Agents Success Story – Jim Ronding & Gary Kalligher
Catch Some Air: Jim Ronding and Gary Kalligher, owners and agents of RE/MAX 1 in Superior, WI & Duluth, MN respectively, are finding success with a weekly radio show. The two co-hosts of the Twin Ports Real Estate Show, which can be heard on KDAL 610 AM every Saturday from 12:30pm – 2:00pm, agree that it sets them apart from the rest.
Ronding, who secured the radio program after attending a BNI networking session, says it took a lot of hard work to round up sponsorships and interest but now that things are in place, it’s working. “Nothing is off the table in regards to real estate related topics. We talk about politics if it affects real estate; and it works because Gary and I tend to have opposite views so we go back-and-forth with opinions and ideas. We take calls to talk about the bank bail outs and that can get very controversial. But we also talk about the Tax Credit, market stats and how to buy or sell a home. People are listening; they think we’re interesting and entertaining and have come to find us as experts.”
The two co-hosts don’t assume the entire show. Kalligher says they often have interviews scheduled and speakers that call in. “While ‘hot button’ political issues and local real estate stats are a big hit, we are able to offer our listeners advice from a number of real estate experts. Verl Workman, Rich Levine, and Frank Wible from RE/MAX New Jersey have all made appearances and brought their own personality and expertise to the show.” Ronding adds, “David Knox, Alex Charfen and two VPs from NAR have joined us and Margaret Kelly, RE/MAX’s CEO, has agreed to come on. We’ve also been joined by non-real estate professionals including David Oreck of vacuum fame. My ultimate goal is to get the President to call in!”
While having President Obama on would undoubtedly boost ratings, the two co-hosts seem to be doing something right already. “The numbers show that we are a resource that people come to,” says Kalligher. “KDAL tells us our listening audience has increased more than 15 times since we started in September 2008.” Ronding likes to say, “We’ve made dead air time into a real hot spot.”
Both Ronding and Kalligher share that the radio show has given them measurable business but they don’t see it at it as a business maker. Ronding says, “Sure, we’ve listed and sold properties due to listeners hearing us on the radio and connecting with us but we don’t look at it like that. We do this to help our community understand what’s happening in the industry and to let them know we’re a point of contact for them if they have questions. Buying a house is most people’s biggest purchase and we want to make sure they understand all that goes into it.” Kalligher agrees, “The radio show takes a lot of work. We don’t just show up to talk, we don’t take this lightly; we read a lot of content to prepare ourselves. We are on-air for a reason and want to deliver accurate and timely information to our listeners.”
Listeners will soon be able to listen to the Twin Ports Real Estate Show via live web streaming! For now, as mentioned, the show is Saturdays from 12:30pm – 2:00pm on KDAL 610 AM. If you have questions for either Jim or Gary about their radio show or their real estate business, you’re welcome to contact them at:
Jim Ronding: jimronding@remax.net / 715.392.1111 / www.jimronding.com
Gary Kalligher: garykalligher@remax.net / 218.722.2810 / www.duluthmnhomes.com
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