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 So were you one of the millions of people who got a Kindle Fire for Christmas? Want to use it as more than just an ebook reader? Cinda Rose, The West Valley Home Team and MacWin Consulting are going to spend the next month or so testing the Fire out and specifically using it for "Mobile Real Estate". I am not suggesting that the Kindle Fire is an iPad replacement or "iPad killer" but at $199 for the Kindle Fire vs. $499 for the iPad2 I think we need to give it a shot! (Just a side note, I am an Apple guy, both The West Valley Home Team and MacWin Consulting are both run completely on Mac's and "Once you go Mac you never go back!")
The West Valley Home Team uses Google Apps for their email and calendaring (we are not using Google Docs as our sole document platform yet) and unfortunately even though the Kindle Fire is an Android OS device, strangely enough it does not support Google Sync out of the box. The Fire's email app supports Google Apps Gmail accounts via IMAP/POP but if you're looking for push notifications and Calendar/Contacts sync, you'll need something more. There is a work around though! The Amazon Appstore allows you to install a third-party app called Touchdown for sync. The apps free for 30 days in demo mode, but then costs $9.99 which is still acceptable to me.
Once Touchdown is installed it's easy enough to setup sync. Just Tap Next to bypass the "Try Autodiscover" screen, enter your Google Apps email address as the User ID, your password, and then specify m.google.com as the server. On the next screen choose yes to SSL and leave everything else at the defaults. Now your Gmail, Calendar and Contacts will sync. One big problem I have with Touchdown is it only syncs your main Personal Google Calendar (or whatever you have renamed your main Google Calendar to). We have multiple Shared Calendars at The West Valley Home Team and not being able to see each other's is a big drawback. I also seperate my Personal events from my West Valley Home Team events and my MacWin Consulting events by using different calendars for each. I have contacted NitroDesk and searched through their Google Group to see if there are any fixes for this or maybe a future feature but haven't found anything.
If you want Google Talk, (which I don't see us needing, this device will be more for showing and researching MLS listings in Litchfield Park, Goodyear and Avondale on the go, collecting email and signing documents) search the AppStore for IM+ or IMO for two good choices. Like the iPad, there's no native Google Docs client for the Fire but you can login to docs.google.com with the Silk web browser for basic viewing and editing.
The next challenge and my next post is going to be finding an app that allows the Kindle Fire to accept signature on PDF files. More to come...
You've seen them, maybe you know what they are and maybe you have no idea. In a recent poll, 58% of users said they weren't familiar with them, so why should we care about using them? In the same way that websites, then MySpace URLs, and more recently Facebook pages started appearing in TV, magazine and newspapers ads, we're starting to see more QR codes appear in traditional advertisements. Start now and get ahead of your competition!
What is a QR code?
A QR code is a 2-D barcode that can be scanned by a smart phone's camera and transfer information. Based on the type of code it is, it might direct the viewer to a website, make a phone call, deliver a vCard or more.
Tracking QR Code Responses Using Google Analytics
If you have Google Analytics tracking set up on your website, using Google Analytics for tracking your QR Code visits will keep all of your data in one location, and allow you to track the online behaviors and conversion rates of your QR Code visitors.
Here’s how to set up QR Code tracking using Google Analytics:
- The first step is to add tracking code to the URL of your target response page. The target response page is simply the website or page on your website you are trying to get users to visit.
- With your new link in hand (or in your clipboard), it’s time to create your QR Code. Kaywa’s QR code generator is the simplest way to generate a QR code for a URL, text, phone number or SMS. Simply select your preference, enter the content, specify size and click “Generate.” Then, save the code to use elsewhere or grab the HTML to embed it online.
- You now have a QR Code; download it and apply it to your direct mail piece, business card, billboard, t-shirt, or whatever else. When someone scans the code and visits your site, Google Analytics will track the visit and the associated source, medium and name.
- After you’ve tested the QR Code, go into Google Analytics and navigate to Traffic Sources > Campaigns. You can sort by “Medium” and search for “qrcode” to see your test visit (see below).
Using Bit.ly for Creating and Tracking QR Code
If you aren’t using Google Analytics, don't know how to use Google Analytics or just need a simpler process, the url shortening application Bit.ly is another great tool for tracking web traffic it redirects to your QR Code landing pages.
Here’s how to create a trackable QR Code using Bit.ly:
 Bit.ly QR Code
- Create an account at http://bit.ly/.
- Insert the target url into their url shortener. You’ll get a shortened url that looks something like: http://bit.ly/8AjVUt
- In your list of shortened urls, you’ll see the target url, with a link beside it for the “Info Page” for the url. Click on it, and you’ll see tracking information and a QR Code for the shortened url.
- Right click on the QR Code image to save it; you’re now ready to use it on whatever marketing piece you’d like.
- Now, whenever someone scans the generated QR Code, they’ll be directed to bit.ly, which will count the visit and automatically redirect the visitor to the target url. This will happen fast enough that users won’t even notice the redirect.
- You can then use the reporting tool on your Bit.ly account to track scans/visits via your QR Code
 Bit.ly QR Code
- Here are a few ways that you can use QR codes to spruce up your small business marketing strategies.
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On business cards: A fast and simple way to use QR codes for your own professional purposes is to place them on business cards. Generate a barcode that directs scanners to your online resume, small business Facebook Page or your website to help new contacts find you or your business faster.
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On marketing materials: You’ve got fliers, brochures, programs, handouts, white papers and a myriad of other materials in your media kit. Add QR codes to direct viewers to a particular how-to video, send them to a Flickr photo set, get them to follow you on Twitter, or point them to a mobile-friendly landing page that promotes a new campaign. For inspiration, check out what the Detroid Red Wings did with QR codes in their arena programs.
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In storefront windows: Google is sending out QR code window decals to top local businesses with Google Place Pages. If they don’t send you one, steal the idea and generate your own QR code to place in your window. You can use this code to encourage Fousquare checkins, point scanners to your Yelp profile, or simply invite customers to share memories in photo, video or text form via Stickybits.
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For freebies: If you really want people to pay attention to your QR codes, make them good for something fun. Say you’ve placed a QR code decal in your storefront window, why not reward those who scan it with 10% off their purchase or a free pastry? Give them something small to thank them for their patronage. Simply create a custom QR code for the freebie you want to offer. You could even get creative and hide the QR code offers online, like on your Facebook page or website, or somewhere inside your store.
Things to Remember
- If you’re going to use QR codes for small business marketing, you’ll want to keep in mind that QR codes — and the apps that scan them — are still foreign to most people.
- Yes, more and more people are starting to associate the codes with action, but never assume your customers will know what to do. Make it a point to spell out how to scan the QR code, and help instruct customers on where they can grab scanner apps.
- Also, remember that QR codes should provide some kind of value to the scanner. It may be easiest to direct QR code scanners to your website, but that’s likely not the most engaging place to send people. Instead of having the QR Code directed to just http://macwinconsulting.com, try focusing the QR Code to one specific page within your site, one promotion/coupon or one service you offer.
Does your business or have you ever used QR Codes? Please take a moment to fill out the survey below and let us know:
Click here to take survey
Americans Spend 23% of Internet Time on Social Networks [STUDY]
Americans spend almost a quarter of their time online on social networking sites, says a Nielsen report released Monday.
According to the report — which combines data from Nielsen mobile and online meters, buzz data and a survey — Internet users spend more than twice as much time on social networks (including blogs) as they do on online games, the next top web destination by time.
The most popular social network as measured by Nielsen online meters is Facebook, followed by Blogger,Tumblr, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Nine of the 10 most popular social networks were dominated by women. Only LinkedIn had a percentage of men visiting the site that exceeds the percentage of men who are active Internet users. Women also watch more video content than men, although men watch longer videos.
Both genders are increasingly accessing social networks using mobile apps. Social networking app usage is up 30% from the same time last year. Social networking apps are the third most downloaded type of smartphone apps behind only games and weather apps. App growth has not affected the percentage of people who access social networks using mobile browsers. Mobile Internet users account for 47% more unique visits to social networks than they did last year.
Mobile is just one of the many ways Nielsen found social media use becoming universal.
Having a successful Facebook fan page is now more important than ever. As of July 2011 there are 750 million active Facebook users. Can you imagine? 750 million people that are eager to connect not only to each other, but also… to companies and brands. That’s more than twice the population of the US!
“It’s the first time we looked at the data comprehensively,” says Nielsen’s SVP of Media & Advertising Insights and Analytics Radha Subramanyam. “[What is most surprising to us] is the rapid adoption, the measurable reach of social media. Four out of five Internet users. One of five minutes spent online. When you have those numbers and see their scale, it’s staggering.”
So how can Facebook help Local Businesses?
There are many ways to use Facebook to your advantage, of which fan pages are by far the most powerful. They allow you to interact with your target audience and create relationships for years to come, making Facebook fans a valuable asset for your company. Research has shown that Facebook Fans spend $71.84 more per year than non-fans. When you also take the loyalty and recommendations into account, the Total Yearly Value for each fan is $136.38 per year on average.
AllFacebook.com recently did their own study when they calculated that the average Fan is worth $3.60 Annually to most businesses. This is on the safe side compared to most other reports, but even according to this report Facebook Fans turn out to be very valuable. And remember, those fans are yours forever to profit from!
Now take a look at the fan pages of big brands like Pepsi, Red Bull, Coca Cola or Porsche:
What do they all have in common?
They all have custom landing pages that look really, really good. Having a custom landing page really makes a differencebetween having a poorly set-up fan page, and a successful viral fan page that will generate thousands of likes and leads (e.g. email addresses, sales etc).
This is something you don’t want to miss out on! To find out more about how MacWin Consulting can help you and your business, please fill out this form and someone will contact you as soon as possible!
Inman News reported today: http://www.inman.com/news/2011/01/26/google-drops-real-estate-listings
Google drops real estate listings
Search giant cites low use, proliferation of search sites
BY INMAN NEWS, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2011.
Inman News™
Search giant Google will no longer support real estate listings uploaded to its classifed listings site on Google Maps, the company announced today.
Consumers will no longer be able to find for-sale, foreclosure, or rental properties through the search function on Google Maps, and real estate professionals will no longer be able to upload their listings to Google Base, the company's classifieds site, which is being replaced by Google Shopping APIs and will not support real estate listings.
"In part due to low usage, the proliferation of excellent property-search tools on real estate websites, and the infrastructure challenge posed by the impending retirement of the Google Base API, we've decided to discontinue the real estate feature within Google Maps on February 10, 2011," the company said in a blog post.
Home seekers can still use "Google search results to find helpful real estate information and websites" as well as view local businesses, directions and transit times through Google Maps and explore neighborhoods through Google Street View, the company added.
"This does not come as a surprise to me. Even with Google's huge audience, it shows having listing data is clearly not enough to deliver a good real estate search experience and build audience," said Pete Flint, CEO and co-founder of property search site Trulia.
The company added that Google's removal of listings data will not affect its mobile application, which uses the Google Maps API.
Though Google has touted the ability to upload and search for listings on its site, it has also denied that it seeks to create a "universal MLS" or take on real estate search sites.
"We are no more in the real estate business than we are in the cafe or the museum business,"said Carter Maslan, Google's director of product management, at the July 2010 Real Estate Connect conference in San Francisco. "We view as key ... to get (the information) right, but what we really want to do is show it in context."
In a blog post about the decision, Joel Burslem of real estate marketing and communications firm 1000 Watt Consulting, commented: "Maintaining a national property database, and, perhaps more importantly, its concurrent accuracy, is a huge challenge that it looks like even Google realized is too big a pill to swallow."
Inman News columnist Gahlord Dewald said Google's announcement opens up more questions than it answers.
"For real estate, I don't have data that supports the idea of humans clicking on maps as a search interface ever was real -- the technology vendors of map-based search still don't have adequate analytics baked in to give us that data. Google, I'm sure, has that data," Dewald said.
"That they couldn't sustain an interest in the project could mean a lot of things: Maybe Google lacks the imagination to develop a business around the service, maybe people don't want to use a map as a search interface for real estate, maybe there's no business there at all."
Google launched Google Base in November 2005. The Houston Association of Realtors was one of the first industry associations to push members' listings to the service, in December 2006.
In November 2009, Google added "place pages" to the service, making available on a single page all the information Google has about a property listing -- including property details, photos, inspection times, videos, a street-view preview and nearby public transit information.
"This is an interesting move by Google. We saw big changes in leadership last week with Eric (Schmidt), Larry (Page) and Sergey (Brin) shifting their focuses and positions," said Inman News columnist Tom Flanagan.
"I suspect more changes are coming. I'd really be surprised if Google completely retired real estate -- it's just too big for them to ignore!"
80% of all business comes from people who live and work within 5 miles of your location and 20% of all Google searches now relate to location. Have you claimed your Google Places listing? Do you have your Yelp page under control? Do you manage your Foursqaure Venue?
Traditional Local Ad Solutions Are Dead or Dying!
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The Phone Directory or Yellow Pages
- Where is Yours?
- Most people throw them away!
- They are not current, updated and businesses do not have the ability to change them.
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Newspapers
- Readers are declining rapidly!
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TV
- TV viewers now have Tivo/DVR, they fast forward through commercials!
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Telemarketing
- Do not call list, I know I’m on it!
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Direct Mail
- Only has a 1%-2% return rate.
- Mail campaigns can be very expensive!
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Email
For more information on Google Places, Yelp, Frousquare, Social Media, Facebook, Twitter and how it can help you with your Real Estate business, visit www.macwinconsulting.com.
MacWin Consulting is now part of The West Valley Home Team at Welcome Home Realty specializes in real estate in the West Valley, including Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Avondale, Buckeye and the surrounding areas. If you would like a free confidential consultation please call 623-252-9350.
Nice post. The West Valley Home Team has been using Facebook for some time now and has multiple Facebook Pages. We have them for specfic neighborhoods in our area including Litchfield Park, Goodyear and Avondale. We also include tabs on our Facebook Pages for Short Sales. A couple of items I woud add are:
- If you are an Activerain Rainmaker your Blog is a public one, you can use that RSS Feed to publish content directly to your Facebook Page. Take a look at either the Facebook App Networked Blogs or the web based applicaiton Hootsuite, both of them will take your RSS Feed content and publish it on your Facebook Page automatically.
- Once you get 25 people to "Like" your new Facebook Page, go to www.facebook.com/username and create a SEO friendly URL for your page.
Via Alex Chang (Roost):
Should you spend your time developing a Facebook business Page (getting fans) or developing your Personal Profile (getting friends)?
It's a question we hear from Realtors a lot, and the answer isn't "either/or." Your Page and Profile can work together to grow your sphere & establish you as a trusted expert on local real estate; they are complementary pieces of your Facebook marketing strategy. Below, we'll step you through a tried-and-true process:
Step 1: Setup
Create a great Facebook “Page”
• Pick a smart page name and fill out all the relevant info (create a page here)
• Create 4-5 interesting and insightful initial wall posts first-time visitors will see
• Add a professional-looking content tab (like the free Roost Real Estate tab)
• Post polished photos & logos
• Link to your website/blog
Step 2: Use your friends!
Get a base of fans but inviting your Facebook friends to “Like” the page for regular local market insight and updates. To do this, from your page click the "Suggest to Friends" link in the left-hand column. Do this a couple of times in the weeks after you've fleshed out your page. But not too much! (The Roost Publisher will also help you get friends to fan your page.)
Step 3: Publish good stuff
Generate ongoing, insightful content on your Page.
• Your goal is engagement with your audience. Posts that get “Commented”, “Liked”, and “Shared” end up in more feeds, which means greater exposure (and more fans) for you.
• Maintain a regular cadence, e.g. 2 posts/day.
Step 4: Interact, engage, and build relationships!
Interact with new people who “Like” your Page and as you get to know them. Respond to comments and have "real" interactions about what interests them. Bring your local and professional experience to the conversation. When you feel a strong enough connection, Friend them (and add them to a "prospect" friend list).
Step 5: Rinse & repeat…
Keep at it. As with developing any relationship, you need to work to foster a new client. Diligently build your network and position yourself as an expert by publishing, responding reactively, and reaching out proactively, and you'll soon be counting Facebook as a valuable part of your marketing strategy.
A few additional tips:
• Be sure and use Facebook Lists to group your Friends and keep your business life and personal life separated.
• Be interesting, engaging, and entertaining! Follow bloggers, social media super-users, and other influencers to find content your audience will be likely to love.
• Put yourself on a program. Make it a habit. Facebook business won't be built in a day.
Some final words of wisdom from a REALTOR who really gets it...
Heather Elias (whose Profile and Page we used as our example above) of LocoMusings fame in Virginia understands both the power of Facebook and how to tap into it as well as anyone out there. Here's what she has to say:
"The important thing is the enhanced relationship, whether it's on your profile or on your business page. Making it a conversation and not a broadcast (and sharing content that your target audience will appreciate) is the main key to success."
See for yourself how Heather does it (and be sure and "Like" her page!).
Is it better to go with a credit union, mortgage broker or a local bank? Does anyone have any recommendations as to a good mortgage broker in the Litchfield Park, Goodyear or Avondale areas? Via Cinda Rose, CDPE-Short Sale Resource, West Valley REALTOR® (The West Valley Home Team at Welcome Home Realty):
 Buyer's Tip Series: Stop Looking For a New Home! Get Pre-Qualified First!
Your First Step in Buying Your New Home: Getting Pre-qualified
If you are currently looking to purchase a new home right now and haven't spoken to a lender yet, then stop looking for your new home! It may sound like weird advice, but the single most important step a potential homebuyer can take starts before the home search. Talking to a mortgage specialist and getting a mortgage pre-qualification should always be a buyer's first step.
By taking the time to talk with a reputable mortgage lender before beginning your home search process, you will save time, money and frustration later on. Most importantly, a pre-approval minimizes potential issues that may arise during the escrow process. In addition, the State of Arizona requires a Loan Status Report with every offer to purchase real estate. So before you can place an offer on a property, you have to get pre-qualified.
The Loan Status Report, or L SR, is a simple one-page document that the mortgage lender fills out after qualifying a buyer. Most mortgage specialists can issue an LSR with a quick ten to fifteen minute phone consultation. Before calling the lender, however, gather your financial information such as current income, debt, social security number, etc. The lender will need this information for your pre-qualification.
While pre-qualification is a necessity to place an offer on a property, a pre-approval with a lender gives buyers an advantage when negotiating a contract with a seller. So what is the difference between a pre-qualification and a pre-approval? Typically when a lender pre-qualifies a buyer, it is done over the phone based on financial information provided by the buyer. A credit report is ordered and the mortgage rep then estimates the amount of the mortgage that the buyer can afford. The mortgage lender then issues a LSR stating they have been pre-qualified.
However, for a pre-approval, the mortgage specialist requires actual documentation and verifies the financial data. While it may take longer, a pre-approval is more reliable and it shortens the mortgage process and approval process later on for the buyer. Pre-approvals typically provide the ability for a fast close if the need should arise.
In addition knowing exactly how much a buyer can be approved for can help set a realistic idea of what the monthly mortgage payment will be. You may be approved for a $200,000 home, but can you realistically handle that payment every month? Getting pre-approved saves buyers time by eliminating those homes that are out of the target price range.
With today's challenging and changing real estate market, a knowledgeable mortgage specialist is invaluable when purchasing a home. A reputable mortgage specialist can advise the best way to make the loan process as painless as possible by minimizing any potential problems that may arise. Speak to a real estate agent, neighbors, friends and family for recommendations for a reputable mortgage lender that can help you with the purchase of your new home.
Good Luck in Your Home Search!
www.TheWestValleyHomeTeam.com * cinda.rose@thewestvalleyhometeam.com
Cinda Rose, REALTOR®
CDPE, CSSN, SFR
Looking for a new home in the West Valley? Check out www.TheWestValleyHomeTeam.com for more information about buying a home, getting a FREE Listingbook Account, searching the MLS and more! We specialize in real estate in the West Valley, including Litchfield Park, Goodyear, Avondale, Buckeye and the surrounding areas.
You can automatically tweet your Zillow activities to your Facebook Page, your Twitter account and your LinkedIn account all at once.
- First you need a Zillow account, if you don't have one then go to www.zillow.com and get one
- Next you need to have a Facebook Page (not a Personal Facebook account, HUGE DIFFERENCE!)
- You'll also need a LinkedIn account, go to www.linkedin.com if you don't have one yet
- Last step is to get a Hootsuite account
Now you're ready to get this all tied together. Basically what you are doing is using the RSS Feed provided by your Zillow account to "feed" the other accounts with content. You can do this with any RSS Feed you have as well, and if you are an Activerain "Rainmaker" you can use that account's RSS Feed too!
After signing up for Hootsuite, you can then add all of your Social Networks, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to your Hootsuite account. When you add your Facebook (personal) account it will automatically see all the Facebook Pages you are an Admin on and add those. You then add your RSS Feeds and you can add as many as you like to Hootsuite. As you ass your RSS or Atom Feeds, it will ask you which pages and accounts you would like that RSS Feed to send content too. That's it. You now can post blogs to Activerain, answer questions on Zillow, post listings on Zillow etc... and the content you have posted will go out to all the locations specified automatically!
To find your RSS Feed address:
- On Zillow it's on your profile near the bottom
- On Activerain the RSS Feed address can be found on your profile down towards the bottom on the right
The West Valley Home Team uses many different RSS Feeds to automatically post content about Short Sales, Foreclosures, Listings and any information about buying or selling a home in the West Valley to it's Facebook Pages including:
Looking for some help. We have recently started The West Valley Home Team, want to focus on Short Sales, Foreclosures, Spec Homes and Short Sale Listings in Litchfield Park, Goodyear and Avondale Arizona. Our listing agent, Cinda Rose, has her CDPE, CSSN, and SFR certifications. We have signed up as a Zillow Premier agent and working hard promoting the website, www.westvalleyhometeam.com. We have been considering signing up with NASSPro.com as well. My question is how are people tracking their ROI as far as marketing dollars go? I know everyone we've listened to, conferences, books, Ben Kinney etc... has told us that we need to track each dollar that goes out, how it was spent, how many people did it reach, how many people responded to it and how many sales and commission dollars did we generate from it. Is there a piece of software that we can use to track it? A simple spreadsheet template that we can use? Any help would be appreciated.
If you use Gmail or better yet Google Apps as your email client, try the new add-on (for Firefox and Chrome users) call Rapportive, www.rapportive.com
When you receive an email from someone, the Rapportive add-on (extension) will go out and search tons of Social Networks and find information associated with the senders email address. The West Valley Home Team uses it and we are able to see other pertinent information about a client before making a call or responding to an email from them. Wouldn't it be nice to know a little something about what your clients interest are, what they like and don't like, BEFORE you contact them? See they are a Dallas Cowboys fan? Don't mention "did you see the game today" when you know the Cardinals beat the Cowboys 30-7... Maybe you see something you have in common with that person and can use that to make that personal connection.
From the Rapportive website: "Rapportive shows you everything about your contacts right inside your inbox. You can immediately see what people look like, where they're based, and what they do. You can establish rapport by mentioning shared interests. You can grow your network by connecting on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and more. And you can record thoughts for later by leaving notes. Imagine relationship management built into your email. For free."
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Like it or not, if you are not showing up “on the map” you are losing new business opportunities every day. With more than 500 million searches a day in the U.S. alone, it’s likely that someone is looking for your business as you read this. The question is simple: Are they finding you, or are they finding your competitors in a local search? In 2011, more people will search for local businesses on smartphones than on computers, will your business show up at the top of the local listings?!
Would You Like to:
Be on the first page of Google?
Gain the advantage of having more positive reviews of your business?
Have your business show up on iPhones, Smartphones, and GPS devices?
Work smarter while your competition works harder?
Are You Taking Advantage of:
Google and Facebook Places - Yelp and Foursquare - Text Marketing and Coupons - Mobile Coupons and Mobile-ready sites - Local Business Listings - Positive Reviews on sites like Yelp and Angie’s List -
The most successful businesses in 2011 will be utilizing these tools and applications. Don’t get stuck waiting for your phone to ring…Call us today!
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