Blogging – Where Do You Start?

We think the folks at CopyBlogger are awesome!  We read their blog quite often and sometimes we post their articles on our Facebook Page!  But they have outdone themselves with this cool InfoGraphic.

It’s based on one of their blog posts titled 21 Ways to Create Compelling Content When You Don’t Have a Clue.  I’m sure you’ve feel this way sometimes, and so have we!  Now we can share with you our little secret from CopyBlogger – and you’ll know what to do next time you’re not feeling creative or have a little writer’s block!

Enjoy the graphic and let us know your favorite tip!

 

22 Ways to Create Compelling Content - Infographic
Like this infographic? Get more content marketing tips from Copyblogger.

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving from AnotherME

Happy Thanksgiving  2011!

Back in the ‘old days’ before Facebook, Twitter and email, people used to send postcards to their friends for every holiday, event and trip!   The recipients would save and organize their postcards in elaborate scrap books.  These scrapbooks were then shared when friends came to visit and displayed with great pride.  The more postcards you had, the more popular you were! Some things never change !  These scrapbooks could be considered something akin to an old fashioned Facebook page!

I am so lucky to have my Grandmother and Great Aunt’s collections from the very early 1900’s!!  I have to admit, some postcards seem a little odd and some are downright politically incorrect!  (will share some more on another occasion)

However, most of the designs and pictures depict a simpler way of life and provide a glimpse into the history of our country and traditions. I hope you enjoy them!



Texting… Sometimes it’s a Good Thing!

Google – it’s one heck of a company with so many great ideas and products.  Gmail, Google Docs, Google Maps, Calendar, Reader… the list goes on and on!

Did you know that Google has a Text Message “Search” feature?  Even if you have a web browser on your smart phone, you might find Google’s SMS search easier. For one, it’s incredibly fast– no clicking links and searching through results while you try to find your glasses!  You use special keywords to get immediate access to information.

Here’s an example: text “weather 30329” to 466453 (GOOGLE) and instantly receive the current weather in Atlanta, along with a three day forecast.  Cool! …or Hot!  It works with any zip code.

Movie times, no problem!  This little feature comes in handy when the gang says, “let’s catch a movie!”  Just text “movies” plus the zip code for movie times in your area along with options to view more films, more theater times, addresses and phone numbers.

For the ‘directionally challenged’, who don’t have a GPS; you can get step-by-step driving directions in a text!!  Simply text the word “directions [your start address] to [your destination address]  I used this feature recently and it was spot on!

There are over 22 “hot search keywords” you can get your hands on information faster than searching via your browser and squinting to read! To see a demo along with all of the search features (and instructions on how to use them), check out the Google Mobile SMS page!

And of course, we have to use the disclaimer “don’t text and drive” and “normal texting charges apply.” However we’re pretty sure most real estate professionals have unlimited texting or data plans today and that realtors are excellent drivers!

 

image source: wired.com

You Know What Happens to Minnows, Don’t You? They Get Eaten…

Bigger Fish Can Gobble Up Your Business

Why are so many Realtors refusing to launch their businesses into the future by making a commitment to Social Media? Why are you content to swim with the “small fry”when the opportunity to promote your brand and generate leads is right in front of you? Don’t you realize the longer you wait, the further behind in the technology you get? And guess what? Your competition is gaining strength and getting hungrier for new business and you know what happens to minnows, don’t you? They get eaten…

The good news is it’s not too late to get started! AnotherMe can help you move in the right direction! Have you thought about adding blogging to your Social Media presence on the web? Do you have a website that needs the cobwebs removed, but not sure where to start? Well, pay attention because here comes the good stuff!

You want to put your best foot forward and Starting Out Right is crucial. You don’t want to put a brand new, shiny blog on a tired looking website, right? For a one time fee of $250, AnotherME’s web strategists will work with you to “throw out the old and bring in the new!” First, let’s get you set up with WordPress, a dynamite blogging platform providing the latest plugins and widgets so visitors will “feel the love” and you’ll get the most bang for your bucks! While we’re at it, let’s add new profiles to the most popular networks such as Trulia, ActiveRain, Facebook and Twitter, plus link it all together to draw peak interest to your website! Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Of course, if you already have a great looking site then skip the revamp and move on to our Starter Package for $225 a month. What do you think about 6 posts per month? Do your homework and find this is a great value on the market today! Includes all the important stuff…keywords, great SEO culminating in new readership and return visitors! Four of the posts are 250-word, hyperlocal writings (specific to your area) and the other two would be a Market Report and Statistics Summary offering your readers a snapshot of what’s happening right now in their neck of the woods!

If you want the Starter Package on steroids, choose the Advanced Package for just $325 per month. Imagine 4 250-word hyperlocal posts and 4 local market updates (displayed in charts/graphs) grabbing your visitor’s attention and giving them information others in the industry don’t have.

Of course, nothing is set in stone and we can customize a package for your every need! The initial consultation is FREE so what do you have to lose? Call me, tell me what your thoughts are and I know we can help you. But, please, if you don’t work with me, work with someone in order to get your website presence brought into the 21st Century. Your future in real estate depends on it and I want to see you succeed!

Patty Keller
AnotherME
770.414.9393

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What’s in a Name?

What’s in a name?  Everything – your reputation, your family history, your personality.  So why aren’t you using your name in your email address?

I see so many agents using MSN.com, Gmail.com, Yahoo.com, etc for their main email address.  It’s not the most professional impression.  How would you feel if you were conversing online with your bank and the account executive used Yahoo.com as their main email?  Not too confident?

Your Name

 

It’s easy to register your full name as a web domain!  So you can send emails from sally@sallysellsrealestate.com or sally@sallysmith.com.  If you haven’t, then go right her to GoDaddy.com and buy your name!

If you have an odd name or a different spelling – then buy a domain that’s easy for people to remember.  For example, it’s not easy to remember this email for Jane –  “jane@janelewczyk.com”  however, “jane@realestatejane.com” or “jane@contactjane.com” makes more sense when someone is trying to remember your email.

And then, you can forward that email address to your Yahoo, MSN or Gmail account.  It’s easy!

Your brand is your name/your company name… use it!

Happy Emails!

Do You Really Need Social Media Marketing for Your Business?

In order to be successful in the Real Estate business or any business, you have to generate leads, stay in touch with your past clients, and make yourself known to your community.

Social Media has made staying in touch with your past clients, meeting new people and networking with other interest groups easier, faster and more cost efficient!

In the 2010 Social Media Marketing Report, 41% of marketers felt the use of Social Media reduced their overall marketing expenses. (marketingsherpa.com)

Think about the time it takes to attend networking meetings, civic meetings, church meetings, etc …versus jumping on your PC/Mac, iPhone or Blackberry and chatting it up with your online networks.

TopRank Blogs reviewed the 2010 Social Media Marketing Report* by the folks at MarketingSherpa.com and outlined some of the top benefits of Social Media Marketing.

The #1 advantage of Social Media Marketing is to generate exposure for your business: ranked #1 by 85% of all marketers.!

Following that was increasing traffic to your website/blog (63%) and building new business partnerships (56%). All are key goals for Realtors today

So let me ask you again, do you really need to add Social Media Marketing in your real estate business?

If you have a hard time understanding the concept, think about this:
What do you do when you attend a meeting, group event, church events, neighborhood functions or when you’re at the store?

You walk in the room, walk over to some friends give them a hug, shake hands, ask about their kids, their family and find out how they’re doing. Then you spot another group of friends and you walk over to them, same thing. Oh, there’s a new face in the group, so you meet that person. One of your friends tells you about a new restaurant or a new store they think you would like, or someone asks to attend another event with them. And so on and so on.

Facebook and Twitter are just like that – walk into the “online room”, say hi to your friends, meet some new friends, join a new group, read about a new restaurant or service, catch up with out of state friends – Be Social!

You’re already doing this in real life! Move some of your networking and socializing on-line and see what happens! If you want to connect with me, I’ll be sure to stop by and see you next time I’m “on line”!

Facebook Friends and First Impressions

I like Facebook!  And I’ve had a lot of fun getting to know all kinds of new people and friends of my friends. Facebook FriendsConnecting and networking is what this business is all about!  But some people forget that manners and first impressions are even more important when networking in cyberspace. 

Case in point…yesterday I got a “Mystery Facebook Friend Request” from a total stranger.  However, this person didn’t include a message with his request stating why we should be friends or how he might know me. 

Whenever I send out a “Friend Request” to someone that I don’t know, I always send a message along with it to explain we have multiple friends in common or I would like to get to know them better, or we share similar interests or someone recommended that I get to know them.  Something!

Here’s a good example of a message that someone sent me: “Would love to learn more about AnotherMe.com. Look forward to networking with you too! We have alot of the same business/personal friends. Take care!”  Pretty good!

Back to the Mystery Friend Request… I really dislike this kind of friend request, because I have to do all the work!  I have to click on his profile and try to figure out how I might know him, and decide if I even want to know him. I have no clue why he would want to “Friend” me. 

So, I click on his profile, view his information and then click on his “Wall” to get a little more information about him and see what he’s all about.  What do I see?  Mafia Wars – He’s all about  Mafia Wars.  Every single update on his wall was a Mafia Wars update.   Seriously! 

It made me wonder, why would anyone want to friend this guy and get his Mafia Wars updates multiple times a day? (unless they do Mafia Wars)  He could be a nice guy, want to do business with me, or want to send me referrals.  But that first impression has turned me off.

Which leads to the next question….  Should I just click on the “Ignore” button or “Report him as Spam”? 

What do you think?

 

Are you LinkedIn… with the leading Social Networking site for Business?

This week I had the opportunity to attend a class for real estate professionals on using LinkedIn and how to “data mine” for new business with this Social Networking site.  I was surprised to see that out of 25+ agents in the class, only 7 or 8 had set up a profile!

The instructor was Richard Kirby, a recruiter who has developed a network of over 3500 connections!  He has successfully used LinkedIn to meet new clients, make connections with Corporate HR contacts and develop his business!

Here are some eye-opening facts about LinkedIn:

* There are over 40 million business users on LinkedIn, including managers and executives at virtually all major employers.

*LinkedIn is the leading online Social Networking website for Business.

*LinkedIn is a giant database of members who are relatively open to networking and inquiries.

*Nearly 60% of the members have incomes over $93,000. (based on a study done by Anderson Analytics)

Are you on LinkedIn?  It’s easy to navigate and set up a profile.  You’ll get the most visibility on your profile when you complete each section: Photo, summary of current position, email address, website links, interests, previous jobs and work experience.  Then start connecting with colleagues, old friends, new friends, past clients, etc.

Join a few groups: college alumni association, sorority/fraternity, special interests, employer groups, and of course, there are lots of real estate groups to join!  Once you have made connections, ask for recommendations.  Richard Kirby recommends getting 5-10! This will complete your profile and give you more visibility!

Start today using LinkedIn to find and develop new clients, connect with clients who aren’t on Facebook or MySpace, share updates, and establish yourself online!

And while you’re there – connect with me!

My First Launch into the Blogosphere

Finally, I am starting my first blog! Let me introduce myself – I am Patty Keller, founder of AnotherME, a real estate virtual assistant company offering Listing Coordination, Closing Coordination, Marketing Services, and Real Estate Administration. My company of 14 talented and experienced Closing Coordinators, Virtual Assistants, and Marketing Assistants has been supporting real estate professionals for more than six years. Now that we are an established business, we are establishing our “voice.” So naturally, I decided to start blogging.

Everyone should aspire to have an assistant, someone to take care of administrative tasks so you can have more time. This time could be more profitably spent finding new clients, selling property, and other tasks that increase productivity, resulting in a more successful business.

I know what you are thinking, “I can’t afford to hire someone now.” AnotherME saves you money because you only pay for the services you need when you need them, without the obligation of full-time employees. My virtual team is dedicated to customer service and making you look great. Each “AnotherME” has at least three years experience in supporting real estate professionals and has closed hundred of contracts. We work with clients from Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Keller Williams, and RE/MAX, to boutique real estate companies.

Thanks for reading my first blog. Stay tuned for more. I’ll be staying away from political and religious topics and focusing more on how to help out the real estate agent. Check out our website between blogs at www.AnotherME.com.