Really Good Post---Not Mine

I would have forwarded this to my readers even if I hadn't been included, but I am!

Very nice posting by Cindy and her "cast" of thousands. Enjoy!

http://blog.cindyyantis.com/2010/03/50-seriously-great-tips-to-elevate-your-personal-brand.html

Thanks

Just a quick "thank you" to the timeshare people who supported me then and now. And a great big "thank you" to the consumers who saw the need for my voice and services.

I'm grateful to you all.

More ARDA Thoughts On Marketing

Made some new friends/converts (I hope) this morning at ARDA's session on "Finding The Right Marketing Mix."

It seems that some forward thinkers in the industry now not only believe in what I have been preaching for years now, but are actually implemeting some of those ideas.

Actually found a room full of people who agreed with me that the "3/2 for $99 and two attraction tickets" might NOT be the best way to "advertise" your timeshare property with an average price of $20,000.

Things are looking up!

More ARDA Updates

I've sat through a ton of meetings today with new and existing companies all with supposedly "new and/or better ideas" related to trading, renting, bringing people together, etc.

The problem is, as it has been for awhile now is that everyone is running around doing "their thing" and the consumer is left with WAY too much information and not a centralized place to gather reliable, consistent and credible information.

Ideas anyone? How do you get timeshare information? Who do you listen to (besides me of course)? What don't you listen to? Why?

As always, we welcome your feedback.

Update From ARDA

Good Morning From Las Vegas!

I'm attending the annual ARDA convention here in Las Vegas. The overall atmosphere is upbeat, although attendence is reportedly down from last year's convention.

I spent about 30 minutes at the "New Marketing Fundamentals" session this morning and although there was nothing "new" about the methods that were discussed, at least to anyone with even a basic "non-timeshare marketing" background, I do see it as a positive that some people within the industry are starting to drop the "we're different/better than other industries" attitude. On the other hand, it took all of 3 minutes for the first speaker to use the word "tour"....more proof that people are still concentrating on old time marketing...touring? Really, how about sales?

There was again a mention of "no one wakes up in the morning and says I want to take a timeshare tour." Of course not...but then again, the industry has not made it fun to take a tour nor easy to buy a timeshare.

Still, this is early on in the convention and I am cautiously optimistic. Stay tuned for further updates.

New Partnership

For those of you unfamilar with Timeshare Insights, we do NOT have a financial or other stake in any other company. We do not steer consumers to one or more timeshare companies because we have anything to gain.

We do however, occassionally "partner" with reputable companies who, as we do, recognize the importance of an educated consumer. So, if a company approaches us for editorial content, we will work with that company once we are fully satisfied that they are ethical, have a good reputation and operate within the high standards we feel anyone in timeshare should.

Whew!

Having said that, we are pleased to announce that Timeshare Insights will have a regular presence with RedWeek.com...newsletter and website. Stay tuned.

First Week of Timeshare 101 Training

As I mentioned several weeks ago, I have been hired by an Orlando timeshare to teach their non-sales and marketing employees about timeshare. This is a four-week session. The first week is all about Timeshare 101 and covers timeshare basics, HOA, ARDA, RCI/II, other exchange companies and an overview of timeshare.

Here are some "action shots."