A Facebook Page, run by Jonathan Rivera was recently shut down by Facebook due to a complaint of the use of the vanity URL and the use of the trademarked term REALTOR®. He had been made aware of the violation after selecting his vanity URL, but as Facebook’s guidelines state: “You will not be able to edit or transfer this username once you set it.” The irony of this story is that when Jonathan was made aware of the violation he tried to reach out & contact Facebook to correct it, but was unable to do so. He tried desperately to be in compliance with NAR rules & regulations. Instead of Facebook allowing him to fix the username, they instead shut down the Real Estate Referral Page completely leaving a network of over 47,000 fans without a home.
This network was not only another fun page on Facebook, but also as he stated in the interview I recently heard, a good source of referrals having delivered over 1,400 referrals around the country to agents for free.
This is just once again another reason why it is important to know what laws & trademarks exist before picking a username, a web address or anything. It will be interesting to see what happens with this as things move forward. Jonathan has been working diligently to get the page reinstated, and from his interview with Techsavvy Agent, NAR was being agreeable in him keeping the page as long as the username gets changed.
Only time will tell what happens with this. One thing I surely learned from this is that I will definitely think twice before selecting the next vanity URL for a Facebook Page.
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Are you positioning yourself in front of your audience and what they are looking for? Are you providing value for your clients?
Dino Ciccotti is, with his property tax appeal strategy!
Check out this video to see what Dino has been implementing to help his clients challenge their taxes. He bought a relevant domain name (njpropertytaxappeals.net) and set up a site around it to lure prospects in and get them added to his database and his sphere. People are filling out the form on his website left and right because of his unique value proposition! He uses Top Producer's Market Snapshot to automate his follow up and he is good to go!
How can I manage all of these when I don't have enough time as it is now?
It can be a challenge keeping up with all of the different social networks for Realtors especially when there never seems to be enough time in the day in this particular industry. Qualified buyer wants to see a home and social media gets TURNED OFF! Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are the top 3 sites real estate agents are using but there are literally 100's more that you may not be leveraging. By leveraging sites that syndicate content to all of the major platforms at once you are not only saving precious time but also are getting your content seen by thousands of additional consumers. The 3 that we recommend checking out are Ping.fm, Posterous.com and TubeMogul.com. Each has their own niche that makes them worth checking out and best of all each is FREE!
1. Ping.fm is a site that once you have set up an account allows you to post updates including links, photos, etc to all of the major social networking sites as well as many more that you may not even know exist.
2. Posterous is similar to Ping.fm in that it updates multiple platforms all at once, but where Posterous differs is that you can actually just use your current email platform like Gmail, Yahoo or AOL to update these sites. As many real estate agents unfortunately aren't tech savvy, I would recommend this site to anyone who needs a simple approach to blogging and social media.
3. TubeMogul is a site that also syndicates content, but the difference here is that it syndicates video! Instead of just uploading your videos to YouTube it also uploads your videos to several other major video channels and once again offers this service for free. It even let's you track the views by providing analytics broken down by platform which we of course love at Tech Savvy Agent.
So there you have it 3 simple and free platforms with one button access to thousands of potential buyers and sellers. If you have any questions let us know and we will be happy to assist.
You are going to thank me for this one. A simple, free and just plain cool way to make your pictures look modern and trendy quickly!
You could spend hours in photoshop with your pictures trying to come up with clever marketing pieces for yourself, your brand and your homes or you could check out PhotoFunia! I personally know Realtors that spend HOURS trying to be creative with photo editing and it still doesn't end up looking as nice as the images that Photofuniainstantlyproduces. Imagine seeing yourself in lights in Times Square or even better showing off this cool little trick to your clients having their home appear in lights or as the cover of a well known magazine. There are 100's of design options to choose from and it is as simple as choosing a layout, uploading a photo and you are done. Photofunia allows you to save the images to your hard drive and also gives you the ability to share via Facebook or Twitter and to grab the embed code to put these stylish, modern images on your website or blog quickly. Check it out here and post one of your new images to the Facebook Page so we can see what creative uses you have found for this awesome tool! Simple, Free and Cool = Photofunia
Easy add on to make your Gmaileven better!
Gmailis one of the most usedemailplatforms by Realtorsand for good reason. It allows you to organize youremailwithout using folders because it is searchable in the same way that Google is. I use Gmail and Outlook equally and one feature of Outlook that I love is that you can preview messages without having to open them. Great news for Gmail users is that Google Labs has a neat little plug in that is in beta that will do just that. Check it out, add it to your Gmail and let us know what you think!
See the new Mac Book Pro in action running Windows and IE as to accommodate many MLS systems that aren't yet Safari compatible!
I get asked all the time about how a Mac works with the MLS and various other real estate programs. Short answer is that yes you can buy a Mac today and you will be fully compatible with anything you need by leveraging Parallels which runs Windows. The beauty of the Mac OSX is that it runs anything a PC can, but a PC can't run anything that a Mac can so "best of both worlds" does come to mind. If you are a Real Estate Agent considering a Mac for your next purchase don't fret it is an option and the best one at that!
Part 1 iPad optimized apps for Real Estate Search. Do you even need apps anymore?
Over the next few weeks we will be disecting the iPad from a real estate perspective. It is always smart to look at both sides of the coin not just "is it worth it for me"? How are people searching? What are the best apps and sites? Is my contact info there as well? Zillow and ZipRealty were first to the iPad with apps optimized for real estate search. If you are a Realtor that has the device(or not) it is important to know what technologies consumers are using to find real estate and thus you! Enjoy.
Below are 37 real estate agents answers to the simple question: Why do you love tech? Many expressed that they love the freedom and simplicity it brings along with a streamlined the process for their clients. With a our community in Facebook at over 5,600 agents and by me presenting nationally in front of thousands more, I get a chance to engage with successful tech agents daily. I also realize that all Realtors are not tech savvy so I felt it would be a good idea to share these quick Twitteresque explanations of why Realtors should and do love technology and social media! Thanks to all of you that contributed and as always be sure to leave a comment or any questions below or on the fan page!
Robert C Stern: "Loves how technology has helped in our business. How to maintain communication with clients and how to educate them on Real Estate."
Victoria Trees: "I both love and hate technology! Sometimes it makes life so much simpler, but sometimes when it doesn't work, it can really mess up my day."
Dave Kube:"A fan of technology since the early 90's and my first Mac computer. Started using the internet along with google in 2004. Best source of new business by far!! Have used Top Producer for ever and recently started a fan page Tech Savvy Canuck Realtor to learn and to share with fellow realtors"
Gloria Young Helmstetter: "I love technology. It simply helps make my job easier. Always able to keep up with e-mails and my calendar anytime, anywhere."
Mac Mcfarland: "I love technology because it allows me to work anywhere at anytime. Giving me the ability, using the connection that works best for them, to serve clients based on THEIR communication likes."
Tina Baril: "I depend on my technology devices because my real estate office is mobile. I rarely have to tell a client "I'll send it to you when I return to my office.." With the use of MobileMe, my iPhone, MacBook and my website I can respond to requests right away and assist clients from anywhere, anytime."
Ray Wells and May Gonzalez: "We love Tech because I believe in being as up to date as one can be, for the benefit of our clients. 22 years ago when I started... No fax mechine, Top Producer for dos & the beloved MLS books, I too feel I have been there with the dinosaurs! I LOVE any technology that can make my life easier and frankly FUN!"
Lorri-Anne Driscoll: "In the jungle, the mighty jungle The lion sleeps tonight! Ee-e-e-um-um-a-weh
Wemoweh, wemoweh, wemoweh, wemoweh Ee-e-e-um-um-a-weh
Wemoweh, wemoweh, wemoweh,wemoweh Near the village, the peaceful village
The lion sleeps tonight! Hush my darling, don't fear my darling The lion sleeps tonight!
And while the lion sleeps...I'm (Lor...ri-Anne) learning all the newest technology for our team of 3 in "The Great State!
Couldn't get that song out of my mind today. I hope you'll "LIKE" us at http://www.facebook.com/stevesellsmaineteam Thanks TS for all your hard work!"
Janice Weathington: "I love technology because I can conduct business any time of the day and any where in the world. It's also very exciting to learn something new every single day with technology."
Chad Pederson: "As a small broker working across the Twin Cities, I love technology and greatly rely on my hosted MS Exchange service, Asterisk VOIP phone system, iPhones for mobile access, MacBook Pro (running VM Ware with Windows XP Pro for Windows required sites), and Obeo for virtual tours/photography/dedicated home websites. I w...ouldn't be able to run my small business so efficiently without all the outstanding tools we have available to us."
Sharon Fetterman: "I love technology because with tech I am able to work anywhere at anytime. And just love tech gadgets!"
Eric Slifkin: "I had 20 years in IT (sales) before becoming a Realtor. I love leveraging technology to manage both marketing and back office operations."
Nikki Beauchamp: "I love being able to integrate my love of technology (having had a prior career in the industry) and efficiency via technology with my real estate business.
Integrating the "new" with the old and continuing to innovate to best serve my clients and connect with new friends and stay in touch with old friends.Love TSA and ...finding other tech savvy agents to discuss and brainstorm with !"
Gwen Wang: "I love tech because it allows me to better serve my clients efficiently. It is essential in today's fast moving world and I can share the latest news in seconds! I also love new ways of doing things and innovation always excite me!"
Marian Booth Green: "I love tech because it keeps my mind working, it's convenient and I can reach out and touch/talk to friends old and new around the world anytime."
Michael Simpson: "I love tech because it helps to keep all the synapses firing off. But I still am trying to find the "any" key."
Sheena Martin: "I love tech because 1) it's fascinating, and 2) it allows you to work from anywhere and reach out to more people. It also gives me more convenience in my business as a buyer's agent."
Wendie Buttars: "Since I started back in the day of the dinosaur MLS books, I LOVE any technology that can make my life easier in much less time!"
Warren McNeil: "I love tech because it has providing me with a career for over 15 years. I have a background in IT and I have been able to leverage my tech skills in my real estate business. I utilize technology in every possible way. Websites, social networking, mobile and any other way I can think of."
Michael Walker: "I've had a smart phone for 5 years -- only recently (BB Tour) activated the data plan and I'm not sure how I lasted without it? It saves me so much time and allows me to be present with my family when I walk through the door because I've handled everything I needed to throughout the day vs. hitting the computer and sp...ending an hour or more "dealing" with issues etc.
Not sure how agents did it in the old days ... but I love the new age!"
Cindy Minnema: "I'm able to work, email, look up info anywhere. I'm out on appointments a lot so I don't miss that important email."
Karissa Ignasiak: "Being Tech savvy is essential in todays real estate world. We are a country of instant gratification and if you can't get the answers or contact someone fast....you maybe replace by a fellow Realtor who can."
Scott Harris: "Being a tech savvy geezer – oops – commercial agent allows me to work from anywhere, anytime and keep my clients, seller, lenders, and any and all other stakeholders up to date and well informed. As a commercial Realtor licensed in multiple states, a good working knowledge of technology is essential, and I couldn’t do... my job without it. As we all know, real estate is a relationship business and clients are like family. I treat them with trust, integrity and the loyalty they deserve. To be successful I must produce the results my clients want. Their priorities become my priorities, and their goals become my goals. Technology allows me to stay in touch, whether I’m here in SoCal or in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta or maybe even Halifax. I can always be reached and always responsive. And yes, even at a car show."
Andrew Mckay: "I can tell myself I'm working whilst laying in bed with my lap top:)"
Hector G. Diaz: "I love tech because there is always something new to learn and implement!"
Mary Schroeder Johnson: "Being a tech savvy real estate agent may seem like a hard skill but it adds such seamless service and quality to the end product that it actually is
perceived like a soft skill, i.e. a Realtor who delivers your property beautifully to the best swimmers in the buyers' pool looks like he truly
listens and cares (which he... does!). We are so excited about the services we offer clients in Wasaga Beach, Ontario; by helping them put
all the pieces together, clients can enjoy a truly moving experience!"
Troi Paris Kaz: "Technology has made a huge difference in the way I do business at DeBordieu, the private, oceanfront, golf community just south of Pawleys Isalnd, SC, where I work onsite. Customer service is paramount when selling luxury real estate, and most of today's buyers require detailed information fast and efficiently, 24/7. I... love connecting with clients via email, social networking, and my blog."
John Villaescusa: "Technology is a Huge factor for our business. I currently generate 300-400 leads a month just off the internet so here at my office I highly promote technology and have 4 trainings every month for it because it is such a big factor in todays marketing."
Brian C Smith: "If used right, Technology is what smooths out the kinks in life; leaving time to actually live! It allows us to Connect with others seamlessly, saves Time & Money, and brings information to our fingertips. You can find & tour a home, write & negotiate the contract, and even submit earnest money... from the other side o...f the world, all within hours due to technology. No paper, no hassle. It is a major part of by business to say the least."
Mildred Tassone: "We just did a great relocation with the customer in Switzerland, the agents here on Long Island, NY and the landlord traveling in China. We used our IDX Wolfnet... Solution, Skype, Google Phone, email, Blackberries and video uploads to YouTube. We worked out details with everyone all online and met the day we signed the paperwork. I love it when it works!"
Joanne Dean Crum: "I love all the inovative options that are available through technology that add value to my business. In todays world, you have to stay on top of thngs to thrive."
John Cameron: "I'm negotiating a home sale via text message and IM right now. From Maui! I embrace technology."
Tim Terpening: "I love the convenience that technology affords. Wherever you are information and entertainment are available right there, right then. I love technology that is user-friendly, that offers a clean design, and that integrates, cooperates, or consolidates seamlessly to make my life easier."
Thomas Druck: "I love technology because of the freedom it provides. It's incredible that you can work with anybody in the world at any given time from anywhere and sometimes even have a machine do the work for you. I also happen to think that a lot of tech stuff is just plain fun..."
Peter Clarke: "Growing up and living in many years in Ottawa (Silicon Valley North) you couldn't help but work in the technology field. Before real est...ate I was certified in network admin and built web sites for a living. Why do we LOVE technology? We rarely spend money on print ads and 90% of our business come from our websites - which costs us a fraction of what our competitors spend. ;)"
Michelle Poccia: "Technology speeds up many processes and saves money too. I remember thermal paper fax machines and watching web pages appear line by line...
We are so fortunate to have all the techy tools that we use!"
I was just introduced to a site that actually gives you help finding different variations of domain names called www.namebargain.com. A lot of times when you think of a great domain name and run to www.godaddy.com to purchase it, a big red X will appear and you frantically try different variations of that name until you find something decent. Next time this occurs try going to a site called www.namebargain.com and type the same domain name that was unavailable in Go Daddy. No, it won't magically be available in Name Bargain but, they will offer some other suggestions based on your search. If you are thinking...."wait a second, so does Go Daddy??"...it's not the same. Name bargain seems to provide ideas that are much more dynamic. It seems to know synonyms and actually (sometimes) gives intelligent suggestions. Check out the two graphics below. This one shows that the domain name that I was searching for was unavailable.
Now look below and see some of the suggestions it has for something similar. A few of the suggestions are a little wacky but, some of them are actually quite good! It will even show you instantly if the names are available. I think this might be a good tool for real estate agents trying to pick up a few new urls from a ever dwindling supply. Let me know what you guys think!!!
Google Alerts is being used by both large companies and local agents alike to monitor the real estate and brand chatter on the blogs and web. If you have never set one up or aren't sure how Google Alerts work we put together a quick video on how it can benefit a Real Estate Agent! Enjoy and please share."World of Mouth"
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
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