In an article on OpenForum.com, Alana Horowitz offers a look at the top 8 best apps for business networking.

In the real estate world, networking is everything!  From lead generation to keeping in touch with the industry, these apps are just what you need.

Happening:  This app finds upcoming professional events in your area and it can even store them on your calendar!

Aloqa:  Using your phone's GPS, this app suggests popular events, activities and restaurants. "Finding a potential client could be as easy as attending a yoga class in the area." offers Horowitz.

Hashable:  Create virtual business cards with this app to share at meetings and events. "You can even create groups of contacts, making it easier to plan meet-ups" says Horowitz.

Hurricane Party: Plan your next networking event with this app.  It helps you find a venue, create an invitation and invite contacts and tracks RSVP's.  It even offers the option to text, email, Twitter or Facebook your contacts.

LinkedIn: Most of us are already connected on this professional networking site of more than 60 million professionals.

Phonebook:  Organizes your contact list to include all the extra information you might like to have including birthdays, missed calls, status updates and even location!

GroupMe:  This app allows you to create a group to have a real time group chat by texting to a common number.

MeetMe: Trying to meet a client who lives across town? This app allows you to choose a place to meet up that is between point A and point B.  "Then, once you've chosen a destination, it will email both of you directions." says Horowitz.

Read the full article at OpenForum.com

photo credit: okalkavan

Posted in MBI Advantages, Marketing

The Colorado Expansion Compensation Program at Metro Brokers is designed to reward Brokers with financial compensation for recruiting new brokers, and also allows the company to provide additional benefits and services by investing more resources toward technology, and increasing brand recognition. 

The program is open to all brokers of Metro Brokers, and expands your personal income with every broker you recruit. You will receive $80 within 30 days of the new recruit's first payment. After 12 months, your total compensation adds up to $480 for recruiting ONE new broker!

Metro Brokers, Inc. has the best business model for REALTORS® who want to work independently, while at the same time cultivate their careers under the umbrella of an established and recognizable brand name. Educate other REALTORS® on the benefits of working with the amazing structure of Metro Brokers, Inc. For more information contact:

Jill West - Membership Director

Metro Brokers, Inc.

Ph: 303.843.0100

Email: Jill.West@MetroBrokersCorp.com

Posted in MBI Advantages, Join Metro Brokers, Announcements, MBI FAQ, Metro Brokers Offices, Metro Brokers Agents, Metro Brokers Staff, Membership Info

Tom Guest, 2011 President of Metro Brokers Inc., talks about how things are developing this year within the Metro Brokers real estate organization.

Metro Brokers is a unique company allowing agents to start up their own business for very little money to join a company that offers statewide recognition.  Metro Brokers offers 100% ownership to agents and brokers allowing flexibility to focus on their strengths in real estate and even loans, property management and much more!

Metro Brokers get a free website, professional video opportunites and an online presence through Metro Brokers Online.

Future goals for Metro Brokers this year include building membership and strong offices through the great support offered by the organization and imroving communication as a whole.

Tom Guest is a Broker/Owner of Key Masters Real Estate Company and has sold Denver real estate for 18 years.

Interviewer:  Hi, I am Kathy Soltero with Metro Brokers TV.  Today in the studio, we have with us Tom Guest, he is with Key Masters Real Estate, and he is also our president of Metro Brokers, Inc.  Thank you so much for coming in, Tom.

Tom Guest:  You're welcome, Kathy. 

Interviewer:  You have been president since the beginning of January for 2011, and tell me how things are going so far? 

Tom Guest:  Things are going good.  You know it's been a real privilege and honor to be president of Metro Brokers.  We are an organization that elects their board of directors, we elect our president, so we are self run, we are self ruled, and it's been very enjoyable. 

Interviewer:  And you're still doing real estate at the same time.  So you've got a lot going on.

Tom Guest:  Yes. 

Interviewer:  What sort of activities are you involved in?

Tom Guest:  With Metro Brokers, I mean we do all of our planning, we have the triathlon coming up, I am involved with all kinds of activities that will span everything to build our business for Metro Brokers. 

Interviewer:  Real estate has been tough.  So, what are some of the challenges that we have been facing as in Metro Brokers?

Tom Guest:  Well one thing is our membership, membership numbers have been slipping last few years, but as it has in all organizations, the one thing we are trying to do is to build our membership to get our word out, to let everybody know how good we are as a membership organization, what we can offer them.

Interviewer:  Why should somebody join Metro Brokers?

Tom Guest:  One thing about Metro Brokers is we are unique in the business, compared to other companies.  We offer someone the entrepreneurship to where they can open up their own office; they can start as a broker associate, they can develop into a broker.  They can become an employing broker and they can become an office owner. 

Interviewer:  So there is a really wide range of opportunities for people to come into Metro Brokers.  What about cost, is it a better deal for people do you think?

Tom Guest:  Oh! The cost savings is tremendous, you can join Metro Brokers for only $80 a month and then you will have an office fee, but basically you are 100% broker, you are in charge of your own future, you own your own company for $80 a month, nobody else offers this.

Interviewer:  What are some of the other aspects of Metro Brokers that make it so enticing for people to join?

Tom Guest:  The things that make it enticing to join is that you can form your own business and you can have associates working for you.  So you can have your own business, this carries on with you forever, no one will take it away from you.  You can do your own business, you can be a loan officer, you can have loans, you can do property management, and you can do relocation.  So you form your own organization, you can do whatever you want within that organization and have your own agents working for you. 

Interviewer:  What are your hopes and aspirations for Metro Brokers while you are president?

Tom Guest:  Well a couple of things that we are looking at that are very important to us is to build our membership numbers.  So we want to build those back up into the 1500 range.  We want strong offices; offices are the key to our company and our success.  So increase the strength of the offices, improving communication, communication to the office owners, communication to each of our brokers from corporate. 

Interviewer:  We have great access on the web as well and websites for every individual involved in Metro Brokers, as well.

Tom Guest:  We do, we offer a free website, we also have metrobrokersonline.com and that is a complete website for the public to search for properties and offers all kind of opportunities for everyone to build our membership.

Interviewer:  Especially on the video aspects too, they can get interviewed and have a video presence as well. 

Tom Guest:  Yes.

Interviewer:  All right, well Tom thank you so much for joining us today, it's been a pleasure and good luck for the rest of the year. 

Tom Guest:  Thank you, Kathy.

Interviewer:  And for more real estate related videos like this one, be sure to tune into metrobrokerstv.com. 

Posted in MBI Advantages, From The President, Join Metro Brokers, Industry Leadership, MBI FAQ, Franchise Opportunity, Ownership

Bernice Ross, Real Estate Coach and author describes the secrets to becoming a top producer.

Tip #1: Make room in your schedule and in your life! 

The key to successful living is to get rid of the junk.  Spring cleaning your way through your home, car and garage allows you to be more productive in your life.  The same applies to your business. The more space you create, the more room you have for business." says Ross. Look at your listings and your client base and "fire any clients who are unrealistic in their asking prices or who have looked at 30 or more houses and have not written an offer." 

Tip #2:  Philanthropy

Top real estate professionals have learned that being a leader in their communities by doing charity work and volunteering comes back to them tenfold.

"The explanation is tied to the Law of Attraction." says Ross, " The more you give to others, the more that you receive in return. Also, please  note that the person who you give to may not be the person who gives back to you."

Find more great tips from Bernice Ross at RealEstateCoach.com.

photo credit: Generationbass.comTip

Posted in MBI Advantages, Movers and Shakers, Real Estate Trends

Meet Dwight and Rhonda Giles of Giles Realty in Greeley.  They have been Metro Brokers since 1996.

Rhonda has been in the real estate business since 1976 and likes the benefits of a larger company regarding marketing support, with the comraderie of a smaller business.

That red and yellow Metro Brokers sign gets attention throughout the state of Colorado and brings business in!

Visit JoinMetroBrokers.com for more information.

Posted in MBI Advantages, Join Metro Brokers, Franchise Opportunity, Ownership