Utopria’s Blog

For those of you wondering what you’d like for the holidays, we have a great suggestion – a gift certificate for Utopria’s annual Platinum package.

We are pleased to announce our annual ‘Holiday Special’ – available November 26, 2008 through December 26, 2008. Ask for it personally or gift it to your favorite Realtor.

Place your gift certificate order directly by clicking this link.

Why waste money on that sweater or dress they’ll never wear? Give a gift that will help earn revenue in 2009!

We’ll automatically e-mail the recipient with the gift certificate notification on the date and time you specify. Be creative and schedule delivery of your gift certificate at a pre-arranged time! Holiday greetings for Christmas, Chanukah, Bodhi and Kwanzaa are of course available.

The gift certificate offers $50 off the price off Utopria’s Platinum package and translates to 1-year unlimited service to all of Utopria’s platforms. We’ll even help your recipient start the year off right by providing training on their new high-tech tools. Services included are industry favorites:

- MediaPod
- RealMobility (iPhone Real Estate multimedia platform)
- IVR
- Plog platform (Property Blogs)
- RealTips (online audio real estate tips)
- many more…

The last Holiday Special we offered was a tremendous success as the Realtor recipients were able to translate their gifts to new listings and increased volume. Truly a gift that keeps on giving…through 2009!

Please place your order early.

Utopria Inc.
(888) 453-6504
info@utopria.com

Utopria has just released its property blog (Plog) application for the MediaPod platform. Plogs allow consumers to get more involved with a property or Realtor-of-interest.

Utopria’s concept of blogging is quite unique. Plogs are automatically created with each online listing. Realtors simply have to field questions/comments from online consumers.

Utopria’s existing online web platform (MediaPod) has already received industry praise for integrating voice/video/text/photos into one aggregated package.

“The MediaPod picks up where traditional MLSs fall short,” said Marty Lachance, President of Utopria. “There seems to be a new MLS out every week in North America. What surprises us is that they still don’t offer the type of content we offer in the MediaPod. Now that we’ve added the ability to plog, we’ve opened up yet another avenue for the Realtor to make a connection with their online audience.”

While the integrated plogs are an open forum, the system offers a moderation facility so that Realtors have an opportunity to review the comments prior to having them appear on the public listing.  The Realtor is notified in real-time on their mobile device or e-mail that comments are awaiting moderation.

“We know there is an overwhelming desire to capture every potential buyer/seller, but the reality is that often they choose to distance themselves from the Realtor until they are ready to make a move. By opening up a moderated platform integrated with a property, we produce an inviting forum for introductions and discussions,” added Lachance.

Brian C. from Portland, Oregon adds, “I love that fact that these plogs are automatically created, and by getting consumers to interact with my listings, it helps to bring their walls down. By watching a video introduction, listen to me talk about the listing online and now post their own thoughts and questions….it’s a win win win. Once they realize I’m really here to help, they are far less apprehensive about calling or meeting.”

Utopria offers IVR, online and mobile platforms for Realtors across North America. The company offers a unique blend of content and lead generating platforms that integrate telephony, the Internet and mobile devices.

More information can be found at www.utopria.com.

We can tell the mobile Real Estate market is heating up by the number of companies coming out with a text messaging service.

These services allow consumers from the curb to text a special code using their mobile device to receive property information.

Utopria does provide mobile access from all mobile devices, but it’s not dispensed by a ‘text messaging’ service…and for good reason.

If you are evaluating these services, there are a few things to consider. First is cost. Companies have to make money to survive, this is a given. There are companies out there that offer this service for free. Our recommendation is stay clear. We know Realtors like free services, they’re everywhere. But as the saying goes…you get what you pay for.

Free services have to earn revenue somehow and if they are providing a free service, it’s a very basic version or they must embed advertisements on your platform. Many Realtors would not be willing to provide advertisements for other Realtors or non-approved mortgage companies on their listings.

Also consider the state of the mobile world now and in the next year. Text messaging is a better method for old-style mobile phones, those that don’t have multimedia/Internet capabilities. The future is with smart phones and the web, not text (SMS) or multimedia text platforms (MMS). Why use ‘text’ when these phones have web browsers built into their software?

One last caveat to consider is the overwhelming urge to harvest contact information. Some text messaging companies will deliver mobile telephone numbers to you when consumers text to receive property information. Be cognizant of the Do-Not-Call list here and in our opinion, this type of operation will eventually cannibalize itself.

Word will travel among consumers about harassment or their privacy is invaded as Realtors conduct follow-up calls to consumers who were simply curious about a property.

Provide information freely, if the consumers like your service and/or the property, they will contact you directly.

We’re not saying sit back and wait for consumers to call you. Continue to prospect as your normally do, but if you use a service surreptitiously, you will alienate potential clients.

Utopria’s iPhone platform (Mobile MediaPod) is a good example of how to distribute property information in true multimedia format for a smart phone. It provides ample opportunity (phone/email) for potential buyers to make connections with Realtors without the fear of being monitored and cold-called.

The Mobile MediaPod ties in directly with your traditional online forms of web marketing effectively targeting your two biggest audiences of home buyers (online/mobile).

To view the Mobile MediaPod on the iPhone, go to : http://www.utopria.com/iphone.html

Utopria Inc.

(888) 453-6504

Utopria has been getting some great feedback on our Real Estate videos. We’ve decided to expand our venture into educating Realtors with some value-added content and humor along the way.

We’ve created a new video series called the “Utopria Mailbag”. From there we will field and answer questions from Realtors across the globe. Ask about Real Estate related topics or whatever is on your mind.

If you’re featured in one of our videos and you want to get noticed, we’ll make a special mention of you and your organization on air.

So fire off the questions, include your contact information and photo…or remain anonymous.

Send your emails to mailbag@utopria.com or leave a comment here.

Utopria Inc.