Dear Mr. Internet: Can you help me? I hear consistently that AOL users, like myself, are behind the times, etc. Ok, so how do I get out of AOL? Carol Martino Realty World Martino Associates Alameda, CA

Dear Carol:

As I speak to thousands of real estate professionals around the country, I hear the same refrain. Once REALTORS understand its many limitations, they want out of "A-O-Hell" ASAP!

Unfortunately, AOL doesn't make it easy on anyone wanting to switch to the real Internet. However, there's no need to abandon all hope -- just follow the four easy steps below...

STEP 1: Stop Using AOL Software

Completely uninstall all AOL software from your computer --this is especially important if you are using AOL 5.0 (if you need help with this, solicit the services of a friendly techie). The reason for this is to make sure you can install other Internet software without experiencing compatibility issues often caused by AOL software. (NOTE: be sure to write down your AOL screen name and password before the uninstall. Also, do not cancel your AOL account at this time --that will come later)

STEP 2: Set Up A Real Internet Account

This actually involves several secondary steps:

a. If you don't have one yet, get a domain name that is short, easy to spell and remember, and says something about what you do (you can try 000Domains for inexpensive domain name registration)

b. Find a good Internet Service Provider (ISP) to host your domain name for e-mail (and eventually the Web).  MindSpring is considered a good national one.  Or you can find all ISP's that service your area by going to The List. (NOTE: be sure to tell the ISP to use your domain name for your e-mail --i.e. "carol@yourdomain.com")

c. Have your ISP tech support help you install the necessary Web browser (suggest Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 or greater) and e-mail software (suggest Microsoft Outlook Express 5.0 which is free, or Outlook 2000 which isn't) (NOTE: be sure to also ask the ISP how to set up dialup access to the Net and how to access your new e-mail account)

STEP 3: Tell The World!

Change all references to your AOL e-mail address to your new address.  This means all printed material (ouch!), and all references found on the Web (i.e. your personal and company Web sites, REALTOR.com, Homeadvisors.com, IRED.com, as well as any other directory it might be found)
(NOTE: you can use a search engine like Altavista to look for other possible instances of your AOL address on the Web --e.g. "username@aol.com" --be sure to use the quotes in the search field)

STEP 4: Point Them In The Right Direction

Since AOL does not let you automatically forward e-mail to another address (another good reason to drop it!) you are going to have to "educate" your clients and prospects to use your new one.  Continue to handle your AOL e-mail via the Web at http://www.aol.com (remember, you should no longer have any AOL software on your system).  Every time you receive an e-mail from someone that is important to you, respond (via their Web interface) by letting them know your new address.

It may take up to six months to ensure that everyone is using your new e-mail address.  Once you are reasonably certain that no one will be sending you important e-mail via AOL, you can safely cancel your account.  At that point you can rejoice --you've made it out of A-O-Hell!

There is no question about AOL's important role as the first introduction to the online world for many real estate professionals.  However, its niche has turned into a "noose" for those who continue to use it yet struggle to excel at doing business on the Net.  Once you are on the real Internet however, your whole world of online business possibilities and opportunities expands considerably!

Published: August 2, 2000

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

Michael J. Russer (a.k.a. Mr. Internet®) is an internationally acclaimed speaker, trainer, author, and strategic consultant to the real estate industry and small business. He is also the exclusive Internet columnist for REALTOR® Magazine, the architect of the revolutionary e-ProductivityTM system and leading voice for the use of Virtual Assistants in small business. You can subscribe to his free monthly leading-edge newsletter ePOWER NEWS by going to ePowerNews.com.