Real Estate Marketing Efforts Ineffective in Tough Markets

    ASHLAND, OR, May 15, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Referral Experts Stand in Support of Struggling Real Estate Professionals.

In the face of an ever-tightening economy, real estate professionals are finding it harder and harder to generate sales through traditional marketing strategies such as advertising and direct mail. In an unprecedented move, a group of real estate referral marketing experts are coming together in a virtual "Referral Expo" to offer free advice to real estate professionals on a grand scale. According to expo organizers Michael Beck and Melynn Sight, mastering these skills has become a matter of survival for the real estate professional.

The state of the current housing market is causing distraction within the ranks of real estate professionals nationwide. Michael Beck, president of Exceptional Leadership, Inc., reported that the real estate and mortgage segments have been hardest hit, but the "trickle-down" effect has impacted small business owners and entrepreneurs in most other market sectors.

"In times like these, building relationships and generating referrals are the keys to success. But frankly, most professionals aren't very successful at getting those referrals. And while it used to be disappointing, now it's becoming a matter of survival," says Beck.

In an effort to slow the slide in business results, Beck and Sight have put together a line-up of real estate referral marketing experts who have agreed to share successful referral generation strategies. In addition, they've agreed to make a difference by donating their time. The expo is available to real estate professionals from all market segments - all at no cost - conducted over the phone in a teleclass format. The Referral Expo is sponsored by two of the industry's leading publications, Realty Times and Real Estate Magazine, and has been endorsed by over 50 REALTOR associations around the country. The Referral Expo (www.ReferralExpo.org) is scheduled to launch on Monday, May 18, 2009.

The participating experts and organizers hope to act as a catalyst for a 3rd quarter economic surge with this free, marketing event, open to all real estate professionals.

Michael Beck, co-organizer of the Referral Expo and President of Exceptional Leadership, Inc., is recognized as the nation's leading expert on recruiting independent sales representatives. His company specializes in helping sales leaders recruit smarter, choose better agents, be more productive, and have more success. His credentials include an MBA from the Wharton School of Business along with degrees in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. He has held a variety of executive positions including CEO, COO, CFO, EVP, VP of Finance, and VP of Business Development.

Melynn Sight, co-organizer of the Referral Expo and President of nSight Marketing, Inc., has more than 25 years of both corporate and small business experience. Her marketing expertise spans various types of businesses, including both product and service-related associations and businesses.

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