News Flash!

Now Jay’s one smart cookie, and he realizes the chances of his huge amount of traffic converting into tons of clients is probably pretty slim but you never know how many readers may eventually turn into clients. Plus, I’m sure year after year, they return to Jay’s blog for updates on 4th of July fireworks info. Now that’s being “top of mind“! I say it’s better to write the post and be known as the local area expert with the skinny on your area fireworks displays than to sit back and watch other blogs swell with visitors.

I Speak From Experience Too!

Prior to writing about the local 4th of July Emerald Isle fireworks display, I was averaging around 100 visitors a day to my Crystal Coast Blog. Not great numbers but not bad either. The days leading up to and including the 4th of July, I saw almost 500 unique visitors a day come to my blog. Not too shabby! Now the goal is to offer high value content to keep them coming back after the 4th of July is a distant memory. Check out the tips below to see how you can sustain a bit of that holiday traffic.

Important Tips to Writing Your 4th of July Fireworks Post

1. This tip is courtesy of one of my morning Twitter buddies, Lisa Sanderson (@LisaSanderson). Stroudsberg, PA real estate specialist, Lisa states you should offer tips where to gain the best view of the fireworks spectacle. For even more visitors, I say invite your faithful readers to meet you at your secret viewing spot and meet them face to face (#f2f). Now that’s practicing real YEO (You Engaging Others!). Thanks Lisa! Take photos of those you meet in the crowd. See more on that tip below.
   
2. Want to keep your site visitors coming back after the 4th is a long forgotten memory? Invite your readers to take photos of their favorite fireworks display and submit them to your new photo blog! Now you’re talking more visitors to your blog after the excitement is over and visitors are a premium.
3. Google never forgets, which means your site visitors might find your fireworks article you wrote back in 2008 (which didn’t include a date on it). Granted, most post are dated but never leave anything to chance. Plus, your area may have changed the venue for the display (like it did in Emerald Isle). As a result of reading last years post, your reader may have gone on a “wild goose chase” looking for the site for last years fireworks display. Not good! The remedy? Add a date to the article. Special “thanks” to @Twitterzilla Chris Griffith, Realtor® from Bonita Springs, Florida for contributing that tip!
4. Now that everyone will be writing about their local area 4th of July fireworks next year, make your post different. Back to Jay, he wraps up his 4th of July post with a plea for folks to not drive and drink. Plus, he offers a cab company phone number to help prevent tragic and senseless injuries and deaths from drinking and driving. Now that’s a great way to conclude a post by offering a public service announcement!
5. Keep the info simple and offer link love to the organization(s) orchestrating the 4th of July event(s).
   

What Other Tips Would You Offer?

Okay kids, what other suggestions would you offer to make your fireworks post really sizzle for days after the event is over?

Blog on,

Bobby

P.S. Be sure to let photo contributors know when you will post the images so they can tell all their friends and relatives to visit your blog. Of course, your going to want to provide “credit” for the images to those who took and submitted the photos. Also, let contributors know upfront you may take “creative liberty” with their images. Lastly, say that some images may or may not be displayed due to mitigating factors such as space, age and content appropriateness, and editor discretion.

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The Wordpress.com Option

Advantage: Inexpensive

Disadvantage: Limited functionality and design; You have to set it up yourself.

Go to www.wordpress.com and click the sign up button

Complete the signup form and confirm your email address (WordPress will send you a link to click)
Once you verify your email, click on the login button

Once logged in, scroll to the bottom and click on the “upgrade” link

There are a few options I would suggest. In terms of “upgrading”:

Custom CSS - $14.97

WordPress.com (the hosted version) does not allow custom themes. The closest thing you can do is to have a developer edit the CSS portion of the blog.

No-ads – $29.97

Unfortunately WordPress.com will automatically inject ads into your blog. Since the ads are contextual based, it often means that your blog will be showing ads for your competition. With this in mind, it’s important to purchase the “No-ads” upgrade.

Custom Domain – $14.97

It’s vital that your photo blog builds credibility on a domain that you control. The default WordPress domain name is username.wordpress.com. This means that all the credibility you build helps wordpress.com and not your site. The custom domain upgrade allows you to set your own domain.

Flickr Integration

You will now need to configure Flickr to push photos to your new photo blog. To do this, simply sign into your Flickr account, go to your profile and click Click on the “Extending Flickr” tab. Under the “Blogs” section, click the link that says “Configure your Flickr-to-blog settings” then click “Setup Your Blog.”

Select Wordpress as the blogging platform and click next.

You will then need to supply the API endpoint as well as your blog username and password. Note that the API endpoint is simply your domain name with /xmlrpc.php appended to the end (example http://photos.yourdomain.com/xmlrpc.php). As the last step, you will need to give the blog a name and click “All Done”.

Optional
You can create a posting template to configure how the photo pulls into your blog.

Push Flickr Photos to Your Blog

Once you have logged into Flickr simply go to http://www.flickr.com/account/uploadbyemail/ and click the link in the bottom right (Under the header that says “Upload to Blog”. Set your configurations and then click “All Done.” Flickr will now give you a special email address to be used to publish photos to your photo blog.

The Dakno Photo Blog Option

To make things easy, if you own a Dakno SwiftBlog, we can create a custom photo blog on your domain matching your exact look and feel of your current Dakno SwiftBlog. Dakno will handle all the setup for you. You simply need to supply us with your Flickr account information (username and password). We’ll take care of the domain setup, configuration and loading. We will then supply you with your secret email address. Every time you send a photo to this email address, your photo blog will automatically post the new photo. For more information on your Dakno photo blog, contact us here at Dakno.

Here are several examples of photo blogs recently launched by Dakno:

• Ann Arbor Photo Blog
• The Hoboken Photo Blog
• Portland, Oregon Photo Blog
• Connecticut Area Photo Blog
• Tyler, TX Photo Blog
• Miami Photo Blog

Of course we had to implement this idea ourselves! Checkout our Dakno Real Estate Web Design Photoblog!

We believe this facet of your online presence will enhance your ability to woo Google!

Bobby Carroll - @rewebcoach

P.S. Don’t forget to add your headline of the photo caption to the “subject” line of your email. In addition, you will want to add a little bit of text to the photo for your site visitors and the search engines. You’ll also want to toss a few of your keywords in the headline and copy to give you that extra SEO boost you want!

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First Time Home Buyer Articles

Here are a few suggested articles you will want to offer on your website. They include:

1. FTHB FAQs
2. Am I Financially Ready to Buy a (city name) Home?
3. Financial Benefits to Home Ownership
4. Understanding Credit Scores
5. Mortgages Made Simple
6. Why You Need a Tech-savvy, Social Media Fanatical (city name) Realtor
7. The Simplified Home Buying Process (diagram)
8. Search for Homes with Your Smart phone

Be a Social Media Freak

Place your social media links on your new FTHB website to sites like:

1. Twitter
2. Facebook
3. Flickr
4. YouTube
5. LinkedIn

Doing this demonstrates you play on their turf too. Remember, Gen Y and Gen X buyers tend to have the herd mentality. This means they seek the approval of the herd on social media sites when they find homes during their search. Admittedly, I offered LinkedIn last as the average age of the typical user of LinkedIn is older than Gen Y’s and Gen X’s. Still, Gen Y and Gen X corporate types understand the power of LinkedIn too.

Financial Tools Offered to Your First Time Home Buyer

• Savings Calculator
• Mortgage Calculator
• Latte Factor Savings Calculator

Go Hyper-local and Offer Neighborhood Information

No longer can a real estate professional simply link to “outside resources” like the local chamber of commerce website or the vistor’s bearu. First time homes buyers want and desire to have access to neighborhoods along with their:

• amenities
• a Google map
• area photos
• videos
• fresh RSS feed of neighborhood blog post
• market data/updates
• entertainment/restaurant info
• shopping venues

These über important features of a first time home buyer site need to be included in your targeted website. Remember, like other types of buyers, first time home buyer’s aren’t just purchasing brick, mortar and wood! They are buying the area.

Seeker Sensitive Property Search Tool!

Your property search tool must be easy to use but at the same time it should also offer web-savvy Google mapping features too. This includes offering your young visitors the ability to checkout neighborhoods and condo buildings with the very cool Google StreetView API.

Connect with First Time Buyers by Smartphone

You will also want to make sure you communicate that you are familiar with the primary tool of choice carried by every red blooded FTHB - the smartphone! FTHB’s are using their smartphones armed with home search APPs in growing numbers. These smartphone APPs include:
1. Puluwai
2. Trulia
3. Zillow
4. House Hunter
5. Home Finder
6. Homes.com
7. Blue Atlas
8. NearBuy

Lastly, make sure your FTHB site has the appropriate imagery to relate to your target audience. Design themes of young couples, typical FTHB homes in your area, plus their toys…. AKA a smartphone, laptop, big screen HDTV and Wii to engage your typical FTHB is a must.

I trust your new FTHB web site has all of these components nailed down.

What resources other than articles, property search tools, videos, Google maps, and neighborhoods would you recommend.

Bobby Carroll - @rewebcoach

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• Boston Real Estate Agent Mike “The Uncommon Agent” Lefebvre
• Ian Watt
• Mike Mueller

The K.I.S.S. is Best!

You’ll notice they retain some of the raw, edginess to their videos but these guys have some technical post-editing chops too. The combination of excellent camera handling and post production work is really what sets them apart. You’ll notice they refrain from using weird pealing transitions. Why agents love those transitions that include hearts, stars and any other “goofy” transitions are beyond me. The point being, the pros  keep everything really simple.

Get a Grip!

Starting with camera handling (Ian places his camera on his dash of his car and Mike & Mike use a tripod for single position shots, and when panning. You’ll also notice they keep things real simple when making transitions from scene to scene. That’s why they have built a faithful following of viewers who will stick with their videos. If you will mimic what these pros do when it comes to your real estate videos, you will be a hit too.

Viewers Won’t Sit and Watch Your 30 Minute Real Estate Video!

Because we rely so  heavily on video in our real estate marketing efforts, agents often ask us what is the “sweet-spot” for the typical ADD afflicted site visitor of today? Our answer, videos need to be around 1-3 minutes in length. Remember, your viewer will appreciate it when you stick with simple transitions with the fade to gray transition.

Don’t be a Rip-Off Artist!

Another tip, avoid using music ripped from iTunes or any other source. Sites where you can purchase royalty-free music include:

• Royaltyfreemusic.com
• istockphoto.com
• Musicbakery.com

When selecting a background song, select something you can use over and over again. The point being, it will become an element of your brand. Think of your song as your theme song. Keep it light and select a tune that would appeal to the masses.

Video Tips for Real Estate Marketing

1. Before publishing anything for your audience practice, practice, practice. Once you have mastered the use of your camera, vlog often. It’s the only way to improve your video skill.
2. Keep the length of your video very short (2-3 minutes max). Remember - viewers are afflicted with ADD possessing an incredible short attention span.
3. Don’t pan around too quickly otherwise pass out barf bags.
4. Don’t walk around taping as it tends to produce a bouncy image.
5. When recording a property, give the potential buyer time to take in the essence of the property.
6. Use the zoom sparingly. It’s one feature that gets old quickly and, if used too often, will have less and less impact on the viewer.
7. If you’re showing something important, linger on the element. Make sure the viewers have ample time to take it in. We are talking mere seconds here.
8. When in a stationary mode consider using a tripod. Even the steadiest hand has a tendency to wobble from time to time. Your viewers will thank you.
9. Remove seasonal decor references from the property as it automatically dates the video.
10. Skin your Flip! You may as well get some brand recognition from your camera while it’s shoved in someone’s face.

As I stated earlier, we recommend you mimic the pros. Check out the work of Mike Lefebvre, The Uncommon Agent (theuncommonagent.com), Mike Mueller (http://areweconnected.com/) and Ian Watt (ianwatt.ca).

Remember, when you  mimic their techniques, you are striving to keep things basic and simple. Observing these 10 tips will enhance the quality of your real estate videos. Have fun and be creative! You’ll quickly find video will help you standout in the crowd!

Until my next post,

Bobby Carroll - @rewebcoach

Video by The Uncommon Agent - Mike Lefebrvre

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The neighborhood entrance

I know it’s cliché but it’s an important shot. This will help home buyers more easily find the location of the neighborhood should they later want to venture out and take a drive through that neighborhood.

Homes

It’s important to photograph a few homes but don’t go overboard. Let’s face it, showing the fronts of a dozen homes that all look the same doesn’t sell the neighborhood. Mix things up by showing the various architecture types and styles of homes. Keep things interesting by photographing the different homes from various angles.

Common Area

Walking trails, bike paths, play grounds, etc. Remember to sell the “lifestyle” that comes with living in that particular neighborhood.

Amenities / Clubhouse

Many people choose neighborhoods based off of its amenities. With this in mind, make sure you feature all of the various “extras” that are available to people living in the neighborhood.

Neighborhood Site Plan

Site Plans help provide potential home buyers with an overview of the neighborhood. Typically a quick phone call to the builder is all it takes as they will be happy to receive the “free advertising” in exchange for the Site Plan. While your at it, ask if they have any additional photographs that you could use on your web site.

Capture Photographs, Not Snapshots

Now that you have a good idea as to what to photograph, here are a few tips to help move your photos from “snapshots” to professional looking photography.

Get There Early or Arrive Late

The time of day plays a big part in how your photos turn out. Evenings produce long shadows and warm colors helping to add character to the photograph. Early morning also has great diffused lighting and helps capture those still moments just after the sun rises.

Frame and Perspective

It’s often difficult to truly capture the perspective in a flat photo. With this in mind, place something in the foreground to add depth to the shot. A simple low hanging tree branch may be all you need to do the trick.

Photoshop Is Your Friend

Even those less than stellar photos can come to life with a little help from a photo editing software such as Photoshop. Just remember, you want to accurately depict the neighborhood so don’t go overboard. Adding a little extra green to the grass is fine, but removing unsightly telephone poles and powerlines is another!

Peak Season

Spring and summer are a great time for photographing the great outdoors. Flowers are blooming, the grass is green and the neighbors just finished their spring cleaning! With this in mind, there is no time like the present to get out and photograph a few neighborhoods!

Bonus Tip

Like so many blog posts that I write, this topic came from a my inbox. Kari Mullins of Peoria Home Office asked me for a few tips on photographing neighborhoods. Instead of simply emailing her back, I decided to write this blog post. So the next time you’re faced with writer’s block, just take a look in your inbox. It’s likely overflowing with blog post ideas!

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Welcome to the Big Cocktail Party Called Social Media!

Social networking sites are akin to a big cocktail party. So how often would you approach someone at a “live” social gathering and shove a business card in a total stranger’s face and say, “are you in the market to buy or sell a home?” Of course that’s pretty stupid (oops, mom told me to never use that word-but!) Like I said, it’s happening way too often. How about striking up a conversation and get to know the other person. Learn what you have in common. Now that’s connecting - getting social! Some of us call that YEO (a Turnerism meaning “You Engaging Others”).

Avoid the Mistakes - Get All Access to Social Media Bootcamp!

If you are searching for the right ways to make social media work for you, take a look at Dakno’s All Access! It’s a brand new concept that incorporates high-impact,  information-rich training that’s very affordable.

With All Access you get:

• Full access to archived and live streaming Blogging Bootcamp sessions
• Q&A sessions with the Dakno Team on the popular tools of RE blogging, websites, social media and SEO
• Access to live and archived Social Media Bootcamp sessions
• Exclusive access to all live (and archived) streaming real estate marketing webcast
• Tap into the exponential power of the All Access SEO/Promotion Group for more site traffic and backlink opportunities for your web presence

How Do You Get Your Ticket To All Access?

You’re probably thinking the All Access pass must cost at least $100 a month. How about half that! As a Founding Member of All Access, your AA Pass is incredibly affordable (can you say less than $2 per day)!

For more information on pricing, click this All Access link NOW!

We will see you on our first All Access Social Media Live webcast this Thursday at 2:00 PM EDT!

Bobby Carroll - @rewebcoach

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1. While it’s awesome to get those great keywords like city name real estate (example-Dallas real estate), too many real estate agents overlook neighborhood keywords (long-tail searches). And the reality is that people who are searching with those neighborhood-centric keywords actually make stronger, more qualified consumers. Why? Someone searching for “Dallas real estate” is just browsing (tire-kickers) in broad generalities while someone searching for homes for sale in the Dallas neighborhood of Preston Hollow are looking for - well, homes for sale in Preston Hollow. There’s a strong probability they may be 30-60 days out instead of 18 months.
2. If a RE Pro will provide this unique, SEO keyword-rich indexable content it will offer so much search power for the site owner

Integrate Real Estate Video

First, video is so easy especially with a Flip video camera!

• Here are a few examples how to integrate video onto your real estate website: Aventura Lakes-Scott Patterson, Golden Eagle Plantation-Joe Manausa
• When in doubt, copy the pros! “The Uncommon Agent”, Mike Lefebvre, Realtor in the Boston and Ian Watt from Vancouver, BC
• Armed with the cost-effective Flip Mino video camera, Microsoft Movie Maker (or if you are a Mac user go with iMovie) and a little time, Real Estate Pros can produce some very compelling and interesting content for their neighborhoods. Your site visitors will love that content on your websites and blogs.

Use Social Media Sites Like Facebook & Twitter

• Create a Facebook neighborhood group page and highlight local neighborhood events like HOA meetings, community yard sales, mommy meet-ups, special socials like block parties, etc.

• Twitter Participating on Twitter will give you the golden opportunity to be recognized as a resource person and a trusted advisor. That way you can be positioned as someone who is that information provider in your area. Using popular keywords Tweeted, you can then work to fulfill those needs, both on Twitter and on your own websites and blog. Look at the questions people in your local target market are asking on Twitter via defined searches for the following questions:
  1. “Do you know anyone in (area name)“
  2. “Looking for“

Link to Your Neighborhood Pages from Your Online Profiles

• ActiveRain profile link back to your neighborhood
• Trulia Blogs - write a blog post and link back to neighborhood page
• Youtube video (be sure to tag each video properly), maybe syndicate the video via TubeMogul.com
• Squidoo Lens (remember that they give you the ability to create an RSS feed. Why not create a separate category feed just for that neighborhood)
• Write blog post about the neighborhood. Identify amenities, the local schools and lifestyle fun things to do nearby!
• Spotlight local businesses around that neighborhood and point site visitors to your business directory for all their home care needs. Interview the business owner!
• Outside.in (tag each blog post with your zip code for that neighborhood)
• Look for Local Portals (typically sponsored by local media such as TV and Newspaper)
• Create a flickr set of photos of the neighborhood like South Beach Realtor Kevin Tomlinson
• If the neighborhood is large enough, add your link in Wikipedia
• Become a local editor on Topix.com and write unique teaser content linking back to your website with strong anchor text in the link
• Feed your neighborhood information on your blog into LinkedIn

Be Selfish with Your Website Traffic

Don’t link away to the Chamber of Commerce website thinking that’s going to be the best resource for area information. You could be providing traffic to your competitor! Beware of banner ads on monetized Chamber sites. Get this; I have personally seen framed chamber sites within agent sites-yes, it’s true!

You work hard for your traffic therefor, I suggest you keep your site visitor and provide that hyper local neighborhood information on your website with high value area information that includes:

• Identify amenities like golf course info, pools, tennis courts, playgrounds, parks & rec facilities, school info, fun things to do that center around lifestyle (equestrian, water sports).
• Remember, consumers are buying more than a piece of property. They are buying the area too so providing indepth area information is important to your site visitor!

But This is a Lot of Work!

Anything worth doing (that creates value and opportunity) takes work. Don’t get discouraged! Instead, tackle one task at a time. Do that and consumers will surely see you as Their Neighborhood Expert!

Let me know if you implement any of these strategies! I’d love to see your work in action!

Bobby Carroll - The Crystal Coast Blogger

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RE Bar Camps are FREE!

Free to all in the real estate industry to attend (sponsorships are encouraged), RE Bar Camp topics are decided upon by the attendees based on their needs. Once the topics are agreed upon those who are thought leaders in attendance choose topics to lead discussions on that subject. Because of the insane popularity of these RE bar Camps, I encourage you to RSVP as soon as reservations are opened for the event near you.

Helping You Find the Next RE Bar Camp!

Being the tireless eager beaver that he is, Brad developed a map and listed each upcoming RE Bar Camp we know about. Once you hear about a local RE Bar Camp in the planning stages and coming to your area, be sure to DM Brad (@dakno) or my self (@rewebcoach) and let us know to add your city to the Dakno Blog RE Bar Camp map and list. This way everyone benefits from the information.

Can’t Be There Face to Face?

If past history is any indication, every RE Bar Camp will fill up quickly to capacity (and then some-waitlists are common). If you find you can’t be there to meet everyone  “#FTF” (Face to Face), be sure to checkout dakno.tv for a live stream of the event. The dakno.tv “world tour” is making an effort to attend as many of these RE Bar camps as we can and make it easy for you to watch via a live stream. We will also archive each event and post that archived  stream on dakno.tv.

Wave to the dakno.tv Camera!

Hopefully, we will see you at an upcoming RE Bar Camp so be sure to “mug for the camera”.

Bobby Carroll
@rewebcoach

P.S. Having attended and presented at a RE Bar Camp, Brad and I highly recommend you attend the next RE Bar Camp near you. The information shared is awesome and the relationships you create will be enriching!

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What’s a Skin?

Designed by our awesome design team (gratuitous plug), our clients get to reach out to their prospects in some really creative ways! Think about all that time you sit in your local Starbucks when you could be marketing while your laptop is open. Or maybe those opportunities when you are out and about with your Flip taking video of your neighborhoods or favorite restaurant. Those moments can be used to build your brand and now it’s easier with a skin from Skinit.com.

Display Your Brand With Pride!

So the next time you are out sippin’ a latte at your favorite beanery, make sure you are showing your skin and proudly displaying your brand. It’s sure to create some extra buzz no espresso could match!

Have questions about a skin? Feel free to leave a comment.

Bobby Carroll

@rewebcoach

P.S. BTW - a laptop skin so ridiculously affordable. Most laptop model skins run for around $30, and the Flip and the iPhone skins sell for $16 each (plus shipping). A great real estate design shop can design one of those bad boys in about an hour or so.

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What is Twitter?

Often described as public Instant Messenger on steroids, Twitter is micro-blogging in 140 characters. Common “Tweets” include pithy comments, mundane babbling to high-value information and content distribution. The point of Twitter is to be personal and build relationships! Remember, that’s what social media is all about and Twitter is most certainly that - social. If you haven’t heard of Twitter, you been spending too much time under that rock of yours. It’s one of the fastest growing social communities (period!).

Why Use Twitter?

1. Be in the Know - Twitter helps you stay abreast of the rapidly changing world of technology and the news. If you recall the “landing on the Hudson” by the USAir flight, that event was initially covered by citizen reporter armed with his iPhone and a Twitpic picture uploader. With Twitter you can receive instant tips, monitor events, and keep up with breaking news. Of course, this is provided you follow the right Tweeple (People on Twitter)
2. Be a Community Helper/Trusted Advisor - It positions you, the real estate expert, as the hyper-local trusted advisor
3. Be Social - It’s another social water cooler to connect with people. The best way to connect with Tweeple IRL (in real life) is attend local Tweet-ups.
4. Content Distribution Channel - It can serve a content distribution channel for your blog post. As illustrated in the above Hudson River landing, Twitter also allows you to be citizen reporter in the street. How you use Twitter in content distribution is so important (use it wisely!)
5. Get Noticed - Twitter is an engine for viral marketing, if you’re fortunate enough to see something become viral.
6. Listening Device - Reputation management. Twitter is the perfect reputation management tool especially when combined with several other Twitter tools.
7. Brand Builder - It can help build brand awareness (Twitter skins and Tweets that help enhance brand identity)
8. Show You Care - Support and be identified with charitable organizations via Twitter (Example: Twestival)

Tools for Twitter - Desktop Applications for Twitter

Manually refresh or use….

1. Twirl: http://www.twhirl.org/
2. TweetDeck: http://www.tweetdeck.com/beta/
3. Tweetgrid: http://tweetgrid.com/

Feed Pictures to Twitter

1. Twitpics: http://www.twitpic.com/
2. Tag images for Twitter: http://www.flickr.twittergram.com/

Find Local Tweeple

1. Find local Tweeple: http://www.twitterlocal.net/
2. Place Tweeple in groups: http://www.tweepler.com/
3. Find Tweeple with Twubble: http://crazybob.org/twubble/

Twitter as an Search Tool

People on Twitter search in the same way people perform searches on Google. The best tool for this is www.search.twitter.com. You can and should monitor what Tweeple say about you with these tools:

1. Google Alerts for Twitter: www.tweetbeep.com/
2. Google Alerts for Twitter: www.twilert.com/
3. Google Alerts for Twitter: http://tweetscan.com/alerts.php
4. Twitter search engine: www.twitterverse.com/
5. Top breaking news stories: http://tweetnews.appspot.com/fresh?q=yahoo

Using Twitter to Connect and Grow Your Sphere of Influence

Part of being recognized as a trusted advisor is to be that wealth of knowledge and information provider in your area. Using popular keywords Tweeted, you can then work to fulfill those needs, both on Twitter and on your own websites and blog. Look at the questions people in your local target market are asking on Twitter via defined searches for the following questions:.

1. “Do you know anyone in (area name)“
2. “Looking for“

Top Recommended Twitter Resources That Are a Must Read!

1. 10 minute video on being a Twitter power user by InSocialMedia Blog: http://www.insocialmedia.com/
2. Twitpwr: http://twitpwr.com/6Rz/
3. Twitter for Real Estate Twits by @nik-nik
4. 100 Twitter tools: http://www.onlinebestcolleges.com/blog/2009/100-twitter-tools-to-help-you-achieve-all-your-goals/

Tweetmonials - Dish up Your Favorite Sweet Twits

The ultimate widget to share your “favorite: Tweets for your real estate website or blog

http://www.tweetimonials.com/

1.      Display your “Favorite” Sweet Testimonial Tweets on your website or blog

2.      Example: www.dakno.com/blog

Follow @dakno and @rewebcoach

Be sure to follow  us (Brad Carroll @dakno and Bobby Carroll @rewebcoach) on Twitter!

Your Feedback?

What other tools would you suggest?

Be sure to watch our FREE archived Real Estate Marketing webcast on Twitter at dakno.tv!

See you around Twitterville,

Bobby Carroll

Post Update: 3/25/09

We have heard from some of our newer Twitter friends and they are asking what’s the deal with that # symbol? It’s called a “hash tag” and it’s a great tool to “track” a collective stream of  thought concerning a particular event (ex. REtech South Conference=#RETS) or a particular subject (ex. Suggest a Twitter friend to follow to someone or everyone=#FollowFriday)

An easy way to keep up with a particular event or running Twitter topic is to set up a search on TweetDeck for the hashtage of your choice so you can stay in the know about a specific event or topic.

If you have other questions about Twitter, please feel free to leave a comment below.

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