St. Augustine Real Estate Videos help REALTORS® get to the commision table! We are pleased to report that this beautiful Waterfront Home in Historic Downtown St. Augustine recently closed and the REALTOR® had both sides of the deal. Merry Christmas, huh? :-)

Listing Solutions recently launched this new service and the results have been amazing. These Real Estate Videos are state-of-the-art, high definition and professionally shot and edited. Here is what one of our current customers had to say about the video that we created for her:

"Listing Solutions has been a part of my marketing strategies for several years. Their products and services are wonderful and instrumental in helping REALTORS® sell their listings. Most people are searching on the internet. The virtual tours and real estate videos that Listing Solutions provides are interactive, informative and produce results. One of the purchasers was not present and was able to view this video, in order to get a feel for what was being discussed during the process of purchasing. This was very helpful in closing this deal. Thank you Listing Solutions". - Nancy Estevez, REALTOR®

Real estate websites are not a substitute for hard work. To have a successful online presence takes dedication and a personal investment of time or money, to have someone else manage it for you.

I recently had a customer call to say that she wanted to cancel her real estate website with us. This rarely happens and I asked her if she would tell me why she no longer wanted our assistance. She said, "I don't think I have to blog to get results. I just have to have a site that works and is up to date". When I asked her what she meant by "a site that works" she told me "one that gets traffic and shows up in the search engines". She was completely frustrated and felt overwhelmed and just wanted to cancel her website with us.

We do tell our real estate website template customers UP FRONT, that in order to compete in the search engines they basically have two options: Blogging or Pay Per Click (PPC) advertsing. Creating a real estate website does not ensure that you will get traffic. We had conversations about blogging from the very beginning and how it would be a great tool to drive traffic to her website. When we launched her customized MLS search tool, we created "hyper local" saved searches that she could blog about and capture leads from her visitors. So, where did it go wrong for her? From the very beginning. There was never a level of commitment on her part to do the things necessary to promote her website.

We have taught numerous blogging classes in her office and we have several other Agents in that office on the same system, that are having great success. The situation got me thinking. Can you imagine opening up a business with no location and no advertising to attract potential customers? It wouldn't work, would it?

When I realized that it was my ego alone that did not want to lose this customer, I understood that we were not the right solution for what this customer needed. She did need a customized IDX solution, which we provided. She did need a lead capture system and the ability to create customized forms, which we provided. She did need a website that she could log in to and update with text, images and video (without having to know or understand coding), which we provided.

It comes down to this: "Are you willing to invest the time or money in to a website that is going to produce results?" Because real estate websites are not a substitute for hard work. This question could have saved her some time and money, and some peace of mind for me. I hate losing a customer!

 
I am pleased to finally announce our BIG NEWS!

Marjorie Taylor, Director of Operations for Listing Solutions and one of the most amazing REALTORS® that I know, is focusing her attention on helping other REALTORS®. That's right, she is giving up General Real Estate and focusing her efforts on helping real estate professionals with their online presence. And we couldn't be happier!

Many of you on ActiveRain will recognize Marjorie as a regular. She has been Featured a few times and regularly shares her success stories from being a Member of ActiveRain. She holds the CDPE, CRS, GRI, e-PRO and TRC, designations and is the Technology Chair for the St. Augustine & St Johns County Board of REALTORS®.

Marjorie's 27 years of professional real estate experience and personal success, enables her to identify and help implement products to assist today's real estate professional. She is an active member of the St. Augustine & St Johns County Board of REALTORS® and the St. Augustine Regional Chapter of Women's Council of REALTORS®, where she served as Vice President of Membership.

Please join us in congratulating Marjorie on her decision. I know that our current clients will be thrilled to know that they can receive help from someone who has walked the walk, talked the talk and Dominated the search engines!

Turn Your Facebook Page In To An MLS Search Page. You have created a Fan Page on Facebook and you are consistently sharing information with your Fans. Now What? Give them what they are looking for...the ability to search the MLS where they are already comfortable, Facebook.

A recent statistic states that one out of every nine minutes spent online is spent on Facebook. This phenomenon has become part of people's everyday lives (some more than others) and they are comfortable with the platform. Don't run the risk of losing them by having them leave Facebook to search the MLS.


Have you ever clicked on a link while logged in to your Facebook account and been directed to some nonsensical website promising you what you thought you were already getting? "Register Now" and "Sign Up Now To Receive" are common phrases that prompt the general public to leave websites when clicking on a link. Wouldn't it be a novel idea to deliver the goods like you said you would? The new Facebook App allows you to Turn Your Facebook Page In To An MLS Search Page.

Fans can click on an icon while on your Facebook page and search the MLS like an Agent. More importantly, you can capture the lead and see exactly what they have searched for. The new App even displays all of your saved searches. There are Two Ways that you can add this awesome social media tool to your Facebook account:

1. If you are currently using the Customized MLS Search and Lead Generation Tool that we set up for you, simply log in to your Facebook account and click on the following link: http://ow.ly/7pNzT
   
   
2. Not a current customer? No problem! We would love the opportunity to show you how incorporating this incredibly robust product will help you sell more real estate. Contact us today and let us show you how to Turn Your Facebook Page In To An MLS Search Page.
   
   

Google AdWords Keyword Tool is one of Google's best products and you can use it to help increase traffic to your  website! Google is the most used search engine in the world. A recently released report showed that Google accounts for about 72% of all online searches. That is pretty amazing when you think about how much competition they actually have. 

If we researched Your Geographic Location + Your Service we would find that, “Saint Augustine Real Estate” receives 14,800 searches each month. This would make a great domain name because so many people are already looking for it and when optimized properly, has the potential to drive an enormous amount of visitors to you each month. But, what if someone already owns the domain name? This doesn’t automatically rule this keyword out. You can use this search phrase in the content, as a hyper-link and in the Meta Tags of your website. Content is key and the Google AdWords Keyword Tool will help you develop target rich keywords and phrases to attract more visitors.

While most people were busy getting a head start on the seasonal shopping frenzy this weekend, I reviewed a social media case study of the world renowned Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort. I also managed to squeeze in a few games of Madden 2012 with my 15 year old Son, watch the Florida State game on Saturday night and the Jacksonville Jaguars game on Sunday. Oh yeah, and we put up the Christmas tree. So, it is not as pitiful as it sounds. Anyway, I wanted to share some of the things that have made their organization successful at social media.

First of all, they truly seem to get social media and how it connects them with people that will ultimately spend money with them. Their philosophy is actually pretty simple and can be applied to the real estate arena:


Connect with current, past and future guests
Engage with them in a two way dialogue
Grow their Share of Voice

They shared what they believe is the sales cycle for their organization and I found it to be extremely interesting.

They believe that their sales cycle starts with a piece of Inspiration that someone views on social media and then goes through the whole Consideration, Evaluation and Validation process. Something along the way triggers them to make a purchase. If they had a good experience they fall in to the Loyalty Loop shown above and create a bond with the organization and become a Brand Factor for them. This got me thinking about the real estate industry and how social media continues to open new doors for today’s real estate professionals. The philosophy shown above can be applied to the real estate industry and the techniques and strategies are proven to produce results.

Connecting with people is essential to any social media campaign and it can easily be done when using a social media dashboard. There is no “magic bullet” when it comes to this daunting chore. This stage takes time and dedication, but is the foundation of your social media campaign. As social media has grown in popularity, so has the recent surge of “social media managers” claiming to possess magical results. Be careful here, if you are going to seek help with social media, seek a social media expert!

Engaging with customers in a two way dialogue is critical in the success of any social media campaign. Choosing the right content and venues can make or break the best of campaigns. Facebook, Twitter, ActiveRain and YouTube are “must haves” for real estate professionals who want to engage with their audience. These venues allow you to upload content, images and videos (Google Candy) that can help you rank better in the search engines, where people are already searching for your services. REALTORS® should forget about foursquare and other time killers that have no commercial intent for them and focus more on creating and distributing unique content to the search engines through rich media. This enables those you are connected to the ability to like, retweet and post your content to their connections…rinse and repeat!

Growing Your Share of Voice is really a result of doing well with the above tasks.

Incorporating social media campaigns in to your marketing strategies is one New Year’s Resolution that you should follow up on. Listing Solutions specializes in assisting REALTORS® with their online presence. If you need assistance with social media, real estate web design or search engine optimization, give us a call today. We have many success stories to share with you and would love the opportunity to add you to our growing list of satisfied customers.

I was meeting with a colleague today and we were discussing ideas and plans that we have for the coming year. She has been a Realtor® for twenty years and has an excellent online presence. I value her opinion and insight on the ever changing real estate market and she has been responsible for the implementation of some of our products and services. It was a typical conversation for us, as we discussed blogging, social networking, blogging, listing distribution and blogging. Our conversation led us to the overwhelming amount of home buyers that utilize the internet to search for their new home and marketing strategies in general.

I am sure that you have heard the old saying, “If you don’t list, you don’t last.” Well, as true as that statement may be, do you think that home sellers are now looking at your ability to attract home buyers? Home buyers and home sellers are more educated in the real estate process than ever before. They get a majority of their information online and the internet continues to change the way that real estate is bought and sold in this country on a daily basis. So, would it be fair to say that in order to be a great Listing Agent, you must be an effective property marketer? If you are going to be effective at marketing your listings, you have to acknowledge the power of the internet and utilize it to your advantage.

Many Realtors® get listings due to their online presence. Home Sellers can find you through social networks, blog postings and the search engines. I am certainly not the first person to suggest that your online presence could dictate your future success in the real estate industry. However, I am definitely repeating it. If you have not included online marketing in this year’s business plan, it is not too late.

The following are areas that should be incorporated in your “Must Do List.”

* Make sure that your web site is optimized for the search engines.
* Set up numerous Blogging accounts and submit posts frequently.
* Set up and participate in various Social Networks.
* Utilize Social Bookmarking to build strong back links.

If you don’t know how to perform the tasks above, hire a professional. Ask questions, make sure that you are comfortable with the answers and that you completely understand their knowledge of search engines and optimization techniques.

If you are new to blogging or find yourself struggling to come up with something interesting to write about, this blog is for you. I was doing some research for a blogging class that we teach and as I was surfing I could hear the same question that most new “Bloggers” ask, “What am I going to blog about?” Blogging is an outlet for some people, while others view it as a necessary evil. The truth is, finding interesting information to write about is not that hard. Google Reader is an extremely robust tool that allows you to search, categorize and utilize up to date articles being posted about areas that you are interested in. Here is how it works:

Google Reader is FREE and it works with most browsers. Better yet, you don’t have to install any software or toolbars. Google Reader constantly checks the web sites and blogs that you tell it to track and lets you know when new content is posted. This allows you to stay up to date with areas that you find interesting and provides plenty of ideas for your personal blog too. You can share interesting articles and blog posts by utilizing Google Reader’s built-in public page. With just one click you can share interesting articles with your social networks and potential customers, by sending them to relevant links. Some people have coined the product as, “a personalized inbox for the entire web.”

Looking for content is made easy with Google Reader’s integrated feed search. This helpful feature allows you to enter keywords on topics that you want to research. You can even add a customizable clip that displays your latest blog in your site’s sidebar. You can access your Google Reader account from any computer with online access, most mobile phone browsers and you can add a Google Reader gadget to your iGoogle account and see updates when they occur.

It takes less than two minutes to Register, Log In and start using Google Reader. This incredible organizational tool is both convenient and informative and will get you working smarter instead of harder.

I believe in competition. I believe that it makes people work harder to provide quality products and incredible services. That is why Listing Solutions is proud to be a Full Service Provider for Realtourvision, the World’s largest network of Virtual Tour Providers. Our amazing technology allows us to create a unique perspective of homes for sale in St Augustine.

There are a number of companies and a few new ones (your welcome for the plug Chris) that are selling “slideshows” under the guise of virtual tours. This method of marketing your property online does not allow the potential Home Buyer to see the actual layout of the home.

Listing Solutions’ virtual tours feature “Hot Spots.” These carefully placed icons appear on the virtual tour and when clicked on, take the viewer to what is behind the door. Kind of like Christmas! Our virtual tours are loaded with features that enable you to professionally market your property and promote yourself online. Contact us today and I will give you 31 Reasons Why Listing Solutions Should Be Part of Your Online Marketing Strategies.

Listing Solutions’ Anniversary Sale

It is our 2 Year Anniversary and we have a gift for you!

We are entering our 3rd year of service to the real estate community in Jacksonville and St. Augustine, Florida. Our virtual tours and real estate photography have been instrumental in many Realtor’s® marketing campaigns and our new text messaging service, Text Connect, promises to be just as successful. Listing Solutions is pleased to announce the following sale in celebration of our anniversary:

Pick Up A Five Pack Purchase and pay for 4 Standard Virtual Tour Packages and receive a Full House Package (valued at $199.00) for FREE! Hurry though this offer expires October 31st, 2009.

Our virtual tours and real estate photography are chosen over the competition daily by business professionals who demand the very best exposure for their listings. We are a Full Service Provider with Realtourvision®, the World’s largest network of Virtual Tour Providers and an Approved Vendor with Realtor.com. Our online marketing strategies are guaranteed to get you the exposure needed to compete in today’s challenging market. With 86% of current Home Buyers utilizing the internet to assist in their search, don’t you owe it to yourself to explore our Results Driven online marketing tools? Take a look at some of our features that come standard with every virtual tour:

• Agent or Owner contact information as well as links to their E-mail and Web site.
• Slide Show feature will showcase your listing within the virtual tour in a slide by slide presentation.
• E-mail button allows viewers to E-mail a link of the virtual tour to family and friends.
• Detailed information on public libraries as well as local and private schools is included with every virtual tour.
• An overhead aerial and satellite view is placed on every virtual tour.
• Detailed MLS information is included with every virtual tour.
• Navigation buttons give viewers control over turning left, right, up, down, and zoom in or out.
• Hit Counter - This button allows the Realtor or the home seller to run virtual tour hit traffic reports anytime!