Placing all your listings on the Internet is one way to give them exposure, but what if you do not have any listings? You want to receive e-mails and phone calls requesting your assistance, but if you have nothing to sell but your services, you will get very little response.

In the year 2000 the National Association of Realtors® issued a ruling that allows their agents to advertise each other's listings on their Web sites. Originally called broker reciprocity, this system is now known as Internet data exchange, or IDX.

Many MLS services around the country now allow you to share all of their data on your Web site. This gives you the ability to link to the entire MLS while keeping people within your Web site, which means that the calls and e-mails can come to you.

You will be required to give credit to the agent or company who actually has the listing, but their information will be less prominent as it shows up within your personal site. Check with your MLS provider to see if they have a simple way of linking to your site. If they do not there are several IDX services that can help you.

As the Internet continues to change, the rules set out by your state division of real estate or your local Board of Realtors® will change as well. Be sure to stay informed as the evolution of IDX and other services available to agents continues.