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Is My Facebook Profile Complete? FacebookGrader Has the Answer!

Yes, I have Google Alerts delivered and even check my Twitter grade from time to time on Twittergrader. Who doesn’t? If you’re investing time in social media marketing, then you should be analyzing your efforts with a variety of analytics resources.

When it comes to helping my friends, colleagues and clients establish a Web presence I suggest creating a Facebook Profile (as one of many online strategies). Facebook, as most of us know, is the largest online network with over 150 million users. It offers abundant opportunities for building relationships (both on and offline). Real Estate Professionals can easily drill down to a local level by connecting with their local sphere, joining local groups, creating their own group or fan page (among other things). But before going crazy with applications and groups….you need to make sure your profile is COMPLETE! [Read more...]

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ZingDing: A Fresh New Spin on Real Estate Marketing

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting August Giles, founder of ZingDing.com.  After reviewing his new approach to real estate email marketing, I couldn’t help but share it with the MTO audience!  When you think of ZingDing, think of a cross between your favorite virtual tour and eCard software all mixed into one…with viral share tools!

After previewing the site, I found many great ideas of how real estate agents have used ZingDing to promote their listings and rentals. Many have elected to include additional design elements like holiday themes-sure to get your sphere excited by your creativeness!

What does it take to build a ZingDing eCard?

Start by gathering all necessary photos and logos, then choose your desired music from the ZingDing library, add any desired effects (i.e. burning fireplace, snowfall, etc.), then input your properties details!

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Cyberhomes Blog…NOT Your Run of the Mill

Our very own Reggie Nicolay helped officially launched Cyberhomesblog.com today.  Reggie hasn’t wasted anytime jumping into his new role as Director of Social Media for Cyberhomes. Yes, I may be a bit biased since I’m married to the guy. But the Cyberhomes Blog is more than just your run of the mill industry blog. Reggie practices what he preaches here on MTO, by demonstrating how design, content and social media strategies can make for a powerful and insightful online community.

Upon first glance, you’ll notice that Reggie integrated Facebook Connect, like what we’ve done here at MTO.  FB Connect allows you to port your Facebook Profile right into the Cyberhomes Blog Community. This makes participating an optimal experience! You control your profile settings and how your comments and other resources are shared. [Read more...]

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12 Ways to Use Bubble Video in Your Real Estate Business

Yes, it’s true…I thoroughly enjoy creating deliciously dorky birthday videos.  It gives me a chance to show off another facet of my personality…the REAL NikNik! And apparently, highly intelligent and obviously fun-loving people find them somewhat engaging! If you haven’t seen one of these masterpieces, check out these birthday dance grams for @Respres, @MikeMueller, and @BHGRE_Sherry.

More recently though, I’ve created “welcome videos” for my new Twitter followers. I wanted something that would stand out in a sea of simple greetings like…”Thanks for following!” So I usually send new followers a welcome message with a link to a video that lets them know what they can expect being a follower. The only downside to the video link is that it takes new Twits to a 3rd party site (like Viddler) to view my videos. Now I have a video player embedded on my blog, but to keep my “welcome video” most current I would have to create a blog page specifically for a welcome video. But, I’m looking for a bit more flexibility with my short and sweet videos.

Thanks to the BubbleGuru (aka: Kevin Sherman) and his Bubble video solutions I have some seriously great video options now! With BubbleTweet, BubbleComment, and BubbleTestimonial, I can create, send and manage all sorts of fun and informational videos and place them atop any Website or page I choose! Bubble-what? Let me break it down for you:

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Apple or Windows? You Chime In.

It has held true that none of my blog posts get as many comments as those that discuss Apple products as real estate technology solutions. The passion and devotion of the legion of Apple fans, not to mention the hordes of Windows users,  has made for some spirited debates and turned many new readers on to MyTechOpinion.

In an effort to spark a discussion to rival any that we have had on MyTechOpinion, I would like to try something a bit different. A sort of editorial piece if you will.

I will ask a question, provide a few pieces of information to fuel the discussion and then allow you to weigh in. My hope is that different opinions and points of view can be presented in a way that will shed new light on the subject, as this is a question that has bewildered me for years.

With that said, here we go:

Is the Apple computer really as superior to a Windows computer as many Mac users would have you believe?

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The Crunchies 2008 – One Geek Girl’s Night Out!

Although I spend much of my time inside on the computer, I managed to pry myself away and geek out at TechCrunch’s 2nd annual Crunchies Awards last Friday night. The event was held at Herbst Theatre in San Francisco and was attended by top tech-heads  Mark Zuckerberg  (CEO & founder of Facebook), Evan Williams & Biz Stone (founders of Twitter), Marissa Mayer (Product Manager for Google), Loic Le Meur (CEO of Seesmic), and yes, @McHammer!

The awards ceremony was a mish-mash of tech presenters, mini-interviews, and fairly predictable commentary. But thanks to the hilarious and highly technical musings offered by the Richter Scales new hit, the Standford Mobile Phone Orchestra (who played Stairway to Heaven on their iPhones), and the spicy Sesame Street inspired videos via Loren Feldman…..the event was worth the $65.

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Simplify Your Real Estate Technology Needs

OK, now that I have your attention, how do I propose you do this? Connect all of your electronic devices to your network. Printers, external hard drives, media card readers, plug them all into your network.

How does this simplify?
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Finding Tweighbors on Twitter

You’ve arrived! You’re on Twitter, you’re tweeting, but are you strategically growing your network? And I’m not talking about following all of someone else’s followers. It’s definitely valuable to learn from your peers, but following every other agent in the Twitosphere is not necessarily going to help you build relationships and grow your network within your own market area.

There are some great techniques and tools, however, which you can employ to get to know the twits in your neck of the woods. And once you find and follow these local twits, it’s your job to befriend them with your interest based experiences, professional expertise (transparently), and above all…being helpful. Be a friendly conversationalist, gradually gaining trust and building relationships…that may lead to offline connecting and potential sales leads when the time is right.

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