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May 3, 2011
 

Who's behind the curtain

Stuck for an idea the other night I asked my 8-year old daughter what I should blog about.  (By the way, I find most of life's questions can be answered by asking my 8-year old). 

"Just blog about what you do, "she responded.

Which was just the reminder I needed.  The reason I started this blog in the first place was to pass along to you what we are doing and why we are doing it. And then I wondered if you knew who 'we' were? I thought I might want to write at least one post about who we are in the marketing department.  The team is made up of myself, Jana Rice and newcomer, Nancy Logan. 

Marketing

Nancy joined us just a few months ago. She's learning the ropes right now which for her includes putting together the St. Louis Post Open House ads and Your Next Home ads, updating the Resource Center, adding agents to our systems and assisting in general Help Desk and marketing duties. She is responsible for nasty things like deadlines and numbers in excel sheets. . . and she does an exquisite job of keeping things timely and orderly.

Jana really needs no introduction.  She's definitely a familiar name and face to you.  If you don't know her from your office meetings or company training sessions than you probably know her as the person who always answers the phone with a smile on her face. Jana joined us back in 2004, in the same month we introduced our current website system.  She's evolved with the system from aid, to trainer, to the authority on what the system can do and how to do it.  I even go to Jana with questions. She's been involved every step of the way on creating eBusiness policies and web-marketing strategies. 

And I'm Sarah. I introduced myself last year, promised you blog updates and disappeared for another year into obscurity.  Anyway, I joined Prudential Select Properties in 2003 just 11 months after they opened their doors. I had worked at a St. Louis RE/MAX office while working towards my Graduate Degree in Digital Media at Lindenwood.  After graduation it seemed an easy step to combine the marketing principles I'd been learning in class to the field of real estate I was already in.  So here I am, 8.5 years later. And goodness we've come a long way. Back in 2003 I stepped into a department that didn't exist and needed to be built from the ground up.   There was no Resource Center, no website system, no marketing materials or tools.  And while I'm thrilled with the progress we've made in putting together the tools and technology you use today I still feel like there's so much I still want to do for you. The rest of the year these projects are near and dear to my heart: 

  • Evaluating and updating the tools and marketing materials we offer you
  • Seeking out the best ways to distribute your listings online and push more leads to you
  • Positioning Prudential Select Properties as the local choice for St. Louis real estate

As always your ideas are welcome; email me anytime at Sarah@DiscoverStL.com.

Talk to you soon,  

Sarah

P.S. Jana's been working on a list of events in and around St. Louis this summer.  An eCard is in the system that links to this list and is available to send to your clients.  She'll be sending out step-by-step instructions today in her Tuesday Tech Tip. I'll be sending out a complete marketing update next week with new materials! 

Summer_ecard

 

 

 

 

Filed under  //   ecards   jana rice   nancy logan   prudential select properties   sarah grobe   st. louis   summer in st. louis  
Posted by Sarah Grobe 

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March 21, 2011
 

What makes a 'not to be missed' experience?

We returned from the Prudential Convention 2011 in San Diego the week before last.  God, never take a 6:35 a.m.. flight back from a trip. Especially if it's the morning after Fat Tuesday.  After three days of non-stop classes, presentations, sight-seeing and team-building activities (read that as bar hopping ) I was ready to collapse. George, of course, managed to spend the afternoon in the office.

Have you been to a Prudential Convention?  This was my second.  Last year, my first, was in Austin.  (Music, Mexican food, craft beer, and hole-in-the-wall bars; I was in heaven). But if you haven’t been, the Convention is simply something you need to experience.

As you would expect it offers you classes, introduces you to new tools, updates you on trends and presents networking opportunities.  The presentations are usually over the top.  Fireworks, smoke machines, light shows and big name speakers.  This year found us partying at PetCo Park one evening (by the way stilettos and in-fields do not work) and entertained by Jay Leno another.  Although my favorite presentation had to be Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy, subjects of the motion picture The Blind Side.  They combined the perfect mix of comedy and purpose. 

However, it’s the intangibles that really make the experience.

For example, I think the convention is one of the best ways to renew your energy for the business. You get to look at what you are doing (and what you are not) with fresh eyes; it’s motivating.   I don’t think you can walk away without at least one new idea. Here's a handful: 

·   Use your email signature to connect, especially in regards to social media. Seek out companies like WiseStamp, or connect to online profiles such as About.me, Dooid, Google Profiles or Follr. 

·   Dive into social networking.  Prudential is even on board with a new online social networking site (https://www.nextwork.prudential.com). It rolled out on the 18th of March.  I’ll let you know more as I experiment with it. 
 

·   The person you just walked past is the one who can change your life.  So every once in a while stop and turn around.  

·   Ever just wished you could avoid talking to someone by leaving a message?  Try Slydial, a free online service  for going straight to voicemail.  Or if you’re like me and hate listening to voice mails, use a free voicemail to email converter from Google Voice, Phone Tag, YouMail or Jott.

·   Review your website and make a game plan.  Try Amy Chorow’s “5 Critical Elements of Your Website” for the best practices for 2011 below.

 

Click here to download:
5_Critical_Elements_of_your_Website(2).pdf (239 KB)
(download)
 

 

I have to admit though, my favorite part of the convention is the opportunity to connect with your collegues. Oh the stories I could tell!  But don’t worry my convention buddies, my lips are sealed on most accounts and I’m only sharing these few pictures.  And Seeger, I’ve even resisted the urge to include the one of you on stage at the dueling piano bar. 

  

(download)

I want to thank George Bruns, Maryann Vitale, Deb Colburn, Angie Ignatowski, Jana Rice, Jim Von der Haar, Sarah Seeger, Ann Cordeal, Jim Dillas, Betty Urban, Pat Sobelman, and Laura Wilburn for such a wonderful time.  Hope to see you next year in Orlando. 

 

Sarah Grobe, Director of Marketing
Prudential Select Properties, Your local choice for real estate

DiscoverStL.com | Facebook.com/DiscoverStL

 


 

 

 

Filed under  //   angie ignatowski   ann cordeal   deb colburn   george bruns   jana rice   jim von der haar   maryann vitale   prudential convention   real estate market   san diego   sarah grobe   sarah seeger   st. louis  
Posted by Sarah Grobe 

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