1. Update your business cards with your social profiles
2. Sponsor a local event or fundraiser
3. Create swag- t-shirts, pens, etc. & give them away to clients and friends
4. Attend and/or host local meetups & tweetups
5. Get a vanity plate for your car
6. Focus on word of mouth wherever you go (grocery store, hair salon, etc.) & carry those business cards
7. Create or sponsor a local business or resource guide
8. Mail hand written client appreciation & thank you cards
9. Create a neighborhood newsletter/ “weekender” (mail or walk it)
10. Direct mailers with comps & social profile callouts (offer a coupon/deal)
Email Marketing
11. Create a drip email campaign, focusing on your niche (offer tips & advice)
12. Send a weekly or monthly email newsletter
13. Send flash animated birthday, holiday, special occasion card (check out ZingDing)
14. Work with local businesses to co-brand an email offer (send to both your contact lists)
15. Invite sphere to a local event or Free online Webinar for homeowners (based on your niche expertise)
16. What’s happening this weekend? Special weekender tips for your local area (include a coupon for local business attraction)
17. Rate updates and info (work with a local lender)
18. Seasonal homeowner reminders & safety tips (storm drains, garden tips, etc.)
19. Invitation to your social profiles or exclusive Facebook Group (based on local interest)
20. Survey or poll your clients and share results with further relevant info
Blog/Website
21. Create an ebook, require name & email address for free download
22. Video/podcast blog series on a specific topic/niche
23. Offer client Q & A via a contact form, highlight in sidebar
24. Offer a free IDX search tool
25. Add Facebook Connect to your blog
26. Host a contest with prizes from local businesses
27. Comment back timely and create dialogue within posts
28. Post articles about others on your blog (local businesses, interesting people, neighborhoods, etc.)
29. Create a local special interest landing page (i.e. wineries, schools, non-profit, etc.)
30. Feature your listings, use a single property Website solution like MyMarketWare that syndicates your listings to several reputable listing aggregators
Facebook
31. Create a profile and import your contacts
32. Send daily birthday wishes
33. Comment or Like 3-5 posts from the Newsfeed daily
34. Update your status with fun and value once a day
35. Create a Facebook Page for your business
36. Post helpful and relevant resources from your FB Page
37. Leave comments on local business pages or groups (NO SPAM, or self interest linkbacks)
38. Comment on others’ status updates
39. Create a past client photo album with testimonials (tag clients that are on Facebook & post on your business page)
40. Create Animoto slideshows or a photo album for listings (post on your business page)
Twitter
41. Create a Twitter profile, use Twitterlocal.net to connect with locals
42. Use the “Find People” feature to find people you already know on Twitter
43. Tweet homeowner tips (easy repairs, projects, upgrades)
44. Tweet funny, interesting, inspiring, engaging experiences and info
45. Tweet local market info, updates
46. List yourself on Twitter directories: NearbyTweets, WeFollow, etc.
47. Break news as it happens
48. Tweet local event information
49. Tweet your blog posts
50. Tweet your professional expertise & activities (niche advice, relevant tips, open houses, new listings, broker’s tour, thoughts & experiences)

Other posts you may enjoy:

• Tweet It Forward: The Secret to Building an Invaluable Twitter Community
• Get TECH-NIK-KOL at RETechSouth
• Balancing Your Social Capital, One Interaction at a Time!
• 30 Blog Post Ideas To Keep Your Content On A Roll
• Zipform Desktop Is Now Vista Compatible

Let’ start with the basic understanding of what social media marketing allots us.  Creating profiles on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, and the like offers you a unique connecting experience, otherwise referred to as “ambient awareness”. This is not a new term. In fact, social scientists have been talking about this online phenomenon steadily since 2006. Ambient awareness is the feeling we infer and relate to from what is being shared by those connected to us via online networks.

Thanks to Twitter, we can learn that our friends are wine tasting in the Napa Valley the moment the wine touches their lips! Thanks to Flickr, we can see the wine as it’s being poured , favorite bottles being purchased, or the lunch accompanying the tasting. Thanks to Facebook, you can instantly connect with new friends who have joined existing friends on their wine tasting adventure. And you can do all this from the comfort of your own home using social media tools.

The social media tools that create ambient awareness are also creating an opportunity for you as a business professional. By better understanding what your network is doing, feeling, making, and essentially how they are living and interacting with others….you can better assess their needs, wants, and desires. So as a real estate professional, the more you listen, the easier it will be for you to anticipate needs and predict what your network requires from you.  And if you become your network’s trusted advisor by providing helpful resources and relevant information, you can build more relationships that may translate into business….improving your bottom line.

However, social media is not about transactions…it’s about interactions.  Every connection you build through community interaction affects your social capital in one way or another.  Your social capital is similar to the concept of karma. Basically, you get what you give. Participating in communities is a lot like balancing your checkbook. When you share resources with your network that others benefit from, help others promote their endeavors, solve collective issues, and befriend others authentically….you create positive social capital, or a deposit in your favor. If you are only interested in what you do, promote only yourself, and ask for favors from others without giving back, you negatively affect your social capital. Selfish community interactions translate into withdrawals.

In order to build and maintain positive social capital you must carefully balance your social interactions with give and take. To do this, you can start by listening in the communities you participate. Learn about others as they cross you path. If you notice someone asking a question relevant to your expertise, by all means, answer and create dialogue. When someone friends or follows you, take time to view their profile and respond with a brief welcoming message. Regularly share helpful resources, but also promote others’ resources by commenting or giving them a “like” on Facebook, retweeting them on Twitter, and/or linking back to them via your own blog. You can take this concept further by cultivating your own authenticity. Take what you know, and pay it forward. For an example, I love to dance so I create dance gram videos when I have a little extra time. Sometimes I do this for people I know, but I also make a point to create dance grams for those I want to get to know. I don’t make money from creating dance grams, but I build new relationships one wacky interaction at a time.

MyTechOpinion

This may all seem overwhelming and irrelevant to your business marketing plan, but the same could be said for forking out a wad of hard earned cash to send thousands of mailers in hopes that business will come knocking. Instead, take it slow and steady, foster the connections you create within online communities one interaction at a time. Listen and connect with people as the person you are, with the expertise you know….and you will experience the real “pay off” that social media offers: a large prospering network of people that trust you as their advisor and turn to you when the time is right to make one of the biggest decisions they will ever make, buying or selling their home.

Other posts you may enjoy:

• Get TECH-NIK-KOL at RETechSouth
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• Zipform (Winforms) Is Fully Windows Vista and Apple Compatible
• Zip Code Facts for Your Real Estate Business
• Zillow Adds "For Sale" Listings

I love pretty things and sometimes crap content can be made to look so nice you actually stick around. But watch out, because shiny objects can mislead you and even hypnotize you into monthly payments in some cases! It’s happened to me! I love me some bling!

So while I think it’s crucial to consider blog layout, design, and user interface…we can’t forget our friends at Google or the readers placing trust in your guidance. The bling will always entice, but it’s the thought provoking, helpful, resourceful, and relevant content that keeps your readers coming back for more, or even subscribe! With all the rockin’ blog themes available, a nice blog design is the easy part. It’s coming up with content and being consistent that is the real task at hand.

I’ve found the best way to maintain regular blog posts and fight “blogger’s block” is by creating a content posting plan. This is really nothing more than making an on-going list of content or story ideas from which you can pick and choose to create posts from. If you want to take it a step further, you could schedule time to write, as well as “read & research”. But don’t plan too far ahead, because some posts may be timely depending on whether they are events or breaking news.

Here are some ideas to kickstart your own content posting plan, or just melt your “blogger’s block”!

1. Write a Series of Posts: Take a big idea and break it up into several smaller posts. Be sure to link back to all the posts within your series.
2. Client Q&A: Create a submission form for your blog. Pick a day that you regularly answer clients questions via your blog.
3. Get Busy: Get involved with local businesses, interview business owners, share helpful businesses that are giving back to the community or can assist new homeowners with their services. Be sure to archive these posts in the form of a relocation landing page.
4. Community Events: Post a monthly event calendar or list of events with all the local information and links. Check out 4 Ways to Add an Event Calendar to Your Wordpress Blog.
5. Seasonal Homeowner How-to: Post informative guides on how to clean out the gutters, winter prep your pool, holiday décor, spring cleaning, etc.
6. Breaking News: Whether it’s local or national, twitter and other news sources can keep you up to speed with all the latest happenings.
7. Know your niche & drip the tips: Whatever it may be (women homeownership, short sales, green building), drip your expertise out by expanding upon single tidbits of advice.
8. Local Bargains & Coupons: Share discounts offered by local restaurants/businesses, online coupons for products & services, etc.
9. Local Market Update: Give us your forecast, graph the changes, share local statistics, and provide some tips for adapting to this changing market. Check out Cyberhomes’ Market Forecast report - great resource!
10. Interviews: Post short interviews with industry professionals, local business leaders, local heroes, etc. Include testimonials from past clients.
11. School scores & more: Post recent test scores, school achievements (ex: Distinguished School), school events, etc. for high schools and colleges in your area.
12. Neighborhood Spotlight: Showcase a specific neighborhood…the homes, parks, schools, stores…oh, and your listings too. Give us your top 10 reasons for living in each neighborhood. Interview local neighbors and connect with your farm at the same time.
13. New laws affecting real estate: Each year share the new laws for your state/county, and/or provide updates as they occur in real time.
14. Buyer/Seller Tips: Talk about the home buying process, share your best tips in post form.
15. Fundraisers/Non-Profits: Support or share info regarding local fundraisers.
16. Rate & loan updates: Get the latest info from your lenders and provide tips for buyers on finding the best rates, as well as the process for securing a loan.
17. Favorites: Whether it’s a recipe share, book review, or new movie release…it’s okay to have an opinion!
18. Photo posts: Show off the beauty and uniqueness of your area with photos. A single photo and a simple comment will suffice. Or get creative with a collage of photos taken in your market area or make a slideshow using Animoto.
19. Video posts: Follow your home stager as she/he prepares a home, interview your local lender, tour local neighborhoods, or just share your real estate expertise.
20. Investment insights: Post informational articles on how to select an investment property, interview of an analyst, local suggestions from your tax professional, etc.
21. Friday fun: Put a smile on your reader’s face or just wish them a fantastic Friday with funny articles or YouTube videos, interesting signs, wacky but tasteful jokes, etc.
22. Holiday hype: Share what’s happening in your area during holidays, give ideas for parties, recipes, fun traditions, tell a holiday story about your family, etc.
23. Community callout: Whether you have Facebook Connect on your blog, a Facebook Business Page, or use Twitter. Create a post announcing your new page or group, and let people know where/how they can connect further with you.
24. Consumer alerts: Clue your clients in to the latest information regarding FHA financing, loan modification rules, tax credits, etc.
25. Polls: Pose a question, collect the responses and share the results!
26. Storytelling: Explain a scenario whether real or hypothetical and how you would assist the situation with your expertise.
27. Re-post: Think of it like a “retweet”, but for a blog post! If you find a post written by someone else that you love, cite them and build upon it by offering your own perspective.
28. Invite a guest: Is there a lender you work with, home stager, local business owner that has something to say. Give them the opportunity on your blog!
29. The Spin-off: Take your best blog posts a little further, by building upon them, updating them or taking one concept mentioned to the next level. You can even make a list of all your best posts on a particular subject.
30. Liveblog: Going to an event? Share your experience as it happens (people you meet, products/services you encounter, interesting tips, etc.).

MyTechOpinion

Let’s face it. For most of us it’s not really possible to write and post every single day. But it does become easier, the more you write. Try setting a goal to post every other day or at least twice a week. From my standpoint, I’d focus more on quality than quantity.

Other posts you may enjoy:

• Tweet It Forward: The Secret to Building an Invaluable Twitter Community
• Interview: Brian Wilson of the Zolve Real Estate Network
• Got Real Estate Questions? TruliaVoices Answers.
• Cyberhomes PDF Report Aids Real Estate Agents with Local Market Statistics
• Zipform Desktop Is Now Vista Compatible

Here’s how you can play!

1.) Visit Twitter.com and follow @Cyberhomes, if you’re not already.

2.) Starting tomorrow (Monday, June 22nd) @Cyberhomes will tweet a question at 9am PST and again at 1pm PST every day this week (6/22-6/26).

3.) The first person to tweet the correct answer as a public reply to @Cyberhomes will win a free Market Forecast full report for an address of their choosing.

4.) Winners will be contacted directly in real-time by @Cyberhomes. Daily questions with correct answers, as well as the winners (twitter usernames) will be posted on the Cyberhomes Blog.

A total of 10 questions will be tweeted throughout the week (at 9am PST & 1pm PST each day- Mon-Fri), providing 10 opportunities to win! Only one prize per person will be given, 2 winners per day!

MORE ABOUT MARKET FORECAST

Cyberhomes’ Market Forecast report is the first of its kind. And it’s the only report that uses loan data, foreclosures, and defaults to project changes in your local real estate market.  There are 2 versions of the report available for purchase from Cyberhomes.com: the summary report for $3.99, and the full report for $9.99. Both reports provide detailed analysis and projections of distressed, foreclosure, and REO properties for a given market area, as well as detailed loan and assessment information. The summary report provides an estimated change in value for the specific neighborhood over a 12 month period. While the full report offers professional-level analysis and a 24 month value forecast.

Consumers will undoubtedly find these reports helpful in making home buying/selling decisions. And, real estate professionals now have a helpful resource for creating better CMA reports, as well as impressing sellers in listing presentations.

Other posts you may enjoy:

• Where is Your Real Estate Market Going? Cyberhomes Market Forecast Can Help!
• Nominate Cyberhomes for Crunchies 2008
• How Do I Love Thee…Let Me Dance the Ways!
• Free Seminar Tomorrow: Top Ten Money Making Tech Tools of Today’s Top Real Estate Agents
• Free Seminar Today: Web site secrets and powerful social networking strategies

If hiring an assistant or marketing coordinator is not in the cards for you right now, you need to find a way to organize your marketing efforts and concentrate on sharing your expertise with the right network. One simple way to elevate your expertise above the competition is by obtaining a designation or specializing in certain types of real estate transactions. Do you have several green builders in your area, as well as knowledge of sustainable home features?  You may want to consider becoming an EcoBroker, a special designation for environmentally concerned real estate professionals.

Recently, I was invited to dinner by my friend John Harper, who introduced me to Ginny Mees. While enjoying our “wine & dine” evening, I asked Ginny and her husband Paul (both agents) how they’re able to be so successful in such a challenging real estate market. Ginny smiled, and responded with, “I do what I know best!” What she knows best are the challenges facing independent women homeowners.  She focuses her marketing efforts (both online & offline) on women who are going through divorce, widowed, etc.

In fact, Ginny created an online network (SingleWomenHomeowner.com) that brings together experts in women homeownership issues and consumers with questions based on location. Ginny also shares tools and resources that can help others who want to focus in this direction. FYI- Ginny didn’t do this alone, she consulted with 2 top experts, Kelly Lise Murray and Wendy Waselle of DivorceThisHouse, who educate real estate agents by providing a CE/CLE course to learn about the specific laws affecting divorced women.

I’m not suggesting you go out and create an online network overnight, but you can easily connect with locals in your area based on your expertise or topic via Facebook, Twitter, ActiveRain and other existing social media tools. For example, create an interest based group on Facebook (i.e. Living Green in Danville). Share your FB Group/Fan Page on all your marketing pieces, as well as a few tips for sustainable living. Join local environmental interest groups, offer to speak on green living at events, create an ebook for download on your blog, be the green living local advisor to your market area. If you blog, share articles about green initiatives, new recycling laws, local sustainable businesses, people making a difference, etc.

MyTechOpinion: Finding your niche means drawing upon your own skill-set and developing your prior knowledge so that you can provide your top-notch expertise to clients who are looking for someone just like you. It doesn’t mean that you become a jack of all-trades with your hand in every cookie jar so that you can display 42 designations on your business card. Remember, do what you know best and success will follow!

Other posts you may enjoy:

• MyMarketWare Unleashes Even More Market Power!
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ENTER: Smarter Agent, a real estate marketing company that has solved the fragmentation of mobile with a listing search application that is now available on virtually every cell phone.

Smarter Agent works with all major wireless carriers and mobile devices. It uses GPS to locate a user’s location and find real estate listings in their area. Search results include: price, square footage, estimated mortgage, taxes, features, interactive map, beds/baths, pictures. Consumers can also search by address, community name, city or zip code.

The Smarter Agent application can be downloaded from SmarterAgent.com, a consumer’s cell phone via the carrier’s application store, or from application stores maintained by iPhone, Android (July 2009), and BlackBerry.

Once downloaded, the following options are available from the Main Menu:

(1)    Quick Search GPS: Receive a list of properties that are closest to your location.

(2)    Advanced / Refine Search: Receive a list of properties that are closest to your location and fit your specific search criteria.

(3)    Map Me & Homes/ Apartments: See your location and the ten properties that are closest to you on an interactive map.

(4)    Address Search: Enter your desired location and receive a list of properties that are closest to that location.

(5)    Saved Favorites: Search favorite locations you have saved.

(6)    Find A Realtor: Speak to a qualified real estate agent about your specified area.

(7)    Get a Mortgage: Speak to a qualified mortgage specialist to see what you can afford.

(8)    Hot Picks: Receive a list of featured properties in the neighborhood.

(9)    Coupons: See offers from local retailers.

The Smarter Agent app can also be branded for an agent or broker, displaying their logo and picture. The app can be distributed directly from the agent/broker blog as well.  And when a client using the branded app is interested in a listing, he/she can simply select the “call to see” button and the agent/broker is notified (regardless of who listed the property). Thousands of real estate agents across the country are already using Smarter Agent, including major brands: Prudential, Keller Williams, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, ERA, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate and Realty Executives. Smarter Agent is also an Inman Innovator Finalist in the Most Innovative Web Technology category.

Pricing for customizing your own Smarter Agent application varies depending upon your device and your contract. Generally, there is a one time setup fee of $250, and a monthly fee of $39.95-$49.95. However, MTO is working with Smarter Agent to bring you special pricing that will reduce the setup fee to $50 as well as the monthly fee, saving you 40%. To learn more, contact Denise Boyer (Smarter Agent Sales) at 925.584.4249 and mention this article. If you call or email Smarter Agent from their Website, be sure to mention MTO and the promo code: DIS0409-02.

Other posts you may enjoy:

• ZingDing: A Fresh New Spin on Real Estate Marketing
• YouTube for Real Estate Marketing
• Why TweetLister, When You Can Just Twitter
• vFlyer Offers Single Property Sites
• Trulia Sure to Impress Consumers with New iPhone App and More

These lifeskills set the stage for better communication between teacher and student, student and student, and even child and parent. The lifeskills provided me with the opportunity to help my students interact more positively, engage in cooperative learning, and problem solve when disagreements arose.

With the advent of new marketing techniques (namely social media strategies), it seems rather apparent that we should infuse the lifeskills we learned back in the day (when we began learning to better communicate and cooperate) within our current business goals and strategies. So I’ve taken character education full circle here by suggesting the following: “10 Social Media Lifeskills for Real Estate Professionals”.

1.       Integrity- Be the real you. Strive for authentic engagement by being the same person you are online that you are offline. Instead of selling what you do, share who you are and your daily experiences. And when it comes to your avatar (profile picture) be a person, not a real estate logo. People connect with people, not signs and buildings.

2.       Active Listening- Although it’s important to share your  interests, it’s even more important to pay attention to others. Learning what your network is passionate about only helps you ask better questions, provide better resources, and become a better advisor.  Who’s Talkin? and SocialMention are 2 social search engines that make it even easier to monitor certain people and topics you care about.

3.       Effort- Add value! Know your expertise and passion well enough to identify resources that may be helpful to your network.  If you’re not sure where to look for great resources, try a social bookmarking tool like Delicious or Digg where others share their favorite articles. Monitor your resources and share regularly, provide your own insight and strategies for implementation.

4.       Respect- You gotta give it to get it! Show respect for others, even your “competitors” in your niche. And when it comes to connecting with new people on social networks like Facebook or Linkedin, consider sending a brief authentic message explaining why you’d like to connect or how you know them. Don’t bombard people with spammy or salesy messages. Social Media is NOT about hard-selling, it’s about mutual respect.

5.       Caring- Reach out to others, colleagues and clients alike! And do good things without being asked like retweeting others tweets, “liking” or commenting on Facebook posts, and commenting on or praising blog articles you enjoy. Connect and befriend local clients and business owners online.  For example, join local interest or business based Facebook groups that you care about or want to get involved with, or create your own. Join or volunteer for a local cause. This shows how much you care about the city and neighborhoods you work and live in.

6.       Responsibility- Think before you act and take responsibility for your social interactions. If you write an article or share a resource that you found from someone else, be sure to source that person by linking back to the original article or a social profile. If you make a mistake or offend someone unknowingly, apologize. And be sure to welcome feedback and be responsive to it.

7.       Cooperation- Sometimes you can get to your goal that much faster by collaborating. Share and work together with others in the real estate industry or in your local market area. Draw upon the strengths of others and pool your resources whether it’s organizing an event, creating helpful Web content, or asking for help with a project.  For example, co-host a blog based or Facebook contest, help plan a Tweetup or nearby REBarCamp, guest-post on local business or interest based blogs, co-author a local ebook for homeowners, co-sponsor a charity event, etc.

8.       Trustworthiness- If you make a promise to someone, then do it.  Don’t be a slim shady and betray someone’s trust in you. That’s the fastest way to get unfollowed or unfriended. Provide clear expectations on your blog and social profiles about the real estate services you DO provide. If you list your expertise as working with independent women homeowners, make sure you deliver that expertise online and when working with clients. That’s how you become your network’s trusted advisor!

9.       Courage- Try something new! Are you interested in getting your feet wet with video? Don’t be afraid to dive in and give something a try! It’s all a learning process anyway, and even failed attempts can be endearing!

10.   Diligence- Create a custom social media marketing plan for your real estate business and commit to it. Schedule daily check-in times for maintaining your social profiles and/or read and research time for blog articles. Be consistent!

One last reminder….measure what you make! If you share a resource via Twitter or Facebook, use a URL tracking tool like BudURL, Cli.gs, or Bitly. If you blog, be sure to take advantage of what good analytics can tell you, try Google Analytics or GetClicky.com. Studying what your clients do or don’t react to can provide you with insight as to what kind of content or resources your network finds helpful! This way you can reach more folks and keep the conversation flowing!

Other posts you may enjoy:

• Three KPIs for Real Estate Websites
• The Crunchies 2008 – One Geek Girl’s Night Out!
• Resources
• Next-Gen iPhone Details Revealed?
• Focus Your Social Media Marketing

You don’t really require all that data to forecast where your local market is going. But now you do have access to the crucial data that affects and shapes where your real estate market is headed.

Cyberhomes Real Estate Market Forecast, the first report that gives you a comprehensive tool to help predict future real estate trends in a local market by analyzing key information - including credit information, loan repayment data, delinquencies and foreclosures.

Market Forecast is available for millions of properties and thousands of neighborhoods around the United States. Anyone can simply search for a property address or neighborhood on the Cyberhomes Web site, and Cyberhomes will show them whether their market is expected to increase in value, decline in value or remain neutral over the next year, based on the data used.

This type of predictory report can help YOU (the real estate pro) by providing you with information about bank discount rates, loan performance over time, and future inventory. It can also help you to better assist your clients, as well as guide you in making crucial business decisions.

To get started, visit Cyberhomes and enter the property address that you’d like a Market Forecast for. There are 2 types of Market Forecast Reports available:

(1) Summary Report for a special introductory price of only $3.99, and includes:

• Overview of the local market direction
• Historical and future projections of distressed, foreclosure and REO properties in the area
• Estimated change in value for the neighborhood and the subject property over 12 months
• Detailed loan and assessment information, including assessor market value, the loan-to-value ratio, tax delinquency status and more

(2) Full Report for those seeking professional-level, rich analysis, a full-scale report showing all of the details will be available for an introductory price of $9.99, and includes:

• A 24-month value forecast
• Local foreclosure trends and timelines
• Mortgage delinquency and loan deterioration trends
• Historical median sales price vs. volume trends
• Neighborhood lending and sales statistics
• Average area credit scores
• Local percentages of distressed homes compared to state and national levels
• Average local discounts on bank-owned properties
• Risk from exotic loan types in the neighborhood and more

For more information about this report, Marty Frame provides an overview in this video tutorial.

Other posts you may enjoy:

• Cyberhomes PDF Report Aids Real Estate Agents with Local Market Statistics
• Podcasts Demystified - Part 2
• Nominate Cyberhomes for Crunchies 2008
• Interview: Brian Wilson of the Zolve Real Estate Network
• How Do I Love Thee…Let Me Dance the Ways!

What is TweetLister?

TweetLister is a new Twitter tool specifically created for real estate agents. Signing up for the free service allows you to post, schedule and manage real estate listings on Twitter. Track clicks received on your listings, as well as collect and download contacts you get through those listings (available via an Excel Report).

While I see the benefit of scheduling resourceful tweets to share with your network (aka “drip tweets”) throughout the day, I don’t recognize the benefit of ONLY twittering your listings. As a real estate professional on Twitter, your goal should be to become your network’s trusted advisor. This means you should be sharing what makes you a great source of related information. Yes, listing information is important to your local network (for those planning to transact now or in the near future). But what about the vast majority who are not transacting. Surely you want to maintain your connections and provide resourceful and local information so that when those in the majority are ready to transact, they call you!

Why TweetLister needs a NEW attitude…ooh, ooh…ooh, ooh…ooh?

TweetLister mentions that you don’t need to understand Twitter to use their site.  In fact, the “about page” goes on to profess that there’s really no need to go back to your Twitter Profile, just use TweetLister. Contrary to TweetLister, this is NOT “good news” to you or me!

If you are just using Tweetlister to ONLY post listings then you don’t really understand why and how Twitter benefits you and your network. You are missing the point!

According  to TweetLister, it is ONLY for real estate listings and spammers will be blocked. Hmmm, the very nature by which listings are shared on TweetLister seems pretty spammy to me!  For example, the “Add New Listing” form only allows for select information about the property (location, bedrooms, baths, features, etc.).  See below:

You cannot change or modify the listing information provided within the tweet. The automated portion is helpful and fast, but there’s no room for customization. My suggestion would be to make the text modifiable.  As RE pros, you know how important verbiage is on your listing flyers…and with only 140 characters, you need to make them count! I would also be extremely beneficial to have the ability to share various media….pictures, video, blog, single property site, etc.

MyTechOpinion

The way I see it, you could just as easily create your own “tweetlisting” directly from your Twitter.com profile (or Tweetdeck, Twhirl, Tweetlater, Twuffer, etc.), and do so in a more creative and professional way. At least then you can have complete control over what you can do with those 140 characters. You can simply add links to whatever related media (virtual tour, images, interesting info, etc) you have for that property. Better yet, you could share something special about the neighborhood, helpful maps, and/or other local specifics….and then provide a trackable link (like BudURL) to your listing site or blog.  Include your own hashtag and call it a tweet! That’s MyTechOpinion, but feel free to share yours!

Other posts you may enjoy:

• 22 Reasons to Use Twitter for Business and Pleasure
• What’s YOUR Twitter Success Story?
• Twitter Rolls Out “Saved Searches” to the Twitmasses!
• Tweet It Forward: The Secret to Building an Invaluable Twitter Community
• TinyChat: Don’t let the name fool you, it’s all muscle

Other applications like Tweetdeck and Tweetie have integrated various search and sorting tools already, but now you can search and monitor directly from your Twitter Web Profile. And the experience seems to be fast and easy thus far!

If you are currently monitoring specific keywords (i.e. your business name, your name, expertise, local interests, etc) with alerting services like Twilert and Tweetbeep, then you’ll quickly identify the benefit of this new Twitter feature! If not, this is the perfect introductory tool to keep you in the “know” when it comes to what Tweeps & Twits are saying about you and your business.

You may want to consider saving searches for topics you blog about or share as resources via Twitter & Facebook. If you’re goal is to become your network’s trusted advisor, then you’ll want easy (easier) access to resources for whatever it is your clients turn to you for (short sales, investing, local tips, homeowner advice, etc). For example, I saved searches for lifestreaming, Cyberhomes, #twitterqueens, etc.). These are items that reflect my personality, profession, and passion.  Twitter users are who are creating and sharing hashtags, are providing us with keyword driven channels of content. Woohoo!

Another fabulous use of hashtags (ex: #REBCSF) and saved searches are for events. REBarCamps are popping up across the country. Don’t sit home and sulk if you can’t go, just hook yourself up with a saved search of the event hashtag and you can tune in wherever you are! I know I’m looking forward to rallying friends and colleagues this summer at the Inman Connect SF, which offers numerous learning and networking opportunities. These saved searches will definitely come in handy when trying to locate others during and after the event.

To get started creating your own saved searches, login to your Twitter Profile. Next enter your topic, keywords or hashtag into the search field on the right. Your results will be displayed and you can choose to save your search by selecting the green button next to “save this search”.

If you’d like to learn more about specific Twitter tools, how to become your network’s trusted advisor, make a Tweet Plan, or how to best share and display your Twitter status….join me (@nik_nik) and @Cyberhomes for the “Get REAL on Twitter” Webinar this Thursday, May 7th (10am pacific). It’s free, and you can RSVP here.

Other posts you may enjoy:

• Why TweetLister, When You Can Just Twitter
• What’s YOUR Twitter Success Story?
• Tweet It Forward: The Secret to Building an Invaluable Twitter Community
• TinyChat: Don’t let the name fool you, it’s all muscle
• Finding Tweighbors on Twitter

New features include:

(1) MarketSites to go! Download any single property Website created by MyMarketWare for offline use.  Showcase your online listings during a listing presentation or copy any of your MarketSites to a CD for a thoughtful closing gift.

(2) Enhanced sign riders made from corrugated plastic provide increased durability for all type of weather conditions.  Sign riders cost $22 with reduced shipping time at no extra cost!

(3) FREE SMS texting service! I’m not naming names….but some SPS solutions will charge you as much as $25 per listing per month for this service.  But MyMarketWare will provide you with unlimited SMS texting service free to go hand and hand with each and every sign rider! Incoming leads are circulated in real time to the listing agent’s mobile phone as well as via the “Activity Center”.

(4) New custom site design center! Create your own MarketSite design within minutes using our new design tool. You don’t need to be programmer, just have an eye for design and personal branding!

(5) Got Feedback? You’ll get it with our new feedback mechanism.  Interested buyers can provide their thoughts (anonymously if so inclined) via each MarketSite providing the agent with specific and valuable information.

(6) New “My Leads” tool keeps track of messages delivered by your MarketSite (via the contact forms).

(7) Increased agent branding & contact information! Add contact info and branding for up to 3 agents on a MarketSite! Brand your team or co-brand with your favorite lender(s)!

(7) Enhanced slideshow! Showcase your listing with a full screen slide show!

(8) Monitor your site with not only MarketSites Statistics, but also Google Analytics!

(9) New syndication partners and valuation tools! MarketSites currently syndicates to:  Trulia, Google Base, Oodle, Propsmart, Local.com, Homescape, Vast, Zillow, Homes.com, and Frontdoor.

What do agents like about MyMarketWare?

(1) MarketSites cost only $39 each for an entire year! AND if you use the MTO coupon code “mtoagent“, you can try out the service for only $32 a site for the next 30 days!

(2) Huge bank of professional non-branded, franchise, commercial and customizable designs! Current franchise designs include: Advance Realty, Alain Pinel, Better Homes, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Crye Leike, Empire, Envirian, ERA, Frank Howard Allen, GMAC, Intero, Keller Williams, Long & Foster, Lyon, Pac Union, Prudential, REMAX, Real Living, Realty USA, Realty World, Royal LePage, Soreno, Sotheby’s, Weichert, and Windermere.

(3) Add up to 100 high quality photos, video, unlimited property details, and even 50 related documents!

(4) MyMarketWare auto-populates census and community info, school info, maps, and links to over 70 area amenities based on the property address provided.

(5) Add your blog, RSS feed, and even change the automatic SEO settings if you wish.

(6) Sign up and create your site for free, pay only when you publish online.

MORE TO COME!

More exciting features are already under development! We’ll be integrating the Cyberhomes API to bring you even more stats and valuation tools. We’re also working on increased share controls in order to bookmark and share your MarketSites on social networks like Facebook and Twitter. The next release will include a voice over feature and language translation tools.  We’ll keep you posted! And in the meantime, feel free to ask questions or leave your comments or suggestions below.

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To get started, visit MobileAppLoader and sign up for free. Once you activate your account, you’ll notice that “Real Estate- Real Easy” is a featured application on the homepage. Choose “get started” and you’ll be prompted to submit your icon, images, description, application name and contact information. Once you’ve submitted all the required content, your app will be created and submitted to the iTunes App Store within a few hours. However, the approval process via iTunes takes anywhere from 7-10 days.

This app is only going to be free for a couple more weeks as beta comes to a close.  Upon official launch of MobileAppLoader, the service will include a $99 setup fee (including Q&A and iTunes/Apple approval process) as well as a $9.99 monthly maintenance charge.

To learn more about the “Real Estate - Real Easy” application, watch this.

To browse the iPhone apps created by MobileAppLoader, go here.

MyTechOpinion: For a template app solution, this is a great option. Especially if you take the time to carefully select your images and content. Free is always good, and the price point for after launch seems about right.  Completely custom app solutions run about $1,000 an app. See MotherApp

Other posts you may enjoy:

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Here’s what I love about the new Tesla Model S:

• It’s completely electric…leaving an environmental footprint I can be proud of.
• It looks hot! Teslas (to me) are like the BMW of electric cars…but even sexier in my opinion!
• 100% torque, 100% of the time! For those of us that achieve Zen moments while driving…this car will set you free….in fast forward! 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds!
• The dash includes a 17″ Infotainment screen with 3G connectivity! Browse the Internet, utilize Google Maps, customize Pandora Radio, etc.
• It seats 5 adults and 2 children, making it a great choice for professional parents! Plenty of room for my crew and their gigantic (but safe) Britax cars seats!
• Trunk space galore…and even more space under the hood!
• Battery options! Choose from batteries that will go 160, 230 or 300 miles on a single charge. Charge time varies, but Tesla recently introduced the “Quick Charge” that only takes 45 minutes yielding 300 miles of drive time!

Here’s why real estate professionals should consider Tesla:

• Demonstrate how much you care about your community by reducing your environmental footprint and leading the way in local sustainability!
• The 17″ Infotainment screen REALLY makes your car function like a true mobile office with a full functioning Internet browser in the dash. Plan your previewing or showings with Google Maps, search for market trends on the go via Cyberhomes, and introduce clients to local businesses/attractions.
• Market your business on the go! Seriously, you COULD plan, launch and engage with social media marketing from the Infotainment screen. Or at the very least leave b-day messages via Facebook. (IN PARK OF COURSE)
• Roomy enough to comfortably chauffeur a family of 4 for showings.
• Show those Hummer driving gas guzzling agents who’s boss! (No offense Hummer owners…but they are bit ridiculous in terms of size and environmental stability.)
• Advertise on your car (license plate, sticker, etc.). You’ll already have curiosity running wild, may as well introduce yourself as someone with environmental integrity.

Here’ s why you have to be patient:

• Although you can put yourself on the wait list, and submit your deposit, you’ll have to wait until spring of 2011 for delivery. Tesla is also financing the development of the Model S with deposits from people on the waiting list. You can assure yourself one of the first 2,000 cars by paying a $40,000 deposit. Deposits for later cars are $5,000. So far, 700 customers have reserved their spots on the wait list. (The Tesla Model S base price starts at $49,900.
• Tesla is waiting on the Energy Department to hook them up with a $450 million government loan in order to speed up production (which would make the cars more affordable).

For a closer look at the Model S, check out the Tesla slide show below with pics from @Cyberhomes! And take a wild test drive in the Model S with Michael Arrington, Leena Rao, and Sarah Lacy.

A very special thanks to the best Dad ever (Original Nick), who always made sure I had something safe AND cool to drive…but is now making sure it’s also eco-friendly! Woohoo!

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For example, here at MTO, we are very resource driven so we aggregate the delicious bookmarks from all three of us (Reggie, Chad, NikNik) into one fluid feed on the homepage. This way our readers get access to the ideas and articles we like in one place. In addition, we have chosen to lifestream a combination of both personal and professional Web content on our individual profile pages. My profile page aggregates my tweets, delicious bookmarks, Flickr pics, Viddler videos, and more!

You can lifestream on your blog as I mentioned above or you can select one specific site to become an online home base for your Web content. Some people even choose to make this their online resume. Personally, I love the option of making your blog the home base.  I purchased my name as a domain and have it directed to my profile page on MTO where I lifestream my Web content.

As you can see, there are many options. But when it comes to real estate professionals I think you can greatly benefit from lifestreaming selected Web content that is helpful to your network. If you’re an agent, you may want to consider aggregating your social bookmarks (from StumbleUpon or delicious) that include consumer focused RE articles, local events and updates, and other fun or relevant resources. Flickr and Twitter would also provide a bit more insight into your daily experiences and personality.

If you contribute to a multi-author blog, you may want to consider mashing up the blog posts, social bookmarks, and twitter feeds from all the blog contributors.  You could even set up a separate page to display a variety of blog posts, similar to Alltop, Inman Blog Network or AgentGenius Sphere!

To get started, you should identify the Web content feeds you wish to share, decide on where you want to stream the content, and select a plugin or other solution to aggregate the feeds. You’re in luck, because Reggie recently posted “14 Tools for Real Estate Lifestreaming”, and this helpful article provides a plethora of ideas on how to lifestream.

If you have a favorite tool for lifestreaming, or know a great example of a how real estate professional is lifestreaming their Web content, please share! We’ll be extending this article series to include more examples, tools, and ideas for best practices!

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Download your FREE copy of the “Twitter for Real Estate Twits” ebook and allow me to break it down for you! In fact, I cover everything from setting up your Twitter account to strategies for becoming your client’s trusted advisor!

If you’re already a seasoned Twit, then I want to hear from YOU! I’ll be creating an updated version of the ebook. Actually I plan to add to it yearly, keeping it freshly stocked with tools, apps, strategies and more. But for now, I’m looking to add one more chapter that will include success stories from REAL estate professionals. If you’ve had successes large or small with Twitter, tell me about it.  Submit your Twitter Success Story, but you must meet these guidelines:

(1)   Be a real estate professional

(2)   Write 300-500 words on how YOU use Twitter for your real estate business AND/OR the success you’ve experienced

(3)   Email your entry to (Nicole at EffektiveSolutions.com) by Monday, March 23^rd, 2009

At this point I’m not exactly sure just how many Success Stories I will include in the new chapter. Could be 5, could be 10. It all depends on how compelling, appropriate, inspiring, creative, smart, and legible they are! But I do know I will select the BEST to be published in Twitter for Real Estate Twits. Here’s a little more about what I expect…

What is Mrs. NikNik looking for?

• Passion, no fakers!
• REAL success stories
• Examples to prove your point
• Tools and resources that make Twitter even more effective for YOU!
• Grammar counts! Proof read please!

The stellar submissions will be announced with the release of the updated version in the first week of April. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via the comments or Twitter DM.

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RETEchSouth is taking place Friday, March 20^th in Atlanta. Well, at the Gimmet Center to be exact. Now the really exciting part is that a pair of highly skilled real estate professionals (Brad Nix & Matt Fagioli) is responsible for organizing this 2^nd annual event. And they’ve invited a myriad of real estate innovators and influencers to present, share and teach.

The format for the day includes main stage presentations, smaller breakout sessions, and tech stations where you can get answers to all your burning tech questions via hands-on training. Topics include: Flickr, Real Estate Blogs, Video in Real Estate, New Media Tips & Tactics, the Future of Real Estate Search and more! I will be there with my partner in crime @cyberhomes to share social media strategies for generating business….particularly with Twitter and Facebook.

If you’re planning rock RETechSouth, I look forward to connecting with you! If not, you’ll be missed….but you don’t have to miss out on asking me (or Matt “Fastman” Fagioli) your BIGGEST question about using social media to generate real estate business. That’s because Justin Zimmerman, host of Good Morning Real Estate, will be holding a FREE 50 minute teleseminar this Thursday, February 26^th, at 8pm EST. You can register for FREE here.

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The best way I’ve found to foster community on Twitter is by being a community participant. If you want twits to interact positively with you, then you need to start by positively affecting others. But first, you better get organized.

TOOLS: One confusing aspect of Twitter is the noise factor! It’s true…there are plenty of uninspiring tweets. But maybe that’s because you’re not following the right twits.  When it comes to real estate, you often target market to a specific demographic. So if you’re investing time in building relationships online, consider taking more time to check out your twits before you follow. Before following, take a little time to glance at their profile, visit their Website, read their short bio or scan their recent updates. This gives you a better vision of WHO’s tweeting with you.

Once you gain a following…don’t be afraid to rely on a desktop app to better organize your community! Tweetdeck can easily assist in the categorization of your twits. And Peoplebrowsr is like Tweetdeck on steroids with a variety of group features for better targeting those with similar interests.

ACTIVE LISTENING: It might sound like a request from a first grade teacher…and you’re absolutely right! Active listening means you’re listening with your whole self….your eyes, your ears, your heart, your mind…no distractions! And, making mental notes along the way! By becoming a better listener you become a better communicator…making you more productive.  And if you learn to master your own communication skills, the easier it will be to leave lasting impressions on those you meet both online and offline.  And we all know how misunderstandings can occur from not being able to read someone correctly…especially with email or SMS.

So, you need to listen a lot! I do. In fact I’m lurking in the background and you don’t even know it. I’m taking it all in and thinking about how I can add to what’s being said or shared. I do this to gather details about those I’d like to connect with….so that connecting and communicating become more seamless than stuffy! Not to mention all the fun you’ll have learning about others!

TWEET IT FORWARD “TIF”: Active listening will afford you with the best option for building your network authentically….and that’s “tweeting it forward”.  When you listen to your followers you gain details (ladies…you know what I’m saying). Details give you insight into what your new friends like, dislike, need to know, want to learn, etc. So pick a time each day, to scan your followers tweets via Twitter itself or Tweetdeck categories. Better yet, use Twittersearch to find recent tweets related to your local area or interests. Once you’ve identified a couple of meaningful tweets…it’s time to access your resources (business and/or personal) and help!

Let me be crystal clear for a moment: the goal here is to share and add to the tweets you find meaningful. This is not thanking your retweeters. I’m specifically referring to helping those who haven’t helped you yet. For example, tweet about someone’s cause that you can also stand behind and help to spread the word. Answer twits with local questions that you can offer real advice for. If someone is looking for a specific resource for their business or is confused by something and needs a tip…be the one to kickstart their success or unscramble their confusion.  Even making a random Blip.fm dedication to a twit that’s having an off day can create viral happiness!

The more you surprise others with your helpfulness….the more lasting impressions you make. It’s that simple. And if you’re not sure…just ask yourself, “What would Chris Brogan do?”

Other posts you may enjoy:

• A Twitter Resource for Real Estate Twits
• 30 Blog Post Ideas To Keep Your Content On A Roll
• Why TweetLister, When You Can Just Twitter
• What’s YOUR Twitter Success Story?
• Twitter Rolls Out “Saved Searches” to the Twitmasses!

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REBarCamp Seattle - One day event for passionate real estate professionals who are hungry to learn and share creative and effective marketing ideas and industry trends. When: Feb 13^th, 2009 Where: Zillow Corporate Headquarters, Seattle

RETechSouth - Real conversations about the technological changes impacting the real estate industry. Some of the best minds in the industry will gather in one room to share their knowledge.  When: March 20^th 2009, Where: Gwinnet Center, Atlanta

REBarCamp Los Angeles - If you missed Seattle, don’t worry REBarCampLA is a great day for agents looking to get started with social media marketing and other creative online and offline strategies for growing your business. When: April 2^nd ,2009 Where: Location TBA

REBarCamp San Francisco - The 2^nd annual REBarCamp SF! The first one was a hit, and this just happens to be where it all began!  Join in the conversation and collaboration. It’s also a great way to kick off the Inman Connect SF (if you’re attending that one as well).  When: August 4^th, 2009 Where: Exact location TBA, San Francisco

Inman Connect SF - Brings together leaders in real estate, finance, and technology to promote change and innovation in the industry. Between the workshops, expo, and events (aka: parties)…this conference is probably one of the most attended (and valuable) RE events of the season. Be there or be square! When: Aug 5-7th, 2009 Where: Palace Hotel, San Francisco

NAR 09 - Registration opens May 5^t for the 4 day expo and conference being held in San Diego.  Learn to be more productive or renew your motivation with new strategies and tools for your real estate business. When: Nov. 13-16^th, 2009 Where: San Diego Convention Center

REBarCamp San Diego - More details to come. When: TBA, sometime during NAR09 Where: San Diego, exact location TBA

Be sure to check back, as I will be updating these events with more information as it becomes available. Oh, and let me know which event you will be attending so we can connect! Woohoo!

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When it comes to helping my friends, colleagues and clients establish a Web presence I suggest creating a Facebook Profile (as one of many online strategies). Facebook, as most of us know, is the largest online network with over 150 million users. It offers abundant opportunities for building relationships (both on and offline). Real Estate Professionals can easily drill down to a local level by connecting with their local sphere, joining local groups, creating their own group or fan page (among other things). But before going crazy with applications and groups….you need to make sure your profile is COMPLETE!

One super duper easy way to find out what your profile needs is by using FacebookGrader. It’s another great offering by Hubspot. Facebook Grader will analyze the number of friends you have, the power of your network, the completeness of your profile and a few others. I tried this bad boy out expecting to receive a score of 100 (hey now…I AM an overachiever…or I like to think I am). Instead I received an 88 because I was missing a few important details in my bio and I never specified a business location. FacebookGrader caught a few areas that I didn’t realize were incomplete. Since updating, I’ve now been bumped up to a 99.1. Guess there’s always room for improvement! BTW- You can even grade your business page!

So if you’re serious about making waves online…then you need to make sure that you’re giving people what they need to learn more about you and make it easy for them to connect with you! So I dare you to give FacebookGrader a try and let me know what you think?!

PLEASE NOTE:  This service is still fairly NEW, so it may occasionally give you an error. Just try again or check back shortly (probably a minor hiccup). Also, join the FacebookGrader Fan Page to connect with other users and the developers.

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