Special offer

GOOGLE TOOLS FOR REALTORS SERIES - USING GOOGLE ALERTS TO MANAGE YOUR ONLINE REPUTATION AND MORE

By
Real Estate Agent with PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com

Google Tools for Realtors

GOOGLE TOOLS FOR REALTORS SERIES

In this Google Tools for Realtors Series, we will cover, review and provide how-to tips and strategies for Google's suite of productivity tools including such tools as:

  • Google Calendar
  • Google Alerts
  • Google Wave
  • Google Documents
  • Google Maps
  • Google Earth
  • Google Local Business Center
  • Google Adwords / G-Mail Ads
  • Google Blogger
  • FeedBurner
  • Google Analytics
  • Google Groups
  • Google Sites
  • G-Mail
  • Picassa
  • YouTube
  • Google Talk
  • Google Voice
  • Google Search
  • Google Toolbar

GOOGLE ALERTS

Google Tools for Realtors - Google Alerts

In the second installment of the Google Tools for Realtors Series, we will take a look at how Realtors can effectively use Google Alerts in their real estate practice including such topics as:

  • Why Use Google Alerts
  • Setting Up Google Alerts
  • Google Alert Success Stories
  • Non-Google Reputation Management Tools

WHY USE GOOGLE ALERTS?

Google Alerts allows you to create automated searches of diverse media such as blogs, images, video, groups, news and the Internet based on simple keywords.  The tool has many benefits:

  • Monitor Real Estate Trends (e.g. St. Louis Market Reports)
  • Competitor Research (e.g. Name of Agent or Brokerage)
  • Tracking Upcoming Real Estate Events (e.g St. Louis REBar Camp)
  • Manage Online Reputation (e.g. Ryan Shaughnessy or PREA Signature Realty)
  • Identify Misuse of Your Listings (1515 Lafayette or the Georgian)
  • Monitor Past Clients (e.g. Client A)
  • Use as Customer Service / Testimonial Tool (e.g. Ryan Shaughnessy or PREA Signature Realty)
  • Track Technology (e.g. Google Tools)
  • Track Government Information and Announcements (e.g. Missouri Real Estate Commission)
  • SEO Management (e.g. www.LafayetteReport.com)
  • Catch Copyright Infringement (e.g. Blog Titles)

HOW TO SET UP GOOGLE ALERTS

Step 1 - Log into Google account.  Go to:  www.google.com/alerts.

Step 2 - Enter the search information.

  • Search Terms:  Use Narrow Keywords to Limit Search to Relevant Items
  • Type:  Select the type of search - comprehensive, image, video, blog, groups, news, internet or comprehensive.
  • How Often: Select period - immediate, daily, or weekly,
  • E-Mail Length: # of returned search items - 20 mentions or 50 mentions.
  • Deliver to:  Your preferred e-mail address.

Google Tools for Realtors - Google Alerts

Step 3 - Review e-mailed alerts.

Google Tools for Realtors - Google Alerts

Step 4 - Manage alerts.  If you are receiving too many or too few alerts, change your search terms for the alerts.

Google Tools for Realtors - Google Alerts

KEYWORD SEARCH OPERATORS

Use standard Google search operands to narrow or refine your search:

  • Inclusive Search:  AND - "Real Estate" AND Technology
  • Alternate Search:  OR - "Second Empire" or "Federal"
  • Wild Card Search:  "* with a mountain view"
  • Specific Site Search:  site:http://www.PREASignatureRealty.com
  • Link:  link:http://activerain.com/blogsview/1507292/google-tools-for-realtors-series-google-calendar

GOOGLE ALERT SUCCESS STORIES

Over the past 18 months, Google Alerts has been an invaluable tool.  Here are some of the success stories:

  • Identified Competitor Copying and Pasting Market Report.
  • Discovered Long Forgotten Media Video Clip of One of Our Agents.
  • Discovered Misuse of Craigslist Posting by Unlicensed Real Agent and by Rental Scam Artist.
  • Discovered Problem with Trulia Feed Directing Leads to Competitor's Website.
  • Found Article on Past Client regarding New Development Project.
  • Identified Buyer for Commercial Property.
  • Found Negative Comments regarding a Development in Area.
  • Identified End-User Subscribing to RSS Blog Feed.

NON-GOOGLE REPUTATION MANAGEMENT TOOLS

Oddly, different alert services focus on different media and yield different search results.  Here are some other services:

  • www.Trackle.com
  • www.SocialMention.com
  • www.SocialOomph.com
  • www.steprep.com

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT HOW TO USE GOOGLE TOOLS IN THE MARKETING AND SALE OF REAL ESTATE? Contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or send an e-mail to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com.

Posted by

________________________________________________________________________________________________

PREA SIGNATURE REALTY

Download Property BrochuresView Our Listing PresentationWatch Our Property Videos on YouTube

PREA Signature Realty is a full service brokerage located at 1709 Park Avenue in the Lafayette Square neighborhood of the City of St. Louis.  PREA Signature proudly serves the following city neighborhoods:  Lafayette Square, Soulard, Benton Park, Benton Park West, Downtown Loft District, Forest Park Southwest, Central West End, Tower Grove East, Tower Grove South, Compton Heights, Shaw, The Hill, Dogtown, Carondelet, Holly Hills, St. Louis Hills, Dutchtown, and the Other Historic Neighborhoods of the City of Saint Louis, Missouri. 

The opinions expressed herein represent the opinions of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of PREA Signature Realty.  All photos and written content were produced by PREA Signature Realty.  All Rights Reserved - PREA Signature Realty (2009).  This content may not be reproduced or reprinted, except for Active Rain re-blogging, without express written permission of PREA Signature Realty.

For more information, visit our website at www.PREASignatureRealty.com or contact Ryan Shaughnessy at 314-971-4381 or send an email to Ryan@PREASignatureRealty.com

Comments (72)

Suzanne McLaughlin
Sabinske & Associates, Inc. (Albertville, St. Michael) - Saint Michael, MN
Sabinske & Associates, Realtor

Great load of information.  I have used Google alerts for at least a year.  It is great to check on traffic.  And, google maps are great except when they are WRONG!  And, I drive all over looking for the real address.  (Doing BPOs and counseling sellers makes me cranky when I arrive twenty minutes late!)

Feb 23, 2010 12:04 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

Ryan, I need to use Google Chat on Friday afternoon. Anyway you could jump ahead and post instructions on how to set up and use this Google product before I hit the Friday video chat call I need to do? This is assuming we can get out after another round of DC area snow the next few days.

Feb 23, 2010 12:10 PM
Lora "Leah" Stern 914-772-4528
Coldwell Banker, 170 N Main Street, New City NY 10956 - New City, NY
Real Estate Salesperson

Ryan, I've been using google alerts but can't decipher the alert.  I'm finding that it's not consistent with everything it's picking up.  Am I doing something wrong?  Thanks for the series.  You've definitely given me some other ideas of things to check on.

Feb 23, 2010 12:48 PM
Judd Reynolds
Exit Team Realty - Savannah, GA
Savannah, GA

Thanks for the detailed explaination on how the alerts work. I now have a newbie blogger question. How does reblogging figure into this? For example, on this post it has a green Reblog button at the top. Does this mean you have given permission for others to reblog (post, publish) this post, as long as they give you credit for it, or do you still have to be asked, and give permission?

Feb 23, 2010 01:55 PM
Tammie White, Broker
Franklin Homes Realty LLC - Franklin, TN
Franklin TN Homes for Sale

I can't keep up with the technology.  I just learned about Google analytics.  Now I have to learn about Google alerts.  Geez, it's a never ending battle.

Feb 23, 2010 02:51 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

I've used StepRep and Google Alerts but haven't heard of the other two.  I'll have to look into them.

Feb 23, 2010 03:17 PM
Esko Kiuru
Bethesda, MD

Ryan,

Looks like there are quite a few things we mortgage pros can use with Google Alerts. Worth taking a closer peek.  

Feb 23, 2010 03:54 PM
Bob Dunn
Sutton Group West Coast Realty - Abbotsford, BC

Hi Ryan. I will give this another try. I had previously set my Google alert for my name .... I had no idea there where that many criminals with my name.

Feb 23, 2010 03:59 PM
C. Lloyd McKenzie
Living Albuquerque - Albuquerque, NM
Living Albuquerque

Hi Ryan,

I use some of these tool.  I will definitely follow this series.  

Feb 23, 2010 04:50 PM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Ryan, I couldn't live without my Google Alerts! Such a great tool. I agree that to pick and choose what works for you is the way to go. I love alerts, analytics, gmail is okay, and I'm not a big fan of docs, but keep tinkering... Nice post, thanks.

Feb 24, 2010 12:49 AM
Ryan Shaughnessy
PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com - Saint Louis, MO
Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner

Darrell:  I absolutely agree.  Google offers a suite of productivity, lead generation and other business tools.  Google Local Business is a great product.

Joseph:  I hope it helps.  Google Alerts is a nice tool.

Angelica:  Google Alerts can be a useful tool.  Just need to have a plan on how to use them.

Dan & Amy:  Activerain is a great place to stay informed of tips and trends.  It is a great resource for agents.

Andy:  I hope you continue reading the series.  It is a good series.  However, if you have different uses for the Google Tools, please post.

St. Cloud Realty:  Glad to share.  I hope it helps.

Joe:  It is a great research tool.  I also use it to track marketing campaigns for builders.  It is amazing how many new ideas can be captured and adapted for use from successful sales campaigns in other areas of the country.

Mo:  It is great to discover new ideas.  It is more important to incorporate the ideas into practice.

Lori:  I'm glad that it helps.  I am preparing for a presentation and thought I would share some of it via this series.

Claudette:  We all know the tools.  The point of the series is to introduce the tools and show how they can be used.  I hope you continue reading the series.

Jenna:  We all were many hats and it is good to have tools that can automate or simplify our job.  I hope the series is helpful.

Feb 24, 2010 04:58 AM
Ryan Shaughnessy
PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com - Saint Louis, MO
Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner

Jennifer:  Absolutely - tweaking search terms is necessary to achieve the desired result.  It takes time - it even changes over time.

Brian:  It is unfortunate that people cut and paste posts - especially since most people will grant permission when asked.

Suzanne:  Thanks for reading.  I hope you find the series helpful.

Gregory:  Thanks for reading and adding me as an associate.  I am glad that you find the posts helpful.

William:  Like an tool, it works better when there is a plan.

 

 

Feb 24, 2010 07:13 AM
Ryan Shaughnessy
PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com - Saint Louis, MO
Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner

Terrie - Like any tool, you need to have a plan or purpose for using it.  I use it for monitoring and researching.  If you need help, feel free to give me a call.

Evelyn - Short and to the point... I agree posts in small doses are great - especially if they give examples on how to effectively use.

Shelly - I'm still looking for that invite.  I have seen the previews and was familar with Grand Central (which was bought by Google).  I definitely like what I see.

Amy - Google has a great suite of free tools.

Karen - Google Analytics is a great measuring tools.  I hope you enjoy the remainder of the series.

Dave - Thanks for reading and commenting.  Let me know how Google Alerts works for you.

Mark - We all love subscribers.  Glad the posts help.

Erica - It is a very good tool.  As mentioned by one of the comments, it can be underinclusive.  However, it hits the main points for me.

 

Feb 24, 2010 08:39 AM
Maria Mastrolonardo, IL Probate Specialist
RE/MAX of Naperville & RE/MAX Enterprises - Naperville, IL
Illinois Probate Realtor

Ryan - thanks for sharing such useful information on google alerts. Your explanation will make it easy to set up. Heading there now!

Feb 24, 2010 10:55 AM
Diane Plant
Forest Hill Real Estate Inc, Brokerage - Toronto, ON
Broker, TorontoHomeSearch: Forest Hill Real Estate

As always your information is so useful and simply put

Mar 02, 2010 08:04 AM
Ryan Shaughnessy
PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com - Saint Louis, MO
Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner

Maria - Glad it helps - even better that my writting style can be easily undersood.

Diane - Thanks for reading.  Try to post information and ideas that other Realtors can use in their daily practice.

Mar 07, 2010 06:42 AM
William James Walton Sr.
WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Briotti Group - Waterbury, CT
Greater Waterbury Real Estate

Ryan - please explain what that means, having a plan...I'm utterly clueless now.

Mar 07, 2010 09:18 AM
Ryan Shaughnessy
PREA Signature Realty - www.preasignaturerealty.com - Saint Louis, MO
Broker/Attorney - Your Lafayette Square Real Estate Partner

William - We have a plan for the alerts.  Some alerts are to track reputation - agent names, brokerage names, etc.  Other alerts are set up to track clients, former clients and even competitors.  Other alerts track technology, market trends, etc.  The point is that when you set up an alert with a purpose it is more effective. 

Mar 07, 2010 12:03 PM
William James Walton Sr.
WEICHERT, REALTORS® - Briotti Group - Waterbury, CT
Greater Waterbury Real Estate

So, let's say I want to know how many times a keyword shows up in searches so I know whether to target that keyword phrase in my blog posts...I would then set up a google alert for that keyword to measure how many times each day that keyword phrase comes up?

That makes more sense now, but some concrete examples would be helpful, just to make sure that I've got the point.

Mar 08, 2010 07:09 AM
Wayne B. Pruner
Oregon First - Tigard, OR
Tigard Oregon Homes for Sale, Realtor, GRI

It looks like I have not been using Google Alerts as effectively as I could. Thanks Ryan.

May 09, 2010 05:12 PM