It’s possible that you’ve been using Real Estate Shows for years, or maybe you’ve stumbled across this blog almost accidentally for the first time today. Either way, let’s pretend you’re new and just asked me about ways to use Real Estate Shows. I just don’t want you to miss anything good.

We start with a Show of 5, 9 or 15 photos. These photos become the base for advertising your listing. Begin by adjusting focal points, selecting music and adding data. From here you can increase value by adding unlimited additional photos, property mapping, panoramas, print quality flyers and video conversion. If you put in the local school’s zip code, you’ll have local school information added, too.

We offer tracking reports so you can gauge the effectiveness of your marketing. (Clients love to receive these, too.) You can download your Show files and create CDs to give out. You can point to these CD files on your desktop to use in a PowerPoint listing presentation if you like.

Shows can be connected together if you’d like to spotlight the neighborhood or some special aspect of the home. We also have lots of ways to help people spread your Show around for you, such as social bookmarking tools. There’s a button to help buyers make an appointment with you to view the home.

Checking “Viewable in Other Shows” on your Manage page helps to build an inventory list of your Shows. Keep this list up to date and consider adding the URL of your Other Shows to your email signature.

If you prefer the look of an embedded Show on your website or blog we do offer that option as well. It brings more attention to the Show than a little link and it also keeps people from clicking away from your site. Use our listing widgets to display information on your current listings, community information and more.

The Flyers are a favorite feature of mine because they save so much time. You’ve already uploaded the pictures and written the property description, why start over again for a flyer? Just few clicks and you’re done, with a choice of many designs. They can be used online as a listing webpage or printed for use as traditional flyers.

We help you connect online to sites such as Realtor.com, your MLS, Trulia, Zillow, Facebook, Homes, Google base, Viewr, Vast, Geebo, Hotpads, Ebay, Craigslist and more!

We also offer a large selection of pre-made Instant Shows that you can customize or use as-is to keep in touch with your clients, family and friends, like an e-card that subtly advertises you as an agent. (They’re great in your blog or website, too!)

Video conversion is currently in beta testing. (Not available in trial accounts.) If you have an account with YouTube, we’ll upload directly to your account there, or you can download the video file and upload it to the video hosting site of your choice.

We also have a nice customer service staff who really want you to succeed and are always happy to discuss marketing ideas with you. I’ve thrown a lot of information at you and there is STILL more you can do with Real Estate Shows, so if you have questions or comments please feel free to ask here, email us at info@realestateshows.com or call us at 888.580.7627.

Can I assume that by now you’ve seen all the nifty new updates Real Estate Shows has recently unveiled? How cool is THAT?!

I’ll let Jeff and the techy people tell you all about it. I think this is the time for me to point out what a HUGE help Real Estate Shows can be to a new agent.

If you are a new agent yourself or if you have one in your office, pay attention to what I’m about to say.

The annual subscription to Real Estate Shows is only $125. That is for as many Shows as you care to make, so the more you use it, the less you are actually paying per Show. (Some programs will have you paying a fee each time you use them, or limit the number of “live” tours you can have!) If you’re a thrifty person (and what person setting up a new business isn’t?) then you will realize that using your Real Estate Shows more gives you a better return on your investment. Period.

Then a funny thing happens. You start to look for reasons to make new Shows. You’re a real estate agent, you already have your camera with you most of the time, and you discover that you can take just a few pictures of anything in your area, whip up a Show and within minutes – you have become a local expert!!

Isn’t this what each and every real estate agent is striving to become?

As a new agent, Real Estate Shows will help you establish an online presence. You’ll be able to demonstrate your ability to effectively market a property. You can even make a Show as a kind of presentation as to why someone should choose you as their agent.

Real Estate Shows was one of the first investments I made as a new agent, and I think it helped give me the foundation I needed to be successful. If you’re a new agent, I recommend you try the Real Estate Shows free trial. Use it, and you’ll be doing yourself a favor.

I enjoy helping Newbies.

I’m a real estate agent at Coldwell Banker Advantage in Hurricane, West Virginia, and we have a new guy. I spent a little time last week showing him how to set up his website and giving him a little advice about what he needs to do to start spreading his name around.

My Step One for him was a natural — subscribe to RealEstateShows.com. If you know me, that didn’t surprise you at all. I’m a serious fan.

Our new guy is starting from scratch, but he does have a couple lots listed already. I suggested he make Shows of his lots and put them in the MLS and on his website and blog. (Signing up for a blog on ActiveRain was Step Two.)

He might have thought that was the end of the Shows, as that was the end of his listings. But no, there’s so much more to do! He can also take a few extra pictures of the neighborhood, make a nice neighborhood Show and link the two shows together. If someone is interested in one of his lots, they’re going to want to learn more. Give the people what they want!

Next, I gave him an assignment.

Go to a local business and make a Show about them. Share the show with the owner of the business and you’ve made a new friend. This new friend is going to want to show off his or her business, and will be advertising for you at the same time. It’s all good!

We’re still not done. Got a family? Friends? Surely someone has had a nice occasion recently and shared some pictures with you. Graduation season is coming up. Make them into a Show on RealEstateShows.com and email them the link along with a little note that you were thinking of them. If their event was a new baby or a wedding, they’re going to pass that show (and again, your branding) to everybody they know.

I could have gone on, but I didn’t want to overwhelm him. When you’re a brand new agent, the first thing you need to do is let everyone know you’re in real estate. When you’re an established agent, same thing — keep reminding everyone what you do so that when they think “real estate”, they picture you. Your Real Estate Shows can be a fun, easy way to do that.

Check back in often. I’ll be sharing examples of my own shows and how I use them, and I’d love to hear about how you use yours!