Chantel,

I am an ePro and would highly recommend it to all agents, expecially since the emphasis of real estate is going to internet marketing.  If you don't have lots of Tech experience you will learn the basics of how the internet marketing works and how to utilize it.  A must in this business in my opinion.  I have heard that those who are former IT people have found it to be redundant, but it's really worth it if you aren't from an IT background.  I have a little of IT background but not a degree and I found that I learned things that I needed to know without going back to school for that degree.  I would say  that itt helped fill in the blanks for me.

It is an easy class to attend since it is done online at your pace.  There is a proctored test for CE, if your state has approved it.  And one of the best features, included with your graduation is becoming a member of Realtalk.  A great community of ePro's that are available to help you when you have questions about your real estate business and tech stuff to boot.  Similar to reliberation but with the emphasis on techie things that you might need and want to know.

YES, I have recommended it to many others!

Been there, done that, and do recommend it. I knew most of what they taught but learned a few very key points that made a big difference for me. The course is done online so you need to be a little bit computer literate to do the course but I think they do teach some great stuff there. Last night I pulled out my manual (you print it out as you take the course) and referred to something they taught. They also help you focus on what is really important too.

Ditto what Bill and Gina said. I took the course just this past September and learned a lot. This is a must for any agent that wants to succeed with their internet marketing.

Lots of tools and information is provided with your "field trips". Go for it and use it.

Hi Chantal:

Here's something else that I think is worth checking out that gives you (I feel) even more than E-Pro.

The certification is called a "Real Estate Webographer" and I learned about it from another brokerage here in Phoenix that has contracted with the company and offers it to their agents at a discount. (This brokerage is a very solid player here in the Valley and their training is great, so I trust their opinion)...though I am in a different brokerage.

I have read extensively through the E-Pro course and the Webographer course and I will definitely go with this one, when I am ready to start adding all those letters to the end of my name.  :)

I like it because it is totally designed to show you how to do business on the web and it gives you "real products" to try out and see if you like them. Obviously I am sure they hope you buy them, but it's not mandatory by any means. And at $199...it's a steal compared to E-pro...plus you can do it "course by course" at your home at your leisure. It really emphasizes "marketing", SEO and blogging.

Now you'll never hear NAR promoting this one, as it competes with their E-Pro, but I really do like the format better, and they have been endorsed by some strong companies.

I felt that E-pro is too basic and does not get in-debth enough about the actual "marketing" information that I am looking for. I know it's offered to some degree with E-Pro, but not to the same degree as the Webographer certification.

As far as which designation is better...well I just figure that the general public has no idea what either one stands for, so I'll still have to explain it irregardless and "for me", I do feel that the Webographer certification is the stronger of the two (even though NAR will never promote it).

I think this tetimonial on their site describes it best:

"...Simply stated, it looked appealing.  The curriculum looked in-depth, rather than just scratching the surface but getting deep into the “nuts & bolts” of real estate technology.  I had been curious to technologies such as single-property websites and online transaction management.  The REW certification had training that looked comprehensive, discussing technologies I could add to my arsenal..."

"...It was better than just about all online trainings that can be found in the industry.  Course materials were voice-driven, keeping my attention.  In addition, strategy was also discussed alongside the value-proposition of various real estate technologies..."

Anyway...here's the link if you want to check it out (and there's lots to read):  

http://www.webographers.com/agent/index.php

Just wanted to give you another option.

Connie

http://www.realestatebhc.com/

Chantal or anyone, you can go to any of my websites, scroll down to bottom and use the Trainer Code T5232 for a discounted price on your ePRO Cert Course. Just so you know. :)

It's elementary but I always hear that people who have been working technologically pick up new skills there. I know I did, and my connect with technology goes back to the days when we transmitted copy via COM program! LOL

The Webographer program looks cool too! Seems to emphasize website and lead generation at first glance.

We can all use as much education as we can get!

OH, PS . . . LOL

ePROs love to refer to each other! ;)

As the ePROs among us know . . .

Here's the link to their "course module" page, which shows you exactly what they cover in the 12 courses and the platforms you get to try out:

http://www.webographers.com/agent/modules.php

The other reason I like them is that they do try to stay up on the "latest" technologies available in real estate and are always good about making them known to their customers.

Got my ePRO in March of 2004.  I don't know about your state, but Texas counts it toward MCE for renewing your liscense.  One of the reasons that I took the course.  It really introduced me to the importance of being on top of the tech game in real estate.  I was introduced to Point2 through the course and the rest is history.  Well worth the money.

Marc Grayson here, president of Webographers.com and the REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER(tm) Certification.  Chantal, some points.

e-Pro is great.  Good referral network and good baseline detailing application of the Internet for RE objectives.  As it may, new agents / REALTORS come from all types of industries, some not having a grasp of being online, working w/ email, etc. etc

REAL ESTATE WEBOGRAPHER Certification.  For many, it "picks up where e-Pro left off".  Connie Clark gave a good rundown of the REW Certification.  It's scenario driven.  We bring in real technologies as "case studies" for candidates to "look underneath the hood", see how they work, examine the value proposition of Virtual Tours, Online Transaction Mgmt, Mobile Technologies and more.  The "sandbox" of real estate applications w/in our certification program lets our certificants go into their next technology purchase w/ a more informed perspective.

Both certifications compliment each other.

If any of you all have questions.  Drop me an email at Marc@Webographers.com and I'll do my best to respond timely.

Ditto, I recommend it, too

I really enjoyed the e-PRO course, took it a couple of years ago.  But NOW...this Webographer cert looks pretty interesting.  I hadn't heard of this one before.