The real estate training powerhouse – IMSD – is rolling out some big changes this week. Focusing on both quality and quantity, the "Geeky 2.0" release will mark the first major makeover of the popular system. We chatted with IMSD's leadership team to learn more about what real estate agents can expect.

Meet IMSD

IMSD (which stands for "Internet Marketing Specialist Designation") has become a household name for many real estate professionals. However, before we look forward to their new launch, it may be helpful to look back and clarify who they are and what they do.

IMSD was founded in 2010 through a partnership between top real estate broker Ben Kinney and Market Leader, Inc. Kinney's own early struggles and subsequent successes with online marketing gave birth to a proven system, now in use by thousands of real estate agents nationwide. What is great about Ben Kinney is that he practices what he preaches. His team closed over 500 transactions in 2011 and ranks 18th among all brokers in America for transaction sides (according to REAL Trends and the Wall Street Journal).

The training provided through IMSD focuses on online marketing for lead generation and lead conversion. The curriculum is completed through a series of live and online classes that include homework assignments to help drive the lessons home.

The success of IMSD lies in the very pragmatic approach Kinney takes. As he explains, "There are two key points that really set us apart: (1) Before we include anything in our curriculum, we make sure we can answer the question, 'How will this help real estate agents make money?' If the answer is that it won't – it doesn't meet our criteria. (2) We provide a plan for implementing what we teach. This is a task list with clear action items, so people don't walk away scratching their heads and feeling overwhelmed."

Improvements

The team at IMSD focused on both quality and quantity in brainstorming the new "Geeky 2.0" release. Rather than just increasing the depth and breadth of material, they also refined their coverage of the topics already being covered.

The coursework will be split into three primary sections: Social, Search and Systems.

• Social is, perhaps, the largest area of growth according to IMSD. The most significant change is that, rather than focusing largely on Facebook and Twitter, more social platforms will be covered. These platforms include YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Yelp.
• Search will focus on SEO, blogging, and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising. Blogging is going to be a major area of focus in the new curriculum, with special emphasis on ActiveRain, WordPress and keyword selection.
• Systems include topics like Craigslist, lead capture tools, responding to online leads, and working your prospect sphere.

Next Steps

Are you feeling jazzed about online marketing yet? Here are some steps you can take:

• Learn more about IMSD
• Visit them online at www.IMSD.net
• Give yourself an online marketing tutorial with our educational articles
• See more options for online marketing tools and technology