2010 Tech Tips

• September
  • Newsletters Do I Print or Send via Email? I would recommend one yearly or twice a year mailer that targets your past, current clients and prospects. A well designed, branded newsletter will keep you on their minds especially if it has some good info that they can use.
    
    Emails - I recommend once a month with relevent market data. Most systems allow you to group your opt-in lists into sub groups like (buyers, sellers, investors) so you can target each with relevent data. CRS puts out a great newsletter that they allow members to use, Lowes has a newsletter program and GLVAR is now sending preformatted newsletters to members making it easier than ever to stay in contact and build relationships by planting seeds that will someday grow into a referral.
    
    
• August
  • Considering the IPad for use in your daily real estate practice? Wait, until the next version comes out the
    current IPad is too one dimensional and has a few bugs Apple needs to work out. If you are interested in tablets HP, Toshiba, IBM and a host of others have units that run as little as $699 and run all of the applications you will be using like the MLS, Docusign, DocuManager and allow users to sign contracts right on your screen all while staying mobile either with a built in wireless modem from AT&T, Verizon or using a USB system like Clear. Note: Check with GLVAR there is a great Clear deal out there for REALTORS®
• July - Laptop, Netbook, Tablet or Convertible - what kind of laptop should I be using if I am a Real Estate Agent?
  
  
  • Laptop - larger screen, faster processor, larger hard drive and usually more memory. Negatives are they are usually 15" screens of larger and pack a ginormous batter which make them heavy. Not so flexible while on the road with a client. Connectivity: can accomodate PC cards I and II or USB Broadband Modem for high speed access.
    
    
  • Netbook - One of the newest on the block, small flexible as long as you are running windows vista. Same applications just a small 10" screen. Negatives: low battery life, internet connectivity - review your options some of the new ones come with built in broadband via verizon or att for high speed access.
    
    
  • Tablet Only or Slate - No very popular yet, mostly used in the medical or other professional fields where you can connect to a secure wifi connection and docking station. (Brands: Motion Computing)
    
    
  • Convertible Tablet - Probably the most common and sensible one to use if you are a practicing real estate agent who uses paperless technologies such as DocuSign and online storage systems like DocuManager. Brands: (HP, Toshiba, Fujitsu, Lenovo are a few)
    
    
• June - ClearWire is in Las Vegas. Need mobile access for your laptop or 4G speeds at home. Try Clear if you need high speed access or on the go.
  
  
• May - There are many add on programs for Twitter here are a few you can consider: Tweepler, Twibs Twitscoop and Twitbeep.
  
  
• April: New Apple iPad Wi-Fi (16GB) Released! Welcome to the future of tablet pcs. Check out more about it on CNET or purchase one here.
  
  
• March: Free online tool allows you to upload your forms, fill in, sign, highlight sections, save and email to yourself or a client.
  
  
• February: Free online file conversion software
  
  
• January: The Social Media Guide
  

Archive 2009

Dec 09

Tech Tip: Scanning for Real Estate -
Xerox DocuMate 152 Color ADF Duplex 18 PPM 36 IPM VRS PDF TWAIN (XDM1525D-WU)

Nov 09

Tech Tip: Best Place on the Web to Find Software for your PDA
Handango

Oct 09

Tech Tip: PDF Software - Try on NitroSoft instead of Adobe Acrobat

Sept 09

Tech Tip: Visual Voicemail

Business Practices Visual Voicemail Available on Most SmartPhones, Visual Voicemail is a Service Offered By Many Cell Service Providers. There is a Monthly Fee – Approximately $2.99/month The Benefits of Utilizing Visual Voicemail Are: Visual List of Each Voicemail In Your Mailbox No “Calling In” to Your Mailbox Call Back Feature Allows You Return Call Without Dialing Number Reply by Text, Delete, Forward or Archive – All With Single Key Strokes (Call you Provider)

August 09

Tech Tip:  www.amychorew.com

Amy Chorew is a National Technology Instructor and a REALTOR®.   She teaches classes here locally and nationally for Women’s Council.  Visit her site for real estate-related tech tips!  She blogs daily about the newest tech do’s and don’ts.  Have a specific tech question? – Join her blog!

June 09

Business Card Scanners

Scan in your multitude of business cards and transfer the information to your Outlook, contact management system, Smartphone or other device. Scanner picks up nearly all text on the card, so all you have to do is verify/correct if needed, and start utilizing the it on the go and marketing more efficiently. Scanners run from $70 and up. Google for local retailer

May 09

Google Alerts

Free Feature from Google.  Just “google” Google Alerts.  It will guide you thru setting it up.  Set alerts with your name, company name, competitor’s names, your niche areas, etc. to be alerted to what it put online daily that pertains to your alert so you can either promote it OR combat it! 

April 09

MozyHome/MozyPro Online Data Backup Service

• Online Backup of Your Documents, Music, Photos, Emails and More!
• $4.95 Monthly Fee
• 3 Easy Steps to Set Up
• Single-User home edition or Multi-User Pro Edition
• Scheduled, automatic backups
• Detects new/changed information and only updates those files for faster subsequent backups
• Visit www.readsuccess.com for more info and to purchase.

March 09

Free Internet Marketing Report Card

• Visit www.intlistings.com/realestatemarketingreport/
• Enter in your specific listing info and a report card will appear letting you know the “grade” for your marketing on each website.
• An easy way to see if your listings are syndicated on the internet’s most popular websites. “A” means you have decent exposure. “D” means you have some work to do.

February 09

• Login to MLXchange from your desktop computer.  On left-hand side bar, click on the gold arrows to reveal the “My Sidebar” area.
• Scroll down to MLX Wireless Section and Click on Wireless Service Registration.
• When the new window comes up, fill in the requested information.
• You will then be provided with the website link for MLXWireless.
• Visit the website from your phone’s internet browser, put in your public ID and password (no rolling code required) and search the full MLS, including all statuses, pictures, gate codes, lockbox codes and more!

January 09

Free Picture Resizer – Good for resizing pictures you have taken, when entering into MLS or other advertising, or for simpler emailing.

• For Windows XP Users: Go to www.microsoft.com and keyword search: Image Resizer. Download. Now, with a right-click on any picture, you will be given the option of creating a duplicate copy of the picture in either small, medium or large sizes. You can even do an entire batch at once!
• For Windows Vista Users: Go to Download Free Software – From Desktop Icon – Same Options as Above.

The ultimate business tool