HILL COUNTRY CHAPTER NEWS

1 s t Q u a r t e r

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The WCR

Connection YOUR LOCAL WCR NEWSLETTER

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

“Get in there, don’t be afraid to talk to someone you don’t know or to help someone out with a business challenge. Get involved with a committee. You may be that one person to change someone’s life in a positive way or maybe even your own!”

MARIE GABRIEL,, 2015 PRESIDENT

“My first experience with WCR’s

State Conference and Celebrity

Waiter in Austin was not only

absolutely fun - but was an awe-

some experience! I met WCR

ladies from different cities. And,

the speakers were motivating

and I learned great information.

What a great networking event!

Enjoyed it! And I’m glad to be a

part of WCR”

Sharon Zaiontz, RE/MAX River Cities

Maximizing Your Social

Media Presence

PAGE TWO

The Long & Winding

Road of Leadership

PAGE THREE

Spotlight Member

PAGE THREE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

PAGE THREE

Continued Page 2

P.O. Box 311211 | New Braunfels

www.wcrhillcounty.org

2015 has definitely started out with a

challenge everyone is working towards

achieving. At the Officer’s Installation

our theme for 2015 was Game on…..

Meaning everyone needed to be in the

game together to win! Ways and

means has been off and running

planning the Bras for a Cause event

happening in October. Community

outreach has been planning events like

collecting jeans for the Comal Crisis

We have had two lucky winners within

our membership that has won our cash

drawing. The membership mixer held

in March at Granzin’s had a great

turnout. Reservations, Hospitality and

Inspiration committees have been

working together to make sure we

have a smooth check in, a fun ice

breaker to get to know others within

our membership and to make sure we

are inspired. We have had table top

Center and planning future events like

Pack the Bus for schools. The finance/

budget committee has been crunching

those numbers to make sure we are

financially sound and our By Laws

Committee updating our standing

rules. Programs and education has

been lining up speakers like William

Edge, setting up free MCE for our

members and future events like

educating the membership on what

The Voice for Texas can do for your

business and your clients. There has

been a lot of buzz from the

membership and retention committee.

venders at our luncheons thanks to the

Table Top Vendor committee.

Scholarship Committee has been

looking to sponsor someone in our

membership to go to the TAR/WCR

Winter meeting at the end of August-

beginning of September. What good

would all this information be without

our Communication committee and

Director of Affiliates? They have been

spreading the word like a wild fire! Last

but by no means least…..our Past

Presidents Council lead by our 2014

past president has been reengaging all

our past presidents. Our Precious Past

Maximizing Your Social

Media Presence

Down payment Help for Your Buyers

So your client has good credit, but not enough money for a down

payment? Don’t worry, we might have found a solution for you!

The SETH Texas Advantage Program offers access to a 3%, 4%, and 5%

grant on FHA or VA loans, which will lower a borrower's down payment

to .50 or less of borrows own funds. The program is only available on Texas

properties.

Here is what you’re going to love about the SETH Texas Advantage

Program: There is no first-time homebuyer requirement!

When: Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Time: 7:30am—2pm

www.fourriversrealtors.com

By Wendy Forsythe

As many REALTORS® already know,

social media has become a vital part of

the real estate industry. In fact, according

to NAR's 2014 Member Profile, 61

percent use social or professional

networking sites – a 5-percent increase

over the previous year. Although many

are aware of the importance of using these

tools in their day-to-day business, are they

really maximizing their social media

presence?

Find the Site That's Right

There are three sites that are the most

used and talked about in social media:

Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Each

has a different set-up. However, and real

estate agents should be aware that each

has a different audience with a different

set of expectations as well.

Twitter users are limited to

140-character tweets, and they

expect short and sweet information. Be

helpful and be brief; tweet articles that

may be of use to potential homebuyers,

not just links to your personal listings.

LinkedIn is a professional

network, and users expect it to

stay focused on business. The

site offers a variety of groups

to join, which will help you interact with

colleagues. Not only can you offer your

insight to aid your peers, but you also

may find valuable information that helps

with your work.

Facebook allows for a wide

array of media, from text to

photos and video, and it gives

you plenty of space to play. Facebook

also offers the largest user base at 1.3

billion active users this past December.

This may be the most social of social

networking sites, and the goal here is to

develop real interactions on your page.

Depending on the market

segment you're trying to engage,

you may also want to consider

other social networking sites, such as

Instagram and Pinterest. Instagram is

dedicated to photos – small, square

photos, to be exact – although the site also

allows for short videos. Some find that

Instagram targets a younger audience, so

if you’re looking to connect with

millennials, this may be a good place to

start.

Pinterest is also focused on the

visual, and allows users to "pin"

different images or articles to

virtual boards. The majority of Pinterest

users are women (80 percent by some

accounts), and many are looking to not

just buy a house, but create a home. Be

sure to pin articles and images that speak

to the entirety of the home-buying

experience, from interiors to

neighborhood news and school district

rankings. ...Continued on page 4

2015 Texas Legislative

Hill Visit

THE LONG & WINDING ROAD OF LEADERSHIP

Time and time again, we hear that taking on volunteer roles in real estate associations will take away critical moments from our businesses. Yet many of us in Women's Council have found the opposite to be true.

Recently, I was at a meeting where a vote needed to be taken of a committee. Some participants struggled with the

voting protocol, which made me realize how fortunate I've been to have learned parliamentary procedure through my leadership roles in industry organizations.

However, Women's Council of REALTORS® has provided me an education well beyond the Robert's Rules of Order and Parliamentary Procedure – while the value of these meeting skills in the boardroom should not be underestimated. It can be intimidating in the beginning if you lack that knowledge of meeting protocol, but the confidence gained as an end result is invaluable.

Volunteer leadership is not about gaining an instant sales referral – although that's not unheard of. Another aspect that cannot be quantified is the respect gained from others in the industry when they observe a well intentioned leader who can make things happen and expand opportunities for others to learn new skills and make a positive impact for our profession.

I've been involved in leadership through Women's Council and my local and state associations as long as I have been a REALTOR®. The skills and knowledge you gain in volunteer leadership create a positive reputation for your business, as well as countless opportunities to contribute in your community, whether on a board of directors, as a volunteer or as an ambassador for home ownership.

That being said, Women's Council referrals from around the country will add to the bottom line of your business. When other members see how you follow through and contribute to the industry as a whole, they will also know you will provide the best service possible to their clients or friends.

Here are some tips to get more involved:

1. Pay attention to local opportunities with Women's Council, where you can grow your skills both personally and professionally. Be sure and bookmark your local chapter's website.

...Continued Page 4

APRIL 9TH: MONTLY LUNCH

Voice of Texas: T BAR M 11AM—1PM

APRIL 14TH: TEXAS HILL VISIT

MAY 11TH—16TH: NAR MID-YEAR MEETING:

Washington, DC

MAY 14TH: MONTHLY LUNCH

OCTOBER 29TH: BRAS FOR A CAUSE

NOVEMBER 13TH—16TH: NAR

CONFERENCE: San Diego, CA

Spotlight Member:

Paula Durocher

Real Estate Office: The

Smartt Team of Keller

Williams.

About: Paula was born

and raised in the San Antonio area. She

has been married for 14 years. She and

her husband are raising their two children

in Schertz, TX. Paula grew up in this area

and can be a trusted resource for

answers about the community due to her

active involvement in it to this day.

What she did BEFORE Real Estate:

Paula graduated from Southwest Texas

State University. And prior to her real

estate career Paula was an elementary

school teacher for 14 years.

What year she got into Real Estate:

Paula joined her sister Pam Smartt back

in 2010 and formed the Smartt Team at

Keller Williams Realty in New Braunfels.

Other organizations: Paula is not only

the 2015 Outreach Chair for the

Women’s Council of Realtors, she also

belongs to the New Braunfels Women’s

Chamber of Commerce, TREPAC, and

Paschal SCUCISD PTO board member.

By Sherri Souza, 2015 WCR National Recording Secretary

Social Media Continued...

REALTORS® should determine where they want to focus their

time and social media efforts, however. Using all these sites –

and using them well – is near impossible for the average agent.

Unless you utilize a dedicated social media marketer, pick one or

two social media outlets that give you the target audience you

desire. Be sure to also pick one that you enjoy; if social media

postings are a chore for you, your readers will pick up on it.

Maximize Your Posts

Although all these sites offer different types of interaction, what

they all have in common is the need for consistency. You can't

expect to post once a day and develop a following. Social media

is best used for social networking, which means engaging with

other users. Part of that engagement is tailoring your postings to

the particular site you use. Don’t just drop your listings into the

social media void.

If you're a Twitter user, instead of posting about your latest

listing, link to articles about neighborhood revitalization or new

mortgage offerings. Provide information that will be useful to

anyone buying or selling a home – now or in the future. It's also

important to be a part of the conversation, so be sure to follow

different accounts, favorite other users' tweets and reply to their

posts.

On Facebook, you can combine a variety of media to engage

your audience. Offer tips on buying or selling a home from

your own wealth of experience, perhaps something like, "5

Things to Do Before Your Open House." Of course, if you

have a new or unusual listing, feel free to post about it, but

make it part of the conversation. If it's a short sale, for

instance, consider mentioning the listing along with tips for

successfully navigating a short sale. The key is to provide

useful information to your followers, regardless of whether

they’re buying or selling a home currently.

If you prefer Instagram or Pinterest, don't just post pictures of

your listings. Post photos of beautiful interiors, well-done

landscaping or interesting neighborhood details. These types

of images may net you followers who are just beginning to

think in terms of real estate acquisition. And when they are

ready to start looking in earnest, they will think of you.

Social media and social networking can help REALTORS®

boost their business. After you determine the proper channel

for your posts, then tailor your message to best reach your

target market and maximize your social media presence. If

you provide helpful information, the audience will find you.

And once people are accustomed to turning to you for

information, they will be ready to turn to you to help them

buy or sell a home.

2. Find opportunities that appeal to your personal interests, which will make the experience more fun

and rewarding.

3. Maximize your intentional networking while volunteering. Who knows, you may make new friends

in the process, which will be its own reward.

All of this I have learned through my involvement in Women’s Council. I have been truly blessed to participate in this dynamic organization that helps us grow and learn.

Sherri

Recording Secretary

Sherri Souza, CRS, GRI, PMN

Independent Women Brokers

Livermore, CA

Leadership Cont’d...

By Wendy Forsythe

Presidents are our stepping stones from the past to the present.

What does all this mean for the Women’s Hill Country Chapter

you ask? It means relationships are being made by making new

friends. Enhancing your business by attending the programs

that are offered and everyone working together to make the Hill

Country Chapter the best ever for 2015! Get in there, don’t be

afraid to talk to someone you don’t know or to help someone

out with a business challenge. Get involved with a committee.

You may be that one person to change someone’s life in a

positive way or maybe even your own!

Thank you to all that have been actively involved within a

committee and a special thank you to all those committee

chairs that have stepped up when I asked and to the current

officers that help keep me grounded. It isn’t too late to slip right

into a committee. You can contact anyone of the officers or

myself and we can direct you to the committee chair of that

special talent you would like to share.

President Letter Continued...

Marie Gabriel, 2015 President