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Using Google Docs to Create Forms & Generate Leads

By
Real Estate Agent with Myrtle Beach Homes Blog
Google Docs are one of my favorite tools on the web and also one that I think gets overlooked by so many people. Since I no longer own a PC I don't have access to Microsoft Word & Excel, so when I want to create documents and spreadsheets to send to someone I always use Google Docs. Another thing I love about Google Docs is the fact that you can share them with others and collaborate together. One way we collaborate in Google Docs is for our weekly radio show. Since there are four regular contributors into the show, it is a great easy way to share what topics we are going to discuss, notes on our guest speaker and so much more. It's a great way for all of us to access the same info and share things with each other quickly.

The other big function of Google Docs that I think gets overlooked by so many is the form function. The form allows you to create a document that can be embedded into a website, blog post or just about anywhere else. It gives you the creator a simple way to collect information from readers who want to participate. For example, I recently ran a contest for a company where we wanted people to be able to register for the contest. Consumers could simply fill out the form with their name, email address and phone number.

All of the information was then stored in an excel spreadsheet that I could then use to determine winners, and also have a good set of leads to follow up on about possibly purchasing a custom WordPress Site. So you may be wondering, how do you create these forms and how can they be used for generating leads. Well, I am going to show you how to quickly and easily create a form, install it into your site and then how the answers populate. Watch the video below to see step by step how I create and implement Google Docs form builder:

Also, here is the Google Form I created in the video so you can see how one works live:

If you have any questions/comments, feel free to leave them below.

Originally Posted at: 210 Consulting- Social Media Advisors

Tom Ikonomou
Tom Ikonomou - eXp Realty - Vancouver, BC
Innovated Marketing Specialist

Well done Jeremy, I discovered google docs three years ago while working in a call center. I used google docs to save information while searching the web (on my breaks) and then brought up the info when I got home.

Dec 12, 2010 01:13 PM
Cheryl Ritchie
RE/MAX Leading Edge www.GoldenResults.com - Huntingtown, MD
Southern Maryland 301-980-7566

That's neat. I am going to bookmark this. I have not taken the time to learn this to date but it has interested me to do so. Thanks for posting.

Dec 12, 2010 02:08 PM
Justin Dibbs
Fairway Independent Mortgage - Ashburn, VA
Mortgage Advisor

Thanks for the tutorial.  I'm Mac as well so this was great.

Dec 12, 2010 02:29 PM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Jeremy - I've heard this suggestion before.  I use Google docs for sharing, but need to look at the forms part of it.

Orange County Homes

Dec 12, 2010 02:54 PM
Phil Boren
RE/MAX Gold, 916-218-7481 - Roseville, CA
RE/MAX Gold, Roseville Homes For Sale

Jeremy:  Thanks, it works like a charm!  I used Google docs on a blog and am interested to track the results.

Dec 12, 2010 02:57 PM
Roberta Davidson
Keller Williams Realty Professional Partners - Sun City West, AZ
GRI, CNE, REALTOR®, PLLC

Jeremy, thanks for the article. I found that Google Docs is also good if someone sends you a Word or Excel doc as an attachment and you need to open it on a computer that does not have those programs.

Dec 12, 2010 03:22 PM
Sherry Chastain
Hendersonville, Nashville, Old Hickory, Lebanon Tennessee - Hendersonville, TN
Realtor, Selling Homes, Lake Properties,Luxury Homes,Short Sales

Good tip. I will have to try it out.

Dec 12, 2010 05:55 PM
Tim Lorenz
TIM LORENZ - Elite Home Sales Team - Mission Viejo, CA
949 874-2247

This is why I like AR practical information that will help us with our business.

Dec 12, 2010 06:00 PM
Ken Asher
Cherry Creek Properties (719) 930-7817 - Colorado Springs, CO

Jeremy thanks for the very useful information. I always wondered what was so great about Google Docs, now I know. Great post!

Dec 12, 2010 07:14 PM
Stephen P. Panczak, Ph.D.
Keller Williams Coastal Partners - Palm Beach, FL
Real Estate Agent & Business Coach, (561) 254-8098
Jeremy - thanks for the information. It's always helpful and great to have the resources
Dec 12, 2010 10:29 PM
Leah Henderson
Asset Realty, Inc - Columbia, SC

Jeremy,

  I like your squeeze page, it's quick, and easy.  As for Google Docs, sometimes the files don't "share" properly.  Thanks for your post.

Leah

Dec 12, 2010 11:05 PM
Harry F. D'Elia III
WEDO Real Estate and Beyond, LLC - Phoenix, AZ
Investor , Mentor, GRI, Radio, CIPS, REOs, ABR

I have been doing radio for the past five years and love it. Thanks for the post

Dec 13, 2010 12:17 AM
Marilyn Harrell
Better Homes and Acres - Beaverton, MI
Wixom Lake - Beaverton MI

Jeremy, Thanks for the information! Reblogging!

Dec 15, 2010 01:07 AM
Donna Stott
Your Coaching Matters - Woodstock, GA
Passionate Teacher / Lifelong Learner

I believe I met you early this year at RE Tech South. Thanks for the tutorial. I followed it but had a tough time figuring out how to edit the actual form after I previewed it on my blog. I finally find it though. Thanks so much for this!

Donna Stott

Dec 15, 2010 06:36 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Thx so much.  I had bookmarked and now coming back to read in a bit more detail since I need to get some of these done over next week or so.  Good video.  I will come back and rewatch while trying to implement.

Hoping I can find the place to start in the menu.  After that, it seems pretty straight forward.  Thank you.

Dec 25, 2010 06:54 AM
Donna Galinsky
Allen Tate Company - Cornelius, NC
Make Lake Norman Your Home!

A little late to the party here - but I will be playing around with this while I am snowbound today.

Looks easy enough to implement.

Thanks!

Dec 26, 2010 03:21 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Hey Jeremy.  I got this to work.  I started to reblog you, but then it turned into a whole new post.  I've send a few people your way.

http://activerain.com/blogsview/2039180/capturing-leads-on-your-website-and-blog

Dec 26, 2010 10:36 AM
William Johnson
Retired - La Jolla, CA
Retired

Happy New year Jeremy, 

This is an excellent resource and thank you for the tutorial. I will be linking this post on one that I am writing about including one's on-line marketing system as part of the 2011 year's business plan. 

Jan 01, 2011 07:51 PM
Eric Anderson
Eric Anderson Realty Group - Fayetteville, NC
Fort Bragg Military Relocation Services, Fayettevi

GReat post once again, missed it the first go round 

Jan 16, 2011 03:46 PM
Eric Anderson
Eric Anderson Realty Group - Fayetteville, NC
Fort Bragg Military Relocation Services, Fayettevi

Great post once again, missed it the first go round 

Jan 16, 2011 03:46 PM