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Well, Rebekah Radice does it again! Here is another fantastic post from Rebekah about Social Media Overload. I know Social Media can be over whelming at times so please read and enjoy. Via Rebekah Radice Social Media Marketing, Management & Strategies (Manager of Industry Engagement, Better Homes & Gardens RE):
Social media can feel like a runaway train for those without an online social marketing strategy. You can easily find yourself on social media overload; lost and confused on where to head next. We throw away valuable time bouncing from Facebook to Twitter and then back to our blog. It can seem like an endless cycle of posting, commenting, tweeting, checking in and stumbling around.
For anyone interested in leveraging the power of social media, controlling the amount of noise and information is essential. Creating a simple strategy that you can easily implement and follow on a daily basis is something all “dabblers” in this marketing medium must embrace.
On a daily basis I manage multiple blogs, Facebook fan pages, Twitter accounts and various other social accounts. Without a strategy I would eventually lose my mind. Since I’m already on the slow train to crazy town, I figured I should take the time to develop my daily social media marketing strategy.
Below is an example of how you can manage your social and blogging efforts without spending a ridiculous amount of time online.
Social Media Daily Strategy
- Review your Google Alerts and RSS reader for 15 minutes each morning. Read through industry news that feels “tweetable” or post worthy for your particular audience. You can use tools such as SocialBro to identify key times to tweet based on when your followers are online. It takes the “swatting at flies” aspect out of Twitter marketing.
- Take 10 minutes to schedule 3-5 tweets from your blog and other articles that you set to go out during the day.
 Take 1 minute to find someone in your field and retweet and comment on their tweet.- Find and follow 2-3 new people through the Twitter search app by clicking on "Discover" and then “Who to Follow.”
- Spend 5 minutes crafting a Facebook post that creates conversation within your community. This is where analytics become incredibly handy. They tell you which blog posts created the most interest. Take a post with significant views and turn it into a short question to your Facebook fans. For example, this article would look something like this on Facebook: “We all know that social media is an essential part of our marketing plan, but managing it on a daily basis can feel like a runaway train! How do you cure social media overload?"
- Spend 5 minutes on LinkedIn and identify 2 people to connect with. If you are a managing broker, this is a perfect opportunity to connect with real estate professionals within your community.
- Visit YouTube and view videos you can use in a post or link to via Twitter.
Posting and Content Strategy
- Write two blog posts per week targeted at your niche. Keep your message focused on content that your readers will find interesting whether it’s first time home buyer tips or tips on how to buy a home in Atlanta. Inject your own personality into each blog and allow your readers, followers and fans to get to know the real you.
- Post at least once per day on your Facebook page dependant on best times to post. You will find this in your page analytics reflected through Facebook insights.
- Focus your content on the consumer by tweeting, posting and blogging about home improvement, buying/selling tips, frequently asked homebuyer questions, home design and other topics important to a home-buyer or seller.
Consistency is the key to a successful social media marketing strategy and creating a checklist will give you the daily road map. Your goal each and every day is to raise awareness, create loyalty and heightened visibility. Your result is to drive a never ending stream of leads to your website.
Tricks to Beating Social Media Overload was written by Rebekah Radice.
  
Scott Jones
First American Title The Woodlands
2520 Research Forest Suite 110
The Woodlands, TX 77381
This is great information that Rebekah has posted! I had to re-blog this to share with my database. Please take the time to read! Thank you Rebeka! Via Rebekah Radice Social Media Marketing, Management & Strategies (Manager of Industry Engagement, Better Homes & Gardens RE):
We all want it, crave it and are desperate to have it. In fact, the majority of us will spend countless hours and resources attempting to create it. Generating buzz about your business is a critical piece of social marketing. But once you have it, you can't control it and monitoring what is being said about you or your brand can be expensive and time consuming.
We all know what a fun and powerful tool social media can be to build your brand and monetize your time online. But let's face it; you're a small business owner who must focus on generating sales, not playing around online. So with the multitude of conversations happening at one time, how can you effectively monitor your online buzz without it feeling like a full time job? While you could part with your hard earned dollars to pay someone to do it, staying on top of your online reputation can be simple and stress free.
Why Should I Care?
Think about it this way. Wouldn't you rather have the opportunity to listen and respond to a negative comment from your Uncle Johnny's nephew who blasted you on Facebook because you wouldn't show him 200 homes in one day or would you rather hear it second hand and possibly lose the opportunity to gently remind him of the other 199 you have already shown him? Listening to what is being said is equally as important as the information you pass along. Social monitoring tools are also a way for you to keep up with competing brands, your favorite bloggers or topics important to you and your brand.
The 10 Social monitoring sites I’ve listed below are FREE and will allow you to "hear" what is being said as well as offer valuable insight needed to effectively navigate your social media strategy.
10 FREE Tools to Build and Monitor Your Online Buzz
1. How Sociable – Measure your brands reach and visibility on the social web. Each of your social sites are graded and given a number based on your “visibility score.” You are also able to compare yourself against competitors and then download your findings into a CSV file.
2. Kurrently – Kurrently is a real time search engine for Facebook and Twitter. It is a great way to see what is being said right now about you and your brand. I use this tool to research what people are talking about and then respond or retweet that conversation.
3. MonitorThis – I love this tool! With MonitorThis you can sift through 25 search engines based on keywords all at once. Type in the keyword you want to research and within seconds your results are displayed. News articles and social mentions from Google, YouTube, Bing and more can be read with a click of a button!
 4. Addictomatic – In a very short time I have become addicted to this social monitoring tool! Addictomatic allows you to create a news feed based on any keyword or topic. For instance, I’ve chosen “real estate” as my keyword. Within seconds my custom news feed has been created pulling the top information from Google, Wordpress, YouTube, Flickr and more!
5. Twazzup – Another simple tool that offers real time results based on your keyword or topic.
6. Tinker – Tinker searches both Twitter and Facebook for top news, events, topics and places people are talking about.
7. IceRocket – IceRocket will search blogs, images, Facebook and Twitter to find what is being said about your topic right now.
8. Social Mention – Set up free daily email alerts about mentions of you, your brand, company, a developing news story or updates on industry changes.
9. Google Reader - I couldn’t live without my Google Reader! This free RSS aggregator pulls all of your favorite blogs into one location so they are easy to keep up with. Set up an account, subscribe to a blog and then organize by folder for easy viewing. Setting up RSS feeds to monitor your online buzz gives you a go-to location for all keyword related and relevant terms needed to keep up with you, your brand and your niche.
10. Google Alerts - Last but not least is this handy tool. Google Alerts offer you the ability to create alerts based on relevant keywords. You can schedule an endless amount of alerts for you, your company name, a specific neighborhood or even an industry topic. Once you have selected your topic, create your alert and set the frequency with which you want to receive your alerts via email.
Social media marketing should not be treated like the dartboard at happy hour after a few too many beers. It should be a strategic effort that’s managed, monitored and assessed on a regular basis to determine effectiveness. Manage your reputation and make your social media efforts pay off with these FREE and easy to use tools!
10 FREE Ways to Manage Your Monitor Reputation was written by Rebekah Radice.
Scott Jones
First American Title The Woodlands
2520 Research Forest Suite 110
The Woodlands, TX 77381
This is another great blog post by Rebekah! Please take the time read and implement this information to your business. Thank you Rebekah for sharing! Via Rebekah Radice Colorado Springs FHA Loan 203k, VA Mortgage, Loan Pre-Approval (Benchmark Mortgage, Colorado Springs FHA, VA, Pre-Approval):
Updating my LinkedIn profile and tweaking it for optimization and SEO purposes seems to be a never ending (albeit fun) battle for me. I see LinkedIn as a unique resource and one that is an absolute must for anyone needing to give their online presence a professional ‘shot in the arm.’
With so many other online resources to choose from, why should you add LinkedIn to your social medial toolbox? In my opinion, one of the best ways Realtors® can use LinkedIn is to promote their business and brand. With over 100 million active members, LinkedIn is no longer just an online resume. It’s a community that when used correctly can successfully boost your online visibility and your sales.
You Can’t Argue with the LinkedIn Statistics
According to a recent LinkedIn study, people with more than twenty connections are thirty-four times more likely to be approached with a job opportunity than people with less than five. I don’t know about you, but this is a strong motivating factor to get on LinkedIn and capitalize on this social network. It’s apparent that if I’m not, my competitors are. So where do you begin?
Optimize your profile
LinkedIn will show you your progress through a percentage bar so you can see where you’re at in the process. You want to achieve 100% completion.
- Add Keywords to Your Title
Your title is the first place to start when it comes to optimization. It’s not just a way to describe what you do, but how and where you do it. 
- Include Keywords in Your Summary
Your summary is the first place people will go to learn more about you. It’s your elevator pitch; a short summary of who you are and what your business has to offer. Keep it clean and professional, but make sure the top keywords you are interested in targeting are interspersed throughout.
- Include keywords and phrases in your Bio
Your keywords would look something like this: “Rebekah Radice Mortgage Loan Officer” or “Rebekah Radice Colorado Springs Mortgage.”
By default, LinkedIn assigns a generic URL to your profile. Make sure you edit this URL and customize it to your brand or name. You want search engines to identify you with your LinkedIn profile.
Example: http://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekahradice
Go to profile - public profile – and then edit your profile url, Choose your public url and then click save. Use this link to direct people to your LinkedIn profile within your marketing, on your website and on your business cards.
Make Your Profile Public
Make sure everyone can view your profile. What good is your LinkedIn profile if no one can access it? While you are able to hide certain information, don’t hide content relevant to search engines.
Remember: This isn’t Facebook and you don’t have a crazy aunt who says embarrassing things that you need to hide on LinkedIn. Keep your information open and available to anyone looking for you or your services.
Add Your Twitter Feed
Tie your Twitter account into LinkedIn and allow your LinkedIn contacts to keep on top of your Twitter content. You are able to control which tweets are posted to LinkedIn and can edit those settings.
Get Involved with LinkedIn Answers
LinkedIn Answers allows you to build your reputation by answering industry related questions. By responding to questions, you allow others to see your knowledge, education and willingness to give as a Real Estate professional.
Added bonus: It will also build internal links to your profile which helps with SEO.
Join Groups
Explore LinkedIn groups and join groups where other industry professionals are hanging out. LinkedIn groups allow you to connect with other like-minded professionals, re-connect with college alumni and even target a specific group of people.
While LinkedIn isn’t your final destination in the social media conundrum, I can attest to the multitude of opportunities that have come my way because of being active on LinkedIn.
And there it is - your final and most important key to LinkedIn success. Participation and Interaction.
It’s not enough to just sign up for your LinkedIn account and let it idly sit. As with any community, what you get out of it is based solely on your level of involvement or lack thereof.
Let’s Connect on LinkedIn!
How to Use LinkedIn to Generate Real Estate Business was written by Rebekah Radice
Scott Jones
First American Title The Woodlands
2520 Research Forest Suite 110
The Woodlands, TX 77381
Five Practices of Great Leadership!
1. MODELthe way
· Lead by Example
· Clarify your personal values to your teammates
· Set the example by aligning actions with shared values
2. INSPIREa shared vision
· Envision the future of your branch by imagining exciting possibilities
· Enlist others in your branch to a common vision by appealing to shared branch aspirations
3. CHALLENGEthe Process
· Search for opportunities by seeking ways to change, grow, and improve.
· Experiment and take risks by constantly generating small wins and learning from past mistakes
4. ENABLE others to act
· Foster collaboration in the branch by promoting goals and building trust.
· Strengthen your team as a whole by sharing power and enabling others to make decisions
5. ENCOURAGE the heart
· Recognize everyone’s contributions within the branch by showing appreciation for individual excellence
· Celebrate values and victories together as a team
Scott Jones
First American Title The Woodlands
2520 Research Forest Suite 110
The Woodlands, TX 77381
Keep the customer satisfied - six golden rules
1. Treat everyone with respect and politeness, as you never know who may become a future customer (or boss).
2. Don't let emotions and feelings interfere with your attitude towards customers unless they are positives such as sincerity, concern and care.
3. Become the owner of any complaint and don't let it go until you know it has been successfully dealt with. How will you know? Ask the customer.
4. Listen to customers - with your eyes! Watch their body language and don't just assume you know what they want, or what their problem might be.
5. Keep to deadlines, and reply when you say you will, even if it's to say you can't talk properly until the following day.
6. Don't say, "won't be a minute", because you will be, and it's better to overestimate, rather than underestimate time delays.
Scott Jones
First American Title The Woodlands
2520 Research Forest Suite 110
The Woodlands, TX 77381
Rebekah has written an awesome post about titling your blogs. I highly recommend you read this post if you're blogging for your business. I am definitely going to take her advice! www.allyouneedtoknowtx.com Via Rebekah Radice Colorado Springs FHA Loan 203k, VA Mortgage, Loan Pre-Approval (Benchmark Mortgage, Colorado Springs FHA, VA, Pre-Approval):
Have you ever written the perfect article only to find you are stumped when it comes to creating your catchy keyword friendly blog title? You’re not alone. We all have those days when writing a pithy, emotionally responsive blog title feels just outside our reach.
In my article, How to Write a Catchy Blog Post Title that POPS I talked about the fine line we walk as bloggers trying to generate an eye popping, finger clicking, Google juice lovin’ blog title all while maintaining a human aspect. Finding the balance between sexy and direct can throw any blogger into convulsions.
But what if there were a way to create a perfect blog title without agonizing over it?
Why You Need a Swipe File
On those days when you need a little motivation, keeping a swipe file will go a long way towards creating that perfect blog post title.
Not familiar with a swipe file? Here's how it works:
As you visit and read through other blogs look for popular posts that generated buzz. Write down the title in your swipe file to play around with at a later date.
The key is to create a list of blog titles that you can refer back to on those days you suffer from "blog title" writers block.
Focus on titles that contain a few of these features:
- They maintain the KISS method of writing titles. They're not too wordy but get the point across.
- They inject emotion and cause the reader to relate to the post immediately.
- They add the all important keyword "FREE."
- They are controversial and not afraid to stir the pot.
- They ask an open ended question like "What Would You Do with a Million Dollars??"
- They communicate a benefit your reader can't live without.
Below are 20 Sure-Fire Blog Title's that Get Results and should get your creative juices flowing!
- Why every homebuyer should _________
- Proven Steps to _________
- Secrets that will _________
- The wrong __________ and all your efforts will be in vain.
- ________ Reveals a Shortcut to _________
- A Radically New Way to Beat _________ Without _________
- All the Tricks to Overcome _________
- How to ________ all the ________ You Ever Wanted
- How to ________ your own ________ successfully!
- 15-minutes to find your__________
- If you thought __________ was bad, wait until you see _________.
- 6 Surprising Secrets about _________.
- 10 Reasons Why __________ is more Trusted than _________.
- 12 Common _________ Mistakes.
- Learn how to ________ in 5 Easy Steps.
- How to Stop _________ and Start _________.
- The Biggest Mistake you Can Make _________.
- The Desperate _________ Strategy.
- A Powerful Hidden Secret That Will Help You ________.
- New Ways to _________ Now!
Important Note: Your keywords (descriptive words about your post content) should be inserted into the titles above wherever appropriate.
Have any catchy blog title secrets of your own? I would love to hear them!
20 Sure-Fire Blog Titles that Get Results was written by Rebekah Radice.
Scott Jones
First American Title The Woodlands
2520 Research Forest Suite 110
The Woodlands, TX 77381
What we need for Short Sale HUD's
We are receiving more and more request for HUD's on Short Sales. We are constantly having to track down the Realtor and request additional information to complete their request. Below is the information we need to complete and speed up the process for a Short Sale HUD.
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1. Property Address:
2. Seller(s):
- 3. Buyer(s):
- 4. Purchase Price:
- 5. Finance or Cash:
- 6. Earnest Money:
- 7. Seller Contributions:
- 8. Close Date:
- 9. 1st Lien Holder:
- 10. 2nd Lien Holder:
- 11. Taxes per year/Pro-rated:
- 12. Taxes Past Due:$
- 13. Title Policy paid by: Seller or Buyer
- 14. Seller(s) Agent Comm: 3%
- 15. Buyer(s) Agent Comm: 3%
- 16. Attorney Fee(s):
- 17. Signing Services:$
- 18. Past Due HOA:
- 19. Home Warranty:
We have a dedicated Short Sale escrow professional who's knowledgeable and reliable with a high level of patience. If you are dealing with a short sale in the Montgomery and Harris counties of Texas please contact me.
Scott Jones
First American Title The Woodlands
2520 Research Forest Suite 110
The Woodlands, TX 77381
Rebekah has written a great post on the do nots of Facebook. I highly recommend you read this post if you're using Facebook for your business. www.allyouneedtoknowtx.com Via Rebekah Radice Colorado Springs FHA Loan 203k, VA Mortgage, Loan Pre-Approval (Benchmark Mortgage, Colorado Springs FHA, VA, Pre-Approval):
Over the years I’ve seen my fair share of Facebook mistakes made by businesses while learning the ins and outs of marketing their brand online.
There are many common Facebook mistakes that all of us have fumbled through while building and implementing our Fanpage marketing plan. Then there are a few not so common ones that will bite you in the tushy causing many to hightail it out of this fantastic social platform.
Below is a list of a few DON'Ts when building your brand and attempting to grow your following:
- Not Responding to Comments
Similar to blogging, social media platforms require your involvement. If you have a Facebook page but rarely respond to your fans, you will quickly drive a wedge between you and them.
Have you wondered why your following is stagnant or has shrunk? Look no further than your consistency in managing your page.
Your Facebook Page is there to present you in your best light: It’s up to you to live up to the picture you’ve created.
If you meet your fans with dead silence, what are they to think? Even if you just hit the “Like” button after a reader’s thoughtful or eager comment is enough to flatter and acknowledge them. You’ve now recognized their comment making them feel “heard.”
- Taking Your Anger Out on the Page
Lose your temper or patience once with a fan or blast someone on your wall and even the best-looking page in the world won’t save your image.
People will look at your flawlessly created Facebook Page afterwards and conclude: “You’re a big phony!”
This isn’t to say that you can’t express frustration or unhappiness about an industry update or news article, but it should always be done to share, warn or inform rather than venting.
Your ranting might appeal to some, but not for long. Think about those people that frequently explode or spend their days whining about how unfair life is. How does it make you feel? It makes you want to run for the door, right?!
Keep your tone true to your page and don’t make your fans want to run for the “dislike” button.
- Bad-Mouthing Your Competition
It’s one thing to share your success stories with your fans; it’s another to rub it in the face of your competition.
For example, let’s say you bring home the Top Producer award for your company. It’s exciting news to share with your followers and something they will enjoy celebrating with you.
Where you cross the line is to say “I was up against agent x in my office and he doesn’t hold a candle to me. Everyone can see he’s a poor imitation.”
Reducing someone else in the eyes of others only to raise yourself up leaves you looking shallow and self-absorbed. Not exactly the image you should be hoping to portray.
- Posting to Your Page and Forgetting to Monitor Response
Having a page and forgetting to “work the room” is a huge mistake made by many new Facebook Fan Page Admins. You schedule your daily post and then move on to the rest of your day failing to return and respond.
Just like mistake #1, not monitoring your page is similar to ignoring the analytics of your page. You can build your fan page and sure, you might even gain a few followers but if you neglect the needs of your fans your page will quickly lose steam and fall into the great Facebook abyss.
- Spamming Your Wall and Friends
I’ve talked about this in previous articles and the abusive nature in which many Fan Page Admins wield that “suggest to friends” button. You may have made an initial good impression, but again, that will quickly evaporate if you spam your readers with endless emails or Text Messages.
A little-realized fact about this, however: People who spam often don’t realize their followers are perceiving it as such. What’s really wrong that gives off this false perception is not your relentless drive to force people to buy… but a lack of planning and scheduling.
Scheduled posts and announcements about your Facebook Page offers or changes won’t feel like “too much” of a good thing. People will have subliminally adjusted to the “rhythm” of your regular posts.
Building your brands online presence will not mysteriously happen if you haven’t committed to “showing up” on a daily basis. It’s to your benefit to choose who you want to be known as and then represent that person through your online presence each and every day.
The important part is to identify your follower’s needs and then satisfy it.
The goal is to spend less time trying to figure out Facebook and more time attracting exactly the fans you are looking for!
Here’s to your expanded Facebook following!
5 Facebook Mistakes Killing Your Pagewas written by Rebekah Radice.
Scott Jones
First American Title The Woodlands
2520 Research Forest Suite 110
The Woodlands, TX 77381
Four parts to professionalism:
1. Your own attitude: If you feel like an amateur, you will come across like one. Act like a professional and others will see you in the same light.
2. See people: If you don't bother to make that last call, someone else will, and they will deserve to take your business away.
3. Integrity: If you stretch the truth, omit key information or avoid present difficulties, you may get the transaction today, but you will lose the customer tomorrow.
4. Respect fellow employees: If you are in a team that is strong, you will become strong yourself. Have respect for competitors, even if they do pinch your business - find out why!
Scott Jones
First American Title The Woodlands
2520 Research Forest Suite 110
The Woodlands, TX 77381
It is quite normal to be reluctant to make those sales calls (phone or face to face) that you don't like making, so do yourself a favor and stop feeling guilty about it.
Here are 10 pointers to help recognize whether you are a sales call reluctance sufferer. If you answer yes to 5 or more of the following statements, you could benefit from some corrective action that will help reduce those lost sales that you may be experiencing. Please read through - I will give you the miracle cure at the end of this page!!
· I often feel that I am intruding on people when I prospect for new customers
· I often hesitate when asking existing clients for a referral
· I avoid giving presentations if I can
· I spend a lot of time shuffling papers related to customers before I actually visit them
· I sometimes feel uncomfortable about phoning someone who doesn't know me
· I don't like initiating contact with new prospects for fear of rejection by them
· I feel that making cold calls is difficult for me and makes me uncomfortable
· I am relieved if I have to miss a call because of practical problems such as difficult car parking
· I don't like promoting myself, which I feel is just not proper
· I look for any excuse to delay seeing the customer who I'm sure does not like me
Sales call reluctance can develop from a number of reasons when you are out there in your territory. Here is a "miracle cure" taken from Brian Tracy's "Advanced Selling Strategies" page 39.
"Another way for you to overcome the fear of rejection is to learn to speak on your feet. Certain fears are bundled together, like wires, in the subconscious mind, and the short-circuiting of one fear causes the short circuiting of the others on the same circuit. One of the fears that is bundled with the fear of rejection is the fear of public speaking...when you learn to speak on your feet - by joining Toastmasters International and attending weekly meetings - you become more confident and self assured in your interactions with others on a one-to-one basis."
Scott Jones
First American Title The Woodlands
2520 Research Forest Suite 110
The Woodlands, TX 77381
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Scott Jones
The Woodlands,
TX
More about me…
First American Title
Address: 2520 Research Forest Dr., Suite 110, The Woodlands, TX, 77381
Office Phone: (281) 296-7193
Cell Phone: (832) 317-0722
Email Me
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