Amy Chorew is a national instructor helping managers and agents maximize technology opportunities. Her knowledge of the industry and the latest technologies – along with her unique ability to translate it into easy-to-understand language –make her a consistently top-rated trainer of continuing education, GRI and skill-development courses across the country. Her expertise in Social Networking and the tremendous impact it is having on the industry has given agents and brokers the tools to move from traditional marketing to Web 2.0 marketing.

Email Amy

When I got married, my husband was in the building industry, working in several subdivisions. I was a graphic designer and got interested in how the real estate agents were marketing the subdivisions. The broker suggested I go to real estate school and he paid for me to get my license. I got a lot out of the training and was a successful agent. I actually was the FSBO Queen at our office in central Connecticut! The company realized I was good with marketing, and I became head of the marketing department. Our 15-office company worked in 12 subdivisions, and our four-person marketing department did TV spots for the builders, designed models, the whole deal.

I was good with technology as well. In fact, I bought my first computer in 1987; it sits on a shelf here in my office. It was in 1987, I had my second baby and started working for another company, doing training for the MLS and developing other real estate training materials. That company had 32 offices and 1,600 agents and support staff. By (the year) 2000, I was doing training around the country and went out on my own. It’s just grown and grown from there.

About 2½ years ago, I realized that social marketing was now replacing what conventional marketing has been. I started blogging and using Facebook and Twitter and built my personal brand in 2 years. I don’t teach anything I don’t do! While I’m not actively selling real estate, I do a lot of coaching and include those success stories when I teach.

(Chorew was cited by the Sellsius real estate blog as one of the Top 12 Women Real Estate Bloggers for 2009 – click here and scroll down to #5. She also was quoted in the BlackBerry Connection® December Business e-newsletter.)

Prospecting for clients is the most important aspect of building a real estate practice. You need a good, clean database and to understand who’s bringing your business before you can understand how you need to market to them. Your Website or blog is the HUB of your business. It may take four years for a consumer to decide to buy, and the online conversation you have with them needs to drive them back to your Website.

You can adopt the technology – add a couple of technology tools to bring you into the next century. For instance, do you have to be on Twitter 24 hours a day? NO. In my classes, I always ask agents if they have Googled themselves lately? I tell them it needs to be obvious within a click or two, who you are, what you do and what your niche is. I usually get a sigh of relief from everyone at that point.

With social marketing, I’m enjoying giving a lot of value and “free stuff.” I believe that if you are giving them value, people will work with you no matter what. I’m also mentoring a couple of young people. I believe in giving back; I’m active in women’s groups such as the Women’s Council of REALTORS® (WCR) and NAWBO, the National Association of Women Business Owners.

But what I really live by is the Golden Rule and in doing what’s right.

I mentioned I believe in giving back. Start helping, and it will open avenues you never knew. For instance, WCR includes many leaders in the community and you can “bounce” things off them. Also, it’s important to constantly re-evaluate the balance in your life, to maintain a good balance between work and home so you don’t miss family things you shouldn’t.

Get educated! I attend three events every year to become a better speaker and to gain knowledge. Have a business coach to stay on-track. Of course, if you feel intimidated, just keep going; “fake it ‘til you make it!” One of my favorite books is Play to Win by Larry Wilson.

Finally, in real estate, 2010 is still going to be “off” – be ready to “rock ‘n’ roll” in 2011!