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Your Internet Presence...How Much is Too Much?

How much is too much?

I'm talking about the web-sites you maintain and your Internet Presence.

Sometimes it can get a little overwhelming, especially with blogs that you have to keep up with. I am thankful that my AnnArborUndressedBlog, (outside Activerain blog) auto posts from my Activerain posts.

ann arbor undressed

It took a while to get the search engines to like AnnArborUndressed but now since Activerain changed the outside blogs to be the authority blog it moving up in the SERPS.

Are you new to Activerain?

If so and you have tried the FREE version; it is time to upgrade to the paid subscription. This is where the power of blogging can change your future and bring in business. If you need help give me a call.

MissyCaulk.com

I have a couple of static sites: MissyCaulk.com and MissyCaulkTeam.com. One is new but with the old domain name. Dakno redesigned it and I post all my listings on there. I can also add community information and neighborhoods so it is not totally static.

The MissyCaulkTeam site is a Point2Agent site. I have imported by RSS feed my blogs. I use this site because it syndicates my listings to agents all over S.E. Michigan to agents that have accepted a handshake agreement. I get a few leads from it a month, so I've kept it. But, it doesn't really work well with Fox Fire or Safari and I hate to go over to IE. It is suppose to but it always logs up.

AnnArborRealEstateTalk is my blog about Ann Arbor and Saline. I rarely post fun stuff, or technology things over there. Just information for the consumer. I posted on Land Contracts being acceptable for taking advantage of the First Time Home Buyer Credit. I have about 51 comments and requests to read the legal decision.

Photos.AnnArborRealEstateTalk.com I also have a photo blog, that I just use my cell phone to snap a photo when I am out and about.

That is easy to maintain, just snap and send to it automatically.

I enjoy taking photos around Ann Arbor and Saline. It makes me see my communities with a new lens.

missycaulk.posterous.com

My new baby is a Posterous Blog. I am having fun with that as you just submit a page you are reading, a photo, or whatever you are doing on the internet and it automatically posts it. Posterous blogs are FREE, and you can have as many as you want. If you haven't set one up yet, you should, they are fun. Just email anything you want to post or add the booket in your tool bar. Nobody comments too much you just get sent a bi-weekly email and can look at all the ones you are subscribing too.

Of course I have a company web-site Buy Ann Arbor Real Estate but never get leads from it. I heard Google doesn't like template sites and I have found that to be true.

One of the sites that requires very little maintenance is my A2BreakingNews.com site.

This site is basically Twitter Feeds that come in for certain pages, like Saline, Ann Arbor, Food, Wolverines, Sports, jobs, and of course Real Estate.

AgentGenius.com

Once a week, I am honored to post on AgentGenius Magazine. Lani asked me to post on Sunday's recently so my first political post went in yesterday on Climate Chains.

Sunday's are going to like the Sunday morning shows on TV, so all the posts will be political. I think this will be a good fit for me.

I love the writers at AG, if you haven't visited there you should check it out.

The site that brings me the most business is my IDX Home Search Site; SearchAnnArborHouses.com

This is my Pay Per Click home search site. All my sites have a place to search homes and go straight to this Home Search Site. SearchAnnArborHouses.com

Sometimes I wonder... is it just too much...but my theory is you never know which portal a consumer is going to find you on.

When the phone rings or you receive an email with someone finding you online and needing help to buy or sell it makes it all worth it.

Remember this post was about web-site and blogs; NOTHING about Social Media Communities.

As the year 2009 winds down, my static's are showing that about 70% of my closings have come from Internet Buyers and Sellers.

It use to be the opposite, but most folks are not moving UP in Ann Arbor or Saline or Down-Sizing. So we have to be continually bringing in new business from the Buyers & Sellers on the internet moving here.

They are waiting...but I am NOT.

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Posted by Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor- Realtor(R)- Ann Arbor Real Estate on 10/19/2009 07:27 PM

Comments (63)

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Originally posted at: Ann Arbor Undressed : Your Internet Presence...How Much is Too Much?

This post has been included in Michigan Information Washtenaw County, MI Information Ann Arbor, MI Information
Post is included in group: Rainmaking - Internet Marketing Strategies
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63 Comments on Your Internet Presence...How Much is Too Much?

OCT

Missy,

These are some great stats that you have!

Awesome job!

Missy...this is impressive, 70%. I believe that the time pays off on the Internet. Congrats!

70%........ that is a an awesome stat. That is what I want & more. I am going to check out the Posterous site. My biggest problem...I need a clone (or an assistant)....being busy in a down market is proof of what I have learned from AR members LIKE YOU!

Good grief, I don't know how you find the time to manage all those sites! As they say, "you're every where ... you're everywhere"! :-)

Whoops! That was me above. Came in from FB and forgot I wasn't logged in.

Great post. Alot of food for production! I've bookmarked you to come back and read it tomorrow. Thanks for sharing.

Missy - This is a great post for people who feel like they spend too much time trying to generate leads. I personally think the internet is the best way to get in touch with a lot of people every day. Love the links.

Missy...

What a wonderful post extolling the virtues of what we all know to be a fantastic real estate platform!

Missy...Okay, I"m dizzy now. Wow. You ARE superwoman. How do you manage all of these sites? You truly are the leader when it comes to the power of blogging, social networking etc. I respect you so much for all that you do and share with us.

Obviously, since I am new to my market, 80% of my business was internet leads. The other 20 was referrals from my past clients this year. I'd be lost without my web site. I'm lucky that my husband is so driven to continually make it better.

I was wondering about Point2. I had it for a short time, but never did anything with it. When you mentioned template sites, do you mean Remax, Keller Williams, etc., that we just "drop our info in" and off we go? (I'm assuming).

Overall, what are your thoughts about social networking and $$$$. You'll have to write on that soon :) Have a great week my friend!

Good Heavens Missy! How do you find the time to keep up with all of that AND sell real estate???

Missy, I have my original website which I call my bread & butter site, then my point 2 agent site, My AR blog and then my AR outside blog and a blog on the back end of my website. It sometimes gets a bit overwhelming. So I'm curious how are you importing your blog to your point 2 agent site? I know they have a point 2 agent blog but I don't feel I can start another blog. I have my blog set up as a button but it takes people away from my website.

Oh I also have a pet blog but it has been neglected for quite some time. With winter coming I expect I will have some time for my pet blog.

Hey, Missy,

Thanks for all of this--you have a great way of anwering the questions just before they're asked!

Do you still have your Number1agent site, and how do you think that fits into the equation. If you had to give up all but one, which would you keep?

Wow, Missy, I loved reading this and all the information. I had no idea you had that many sites and I think it's wonderful. I loved the photo site that sounds both fun and easy....Thank you for the information!

Missy, omg.. how do you do it? Great post Missy!

Missy - we are in a very similar boat - well I should say I am as I do all of the stuff for our blogs and sites, while Brian does the front end stuff. My next project is to move along with a photo blog which I am itching to start - after I get a few other things off my plate! ~Rita

OCT

Susie B has been telling me about this site. She says that she thinks that it has better pulling power than AR. I will have to check it out ☺☺☺

Helping you live your American dream...

Missy -

Wow. I'm going to have to make your breadth of sights a week-long case study.

To answer the question 'How much is too much?' I think it's only too much if you can't effectively manage it (and the rest of your career).

Holy smokes Missy ... who knew there were so many different sites to post to?

I have my company website and contribute to Maureen's www.mioaklandcounty.com monthly. I haven't even been able to spend much time on AR in recent months! Hmmm ... it may be time to reprioritize and look into some of these sites to see if they would fit in somehow.

VERY interesting post!

Nancy I do not have my Number1 Site anymore. Just time to move on as they went through multiple sales and my leads were pretty much nil for the cost. That is when I had Dakno take my old domain name and do a 301 redirect(permanent) to my new site.

Michael, I don't know about more pull....I haven't noticed that, but then I don't post there as much as Susie. But, I enjoy it because I can just be reading or looking at something and get a quick post up by clicking a button in my tool bar that says Share On Posterous. I know some folks out their in the blogosphere are going to just there, but it is not my plan or purpose.

Marchel, in the office management side of Point2, you just add a column and import the RSS feed, I don't actually post there, just use it for my listing syndication in SE Michigan. If you look at my site you will see it on page 1, left column. So it helps that site stay in the SERPS.

Steve, most of my is automatically done. Except for posting here and on my outside blog which I do about 6 posts a week, it is auto. My assistant adds the listings on each site.

Elizabeth, definately the company sites, and IMO also the template sites from any vendor. Now I know some folks work hard on their template sites and promote them so there are "exceptions" to the statement. But, most agents don't or can't optimize them so they are pretty much static, and don't get indexed often.

This is sick...it's ridiculous. I'm so envious. Needless to say, I'm jealous. I've tried wordpress, but I haven't invested enought time to succeed in that arena. I'd like to try Posterous. I like what it looks like.

Just bookmarked as this is definitely food for thought. I have Point 2 as well and do use the handshake feature.

Missy- You have always been so awesome on the web sites etc, I see that has not changed but gotten better! I too have multiple sites and for different reasons and with diff content. I won probably 30 diff real estate related domains and have blogs in a couple areas. I do utilize the RSS feeds for some so that I don't spend my entire life uploading content...Hope all is well with you! Hugs~

Hi Missy,

Lots of great info in this post!! I have gone the other way and have backed off a lot of my web sites....still have Tiger and would not ever give it up, that is where 80% of our business comes from. I'm happy, being smaller, meaner, and can handle it better.

Dick Beals

I understand, Missy! I think I'm bordering on TOO much!

Twitter, Facebook, AR, photoblog, outside RE blog, Posterous, and on and on - getting to be a bit overwhelming!

Thanks Missy. Great run down on what you are doing. Thanks for sharing. As I build my internet presence, I have used you as a guide. Thank you . Tere

I'd been feeling pretty good about the work I do on the Internet, until I read this...yikes! I'm not at this level at all. I have the Outside Blog on my list to look into...but haven't yet, so this is the week to check on it.

Wow! You are one busy lady. And I thought I was busy.

Great overview! Things are looking good in your neck of the woods!

Hi Missy,

And don't forget your Twitter. That's where I just came across this post. Thanks for reminding me about Posterous. I have an account but forgot about it. I use Point 2Agent also and find it brings a tremendous amount of Google juice. I just keep updating it to keep it fresh and I buy different neighborhoods when they are down to $20. Amazing exposure for little money.

Hi Missy. I wish I had the knowhow to do half of what you are...

Always learning!

Ken

"The site that brings me the most business is my IDX Home Search Site; SearchAnnArborHouses.com "

Missy - I'm glad to hear this and to see you post it. I can't express enough the importance of having a good IDX and lead capture system in place for all your online blogging and social networking efforts. You're definitely doing something right! :-)))

Great info. Thank you

What I hear you saying is you cannot have too much, but some are better than others.

Missy, I am exhaused!!! I am still perfecting my presence on Activerain, but am trying to work on other sites as well. I will keep your blog bookmarked, so I can refer back often. I've got a lot or work to do to even come close to what you are doing. Thanks!

Missy, Which of your websites do you advertise on your business cards? Curious since I'm about to order my new ones :) Also, you need to add "Google me" on the back of your cards. Can you imagine? WOW. You are the queen of Google juice!

Gene, that is exactly what I am saying.

Dick, yes I would NEVER give that up, they would have to pry it off my cold dead hands. LOL

Missy - I agree with Elizabeth, you are superwoman! And it seems like you are doing everything right. Your phote blog is cool - I want one - does Google images pick them up?

I have a template site - Google loves it, but my daughter (who is my virtual assistant) keeps it going and it is never static.

Did I miss something? What is Tiger?

Really great post and all I can say is WoW... that's quite a few sites. I think I will bookmark this for business building. It all requires so much time to get going. Thanks so much for a really well written and displayed post. Very useful for me.... looks like I have some work to do!

I really enjoyed this. I too have several blogs and sites. It's nice to see how you are utilizing them. I do the same things but sometimes wonder if it's too much or how to manage them without spending too much time online. LOL! When I need anything I look online first. Don't ever open a cook book anymore. When I buy shoes I have usually gone to the store's website and found the ones I like so by the time I go to the store I already know which ones I want to try on. It's that way for us too. Clients shop and find someone they feel comfortable with. We won't fit every person but perhaps the ones who call us will do so because they got to know us online a bit first. That's what I like about blogs and such. =)

I really appreciate how you are so well rounded when it comes to this stuff! Thanks for sharing and I am going to apply this to my presentation...

Hi Missy, Now if you could just spend a little time with the U of M defensive line ! Please !?!?

Missy, it is us who are honored to have you at AG, I love reading you, and I think you have a future in political commentary as you proved this past Sunday. You were my affirmation to creating the commentary linup and #1 on my list, and so happy you took a stab.

I know we do not get to speak very often and that's a shame, but you'll always be one of my faves.

Best, Benn

Benn, (((blushing)))

Elizabeth, I do have that on my new cards. Remember when a company was offering 20 free cards with Google Me? I posted on it, so they came in the mail.

I just ordered a bunch more for my Holiday cards. LOL

Bill, how about the whole secondary......

Virginia, I have no clue if Google images pick it up, but I am on page 1 Google for photos in Ann Arbor. It happened pretty quick and I can thank Brad and Bobby at Dakno for that.

That's very impressive! I've got a lot of work to do in this arena. Thanks for posting all of this info, as I'll have to reread it several times and bookmark it to get the full scoop to model.

Yes, I find it too overwhelming since I do try to put up different posts on my website and on AR. Just 2 sites is enough to keep me busy along with my current transactions and taking care of my 2-yr old sweetheart. That in itself is a full time job. Nevertheless, it's been very important for me to make sure I do both very well.

Missy, My head is spinning!!! Webster's must show your photo under the definition of multi-tasking!

Missy, informative as always, and I'll have to come back to comment further, but its nighttime for me now...been alittle too busy with a grandmother in the hospital. I'll bookmark for a more thorough read when I can find the time.

I think that you can never have too much unless you can't keep up with them. Great blog!

Missy, This blog of yours is wonderful and very creative. It is fun to read what you write. By the way, I graduated from U of M in 1970 and was instrumental in shutting it down in protest of the Vietnam War. Seems like a long time ago and yesterday at the same time, because the cause is always on.

OCT

Missy, great resource for information regarding blogging platforms. Not sure I agree about the approach tho - at what point does it become too much, and our presence become a form of internet spamming. I believe a high quality blog with good SEO and internet ranking might be as effective, and avoid the appearance of spamming the internet. I've heard both sides of the debate.

Renee, thanks for commenting. My goal is to have the most exposure for my sellers. My second goal is to drive traffic to my search site, where buyers can find us to look for homes in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County.

There are many portals or ways a buyer searches, hense the different search engines.

Never heard of spamming the internet.

Google allows 10 spots on page 1 etc...

However, rarely does the same web-site or blog get two places. Depends on the key words used.

I like to be found on page 1 or 2 more many search terms, so by having more you sites you have a better opportunity to get the consumers looking to buy or sell.

Not spam at all, as I give good content.

Thanks for this list of great ideas. I look forward to using this blog as a to-do list to increase my online presence.

Hi Missy,

Thanks for sharing so much great information. You're a wealth of knowledge and I always enjoy reading your posts.

We currently have a Point 2 website that we are constantly customizing, but still aren't seeing a lot of results from it. We just signed up for Diverse Solutions IDX through Active Rain and have added it to the P2 site. Now I see everyone talking about Tiger. Did we make a mistake? Are we wrong to keep customizing the P2 site? I don't want to waste time on something that will never be fruitful.

How are you driving busines to your IDX site? I see you're using pay-per-click and directing your other website traffic there. What makes this site so effective compared to the others?

Our budget doesn't allow us to look into Dakno right now, but I will keep it in mind for the future. There are so many choices it can become paralyzing trying to figure out which options are the best.

Thanks for your insight!

I'm curiuos about http://annarborundressed.com/. How is that helping you to get leads? Does it route people to your main website? Which has more google juice, that site or your primary site?

wholly guacamole!!! and back links to boot! Good job on SEO and back linking to all your sites!

Tonya and Steve, your Point2 site "should" be fine if you optimize it and diverse solutions is great. If I didn't have a tiger site that is the one I would choose. I use my outside AR blog with Lead Router for Ann Arbor. So EVERY SITE I have leads back to Tiger or my SearchAnnArborHouses.com site.

Why?

Because it has Google Maps, Google Satellite Images, folks have to register and the back end where we manage our leads in fantastic. When you have a TEAM you have to know who is doing what, what is in the pipeline, how quickly they are calling, who is goofing off etc.

The PPC site brings me a lot of leads but I also get many because I viral market it, put it everywhere.

Missy...I have a headache! I knew you were pretty amazing before I met you at RETech South in March. Then I read a post like this and bam.....you got it going on!

I've got so many things to learn about all this....my website is an iHouse template, and I dont' do nearly enough with it to make it more useful. I'm hoping '10 will give me the opportunity to launch a new website/blogsite and have one kick butt site. I think I would lose my mind if I had to do as many sites as you have.

And then there is that $29 here or $39 here or $59 here....they all add up really quick. Maybe the new office is going to be my kick start for the new year!

OCT

Very useful information. I am starting out in the Active Rain Blog system and I found you site most useful.

Great exposure Missy. There is no such thing as bad press.

That is amazing. I'm wondering how much time you dedicate to yor internet marketing per day.

70% is huge. Good going!

No surprise that you are getting 70% of your business from the internet. Those that have leveraged the power of SEO know that a lot of business comes your way:)

NOV

How on earth do you find time to manage all those sites and write posts and STILL sell real estate? I feel totally inadequate since i've so far been unable to consistently post to just a single blog! You're like Wonder Woman!!

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