A legacy brokerage of more than 50 years, Irongate REALTORS®' name is derived from its flagship office being at the intersection of Iron Gate Park Drive and Far Hills Avenue in Dayton, OH. Beginning with just five agents, it has since grown its roster to include approximately 275 agents, becoming the largest locally-owned, independent brokerage in the region. They now have seven office locations, including Beavercreek, Centerville, Eaton, Englewood, Kettering, Springboro, and Washington Township. 

Irongate REALTORS® has always given back to the Dayton area communities. One of their pillars is supporting a local food bank, With God's Grace. With each closing, Irongate agents have the opportunity to donate money to the organization, and the company will match it. They also have a number of days per year where agents and staff volunteer to hand out food or work at the free grocery store.

Their commitment to the community doesn't end there. Many Irongate REALTORS® agents support the local arts, charities, and non-profit organizations, such as the Wright State Arts Gala and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, as well as participate in local blood drives. The brokerage also steps up to be a major sponsor of real estate events locally, such as banquets and award functions.

Despite their long legacy, the leadership at Irongate REALTORS® is extremely forward-thinking and wholeheartedly embraces modern technology to power their brokerage. 

"We have been viewed as an industry leader in many different initiatives," says Brett Williford, Manager at Irongate REALTORS®. "We're a very high-integrity company. We're putting forth a lot of services that other brokerages just don't even really consider."

Irongate REALTORS® is the only women-owned brokerage in the area, with much of their recent innovation attributed to their Owner and CEO, Rhonda Chambal. 

Rhonda brings a unique perspective to her leadership role. She was an agent at a franchise for 10 years and was accustomed to having both the print and digital tools that a franchise brokerage provides. So her goal upon taking on the ownership role in 2021 was to modernize Irongate's brand and improve agents' professional lives by educating them on how to use more automated tools and marketing technology.

Fortunately, Rhonda was able to leverage Irongate's long-standing relationship with one of the most innovative technology providers in the industry to accomplish this goal. Delta Media Group provides Irongate REALTORS® with a real estate website integrated with the DeltaNET® all-in-one CRM platform — which is equipped with automated tools for everything from social media marketing to email marketing, open house management, and video marketing.

Solutions For Making Agents' Lives Easier

Rhonda closely evaluated the tools available in DeltaNET upon starting her position as Owner of Irongate REALTORS®. She concluded that many of them offer the technical and ease-of-use value she was looking for.

"I want agents' lives to be easier, and any product that we add to our suite of offerings is something that I feel would benefit my personal business and is easy to use," she says. "I don't just try a bunch of things and hope that something works. It really has to have value in order for me to say, 'Let's go with it.'"

That said, Rhonda wanted to find a way to simplify the process of getting agents onboarded to the platform and using it to stay connected with their customers. The solution was a new system in which admins input client information into the DeltaNET CRM for the agents so that they can stay in touch with their sphere automatically.

"One of the things that we started doing was after every closing, we have an admin who takes the email address from the client and puts it into My Customer for Life on the agent's behalf," says Brett. "So much of our philosophy is taking it off the agent's plate and putting whatever we can in the brokerage's lap, which will help them grow their businesses by doing what they do best."

It's common across brokerages for agents to worry about inputting their client information into a brokerage-owned platform in fear that their broker will try and take their clients from them once they leave the firm. To eliminate this fear for Irongate REALTORS® agents, Rhonda made a signed commitment as owner of the brokerage that this wouldn't happen. This gives them one less reason not to use the provided CRM, which can only help their business prosper.

"From a brokerage perspective, there's always a hesitation amongst agents to put their client list into a brokerage-owned platform," explains Brett. "Rhonda came up with the idea to put a signed commitment from her as brokerage owner that the company is not going to continue marketing to the clients of agents entered into the system, even if they choose to leave the brokerage and move on to less-green pastures."

In addition, Rhonda is making the lives of agents easier by spearheading a new luxury program in which they can leverage the design tools in DeltaNET's Delta Create. One feature they are going to push agents to use in particular is the QR code generator.

"We're going to be using Delta Create for marketing pieces," says Brett. "We are big believers in the QR code creator within the platform because those codes don't expire. Agents don't realize that when they go out and download a free QR code online, that code might only exist for 90 days. When they do it within the Delta platform, it's there in perpetuity for them. They can put together a piece that has some shelf life to where if they send out a postcard and 18 months down the road somebody snaps that QR code, it's still going to lead back to their page."

Finally, Rhonda developed an internal intranet site for the agents. 

"Rhonda developed one heck of an internal intranet site aggregate online that we use, and it is really the base hub for a lot of our operational features," says Brett. "From there, agents can get on-demand training, learn about all the different forms, and the changes with the NAR settlement in 2024. In addition to that, there are basic services where they can order business cards or reserve conference rooms in any of our different office locations."

A Website Redesign With Advanced SEO and Mapping Features

Realizing the brokerage's website — which hadn't been updated since 2017 — was in need of a refresh, another important project Rhonda saw fit was a website redesign. So, she worked closely with Delta Media Group to make it more modern and improve the site's user experience. 

"My goal for the website originally was that it needed to look modern, offering a fresh new feel for our brand and the company," she says. "I think what we ended up with is really a reflection of that; it's a classy-looking website that provides a lot of information."

Another area she chose to focus on during this process was SEO, as they wanted to improve the site's visibility and gain more leads from organic searches.

"I would say that our website is second to none," says Rhonda. "Our website has by far the best search function in our market area."

To enhance the site's local SEO and make it more valuable for users, Irongate REALTORS® integrated Local Logic into the site upon Delta's recommendation.

"The integration of Local Logic has really been a game changer for the site," says Brett. "Today's consumer is not just looking for a house; they're looking for a home, and how a particular neighborhood will affect their lifestyle. Through the integration with Local Logic, they can look at heat maps that will show them nightlife, grocery stores, childcare, healthcare, everything else, and how it relates to the particular areas they're shopping for a home in. We wouldn't have known about that without Delta's input."

Irongate REALTORS® also uses Delta's Content Writing Services to manage their website's blog. This offers another way to improve their site's SEO, as Google loves brands that offer consistent, valuable content.

"We are using Delta's blogging service where Delta's copywriters prepare hyper-local articles for us," says Brett. "We're very, very excited about this opportunity."

Improving Opportunities For Social Media Marketing

Rhonda also experienced the power of social media as a marketing tool during her time as an agent. She has been stepping up the resources and training opportunities the brokerage offers in this area. One of the major additions she has made is setting up a full video production studio that the agents can leverage for their online presentation posts. Along with providing the studio, she hired an expert in the field to teach agents how to leverage the tools most effectively.

"We've just set up a full multimedia studio here within the brokerage that agents are able to use at no cost," she explains. "We've brought in a consultant as well who's able to provide some very high-level tools and guidance for agents on how they can create video content, cut it up into shorts, and be able to use that, whether it's on TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook."

At Irongate REALTORS®, they have an agent, Morgan Turner, who is TikTok famous and has already been using the studio to conduct video interviews with various industry professionals — such as home inspectors, contractors, mortgage lenders, title representatives, and real estate attorneys. 

"She [Morgan] has been really influential with some of the other agents by encouraging them to try video and get more involved in video messaging," says Rhonda. "We've been blessed in that sense, having her here at the company."

The brokerage additionally has a couple of agents getting started with podcasting. 

"We have two agents who've decided to launch a podcast," says Rhonda. "They've recorded several episodes and are planning to put them on YouTube."

Aside from coaching agents on how to produce multimedia content and use it to grow their brand, Irongate REALTORS® is also teaching their agents how to create the right messaging for their social media. They understand how important having the proper brand messaging is for converting an audience into new clients.

"Everybody knows half a dozen agents," says Brett. "We want them to think about what they're going to see online in this messaging that's going to make them say, 'This is the person for me to work with; I feel like their message is resonating with me as a consumer.' We're really looking to fine-tune messaging to turn into results for prospects who we can convert into customers and clients."

Many Irongate REALTORS® agents use Social Connector in DeltaNET to update their social media automatically, making it easier to maintain their presence on multiple platforms.

"Social Connector is fantastic," says Brett. "It really allows agents to set it and forget it. They can initiate a plan and a program, and only have to check back in every quarter or every six months, and make sure that it's still delivering the kind of content that they're looking for."

Brett notes that they are also excited to use Ad Wizardâ„¢ to create and manage targeted ads through DeltaNET.

"We're very, very anxious to embrace the Ad Wizard program," he says. "We have a number of agents that have been using paid promotion through social media as lead generation with the big lead aggregating platforms." 

While they are excited about the opportunity to manage paid advertising better, many Irongate REALTORS® agents are leaning into improving their results from organic methods. 

"Agents are really turning to something a little more organic," mentions Brett. "By running promotions within Instagram and Facebook specifically, agents are seeing a very, very nice response to that. They're also recognizing that for a minimal spend, they can get back a very nice return, whether it's instant business or top-of-funnel leads that they need to nurture a little bit."

Training Agents on Delta Tools

At Irongate REALTORS®, there's a strong emphasis on coaching new agents who come from various backgrounds.

"We create environments in which agents can thrive regardless of sales ability or background and history," says Brett. "We coach them up and really help give them a career that they can be proud of, in which clients are going to return to use their services again and refer them to others pretty consistently."

Considering Rhonda believes that a key part of coaching agents is teaching them how to use technology to their advantage, Irongate REALTORS® offers some of the most advanced Delta training programs.

"We offer monthly training on Delta," says Brett. "We have sessions archived and on demand for agents as well. With the launch of the new site, we're doing an introductory type of preview course for agents."

Aside from these trainings, they are also initiating a Delta masterclass for their agents, where they will break down the features in DeltaNET and highlight their value.

"We're putting on a two-hour masterclass for agents that want to go deeper with Delta to learn how to use more of the backend features, and how they can monetize the front-end features to the benefit of their own businesses," explains Brett.

Finally, they recently established a focus group within the brokerage to discover more information about the possible outcomes of using the tools and specific integrations.

"We've established a Delta focus group, an agent opt-in program that's completely voluntary, but there will be accountability to it," says Brett. "We're going to embrace one topic per session, master that topic, and then measure those results through our integration of the Dotloop platform so we can see what are agents investing in, whether it's their time, their effort or their money, and what kind of return on investment the agents are seeing through that program."

Delta's Distinct Customer Service

Rhonda, Brett, and the rest of the Irongate REALTORS® team not only value their Delta Media Group website and integrated marketing technology, but they also greatly appreciate the opportunity to ask and receive personalized guidance and feedback. 

"It's great having that long-term, personal relationship with a lot of the people at Delta," says Brett. "It has definitely been a strong advantage for the people in my company. I can pick up the phone and call the people who are driving the direction of Delta and say, 'What are some of the other platforms that you are supporting? What are they doing that can be advantageous to us?' And they say, well, 'This would be great for your company, and your market size.'"

Brett specifically recognizes how beneficial the reporting he receives from the leadership team at Delta is to honing their marketing strategy and how they likely wouldn't get such personalized recommendations and assistance anywhere else. 

"Having consistent reporting from Delta's leadership is a huge advantage to our leadership," he says. "It's something that I don't think anybody's going to find on any competing platforms. The Delta people truly care about the success of their partner companies."

He admits that the greatest advantage of working with Delta is having direct support and contact with the CEO and executive leadership team.

"The best thing about working with the team at Delta is that we really have access from the top level down," says Brett. "So we were able to really structure our site, which we intended to be the best in town, bar none, and I think we've accomplished that. But even beyond that part of it, we're able to lean on Franklin Stoffer, the Vice President of Sales, and his expertise, not only from the sales side, but what he's seeing other companies doing that they're having success with. Then we can bounce those same ideas off of Aaron Geh, the Head of Digital Marketing, and get the SEO and the metrics side of it, and understand how we can better leverage these different components to give us a better return on our investment."

This level of care and collaboration is not only advantageous for Irongate REALTORS® but also closely aligns with their core values and company culture. 

"Our culture here is very collaborative, from Rhonda down to the leadership staff to the administrative staff to the agents," says Brett. "Everyone is very, very collaborative, and we really want everyone to achieve at whatever level their goals will take them. We create environments in which agents can thrive regardless of sales ability or background and history."

Irongate REALTORS® agents are not only collaborative with other agents in the brokerage but with those in neighboring brokerages as well. They feel that building strong relationships is important whether they are in or outside the company.

"If you dropped in any of our offices, you would see agents helping each other," says Rhonda. "And we try to expand that philosophy not just internally, but to co-op agents as well. A happy closing is the best closing, and building those relationships with agents at other brokerages is just as important as having them inside the company. Our managers really are key to promoting that culture, whether it's in the classes and workshops that they host for agents or the events they decide to participate in."

Taking a Modern Approach to Brokerage Management

Irongate REALTORS®' approach to running the business is a testament to how innovation and focused leadership are the key components needed for an independent brokerage to thrive. Under Rhonda Chambal's guidance, the company is transforming its technological infrastructure while maintaining its commitment to agent success. From their comprehensive intranet and advanced website features to their multimedia studio and social media strategies, each initiative reflects a thoughtful approach to modern brokerage management.

The brokerage's newly refreshed, sophisticated, user-friendly website and integrated all-in-one CRM platform represent the backbone of their technology and support offerings. By focusing on solutions that genuinely simplify agents' workflows, such as automated marketing tools, they've created a support system that allows agents to focus on building relationships rather than managing technology. Providing many specific training and collaboration opportunities surrounding DeltaNET and helping them input their clients and customers into the CRM, they are not just giving agents the tools they need to succeed, but making it easier for them to get started.

All in all, Delta Media Group's cutting-edge tools, strategic insights, and commitment to personalized support and innovation position Irongate REALTORS® to continue their legacy of excellence while embracing the future of real estate services.

To learn more about Irongate REALTORS®, visit irongaterealtors.com.