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RSS Feeds: Double the Fun with the Common Feeds List

By: NikNik · Posted on August 13, 2007 · 2 Comments


Technology for Real Estate Feed

Now when you build your subscription list of RSS Feeds in Internet Explorer 7, you can access the same list within Microsoft Office Outlook 2007. Access your important real estate information (like Real Estate Tech Tips from MyTechOpinion) in both places by sharing one RSS Feeds subscription list via the Common Feeds List in Microsoft Windows. The Common Feeds List is used by programs such as Office Outlook 2007 and Internet Explorer 7 as a common location for RSS Feeds information. So, when you add an RSS Feed to any program that uses the Common Feeds List, that RSS Feed is available in all programs automatically. If an RSS Feed is deleted from the Common Feeds List, it will also be removed from Office Outlook 2007. You can change your current settings within the Advanced Options dialog box to begin this synchronization within Explorer and Outlook (see directions below). If you have not started a RSS Feed subscription list you will be prompted to synchronize by a dialog box with the first RSS Feed you choose to add.

Synchronize my Outlook RSS Feed subscriptions with the Common Feeds List

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

  2. On the Other tab, under General, click Advanced Options.

  3. Under General settings, select the Sync RSS Feeds to the Common Feed List check box.

Stop synchronizing my Outlook RSS Feed subscriptions with the Common Feeds List

  1. On the Tools menu, click Options.

  2. On the Other tab, under General, click Advanced Options.

  3. Under General settings, clear the Sync RSS Feeds to the Common Feed List check box.
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Know any real estate bloggers?

By: NikNik · Posted on August 3, 2007 · 9 Comments

Well, we sure do now! The MyTechOpinion team made their way across the bay to take part in the Inman Bloggers Connect festivities and conference. The usual suspects were present (Reggie, Chad, & myself). But in hopes of turning my business partner (and virgin blogger) onto blogging, I brought along my collaborator in crime, Sarah.

We arrived at the Beers & Bloggers party at the Thirsty Bear in San Francisco to find the shindig in full swing. There wasn’t much room to really work the crowd, so we corralled ourselves into a little corner up front and considered ourselves greeters. At any rate, it turned out to be a great spot, as Louis Cammarosano from HomeGain was the first to connect with us. As we suspected, Joe and Rudy from Sellsius, were a kick in the pants…literally!!! We enjoyed a few “small world” realizations as Trulia’s Jamie Glenn and I appreciated our hometown charm gone wild, and Pat Kitano and Sarah initiated a high school reunion for 2!

Joe and Rudy offered us a ride on the BlogTour bus to the Trulia party at John Colins …but we passed after they said Sarah could drive. After arriving safely (via Bill the taxi man), things turned dangerously hot upstairs with condo kings Tony from CondoDomain and Adam from Condo.com. Canada was well represented with pro bloggers Stephen and Mike of Ubertor, and Sara and Sheldon of The Edmonton Real Estate Blog. A special thanks to Stephen, as his out of town insistence on after party hot spot, The Clift, proved to be one memorable evening.

As for the conference the following day, we found Mary McKnight’s advice and tips to be on point. So I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot more questions for post titles here in the future. Overall, it was great experience for enthusiastic real estate bloggers of any level. Sarah (our virgin blogger) came away with enough helpful information and inspiration to want to jump into the blogosphere with both feet! I’m sure she’ll have a few friends along the way to support her.
See more photos here.

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Jott: Voice to Text Service

By: Reggie · Posted on April 8, 2007 · 3 Comments

Does your Real Estate business keep you moving? If you’re like most real estate agents, you could use an assistant for recordkeeping alone. Although often times the expense is too big of a barrier. Introducing a new FREE service by Jott Networks! Jott allows anyone to send email messages to themselves, colleagues, customers or groups by voice. Registered users simply dial 877-568-8486, 24 hours a day. Once the system answers, say the name of the person or group you want to email. Jott will then confirm the name back to you. Then simply speak your message and Jott will use a combination of machine and human transcription to convert your voice to text. Jott records in 30 second clips.

Interested in the technology, but still wondering how this can really help your business? Imagine going through your day, calling Jott from your mobile speed dial as you need to record important expenses, create to-do lists, set goal planning ideas, or send important emails. You may even record a personal memo as you preview a home, commenting on specific features your buyers will appreciate. How about logging the FSBO you drive by and create a reminder for follow up later that day. Maybe even write your next blog article as you are stuck in traffic.

If you would like to review a previously recorded Jott message, simply access the “JottBox” by calling 866-JOTT-BOX. From there, you can listen to all recorded messages and forward them out to your contacts as needed.

If you‘re a frequent reader of MyTechOpinion.com, you’ll remember an article we covered on a similar technology called E.V.A. The EVA system uses pure human translation via a dedicated transcriptionist. However the service has a monthly cost, similar to a cell phone. For those that do not want to undertake another reoccurring bill, Jott is worth looking into!

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Searching for the perfect domain name for your Real Estate Website

By: Reggie · Posted on March 1, 2007 · 2 Comments
Many of us have gone through the process of purchasing a domain name. The process can be daunting; trying to hunt for the perfect mix of keywords and branding. So what should you think about when purchasing a domain name? What elements should you focus on? In my opinion, you want to find a name that’s meaningful and well branded to your real estate business first and foremost. If you can work in one or more keywords great! When it comes to Search Engine Optimization (SEO) other items outside of the domain name weigh heavily and are even more important than having keywords in the domain. For example, links to your domain, body text, title tags…you get the point. If those other areas are done right, your site will result in successful search engine ranking for your keywords.

That being said, to search for your next domain name there are many options. I typically start my searching and Domain.com. To be honest they’ve been around forever and I like their search layout. I would recommend you use the domain search tool until you find something that works. Then go to 1&1 and purchase the name. 1&1 has most names for $5.99/yr.

If you’re not having much luck using the standard domain name search tools, you should check out JustDropped.com. With the JustDropped engine you can search recently expired domain names. Choose to search by keywords to narrow the results. You can even look forward to search domains that may become available soon. Another choice for expired or soon to be expired domain names is DeletedDomains.com. With this tool you can purchase a membership for about $14.99/mo and have deleteddomains.com email you updates on your search criteria and they will display tomorrow’s expired names.

If you still have not had luck in finding the perfect domain name, try Afternic.com. This helpful tool has been around since 1995. Afternic helps people buy and sell domain names. For buyers, try their advanced domain search. Here you can search the 2 million plus domain names that Afternic has for sale every day. You can search by extensions, price, length, and even previous unique visits each month.

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PacificIT on Blogging for Brokers

By: Reggie · Posted on February 17, 2007 · 1 Comment

Robert Sanzalone has a wonderful presentation developed for Insurance Brokers on the benefits of Blogging. After reviewing this PowerPoint, you’ll too learn what Robert realized…the included concepts can relate to almost every business sector, especially real estate. Read Robert’s article titled “Successful Online Marketing Strategies and Blogging For Brokers”

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Be My Blogger Valentine

By: NikNik · Posted on February 14, 2007 · 6 Comments
Okay I finished my Valentine shopping for my better half, so now I can focus on giving some love to you, my BLOGGER VALENTINES! (Just know that I love you all, so don’t freak if I didn’t mention you specifically!)
Roses are red, violets are blue
Bloggers are sweet—yes, I’m talking to you

Sellsius welcomed me first to this forum
Sharing knowledge & wit with the utmost decorum

Our friend, Pat Kitano, is one transparent guy
Keeping us in the loop with his super bird’s eye

Las Vegas Bill can always be reached
He brings us the latest from the city without sleep

CondoDomain, oh I’d never forget
Together on Gabby is how we first met

Tasty tips from REBlogGirl keep us sweet
Our blog expectations we’re sure to meet

Athol Kay is a man with perspective who’ll make sure
That those with kind words have a forum to be heard

The Future of Real Estate Technology
Offers ideas and great advice without any fee

CondoContessa, what more can I say
She’s the best friend you’ve got in the San Francisco Bay

Vflyer, another local friend with great drive
Innovation at its best, he promises to strive

Another smart tech we know, Michael Mather
Tips on business and life for sure you will gather

Realty Thoughts is team number one
With web applications, their work’s never done

Real Estate Tomato is juicy no doubt
With graphics and expertise bringing clout

So, with all my heart what I really mean to say…
MyTechOpinion wishes you a Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Does your real estate website provider supply you with prewritten content?

By: Reggie · Posted on December 19, 2006 · 7 Comments

Thanks to the Blog Swap RSS Pieces put together, Stephen Jagger of Ubertor is our guest today. Ubertor serves the real estate industry with agent and broker software. I would like to thank Stephen! Here is his post:

Stephen Jagger, Ubertor – Many of real estate website providers supply prewritten canned content on the web sites they sell to real estate agents. This canned content comes in many forms:

  • Free Reports
  • Top Tips
  • Buying Tips
  • Selling Tips
  • plus much more…

Google says “we try hard to index and show pages with distinct information“.

What does that mean?

Canned content, generic content and content provided to you is not helping you… but actually hurting you.

Write your own Free Reports, Top 10 Tips, Sellers Bonus Material, etc… be courageous, be opinionated, take a risk, tell people what you think and be UNIQUE.

Google, Yahoo and MSN are looking for unique, quality content that they can provide to their users. Someone searching for Vancouver Real Estate is looking to find the best website about that topic. The search engines are looking to find that website (actually the top 10 under than term). To get your website to come up under the keyword term you are trying to target start by reviewing these points:

  1. Start Blogging
  2. Google likes sites of at least 100 pages and pages of 300-500 words/page
  3. Get rid of your canned content and write your own
  4. Write about the term you want to be found under
  5. Write about the term you want to be found under again
  6. Comment on other blogs that compliment your industry
  7. Use WordTracker.com or a service like it to view actual searchers searching for that term
  8. Engage your visitors, request comments, feedback, questions
  9. Keep your solds within your website – never delete or hide them
  10. Blog, Blog, Blog and then do it again

Blogging has proven to be the most effective way to gain exposure within the search engines.

The real key: Write for your readers – then review for the search engines! – not the other way around. Google’s mantra is “Be Good Not Evil” Bloggers’ mantra is “Write for your Reader, Good will follow”

Take a look at what the other real estate bloggers had to say that participated?

Transparent Real Estate’s Pat Kitano vs. Zillow’s Drew Meyers

RSS Pieces’ Mary McKnight vs. Future of Real Estate Marketing’s Joel Burslem

St Paul Real Estate Blog’s Teresa Boardman vs. Phoenix Real Estate Guy’s Jay Thompson

3 Ocean Real Estate’s Kevin Boer vs. SLC Real Estate’s Nigel Swaby

Issaquah Undressed’s Larry Cragun vs. Maury Properties’ Andrew Maury

Chicago Home Weblog’s Geno Petroche vs. NY Houses 4 Sales’ Christine Forgione

Jonathan Dalton’s Phoenix Arizona Real Estate Blog Jonathan Dalton vs. Bonnie Erickson’s Real Estate Snippets Bonnie Erickson

The boys of Sellsius vs. Real Estate Tomato’s Jim Cronin

ML Podcast’s Michael Price vs. FamousAgents.com’s Elise Wright

My Tech Opinion’s Reggie Nicolay vs. Ubertor’s Steve Jagger

Redfin’s Glenn Kelman vs Rain City’s Ardell DellaLoggia

CondoDomain’s Anthony Longo vs. miOaklandCounty’s Maureen Francis

The San Diego Home Blog’s Kris Berg vs. Urban Dig’s Noah Rosenblatt

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Podcasts Demystified – Part 2

By: Reggie · Posted on November 25, 2006 · 4 Comments

Ok, so in “Podcasts Demystified – Part 1” I talked about Podcasts and the brief history behind them. I also looked into how consumers find published Podcasts. So it seems logical that in Part 2 of this article I should look at how a Realtor would go about creating a Podcast?

Self Production
If you are on a tight budget, and would like to try producing your own Podcast you will need a few things. To start you’ll need a USB Headset Microphone, MP3 recorder, Web host & RSS Feed.

  1. Start by connecting your USB Headset microphone to your computer.
  2. Install a MP3 recorder. If you need one, try Audacity, a free software for recording and editing sounds. Use Audacity to record and save your message. Remember to make sure your audio adds value. For example, in Real Estate you may want to cover broad aspects of real estate and the economy, home buying and selling tips, and most importantly local market conditions.
  3. Upload your newly created MP3 to your Web host. (Try Podblaze if you need a free host)
  4. Now create a RSS feed. If you’re not sure how, try TD Scripts RSS Feed Generator or FeedForAll.

Professional Quality Production
To maximize the quality of your messaging I recommend the following route. One company that I’ve been watching is Real Pro Systems. They feature a product called “The Agent Webcast” that enables real estate agents to have a high quality audio production for their website. Real Pro Systems provides questions that emphasize the agent and their market. The agent simply answers the questions they’ve received from Real Pro Systems over the phone. The call is recorded and converted into a high quality production that has the feel for a live radio show. Click here to listen to a demo of “The Agent Webcast”.