Real Estate Marketing Blog | Real Estate Websites | Fairfield CT

How to add the Google +1 Button to your website or blog

admin — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 17:00:16 +0000

Those +1 buttons you're seeing on search results didn't make a lot of sense to me because how can you recommend a site you just found in search results without having visited the site? Now you can put the Google +1 button on your website. This makes a lot of sense. Here's how to get yours:

Add the Google +1 Button to your website
Copy and paste the +1 code snippet from Google into your web page.

Add the Google +1 Button to your WordPress website
Download and install the Google +1 Button WordPress Plugin

You can install this through your WordPress Plugins, Add New, search "Google +1 Button" Install and activate.

Insert the shortcode on your posts and pages:

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The solution for real estate agents that don’t have time to blog

admin — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 05:18:53 +0000

The Agent Reboot real estate conference today was the perfect inspiration to get me focused on my goals for the new year. Not because I learned about some cool new tech toy, app or social network but because it reinforced what I already know. The event confirmed that the products, services and advice I offer is on track to help you meet your goals for increased business in 2011.

Big emphasis on niche marketing, lifestyle marketing and the importance of the WordPress blogging platform for agents.

I’ve been known to say, “Think Pottery Barn” I didn’t know it had a fancy name like “lifestyle marketing”! but that’s totally what I meant. As for niche, I’ve absolutely talked to you about this even as far back as 14 years ago. This is because I think in terms of search engine optimization. Google likes it because this is the way people search. This is a no-brainer.

Also discussed: How often they hear agents say “I don’t have time to blog”.
Here’s the solution: call it marketing instead of blogging. I loved that! Imagine saying, “I don’t have time to market?” Yikes!

I get it though, I’m too busy working in my business to work on my business (it’s also more fun to work on someone else’s stuff) so I’ve been working on an additional solution to make it easier for you & help out a bit with SEO content for your WordPress website.

You’re probably sick of hearing me talk about “keyword phrases” and how you need to be creating local content that includes your local keywords etc. It's a challenge, I know and I’m constantly thinking about how to help you with this, short of creating content for you myself.

I’m introducing a WordPress IDX solution. This is an SEO IDX advanced integration to display niche listings (search engine optimized) so these listings compilations can get indexed in Google for your local/niche keyword phrases.

I haven’t updated my website yet with the details (my website is like the shoemakers barefooted family) but you can see a demo here: WordPress IDX Demo

Additional services I’m already doing for clients but have neglected to detail on my website include:

Mobile Marketing & Mobile Landing Pages, Custom Facebook Landing Pages, SEO: Improving backlinks, social media marketing, training & consulting.

I’m putting it out there for accountability that I’ll be updating my website with more details about these services. Let me know in the comments below about your real estate marketing goals for 2011.

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Use QR Codes to WOW your tech savvy sellers.

admin — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 17:39:10 +0000

A QR code (quick response code) is simply a bar code that sends a mobile device to a specific website URL. So for example if you offer a QR code on a listing flier a homebuyer can scan it with their phone and the app will show the URL which they can open in a browser and/or share via SMS & email. QR codes can can also be used to send your contact info to a mobile device.

Creating a QR code is easy and FREE!! QR code generators:

http://beqrious.com/generator

http://qrcode.kaywa.com/

Or Google QR code generator to find more.

Some ideas for Using QR codes:

Sign riders
Listing fliers and on the flier box
In your listing presentation
Office window
Business card
Newspaper & print ads

Are you already using QR codes? Please share your ideas in the reply below.

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Facebook traffic tops Google. Don’t miss out on this opportunity.

admin — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 16:35:32 +0000

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Facebook topped Google to become the most visited U.S. Web site last week, indicating a shift in how Americans are searching for content.

"It shows content sharing has become a huge driving force online," said Matt Tatham, director of media relations at Hitwise. "People want information from friends they trust, versus the the anonymity of a search engine."

According to CNN Facebook will be the #1 source of traffic in 2011, and I want to make sure I know what to do. I'll be participating in Black Friday Bootcamp which is a 3 hour training on Facebook Traffic Domination.

Sneaky Facebook Ad Tricks
Facebook Pages Voodoo
Facebook for Mobile Traffic
Explosive Facebook Contest
Facebook SEO

This is a LIVE training and it’s just $7 because Ryan is giving 100% of the registration fee to Make-a-Wish. He has pledged to raise $50,000 in one day.

If you want to learn how to get some of that Facebook traffic to your website then join me at Black Friday Bootcamp. I'm pretty sure it will be more profitable than the mall scene!

Here's the link that explains everything: http://goo.gl/BFvGg

Please visit my Facebook business page: http://facebook.com/realestateweb

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Hyperlocal Real Estate Marketing

admin — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 03:49:50 +0000

Google loves blogs because of their clean architecture and frequently updated, focused content. The archived content, the comments, permalinks (other sites linking back) etc. The blogging platform is also conducive to social media platforms (social sharing, bookmarking, tweeting etc) which is good for Google rank. Frequently updated, focused content = SEO.

Your content and headlines provide keyword search engine optimization. Google is very good at delivering the best results for a given search. Your content must be among the best results. The challenge is that real estate keywords are very competitive. The good news is that most of your competitors make the mistake of shouting out to everyone (trying to attract a broad audience)

Hyper local content is the secret to ranking high in Google.

Here are some ideas for content: Posts about what’s happening in your neighborhood (real estate) new buildings, new developments, tear downs, proposed construction, shopping centers, businesses etc.

What’s happening in the community: Schools opening, closing, expanding. Playground or skate park proposals, downtown merchant goings on. Budgets, taxes, hearings.

Photos & video: Local parks, beaches, hiking places, famous residents, local landmarks with descriptions etc.

Polls: Do polls on everything from the best pizza place to the best sleigh riding hill.

Guest posts from attorneys, mortgage brokers, interior designers, builders etc.

Guide to: neighborhoods, condominiums, a rental and/or vacation rental guide etc.

Market statistics (not just the numbers. Give an overview of what’s happening in your neighborhood)

Keep in mind also that you're not creating content for Google, you're creating content for real people. Keep an actual person, your ideal client, in mind when developing your content. You have an opportunity to develop relationships and build trust through your website.

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Did you say you want to send email blasts?

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:07:14 +0000

Are you trying to, thinking about, or getting frustrated with setting up an email blast? Every time a client calls me to say they want help with setting up their "email blast" I cringe. You can't do this with Outlook, web mail, Mac mail etc. This is not appropriate for a distribution list or a bunch of blind CC's.

It's not really even appropriate to call it an "email blast". You might as well say to me, "I want you to to help me be an email spammer!"

Today I received (synchronicity!) an email newsletter from Mail Chimp that starts like this:

So you’re the IT guy at some company, and the marketing team is bugging you to put together “an email blaster thingy” so they can send email marketing campaigns. First of all, if they actually used the word “blast” you need to immediately revoke all their internet access, and go ahead and punch them in the gut. As head of IT, you’re pretty much obligated to do that. full article

I'm not an IT GUY and I'm certainly not going to punch anyone, but I am the "go-to gal" when it comes to internet marketing, web hosting, email and anything baffling to do with a computer or the internet.I was relieved to see I'm not being paranoid when I tell people not to send email blasts. I always recommend setting up an opt-in list and using a professional service like Mail Chimp or Constant Contact etc.

The obvious advantage to using a service like MailChimp for your "email communications" is that they are branded and look professional. The not so obvious advantage is that it helps you to be in compliance with the CAN SPAM ACT.

For instance did you know you could be sued for these 2 simple mistakes?

Forgetting to include physical mailing address in the email footer
Failure to properly clean unsubscribers from a list

Read up on the rules before you start your mailing campaign:

Then sign up for a Forever Free plan at Mail Chimp and start a meaningful communication with your clients.

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Are you ignoring your IDX internet lead opportunities?

admin — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:48:12 +0000

Real estate IDX is a great lead generation tool for your agent or broker website but don't make the mistake in thinking it's a passive lead generating tool. While email updates are sent to subscribers automatically and it's terrific that visitors will receive your branded emails with the listings they want to see daily, it may not be enough to earn a new client.

Converting a "lead" into a "client" is about people and relationships, earning trust, being helpful and providing value. An automated system providing new listings daily provides a service but remember, this service is available on virtually all broker sites and many agent sites. If someone signs up for this service on your site, consider yourself privileged to have obtained that lead and follow up personally to add value and build trust.

It's really not much different than floor duty. You know how some agents seem to consistently "luck-out" on floor duty? Those agents know how to make appointments... they're making their own luck.

To add value think about what isn't available in the automated emails. First thing that comes to my mind is price reductions and days on market. This info is only available when working with a real estate sales professional. Narrowing down a list of properties in a price range to a specific school district or other more personal criteria that isn't available from a general IDX search. (cul-de sacs, walk to town, beach , train, etc.) Best deals, best values, like that really well priced home on the block with larger more expensive homes.

The agents who boast how many clients they get from their web sites are just like those duty-desk agents. They know how to recognize opportunity, follow through and make their own luck.

Free Virtual Tours

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A clear purpose for your website

admin — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 16:28:14 +0000

The National Association of Realtors has developed a comprehensive web site with a clear message for a specific audience.

The message: Everything you need to know to enhance the value of your home.

Target audience: Responsible Proactive Homeowners

NAR had a huge budget to research their market (13 studies, thousands of realtors & consumers) and consulted with the best of the best and so on... This is what they came up with:

Personal, informative information that would make their target audience "want" to engage. Their website strategy: Give the consumers tools and resources they need to actively and easily manage their home investment and to become "Home Smart".

Watch the presentation if you want to see the step by step process of developing an informational website for a target audience with the goal of making homeowners want to engage in a relationship.

Apply these principles to your own blog.

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Ask questions to engage your readers

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:22:17 +0000

via: Problogger.com 7 Questions to Ask On Your Blog to Get More Reader Engagement.

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I don’t care about you. What’s in it for me?

admin — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:59:48 +0000

When it comes to writing engaging content, “you” is the most powerful word in the English language, because people are ultimately interested in fulfilling their own needs.

via The Two Most Important Words in Blogging | Copyblogger.

I am not a lead

The Cluetrain Manifesto "We are not seats or eyeballs or end users or consumers. We are human beings - and our reach exceeds your grasp, deal with it.

The WeWe Monitor Customer Focus Calculator Enter your URL and copy name or your name to see your WeWE score. (ha ha I said wewe)

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