It is no secret that Home Stagers, Mortgage Lenders, Inspectors, etc., contact local Real Estate offices to allow them to present. I know Simply Staged Inc. has made several staging presentations with great success. I believe it to be a great tool in your marketing arsenal. That being said, how many staging or mortgage lender presentations can they possibly host without Agent objections? Everyone has something to sell!
I propose that you get in front of your intended audience, the agents, but NOT to sell your services. HOW?? WHAT?? WHY?? Offer something of value to the agents, share an expertise or talent in another field.
Recently, Simply Staged Inc. was contacted by Robert Drummer, Team Leader of Keller Williams Realty in Rockford, IL. He asked if I would be willing to share what I am doing online to have a strong internet presence in our market. (You better believe AR was part of that presentation!) 
Now, Robert is very much a "Techie" and knew exactly what I had been doing to come up in searches. In fact, it was Robert's presentation to Keller Williams agents over a year ago that inspired me to get more involved with my online presence.
Why would he let a non "techie" stager present internet presence and social media to his agents? Because they could relate. Not too long ago, I was in the same situation. No internet presence, no idea where to start, did not understand the language, no budget to hire someone to handle it, and afraid of the unknown.
I was not their stager for that moment, I was one business owner talking to another. Sharing my experiences, resources, knowledge, online successes and failures in an attempt to help them better understand this aspect of their business. My goal was to give them the tools to increase their online presence. Even if it was only a push in the right direction.
Now it is I who needs to say "Thank You". It was such a fun experience, and I too learned from this exercise. The Realtors, some of whom I knew and worked with, along with some new faces, were very appreciative. They were filled with great questions and a true desire to learn.
What else are you good at? Social Media, Techie, Marketing, Photography, Print material. . . the possibilities are endless. Now go share your OTHER Talents!
Simply Staged Inc.is a professional home staging & redesign company serving Rockford, IL and the Stateline area. We specialize in staging existing, vacant and model homes in Belvidere, Byron, Caledonia, Cherry Valley, Loves Park, Machesney Park, Oregon, Poplar Grove, Rockford, Rockton, Roscoe and Winnebago. Contact us at (815)979-3027 or visit our website simplystagedinc.com
Simply Staged Inc. is a Professional Home Staging Company Serving Rockford IL and the Stateline Area. We specialize in staging vacant and occupied homes for sale. Contact us at (815)979-3027 or visit our website simplystagedinc.com
Michele - Great info. and a needed reminder. Thanks.
So true! The more we network and get acquainted with other professionals, the more likely they are to use our services. Keeps you in the top of their mind and that's where you want to be! Good for you for taking the initiative and preparing for the opportunity!
Michele- you made some valuable comments here! I am very new in this techie world (have spent hours reading up) and know it is a lot to absorb. I admire your perseverance....... It obviously paid off and got you noticed! Congratulations!
Thanks Patsy!
Thank you Margaret. It was a great opportunity to share what has been working for me and make new contacts as well. I felt honored to even be asked.
I am certainly no techie or expert Lori, but I was able to share what was working for me. I have so much more to learn, but I am a curious person and love a challenge. Some weeks I spend a lot of time on it, others not so much. Good luck in your quest for social media knowledge. As soon as we have it figured out, there will be something new to learn.
Great idea Michele! The important thing is to be present in front of your audience, and this is a fabulous way to do that. Congratulations!
HI Michele! I attended a free class today. A Realtor gave a seminar on using Fracebook to network. You are so reight-we need to share what we know with others freely. Not an empty seat in the room.
Thanks Annie! The KW group was very welcoming which made me feel more comfortable.
You are right Cathy. I had three times the attendance compared to when I give staging presentations. I even had a call from one of the Realtors in attendance saying they wanted to do business with me because they wanted to do business with someone who gave back. I am happy to get the work, but more so the feeling of helping someone else is the greatest.
Michele - Thanks for sharing your experience!
Keller Williams is notable for their pro-staging and pro-technology business model, at least here in DFW. Nice that you got invited! I know that in my market you have to pay a monthly fee to get in front of KW agents as a vendor so kudos to you.
Thanks Tessa! I would have to say the same for the Keller Williams office in Rockford - known for there staging and technology business model.
Its been an "active" AR week for me and am finding it not nearly as daunting as I at first thought. Hope you are having a good week. If I ever think of something I have to share, I'll be encouraged by your example.
So glad you decided to spend some time here in the Rain Jeanette. AR is a wonderful Realtor resource. I look forward to reading your posts!
Well its been a week in the rain and.....its been good. David and I are teaming on these blogs with him doing most of the actual composition as we talk about and share issues. I call Tuesday our "retool" day in large part to the education classes Robert puts together for us.
Glad to hear it going so well Jeanette! Robert is certainly an excellent resource.
Michele, what a great reminder to us all. Everyone appreciates valuable, usable information - no one wants to hear a commercial...
No one wants to hear a commercial. . . couldn't have said it better Joanne, Thanks!
Michele, just another way of using AR to grow your business. Pretty cool.
Michele, this is so timely. Nothing like a fresh approach to keep you sharp. Thanks!
Thanks David & Pam for commenting!