CDXMail

By Catherine Erney
Xceligent
November 2006 In Contract

Don't let the title mislead you; although CDXMail is an enhanced service in Xceligent's other markets, it's part of the basic service in Columbus. Due to Xceligent's partnership with the Columbus Board of REALTORS®, in 2006, you're paying $55 per month per user for CDX access and CDXMail service that cost $78 per month last year. Our new CDXMail + product brings you more of everything you liked about CDXMail and is a free upgrade in our market. How many other vendors improve service and extend your reach without any increase in the price?

Unless you've opted out of CDXMails altogether, you've probably noticed the colorful XMails -- with building photos embedded in the message - that some of our local clients are sending out. We have helped many local firms create custom headers and footers for their messages -- contact us at 430-3343 if you'd like help uploading yours.

You probably have also noticed CDXMail + messages from other markets. That's another new feature -- you can reach up to 40,590 users across the country with only one message. Also, with CDXmail +, you have the option to stop CDXMail entirely - or block a particular obnoxious sender - right on the bottom of every message you receive.

Every Columbus User has the ability to select CDXMail + rather than CDXMail. You sign into the new system under Marketing Tools, right below the link to CDXMail.

A few quick tips -- Before you send out your first CDXMail Plus, be sure to review your preferences and your signature. Check "Select the types of E-mails I will receive" and make sure that you will be getting the messages that you are interested in - office, land, investment properties -- that's your call. Next, click into the link just below that: CDXMail signature. Be sure that your contact information is current. We'd also recommend you select "Include my signature on all CDXMails I send" and "Include my logo." Now, you're set to communicate!

Check out the menu -- here you have several new tools: the ability to search the archive for old CDXMail messages and review the senders you have chosen to block. In case you're concerned -- when you choose to block a sender, they don't find out about it.

n Step 1 -- Type of CDXMail - When you send your first CDXMail +, you'll see that you have more message options than in the past. CDXMail limited you to only "Listing," Open House" and "User Requirement." CDXMail + allows you to also select "Broker Announcement" or "Business Opportunity."

n Step 2 -- Listing Selection - You'll also notice that when you select "Broadcast my listing" the system brings up the list of your CDX listings right in the page. Check the box for the listing you wish to promote -- and you're half done. "Broadcast My Listing" automatically includes the default building photo and brochure report in the body of your e-mail.

n Step 3 -- Attachments - You can add up to three attachments up to 5 mg each in each CDXMail + that you send. Just like adding pictures in the CDX, this is simple windows browsing. Follow the big orange buttons?

n Step 4 -- Recipients- Here you select the people who will receive your message. Click on "Modify Distribution List" to select Columbus users -- or users in other markets. The ability to blind copy recipients (the building owner, perhaps?) is another new feature. If you're sending the message to only one metro, you can further edit the recipient list. Finally, although you have the ability to send CDXMail + to all of the users in all of our markets (40,590 at last count) do so only when it's a message of interest to other markets, such as a 1031 exchange. REALTORS® are busy people and resent anything that borders on spam. As we mentioned at the beginning, with CDXMail +, a recipient can select "Block all messages from this sender" right at the bottom of each message.

n Step 5 -- Compose E-mail -- Here you can further define the title of the message, but to comply with anti-Spam regulatons, CDXMail must appear in the subject line. Note that you have the ability to select text fonts and colors for the body of your message. A fabulous new feature is the ability to preview your message before you send it. Somehow, it's easier to spot those typos in the preview screen, don't you think?

CDXMail + represents a new, powerful tool in your marketing kit -- the ability to instantly communicate with 1,500 interested parties in the Columbus market -- and up to 40,590 users in the other markets Xceligent serves. Use it well and use it wisely!

COCIE News . . .

Senior Market Research Analyst, Mandi Willesen and Research Analyst Angela Utz recently completed the quarterly "Planned and Under Construction" drive, verifying properties on the CDX, checking for new listings and taking pictures.

At this point, we are tracking:

^l 11,585 properties
^l 3,979 for lease listings
^l 1,900 for sale properties
^l 144 business opportunities for sale

Under construction properties on the CDX break down as follows:

Industrial -- 12 U/C buildings

Franklin County -- 9        3,504,478 SF
Licking County -- 1            524,187 SF
Union County -- 2                50,000 SF

Office -- 41 U/C buildings

Delaware County -- 16       340,046 SF
Franklin County -- 23         787,140 SF
Licking County -- 2             15,600 SF

Retail -- 26 U/C buildings

Delaware County -- 5         231,915 SF
Franklin County -- 19      1,139,331 SF
Licking County -- 1             14,000 SF
Union County -- 1             636,280 SF

Training Classes
Intro (3 hours CE available)
CBR Computer Training Room

Thursday, November 9 -- 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Tuesday, November 28 -- 1 to 4:15 p.m.

Advanced

Thursday, December 14 -- 9 to 11:00 a.m.
Register at www.columbusrealtors.com

Central Ohio CIE as of 10-13-06
Members -- 493
Companies -- 170
Total properties -- 11,585
Total listings-- 3,747
Total available SF-- 55.3 M SF

Industrial -- 31.8 million SF
Office -- 13.5 million SF
Retail -- 10 million SF
Business Opportunities for sale -- 114

New Companies: 9/15/ - 10/15

Long & Wilcox
Bates & Son
RE/MAX Champions
Keller Williams ALLSTARS

COCIE Membership
If you have ever wondered about a trial COCIE membership, what are you waiting for? In addition to having access to almost 12,000 properties, including over 3,700 listings, COCIE members also have access to 27 markets nationwide.

COCIE members can send information via e-mail to 1,500 users in the Columbus area and 40,590 users nationwide.

The cost is $55/month plus a one-time $50 set-up fee. For more information, call (614) 430-3343.