http://www.marketingtips.com/

http://www.majon.com/blog/

http://www.highrankings.com/

http://www.payperclicksearchengines.com/

http://www.payperclicksearchengines.com/articles/61/1/PPC-Bidding-Strategy

http://www.bidrank.com

http://www.keywordlocator.com

http://www.v7n.com/forums/marketing-forums/

FREE: http://inventory.overture.com/d/searchinventory/suggestion/

http://www.scrubtheweb.com/abs/index.html

FREE: http://www.scrubtheweb.com/abs/software/index.html

http://www.copyscape.com/

http://boomerang.osgcorp.com/osg-hardtack/index.jsp?levelType=National&levelValue=

http://www.marketleap.com/services/freetools/default.htm

http://www.10minutemail.com/10MinuteMail/index.html

http://www.brokeragentnews.com/prtnr/consumer_content.html

[Dennis sez: They say that 20% of the agents sale 80% of the property, I believe within a few years 10% of the agents will be doing 90% of the business.]

Already here! Pareto didn't/couldn't factor in the 'net!

[What sites would you suggest that an agent spend 30 minutes on.]

Your city/county's websites/resource sites.

Hey Dennis,

The numbers are more like 92% of the business is done by 8% of the agents in my area.  It looks like the 8% of the agents are either REO agents of Internet agents.  The old school agents are dropping like flies.

Rob

First, I like your idea very much. Be careful, you may create some Internet junkies!

How about if they look at the websites of the top producers in your area?

See what they like about their sites?

Put in the key words for your area and see which agents and brokerages come up.

See if their is any connections between production and their web page.

Also, have them look at Craig's list, Atlanta Back Door and the other tools available through Point2.

My company is trying to get our agents to join the Internet world. There is only 2 of us that really do it well right now. Our marketing person brought up the Sotheby's partner that creates sites that the agent can set up and be on the Internet. I had to pipe in on this because one thing they don't get is that you can't just create a site and expect it to bring you all kinds of business. It is a lot of hard work to get it to produce for you. Please make sure your agents know this. I feel many agents give up in the Internet and a website because it didn't bring them any business like they thought it would. If they don't keep this in mind, then all of your work teaching them will just go to waste.

The three very important websites that I would like to recomment are:

http://www.relibiration.com

http://www.activerain.com

http://www.realestatewebmasters.com

All 3 sites are full of knowledge and past experiences and you can find any answer you're looking for.

Good point, Russell!

And don't forget this one:

http://www.realtown.com/

Great rule, Dennis. It is imperative that as real estate professionals we grasp the importance of the internet.

I second http://www.activerain.com and also suggest http://www.bloodhoundrealty.com/BloodhoundBlog/

The latter is one of my favorites!

Brian Wilson, Zolve.com

I agree, the agents don't understand the Internet as well as they should. It has and will be the single largest force of change on ouor business for years to come. IMHO I beleive the next switch will now be sellers with the advent of sites like www.cyberhomes.com and that may switch the traditonal listing agent buyer agent in favor of the buyer agent with buyers agents being rewarded with up to 70% of the old Listing Commission or better. IMHO.

http://tinyurl.com/2stfql

Get a load of this, kidz!

Go to a real estate blog. Oh, say http://www.PhoenixRealEstateGuy.com for example  :)

Look around, read some posts. Find the blogroll, then visit another real estate blog. Look around, find that blogs blogroll, and pick another. Repeat.

The wise agent would have an RSS feed reader set up and start subscribing to the real estate blogs they like. (Google Reader or Bloglines are good, and free)

Don't just focus on the national level and RE marketing blogs. Look for a few "local" real estate blogs too. Even if you are in Arizona, you can learn a LOT from a good local RE blogger in Timbuktoo.

I've learned more from reading real estate related blogs than I've learned from books, seminars, training sessions, etc *combined*.

I have been sales manager in my office for 8 years and I truly feel your frustration. After all that time, it's still a challenge for some agents to keep their profile on our national website up to date. You can give them written instructions which involve a little reading and four or five clicks. Their eyes glaze over.

Lots of good suggestions here, but like Jay, I would try to get them focused on great blogs. He's pointed out an excellent starting point. :) Some of the others which I think provide good insights into technology and how the internet has changed real estate include:

http://agentgenius.com/

http://www.bloodhoundrealty.com/BloodhoundBlog/

http://www.futureofrealestatemarketing.com/

http://www.geekestateblog.com/

http://blog.inman.com/inmanblog/

http://www.mytechopinion.com/

Over the years, I've also found www.realtytimes.com to be a valuable resource.

Good luck to you. I'm giving up. My resignation goes in on Monday and my new life as a full time agent begins. :)

Always check out Active Rain and or Localism.com . Super information and great writers.

Last but not least.Whatever you're selling on the Web - if you want to sell more... You need to use the right words! Images don't sell. Graphics don't sell - Your words sell! I give this web copywriting resources a big thumbs up:

http://myws.sitesell.com/WealthNetwork.html

Provide Value To Generate Warm Leads And New Listings:

http://realestate.sitesell.com/WealthNetwork.html

Turn Your Knowledge Into Revenue:

http://passion.sitesell.com/WealthNetwork.html