As I'm sure you can already tell, the Charleston Association of Realtors hosted their annual trade show. This year it was themed, Plugged-in Tech Fair & Trade Show. First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign sponsored the Realtor of Distinction luncheon, a 40 minute breakout session and of course we also had a booth in the show.
I'm not one who loves speaking in public - particularly with a microphone. While I am used to giving presentations in offices, the trade show today for some reason had me a little nervous. (I really do think it was the microphone.... it feels so different than just speaking to people.) I do feel that educating agents is an important part of the job & since CTAR asked me to speak last summer I definately felt it was a necessity. My nervousness increased when the chairman of the event came up to me (about 30 minutes prior) and advised me that he had been told by several agents that they actually came to the event to hear us speak! That said, it was a great event!
Bevin & I had hoped for about 20 people, but had closer to 40. There were 33 chairs and during parts of it had at least 10 people standing in the back. (We even had other area stagers in attendance taking notes during our presentation!) We covered the basics of what staging is/is not, creating neutrality without removing style, owner occupied staging, vacant staging, cost, stats, etc. We ran a little long - unfortunately running into the registration and check-in for the Realtor of Distinction luncheon - but still the majority of the listeners stayed. (Most of those that left actually came by and talked to us at length after the luncheon.)
We stayed, missing the initial speakers and agent recognitions, to speak with at least 6 listeners. We have several appointments booked directly from the break-out (not to mention others from the booth). Education really is the key. Education and presence!
As Bevin has already said in her blog, REALTOR Trade Shows - You have to do them! Whether you are new to the industry or a seasoned pro, you need to invest in your business and have a presence with your target market!
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Melissa Marro, a published artist, now turned staging advocate and national speaker speaks her mind about real estate and the home staging industry. In her 'no holds barred' approach, audience members find real answers to the industries pitfalls and learn how to overcome them with tried and true information and guidance. With marketing as her passion, she turned a small home based business into one of the nation's largest home staging and training facilities. Selling her successful home staging company in January 2012, Marro is now a full time speaker and instructor for Staging And Resign and Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)'s trade events.
For more information on having Marro speak at one of your real estate functions, please contact her at 843.619.1593 or email at marro.melissa@gmail.com
Sounds like the presentation went well. Congrats, Melissa!
Kathy
Melissa,
It sounds like you and Bevan have really got some synergy going on. Have you considered a you tube presentation? I would love to see & hear you in action, I'm glad it was a great success.
Linda - Thank you! Education really makes such a difference. We've already booked a ton of appointments from this event!
B - I agree!
Kathy - I think it went very well. We've all received calls today and scheduled apointments.
Penny - UTube... hey, the microphone was hard enough! My marketing guy is actually trying to get me to do video presentations... maybe someday!
Marci - hey, what can I say? I think you said it all.
Sandra - Good for you! We've already earned our money back from it so I definately say DO IT!
Charlene - I was definately nervous, but after a while I forgot about the mic and realized it was just like talking to them at the office.
Melissa,
Way to go! There's practically no problem that can't be handled with compelling education.