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Seattle Newbie to Active Rain!

By
Real Estate Agent with John L. Scott Real Estate

 Another newbie to this excellent site.   I'm slowly finding my way around.  Every time I try to research how to make some progress on my website I get distracted with another topic from someone's post.    What a great place to find answers to promoting yourself!   My first challenge is going to be figuring out how to post correctly, adding links and photos.  (I couldn't even get this text to appear next to the image instead of after it!)

As a native Seattle-ite I am familiar with all areas of the greater Seattle area.   I was a champion distant runner in high school after which I attended the University of Washington in Seattle on a track scholarship.   After several years working for the government in law enforcement, I decided to pursue my true calling in real estate.  The interesting thing I have found is that getting results in real estate requires the same skill sets I developed in law enforcement!  Ha!  Although my business is primarily residential re-sale, I also have experience in multi-family property, new construction developments and relocation work for those moving into the Seattle area.

I'm looking forward to learning as much as I can from all of you veterans bloggers out there.   My website has an IDX MLS searching feature that is becoming more popular for those searching for Seattle real estate.   Even though I don't know very much about the keyword/content methods for SEO, I recently found my site had moved to the 1st page of Yahoo for "Seattle MLS listings".

I look forward to sharing and learning.

Dale Bradbury

Comments (11)

Rich Jacobson
Fathom Realty West Sound - Poulsbo, WA
Your Kitsap County WA Real Estate Broker
Dale, welcome to the ActiveRain Community! You will quickly realize the value and benefits of your involvement in this platform. Let me know if you have any questions along the way!
Mar 04, 2007 06:10 PM
Dale Bradbury
John L. Scott Real Estate - Kent, WA
Thanks Rich!   I'll keep your name in mind if I need help.
Mar 04, 2007 06:23 PM
Laurie Manny
Long Beach CA Real Estate - Long Beach, CA

Dale, Welcome to Active Rain, have fun splashing around in the puddle.  Be sure to check out the newbie groups, you will find a lot of helpful information to help you find your way around. 

laurie manny

Mar 04, 2007 06:30 PM
Mark Flanders
Consulting - Silverdale, WA

Dale,

Welcome Aboard!You sound like I felt when I first arrived. Enjoy the network, their is a ton on interesting information and plenty of nice folks to meet.

Mar 04, 2007 09:23 PM
Chris Griffith
Downing-Frye Realty, Bonita Springs, FL - Bonita Springs, FL
Bonita Springs Listing Specialist - Agent
Welcome to Active Rain.  You'll love the information you can find and share here.  Start here:  You Just Joined ActiveRain - Now What? 
Mar 04, 2007 09:24 PM
Colleen Irwin
Retired - Irondequoit, NY
Creative Real Estate Solutions...
Dale -- Welcome to Active Rain...  Jump in and participate!           
Mar 04, 2007 11:01 PM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

Welcome to Active Rain Dale!  Thanks for posting your entry to the Welcome group too.  That helps people know to say "Howdy." 

Your entry is featured in the Welcome group now. 

Mar 05, 2007 05:51 AM
Jon Washburn
Seattle, WA

Welcome to ActiveRain! I hope you enjoy the site!

ActiveRain SEO tip #1: When you link to your website from a blog post use the keywords that you are trying to improve your rankings on.  For instance above you like to you site like this: www.SeattleBuyerSearch.com, I would recommend linking this way: Seattle MLS Listings.

Google and other search engines actually pay attention to the keywords used in the incoming links.

However with all that being said, some people on ActiveRain may consider it tacky or against etiquette to link to your site from your blog post.

Mar 05, 2007 02:06 PM
Dale Bradbury
John L. Scott Real Estate - Kent, WA
Oh my gosh!   Thanks so much for that huge tip Jonathan.    Actually I was trying to put that link under the paragraph seen under my photo in the blog page.    Like "Seattle MLS Listings".   How do I do that in the edit window?
Mar 05, 2007 02:28 PM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

Jonathan wrote: "However with all that being said, some people on ActiveRain may consider it tacky or against etiquette to link to your site from your blog post. "

It is not against ettiquette in your blog post...  in a comment it is comment spam.  On your blog, on your profile... it's all yours.  Who cares what others think.  If all you write is I am the greatest real estate agent in Seattle and throw in a link Seattle MLS Listings (this link is back to this entry...) you may or may not find a consumber who thinks that is enthralling blogging.. you probably aren't going to get a featured entry on Active Rain or get comments from your peers on Active Rain.  but not necessarily tacky.  

The mechanics or "how to" of the link.  Highlight the words Seattle MLS Listings  see the little icon 6th from the left? like a little chain link?  an edit window pops up.. put the url  in the top box.  Put the words Seattle MLS Listings in the bottom box as a title or something describing what the link is...  and hit insert. Voila a link... a good link made with keywords.  

There are lots of "how to"  posts in the newbie group.

The next question... is it all of the MLS or a subset created through IDX?  If it is not all of the MLS are you deceiving people by saying MLS.... and the topic gets even harrier from there whether you have the right to say MLS... but that is for a different blog... not a welcome blog certainly... go visit Jim Lee's blog I am sure he has blogged on the subject... but those are bigger questions...

Again welcome to Active Rain.

 

Mar 05, 2007 10:03 PM
Jon Washburn
Seattle, WA
I agree with everything you wrote above Maureen. Regarding the terms "MLS" in marketing; you actually reminded me that the Northwest Multiple Listing service actually prohibits using the word "MLS" in marketing. So Dale the theory behind my suggestion still stands, but in practice, you should probably pick a new search phrase to start working on.
Mar 06, 2007 04:49 AM