the CRS...I previously referred only to CRS agents....

I would have to say CRS

I have a license to thrill...that's all I know

John Marshall - FORE! - I'd say, none for me, at least.....and I do not plan to add any more alphabets at the end of my name.

The most beneficial was "Broker", which is not a designation but is something that helped me become a much better Realtor.  

My CRS, by far the best designation both for referring and referrals and tools to use.

Hi John, My CRS brought 18 leads one year alone, but not all closed that year.   Less leads come in now since everyone can find an agent on the Internet.    The public doesn't understand the alphabets behind your name until you explain the classes you have taken to further your knowledge base!

CRS by a long shot!

CRS for residential and doing CCIM training for commerical.

John Marshall - FORE! Not a designation, but being a Broker carries the most weight with the consumer world.

I like my CRS because of the referrals and I enjoy the ongoing education aspects..

It's not necessarily the designation but the education that you are getting. To me the GRI would be the best course to take and next would be CRS. 

The designation that is best is the one you work.

Of the 112 designations that can be purchased, 112 have NO meaning to the public. There is a gigantic education requirement to benefit by  exploiting CDPE today.  Or pick any of the remaining 111.

However, BROKER, suggests to the public a professional who has attained more than an agent or REALTOR. 

The BROKER designation identifies the bigger dog in the fight.

My broker's license by a mile. It changed my bottom line and the autonomy with which I could run my own business. 

CRS ~ best classes and best referrals.

I have CRS, CRB, ABR, and GRI and other than having credentials I can't say that any of them matter. What really mattered was my MBA, as that really opened doors. I suggest work on your education, not designations.

Good morning John. I used to have a bunch when I was in the business, but got rid of all of them, as I could never see anyone doing business with me because of them.

CRS has been my most beneficial. I am giving up the ABR designation because it is not longer exclusive and is watered down. 

I have none and not one client has ever asked me for any in 16+ years

I'm not a fan of the designations.  They only make sense to me if you are marketing yourself to other agents or brokers.  The general public doesn't know a CRS from an ePro from a "sanitation engineer."  The general public, in my experience, doesn't even know the difference between realtor and Realtor.

With that said, go for the ones that will give you knowledge to increase your business or make you more confident in an existing line of business.  Just don't expect someone to hire you because you have initials after your name.

RSPS because resort and second homes are the majority of my market.

None, but I do have a few Forestry designations and they do bring in business, both in forestry and real estate.

CRS, for the education, plus giving and gaining referrals around the country

John - I am a big fan of education, and being at the top of your game, but not a big fan of designations. I would say not to worry about the designation and get the training you feel would best benefit you in your business.

Seems that it has been one more way to make money off of agents. I had a few, and gave them all up when the fees started to mount. No real value.

It seems like the general public doesn't care which or how many designations an agent has. Looks like CRS is most popular answer.

Gosh, that's been a question I've pondered myself.  Do I go for the GRI, spend the money, spend the time . . . does it matter?  I know some very successful agents that have nothing behind their name.

John,
“In house” designations GRI, CRS, etc. are very worthy but I find are not understood or appreciated by the general public. My ALHS (Accredited Luxury Home Specialist) and CNE (Certified Negotiation Expert) are understood by the public as well as the fact that I’m a broker/owner.

No designation; however I think having a brokers is a better route.

agent.

 Good morning John. Interesting question. I will have to investigate some of this myself.

I don't think any have been very valuable. GRI was helpful as I did most of those classes my first year so I still learned a lot, I dont advertise any of my designations though.

Hi, John...None have given a return on investment that I've seen. I have many designations. I don't do them for glory. I love the education. 

OK...here's a story. I was at the CO state convention. I heard an agent behind me in some line talking to someone that wasn't me. She said...I won't refer an agent to another agent that doesn't have the GRI. I can see her point. At this point in my career, I didn't have the GRI. I was a fairly new agent. 

I've since taken the GRI course. You don't have to pay a yearly renewal fee. The course is extensive, and they give you three years to complete it. I did it in one summer. It covers everything. At least it did at the time I took it. It's a great course and very comprehensive. 

John,

I have not heard any positive feedback, except for one from one individual and that was the CRS badge.  Since then, 3 years ago, it has not helped and she abandonned it. A

REALTOR.  It is a well branded, well recognized term.

Few home owners cared for your designation. So I put my mba which is not a designation.

If I want to do more commercial, business I will get a CCIM and J.D. 

I do not have any designations, I learn on the street.

CPM, Certified Property Manager. I developed a large property management portfolio.