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Random Thoughts: Firing Clients, Google, Corn Mazes

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with ActiveRain

Michigan Tailgate versus Michigan StateI'm a complete failure as a blogger. I set out at the beginning of the year to post these random thoughts once a month week. Once a month would have been a more realistic target. I don't know how some of you do it. I suppose it becomes a routine......I've never been a big routine person. Or maybe I just don't have enough worthwhile thoughts in a given week?

Has anyone else noticed that Google is now returning multiple results for one domain on a given search? I am seeing searches where the same domain shows up 4, 5, even more times. I must have missed the announcement about this. Or maybe it's just something in my Google account that is causing this to happen? Anyone have some insight on this? Don't get me wrong, when AR is ranking and being shown 3-5 times, it's great, just wondering what their (Google) thinking is........(as if they share it with us peons).

Now is the time to be thinking about what people will be searching for in the fall. Information about schools will be a pretty big one coming up. Kerrie is going to have a challenge put together soon focusing on this topic. Keep your eyes peeled for that. I'm sure there will be some big points to be earned. But what else do people search for in the fall? Corn mazes and haunted houses are a big one, I know that for sure. What else?

In my house it is impossible not to know how many days until Michigan Football season kicks off. It's 39 (as of the today) in case you were wondering. We have some friends coming in for the opener and my parents will be in town for that weekend and the following weekend........which is Michigan - Notre Dame, under the lights at the Big House. They've never started a game at 8pm in Ann Arbor before. How many fans do you think will be passed out on the golf course before kickoff? My bet is if you don't have a ticket you'll be able to grab one out of any number of passed out people's pockets on the way into the stadium. Please do the right thing and leave cash for face value in said pocket.

I miss Jonathan here at ActiveRain. Not because Nikesh isn't great, I just miss Jon. He's coming out for the season opener so I can't wait to see him. I thoroughly enjoy just chatting with him on the phone about his new venture. If you're reading Jon, just know I'm here any time you need to bounce an idea around :-).

Do you just sit on your hands and wait for people to find your blog in the search engines? I wonder if there is an idea for how to get your blog in front of more people the way Fernando used QR codes to spread the word about his first time homebuyer campaign. I loved his idea from the Kodak Mobile Marketing Challenge. In fact, his post won. Debe placed second with a really creative tour she created around Charlotte. Are you taking advantage of these new technologies to do things that are outside the box? If you're not, consider copying Fernando or Debe! My friend Ben has a really strong business and many of his great ideas are ideas he borrows from someone else and adapts them to make them better.

I'm sure you've considered firing a client. Many of you probably have. This week I've thought a few times about firing an ActiveRain member. I don't want to sound like an ass, but participation here is not a right. Paying money to be a Rainmaker does not allow you to walk on our staff. Some people are not worth the hassle. If you are offended by this, you're probably one of these people to someone. We will bend over backwards to help you, I promise. But being a jerk isn't going to make us want to go the extra mile. If you use multiple exclamation points, put words in all caps or curse, you're probably being a jerk. I can read. I know that one exclamation point means you are driving home a point. I'm not a piece of shit, so I'm not sure why you said that......haha. Consider yourself warned, you might get fired, but only if you're a jerk.

Have I said in this post yet how freaking lucky I am that I tricked my wife into marrying me? No.......well then consider it said. We finished our basement on our own. It was a pretty good little adventure with me wanting to do as little as possible and her of course wanting the opposite. Our friend Terry helped me frame the walls and then I was on my own (with his guidance and tools) to do the rest. Turned out pretty good......and God bless Christa, she let me get a brown leather sectional down there even though she hates it. It was a trade for the entire basement being a shrine to Michigan Football. Somehow I'm going to sneak in some Seahawks stuff, just haven't figured out how yet.

If you comment on this post, please do me a favor and tell me what kind of database you use and what your favorite feature is.........

Do you keep up with your past clients on Facebook? Why not build a list with them so that you can check in on them once a week and see what they are up to. Maybe leave them a little note on their wall every now and then and for sure comment when they post pictures of the kids doing fun stuff around the yard. NEVER let them forget who sold them that house they are building so many wonderful memories in!

 

Posted by

Bob Stewart
ActiveRain Ambassador

 

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Cindy Westfall
Premiere Property Group,LLC Portland Metro & Suburbs Oregon - Tualatin, OR
ABR,GRI Your Tualatin & Portland Metro Real Estate

Hi Bob, love your random thought posts. I don't think anyone can be a failure at blogging unless they've never done it and aren't even open to the idea. I use Outlook 7 as well a a platform that Prudential has for my database, but I really need to get those contacts onto a different format. If something should happen to my company, or have technical issues, they will be lost. Not good!

Jul 26, 2011 04:15 PM
Eric Michael
Remerica Integrity, Realtors®, Northville, MI - Livonia, MI
Metro Detroit Real Estate Professional 734.564.1519

Bob, I can't wait for Michigan football, too.

Firing peeps, for sure. Sometimes I really Has to be done (one exclamation point)

I need a database. I don't have one. I still write crap down on paper and hope I don't lose it. I'd love to find out what the consensus says. I think I'm gonna end up using Realty Juggler if for no other reason that it's $99 a year.

PS, is AR thinking about expanding into the database arena?

Jul 26, 2011 04:43 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Mr. Stewart, your missives are always thoughtful, chock full of STUFF, both humorous and ponderous, and it's just darned entertaining, and of course there are parts to it that I will need to come back to and re-read, or click on.

This time I will not be answering every part of your random thoughts...one time you told me I was the only one to comment on every single part of your particular blog--I'll not forget that compliment/comment for a long time. (As Granny used to say, It Made Me Quietly Proud).

So, I have to keep going UUUUPPP, to see what you wrote and then hit "end" to comment...so bear with me. Blogging and routine, well, I'm not a routine person either, HOWEVER I've got this ADDICTION. Or ITCH or an ActiveRain allergy I can't get rid of, so I come back to it faithfully, like a good dog. Sit Stay Write.

Google--always changing, always a mystery.

The Fall-ahhh, so so glad that football will be happening. I dunno what my poor husband would have done. I would've had to commit hari kari. Localism stuff is good for me and will most likely involve more photos as it's a passion.

Okay, gotta go UUUUUPP and check what else you wrote--be right back--okay, I'm back. Re: Fernando and Debe; will have to bookmark this and go back. Oops, and Ben, too.

Jerkness, we don't need 'em here, Bob, fire their a**es. Seriously.

Tricking your wife?  She's smarter than that. She knew the gem she was getting. Don't sell yourself short.

Facebook is connected on my WordPress blog, which I started long before I came to ActiveRain, but I don't mess with it much. It doesn't get me the clients as much as some of my other websites. But, honestly, since working with Coach Katerina (my STAR MENTOR), my SEO rating, is #1 in my keyword-rich writing. She was spectacular and I can NEVER say enough about how she helped me. I'm on page one in a variety of areas, and keep working at it. These blogs on ActiveRain keep me focused.

Jul 26, 2011 06:11 PM
Stacey Smith
Keller Williams Realty - Aliso Viejo, CA
Your Orange County Beach Cities Realtor

Great random thoughts Bob... I use Google for my database.... I love it.. It's web based so if my computer crashes all my contacts are safe.. :)

Jul 26, 2011 06:53 PM
Carol Culkin
Diamond Partners Inc - Overland Park, KS
Overland Park Residential Real Estate

Love the random thoughts. It sounds like you've been busy. I find that blogging has to take a backseat to life sometimes. It doesn't mean that I don't find value in it though. I appreciate everything you and the AR staff does to make SEO so easy for us. I miss Jon too!   

Jul 26, 2011 06:59 PM
Tom Arstingstall, General Contractor, Dry Rot, Water Damage Sacramento, El Dorado County - (916) 765-5366
Dry Rot and Water Damage www.tromlerconstruction.com Mobile - 916-765-5366 - Placerville, CA
General Contractor, Dry Rot and Water Damage

Lots of thoughts there Bob, enjoyed that random thinking. Hope to get more frequent posts in the future.

:)

Jul 26, 2011 08:09 PM
Fernando Herboso - Associate Broker MD, & VA
Maxus Realty Group of Samson Properties - Clarksburg, MD
301-246-0001 Serving Maryland, DC and Northern VA

THANK YOU !!!!!

THANK YOU!!!

THANK YOU!!!!!!

Just wanted to represent my gratitude for being picked as the winner and I heard caps locked gets your attention.

Seriously, one of my pet peeves has always been demanding people and I can't even image how many you get in ActiveRain considering the numbers . .as opposed the very few I deal with in my business and they are there. 

My favorite script for that is: "Do you have my number stored in your cell phone?" (wait for answer) " DELETE IT!!"

Thank you guys again and to Kodak for such an nice surprise.

Jul 26, 2011 11:51 PM
Gerry Michaels
Glasswork Media Arts - Gettysburg, PA
GettysburgGerry Social Meida

I use sales aspects, and my favorite things about using it are it is directly connected to one of my websites and it automatically sets up any inquires into my data base and begins a contact campaign. I also like the fact that it is really user freindly. 

That being said, I have to say that the lions share of my contact with past and new clients comes and continues through social media these days

Jul 27, 2011 01:10 AM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Bob...

Well, I have to tell you that in the real estate business, we deal with yelling, screaming, cursing, all caps, multiple exclamation points, and every other kind of verbal and mental abuse every day.

So I like to be a little more tolerant when "one of our own" may have been sucked into the vortex of "ass communication."

Always remember, that one person may have a lot more influence than you think, and every action can have very far-reaching and irreversible consequences.

Jul 27, 2011 01:31 AM
Bryan Robertson
Los Altos, CA

As you know from my last blog post, I think firing a client can be a liberating experience.  Life is too short to work with clients who verbally abuse you, can't communicate well, or make unreasonable demands.  Kick 'em to the curb and I'll bet you see a little humility.

As for planning for fall business, I just completed a blog about private schools in my town and will be creating another blog on public schools.  Along with a guide to parks and neighborhood tours, I'm hoping my site becomes a big draw.

Jul 27, 2011 03:22 AM
The Scott Loper Team Bux-Mont Premier Properties
Keller Williams Real Estate - Montgomeryville - Lansdale, PA

Hi Bob,

We always enjoy your random thoughts when you do have time to write them.  Consistent blogging is hard, and random thoughts sound easy but they are not.  You still want your blog to make sense and have a purpose.

We use Realty Juggler.  Scott seems to like it mostly because of the ability to sync with everyone and have multiple users.  I use Realty Juggler but I keep a database in Excel that is still my "go to" place.  It frustrates the heck out of Scott.

Glad you and Jon are staying in touch.  Good luck to Michigan this year.  It is amazing how the success of sports teams can add to the happiness level in a home and the enthusiasm of a community.  Scott has let go of the Eagles (it takes him a while to get over a strike) but the Fighting Phillies still rule around here.

Lisa

Jul 27, 2011 04:38 AM
Coldwell Banker Camelot Realty
Coldwell Banker Camelot Realty - Mount Dora, FL
Homes for Sale Mount Dora Realtor

Bob,

Always looking for ideas to get more readers on the BLOG.

Re:  Firing a client.  Doesn't happen to often we try to fufill our written agreement.

Jul 27, 2011 05:33 AM
Bob Jakowinicz
National Realty Centers Livonia--Bob Jakowinicz - Livonia, MI
Michigan Real Estate Agent-- MI Real Adventures

Michigan football starting soon, constant reminders in my house as well.  Not so sure how well I would do with a 8:00 p.m. start time I barely handle the early afternoon with grace

Jul 27, 2011 09:53 AM
Scott Hayes
(512) 786-8300 - Austin, TX
Realty Austin, Broker Associate

I started using Constant Contact recently. I'm eager to see their results.

We'll see what Brady Hoke does with Michigan. I know his style will fit the environment better than Rich Rod, but I'm afraid Michigan and Notre Dame are success challenged, because of the lack of a natural recruiting base, and the out of state players they used to get, now stay in California, Texas and Ohio.

 

Jul 27, 2011 10:52 AM
Cindy Edwards
RE/MAX Checkmate - Johnson City, TN
CRS, GRI, PMN - Northeast Tennessee 423-677-6677

Got to love Michigan football.  The picture is a classic and I'm so happy you have turned into a fan.  Go Blue...oh...nice blog too.....must admit, I was more taken with the picture!

Jul 27, 2011 01:29 PM
Cindy Marchant
Keller Williams Indy NE 317-290-7775 www.marchantteam.com - Carmel, IN
"Cindy in Indy" , Realtor, Fishers Real Estate

Keller Williams recently rolled out eEdge...pretty slick as a database system (client relations management sytem).  Before that I used a few things...access for mailings by US Postal, send out cards for birthdays and my website for enewsletters...

Class of '82 (all that money for a degree I don't use) lol

ND

Jul 28, 2011 01:18 AM
Courtney Cooper
Cooper Jacobs - Seattle, WA
206-850-8841

hey there!  Here is your google answer...I have been wondering if it was my account settings, too, but I never use IE so a simple search in Google from IE helped me. 

http://searchengineland.com/google-now-showing-3-or-more-results-from-same-domain-49066

 

Jul 28, 2011 04:00 AM
Samantha Smith
214.422.0729 www.SamIAmHouses.com - Rowlett, TX
Sam I Am Houses, Simply Texas Real Estate
BOB ... great random thoughts! But not sure what I love more your thoughts or the comments on your thoughts :) 
  • Thanks for the ideas/reminder of what to start Blogging about now to be found on searches!
  • I don't use anything fancy for a Data Base, right now I'm Exceling it. 
  • Jealous that ya'll have basements to make your Cave, in TX we don't have those so during Football season, I just make our living room the LONGHORN room!!!!!! ... oh and all caps & multiple explanation marks was really me yelling :D LOL
Jul 28, 2011 06:31 AM
Lester Wilkins
Blue Water Home Loans NMLS# 166527 - Port Huron, MI

Go Blue!  A very high producer, made well into the 7 figures, once told me that he made his money not by the deals he did, but the ones he didn't do.  In other words, he learned to say no.  So, I agree with everyone else, FIRE your client.  As for a data base, I use Outlook extensively.  However, I have been flirting with moving over to Act.   Anyone have any input on Act??!!??

Aug 01, 2011 02:28 PM
Lester Wilkins
Blue Water Home Loans NMLS# 166527 - Port Huron, MI

By the way, sorry about the all the punctuation.  I was not trying to be a "jerk." : )  I am just really conflicted on leaving Outlook and switching to Act.  I really like some of the features of Act.  However, I am very comfortable with Outlook.  Insight would be great.

Aug 01, 2011 02:46 PM