Published by the CIPS Network of the National Association of REALTORS®
Third Quarter 2008
New Global Marketing Strategies
By Carlos Fuentes, CIPS & Selma Santos
In the last two years, as we’ve witnessed a slowdown in real estate markets, it became clear to us that a need existed to choose care-fully where to go and how to open doors globally. So, at the beginning of this year, we decided we needed to do things a bit differently.
We’ve worked together for five years,representing a number of properties in various countries.The focus on our international portfo-lio happened almost naturally as did this shift in strategies. Earlier this year, Selma worked on a book project independent of real estate, where she was exposed to a variety of online technologies that can be extremely useful in increasing your exposure in the marketplace.
We Join the Information Age Our TelePresentations Go “Live”
Almost everyone uses the Internet today for a variety of purposes.The number of networking groups increases daily, giving each of us access to a growing number of new topics,niches,and interests to explore.We are in the information era, and the Internet is a powerful force in this new era.
With that as a given, it seemed logical to us to believe that, through technology, we could reach more people in global markets, that we could continue to expand our strategic alliances and, most importantly, that it is possible for all of us to acquire and share valuable information from the comfort of our own local offices or homes—
all in an extremely cost-effective way. So, we decided to enter the information age armed with our newfound knowledge of the extent of its networking capabilities.
Through today’s available technology, we found Web services thatgave us the ability to set up telephone conferences, video conferences, and Web cast audio presentations that make the timely exchange of information possible in a very convenient format and at a low cost.
Websites that provide teleconferencing possibilities include
www.instantpresenter.com and www.webdialogs.com.
All these technologies, combined with Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP),1 a major initiative of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, make this a reality. Skype is a cost-effective VoIP provider of worldwide communications |
Our TelePresentations Go “Live”
Today we have three separate series that feature topics we believe to be the most important and valuable for international real estate consultants,professional advisors,and their clients,featuring two to three TelePresentations each month.They are:
• “A Visit with the Experts,” which features updates on current real estate market conditions in various countries around the globe.
• “The Development,” which features updates on specific developments around the world offering investment opportunities.
• “International Real Estate Institutions,” which provides information on real estate business practices worldwide.
We have merged our databases of worldwide contacts, expanded them with our ability to reach out to fellow CIPS designees and to the FIABCI network, and added professionals such as financial advisors and attorneys who specialize in international real estate investments, and who provide content as well.The audience who regularly accesses our series has grown from about 16 who logged onto our first presentation to more than 150 who join us from around the globe. In addition to the live format, we have built an online library where it is possible to access our presentations
whenever it is convenient for you. We are now set up to have this information delivered via podcasts, and an online TV show is coming next.
We also support these marketing efforts with a bi-monthly magazine
publication where we are able to promote the Teleseminars as
well as properties we represent worldwide.
To learn more about our online global network, visit
www.internationalrealestateinvestinglibrary.com. gp
By Carlos Fuentes,CIPS,CCIM,TRC and Selma Santos,TRC
Carlos A. Fuentes, CIPS, CCIM, TRC, VET Realty, Lutz, Florida, has served as NAR
President’s Liaison to El Salvador, Guatemala and Panama. He currently serves as NAR’s Regional Coordinator for North America, Central America and the Caribbean. He was the recipient of the NAR 2003 International Outreach Effort Award and was honored as the 2006 NAR President’s Liaison of the Year. Reach him at
cfuentes@ccim.net.
Selma Santos, TRC, WEICHERT REALTORS®-Yates & Assoc.,Tampa, Florida, specializing in international real estate. She is the 2008 NAR President’s Liaison to Guatemala. Reach her at Selma@usabrasil.net.
1. www.fcc.gov/voip
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