has given me a great deal in my career, starting with his confidence in my ability when he invited me to be a CyberStar™. Back then I was still a novice about technology but he took me into his group of highly tech-savvy professionals. When we get together as a group, a we did recently in Virginia, I still feel like the new kid with so much to learn. But the CyberStars are like Allen himself – encouraging, giving, sharing people.

Lately I've been working on revamping my web site, and again, Allen stepped up with an offer of advice. He took the time to review and critique my site, and made many valuable suggestions for making it more productive. It's still a work in progress, and there is plenty left to do, but HomeRome.com is on its way to being a better site.

Allen Hainge, you are an example of the best in the real estate profession. Thanks for your encouragement, your advice, and all the good things you do.