MAR Webinars

MAR's webinars do not require preregistration.

To join:

• On the day of the webinar, simply click on the Join link in the table below for direct access to the webinar at the specified time.
  • Supply your name and email address when directed to be linked to the ongoing webinar.
    
    
• At any time, go to http://msrealtors.ilinc.com and click on Public Sessions in the red toolbar at the top of the page. Under Public Sessions, click Join to view a list of upcoming webinars to join. If a session is available at that time, click the Join button and supply the required information (name and email address).

If this is your first time to view a webinar, you can install the iLinc client prior to viewing the webinar to streamline the process.

View previously recorded webinars

Visit our Archives page.

Webinar Schedule

Wednesdays at noon	DATE	SUBJECT / SPEAKER	AVAILABILITY
	February 17, 2010	Technical Staff Liason - Autumn Calhoun	View recording
	April 21, 2010	NAR Update - Lawrence Yun	View presentation
	June 16, 2010	Topica Legal Information - Oliver Frascona	View recording
	August 18, 2010	Mississippi REALTOR® Legal Hotline - Ron Farris
	October 20, 2010	NAR President's Update - Vicki Cox Golder
	December 15, 2010	Legal Update - Derek Easley
Tuesdays at 9 a.m.	DATE	SUBJECT / SPEAKER	AVAILABILITY
	January 26, 2010	Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource Certification	View Recording
	February 23, 2010	Right Tools, Right Now	View Recording
	March 23, 2010	Risk Management	View Recording
	July 19, 2010	Single Family Housing: Overview and HUD Voucher with John Jones from the USDA	Join Session

For the Tech of IT

Articles from Real Estate LEADER Magazine

• E-mail strategies to keep you connected (Winter 07)
• Basics of Web Design (Fall 06)
• Computer security a must(Summer 06)
• First impressions are lasting ones (Spring 06)
• Data backup (Winter 05)
• Get a smartphone, get organized (Fall 05)
• The power and peril of passwords (Summer 05)
• 12 tips for effective e-mail marketing (Spring 05)

Center for REALTOR® Technology

NAR's Center for REALTOR® Technology (CRT) serves REALTORS® and REALTOR® associations as an industry advocate, implementation consultant and technology information resource. For more technology tips and help, please visit NAR's Technology page.

For more information:

E-mail CRT
CRT Blog
Phone: (312) 329-8646
Fax: (312) 329-8298

E-mail strategies to keep you connected (Winter 07)

E-mail is one of the most common ways for connecting you to clients and potential clients. By now you should know that having your email address on your business cards, website and any print advertising just makes good sense. Some people even include their e-mail address when recording away messages for voicemail. With all this emphasis on email, it is beneficial to know some basics.

Make it stick. Your business e-mail address should be easy to remember. The ideal situation would include having your own domain name (@yourcompanyname.com). This way, even if you change ISPs (internet service providers) your e-mail address remains the same. This consistency saves you the trouble of changing your e-mail address on all your marketing materials. Plus, clients don’t have to learn a new e-mail address for you every time they turn around. By having your own domain name, you can have complete control over the entire e-mail address… for example: mike@yourcompanyname.com or mdelamater@msrealtors.org. Most places that host domains have packages available for e-mail hosting as well.

Manage mail and respond quickly. Hosting your own e-mail has other benefits as well, especially if you use the IMAP protocol for incoming mail. This protocol stores all your mail on the server, including any subfolders you create to help sort your mail. If your hosting company also offers webmail access, you will always have access to archived mail, even when you are out of the office. So, even if you are away from the office, you are still connected to current and potential clients.

Consider the free route. Another e-mail option involves using one of the many free services available, such as Gmail (http://gmail.com), Hotmail (http://hotmail.com) and Yahoo mail (http://mail.yahoo.com). These services offer plenty of storage space and can be accessed from anywhere in the world that has internet access. SPAM filters and virus protection are generally part of the service offered as well.

E-mail is and will continue to be an integral part of your business. Your ability to connect with clients as well as your local, state and national association and MLS systems will continue to be of vital importance in the future. Keeping your e-mail address updated at all levels is extremely important. If your e-mail address does change, remember to contact your local board and ask them to update your member record so that you can stay connected to all the association offers.

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Basics of Web Design (Fall 06)

According to 2004 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® research, about 77 percent of buyers use the internet to search for their new home. What does that mean to you? If you don't currently have a web presence, you could be missing a LOT of prospects.

When creating a web presence, you basically have three choices:

1. Buy the software and DIY (do it yourself). Good software is expensive, plus you need to have some basic design skills and lots of spare time.
2. Use template sites. This option is good for small offices with very limited resources, but templates allow you little freedom to customize your site.
3. Hire a pro. A good web designer can make a HUGE difference. They know what works and doesn't work. Plus, they have ideas you may have never considered and the knowledge to put it all together in a great looking site.

How do you decide? The two main considerations are time and money. Templates are usually cost/time effective, but as noted above not as flexible as a custom website. Custom sites are more expensive and time consuming (if you DIY), but offer much more flexibility.

No matter what course you choose, consider these basics:

Domain Name (your web address) - Your domain name needs to be as simple and easy to remember as possible. If you have to spell it out to everyone, they are not going to remember it. Remember the KIS theory - Keep It Simple.

Hosting - This is where your web site will live. Hosting fees can range from a few dollars a month to hundreds of dollars a year, depending on the provider and the services you need.

Navigation - Again, keep the KIS theory in mind. Easy navigation means visitors to your site can easily find the information they need. A good rule of thumb is that no data should be more than three clicks away.

Contact Info - Visitors should be able to access contact information easily. Your company name, address and phone number should be on each page. Also a Contact Us form for people to e-mail you is a better choice than having an e-mail link on your page. This will help prevent spammers from phishing e-mail addresses from your websites to build spam lists.

These are but a few important points. IDX, virtual tours, tips and may other things will add value to your web presence. Remember, a company with no web presence today might not be a company tomorrow.

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Computer security a must (Summer 06)

Risk management doesn’t end with physical precautions. It extends into the digital realm. Protecting your network and data should be at the top of your list of things to do.

1. Protect your PC.
   • Use STRONG passwords. Passwords should be at least eight characters and should use a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols, and should be changed regularly. You should never use the same password more than once.
   • Anti-Virus software. AV software is a MUST. Not only will it protect your pc, it will help protect the rest of the network and the internet as well by making sure you are not unknowingly sending virii to your contact list.
   • Be extremely wary of downloading free software. If there is any doubt whatsoever, DON’T download.
   • Do NOT click links in popup windows! Unscrupulous sites can utilize vulnerabilities in your browser to install software without your permission or knowledge just by you simply clicking a link. This nefarious act is most commonly used in popup windows.
2. NEVER click links in SPAM e-mail.
   • Clicking links (like the unsubscribe link) in e-mail is how spammers harvest e-mail addresses and verify that the addresses are accurate so they can build mass mailing lists.
   • No legitimate business or financial institution will EVER ask you to e-mail them personal information such as Social Security number or account numbers. If you are ever in doubt, look up the phone number in the phone book, and call the company. Don’t trust phone numbers or web addresses (URLs) in SPAM e-mail.
3. NEVER send personal or private information via e-mail.
   • E-mail is NOT SECURE. All e-mail is sent in plain text and can easily be intercepted by anyone who wants to read it. Never e-mail passwords, account numbers, credit card numbers or any other vital data.
4. Look for the lock.
   • When shopping online, NEVER give out your credit card number or any other private data unless you see a lock icon at the bottom of your browser window. Another way to tell is to look at the address line and see if the address starts with https. The ‘s’ at the end means it’s a secure socket.

The days of mediocre computing diligence are long gone. We can no longer afford to take the risks that were once acceptable. Security is paramount and ensuring the integrity of the data you possess must be included in your daily regimen. With the abundance of security risks online today, it is crucial that proper steps are taken to ensure that your data and the data of your clients and customers is being handled and secured properly. Can you afford to risk your livelihood? Can you afford to risk your identity? Can you afford to risk your clients’ sensitive data? The truth is, in this day and age, no one can. Be diligent and save your business time and money by implementing the necessary training and safeguards needed to keep your valuable data just that… Valuable.

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First impressions are lasting ones (Spring 06)

With today’s technology, it’s easy to assume that the majority of buyers and sellers do a fair share of research online before they contact a REALTOR®. Knowing this information can help you market your listings more efficiently. One key to success: photos. Adding photos to your MLS listings adds "curb appeal". This makes the entire process more efficient for you and your client. Clients can narrow their search by viewing online tours and photos, and eliminate properties that do not meet their criteria. This means less time spent driving around town looking at properties.

The first thing needed is an adequate digital camera. Digital cameras range in quality from those included in cell phones to professional cameras costing thousands of dollars. For this project, something more in the middle of this range is required. I recently bought a Kodak V550 digital camera that I absolutely love. It’s so small that I can carry it in my shirt pocket. It takes great photos and it has a ton of presets for specific lighting conditions. The software that came with it has a basic photo editor which allows the photographer to crop, rotate and perform minor color corrections, among other things.

If you want to do "Virtual Tours" of your property, Microsoft has this neat little application called Photo Story 3 (PS3). Anyone with a registered version of Windows XP can download this handy program by visiting Microsoft’s website and clicking the Downloads link. PS3 allows REALTORS® to create a slideshow movie. It’s a Windows Media Player movie, but it’s a slideshow of pictures you add to the story. The software is extremely easy to use - even for a novice - and it allows users to narrate the slideshow. Just take a bunch of snapshots with your camera, download the images to your PC, then open PS3 and create a virtual tour.

Remember, curb appeal is as important online as it is street side.

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Data backup (Winter 05)

Data backup is probably the most important thing you forget to do. And as Hurricane Katrina taught us, data backup is invaluable. With today’s technology and broadband internet access, off-site data storage is very convenient and affordable.

There are basically three ways you can backup large amounts of data off-site:

1. Burn DVDs on a regular basis - big hassle, and expensive to get it up and running. Then you get to carry all those disks home and find a place to store them all. Then you still need software to run the backups.
2. Buy an external hard drive (make that two) - again, expensive and a hassle. Why two? So you can have one hooked up at all times, and keep a backup off-site. Then you still need software to run the backups.
3. Online data backup - This just might be your best option. There are several resources online for data storage. Some are just for storing data, some allow you to share documents with co-workers and some have all kinds of options for the busy REALTOR®. While this is by no means an endorsement, here’s some information on some of the top vendors below:

iBackup (www.ibackup.com) has many features a busy office might need:

• iBackup for Windows is a smart backup scheduling application which you can use to schedule automatic backups. Features include fast drag-n-drop, encryption, mirroring, incremental backups and filters to exclude files/folders from backup.
• iDrive - Using iDrive, you can make your iBackup account look like another hard drive on your system, allowing you to easily drag and drop files from your desktop to your iBackup account or edit the files directly.
• Web-Manager, Collaborate, WebFolders and FTP round out this system.

Streamload (www.streamload.com) - Streamload gives you a private and secure place to store, organize, access, and share your personal videos, photos, music and any other file. Features include:

• Store your files safely and securely. Get 10 GBs of FREE storage.
• Access your files from any internet-connected device.
• Share all your files quickly and easily, without file size restrictions.
• Host videos, audio, images and data files on your website.
• Backup your files and data safely and reliably.

Xdrive (www.xdrive.com) - is perhaps the most trusted provider of secure online storage. Features include:

• 5GB to unlimited gigabytes of online storage.
• Accessible from any web browser.
• Easy, efficient file sharing.
• Protect critical data from crashes and viruses.
• The best solution for storing and sharing online.
• Risk-free Trial. No commitment. Cancel anytime.

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Get a smartphone, get organized (Fall 05)

One key to REALTOR® success is organization. Managing contacts, listings and appointments, as well as staying in contact with clients, office and home can be a daunting task. But there is no need to despair…one technology tool, in particular, may be just your lifeline.

That tool is a "smartphone." Smartphones combine the organizational abilities of a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant - like a Palm Pilot) with the communication abilities of a cell phone and the internet connection abilities of a laptop. Now you can do it all with one device! Check e-mail, search MLS listings, keep track of meetings and appointments and call your loved ones anytime, anyplace.

As with any technology, there are many different "flavors" of smartphones. Two popular brands on the market include the TREO from PalmOne which operates on the PALM OS (Operating System) and the Blackberry that uses a Java based OS. There are also smartphones that use the Windows Mobile OS. HP’s iPAQ is an example.

Different Operating Systems mean different apps (that’s geekspeak for applications), meaning that each flavor of smartphone has its own bells and whistles. They all have some basics in common, however. Each has the ability to check e-mail and surf the Web from basically anywhere you can get a cell signal. Each can also synchronize contact lists and calendars with your PC. Standard features such as note pads, to-do lists and many other useful utilities, combined with the online capabilities, make the smartphone appear to have been designed specifically with the REALTOR® in mind.

For several years we have seen the trends shifting in mobile communication. From clunky first generation bag-phones to text messaging to email access to hands-free communication. Wait no longer because the day and age of the smartphone has finally arrived. This is not just a trend or fad. The smartphone is here to stay and the technology will only get better. A multitude of useful applications designed to keep you organized and in touch with your personal and business demands can be at your fingertips. So what are you waiting for? Ask your cellular service provider about one today.

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The power and peril of passwords (Summer 05)

Are you one of those people who uses the same password for EVERYTHING? I bet you made it easy to remember, too… like your spouse’s name, a kid’s name or a pet’s name. Maybe you even used the last four digits of your Social Security number or, my personal favorite, the word "password"!

Guess what? You are at the highest risk of being compromised. If someone wants into your machine, or website, or bank account, the first passwords they will try are what I mentioned above.

So what is good password policy? The best passwords are six to eight characters in length and have a mix of letters and numbers. Take the word "REALTOR". To make that a more secure password, replace some of the vowels with numbers (the letter "O" and the number "0" or "E" and "3", or "A" and "4"). Then, "REALTOR" becomes r34lt0r, a MUCH more secure password. To go one step further, change the case on some of the letters: R34lt0R

Another good policy to have is to use a different password for everything. If I guess your windows password, and you use the same one for e-mail, I can now intercept your e-mail.

Some people use a "system" to make it easy to remember complex passwords. For example, if it’s a website you need a password for, make the website part of the password, then add a standard term. For example, if you needed a login/password at Microsoft’s website – maybe something like "Mym1cr0s0Ft" or "M1cr0s0ft4M1ke". If it’s BestBuy’s website - maybe use "MyB3stBuy" or "B3stBuy4M1k3".

There are several very good password managers available for your handheld devices to help keep track of all these passwords. CryptInfo for the Palm OS and FlexWallet for Windows Mobile (handhelds and SmartPhones) are excellent choices.

In today's age of online transactions and the ever present threat of identity theft, security is paramount. Passwords are your final line of defense.

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12 tips for effective e-mail marketing (Spring 05)

E-mail, when not overused and abused, can be an effective marketing and communications tool for REALTORS®. It’s a timely, convenient and low-cost means of reaching clients and customers on their terms. Here are some quick tips to keep in mind before you press "send":

1. Use the "subject" line to state the purpose of your message. Grab the recipient’s attention in five words or less. Avoid using exclamation points, dollar signs or ALL CAPITAL LETTERS.
2. Keep your message brief and to the point. Value the person’s time on the receiving end and you’re more likely to get a timely response.
3. Personalize your e-mail correspondence as much as possible. Nothing sends the recipient’s fingers to the "delete" button faster than what is obviously a generic, mass-produced message.
4. Include your complete "signature" (name, company, phone numbers, fax number and website) at the bottom of every message.
5. Never change or remove the file extension of any attachment that you send with an e-mail message. If you remove the extension - such as ".doc" - the recipient's computer won't know which software to use to open that file.
6. Proofread your e-mail. Grammar, punctuation, spelling and proper business etiquette are just as important in electronic communications as they are on paper and in person.
7. Include a hot link in your e-mail messages, so recipients can go directly to your website for more information.
8. Encourage recipients to forward your e-mails. Referrals are a great way to get new business when a recipient passes on your information to friends, family and colleagues who may be interested.
9. Avoid fancy fonts, formats and designs. Every e-mail system is not the same, so what looks great on your screen could be a complete disaster on the receiving end. Plain text, although not as pretty, will get past SPAM filters that might block other mail formats.
10. Don’t joke. What may come across as humorous in person may not translate in an e-mail. You may not share the same sense of humor and you run the risk of offending someone with different morals or cultural values.
11. Check your own e-mail regularly. Learn how to access your own e-mail through your internet service provider's website, so you'll be in touch even if you're out of town.
12. Most of all, never send unsolicited e-mails. Always ask permission before adding a prospect to your e-mail list.

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