Why Google+ is a must for those in the Real Estate Industry

Hopefully by now you have heard of Google+. For those of you who have not, Google+ is a social media site and SEO tool rolled into one. In my professional opinion it is the most important tool a Real Estate agent or anyone in business for that matter can have in their marketing arsenal besides a well indexed blog.

Correct me if I am wrong but the reason the vast majority of you post blogs on this platform weekly is to put your articles in front of those that visit Google? The reason you do that is presumably because you want a consumer in your local area to see the article, like what they read and call to possibly hire YOU!

If that is not the reason why you write articles on here then you probably don't need to read any further. For those that want to drastically increase their chances that they DOMINATE in their respective local markets continue reading.

In the not to distant future search engines are going to be changing the way they display information. In a lot of ways they already have. Many of you have heard of the Penguin and Panda updates that essentially have eliminated a lot of the crap websites and blogs on the web. In the last year Google has made more changes to their algorithm than any other time in their history. Search is changing on a monthly basis. One of the biggest that is on the drawing board is Google Author Rank.

Google Author Rank Explained

If you have not heard of the term AUTHOR RANK, I am sure you will start to see it cropping up all over the place. Essentially Author Rank is Google's way of identifying the value of the content you create. For starters while doing any kind of search on the internet you probably have noticed that you now see pictures of people next to the search results.

When you see someone's picture it means they have claimed authorship to their site. You can claim your authorship for every blog and website that you write content for including your Active Rain blog. This is something you should get started on right away!

 I am not going to explain how to claim your Google Authorship here but I can tell you it is simple to do even for the technically challenged. You can search Active Rain on how to do it or just go and Google "how to claim Google Authorship". Once you have claimed authorship you want to get on Google+ and start using it as part of your daily routine just like you use Active Rain!

Why you ask? What is the reason why you are going to have to find a little more time to use yet another social network? The reason is simple folks GOOGLE+ is GOOGLE! There is nothing that is going to make your business more visible. Not Facebook, Not Twitter, Not Linkedin. Here isa great quote about social networks.... Facebook is for people you already know, Twitter is for people you don't know, and Google+ is for people you should know!

Getting back to Author Rank.....One of the big ranking factors of how Google will display their search results is by an Author's participation on Google+. Here is an outstanding article that explains the concept of Google Author Rank over at SEOMOZ written by Mike Arnesen. Mike by the way is someone I follow on Google+. There are many such folks in the SEO field at Google+ that share invaluable information. If you don't do anything else read Mike's article.

Getting down to the nitty gritty - Participating at Google+ helps everything you write rank better online. So what does participation mean? It is the same thing you do here everyday. You share your articles, you share other people's articles (kind of like re-blogging), you comment on other people's articles, and you G+ another person's article. A G+ for those that have never been to the site is a way of saying "nice job" or  "I like your post". Sometimes an article is so good you will give it a G+ and share it on your own stream as well.

How to get the most out of Google+

I know some of you are going to read this and all you are going to do is set up an account and just start posting all of your content and do nothing else. That would be a huge mistake!! What many in the Real Estate industry fail to understand is that Social media is about being social! 

It is not about posting your listings and market reports and anything else under the sun that you have created. Why not Bill? Simple... the goal is to interact with people and provide them with things that are of value to them. Posting an occasional listing or market report is fine as long as you are providing other valuable content as well. Similar to Active Rain and other social networks there are a great group of people that are on G+ to support you. Like you, they are there to see their business grow and flourish.

In fact the reason why I wrote this article is there are a number of Active Rain members that are at Google+ on a daily basis interacting with one another who want to see you there as well!! Many of them have asked me to write why you should join us!!

Active Rain is a great place to be! There is no doubt that logging in to Active Rain and participating is part of your daily routine. It should be because it is a great platform to learn from your peers. Google+ is the same only a lot more diversified. You can follow folks that share any number of interests that you may also have in common with them. Here are three articles I shared recently on Google+. Would this kind of content interest you?

• 13 Facebook mistakes that can scare your fans away
• 30 Social media tips for 2012
• Home selling tips (My own blog)

Even if social media and seo are not your thing there is something for everyone. Besides business items you will see the same kind of stuff you see on your Facebook timeline whether it is a funny picture, quote or something else. Even if you feel like you don't have great content of your own, you can share other's content. Trust me those that follow you will love it, along with the person who's content you shared. This is how you get noticed in social media.

I know time is always an issue but instead of working on Active Rain points why not spend that extra time working on getting points with Google instead? When you actively participate daily your articles are seen by everyone who is in your circles much like your subscribers here. Thinking you don't have time for G+ is a mistake. I would eliminate something else from your routine.

Guys if you don't listen to me now you are going to be sorry! There will be people in your local markets that will be using Google+ and they are going to blow your doors off in the search results. Get in on the ground floor now!

Other Google+ Real Estate articles worth a look:

• Using Google+ For Real Estate

Once you have joined Google+ make sure you connect with me here ----> Google+ Bill Gassett.  I also have a Google+ Business page which is Maximum Real Estate Exposure. I would love to connect with you on both.

**** Everyone that comments please leave your Google+ handle so everyone can connect with you. ****

One thing last thing I will mention. I only connect with people who actually use the site and interact. If you don't use Google Plus there is no point in having you in my circles. If you are commenting, sharing, and G+ing mine and others, you can bet your bottom dollar I will be networking with you! Best of luck with Google+.

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About the author: The above Real Estate information on why using Google+ for your business was provided by Bill Gassett, a Nationally recognized leader in his field. Bill can be reached via email at billgassett@remaxexec.com or by phone at 508-435-5356. Bill has helped people move in and out of many Metrowest towns for the last 25+ Years.

Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for Real Estate and love to share my marketing expertise!

For Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate and home sales see Maximum Real Estate Exposure. 

I service the following towns in Metrowest MA: Framingham, Hopkinton, Milford, Upton, Southboro, Westboro, Ashland, Holliston, Mendon, Hopedale, Medway, Franklin, Grafton, Northboro, Shrewsbury, Bellingham, Northbridge, Uxbridge, Sutton, Millbury, Worcester, Millville, Douglas, Natick and Wayland MA.

Building lasting relationships by helping people move in and out of Metrowest Massachusetts for the last 25 years.