Finding something for FREE always motivates and inspires me! ! !
I've been using the BRIAN BUFFINI online Referral Directory but am finding it to be complicated and not really user friendly. I was reading The Real Estate Tomato, a great site aimed at Real Estate Bloggers the other day and something I read sparked this idea and I tried it out and I like the look MUCH BETTER and it seems more user friendly to me.
I'd love your comments after you take a look at the directory at http://dennis-directory.blogspot.com/
Everyone knows that networking includes creative methods of:
- Keeping your name in front of your network.
- Keeping your network in the public eye to maximize their exposure for referrals from you and your clients.
Keeping a Business Referral Directory is an important networking tool and excellent value to your clients. You can turn a FREE BLOG site such as www.blogspot.com (Google's FREE blog site) into your ONLINE BUSINESS REFERRAL DIRECTORY.
Here's the steps. (I've only done this at Blogger.com but I'm guessing the process is similar at other sites)
- Set up a blog.
- Each of your "listings" is an individual post.
- Do a WELCOME POST (see mine at http://dennis-directory.blogspot.com/)
- Adjust its posting date to a date about a year in the future (you'll see why in a minute)
- Set up the side menu to list the LABELS (AR Calls them TAGS here) but NOT the ARCHIVE (that's the chronological listing of your posts).
- This will allow you to assign any number of labels to each business. For example, you can label your plumber as HOME REPAIR, PLUMBING, and HANDYMAN if you'd like.
- Set the blog to only show 1 post on the first page. This will display only your post with the most recent date (or furthest in the FUTURE) ie the WELCOME PAGE
- Encourage your clients to come back and add COMMENTS for each vendor. (hopefully they'll all be positive)
- Add a place on the side menu to encourage others to talk to you about being added to the Directory.
OPTIONAL....
- I also put in a LINK section at the very top to return people to one of my two web pages as that's likely where they came from to get to the Directory.
- I put a 'post' titled AND LABELED "**Click here if you can't find what you want" that asks clients to call me if I don't have what they need listed. This keeps you in the loop and helps you find needed additional vendors. (the ** at the beginning of the label just puts that label always at the TOP OF THE LIST)
Get creative and let the good times roll.
If you've already done this, I'd love to see your directory. Please leave the link address in your comment.
THANKS.......
It's a Good Life ! 
Dennis Volz Insurance Agency
10783 Jamacha Bl, Suite 1, Spring Valley, CA 91978
OFFICE: (619) 670-1000 - FAX: (619) 670-1121
eMail:Dennis@DennisVolz.com
Websites: Company Site: DennisVolzInsurance.com
Client Convenience Site: 6701000.com
My 'Other Blogs'
Working by Referral
The San Diego Insurance Blog
Musings from California
Serving San Diego, El Cajon, Spring Valley, Lakeside, Jamul, Santee, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Encinitas, Del Mar, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, La Jolla, North Park, Kennsington, East County, Fallbrook, Los Angeles and San Francisco.
;)
Links;)
Tags (Tag Cloud);)
Archives
Posted by 
That certainly is lots of work! I pay $20.00 extra a month for Buffini and Company to host mine:) Plus, they have different templates and offer a printed out booklet to give to my clients and vendors. I am just not technical enough or have the time to make a competitive product. On mine, I can feature one of my listings, offer a coupon for a vendor, or my own business, or have a list of ten vendors posted to my monthly CAP item. Folks love it!
It's a Good Life!
Fran