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10 Tips for Getting Reacquainted with Facebook’s New Layout
By NikNik · February 7, 2010 · 5 Comments
Facebook celebrated it’s 6th birthday in style…by launching a redesign of the home page. I was excited to be included in the initial 80 million accounts that were updated with the design on February 4th. This new layout is being rolled out to the remaining Facebook users now (Reggie’s still waiting).
I have to say I’ve been a bit annoyed with some of the recent minor changes made by Facebook, but when it comes to this new overhaul…I’m a fan! Most notably, are the cleaner home page appearance and the removal of the bottom “start” bar. The search bar is now prominently displayed in the top center of the home page, just above the News Feed. And the top blue navigation bar has been simplified to include just a few key quick launch links on the left and right sides.
Now just in case you are a tad turned around by this new layout, I put together a quick list of 10 tips for getting reacquainted with the network you know and love! Read full story
Realtor.com Launches New iPhone App & Makes Mobile Home Search Useful
By NikNik · January 12, 2010 · 6 Comments
I know the 12 Days of iPhone Apps are over, but I couldn’t help but share a brand new app that launches today! Realtor.com is making their 4 million listings accessible via the iPhone. In addition, they are providing agents and consumers with a rich set of features to make the most of their mobile experience.
Agents that already utilize Realtor.com to post their listings will be able to sync with their account via the app. Branding and contact information is carried over so that interested buyers can easily reach out to the agent, or even add the agent to their iPhone address book. In fact, an interested buyer can contact the listing agent in a number of ways with a single tap: ask a question, call agent directly, visit agent Website. Read full story
AgentPress: The Ideal Theme for Real Estate Bloggers
By NikNik · October 26, 2009 · 13 Comments
If you’ve been reading MTO for awhile you know we’re huge advocates of WordPress as a platform to power your real estate blog. And we’re not the only ones who think WordPress rocks! Matt Cutts, the head of the Web Spam team at Google, recently declared WordPress as the best blogging platform in terms of search engine optimization. He went on to say that WordPress automatically solves 80-90% of the mechanics behind SEO, making your site easily crawlable by search engines.
Now when it comes to selecting a WordPress theme that delivers a clean design, variety of options, highly optimized code, and customer support….the MTO team chooses StudioPress. Which has been a great theme option for us and our Web design clients. But now theme legend, Brian Gardner, is back and has developed AgentPress, specifically for the real estate industry. In fact, we’ve partnered with Brian to offer customization and consultation for AgentPress theme users. Read full story
Lucky Number 7
By Chad A. Johnson · October 20, 2009 · 5 Comments
Two and a half years has gone by very quickly. It seems like just yesterday that I was booting up my Windows Vista computer for the first time with excitement and anticipation. For me, it was like watching that summer blockbuster you’ve eagerly awaited in hopes of it exceeding your expectations. But, like most summer blockbusters, Windows Vista didn’t live up to expectations. It was a bloated and flawed operating system in many ways. Vista does have quite a few redeeming qualities. It was an improvement over Windows XP to the point that I never considered reformatting and going back the older OS (something I did shortly after installing Windows ME).
We are now back to a time of great anticipation. Hopes that Microsoft will redeem itself with the release Windows 7 abound. Will Windows 7 be faster? Will it ask fewer annoying questions? Will it work with all of my current software and hardware? With the Windows 7 release coming October 22, all of our questions will be answered soon enough.
That’s What You Get For Waking Up In Vegas!
By NikNik · September 28, 2009 · 1 Comment
Calling all real estate bloggers!!! Would you like to spend some time with real people who actually know what blogs are…and why they ROCK! Would you enjoy learning new tips and strategies for continuing your blog success, or perhaps launching it?! Are you wondering where the future of social media can take you, and how to push the limits of innovation while remaining effective? Do you need a vacation and time to play? Or dance? Or go to a show without leaving 20 minutes after it starts because your kids can’t sit still? (Oh, sorry…that one was for me!) If you answered “yes” to any or all of these questions, I suggest you head to REBlogWorld and the BlogWorld/New Media Expo in Las Vegas! And actually…you don’t really need a reason to go to Vegas…it’s Vegas! Woohoo! (I’m not excited…at all!)
BlogWorld officially kicks off October 15th at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The first day of the 3 day program will provide some specific niche tracks…one of which is Real Estate BlogWorld. Read full story
Regator iPhone App Delivers Quality News & Cool Interface
By NikNik · August 18, 2009 · 5 Comments
If you have an iPhone, then the new Regator app will rock your mobile world! And if you’re a lover of informative news and a sharer of all things great…you will undoubtedly be excited to find out this app launches today!
Regator.com is online hub of hand-picked blogs representing numerous content areas. Basically, you can search for and find quality blog posts on just about any topic. Read full story
Get Your Tweet On With Twitter for Real Estate Twits v.2
By NikNik · August 14, 2009 · 7 Comments
Good Twitter help can be hard to find. And when it comes to Twitter for real estate, it’s even more important to be led in the right direction or you’ll risk being labeled as a spammer. Your brand could be tarnished in real-time if you don’t learn how to reach out and connect authentically with your network. The good news is, I don’t want to see you become the latest fail whale. I’m determined to share top tools, engagement strategies and best practices to ensure your Twitter success!!! Read full story
MTO Liveblogs REBarCampSF & The Inman Connect!
By NikNik · August 3, 2009 · 4 Comments
It’s here! One crazy week in real estate! Tomorrow, REBarCampSF registration begins at 8am and the event will officially kickoff at 9am. This promises to be an exciting day of learning, sharing and connecting!
On Wednesday, the Inman Connect will get underway. I KNOW for a fact that there are some exciting presentations planned to rock the RE industry. And there may even be a little dancing…that is, if I can call upon the Inman attendees for a bit of encouragement (not for me, but Reggie may need a nudge).
MTO will be in full effect at these events and plan to share the latest happenings whether you can make it or not! Reggie has hooked us up so that we can “Cover It Live”, Chad will be snapping photos like nobody’s business, and you can count on me for some video tweets. Read full story
Twitter Rolls Out “Saved Searches” to the Twitmasses!
By NikNik · May 4, 2009 · Leave a Comment
Twitter has been integrating Search.Twitter (formerly Summize) for some time now. I first noticed the search tool and “Saved Searches” features about a month ago. However, it seemed like Twitter was taking it’s time rolling this new search tool out to all it’s users. You may have already observed the trending topics and search bar that have taken up residency on your Twitter Profile. But now you can search a topic or specific keywords, and then add each search to your sidebar as a “Saved Search”.
Other applications like Tweetdeck and Tweetie have integrated various search and sorting tools already, but now you can search and monitor directly from your Twitter Web Profile. And the experience seems to be fast and easy thus far!
If you are currently monitoring specific keywords (i.e. your business name, your name, expertise, local interests, etc) with alerting services like Twilert and Tweetbeep, then you’ll quickly identify the benefit of this new Twitter feature! If not, this is the perfect introductory tool to keep you in the “know” when it comes to what Tweeps & Twits are saying about you and your business. Read full story
MyMarketWare Unleashes Even More Market Power!
By NikNik · April 27, 2009 · 2 Comments
We don’t do much in the way of self promotion here on MTO. But we do think you should be aware of an extremely affordable marketing tool that has our stamp of approval. MyMarketWare is product offering from Effektive Solutions. It’s a single property Website solution that offers a myriad of features that can assist you in attaining maximum online exposure for your listings. And at only $39 a pop ($32 with coupon code: mtoagent), MarketSites are an obvious choice to increase your online listing visibility, impress your sellers, and market real estate more effectively! We are happy to announce a significant upgrade, bringing you even more market power for the same low price!
New features include:
(1) MarketSites to go! Download any single property Website created by MyMarketWare for offline use. Showcase your online listings during a listing presentation or copy any of your MarketSites to a CD for a thoughtful closing gift.
(2) Enhanced sign riders made from corrugated plastic provide increased durability for all type of weather conditions. Sign riders cost $22 with reduced shipping time at no extra cost!
(3) FREE SMS texting service! I’m not naming names….but some SPS solutions will charge you as much as $25 per listing per month for this service. But MyMarketWare will provide you with unlimited SMS texting service free to go hand and hand with each and every sign rider! Incoming leads are circulated in real time to the listing agent’s mobile phone as well as via the “Activity Center”. Read full story
What’s YOUR Twitter Success Story?
By NikNik · March 5, 2009 · 7 Comments
Twitter, tweet, twit, Twinkle, Tweetie, Tweetdeck, TwtVite, Twinfluence, Twitbacks, TwtPoll, TweetGrid, Tweetag….what’s all this “TWALK” about?
Download your FREE copy of the “Twitter for Real Estate Twits” ebook and allow me to break it down for you! In fact, I cover everything from setting up your Twitter account to strategies for becoming your client’s trusted advisor!
If you’re already a seasoned Twit, then I want to hear from YOU! I’ll be creating an updated version of the ebook. Actually I plan to add to it yearly, keeping it freshly stocked with tools, apps, strategies and more. But for now, I’m looking to add one more chapter that will include success stories from REAL estate professionals. If you’ve had successes large or small with Twitter, tell me about it. Submit your Twitter Success Story, but you must meet these guidelines: Read full story
How Do I Love Thee…Let Me Dance the Ways!
By NikNik · February 13, 2009 · 1 Comment
WE LOVE YOU! Well, we love our loyal MTO readers and community members! Thanks for sharing your love with us every day via your comments, thoughts, ideas, suggestions…and most of all, support! We’re also very thankful that you love technology as much as we do. But it’s time to get off the computer (for just a moment) and share some love (and your best moves) with those around you! So we made you this Valentine Dance Gram! Hope you enjoy and Happy Valentine’s Day from MyTechOpinion!
