There’s nothing like some southern hospitality and derby pie to give you a little inspiration for 2010. I spent the last week with Milestone Realty Consultants in Lexington, Kentucky rolling out their new website and discussing the 2010 internet marketing plan. While I was there, it seemed I spent less time discussing the importance of an online strategy and more time on the plan. I can’t tell you how great that felt.
Agents and managers alike came prepared with quality questions. As I stood there surveying the crowd, I noticed a room full of engaged realtors no longer struggling with the fact that traditional marketing has changed. Instead, this group of professionals came prepared to embrace the future with a new set of web tools. Terms such as advanced mapping, individual property websites, video streaming, unique content and viral marketing did not fall on deaf ears.
I thought to myself, they are honestly getting it!
As I went from meeting to meeting, it became even more obvious that the culture is changing and the world we live in as developers and technologists is starting to be shared by the masses. In the end, out of 100 agents in attendance, we had 60 sign up for the advanced marketing plan for 2010 – a plan that included an agent website and two individual property websites per month.
Milestone agents are now equipped with all the necessary tools to be successful. By being prepared to take what they’ve learned and start writing unique content about the areas they farm, Milestone is looking ahead at new ways to position themselves in 2010 and beyond.
So, as I jumped a plane back home, I asked myself a question. Have we reached a tipping point? Will 2010 be more about the customer and less about resisting change? I can’t fully answer these questions, but it did make me realize there is a light at the end of this tunnel.
And for everyone else out there, I encourage each of you to approach 2010 with a new sense of optimism. Don’t be afraid to talk openly with agents and managers about change; you may be surprised to find they are more accepting than you realize.
And please, do me a favor and visit the new Milestone site and give us some feedback. There has been a lot of hard work and late nights, so we welcome your comments. At Active Website, we are proud of the achievements Enterprise Network Members have made over the years and feel fortunate to have fifteen great clients up and running on the platform.
Wow, fifteen! It seems like just yesterday the Network started. It makes me realize how far we have come, but also how far we have to go. For now though, I am going to enjoy this successful launch and carry it with me into 2010.
