Real Times is introducing a service that will make the lives of REALTORS^® much easier.

The Internet's largest real estate news service has created a personalized electronic monthly newsletter that will be given free to agents to use in their on-line marketing. Featuring the top consumer news stories from the front pages of Real Times, the Real Estate Update newsletter will be offered to any REALTOR^® just for the asking.

"All an agent needs is E-mail," says Real Times publisher Jody Lane. "Sign up, and we'll do the rest." Each agent's version of the newsletter is personalized with the agent's name, picture, contact information, office information, and starting in the first quarter of 1999, their listings.

Lane test-marketed Real Estate Update at the National Association of REALTORS® convention in Anaheim a couple of weeks ago. "The response was enthusiastic to say the least," says Lane. "We have already been approached by several large real estate organizations requesting branded versions of the newsletter."

Industry analysts and service providers are already saying it will be a hit with agents and consumers.

Bill Mitchell, president of Infinite Access, a company that provides software and services for the real estate industry, says, he has been looking for a newsletter solution like Real Estate Update for over a year.

"For those agents who are online and know how to farm their market using e-mail," says Mitchell, "this is a wonderful marketing tool. It helps build their image, and provides clients with useful information which will faciliate ongoing client contact. We intend to offer the newsletters through the Realty Expo Communications Network as a benefit to our customers."

Jeff Johns, president of The Johns Group, a strategic consulting firm for on-line real estate products, says, "Real Estate Update represents the first significant step forward in marketing tools for Realtors on-line. More than just a home page or personal resume page, it provides a real starting point between clients and agents. "

Lane says the applications for the newsletter are numerous. "Real Estate Update is a tool that can enhance the professional image of anyone who is sending it out - a large company, a broker, an agent, a rookie," he says. "It is an excellent way to provide consumers news and information on a wide range of real estate related subjects."

"Creating a newsletter is one of the most time-consuming methods there is to keep your name before customers, clients, associates, and allied partners," says Jennie Ling. "To make a good newsletter, you have to scour the papers for news, ask for reprint permission, and write your own articles, not to mention supplying graphics, and paying the printing and mailing costs. No wonder few agents go to the trouble.., but the reason I did, is that it is one of my most effective contact tools. Real Estate Update will remove a big, time-consuming chore for me."

"Real Estate Update will virtually replace the mail-out," explains Lane, "and on a much more comprehensive scale. The printed newsletter has three or four short stories, typically. We provide electronic news on more subject matters that will be of more interest to people in your farm area. There will be something in every issue to please everyone. Hopefully the agents will use the Real Estate Update as their primary farming tool. It's free, it's easy, and it's personalized for each agent. What's not to like?"

Why has this great idea not been done before? Timing, says Lane. "Real Times management has worked 'round the clock to bring this service to agents."

Noticing the number of e-mail requests from agents and companies asking for reprint information, Lane had a brainstorm. He knew that the unique nature of Real Times, which offers news and information for consumers and the industry, meant that he was in a unique position to offer a service that no one else could.

"We have always been very generous about allowing agents and organizations to reprint our information. The Real Estate Update is a natural evolution of our service to agents and to consumers," he says.

Click here to sign up for your own personalized version of the Real Estate Update newsletter.

Published: November 19, 1998

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

Blanche Evans is the award-winning senior editor of Realty Times, the Internet's leading independent real estate news service. She is featured daily on the Realty Times Video Network in the "Realty Viewpoint" segment. Blanche has been named one of the "25 Most Influential People In Real Estate" by REALTOR Magazine, and has been twice recognized as a "notable." In 2005, she was named "Top Reporter Covering the NAR" by Delahaye-Bacon's. Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. To contact Blanche, email her at . For more articles by Blanche, click here.