Daytona Real Estate Training

Love the video idea! I don't always add all my designations to websites, business cards, emails, etc
It does become way too confusing - not to mention, I've been told conflicting stories on what order they go in!

Anyone actually know?

Midori

Your post is a real eye opener, thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Good luck and success.

Lou Ludwig

Hmmm ... all of those designations would tell me one thing if I were a buyer. That agent is EXPENSIVE, I'm going to look elsewhere.

You mean these are the wrong explanations ???

CRS- Can't Really Sell !

GRI - Great Reductions of Income

I think you're right that the designations are confusing to a customer ... maybe it's better to just display the most important ones to your niche.

Very good advice.  I do spell out what the designations I hold stand for but not the level to obtain.  I don't mess with getting a box top send in with 50 cents designation as they are meaningless.  The hard earned ones deserve to be noted for excellence and expertise.  All the best.  Congrats on the feature.

Midori, I have a different view of the alphabet soup of real estate.  I was at a certification class a few years ago, and another agent came up and asked what certifications I had.  I told her, and then she sang out her string that would make a PhD jealous.  She asked what I thought about all that, and in one of those "Don't always say what you're thinking moments" I said, "Well, if nothing else, it tells your clients you have the capacity to sit on your caboose for long periods of time without accomplishing anything."  Oops!  I only take certification courses that actually help me with my job, and I don't advertise them to clients.  They really don't care anyway.   On a separate note, I'll be hanging out in your neighborhood for a couple weeks in Sept.  Can't wait!  Congrats on the feature.

I actually leave a few off of my signature.  The one that I like to trumpet is the CRS - a buyer who was looking for a $1.5 million home contacted me because I am a CRS.  GRI is also good because the classes are so informative, but I agree, the rest just confuse the public.

Midori -- I had to laugh at this because I had a client ask me about this once. She told me she read a blog post from a realtor who said he had nothing to do so he thought it was a good time to get some designations.  She then told me it's probably good to have one or two, but those who have too many have way too much time on their hands to take all these classes.  She was totally unimpressed. It was a really funny conversation.

I am proud of my GRI and the commitment it takes to get one. My Green is going away at the end of the year it has been worthless for me.

Midori, this blog is spot on!  I always assume that people have no idea what our designations mean and take the time to briefly explain them to clients.

Midori I've thought the alphabet soup has been pretty silly for many years.  The general public has no idea of what all that stuff means.  Of course those of us in the profession know which designations are more than just a one or two day deal - such as CRS.  When I'm looking to refer somebody I like to know they've had some considerable experiece.

I have designations and DO NOT USE THEM on my marketing. The public doesn't care about alphabet soup, as Anna says. 

I guess the important issue is not so much the designations, but the commitment to bettering yourself.  If you spend a lot of time in classes and out in the field, you are going to be a well rounded agent.  I have a few designations and every once in awhile someone will call because of a designation, but if I can't answer their questions, they are off to someone else.  Of course, that is highly unlikely! ;o)

Perhaps years of practice, areas of expertise, and some other readily understandable phrases my be easier to convey to consumers in addition to the acronyms. Arpad

Perhaps years of practice, areas of expertise, and some other readily understandable phrases my be easier to convey to consumers in addition to the acronyms. Arpad

Midori,

Many of the designations are silly. They offer a false set of credentials. They are often used to make the fact that a realtor doesn't have any post secondary degrees. Then they load up on this stuff.

Sometimes you can get great initials just by attending a 3 hour course.

Brian

Midori, I agree I have for years not used my advance degree in my marketing efforts. MY thought is who cares can you close the deal is all that matters. Sorry to hear your not practicing real estate at this time. 

Midori, I remember as a Real Estate Broker seeing initials after someone's name & thinking, "what does that mean".  Either iI need to get it together or you are onto something.  Nice!

The problem with desiginations is that most of them are too easy to obtain and are not that worthwhile. Epro appears to be pretty much an empty suit and I would NEVER PAY A DIME to keep the alphabet soup on my marketing. That's why I dont have them.  I've taken the courses but only for CE credit.

Midori:

When I earned my CRS designation it was truly an accomplishment.  I think it is easier to earn that designation now.  I thought it mean "Can't Remember (the "S" word" at least that what one of my colleagues told me.  She and I earned our CRS at the same time.

There is always going to be more. Do you find them benefiting you?

Midori - I have to admit before I became an agent I was impressed with 8 initials after someone's name, but after becoming one, I know it means so little.  Some of the best agents have the fewest initials. 

I don't think that the vast majority of consumers understand or care. In hundreds of transactions my experience with alphabet soup agents is that they are very impressed with themselves. 

We all take continuing education, so the difference is that these folks pay money to remain in these clubs so they have right to the initials.

I like numbers better than letters. 

I've been asked once if I were a certified short sale specialist. I had no idea what that meant. From my research I understand the GRI is probably the best one to have. Other than that, I'm thinking of getting my broker's license. Broker Associate would be cool to add after my name.

I certainly agree that a boatload of letters does not mean a good agent it makes!

Consumers might not care...but they should, and you're right, we should be explaining to them what they all mean. 

However, you can have every letter of the alphabet after your name, but if you do not produce, it does not matter.

I think it is important to further your education each year and make yourself more valuable to your clients.  Just covering the bare minimum credits to keep your license each year probably flows over into how you do everything.

I think it is just confusing and not a memborable thing. The public can't remember what cma, hoa, mlo, stand for.

It doesn't matter how many sets of initials we have after our names, the only thing count is to reach out to real buyers and sellers, then close deals. Go get them - what's the chance of having them calling you because they are impressed with your initials?

 

Thanks for the reminder. I have a page of explanations for my designations, that I give to prospects.

So then why are they not on their own page on my web sites. 

Duh?

It depends on the consumer. I had a seller contact me because of my designation, because they wanted to short sale their house. Many have done the research and do know what they mean.

I stopped using them a couple of years ago but there is a way on our company website for people to search for us by designation, so they show on my company profile.   I may think about adding designation info on my website.  I just have a few... 

 

Midori - your right, it can be confusing. Thanks for sharing such a good post!

I couldn't agree more. In Manhattan (NYC) not only are alphabet designations meaningless so is the generic trademark word "REALTOR" because brokers here don't belong to a national trade association. We have our own real estate board. REBNY.

There are only three titles the state of New York designates. Broker, Associate Broker and Salesperson. Any other titles used without the proper state title are a violation of NY DOS.

good morning featured...thank you!   Great comments and feedback...I appreciate it. I was browsing agents info around the country...and noticed this.  It made me laugh out loud and hard.  Every where u turn there are new designations...if u r gonna take the time to post all the intials..I would just take a look at it..to me confusing and very silly looking. 

I wouldn't down play them...u r doing that already by using the abc's...but if u have several..I would pick the most important ones rather than display them all next to ur name.  Thanks so much for the comments....

Maureen...that is awesome and very smart on your companies part!

Bernadine - yes some designations the public knows about...but have u researched how many there are?  I don't believe 4 a minute they know what all of that means.  I never under estimate the consumer but do not over estimate them either.    Even I do not know what half of them mean and I am sure many REALTORS do not know either..maybe because designations are becoming a dime of dozen..creating the loss of value...cheapening their meaning and value...just my opinion.

Mike - let me know when...the only big thing for Sept..right now I have scheduled is the home show...so let me know dates..and maybe we can get together..

I think the only designations the consumer recognize is MD, RN, CPA, VP, CEO, and probably a few others. In most cases, it is probably used for bragging rights. I like the idea of using a web page or video to explain each designation and the benefits to the consumer. Probably should include and example or two for clarification.

Been there...and do that....our newsletter to our sphere explains our alphabet soup....most folks find it a tasty bit of expertise.

I guess I still haven't seen the bad, because I still use some of them, but I do understand the confusion. I would venture that the longer one is in the business their presence becomes less important, and I am reaching that point.

I've got a bunch of the alphabet letters but the only one that's ever been of any real value is the CRS.  The rest are just for my own personal satisfaction.

The only thing those initials are impressive to is other Realtors(r) maybe LOL :)!  Explaining what they mean and what value they bring to your client is very important.  These are some terrific tips!

Coming from the lending side, it's helpful to know just what kind of educational background I might be working with regarding a realtor.  Having that insight, does help some.  But as a consumer?  Not thinking so much .. as I don't think the average consumer knows what the heck they mean.  I feel the same way about appraising designations and lending.  Helpful if you're IN the biz, but for the consumer ... nope.  Perhaps the choice of when and where and to whom you are marketing should decide whether they are added or not ...

Gene

It used to mean something special at one time and people used to want to know. I think it has been played out. Okay, you got the alphabet behind your name. Question: Can you score? Good one Midori

I know some of these can be helpful and adding a couple of designations is well worth the time and money but enough is enough. it is like alphabet soup. How about simply offering a REAL university degree in real estate! I think it makes more sense. But then I think every new Realtor needs to have at least an AA to get into the field. Too many new agents can't even complete the contracts correctly!!!

I like the follr.me product. Maybe a website explanation tied in with this is a good idea, too.

Midori, other than the education you receive by taking these designation courses they don't mean much to the general public. NAR has gotten carried away with designations. There are so many they don't mean much anymore.

Hi Midori - great to see you back. And with a feature. Yay! All vaild points and we too don't really use the alphabet soup theory in our marketing but we do like your idea of the video explanation.

but, that's where the money is in real estate. Those who can't sell teach the rest of us jargon and BS. They even make us take classes to maintain our license while Brokers continue down the broken path of "hiring" as many agents as they can under the theory that if you throw enough crap at a wall some of it will stick.

Morning Midori,  I read the results of a poll indicating why clients chose their agent.  The lowest ranking item was the alphabet soup following an agents' name.

As previously stated, I have only gotten the designations that are feel help me be a better agent. Otherwise, too time consuming. I've never had a client ask me what designations I have?

Those who don't have them prefer that the others don't use them to create a sense of equality. Those who do, worked hard to get them, made a commitment to improve themselves and further knowledge, and wish to inform their constituents that they may be a notch above (I said 'maybe') or at least of accomplishments and professionalism. Educating the consumers is a key objective as well in our profession.

I disagree with the comments that the letters are meaningless. This is so wrong. Meaningless to someone perhaps without them.

As for the other comment, that he's never used his education as part of is marketing, well, that's too bad. I'm sorry to hear this that he can't put his knowledge to good use.

 

the letters are not meaningless..because it required time, energy and experience but when u have several and list them behind your name..not only does it look ridiculous...it cheapens them.. how the heck does a customer know what they are..really?   

designations are not obtained to impress your peers or your clients for that matter...its to better assist your customers. 

I AGREE MIDORI! Creat a great bio that explains what all these initials mean, otherwise its pointless to include them all. (My only designation is MBA)

After reading the comments I then looked at their byline at the bottom to see how many had designations listed. I only have one on my business card and it's written out, not just initials.

 

While the designations are well earned, they look like an ego stroke.  For that matter, so does the laundry list of awards people tag on their signoffs.  Humility people, humility.

Midori, I beg to diagree, again. Maybe you clients and customers don't know what they mean. Why don't you tell or explain it to them? Mine do.

Richard you have 3 behind your name...that is not what I am talking about here at all.  I have seen some with soooooooooooooooo many initials behind just as I posted in the title.  What does the # of initials say to you but better yet..its not about YOU..its about our customers..do you think they get it?  Really?

To me a very smart thing to do is to include in your listing presentations..your website and profile Full explanations.. 

I am not standing in your shoes..I am a former REALTOR, a former real estate training..looking into a business as a consumer. 

Midori, you struck a cord, luckly I only have a few, but who really cares, just do the job right.

Free knowledge like this doesn't just help, it prmoote democracy. Thank you.