Logoease....Really Easy and Really FREE!

***thanks to Tasia Fauntleroy for her post which included a tip to this site, see her blog at: http://activerain.com/blogsview/581862/Free-That-s-the***

So on the advice of  fellow ActiveRainer, I went to several freebie sites to see what they had to offer.  Since joining AR, the freebies have been one of my favorite things to share and learn about.  I have been an internet freebie Queen since 1990! 

The site that I played with last night was www.logoease.com  It is a site that allows you to create your own logos FOR FREE!  Here is mine:

It was a ton of fun to mess around with and I like the end result, too!  Head over there and try it out for yourself and thanks again to Tasia!

Thank You Gift Idea for Clients, Not Free But Affordable!

I have been using VistaPrint for years for business cards, but recently they added a lot of new products and I decided to give them a try.  I started by designing a T-shirt that I bring to my new listings as a thank you gift. 

I leave that at the house along with the feature sheets, a stack of cards and a post-it notes:

I also had a baseball cap made up, which I intended to wear myself, but the first day I had it on one of my best friends snatched it from me and I won't ever see it again.  I ordered more:

I also put a new order in for more T-shirts because all of my friends said they want one and will be my mobile advertising...works for me!

If you are a member of upromise.com (I should write another post about this) VistaPrint is offering a limited time 50% sale price.  For example:  the T-shirt usually would cost almost $10.00   If you are a upromise.com member, you pay only $4.49 each! 

If you are interested in looking into using this idea, click here: 

 http://www.vistaprint.com/frf?frf=185557274880

American Lifstyle Magazine....Just Joined Up, Anyone Tried This?

My business partner, Jeremie and I just joined this marketing company to send free subscriptions of this magazine to our clients and business partners.  While not free to us, it seems like a nice way of keeping your information in front of people in a low key and accessible way.

I like the look of the magazine and think it is the type of publication that people would keep on their coffee table, etc.  I also like the idea that once you have created your list of contacts, you "own" them and a competitor cannot send to the same company/person/location.

If you have tried this before, give me your opinions on the outcome.  If you are looking for more information visit www.remindermedia.com 

If you are a client or customer who would like to be added to my subscription list, please send me an email:  lesleylambert@parksquarerealty.com

Twitter, Plurk, Utterz, Ping.fm Holy Networking Batman!

So, I find Active Rain and I make a slow start here.  Then Active Rain sends me running all over the internet researching, learning, creating.  I think I am getting along just fine, then I learn about Twitter.  Once again, I make a slow start there and don't really know what I am doing, but keep doing it anyways.  Now I am let to all of these other options, and I am here to confess MY TOTAL CONFUSION!

Ok, so is there anywhere that I can post that will go all of these places?  Is that what Ping.fm does?  I requested a beta code from them so I could check it out. 

I am loving "meeting" all these new people and getting a glimpse of their private and professional lives.  It is a bit voyeristic, but that may be what keeps it exciting.

Any advice from any of you more experienced networkers?

I am @LesleyRealtor on any and all of the above...add me and then sort me out!

Grandmothers' Garden Annual Garden Tour, Westfield, MA

Westfield, MA is the home of this downtown gem of a historic garden.  Restored through the fundraising, hard work and dedication of concerned citizens (like myself), the garden is a joy.  For more information on the history of the garden click here: http://www.grandmothersgarden.org/history.htm

As a continuing fundraising effort the Friends of Grandmothers' Garden hosts an annual garden tour which is always a huge hit. Be certain to save some time to enjoy all of these lovely gardens!

The Tenth Annual Grandmothers' Garden Tour will be held Saturday, June 28 and Sunday, June 29, 2008. This year's tour, "Garden Treasures",A 10th Anniversary Celebration, will feature local private gardens, and, of course, our own Grandmothers' Garden. In addition to the tour, on Friday June 27, one very special destination-The Watkins Garden will be the location of the third annual "Garden Party!" Music by "Curran & Company" will delight concert-goers who will be able stroll through the exquisite gardens and enjoy refreshments.

Proceeds from the tour and concert will benefit the upcoming improvements and continued maintenance of Grandmothers' Garden and Chauncey Allen Park-true regional assets. Friday's concert begins at 6 PM and the weekend tour hours are 9 AM to 4 PM. All events will be held rain or shine. Tickets for the concert are $40.00. Tickets for the tour are $20.00 per person, $15.00 for seniors. Tickets for the concert and the tour are $55.00. Tickets will be available in May 2008.For more information or tickets please call Bernadette Toomey at  (413)562-9404  or Joyce Bannish at  (413) 569-3232  or FOGG08@comcast.com.

Cell Signs Marketing Listings to the Smart Phone User

I found this company through Active Rain and did some research then decided to try them out.  You add a sign rider with texting information and when a potential buyer texts they can request a showing, request a phone call, view interior photos and even have a feature sheet emailed to them.

Once a buyer has used the system, you get a message with their information.  There is also a nice report for each property on their website. 

I don't have any hard statistics on this, yet, because it is so new for me, but I think it could be an amazing tool. 

In today's world of texting and smartphones this is a terrific way to bring the information to the buyers in the format that they prefer.

My sellers are impressed because they have never heard of this before (no one else in my market is doing this yet) and so they feel like I am going the extra mile for them (I am!).  

Fellow Blackberry Addicts and ITunes Lovers Unite!

You will be Nutso for nuTsie!

I just found out about this new product, downloaded it and am listening to music on my Blackberry Curve as I type.  This will turn your ITunes playlists into files accessible (and share-able!) over the internet, as well as provide you with playlists to sample.  While sampling you can choose "hate it" or "grab it" for the music and the "grabs" get added to your account. 

This is a limited trial offer, but so totally cool if you are a music/smartphone freak like I am!

Visit www.nutsie.com and give it a try!  Let me know if you like it...maybe we can share playlists!

55 and up Condo Communtity: Beautiful New Construction

Woodmar Glen, Westfield, MA

This exclusive 55yr and up community features only ten condominium units with one sold already.  Construction is in the finish stages with new owners moving in next month.

Starting at $229,900

Beautifully appointed with nice finishes and plenty of options for customization. 

Call Lesley Lambert of Park Square Realty for a private showing:

413-575-3611

One, Two-Squidoo!

I Squidoo, do you?

Just joined and created my first lens at: http://www.squidoo.com/lesleyrealtor

I am so new to all these linking and SEO opportunities, but this one was super easy to implement and I hope will drive activity to my links and increase the Google Juice. 

Anyone having luck with this?

Subprime Lender Recommendations?

I know that the subprime, stated income products have dried up, but I find myself in a situation where I need to find a lender for my own less than attractive loan.  Has anyone had any recent experience with a lender who offers these products in MA or on a national scale? 

Thanks in advance for your recommendations!