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“91% of US citizens have their mobile device within reach 24/7. And they are checking their phones an average of 150x a day!”

Hold on for a sec…I need to check my phone!

The post Responsive Web Design: It’s Not When, It’s Now appeared first on MyTechOpinion.

Agent Evolution Releases WordPress Themes for Real Estate

Both the Curb Appeal and Turn Key themes are responsive, fully customizable, include multiple widgets and are for use with the Genesis Framework.

The post New Responsive WordPress Child Themes for Real Estate appeared first on MyTechOpinion.

So take a listen, it most certainly is NOT a boring conversation. In fact, we hit all the most important topics: what #RTB means to me, killer real estate video, online and offline storefronts that rock, not so hands-free driving stories, passion and more passion, Ironman training, and of course my favorite topic…..WordPress!

Listen to NikNik on Blog Talk Radio

The post RTB Radio Wrap-Up appeared first on MyTechOpinion.

For you newrds,

Shkoff is just Italian slang for eat wholeheartedly, or pig out! I don’t say it nearly as good @bitchinkitchen, but I don’t get all worried about it.

The post Shkoff Your Social Media appeared first on MyTechOpinion.

If you’re going to the CAR Convention in Anaheim next week, be sure to register for YPN’s Evolve Conference! I get to emcee again this year and we’ve got a ton of exciting learning experiences planned! Not to mention some legit door prizes! And did someone say “dancing”….

The post CAR YPN Evolve Conference 2012 appeared first on MyTechOpinion.

The post Block Avenue Launches! appeared first on MyTechOpinion.

Dashter was recently launched by some incredibly smart folks, one of which I’m lucky enough to call a friend…that would be Jeff Turner. I’ve known Jeff for many years as a well-voiced blogger, poignant?speaker, innovative?entrepreneur and he’s not too bad on the dance floor!

Now?I could skip right to telling you how to use it. Which might get you to try it, for a bit, before throwing your hands up in frustration over the latest shiny object. Or, I could just tell you why I love this new tool, and why you should too. Which might actually get you to use it with delight or better yet… make it your own social content “weapon of choice”.

If you utilize your WordPress site as your content hub for your expertise and business online and you rock Twitter as a key communication spoke…then you will understand the value in Dashter immediately. After installing this handy plugin you’ll be excited to see Twitter fully integrated within the WordPress admin, giving you one place to curate and create content…while also cultivating new relationships.

Post setup, I found myself listening more closely to those who have similar interests, as well as the folks that truly enjoy the type of content I share. So I was encouraged to be their “Little Helper” with Dashter’s Queue and Bookmarketlet features which enable the user to drip content consistently.

Another reason Dashter rocks is that I can easily manage my own content sharing, while also curating content found elsewhere right here on my own WordPress site. ?Actually, while writing this post I was also tweeting with Jeff about another “Weapon of Choice” via Fatboy Slim :

Nicole Nicolay – @nik_nik
@jeffturner I was sending bday dance grams w/ Vanilla Ice & Scooby Do but you were really hoping for #weaponofchoice? http://t.co/5wxGVm1z

Jeff Turner – @jeffturner
@nik_nik yes. Yes, I was.

Nicole Nicolay – @nik_nik
@jeffturner Is that because YOUR VOICE is your #weaponofchoice or just because you like dancing to the rockin’ beat of the song?

Jeff Turner – @jeffturner
@nik_nik I like watching the video.

So you know a few reasons why I love Dashter now. Oh wait…I almost forgot the most important one…it’s FUN! And if you’re not for making what you do more fun everyday…then you’re reading the wrong blog.

And since you’re still here…I’ll take a guess you’re all about loving what you do…and doing what you love. ?So I want to invite you to register for “Bringing the FUN Back to Blogging”, a FREE 30 minute Webinar, this Wedneday April 25th, 11am PST. I’ll be your happy host, eager to interview Jeff Turner and show you how and why you might want to install the Dashter plugin on your own WordPress site.

MyTechOpinion:

If you think “weapon of choice” sounds a bit defensive. It is. You don’t have to look for too long on any social channel these days to find self serving and spammy content headed your way. But that doesn’t mean you have to indulge them, or worse, engage in that way. Instead, you could arm yourself with something that helps you cut the crap….your own voice. ?Remember what you post…and how you interact online defines who you are, just as your physical actions do in the “real world”. ?So let your voice be heard with content rich in relevance, delivered with purpose, to those people who seek it and really appreciate it.

The post Weapon of Choice: Dashter appeared first on MyTechOpinion.

Heather and I have known each other since WAY BACK?during the good ole RE.net days when blogging was all the talk! And it was shortly after starting in real estate in 2004 that Heather also started her blog, LocoMusings.com. A writer at heart, a bit of a techy, and a lover of her community?she shared it all with great posts and photos on a WordPress.org blog she set up herself.

Over the years, Heather?s business grew and so did her Website. ?She recognized the need for more features to provide additional value to her community and potential clients. ?So Heather added an IDX home search solution, as well as market data and trends. ?Because Heather had selected the WordPress platform, she was easily able to add new features in the form of plugins.

In addition to new features, Heather added social media to the mix and integrated social share controls to her site. By doing this Heather gives her readers the power to post her great content to their own networks in social channels like Facebook and Twitter.

Heather?s site has adapted time and again, an evolutionary Web strategy, which continually seeks ways to deliver what her community wants and needs. But not so long ago Heather realized it was time make a dramatic upgrade, one that would continue giving her the ability to better communicate and highlight her expertise and feature set, not to mention all her content!!!

Heather had published a ton of written posts and photos showcasing a number of the neighborhoods in her local market. It was time to reorganize or reformat all that helpful content to create a better experience for her visitors.?Heather needed some technical back-up?and our AgentEVO team was, of course, more than happy to help!

So hot off our servers?Heather has launched the NEW LoCoMusings.com! Here’s a quick before & after:

I have to give her a lot of credit!!! This amazing woman had more than tinkered with her WordPress site?she had created a professional Website and cultivated a community following. ?But Heather is not a Web developer. She is a real estate professional. So I?m honored?that after many years of building her own site, Heather let us build her a new one. It?s got the same heart and soul?and local expertise, just a fresh face on a rockin? platform!

If you?d like to learn more about Heather?s background and expertise, check out her #agentEVO ROCKSTAR Profile OR join us for our Webinar this Wednesday, ?Finding Your Voice?And Buyers & Sellers?. ?Heather will be sharing how she generates business via her WordPress site by blogging with a content strategy.

The post The Site That Heather Built appeared first on MyTechOpinion.

I recently met an amazing speaker named Craig Zablocki who was extremely spontaneous onstage. He read the crowd well and rolled with their responses naturally. And being a lifelong learner you know I had to pick his brain! So after his presentation I asked him if he could give me some tips as I?m always looking to raise my game. He of course said sure?little did I know he was looking for some social media marketing help. So we decided to meet after our event and trade knowledge!

After an hour of coaching him on social media strategy?.Craig shared some suggestions to help me become a more spontaneous speaker.? And the end of our meeting we decided to give each other a checklist of actions. Actions each of us could take to dive in to the skills we wanted and needed to learn. And trust me?his list for me was far worse than mine! ?He suggested actions like (1) wear a plastic boogger while shopping at Nordstrom and (2) the next time I fly (which was this last weekend) I should get my entire row to sing a nursery rhyme with me. (By the way?I used the intercom to accomplish that action! Thanks @VirginAmerica)

Clearly these are things outside of my normal comfort zone. But that was the point. To Craig, sending a tweet with a shortlink sounded like something you feed a bird. But in that moment both of us realized that in order to become more confident with the tools and concepts we wanted to learn?we had to practice using them.

So when I was asked by the Women?s Council of REALTORS ? California Chapter to give a keynote sharing some technology trends for 2012 I couldn?t very well give them concepts without ACTIONS! The 12 I suggested are in my slides below! And here?s hoping you?ll take some ACTION with something that makes you uncomfortable today?but gives you a little more confidence each time you give it a try!

The post Taking Action for Your Business Means You Have to Get Uncomfortable appeared first on MyTechOpinion.

You’re clearly here because you care about your Facebook friends. You want to listen, learn from, help and contribute! I like you already! So brush up on your Facebook “best practices” and make these 5 resolutions to improve your Facebook engagement (if you haven’t already).

(1) ? No more whining about the timeline?just accept it already. We all know Facebook makes changes, so get used to them. ?HOW we share will always evolve…but WHAT we share is specific to who we are. It’s time to take responsibility for the communication tool we find so helpful…and so fun!

(2) ? Stop sharing images with words on them?especially when they?ve been shared 14 other times in your network already. Instead, use the status bar and text, or your own photos to illustrate your thoughts, comical ideas, or motivational phrases.

(3) ? Don?t encourage bad behavior. If you don?t like how someone continually asks for ?likes? then don?t like the post already. If you think its lame when people ask really cheesy questions?then don?t eat the brie. But remember you are on Facebook to be social, right?! So own your interactions?and engage in a way that feels comfortable to you.

(4) ? Stop overposting!!! You know who you are. And we are tired of your 15 posts a day. It?s annoying?if we want to see you that much we?ll call you and meet for coffee. Blocking and unfriending happens.

(5) ? Be original. Be who you are?nothing more, nothing less.? Share what you are truly passionate about when it comes to work, to family, to kids, to life. Know that most of us enjoy a balance of posts that reflect your interests and yes, your professional life too. BUT rather than offering up self-serving quotations from Brainy Smurf?.really?I mean, REALLY?think about how you can help others in the New Year.? And stop trying to make everyone happy?you can?t. Focus on your niche expertise.

MyTechOpinion: Pause before you post. (I did, really.) But once you commit?be ready to ROCK it!

The post 5 Resolutions I Wish Facebook Users Would Make in the New Year appeared first on MyTechOpinion.

One of the best ways to support your content planning is by bookmarking resources you can turn to for (1) curating quality or relevant articles and other media, (2) creating content of your own, and of course (3) consuming content to stay current within your area of expertise.

I’m sure you already have favorite websites you visit on a regular basis, so be sure to bookmark them in your browser, homepage, rss reader, twitter list, Google+ Sparks, etc. (Whatever format works best for you and can keep you organized.)

Alright, ready to learn more about resources that can help you easily create and share content on the Web, I thought so….

Don’t miss all 8 videos (and steps) for Developing a Content Marketing Plan!

[VIDEO] Developing a Content Marketing Plan: Step 1- Strategize

[VIDEO] Developing a Content Marketing Plan: Step 2 – Brainstorm

The post [VIDEO] Developing Your Content Marketing Plan: Step 3 – Bookmark appeared first on MyTechOpinion.

In step 1 toward “Developing Your Content Marketing Plan” I asked you to strategize, which involved answering 2 important questions: (1) what do you have to offer and (2) what do your potential clients need from you? By answering these 2 questions you can begin to pinpoint your expertise and focus on your messaging…or what you plan to share, post, and tweet online.

And since I know you’re ready for more, let’s expand upon your expertise into other areas you’re passionate about. It’s time for step 2…it’s time to “brainstorm”.

Be sure to check out all 8 videos (or 8 steps) for ?Developing YOUR Content Marketing Plan?! Missed video #1? No worries, watch Developing Your Content Marketing Plan: Step 1 – Strategize now!

The post [VIDEO] Developing Your Content Marketing Plan: Step 2 ? Brainstorm appeared first on MyTechOpinion.

Does the way you communicate online best reflect your personality?.your passion?.your profession? ??Have you ever stepped back from posting to consider how your actions and words impact your network? Or do they make no impact at all? Stop going through the motions and communicate more effectively by creating your own content marketing plan.

Let?s start with step 1, which is to ?strategize??.or pinpoint what you have to offer (aka your expertise), as well as how to provide that expertise in an interesting and useful way to your potential clients.

Don?t miss all 8 videos (or 8 steps) for ?Developing YOUR Content Marketing Plan?!

The post [VIDEO] Developing Your Content Marketing Plan: Step 1 ? Strategize appeared first on MyTechOpinion.

But it seems like every time I get booked to speak at an event (lately), I?m inevitably asked to ?work a little bit of iPad? into my presentation. Back to sexy and shiny again, which is fine to a point. But if you?ve seen me speak you know I focus more on substance, less on tools.

That?s not to say I don?t love my tools (iPhone, iPad, MacBook Air, etc). But they will evolve?which means I must always be ready to adapt. And I must always be ready to learn new ways to share my expertise with those who need it and want it.

No, I don?t have a tool strategy

Which brings me to why I don?t have a tool strategy (social strategy, content strategy, distribution strategy?.yes, yes, and yes). But no tool strategy?I rock more of a tool mantra. A little reminder I can recite to myself when a take on a new tool. Mine goes like this, ?I promise not to drop you in the toilet or leave you in a limo.? True stories.

In all seriousness though, it IS important to keep in mind why you selected your current tools. Do they improve communication with your sphere? Do they improve your productivity? If the answer is yes to both, then you?ve selected wisely. If not, then it?s time to upgrade or reassess.

Another reason your shiny new tool may be working against you is because it is just that?a tool (with clearly no purpose).

It?s ALL in the application

A tool becomes an integral element in your business when it fulfills a purpose. With the iPad, there are many ways it can enhance the transaction process and day to day real estate related activities. But the question I?m asked more often than not, is how to effectively use the iPad for a listing presentation.

And perhaps some of you would enjoy my tips on formatting and features in Power Point or Keynote. But rather than get lost in minor details, let?s focus on what you have to offer (to your potential client). Moreover, could you enhance what you already share in your presentation with a new resource? I bet you could?you overachiever!

To YOU, bringing your iPad to the appointment is not enough. YOU actually want to demonstrate your expertise in a valuable way with your iPad. YOU understand that your iPad is a teaching aid?giving you the power to become a trusted advisor by showing what you know.

And one of the best ways to support your expertise is with data, specifically listing information, comparables, charts and reports. Fortunately, I know one resource that provides all that along with 147 million property records, the Realtors Property Resource or ?RPR?. Yes, I?m closely affiliated with their Director of Marketing and Social Media. That aside, those of you with access to RPR know exactly how amazing the information, graphs, saved searches, heat maps, etc. are!

If RPR is not in your area, get involved and make that happen. If it is in your area, you have no excuse?not to be using this valuable information in your next listing presentation.

The RPR reports are extremely detailed giving you the ability to highlight key indicators and trends with your clients. More importantly, you can use the information to support your expertise and better position yourself as a trusted advisor. FYI- All RPR reports can be emailed in PDF format and opened on the iPad using GoodReader, PerfectReader and iBooks. Check out @ReggieRPR?s how-to video for more details.

MyTechOpinion

Sexy and shiny may get your clients to the table, but it?s demonstrating your expertise that sustains their appetite. So go ahead, grab a free iPad (or just buy one at the Apple Store)?but use it with purpose!

The post Go Ahead, Grab a Free iPad appeared first on MyTechOpinion.

We know this because you made AgentPress not only a top seller among real estate themes, but among all themes available to WordPress users.

Brian Gardner, Founder of StudioPress and creator of AgentPress says, “It’s been a top seller in the StudioPress gallery for the last 18 months”.

We also know that you were ready for some changes, and so AgentPress has evolved. The new version launches today and our Agent Evolution team is proud to have had the opportunity to collaborate again with Brian on this latest release.

GREATER FUNCTIONALITY

The most notable difference from the first version to the new AgentPress is with how listing management is integrated. ?Listings are now entered as custom post types via the accompanied AgentPress Listings Plugin (which you can download for free). FYI- Integrating your listings via the plugin makes this data portable to future theme upgrades. ?This new functionality makes blogging your listings easier and more systematized.

FLEXIBLE DESIGN

The AgentPress 2.0 design is sleek and extremely flexible. It comes in 5 colors, but of course you can always rock custom design and branding. ?So whether you?re an exclusive listing agent highlighting beach front property with amazing photos and video, or a community focused blogger posting content on a regular basis?AgentPress is modular so you can add and remove what you need to fit your marketing strategy.

HOME PAGE IMAGE 1

HOME PAGE IMAGE 2

The above example showcases just one version of the new layout. You decide what you want to feature: listings, communities, blog articles, etc. Isn’t it about time your website was designed with features and content that meet your business goals, and deliver value to your clients? We think so.

In fact, Chad Johnson, President and COO of Agent Evolution says, “The move to AgentPress 2.0 is all about flexibility. The homepage layout is flexible enough to allow major changes without touching a line of code. And the listing plugin makes it easier for new features to be added with a one-click upgrade.”

Another benefit of ?the AgentPress theme is that it’s built on the Genesis Framework. So it’s now possible to have a website that is lightweight and search engine optimized without bulky plugins slowing your load times.

WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE

If you’re a do-it-yourself, check the the AgentPress tutorials provided by Brian. But if you’re in the have-it-done camp, give us a shout and we’d be happy to consult with you on your website goals.

The post AgentPress 2.0: It’s All About Flexibility appeared first on MyTechOpinion.

And I?m in prep mode and excited to be taking part. You see, Inman and MTO go WAY back. Well, back to 2005 when we started this blog. One of the great resources we found as new bloggers was Inman News, along with an extremely collaborative group of fellow bloggers.

I still remember the first Connect I attended and how I was inspired by finally meeting those I had been following online for months. ?Yes, the halls of the Connect boast some of the greatest networking opportunities, but it?s the sessions bringing us a variety of talented leaders and speakers with innovative ideas and technologies that keep us coming back every year!

Of course we?ll be there in full effect this year! And by we, I mean ?Reggie, Chad and I. All the action begins Monday, July 25th at the?Data Summit,. Look for Reggie, he’ll be there with the RPR team. ?I?ll be taking the stage as emcee at Agent Reboot on Tuesday and as moderator of the Internet Marketing Bootcamp on Wednesday.?And our very own paparazzi, Chad, is the official photographer for the week?s events. So if you see a really tall, WordPress fanatic carrying a giant camera come your way?chances are, it?s Chad. So, stop and say hi, pose for a photo or just look natural!

Go ahead, take the Animoto time machine back to Connects past?.

[wpvideo jdM21WtO w=600]

The post An Epic Week in Real Estate appeared first on MyTechOpinion.

I?m excited to announce I?ll be sharing my WordPress expertise online via a series of upcoming classes?available to?you, for free!

This will be a great opportunity if you?re ready for a Website with more freedom and functionality.? Or maybe you?ve been hearing how WordPress assists you in your overall marketing plan? Whatever the case, I?ll be providing a Webinar series is for those of you that are new to WordPress and ready to navigate this powerful platform.

Each Webinar will take place on a Wednesday at 11am PDT. The first 30 minutes will be a presentation given by yours truly, with an extra 15 minute segment from 11:30-11:45 dedicated to you and your WP questions. In fact, Chad Johnson (Co-Founder & COO – Agent Evolution) will be joining me during this time to provide his technical expertise.

So go ahead, register now for one or all of the upcoming classes! It?s time to get your blog on!

July 6 ? 11am Pacific: WordPress for Real Estate 101: Why WordPress?

Learn why real estate professionals are choosing WordPress for their professional Website, but also as a marketing command center. Understand the differences between both WordPress platforms, how to get started and where to turn for help!

July 20 ? 11am Pacific: WordPress for Real Estate 102: Developing YOUR Content Strategy

Every real estate professional possesses a unique combination of knowledge, expertise and interests. So isn?t it about time your real estate Website reflect that combination?! ?Learn how to differentiate yourself online by creating relevant content (aka: blog posts) that positions you as a trusted advisor, generating you more business!

August 10 ? 11am Pacific: WordPress for Real Estate 103: Post & Promote

Learn how to post your articles and videos on your WordPress site, as well as how to promote your relevant content via social media and traditional communication channels. Get a step by step guide to optimize your sharing via Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, YouTube, email, and even print!

Looking to get started with your own WordPress site? Contact the Agent Evolution team! We can help!

The post FREE WordPress for Real Estate Webinar Series appeared first on MyTechOpinion.

Of course it?s a wonderful thing to improve user experience on your site. But it shouldn?t come at price?which is often a bloated blog with a slow load time. Nobody wants that! So, whether you?re new to WordPress or looking to optimize site performance I?ve narrowed my list of favorite plugins down to the must-haves and organized them into 5 categories. Take a look?

(1)?IDX Home Search:

Make it easy for your users to search for and find real estate in your local market. Diverse Solutions and IDXBroker are as good as it gets! Both offer easy home search integration, but Diverse takes it a step further with their IDXPress Plugin which literally puts the MLS on your blog!

(2) Lead Gen Forms:

So whatcha, whatcha, whatcha want, whatcha want!? Whether you?re offering a CMA, other market data, a newsletter or just yourself via contact info?make sure your visitors can get what they want. Use Gravity Forms, Pop Up Domination, or the MailChimp List Subscribe Form to create the perfect lead generation opportunity on your site!

(3) Market Data:

If you?re creating neighborhood pages or want to become a regular source of market trend data consider adding: Altos Research or Simple Real Estate Pack.This type of content is an extremely valuable for helping consumers digest market trends in their local area. It?s also a great way to supplement other written or video content you create.

(4)?Site Performance:

What good is a beautiful site with robust content and features if you can?t access it! So be sure you?re backing up your site regularly (should anything every happen) with Backup Buddy and ensure your site has a faster load time with W3 Total Cache.

(5)?Social Integration:

Not only do share controls help you promote and track your own content, but you?re also providing that important functionality to your site visitors. Give them the power to tell others about a great resource they know?.you! Consider adding share controls with purpose. Send content to the obvious places with Facebook Likes and Twitter Shares. You may also want to try out Google?s new +1 button. And don?t be afraid to go oldschool with a “Print this Post ” type of feature. Some of us still enjoy printing for reference or sharing with a friend. To create your own mashup of share controls, check out the options available from Jetpack.

I should also mention that smart WP developers (aka Chad Johnson & Dave Bonds) can add share controls like the Facebook Share & Like buttons, and even Google’s +1 by coding them directly into the template.

Chad Johnson (COO, Agent Evolution) says, ?This provides the same functionality with less overhead than a plugin.?

And Dave Bonds (Director of Web Design, Agent Evolution) adds, ?We do it that way because you can’t always control where the plugin will put the button, so we make it easy by grouping them all together.?

MyTechOpinion:

Clearly you don?t need all of the mentioned plugins. You might find some work better than others depending on your WordPress theme, which is why I ALWAYS recommend the Genesis Framework w/ the AgentPress Theme. So take a look at the current state of your site and pick one category from above that you could improve on! And just do it!

The post 5 Types of WordPress Plugins for Real Estate Sites appeared first on MyTechOpinion.

And if you’d rather get to the point than watch me dance in yet another video, read on.

So what’s my take on the ?ROI in Social Media”?

First, let me remind us of the obvious. Social media channels like Facebook, Twitter and the lot, are little or no cost to you at all.

Yes, they take time and effort?but doesn?t EVERY good marketing strategy?!

And it?s true?time is money. And many will say that social media takes too much time. Well, not if you?re using it in an effective manner. In fact, social media can enhance what you?re already doing with your marketing by driving consumers back to you (your info, your expertise, your knowledge, your website).

In terms of measuring your efforts:

Start with goals and objectives, make a plan, block your time and give yourself tasks to complete, and use the RIGHT tools to measure what you do.

What do you measure:

It could be numbers (like followers, friends, & likes) but I?m not always a fan of numbers alone.? It could be the level of engagement taking place, and it can also be leads you receive via the various channels you?re participating in.

What can be difficult to measure:

New relationships being facilitated and maintained, and the level of trust being established with your targets.? And sometimes it?s difficult to know EXACTLY what you did to make the phone ring?or emails, tweets, and FB messages roll in?but they do?and they will.

What do I do:

I think about what I want to accomplish? Then, tie my goals and objectives to specific actions?and see what happens.

MyTechOpinion:

I?ll tell you this much?”you get what you give“. So, start giving?your expertise, your knowledge, your thoughts, and your insights.? Success won?t happen overnight?but I KNOW you?ll be surprised by what comes back to you. I am?EVERY single day!

The post Social Media ROI: You Get What You Give appeared first on MyTechOpinion.