This post won't teach you anything about HTML meta tags.  Active Rainers have already paved that street.  This post is a success story for my brand, Mike in Tucson.  Three things converged to bring about that success:  

  • the genius of the Active Rain business model,
  • Active Rain members who read and comment on my blog, and
  • little things called "tags."

I found Active Rain in July.  Inman News did an article on AR's explosive growth.  I signed up.

Writing is right up my alley, but I didn't know diddly about how search engines work, why a particular result comes up first on a Google search when I "google," or anything else about websites.  For a month, I floundered around, writing about this and that, and capturing a limited readership.

In September, Renee Burrows of Las Vegas posted Moving Up to Tag Cloud Purgatory.  She included it on the group Active Rain Newbies, and I read it.  Bingo!  I understood the power of tags, and immediately went back, a few posts per day, and cleaned up my tags.  Here's what I did:

  • I re-examined my business brand of four years, and dumped it.
  • I created a new brand: Mike in Tucson. Tucson has 38 Michael W. Jones's, but only one Mike in Tucson.
  • My web guy, Donte' Ormsby of FX Studios, began work on MikeinTucson.com
  • I signed off every post with Mike in Tucson.
  • I tagged every post with those same three little words: Mike in Tucson.
  • As often as possible, (when the content supported it) I signed off each post as follows:  And that's the real estate opinion of this Tucson, Arizona mortgage lender,  Mike in Tucson.  My tags are tucson, tucson mortgage, arizona,and mike in tucson.

 Most importantly, I kept on blogging on Active Rain.  Google can't find you if you're not posting content to your weblog and tagging it. 

  • If you subscribe to my blog, you know me as "Mike in Tucson."
  • When I comment on your blog, you see "Mike in Tucson." 
  • If you have a sidebar from mybloglog.com, there I am!
  • If you call my cellphone, you'll hear "Hi!  This is Mike in Tucson..."

Last week, several of my readers got a call from me during the business day.  "Hi, is this _________?"  A moment of silence as they tried to register the voice...  "Yes?" was usually the tentative response.  "This is Mike in Tucson."  "No way!" was typical of the responses.  Remember that not one of the AR members I called had ever had a phone call from me.  And yet not one of them, in the midst of their own busy day, replied "Who?"

 Today, I went to Google's home page and typed in (you guessed it) Mike in Tucson

I clicked "I'm Feeling Lucky." (If you've never clicked that button, you need to know that it takes you to the first page out of all possible choices.)

Up came my Active Rain profile!  Clicking Google Search will give the same results, but it's not as dramatic--not as much fun!

So go back up to Renee Burrow's link.  Read her post, leave a comment telling her why you came, and go to work cleaning up your tags.  If you're a Newbie, like I was in July, the results will open your eyes to the combined power of Active Rain, blogging, tags and Google.  Your phone will start to ring.  Mine has!  If it works for me, I know it will work for you.

And that's the real estate opinion of this Tucson, Arizona mortgage lender,

Mike in Tucson

Mike Jones (Tucson Mortgage Company, LLC): Loan Officer in Tucson, Pima County, Arizona

 
Post is included in group: AZ Real Estate Blogging Network
Post is included in group: Blogging & SEO
Post is included in group: Early Risers.
Post is included in group: Internet Lead Generation-How Best To Capture Your Audience
Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You

157 Comments on Zoom Zoom! Zero to First on Google in 60 Days!

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

DEC
15
2007
2 Featured Posts
Awesome!!!  i have found business from active rain also
11:50pm • #138
DEC
16
2007
712,458 Points 118 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jeff,

Thanks for commenting!  I'm happy for your added business.  See you soon on your blog.

Sherri,

Thanks for stopping by to comment.  Ditto my comment to Jeff.

Mirela & Monte,

More new faces.  You're welcome!  See you soon.

Ed,

Thanks!  I took your suggestion.

Melina,

I just visited your website.  Thanks for stopping by!

Mike in Tucson

7:42am • #139
DEC
18
2007
1 Featured Post

Hello Mike in Tucson!

Thanks for this valuable information. I've got some work to do, but it's pretty easy to see the value for doing it.

Ken Tharp, Iowa Equity Exchange  

4:29pm • #140
DEC
19
2007

Maybe I should be Cody From Chandler...na, that not nearly as cool as Mike In Tucscon!  Great posts and I think that you found an awesome way to brand yourself!

Cody Sperber

8:59am • #141
183,371 Points 13 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
You've shown that dedication surely does pay off!  I'm off to fix my tags!
9:10am • #142
DEC
20
2007
I couldn't have found this article at a better time!  I was feeling kind of bummed about our web traffic.  I just started blogging in November, we redefined our business as Call Nashville Home and started a team with my husband.  So, it hasn't even been a month yet, that we have done all this.  Our search rankings have improved, but it is good to know that 60 days is more realistic and that it can have a positive result!  Thanks for the pep talk! 
Elisha Mitchell
Realtor
11:34am • #143
DEC
23
2007
712,458 Points 118 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Scott,

Thanks for commenting!  I'll come visit your blog.

Elisha,

Welcome to Active Rain.  I'll be right over to give you a little more traffic!  Oh, ...and you're welcome!

Tina,

Thanks for commenting.

Chandler Cody,

That's a great moniker!  I'll see you on your blog soon.

Ken,

All I can say is Keep Warm in Iowa!  LOL

Mike in Tucson

9:37pm • #145
DEC
27
2007
269,968 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master
That's awesome Mike! Good for you!
8:24am • #146

Great work, and Great Read,

Signed

Sandy in Jupiter :)

12:10pm • #147
712,458 Points 118 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Sandy in Jupiter,

You're a new face; I'll see you soon on your blog.  Thanks for commenting.

LaNita,

Ditto my comment to Sandy.  I appreciate you stopping by to comment.  Thanks for contributing.

Mike in Tucson

10:44pm • #148
DEC
28
2007
5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor

Excellent and true post Mike in Tucson...Kudos!

Amber Noble
REALTOR-ASSOCIATE
Weichert Realtors (Marlboro office)
Manalapan, NJ 07726

#1 AGENT FOR BUSY BUYERS, SELLERS, LANDLORDS & RENTERS

"My difference makes a difference!"
 

11:35pm • #149
DEC
29
2007

Thank you for sharing what you learned in this post.  I am going to apply some of what you shared!

Sincerely,

Enrico Pozzo, Coldwell Banker Bain www.SeattlebyDesign.com

6:17am • #150
JAN
03
2008

 Mike I was reading over some of the older blogs and came across yours ZoomZoomZero to first in 60 days. i tried my name in google and I feel lucky and my website Lake Greenwood SC Real Estate came up first. Tha's very interesting. My PR on Google was only a 3 last time I looked even though when you search for anything related to Greenwood SC real estate, Greenwood Realtor, Lake Greenwood my website is always in the top 5. I don't understand how this SEO stuff works I just ry my best to get my website and anme everywhere I can. Active Rain is the best of blog sites anywhere don't you agree? Thanks for the tip that was fun!

 

Sally in Greenwood :-)

http://www.realestategreenwoodsc.com 

2:46pm • #151
226,433 Points 5 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp
Mike-I always enjoy reading your blog...and finding nuggets of advice that are helping me to formulate my own strategies!  One of these days soon I'm going to have to take you out for coffee.  Thanks!
6:27pm • #152
712,458 Points 118 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Kent,

There's no time like the present!  How about tomorrow (Friday)? Call 349-9090.  I'd really appreciate that.

Sally,

Thanks for commenting!  I'll be over to reciprocate.

Enrico,

You're very welcome.  Do you ever get to Tucson?  Look me up!  I'll do the same when I come to Seattle.

Amber,

Thanks so much!  I really like your tag line.

Mike in Tucson

11:19pm • #153
JAN
04
2008
Fantastic story!
11:38am • #154
644,646 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Mike,

I have alot to chew on.

 

Possible "Mike in Tennessee" 

11:57am • #155
712,458 Points 118 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Mike in Tenessee,

Have a chaw!

Vinny,

Thanks for commenting.

Mike in tucson

7:20pm • #156
JAN
08
2008
Thanks for the info and I will keep this in mind in my industry. 
9:37pm • #157

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Mike Jones

Mike Jones NMLS 223495

Tucson, AZ

More about me…

SUNSTREET MORTGAGE, LLC (BK-0907366, NMLS 145171)

Address: 2840 E Skyline Dr, Suite #230, Tucson, AZ, 85718

Office Phone: (520) 344-6943

Cell Phone: (520) 349-9090

Email Me

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