Nicole is an author and editor here at MyTechOpinion. She works diligently to provide readers with a comprehensive technology base for the real estate industry. She is also member of the Inman Blog Network, contributor to the HomeGain Blog and tech columnist for Chicago Agent Magazine. Nicole Nicolay is co-founder of Effektive Solutions, a marketing and technology solutions company for real estate professionals and title insurance companies. She has created products and services which have assisted over 30 title county operations, and growing! Besides being passionate about Effektive Solutions, Nicole enjoys spending time with her family and getting her groove on!

About NikNik

                 

Below are a few recent posts by NikNik:

• The Secret to Blog Success: YEO, You Engaging Others, 23 Jul 2008
• External Factors Affecting Your Blog Success, 20 Jul 2008
• Internal Factors Affecting Your Blog Success, 14 Jul 2008
• Your Edge in Real Estate is Getting Sharper, 09 Jul 2008
• “Does my blog REally rock?” An Assessment for Serious Real Estate Bloggers, 06 Jul 2008
• Advertise to Your Local Niche via Trulia Pro, 19 Jun 2008
• How to Add Podcasting to Your Real Estate Blog, 14 Jun 2008
• 22 Reasons to Use Twitter for Business and Pleasure, 29 May 2008
• Does Your Real Estate Blog Need a Side of Widget?, 20 May 2008
• HomeGain Launches New Agent Blogging Network, 29 Apr 2008
• New Feature from MyBlogLog Builds Your Contact Manager, 25 Apr 2008
• Focus Your Social Media Marketing, 16 Apr 2008

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The Secret to Blog Success: YEO, You Engaging Others

By NikNik · July 23, 2008 · 6 Comments 

Yes, the title gives it away! The secret to your blog success is YEO. YEO, a now popular term used by bloggers (coined by Jeff Turner) to describe the process of building your network and facilitating blog success via YOU ENGAGING OTHERS.  I’m not even going to mention the other term that makes us sweat, and also has an “e” and “o” in it. That aside, what have you done lately to reach outside your real estate blog? Have you employed tools or strategies to keep your readers enticed to come back for more great information? What about making your blog more than just a resource but a REAL community of readers who interact with each other via offline, as well as online?

Finding ways to connect offline can be more of a challenge with a larger audience, say nationwide. However, with a smaller niche blog connecting in person is great way to get involved and build relationships in the community you work in. And, of course it’s much easier.  Check out Jeff’s Rules of Engagement.

One way to throw yourself into the community mix is by joining the conversations that are happening at your local Starbuck’s, grocery store, hair salon, restaurant, etc.  Listen and gather information. And casually let people know that you are doing something great! You’re a real estate professional looking to support and connect the community via your blog. Be sure to have Read more

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External Factors Affecting Your Blog Success

By NikNik · July 20, 2008 · 9 Comments 

I used to teach my first graders a really fun game to learn about how plants grow. Each student would get a laminated “secret identity card” (sun, soil, water, air, seed). The seeds (excitable first graders) would travel through the air (run from one side of the blacktop top the other) looking for the elements (other excitable first graders) needed for their growth. But the elements were not so easy to acquire.

The seeds had to ask individual elements one at a time to reveal their secret identity. They did this by running up to a student on one side of the blacktop and just asking, “Are you air?” If the element was indeed “air” that student would link up to the seed. Then, together as a connected team they would run to the opposite side of the blacktop to acquire another element. As this went on you can see why we moved the game to grass as kids became winding chains with all elements needed for plant growth.

This game was fun, but more importantly the kids learned very quickly what environmental factors affect seed growth (sun, soil, water, water). The fun for me came in rigging the game so some little seed couldn’t grow. It would always a good way to get conversation flowing about why plants do NOT or CAN’T grow.

So if a seed requires sun, soil, water and air to grow. What environmental or external factors does your blog require to grow and succeed?? Let’s take a look…

Read more

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Internal Factors Affecting Your Blog Success

By NikNik · July 14, 2008 · 5 Comments 

Last week I talked about the importance of assessing your real estate blog. Whether you have room for improvement or just need to boost your already prospering success, tweaking your blog is a process that should continue throughout its life on the Web. Today, we’ll look at the internal factors affecting your blog success, as well as support tools.

(1) Speak to your target audience

Identifying your target audience hopefully occurred for you during the conceptualization of your blog. Now that you’re up and running, is your blog geared up to attract new niche readers?  By that I mean, are you including a variety of Read more

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Your Edge in Real Estate is Getting Sharper

By NikNik · July 9, 2008 · 4 Comments 

If you’ve been clamoring for an up to the minute mortgage rate widget for your real estate blog….it’s time to dry your eyes and head over to Zillow.  There you’ll find four brand new Mortgage Rate Widgets that you can freely leverage for your own blog.  If you’re looking to foster greater online interaction via your blog community and provide readers with a knowledgeable tool, this may be just what you need. Not only are these widgets radiating rates…but they look nice too!

If you thought the Mortgage Rate Widget was the only new candy in Zillow’s goodie bag, it’s time to reach in for a second helping. Did you feel that? It’s Zillow’s FREE co-branding! With it, your blog readers will have access to Zillow tools and features while being reminded who sent them there in the first place.  With Zillow’s co-branding individuals or companies can utilize this free service just by adding any of the following to their blog or Website: individual Zillow URLs, mortgage rate widgets, links generated by the Zillow API, new profile badges.

Here’s how it works:

Before you can take advantage of Zillow’s free co-branding, you need to take care of the following: (1) sign up for a Zillow account, (2) add a Zillow URL to your blog or Website and (3) include the following code at the end of your Zillow link “/?scrnnm=YourZillowScreenName”. Then, when readers select the Zillow URL on your blog and a new Zillow page opens, you’re picture, contact information and link to your Website will appear at the top of that page.  Wherever your blog reader travels on Zillow during that session, your branding will follow too. Click here to learn more about Zillow Co-Branding.

In this market, any edge, ledge, step stool or leg up you can get to boost your blog community and market freely to your target audience is worth checking out. And if you’d like to get up close and personal with the Zillow team AND you’re planning to go to REBarCamp and the Inman Connect, you won’t want to miss Beer with Bloggers. The venue is Café Du Nord (from 6-8pm), which just happens to be right above REBarCamp on July 22, 2008. See you there!

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… C: wait… SD: wait…

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“Does my blog REally rock?” An Assessment for Serious Real Estate Bloggers

By NikNik · July 6, 2008 · 8 Comments 

Have you taken a good look around your real estate blog lately?  Would you like to gain more traffic?  And, reach each your target audience, for real? If you are serious about your blog, then you should be serious about taking new steps and exploring innovative options to boost your blog success. Don’t let your blog take a back seat to 2.0!

MTO is gearing up for the Inman Connect SF. In fact, I’ve been invited to speak on the Blogger’s Connect panel entitled, “Growing Pains: Taking Your Blog to the Next Level“, alongside these A-list rockin’ real estate blog experts Dustin Luther, Jim Cronin, and Daniel Rothamel.  The RE 2.0 guru himself will be there as moderator, yes, you know him….Jeff Turner.  So over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing tools and suggestions for taking that next level leap. But of course I’ll be leaving the meatiest of it all for those of you attending the Connect. So, I hope to see you there!

Anyway, our blogucation cannot begin without a self assessment, a blog assessment really. The best teachers assess at the beginning and the end of an assignment or goal. How else will you know if you made any real strides? To start, you will notice that the following assessment is organized in 2 sections, Internal Factors and External Factors.  To examine your blog best, you should focus on these 2 areas.

Internal Factors are actions, tools, and strategies you put into play on your blog to give it life, display your expertise and target your audience. These may include your voice, design, blog posts, organization, comments, etc.  External Factors are actions, tools, and strategies you use to reach outside of your blog, create interaction, and hopefully bring readers back to you.  These may include, but not limited to: IDX Search, email newsletters, commenting, podcasting, video, social networking, etc.

Take the “Does my blog REally rock?” Assessment (Directions: Print this article, read each question, and write your yes or no answer next to each one. If you’re old school, grab a piece of paper and number 1-6 twice, then write down your answers. Keep your eyes on your own paper. ) Read more

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Advertise to Your Local Niche via Trulia Pro

By NikNik · June 19, 2008 · 2 Comments 

If you are looking for an affordable option for advertising to your local audience, Trulia can help. Yesterday, Trulia stepped up with yet another great feature to assist real estate agents and local businesses with the launch of Trulia Pro.

With Trulia Pro, you can target up to 20 locations with unlimited local spotlight ads. Participant listings will also get a boost to the top of relevant search results. And this self-service offering is available via a low fixed fee of $39 a month, or annually for $348 (just $29 a month).

Why advertise at Trulia you say?

“Trulia is the fastest growing online real estate site with approximately 5m unique monthly users and is a top 10 real estate site.” –Rudy Bachraty

Give your brand, your service, and your listings the online visibility they need to take your business to the next level. Advertise with links to your real estate blog and/or Trulia Voices Profile to grow your network of readers, clients, and colleagues.

Oh, and if you are already using another advertising program, Trulia wants to give you 3 months FREE with the purchase of a one year subscription.

Visit the Trulia Blog to learn more!

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How to Add Podcasting to Your Real Estate Blog

By NikNik · June 14, 2008 · 16 Comments 

You may have noticed we recently made a commitment to podcasting here at MyTechOpinion.  If not, look just below each of our posts and you should see the podcast player.  Podcasting is simply a way of distributing digital media over the Internet using RSS.  And for real estate agents who are looking for that next social medium to boost their blog success, perhaps podcasting is just what you need.

Podcasting can enhance your blog content and your online visibility. Strengthen the bond you have with your current audience, as well as reach a new audience. And, give your blog readers the flexibility to listen and obtain your expertise on the go!  Podcasting is even an affordable and pretty seamless option when it comes to integrating a new social media tool to your blog. So let’s get you started already!

Get equipped! Prior to your first audio podcast you will need the following equipment. Read more

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22 Reasons to Use Twitter for Business and Pleasure

By NikNik · May 29, 2008 · 19 Comments 

Last week I was invited to take part in a top secret Twitter Mission. I received a request from JulieTweets to arrive at a red door in San Francisco by 12:30 sharp! Thanks to GPS (asking the parking attendant) I found it promptly! Anyway, once I arrived I was greeted by one cool cat and 3 hot babes with cupcakes. I was in for sure now! The hot babes (savvy production crew) proceeded to set me up for video interview. Come to find out, I wasn’t the only top secret twit invited to the red door.  JulieTweets informed me that Twitter is compiling video interviews of all sorts of Twits to use in an upcoming marketing campaign. I quickly let her know that I’d be fine sharing the spotlight (not really) if she hooked me up with a Twitter shirt. Gosh, imagine what I’d do for a pair of jeans!

So for those of you that are not familiar with Twitter (come out from under your rock), it’s a cross between blogging and instant messaging. Also referred to as micro-blogging. Each tweet or post must be 140 characters or less. You can add more value to each tweet by including links to helpful blogs and Websites, your wacky pictures and videos, etc.  And each tweet is centered around answering the question, “What are you doing?”

To be honest, I poo pooed Twitter for some time. I just didn’t need (or want) another social networking tool to contend with. I can admit when I’m wrong. In fact, because Twitter updates in real time I’m able to reach an on audience on the spot.  Besides being just fun…Twitter is a valuable safety tool as well. If you haven’t heard about the student who Twittered his way out of an Egyptian jail, read this. You may not be visiting any foreign countries in the near future, but you can use Twitter at home to let loved ones know where you are and if any unfavorable persons are bothering you. (EX: Unfamiliar meeting locations, Open Houses, etc.)

Here are 22 reasons Read more

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Does Your Real Estate Blog Need a Side of Widget?

By NikNik · May 20, 2008 · 16 Comments 

Are you looking for a value add for your real estate blog or Website? Many widgets promise the world (MORE READERS), but sadly many fall short of maximizing their intended goal. When it comes to adding valuable content and tools to your blog, try a widget that compliments your niche. Just don’t try them all.
 
Many agents rightly focus on a niche or specific target market when it comes to blogging. So, why not add a widget that provides local content, events, and even property listings. Hyperlocal aside, even adding a news widget with a larger content scope (say, nationwide) adds value to readers who check both local and national market info.
 
When thinking about adding a widget to your blog, you may want to ask yourself:  (1) Does this widget provide helpful information? and (2) Does this widget foster interaction and build your network?

Some options for you:

Property Search
Give consumers a home search tool they will come back for Read more

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HomeGain Launches New Agent Blogging Network

By NikNik · April 29, 2008 · 8 Comments 

HomeGain launched their new agent blogging network tonight. Since Max the HomeGain Gorilla isn’t returning my Facebook messages and tweets, I had to hit up Louis Cammarosano (General Manager of HomeGain) with a few questions. Thanks for the lowdown Louis!

HomeGain members can now blog directly to consumers! Each agent blog will have a distinct URL with the member’s city, name, and zip code (ex: http://blog.homegain.com/real-estate-blog/sanfrancisco/NicoleNicolay/94133). Unlike the agent to agent blog platforms, HomeGain’s blog network provides agents with a forum for helping consumers with the home buying and selling process. Agents can reach out to consumers via their blog, as well as make, receive, and approve comments.

The HomeGain Blog recently scored a page rank of 7, so agents looking for a SEO boost could potentially get one from blogging there. Louis adds, “Also since our traffic comes not just from SEO but from HomeGain.com (which is a source of traffic that far exceeds our SEO traffic), SEM and from hundreds of partners, there is a built in audience so the agent does not have to write for Google to get noticed.”

The new HomeGain member profile features the agent predominantly with a link to their web site and phone number. There is an email box that the customer can use to ask a question (the email box remains a fixture at the top of all tabs). The HomeGain member interface incorporates carefully organized tabs for quick links to the agent’s blog and profile, as well as other home buying and selling tools including the Homesale Maximizer. And, if the consumer wants to they can fill out a form and get a professional CMA or they can just ask for one by calling or emailing the agent. Louis shared that he’s got one more tab coming that will complete the offering and there will be NO ADVERTISING!

HomeGain will continue to enhance its functionality with additional features. A new HomeGain Search Feature and Library of Syndicated Content are in the works already! Check out the HomeGain real estate blogs here.

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New Feature from MyBlogLog Builds Your Contact Manager

By NikNik · April 25, 2008 · 2 Comments 

So, you just discovered a rockin’ new real estate blog and want to know more about the author. What about adding the author to your contact manager? If you are a MyBlogLog member, you are in luck! MyBlogLog recently added a new feature that allows you to easily add your favorite bloggers contact information to your address book via vCard and hCard.
 
vCards are commonly used in eSignatures or attached to business emails. They are standard electronic business card files that usually include an address, phone number, email, Website or blog URL, etc. vCards can be added to the Mac OS X Address Book, Microsoft Outlook, and other applications.

Now, I hadn’t heard of the hCard so this gave me a chance to learn more. Apparently an hCard is a microformat for publishing contact information, as well as for extracting details to be used in other applications or  Read more

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Focus Your Social Media Marketing

By NikNik · April 16, 2008 · 14 Comments 

Ever find yourself in Facebook’s spine and wonder how the last 3 hours flew by and all you have to show for it are a couple of pokes and Funwall messages? It’s happened once or twice to me. Real estate professionals have a complex task when it comes to staying focused in the distracting world of social media. First and foremost, understand why you are there and develop a personalized strategy.

Social Media Marketing (SMM) is taking off as a standard soft sell approach to Internet Marketing. That doesn’t mean that some marketers don’t take advantage of networks and become annoying spammers. It’s the best social media marketing gurus that can effectively target, communicate, and appeal to a desired audience.

Social Media Marketing takes place at all your favorite social networking sites:  Facebook, ActiveRain, RealTown, LinkedIn, MyBlogLog, Flickr, Digg, Stumbleupon, Twitter, YouTube, etc.  These social media sites usually incorporate some form or mashup of Read more

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