The NAR wants to defend it's monopoly. 

No desk fees or other costs involved other than my E & O Insurance and MLS, NAR dues.

I have to disagree (partially) with Chris MasonIf the Real Estate Agent is a Realtor, then, regardless of the state, he or she is precluded from giving legal advice as per NAR Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice Article 13 - While it might no be illegal (in some states as Chris Mason states) it will be an ethics violation and could be sanctioned accordingly.

I've been looking around for marketing advice and the plan of action that I've come up with for my first year consists of 100+ touches to potential sellers for 200/365 Days (Cold Calling, Door Knocking)20,000 Touches in 1 YearSetup profiles on Multiple RE Sites ()FOLLOW-UP ON LEADS USING E-MAIL, CONTACT WEEKLY or Bi-WeeklyJoin NAR & other beneficial organizationsBusiness CardsFloor Duty            What I truly want to do is use creative strategies to acquire 2-4 rental properties in the next year.

Courses offered by colleges, by CCIM, by NAR, by MBA, by ULI, by AI.4.

I don't know how much it is used outside of the NAR. 

These third parties entities like NAR or an MLS they could care less about.Some agents make up all kinds of things.

Im pretty sure that would violate the NAR code of ethics, which in many states has actually been codified into law.

Is this an MLS transaction (that is, are you using a NAR-affiliate-sponsored contract that is geared to single family homes), or do you have freedom to write a contract specific to this transaction?  

I am no cheerleader for the NAR, but Realtor designation can be advantageous to both agent and client for a number of reasons.