July 2008 - Posts

Need help in San Diego
26 July 08 09:57 AM | dickbetts | with no comments

About once a week I get an email from somebody wanting to know when I will be close to their city because they NEED to take one of my classes.  I normally direct them to the local REALTOR association or MLS or even their broker to host an event.  Many times it leads to me getting hired, but now and then the person takes it upon themselves to pull together a class. 

Well we have such a movement happening in San Diego!  An agent who reads my blogs and spends time on my website is taking the bull by the horns and putting together a class.

If anybody is interested in jumping in please contact me and I will hook you up with the group that's pulling this together.

Thanks,

Dick Betts

National Speaker Real Estate

Mobile Technology Trainer

www.DickBetts.com

Dick@DickBetts.com

Premiere of "Beauty and the Geek"
24 July 08 03:24 PM | dickbetts | with no comments

I am happy to announce the premiere of "Beauty and the Geek" in Sacramento, CA.  For months now I have been telling attendees of my seminars we were planning on rolling out our newest presentation for keynote addresses and meetings. 

Anybody that knows me has already figured out which role I play in "Beauty and the Geek", so let me tell you about the Beauty.  My REALTOR/Business Manager/National Speaker/Wife, Shelby who in her own right has been a very success speaker working from Hawaii to the east coast.  She brings a working REALTOR's point of view when it comes to technology.  Both of us are Certified e-Pro trainers and she has a background in contact management and training long before we ever met.  She does carry the latest greatest technology and applies it daily to her career and life.

So the presentation about Mobile Technology has me giving the Feature and Shelby giving the Benefit for the Real Estate Professional.  If you have ever met us you know it will be entertaining to watch the interaction between us!

So the first time we present "Beauty and the Geek" will be at the Sacramento Association of REALTORS Business and Technology Expo held at the Doubletree Hotel in Sacramento on September 5th.

The great thing is it's open to everybody!  They have a $25 member fee and a very fair $30 non-member fee.  This gets you entry for the entire event which they tell me is the second biggest REALTOR event in California after the state convention.  45 exhibitors, 4 nationally know speakers and tons of prizes including Laptops, Weekend Getaways, I-pods, Cameras and much more.  There also will be 3 chances to win $1,000 and gourmet lunches, snacks and beverages.

For more information about the Expo click here; http://www.sacrealtor.org/events/bte/bte.asp

For those of you that would like to attend they plan on having a form on line shortly you will be able to pull off their website.

For the rest of the country we will be doing "Beauty and the Geek" other places in the country but nothing scheduled within 200 miles of Sacramento. 

Dick Betts

National Speaker Real Estate

www.DickBetts.com

Dick@DickBetts.com

 

Treo 800w my opinion so far
22 July 08 01:42 PM | dickbetts | 1 comment(s)

My email has been overloaded with questions about the new Treo 800w.  In fairness I have not received mine yet so I have been doing research the old fashion way, reading the specs and articles from others.

Any of you that know me I look at Smartphones not for fluff but rather for business.  This is the strongest business Smartphone ever released.  The new 6.1 Windows Mobile powers this device to new levels as far as business is concerned.  Handling the MS bundle, push email, Wifi, GPS, 2.0 megapixels for 1600 x 1200 pixel shots makes this Smartphone the right Smartphone to conduct business.

The screen is 320 x 320 which is the highest resolution of any phone on the market today, the higher resolution does make a big difference when you see the device.

The size is right for one handed operation, it's smaller then the 700w or 750 and it looks like the Centro, actually uses the same battery as the Centro.

One major change which is the connection on the bottom, Palm has had about 3 or 4 different connections over the years but they finally got it right.  They have gone with the microUSB port and have dropped the 2.5 headset jack which in the past caused the phone to not work without headset.  Yes you will need all new chargers etc but you do have a stereo headset in the box.

Something else new with the Treo 800w is the expansion card, it uses the microSD which will support up to 8gb, let's see you fill that puppy up!

The Wifi is fast, very fast I have read speeds up to 850k and averaging around 500k. 

Generally speaking I am not a fan of GPS on the phone because of being on the phone and killing the battery.  This could change my mind and will look later to revisit this subject.

Battery life "they say" four hours of talk 200 standby.  Just go buy more chargers or even pick up a second battery, because they use the same battery as Centro's you should find a deal.

Bottom line, if you are picking a business tool then the Treo 800w is very strong, is it a Palm OS killer, well it's crippled it and when Palm brings out their new OS I am sure it will pass the 800w.

If you want a trophy phone with all kinds of cool but not productive parts then look some where else.  The Treo 800w out preforms all other Smartphones and Blackberry today and will even out preform the not yet released Bold in business fuctions.

Dick Betts

National Speaker Real Estate

Mobile Technology Trainer

www.DickBetts.com

Dick@DickBetts.com

Hey Montgomery, AL we are coming for 2 1/2 days!
20 July 08 02:12 PM | dickbetts | 1 comment(s)

It's official I am coming to Montgomery, AL to offer 5 different 3 hour classes!  The staff at MAAR/MLS is such a joy to work with!  Together we picked a course selection that will appeal to all, from basic Contact Management, to Mobile Technology all the way to Today's Top Technology Trends.

The dates to block off in your calendar are August 20th in the afternoon and all day 21st and 22nd.  We are putting the final touches on the schedule and flyer and will post it later this week.

Thanks to all the agents, brokers and staff of Montgomery for having me back on a regular bases!

Dick Betts

National Speaker Real Estate

www.DickBetts.com

Dick@DickBetts.com

 

My 100th Blog on Zolve
20 July 08 01:51 PM | dickbetts | 4 comment(s)

I was checking on some invitations I had sent to see if folks are signing on to Zolve and I noticed 99 blogs posted.  So I decided to write this blog to reach 100 blogs on Zolve!  So does Brian Wilson come to my house with a cake and presents?  Does Dorrie send me some sort of gift?  What happens when you reach the century mark?

 

I think we should be honored for sticking around, more then just hey Dick hit 100 something like a parade in your honor, keys to the city or maybe an all expense paid trip to some place cool like Zolve's home office.

 

Oh well I guess just knowing I hit 100 will have to be my only thrill!

 

Dick Betts

National Speaker Real Estate

Under appreciated Blogger

 

www.DickBetts.com

 

Dick@DickBetts.com

 

 

 

Blogging has changed Sunday morning TV and Newspapers
20 July 08 11:26 AM | dickbetts | 1 comment(s)

I enjoy getting the Sunday morning paper,turning on Sunday morning news programs and having a cup of coffee.  As I am half reading and half listening I read and hear the word blog at the same time.  It seems everybody is now either quoting or referring to blogs.

I am again reminded how blogging has changed not only my world but the world around me.  I watched my web hits jump thru the roof, I been hired places I never heard of and been interviewed by publications I could have only hoped for because of blogging.

And how about the social networking?  I have friends on blog sites that read my stuff and one of them sent me a comment last week he knew what I was doing but didn't know what his own family was doing.

Rock on bloggers!

Dick Betts

National Real Estate Speaker

www.DickBetts.com

Dick@DickBetts

4% of agents blog?
19 July 08 04:31 PM | dickbetts | 1 comment(s)

On Wednesday of this week local Real Estate Trainer Chad Kumpe ask me to make a guest appearance at a local seminar he was conducting.  It worked out for me as I was leaving later in the day for 3 gigs in Indiana.  He shocked me with a fact, 4% of the 1.2 million agents blog!  So I looked at the most popular Real Estate blogging sites and realized he was right.

I know when I am called upon to give my "Today's Top Technology Trends"seminar I always ask how many are blogging and surprised with the show of hands.  So my questions is WHY?  Are all you bloggers keeping this powerful tool to yourself?  Do agents look at this as too much time and work?  Are they afraid of the unknown blogging world?

This week I started to collect business cards and send them an invitation, I can't do much more then that, or can I?

Dick Betts

National Real Estate Speaker

Dick@DickBetts.com

www.DickBetts.com

Speed up your Mobile Email
19 July 08 02:51 PM | dickbetts | with no comments

If you are like most people you just get too many emails a day, and the thought of downloading them all to your phone brings up visions of spam, shopping websites and just plain junk coming into your Smartphone.  Well there is a setting you need to know about on both Palm operating Smartphones and Windows operating Smartphones that will speed up your email and unclutter your life.  Read below for which device you are using.

Palm OS, if you are using Versamail, which some carriers label it as "Email" you can change a few setting.  Go to your email, tap on the "Menu" button, looks like a set of steps going into the basement, then scroll across looking for "Options" and under Options you will see "Preferences".  Tap on "Preferences" and scroll to "Incoming", at the top of the page you will see "Get" tap where it says "Entire Message" and switch it to "Subject Only".  What happens now it will download only who it's from and the Subject line.  So you can quickly delete if junk or open it and tap on the small envelope at the bottom of the page to download the body of the email.

Windows OS, go to your email and tap on the word "Menu", and you will see "Delivery Preferences" then tap on "Filters", in the middle of the screen it will give the choice of either "Get Message Headers Only" which you want to select or "Get full copy of message", which slows down your email.

Some carriers use their own designed and built email program, you might want to contact them if you can't find the above buttons and areas.

Dick Betts

National Speaker Real Estate

www.DickBetts.com

Dick@DickBetts.com

Treo 680, 700p, 755 and Centro owners here's a cool trick
19 July 08 01:31 PM | dickbetts | 2 comment(s)

For those of you that own either a Treo 680,700p, 755 or Centro here's a hidden trick.  Hold down your house button, sometimes called the home key and keep it held down.  It opens up a drop down screen with the last 8 programs you opened.

Then using your thumb on the five way navigator, scroll up and down to select the program you want to go to and smash the center button.

If your like me you live in four or five programs and this way you can access them quickly!

Dick Betts

National Real Estate Speaker

www.DickBetts.com

Dick@DickBetts.com

Don't forget about your "Alt Key" on your Treo
19 July 08 12:20 PM | dickbetts | with no comments

Many times in class folks ask "Where do I find the percentage sign or where's the underscore".  You need to learn about the Alt button.  This works for all Treos whether Palm Operating or Windows Operating.  The Alt key is located next to the Space bar on the right hand side.

First make sure you are some place on your Smartphone where you could enter something like Calendar, Contacts etc.  With your curser flashing tap on the "Alt Key" and you will see a small page open up with some choices.  It doesn't stop there, type the dash (-) then hit "Alt Key" and you will see it quickly shows you the underscore.

Play with your "Alt Key" so you can see what it offers you for when you need it in a hurry.

Dick Betts

National Speaker Real Estate

Mobile Technology Trainer

Dick@DickBetts.com

www.DickBetts.com

Don't Forget the Date, Time on Palm Treo's
15 July 08 07:51 PM | dickbetts | with no comments

For years I taught the Date and Time Stamp with the handheld PDA's, well don't forget it still works on the new Treo's.  Most folks don't even know it exists, just have your cursor flashing then type in the letter s, then hit the ALT key next to the space bar and a drop down screen appears, pick the curse e, then enter DS for date stamp or DTS for date and time stamp.

What's cool is it works in Documents to Go so if you build a template using a word document you can Date Stamp it when that task is done.  A great way to keep organized.

For more tips and trick please visit my website www.DickBetts.com

Dick Betts

National Real Estate Speaker

Mobile Technology Trainer

Dick@DickBetts.com

Pulling weeds is an example of Life!
13 July 08 02:43 PM | dickbetts | 3 comment(s)

I just came in from pulling weeds out of the landscaping around my house, what a great time to let your mind work it's magic!  I looked around and thought to myself why does this need to be done regularly and if I don't do it regularly what a mess I have on my hands.

Well folks that's life, a bunch of weeds, if you don't keep up with things next thing you know you are so far behind you don't know if you ever will catch up.  Life has more flowers then weeds but if the weeds grow too tall then you can't see the flowers.

So my July 13th resolution, pull weeds more often whether in the yard or life so I don't need to work so hard to enjoy the view.

Pretty heavy stuff huh?

Dick Betts

National Real Estate Speaker

Motivational Speaker (Sometimes)

www.DickBetts.com

Dick@DickBetts.com

Are you using text messaging?
08 July 08 01:56 PM | dickbetts | 1 comment(s)

Eight years ago when I started speaking nationally I remember having a carpenters tool belt loaded with stuff an agent needed to preform their duties as a Real Estate Professional.  My point was all that "stuff" can be loaded into a device or two.  I also remember telling agents that if they didn't email they would probably not be in the business very long.  I had agents argue with me that email was a passing fad and people would never give up that personal contact of a telephone.  Gee a day without email?  Ain't gonna happen!

So my new message is text messaging, if you don't text you are cutting out a large chunk of business that wants to be handled with text messaging.  In all my classes I ask how many agents have worked with clients by way of text messaging?  Normally between 1/3 and 1/2 the room raises their hands.

Here's some interesting facts from CITA The Wireless Association;

Text messaging has now become a part of everyday life.

Not only can you use it as a means to communicate with friends and family, you can also use it to participate in polls, voting, games and a variety of other exciting mobile applications.

Here are some interesting stats: 

• In 2007, 362.6 billion text messages were reported in the U.S.
• In the U.S., approximately 690,000 text messages are sent per minute.
• In 2006, 81 billion text messages were reported in the U.S.

So do you text?  If not you need to start!  Now I am not talking about BFFL or LOL or any of that other stuff.  I am talking business texting where you either ask or answer a question or set up meetings or phone calls.

Now what's cool and most people didn't know you could do it, you can turn text messages into hard copy MS word documents.  If you have a Palm Operating phone check out how;  http://www.dickbetts.com/tipstricks/palmos.html

Gee I wonder what I will be saying eight years from now as to what the new trend will be.

Dick Betts

National Real Estate Speaker

National Speaker Real Estate

Mobile Technology Trainer

www.DickBetts.com

Dick@DickBetts.com

Take Life to Tasks
05 July 08 11:47 AM | dickbetts | 1 comment(s)

Tired of being surprised by things in your life you knew were coming?  Do you many times feel unprepared for both life and career?  Then start using a "Task"program.  Most Smartphones come with a Task program you can make a list of your "To Do".  Do you realize all you can do with your with your Task program, probably not. 

Now before we talk more about Task let me explain my view on time management.  Calendars are for appointments and Task are thing you need to do.  Example if you need to pick up papers at a bank Monday sometime, that's a task, if you need to pick them up at 10:00 that's an appointment.  The reason I stress the difference is your calendar view is only a click away.  If you clutter your calendar with events that are not appointments the week, month or even day view do not give you a true sense of your day.

Another feature your Task can do for you is set reminders when a certain Task is due.  You can put both a day reminder or even a day and time reminder of an event to help you keep your life on track.  You can also apply notes with more information to a task to help you have all your information at your finger tips.

So want to take control of your life back?  Then start using Task to make that happen.

Read more about Task on my website www.DickBetts.com.

Dick Betts

National Speaker Real Estate

National Real Estate Speaker

Mobile Technology Trainer

Dick@DickBetts.com

www.DickBetts.com

 

Happy July 4th my Friends
04 July 08 09:41 AM | dickbetts | with no comments

If you are like me most holidays bring back childhood memories.  As most holidays we think to our youth during simpler times when holidays were such a big deal.  Big family get togethers, great food and waiting for the evening when we would all walk the 4 blocks to the school where they set the fireworks off. 

I am now 1,241 miles away from that school where they set the fireworks off.  I am making new memories but they will never replace the excitment of a eight year old boy sitting on the grass so close that with each burst of a sky rocket I could feel the impact on my chest.

Happy 4th of July my friends and enjoy making new memories!

Dick Betts

National Real Estate Speaker

National Speaker Real Estate

Mobile Technology Trainer

Dick@DickBetts.com

www.DickBetts.com

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