Ty's Blog - Real Estate Internet Marketing, Wilmington, NC

CASE STUDY: "I Sold My Home In 50 Hours!" Using Social Media

Ty Downing (Perspective Internet Marketing) — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:13:53 -0500

I think you have to read this article to really believe it. Social Media has really altered how even real estate is sold. I think we all need to figure out how to utilize social media into current marketing initiatives, don't you? Take a look at this complete article... I sold my home in 50 hours

How Do You Market a Beach Front Hotel In Today's Economy?

Ty Downing (Perspective Internet Marketing) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 15:34:42 -0600

With hotel reservations slowing in the United States because of our horrible econmy, hotels will have to be even more aggressive, and creative than ever before to fill their guest rooms. One huge concern I could forsee is owning a hotel on the beach. Usually these are 'destination' places, and require travel by air, or car, a task that most americans are foregoing in today's economy. I have run into this challenge with a client of mine in North Carolina.

Lets say for example you are looking for beach hotels in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. In google search results, you will probably notice the top few hotels for Ocean Isle Beach, including my client, The Islander Inn. First off, you will notice the top 10 spots for Google Local...You need to be here no matter what kind of hotel..! To begin the process, you need to make sure you are listed in the local search engines, this is in addition to the regular search engines.

Next, make sure your site is optimized, and have performed thorough keyword and competitive research for beach hotels, ocean front hotels, etc. Use this data generously throughout your website content, and meta information.

Next, Look to for opportunities to get your hotel listed into hotel affiliates, or travel / vacation aggregators, and directories.

Next, start a PPC campaign and geo target certain cities nearby that are within a days driving distance. In these campaigns or even print material, offer to PAY THEIR gas! Yes, that's right, pay their gas to come to your hotel. So say for example you live in Raleigh, NC, and you want a Ocean Isle beach front vacation hotel, but it's just to expensive to drive your family. Imagine if you saw an add that said "Raleigh residents, we will pay your gas if drive you here to the Islander Inn!" Well, if you do the math, at 3 hours of driving, that is about $60.00 round trip they would pay you. The point is you have to be creative to get people to your hotel, and in todays economy, telling consumers you will pay their gas is a great way to lighten their pockets, and get them to stay in your hotel. I hope to try this out with my client...

Next, set up a profile on socialmedia network Squidoo. For example, take a look at this Squidoo page targeting the phrase: Ocean Isle, NC Beachfront Hotels.

Finally, why not make a website commercial? I find most hotels have not made one, and today these can easily occupy a line in the search results page. Give it a try, you can usually get these done cheap these days. Here is the video made for The Islander Inn Hotel.

Next. Pictures! Pictures! Everyone looking to stay at a hotel needs to see, and imagine themselves staying there, so you need to grab that angle by creating multiple outlets of pictures to be seen by potential customers. For this we set up a few "Search Engine" indexible sites that would showcase the Islanders pictures.

The Islander Inn on Flickr
The Islander Inn on Fotki
The Islander Inn. Ocean Isle Beach, on World Is Round

So in review, here are a few things I suggest (I cannot divulge all my secrets)

Make sure you are listed in all local search engines (Google Local, Yahoo Local, MSN, Superpages)
Make sure your site is optimized for keywords, phrases
Seek affiliate sites to advertise on, such as Orbitz, Expedia, free local directories, vacation sites
Start a PPC campaign, target cities
Be creative in your advertising (Pay their gas?)
Set up photo sharing accounts
Create a viral video

Find Green Communities In the US Easily!

Ty Downing (Perspective Internet Marketing) — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 20:39:39 -0500

Well after many months of refining our old site, we have finally rolled out our new website:). My family is pleased to let everyone know about our 'green baby' Green Eco Communities.

Why did we make this site?

After trying (with no success) of finding other eco-communities in the US, on one website, we wanted to develop this site to be a resource for this ever growing need. We are certainly going to enhance the site as we go, creating informative articles on green real estate, news by state, green builders, and much more.

I would love to hear your feedback, and would love suggestions on communities, articles, and builders. We have been overwhelmed with requests to add communities as we are doing this for free, (Until January 2009) but will have to be selective, mainly because we only want to showcase true 'Green Communities'. No Greenwashing...:)

Please take a look at Green Eco Communities!

New Group! Please Join This Group, Help Promote Green Communities!

Ty Downing (Perspective Internet Marketing) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:00:22 -0500

Cmon', what are you waiting for? We are about to embark on a wonderful group here, and that is to educate the active rain community of additional resources to promote healthy living through green communities in the US.

Our inspiration comes from our brainchild, Green Eco Communities, take a look at this site, it's still in it's infancy!

Ty Downing

Green Communities, And Eco Friendly Homes, Where Do You Find Them!

Ty Downing (Perspective Internet Marketing) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:35:43 -0500

Green ECO Communities

Green is the new "gold". Have you heard that lately in real estate? I have several times, and it is not going anywhere. I ran across this new website that lists Green communities in the US by state. The problem is that there are not alot of eco-friendly communties out there yet! I am sure that will change over the next few years.

I really like the concept of this site, as it has alot of marketing possibilities not to mention if you do a search on the internet for green communities, there are hardly any sites that list communities, but this one does.

In addition, it lists green builders, and developers in the US . I would love to get your feedback on this type of site, as well as markeitng ideas..

Want Real Estate Back Links To Your Blog? Comment Kahuna!!!

Ty Downing (Perspective Internet Marketing) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:13:56 -0500

First off, I am new to this group so hello!

Ok, now to the good stuff. Comment Kahuna..Ever heard of it? Well, you need to if you want quality back links to your real estate blog or website. Basically, you submit prepared comments you choose, and the anchor text you choose also. Blog comment as we know use the 'Name' box as the anchor text to your site, so you may have to be creative such as "Nancy (I want a home in Wilmington, NC), or if the blog has high PR, you may just want to ease on into a comment discussion.

This software scans the internet for keywords you select, then assembles them for you to post comments with the click of a mouse, with key anchor text. Again remember, the "name" box becomes your anchor text.

Also, this software lists high PR sites in order, lists no-follow sites as well....The best part is Comment Kahuna is free!

Try it and tell me what you think, absolutely love this.

Wilmington North Carolina Waterfront Property – In Demand!

Ty Downing (Perspective Internet Marketing) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:37:24 -0500

It’s true, even though the market continues to stabilize, for some odd reason Wilmington, NC waterfront homes are still selling, and still for sale at great prices. Many feel the reason is the area, for example the cost of living is still reasonable, the location is accessible to a major airport, shopping, over 50 golf courses, and so on.

Also, CNN recommends Wilmington, NC as a place to invest for the future. Some people are taking advantage of extremely good prices on waterfront communities in North Carolina such as one I have spoken about before, Mason Landing Yacht Club. This community only has 34 private lots, its own marina, clubhouse and pool. It is still under construction, however now is the time to inquire at pre-construction pricing. Take a look at the home plans, they are very “Native” Carolina, and are built by one of the leading builders, Sullivan Builders in Wilmington, NC.

Also, don’t forget to sign up to have a chance at winning $1000.00 in a drawing soon to be held.

For additional details on Mason Landing, visit our "waterfront homes in Wilmington, NC" Squidoo lens.

How Do You Sell A 1.5M Home and Boat Slip?

Ty Downing (Perspective Internet Marketing) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:37:53 -0500

Not to easy in today's market. I live in Wilmington North Carolina, and although real estate is slowing down a bit, there are still some opportunities to sell, and sell big. But how to you capture leads on property that is priced in the millions? Well, you really have to become creative. I am a real estate marketing professional, and center my efforts on Internet advertising, and this has proven to be successful.

For example I control internet marketing for brand new waterfront, and boating community in Wilmington called Mason Landing Yacht Club. They offer land, or combination of land and home sales, including a private boat slip, pool, and clubhouse. This is a very hard sell, however the angle here is to market towards those that can help you such as co-brokers. So I began to think that in order to get the word out, I need them to help, so I placed ads on Craigslist all over North Carolina in the "Real Estate Jobs" section, inviting agents to visit the website, and send away for details on generous commissions if they assist in their area for people wanting to relocate, retire, or who want a boating lifestyle at the beach. To this day, we have recieved more requests from Craigslist than any other advertisement.

One other tip, make sure these ads are atttractive, and cater towards the real estate market. For this I have been using a company that allows free html flyers to distribute to the main real estate aggregators, and Craigslist. Take a look at this article for more details. The company is called Postlets.

New YouTube Feature For Marketing - Annotations!

Ty Downing (Perspective Internet Marketing) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:09:01 -0500

The other day I was reviewing some videos I made for a couple of my real estate clients, and noticed a new feature on YouTube that allows you to add annotations to your videos. I have a client that offers golf course homes, golf communities, and real estate that had a professionally made video, however the video was made without optimization OR social media in mind! I have been racking my brain as to how to add the websites name to the video to no avail. Now however, you can add names or whatever you want to the video. Take a look at this video, and notice the banner at the top, and if you hover over the video, you can see additional text I placed in there as a call to action. UPDATE!!! For some reason the annotations only appear on the YouTube site, so just start the video, then click on the YouTube icon. By the way, if you would like a web video for your real estate website or blog, contact me, I have very low prices for agents.

Looking For a Waterfront Home With a Boatslip For Sale In wilmington, NC?

Ty Downing (Perspective Internet Marketing) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:01:52 -0500

Introducing Mason Landing Yacht Club in Wilmington, NC. This is an exclusive waterfront community with homes for sale, as well as custom homes built. Lots are limited, but each lot comes with it's very own private boat slip! These lots will sell quickly, as this is an incredible investment opportunity. Visit the Mason Landing website for details, and a chance to win $1000.00 just for signing up to receive information on the property!

More Details:

* 57 Slip Protected Marina

* Yacht Club with Pool on the ICWW

* Access at All tides * 25’ - 40’ Boat Slips

* 34 Homesites Starting at $550,000

* Community Nature Park

* Carolina Coast-Style Architecture

For additional details on Mason Landing, visit our "waterfront homes in Wilmington, NC" Squidoo lens.