Real Estate Blog - Swicki - The Tag and Keyword Tool

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Swicki - The Tag and Keyword Tool

This past week, I was busy exploring the use of tags and keywords for the Real Estate 411 Directory Network, when I discovered a really powerful tool called a Swicki! When a visitor or member finds your Swicki, they can see the keywords or tag phrases used to find particular posts or videos. A Swicki allows you to add all the "Key Words" or "Tag Lines" you want to use, and that you want your visitors to see! I have copied the one to the left here from the RE 411 Main Dashboard.

I love this tool because it allows your visitors, who may be searching for a certain topic, see keywords that may entice them to be interested in something they might not have thought of during their "keyword" or "tag line" search! Do you know what your visitors are typing into Google, Yahoo, and MSN to find you, your Blog, or your website? Now you can add them to your Swicki. If the keywords or tags they are looking for aren't on your Swicki, they can still use your search feature, and you'll get notified on what words they used to search your Swicki. Now That's powerful!!

Swicki is created by a Company known as Eurekster, Inc. (http://www.eurekster.com/) They are the pioneer and leader in social search technologies. Their custom search portal and widget ("Swicki") harness the knowledge, power and behavior of on-line communities to improve the search experience. Users can now build and customize their search portal on any topic, then share and distribute the social search widget to grow a community of interested users. With every search, your Swicki becomes more relevant and meaningful to the user, and more valuable to "YOU" the swicki builder.

I also love that it works with text or Video. To see a sample of the Swicki's I am using, you can CLICK HERE, or go to their website above. Eurekster won the 2006 Peoples Choice Award! They were also the 2007 Web 2.0 Awards Winner! Their headquarters are located in San Francisco, California, with their Research & Development Department located in Christchurch, New Zealand. I would consider looking into this product for your Blogs and Websites. To see Eurekster's Directory of many Swicki's, go to http://www.eurekster.com/directory.htm

Since I mentioned this above, I would also like to extend a Formal Invitation to any of my close Active Rain friends to join me at Real Estate 411. This site is nothing like LinkedIn, FaceBook, Cre8buzz, or any of the other Social Networking sites. The tools and options available there (like the Swicki) are like none I have seen on any other Network. It is a "New" community, with many valuable tools and benefits!

I really like that you can upload documents, files, attachments, videos, and even widgets into the comments of your post! That's right, into the comments! I also love the ability to customize and make your profile unique. There is much more to report, but that's a post for another time. Check it out, you won't be disappointed!

Hopefully this post will make up for the one I posted about BlogBar a couple weeks ago, where many AR members were unable to use it here on their AR Blogs. I know you'll forgive me after seeing the Swicki tool and the Real Estate 411 site....at least I hope!! These are definitely two items I feel are worth looking into. Also, watch for the upcoming post "Year-In-Review" being compiled by many of your fellow Active Rain members! It will be a fantastic compilation of "The Best of 2007 Here On Active Rain!"

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Posted by Brad Andersohn ~ Community Manager on 12/26/2007 12:45 AM

Comments (80)

swicki, search tool, real estate 411

Originally posted at: Real Estate 2.0 Technology : Swicki - The Tag and Keyword Tool

Post is included in group: Active Rain Newbies
Post is included in group: Realtors®
Post is included in group: Blogging & SEO
Post is included in group: The Art Of Marketing You
Post is included in group: Real Estate Technology

80 Comments on Swicki - The Tag and Keyword Tool

DEC

2007

Brad,

I do not know what to say. Are you one of 33 identical twins or half of India is feverishly working for you in unbearable conditions?

Swicki, or not swicki, man, be careful, or you will get in trouble if Anderson Cooper finds your sweatshops.

Seriously, how can this be serious?

Jon - If Anderson Cooper finds my sweatshops, he'll still have to find my other 32 Twins! LOL! Seriously Jon, the only Swicki I need to worry about is the one I don't have?! Did you see the latest News video of Bush passing the Short Sale Bill last Thursday? Go to www.RealtyTimes.com and see for yourself. Imagine your Swicki being the one to bring this information to your readers and consumers, Now you'd need to start a sweatshop! LOL! :-)

I was going to say that you are such a wealth of knowledge, but I think that Jon said it first. Or did he?? hahah

You see, I just knew it. I am doing this for a few months already, and you are the only one, who responds before I manage to run to my bed (it is 2:20 here). So, I just do not know which of 33 is watching me.

I will check this all stuff out, Man, you surprise me.

Thank you (and 32 other twins)

Nancy - I think the key word in your comment is "Wealth!" - Gotta get me some o' that! LOL! Jon really loves me and my 32 twins, I think he may be one of them. hahaha!! :-)

Jon - It's 11:24pm here and I'm off to hit the hay!! :-) If you're still up at 2:20am, who's really running the sweatshop here??? Hahaha! What are you doing up at 2:20am Blogging? My hats off to you my friend!

BTW - there are no twins, perception is everything! ROFL :-)

Brad - I don't know what to say, you certainly save us time by sharing these finds. The company sounds very innoative. Bookmarked so I can check it out when I have more time.

Tahnk you for the invite to 411. I am just signed up, but haven't learned how to use it well yet.

Very interesting, Brad. So, this is blind faith, and I joined Real Estate 411, then I found out you created this knowledge network. I am curious as what's your real job - title? blog master? tech guy? Whatever, I keep on trying to find out how all your twins come out and help you with all these and you actually know the subjects. wow!

Thanks, Sylvia

Brad - Solid info! Thanks for sharing this with us on AR!!

Brad, and I thought Christmas presents were already given out. You are definitely Santa Brad because of all the gifts you give to help us out on the Internet with SEO. You're simply awesome!

Brad- Thanks for the Swicki tip. I started reading about a Swicki myself last week. Looking forward to reading your "best of" post.

This Is why I love AR - the new opportunities seem endless. Thanks

Brad, I found thd Swicki on Technorati yesterday. Almost uploaded it, but wondered if it was safe. You are full of gret information. I'm checking out Real Estate 411

I am always amazed by the willingness to share and the incredible knowledge available to us on Active Rain Thanks for the info.

Brad,

Thank you ----------- I think. Now I am going to be hooked on yet another network! hahahahaha My husband already thinks I'm on here way too much - now his suspicions will be confirmed.

Thanks for sharing this. You're great! Hope your Christmas was a good one.

Brad,

Thanks for the invite and I am looking forward to using RE 411 in the up coming year.

Brad, How can anyone not forgive you for what happened with Blogbar with the wealth of information that you've given all of us? Seriously, the nerve of a person like that. Anyway, thanks for another great tip. I need to learn a lot more about RE411 but have to get a bunch of localism posts out and also update all of my websites, etc.

Brad, Thank you for the information, I don't know how you keep on top of everything either! If it's new, out there and valuable, you know about it :) Thanks again, I've bookmarked.

Brad, As usual, a big winner. Thanks for the idea.

Brad ~ Thanks for another great find. I'm off to sign up!

Thanks, Brad. You sure are a font of information. Thanks for the invite - I was actually already a member since we are using this for the 411 Real Estate monthly newsletter as a place to communicate on-line (I am one of the editors) that was founded by Amber Riviere. I am still learning how to use Ning but plan to be more active as time allows.

Hope you had a great Christmas with your family.

Jeff

Great information! Thank you! I just joined!

Brad 1-33,

I agree with Jon, you either have twins, or you have an in with Santa, and are using his elves. LOL. Not that I mind,.. either way I'm glad you keep finding these for us. I just signed up at 411, it has a nice look to it. Thanks for the invite.

Thanks, I can't pronounce it but I will check it out.

Thanks Brad. I appreciate the info about Swicki.

Brad, I just signed up and will be reading up on how to make this work. Thanks for the info....

Jennifer - I hope this find not only saves you time, I hope it helps you and your visitors. I also look forward to seeing you at 411, there are some great plans for that sight too! :-)

How different is Swicki from Bloglines, Technorati, Wordpress, etc?

Brad,

Book marked for later. You do a great job bringing new tools to us and the know how on how to implement them. Thank you.

HI Brad..I signed up...still not sure what I signed up for..but I did it :)

Hi Brad, Good Post, I never heard or Swicki or real estate 411, I am going to take a closer look now.

DEC

2007

Brad, I will sign up on real estate 411. See ya there.

Kathy

thanks for the tips

Anne

Hello Brad. I hope your holiday was enjoyable.

I will look into RE411 not that I can add another thing to my priority plate. I will take a peak.

DEC

2007

Randy - I know you can appreciate the value of the Swicki, we are using it at RE 411 and it works great. Let me know after you get a chance to snoop around a bit, I'd love your ideas on additional tags to add. The more people use it, the more I'll know what tags and keywords they're searching for. I'd still like to be proactive and add some that you might feel necessary. Thanks my friend, Aloha and Houoli Makahiki Ho! (not sure if I spelled that right!) :-)

Sylvia - If you were to ask me how I'm doing it, I'd tell you if I had TWINS, it would be much easier! LOL~
I am working on numerous projects this year and trying to get them all wrapped up before 2008. AR and RE 411 will be my main focus this next year! Life will become manageable once again! Happy New Year!! :-)

Joseph - Let me know what you think of the Swicki, I'd love to hear your comments and feedback. Thanks!! :-)

Brad, and I thought Christmas presents were already given out. You are definitely Santa Brad because of all the gifts you give to help us out on the Internet with SEO. You're simply awesome!

Linda - you are so kind and thoughtful. It's comments like yours that make people keep wanting to give!! Don't ever change!! :-) Have a safe and Happy New Year!

Bill - the Swicki is very cool, I am still learning about some of the other tools and how they work. I really like the video one too. There are so many ways I see this being useful to me in the future. Thanks for commenting, the next post will take a while for sure. A whole year in review is my next mission!! :-)

Kevin - there is so much you can learn here on AR, if you just read 25 posts a day, you still couldn't learn it all in a year! Great stuff, keep plugging away! :-)

Kay - It is safe! If you see how it is being used at Real Estate 411, you might feel a bit more comfortable with it. Feel free to play around with it, do some searches, check out the Video Swicki too, I think you're going to like them. I have not tried it here on AR, I don't like it when stuff works elsewhere but doesn't work here. I may try it later just to see. :-)

Terry - in a term, it's simply called "Paying It Forward" Active Rain style! :-)

Brad,

Thank you ----------- I think. Now I am going to be hooked on yet another network! hahahahaha My husband already thinks I'm on here way too much - now his suspicions will be confirmed.

Thanks for sharing this. You're great! Hope your Christmas was a good one

Carol - Balance! We all must find Balance in our Social Networking activities. Focus on the ones that bring you the most joy, and the most referrals, and the most leads, and the most friendships. Like I said, it's Balance. I have a wife that calls my computer my mistress! LOL! That's why you are seeing me so much less now! haha! ...but true! :-)

BTW - you won't get hooked on RE 411, but you will like what's available, and also our marketing strategy to consumers and other social networks, I promise!

Neal - glad to hear it. RE 411 is really geared to the consumer as Real Estate Information goes, but I like some of the other features too, and I love the fact that it's a part of many other social networks, the ones I plan doing business with all over the Country. Time to become a Virtual Agent, and I'll be the Virtual Title Company! Don't laugh Neal, wait to see what's coming next year! :-) Have a Happy New Year...fasten your seat belt!

Marc - I guess you forgive me then!! Thanks my friend, I still use Blogbar, just not here.... Get your Localism posts out, then come on by and say Hi. Check it out, we'd love to have your company! :-)

Brad, Thank you for the information, I don't know how you keep on top of everything either! If it's new, out there and valuable, you know about it :) Thanks again, I've bookmarked.

Carole - it's a FULL part time job, and I'm sure I'm missing a ton of stuff that's coming up or is out there. That's why I count on the other 60,000 members here, to keep us educated on what's going on in this fast paced world around us! Thanks for taking the time to read this post and comment, I always love getting your comments, sorry I have not been around as much during the Holidays! :-)

DEC

2007

Dan - glad you enjoyed it, I hope you'll stop by and check out the Swicki! :-)

Brian - I did just find the Swicki, but I know it's been out there for some time. Sometimes I'm a little slow at getting around to finding this stuff, and then finding the time to post about it. There's just not enough time in the day to do all the things I wish I could get done! I hope you'll enjoy the swicki, the RE 411 and the New Year!

Hope you had a great Christmas with your family.

Jeff - I'll have to check out your site, didn't know you were an editor of the 411 Real Estate Newsletter. I found using the Ning platform to be very flexible and user friendly. Have a great and safe Happy New Year! :-)

Jeannie - great! Love your work here and there! :-)

Larry - no rest for the weary or the twins! LOL~ Thanks for all your support!! :-)

Retta - if you can't pronounce it, that's ok! Just have some fun with it! LOL!~ Have a great New Year!

Matthew - you'll love the Swicki and so will your visitors. It's a great tag word tool. :-)

Gail - once you signup for the swicki, it will walk you through all the steps to create a successful tool for your site. Play with the one at RE 411 if you need to get the hang of it and it's value. :-)

How different is Swicki from Bloglines, Technorati, Wordpress, etc?

Lisa - Bloglines is a blogging tool, Technorati is a Blog tracking tool, Wordpress is Yahoo's FREE Blog Platform, and a Swicki is used for commonly used tag words or keywords on your site. All different tools but very valuable to any Blogger. Hope that helps! I use all of them! :-)

Brad,

Book marked for later. You do a great job bringing new tools to us and the know how on how to implement them. Thank you.

Fran - bookmarked is cool! Hope you'll find time soon to check it out. Better later than never! :-) Have a great and safe Happy New Year!

Konnie - then I didn't do a very good job on this post! Sorry about that... :-)

Hi Brad, Good Post, I never heard or Swicki or real estate 411, I am going to take a closer look now.

Steven - I think it's great that you're willing to take the time to investigate. Welcome to my world! LOL!~ Enjoy my friend! :-)

Kathy - I hope you'll check out the Swicki there...both the Keyword and Video. They are really cool tools and help capture what viewers are looking for. Hopefully Real Estate! :-)

Anne and Eddie - you guys are welcome! :-) Thanks for commenting! Happy New Year!

Dionne - Happy Holidays to you as well, hope you have a great New Year! Bring on 2008! Yeah!!~ :-)

DEC

2007

Brad- I will look into it when the new year begins. You do so much research, it is incredible, thanks. Katerina

Katerina - I had no idea there were so many tools and sites out there to help those of us in the Real Estate Industry. What a fantastic year it has been! Looking forward to seeing you more and wish you all the success this business has to offer. Tell Nestor I wish him a Happy New Year as well! :-)

DEC

2007

Your post always amaze me. Will you be opening an office on Maui any time soon? lol

more good stuff thanks brad Anne

JAN

2008

Aloha Georgina - You just call, and I'll be there... (sounds like a song comin on..) LOL~ As long as you take me to Mama's Fish House, I can be there in 5 1/2 hours. :-) Houli Maka Hiki Hou!! (did i spell that right?) :-)))

Thanks Anne,

a swicki a swicki it's a fun and wonderful toy, a swicki a swicki, it's good for a girl or a boy! Sorry, just felt like singing and had to do it! :-)))

Hey Brad, this is wonderful information. I attempted to sign up on 411 through my email; however, it wouldn't let me finish. I'll try again and stop back with any questions. I just know you will have the answer. :-) Yep, tried it again, filled out everything and it just requested I redo, redo, redo. Any ideas?

JAN

2008

Teri - that doesn't sound right. Just go to www.RealEstate411.ning.com and click on Join. If you are still having any challenges, just shoot me an email or give me a call. I will help you. I have not run into any problems with members signing up, it's not by invitation only so anyone from AR can join. The site is really growing quickly but we are more interested in quality content than we are Quantity of members. Let me know what happens, I'll head over there now and see if you show up as a member. :-)

I will try it thanks

Janeen - great! You can see how it works if you go to Real Estate 411

APR

2008

Just found this post, Brad. And I am on my way to RE411... Wish I had know earlier! Thanks! Steve

Steve - haven't seen this post since Jan. LOL!~ Thanks for finding it and bringing it back to life. I forgot about the swicki tool, it really is pretty cool. I may have to head over there as well. Not even sure if it's still there! LOL!

Great post! I've been using for a little while now.

Jim - thanks! I was using it, but then I think I found other tools and widgets, and this one got shelved!! Did you ever see kids movie "Toy Story?" "To infinity and Beyond..."

I should do a post about "The Widget Story!" LOL!~ :-)

Howdy Brad

Thank you for the link to the Real Estate 411 site.

I have joined the site.

I'll take a look at the Swicki also.

It must be good, or you would not be telling to us to take a look at it.

Sorry that I had not seen or read this fine post before now.

Thank ya my friend, for always taking the time to let us know about things

out there for us to use.

Have a good one Dale

APR

2008

Dale - great to see your Cowboy Logo/Signature once again. :-))) The swicki is just one of hundreds of widgets out there that you may find useful on your websites or Blogs. I try to keep up with the good and useful ones, and then report on them as often as possible. This one was certainly worth reporting about, at least I was impressed! :-)

JUL

2008

Brad, can you tell me a little more about realestate411, or is there a website I can go to to look at what it has to offer? When I clicked on your link above, it went straight into their registration form.

Troy - welcome to ActiveRain, I've seen a few of your comments coming through in my email. RE 411 is like any network, you have to sign up to join just as you did here. You'll find that all the social networks make you go through this process. LinkedIn, Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace etc. all require you to fill out a profile. Check it out, let me know what you think. There's a link to my 411 profile there up under my photo. You'll see a button, you can just click on it to see more... Great to have you onboard here. :-)

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