There is some validity however, to the shear amount of effort required in implementing social media marketing strategies….or ANY effective marketing strategies for that matter. And that’s why I’m not surprised when agents ask me if I can do “the social media” for them. But if you know me, then you know I’m not an automator…I’m an educator. Which means I prefer you learn about the new strategies available to you, best practices for using them, and how to measure their effectiveness.

So whether you or your marketing assistant is syndicating your listings, sending an email drip campaign, blogging or engaging in social media channels…KNOW the plan, the process, AND your role in it! By being a participant who’s just as knowledgeable about your own business as you are about your market area it’s much easier to become a trusted advisor. But obviously it’s not just about being a trusted advisor…it’s about closing deals too. So no matter the strategy or the channel…you need to create an opportunity to convert.

Now the reason I’m so passionate about social media as a real estate marketing strategy is because it gives agents who are willing to be a participant….a huge conversion opportunity. When you take an active role with blogging or Facebook comments and posts, you can directly connect with current and past clients, as well as potential leads.

For example, let’s say you’re passionate about the schools in your local market area. So you decide to get involved with a local “Back to School” cause. You post information about the cause on your Facebook Page telling locals about the supplies needed, where to donate, associated fundraising events, interviews and pictures of local teachers setting up for the school year, etc. If you’re a part of the plan and the process…as well as actively engage on the Page, then you’re creating an opportunity to convert. Especially, when you run into thankful teachers, parents and locals who you’ve been engaging with online. Taking an active roll in your online engagement means it’s easier to take an active roll in your offline engagement.

When you haven’t got a clue what social media strategies are being deployed on your behalf, you’re missing out! Sure you might be getting more online exposure for your brand and listings….but the opportunity to convert is greatly lessened. That’s because when potential client Susie Q sees you at Starbucks and thanks you for helping her neighborhood school you won’t have any idea what she’s talking about. But had you taken an active engagement role online you would be easily able to strike up a relevant and thoughtful conversation…a conversation that could possibly lead to new business tomorrow or someday in the future. And that’s your ROI when it comes to social media.

But if you’re still of the “have it done” mindset, there are plenty of “blog for you, tweet for you, post for you” services popping up. These companies are happy to take your money and create your Web presence for you, as well as automate, duplicate, replicate, and syndicate “relevant” content on your behalf. So if you’re looking for the shortcut to success with social media, there you go! And to be honest, you may very well get the exposure you want….but I highly doubt you’ll get the conversion opportunities you need to take your business to the next level. But who knows, I could be wrong.

I WILL say that there is a happy medium. The relevant content that you drip out through the various channels you participate in can be created by others (but should be supplemented by your own) and can also be scheduled. Tools like HootSuite and Tweetdeck let you schedule and post to a variety of networks. In fact, I created a Tweet Plan for using Hootsuite for both general business and for real estate. And innovators, like the folks at Roost, understand the content dilemma and deployment that real estate professionals are faced with and have created a new tool that will soon ROCK your Facebook world!

Probably the biggest social media roadblock for agents is identifying content that can be shared, retweeted, commented on, blogged about, curated, etc. So I am all for making the organization of content much easier with a homepage or dashboard of content. Alltop, Regator, My6Sense, and Google all offer great options in the organization department. A few savvy real estate companies have even created their own custom content dashboards, and are regularly creating content their agents can share and re-purpose!

So clearly there IS a benefit to “systematizing” your content flow to maximize online exposure…BUT remember that if you go the route of scheduling resourceful tweets and/or posts, that you still need to be listening, responding…and initiating social interactions! More importantly, you still need to be you and bring your passion to whatever marketing strategy you plan for!

MyTechOpinion: You CAN shortcut your way to “success” with social media…but that depends on what success really means to you.

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This one-day party, oops, I mean conference will be taking place in 12 cities. My boogie shoes are packed for: San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, San Diego, Las Vegas, Portland. And then your favorite Real Estate Zebra will be rocking: Denver, Houston, Chicago, Boston, Ft. Lauderdale, Washington DC.

So what goes down at an Agent Reboot you ask?

Well, as one of your hosts I can confirm that you’ll most likely learn something you probably didn’t know already. You’ll hear about the latest innovations in real estate from local brokers and speakers, as well as from many familiar industry rockstars! You’ll be invited to stop by, connect, and “tweetup” with attendees and speakers after the event. Oh, and checking out any of the top industry products and services in the EXPO may result in a handsome reward.

As for the logistics. Agent Reboot is a one day conference (9am-3pm) with a set program, but supplemented with local flavor…speakers, sessions, topics.  As host or emcee, I will be your guide for the day. We’ll laugh, learn, and ROCK together! We may even dance…because picking up a new move every now and then can’t hurt!

The official Agent Reboot kickoff  is July 12, in San Francisco. Both Daniel and I will be joined by a myriad of industry leaders and local brokers. This first Agent Reboot will be slightly different from the rest of the road show.  A modified program will take place from 9-12, with a break for lunch and then 3 partner programs in the afternoon. Attendees can choose from varying topics presented by ActiveRain, C.A.R., and Zillow. This is sure to be a power-packed day!

Why I wanna ROCK Agent Reboot!

I wanna ROCK Agent Reboot to meet you, engage with rockin’ speakers and local participants…and most importantly, bring you a program that motivates and inspires you to learn some “new moves” or perhaps add to your existing repertoire.

So now you know why I wanna ROCK Agent Reboot. But I want to know….why YOU wanna ROCK Agent Reboot. In fact, if you leave me a status update…or even a video update telling me “Why YOU want to ROCK Agent Reboot!”, on the Agent Reboot Facebook Page you’ll be automatically entered to win one of 5 free passes to Agent Reboot in San Francisco! You have from NOW until Thursday (7/1) at midnight PST to leave a Facebook update on the Agent Reboot wall. On Friday (7/2), I will post a video announcing the winners.

Good luck! And let it ROCK!

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Yesterday I had the opportunity of being a guest on #RTB on the Radio. Many of you may be familiar with this crew, but if you’re not…you’re really missing out! Really! So jump in and join the conversation. Michael McClure, Todd Waller, and Maya Paveza are hitting the #RTB nail on the head with each and every guest on their show, as well as just by being their uber-professional selves out there in the RE.net. Lead by example folks, woohoo!

I told them this already, but I’ll put it in writing again…I could have spent all day chatting about life, liberty and the pursuit of professionalism. But we all have day jobs (some of us more than one) so we had to keep it to an hour. Anyway, as our conversation unfolded the topic of the noise and particularly signal to noise ratio was raised (thank you Marc Davison). Anyway, we had so much to talk about yesterday, that we didn’t have much time to dive into this issue. And lately…it’s all I can think about…so I thought I’d ring out a few of my own thoughts here.

The REAL Issue as I See It

Real estate professionals are being mis-advised. Broadcasting what you THINK may be relevant information again and again, without pre-screening the source and considering the context is a waste of your time. Sure you might get “a hit” or heck, even a lead. But it won’t work consistently and it won’t be successful over the long haul.

So, while some “experts” may be leading you down their automated paths or filling you up with hope of launching a comprehensive social media marketing plan in 5, 10 or 12 days….my advice is “think for yourself”. There are no quick fixes with social media, it takes work and it takes drive….just like with any successful marketing or business plan. Most importantly, it begins with content. The tools and strategies for sharing good content with your sphere can be learned. But, creating and sharing good content takes skill.

So, what’s next?

Identify, Recognize, & Organize

Identify your role in obtaining good, relevant content. Are you a content creator a content curator? Or perhaps you’re both.

A content creator is someone who identifies the “needs” within their audience and seeks to help by creating original and highly relevant content. This content is most often in the form of articles, videos, or a mixture of media shared usually via your own blog…as well as on social outposts.

A content curator is someone who sifts through the Web to find and deliver the most relevant content for their intended audience. Sort of a Hunter-Gatherer 2.0! I know many of you might be saying, “Yeah, yeah…I’ve been doing this for awhile!” And it’s true, we have! We share links to helpful media in our tweets, status updates and even within our blog posts.  But a thoughtful content curator is more than just a broadcaster of good info.  It’s someone who understands their brand and their audience well enough to identify the relevancy of the content, as well as the best context for sharing.

Recognize the sources that deliver consistently rockin’ content. You probably have your favorite news and resource sites that you visit on a regular basis. If not, you need to recognize both local and national sites that can assist your content delivery efforts.  And if you ROCK a niche, be sure to recognize those sites as well. If you’re not sure where to go to find sites based on relevancy…start at Regator and Alltop and search by category or keywords.

Organize your sources in a dashboard or reader format for easy access. Once you’ve recognized the sites that provide highly relevant content, organize them into a personalized news dashboard. Now I’m lucky because I have a “Reggie”…and “Reggies” are hard to come by. But my Reggie rocks at splicing and dicing feeds which can be displayed in my own personal resource dashboard. If you don’t have a Reggie, other DIY favorites for content organization include: Alltop, Regator, and Google Reader.

Your Challenge

Balance & Frequency

Balance the type of content you share. The content you share represents you, and your brand. So be sure to really check out what you share with your network. If you share an article, read it first. If you share a video, watch it first. Don’t let fancy titles rule your sharing. And don’t let poor tips and products be a reflection on your brand.  Your goal should be to find and share content that REALLY helps your audience…or is REALLY interesting.

Don’t ask me to give you a personal to professional ratio…but I will tell you this much…your consumers don’t gain anything from a constant stream of commentless Foursquare checkins…and the same could be said about listing tweets that are not framed in a social context.  If it doesn’t add value or create conversation….don’t share it! Local market trends and charts, interesting events, homeowner tips, niche resources….those add value! And yes, I know that my son changing his spelling test grade doesn’t add value, but it surely creates conversation.

Moderate your frequency level and improve your quality of life. For those of us that love our spouse, and enjoy spending time with our kids, family, and friends…..this is for you! I know I’m not the only one who feels that their attention has been diverted far too many times by the compelling feeling to tweet, post, snap, and share on a regular basis. The feeling is important…you need to be motivated to deliver consistency with social media. That being said, I’m far more concerned with delivering better quality content than quantity. And so should you if your strategy is to become your network’s trusted advisor.

And in order to do that, you need to listen, share, and respond. I see a lot of sharing out there….but far less listening and responding. Social media is about creating opportunities to engage with others.  So rather than auto-posting  20 articles a day….try scheduling 3-5 REALLY GOOD shares…and then focus on listening and responding, as well as interacting with others’ shared content.

Now I have much more to say on this topic…but I gotta run…I’m off to get a mani-pedi with my munchkin! But if you have any thoughts or ideas about content creation and curation, I’d love to hear them!

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But, what if you have an event you are producing yourself? Maybe that event requires managing RSVP’s or even selling tickets to the event. You’ll need a more specialized system than a basic calendar. Fortunately, there are several Wordpress plugins that will help you pull your event off without a hitch.

Advanced Events Registration Pro Version

The first option is an add-on to one of my favorite Wordpress calendar plugins, Calendar by Kieran O’Shea. By adding the Advanced Events Registration Pro Version, you will be able to:

• Accept Paypal payments for tickets
• Limit the total number of attendees
• Offer multiple pricing options
• Export attendee lists to Excel

This is a premium plugin, so it will set you back $50 and $5 a month for support and upgrades. This shouldn’t be seen as a drawback as premium plugins tend to be supported better and development on new features is quicker.

Eventbrite for The Events Calendar

This second option is also a combination of 2 plugins, as well. The first plugin is The Events Calendar, a quality Wordpress event calendar with Google Maps integration and an attractive full-width calendar page. Adding Eventbrite for The Events Calendar introduces the functionality of the Eventbrite service. For those unfamiliar with Eventbrite, it is a third-party event management system that allows users to:

• Accept ticket payments through credit card, Paypal or Google Checkout
• Promote their event through email, search engines and social networks
• Generate custom name badges and attendee lists
• Create time-sensitive offers like early registration discounts

The benefit of using the Wordpress plugin with Eventbrite is that most event management tasks can be done from your Wordpress admin panel. Putting on successful short sale seminars and other educational events takes a lot of work. Using a quality event management system will insure a better experience for you and your attendees.

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Let’s say you called all the local Apple stores today, managed to find an iPad just 90 miles away, and dropped everything to drive there on a mission (not even stopping to use the bathroom). Okay, you could have just added your name to the list on the Apple Website and waited patiently for a day or 2 (but what fun is that).

So you have the iPad now….time to put it to good use! To start, you need some apps. You won’t have the abundant choices like with the iPhone since it’s still early. But there are several iPad apps worth adding right away. Check out the following:

Zillow (free)- For home search and valuation. Strolling through a neighborhood with the map feature has never been so much fun!

Calc XT (free)- A side by side calculator and notepad. Make quick calculations on the jumbo calculator and scribble notes at the same time.

Keynote ($9.99)- Whether you use a Mac or PC, load, create, and share presentations.

Pages ($9.99)- The app I’m using at this very moment to type this post while I sip my coffee here at Starbucks. Use Pages to make lists, start docs, compose articles….and easily share your pages via email!

Photogenie ($3.99) &/or Camerabag ($2.99)- Two rockin’ photo editing apps. I have to say there are benefits to each. Photogenie offers a full suite of editing tools, while Camerabag has several filters and borders of which I’m a fan!

Houzz (free)- Beautiful photos offer design inspiration for just about any room in the house.

Tweetdeck & Twitteriffic (free versions)- If you’re a Twitter user, check out Tweetdeck for monitoring keywords and people. But I favor the actual twittering experience with Twitteriffic. For now, the free versions will suffice….but I’m really hoping Tweetie will be coming to iPad sooner than later!

Kayak (free)- Searching for and booking flights has never been easier because Kayak aggregates flights from Orbitz, Expedia, Travelocity, etc.

Now that you’re stocked with useful apps, that are also applicable to your business….you’re on the road to becoming a mobile agent! Go ahead and….

(1) Launch a listing presentation

(2) Preview property

(3) Provide your clients with a super cool tool while showing property

(4) Save and share important docs and forms

(5) Market your biz and listings on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

(6) Stay current with industry news and your favorite blogs

(7) Organize your to-do lists

(8) Bring the “wow” factor at your next open house or broker’s tour

MyTechOpinion

I actually have quite a few more ideas for usage that I will be expanding upon in future articles.  But in my opinion, if you like useful tech tools and you want to differentiate yourself from the pack….it pays to be an early adopter of the iPad. If you’re thinking about scoring an iPad for your real estate business, you’re in luck because the iPad 3G was released today! However, the Wi-Fi enabled iPad may be easier to find. But, you’ll need a Verizon MiFi 2200 or Intelligent Mobile Hotspot to ensure that you have Internet access wherever you go!

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Anyway, oneforty is like your Target for Twitter tools. Sure I can go to Walmart…but the shelves are overstocked with so many items I get frustrated by the experience and make a b-line for the door while hoping nothing jumps out at me. Target, on the other hand, also offers a great variety of items, but the shopping experience is one that draws me in. It’s organized aisles invite me to stay awhile, assuring me I’ll find what I need….oh, and there’s a Starbucks.

Now oneforty may not have a Starbucks, but it does happen to be a comprehensive site for finding, rating, collecting, and sharing Twitter apps. And by Twitter apps, I’m also referring to any application which posts to, shares content with, and/or is relative to Twitter in any way. The site was founded by Laura Fitton “@pistachio”, author of Twitter for Dummies, is backed by a rockin’ development team, and advised by social media heavyweights @briansolis and @guykawasaki.

Just recently oneforty launched a new feature called “toolkits”. Basically any member of the site can create a set of applications relevant to a particular topic or strategy. For example, I created a toolkit entitled, “ New Media Tools for Real Estate Professionals”. I asked @pistachio to tell me in her words why she thinks this new feature is beneficial to users and here’s what she had to say,

“Well, toolkits are a chance to show off exactly how you use Twitter, which is really important. The value is different for everyone. The right tools and some tips make a HUGE difference. The really exciting stuff is still ahead – once developers build more stuff that makes Twitter’s value self-evident from the first encounter, the benefits everyone raves about can go truly mass audience. We built oneforty not only to get the right tools into the right hands but also to foster innovation in the ecosystem itself as a whole.”

So, here’s how you, the real estate agent extraordinaire can benefit in my opinion. We all know what a frustrating process understanding and applying Twitter can be (at first). And while there are many lists floating out there in the blogosphere telling you to use this or that, there hasn’t been one site that dynamically changes to share current trends and a variety of topic based app collections…..until now.

To create your own profile and/or toolkit, visit oneforty.com to sign up for a free account. You’ll be prompted to customize your profile, obtain a profile URL (which you can also share and/or link to your Twitter profile), as well as find, rate, and share your favorite Twitter tools! Woohoo!

MyTechOpinion

Whether you’re an agent fluent in social media or a newbie working it all out, oneforty can and will be a dynamic resource for finding the best apps to meet both your business and personal goals.

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A new service called NutshellMail aims to be the Mr. Clean of your email inbox! With it, you can add all your social accounts, even other Webmail providers such as Yahoo, Gmail, and Hotmail. And instead of getting hit with a barrage of notifications you get one sleek email that gives you a daily rundown of social happenings from all your accounts!

I’ve been using NutshellMail for a couple of weeks now, and I find it to be a very useful way to consolidate all my email notifications. Which honestly reduces the distractions, stress, and organizational efforts I once dealt with.

So, exactly how does NutshellMail work?

Well, according to one of the founders, Mark Schmulen, it’s so easy to use…his grandma signed herself up and customized her account in 3 minutes! So to get started, visit NutshellMail to sign up for free. You will be prompted to add the accounts you maintain on the Web. In fact, there is really no limit to the number of accounts you can add.

When it comes to adding your Facebook account, you have several options to customize. You can set it up to receive general notifications for new friends, birthdays and events. But you can also add Fan Pages you wish to monitor more closely. You even focus on particular friends by creating a list of targets or influencers inside Facebook, and then add that list within the Nutshell Facebook account settings.

As for Twitter, you can modify the Nutshell settings to receive new followers, most recent DM’s, and the most recent tweets from your Twitter Lists. And what I think is pretty cool is the fact that I can accept new friends, reply and even retweet right from my email inbox. So basically, I have all the functionality of Twitter.com from my ONE daily NutshellMail!

Once you have added all your social profiles and email accounts, you can choose how often you want to get notified (days & times during the week). I’m a daily kind of gal…and I’ve also selected an AM and PM delivery! But 2 daily email notifications are far better than…well, I don’t want to tell you how many I was getting before…but it was more than 100!

MyTechOpinion

NutshellMail is a simple way to consolidate the notification craziness you may be experiencing in your inbox. From casual users to those of us that manage multiple profiles and accounts…you can turn off information overload, and turn on NutshellMail! Woohoo!

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Well, as a real estate professional you can easily showcase your expertise and knowledge about your market area and industry trends. One of the ways I suggest doing this is by posting status updates that offer relevant info and/or tips your network would find helpful. Now some of you are already REALLY GOOD at sharing this type of info…and you might be so good at it that you decide to create a Fan Page to focus more intently on business.

Fan Pages are becoming more popular among real estate professionals for several reasons. Most importantly, it is more widely accepted (and preferred by Facebook) to utilize a Fan Page for promoting your business and sharing comprehensive listing data. NOTE: There are some people that truly ROCK the essence of Facebook and have mastered the art of the 3 P’s (personality, passion, profession) from their profile and don’t need to maintain the separation of church and state….or personal and professional. However, for many the draw of a Fan Page breaks down to the ability of sharing listing data, as well as relevant market data in a more appropriate fashion…with an opt-in network of interested folks.

Up until now adding real estate specific applications to a Fan Page has been, to say it nicely, less than effective. Many of the listing applications copy Website functionality and seem to have forgotten the nature of this network. Ideally, these applications need to offer more than just listing information but a way to provide interaction….or a rich data set of relevant information.

And that is why I was very excited to hear about  a new application for agents that launched this week! The Roost Social Real Estate Application is the first app of its kind to offer agents the opportunity to:

• Showcase their expertise from a Fan Page
• Provide valuable market data and information for a particular area (city) to their network
• Easily customize and install on your own Page (in 5 minutes!)
• Avoid the cost of hiring a professional to customize a local resource tab for you (this app naturally integrates local market trend info via Altos Research, active listings via Roost, mapping via Google, school info via Education.com, and neighborhood info via Walkscore).

The Roost Social Real Estate Application is clearly a value-add now…but there are more goodies to come with this app! Derek Overbey and Alex Chang of Roost took some time to share some important details about using this new app, as well as what’s in store in the future! In the coming months, Roost will add the ability to share market data for up to 5 cities! In addition the feature scope will widen to include featured properties, testimonials, and IDX compliant MLS search (inside Facebook)!!!

I have to say it’s very refreshing to witness a company like Roost incorporate Facebook functionality and real estate expertise…and deliver it to agents for FREE! Yep, this app is currently available on Facebook for FREE. You can add it to you Fan Page today, simply search “Roost Social Real Estate” once logged in to Facebook. Several agents have already taken advantage of the opportunity to add the app, check out Brad Coy’s Page,  Heather Elias’ Page, and Engel Real Estate Page for great examples of customization.

To add the Roost Social Real Estate Application to your Fan Page, follow these steps:

(1)    Visit the Roost Social Real Estate Application Page inside Facebook, and click on “Go to Application”.

(2)    You’ll be prompted to customize the app to your selected Fan Page by selecting: “Create Profile”

(3)    Next customize the application with your contact information, logo, and informational verbiage. NOTE- You can update the marketing verbiage periodically to share the latest trends and tips with your local network.

(4)    Finally, you’ll need to add the app to your Page. FYI- Facebook must render some images of the app so if it doesn’t load completely at first, be patient!

Once the tab has loaded onto your Page, you can direct your clients to the info by announcing it via a status update on your Profile, and even on your Fan Page! Also, be sure to share your Facebook Page URL on all your marketing. Write a blog post letting your clients now about this new feature on your Page, or create a postcard to share with your farm.

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First and Foremost

Smarter Agent is a mobile app platform that can be utilized and branded by agents and brokers. The app can be downloaded by consumers to search all MLS listings in their area. And it’s important to know that Smarter Agent works on virtually all mobile phone devices.

The Skinny

When a real estate professional signs up with Smarter Agent, he/she is provided with a personalized text code that consumers use to download the custom app. But now that same text code can be used to create both a branded badge and tab on your Facebook Profile or Facebook Fan Page.  In fact, your Facebook friends can even add your personalized Smarter Agent badge or tab to their profile.  To get started or learn more about this new Facebook Integration option, login to Facebook and search “Smarter Agent” to view the app. You can also contact Smarter Agent directly.

A few examples:

Customized Smarter Agent Badges

Customized Smarter Agent Tab

MyTechOpinion: I’m already a fan of Smarter Agent, and this new feature also gets a “thumbs up”. I especially like it for Fan Pages. But I wouldn’t be put off by seeing it on a Facebook Profile either. I think it’s just one more way to contact the expert you know and trust in your area for real estate advice and listing search. In addition, the tab is very informative and provides a demo on how consumers can best utilize the app!

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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.

Consumers can easily search for homes and upcoming open houses, explore neighborhoods using the map view, and utilize the advanced search criteria. And when I say “easily”, I’m particularly referring to the GPS feature which allows users to drive around a neighborhood they like and view all the current listings in the area (which are also updated every 15 minutes).  BTW- You could also search using the MLS number.

Once you’ve selected a home you like, the listing detail page offers up a good amount of info, as well as up to 25 photos of the home (which can also be viewed in landscape mode). The home buying process itself can become a more organized and efficient process with this app by saving favorites and using the Notes and Ratings features.

Now when it comes to sharing listing information, buyers using the app can simply email their favorites to friends or agents,  or….share to Facebook or Twitter! I appreciate the fact that I can add a personal message along with the listing I share, making the sharing experience more personalized.

It’s important to note that although this app was created specifically for iPhone users, Realtor.com will be exploring options for other mobile sharing devices this year.

To get started, you can download this app from the iPhone App Store by searching “Realtor.com”…oh, and it’s FREE!

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On the 9^th Day of iPhone Apps

About the Animoto app:

It should be no surprise to you that we think Animoto rocks! So endorsing the Animoto iPhone app is something we’ve been meaning to do. With it,  you create free 30 second animated slideshows, or a 90 second slideshow for $3. The app also syncs with your Animoto.com account. So all the slideshows you create from your desktop will be accessible. The Animoto app also sports share controls, making it easy to share your slideshow from your iPhone to social networks or via email with a special message to your recipient.

Why we like the Animoto app:

This is a great tool for showcasing your listings with pizzazz! Tech savvy mobile agents can easily snap a few photos, choose a song, and share their listing slideshow to Facebook and/or Twitter…as well as to their client. You can also embed your Animoto slideshows on your blog.

Animoto slideshows don’t just have to be a listing, you could also showcase neighborhoods, a downtown, seasonal events, etc. And being that we are amidst the holiday season, you could easily create a holiday slideshow wishing your clients, friends, or family peace and joy! Today, I selected a few recent photos of my kids throwing snowballs, then selected a holiday song from Animoto’s music collection, and presto…I had slideshow a ready to share with family! Or, go back through the year of photos taken at events and choose favorite photos with colleagues and clients! And for those of you that enjoy sending template holiday greeting cards, Animoto.com even offers a holiday pack of various slideshow greetings for $30, or 30 second single greetings for free! Now that’s one creative last minute greeting!

Cost: FREE

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On the 7th Day of iPhone Apps,

About the Webex iPhone app:

Remote meetings just got even easier with the WebEx app. Now, if you have to attend an online meeting but can’t be near a computer you can attend from your iPhone. Log in using the app and it automatically dials into the audio portion of the meeting. You can even see the presenter’s screen on your iPhone. This app really makes WebEx standout from its online meeting competitors.

You should know that although you can start a scheduled meeting from your iPhone and assign another presenter to take over, you cannot present from the iPhone itself. And to attend a Webex meeting via iPhone you will need OS 2.0 or above and a Wifi connection.

To start a scheduled meeting on your iPhone, open the Webex app and enter your Webex account information on the Profile page. At that point you’ll be able to launch and view your meeting. If you’re on the go but arrive back in the office, you can seamlessly handoff the meeting from your iPhone to your desktop computer.

Why we like the Webex iPhone app:

It’s just plain cool! Mobile agents and industry professionals on the go can dial in automatically and participate in meetings. Don’t put off tomorrow what you can do today….while you’re standing in the mother of all lines at Starbucks, waiting at the doctor’s office while your child is having a Barbie shoe removed from her nose, or stuck in traffic (with someone else driving of course).

Cost: FREE, if you’re joining as an attendee. But if you plan to start scheduled meetings you’ll need a Webex account.

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On the 5^th Day of iPhone Apps,

Okay, if you know me well…you know I already favor HootSuite as the ultimate real-time drip tweet tool. So  you may be surprised that I’ve chosen to write about Tweetie 2, and not the new HootSuite iPhone app that debuted last week. I’ve had some time to play around with the new HootSuite app and I do like it, and will probably use it occasionally. I also recognize that scheduling tweets and viewing trackable link stats is very helpful.

However, practicality comes into play when dealing with mobile apps vs. desktop apps.  I’m really not sure that I scheduling tweets via mobile phone is practical when doing it from your desktop is so much easier (yet already takes time to set up and plan).  Also, scheduling tweets should be focused more on resourceful shares (like great articles and media), which again seems a bit more work via mobile. When it comes to sharing resources on the go, I like Regator Premium.

All that being said, I still felt HootSuite was worth the $2 just to have the option to schedule tweets if I were stranded somewhere without my laptop and had 4 hours to kill (like at the San Diego airport, thanks a lot Virgin America). But I also love the fact that the app brings over my settings and scheduling from my desktop account, so I can easily view what’s in cue, what’s been sent, and check stats for shared links. Stats rock! Measure what you share and you will know if what you share is even worth the time and effort!

About Tweetie 2:

Okay, on to Tweetie 2! I was already a fan of the original Tweetie app (which is free), but Tweetie 2 brings it home for those looking for a comprehensive Twitter app for iPhone! Let’s start with the interface….ah, it rocks! Simple to manage with obvious feature placement. Other bling I should mention: saved searches, twitter lists, message indicators, live-filtering search, draft manager, landscape mode, rockin’ refresh, translate tweets, short URL preview, threaded direct message view, offline mode, link to address book, nearby tweet search, Safari Bookmarklet, text expander, etc. The list of features is extensive and completely worth $3 for a Twitter app!

Why we like Tweetie 2:

Honestly, what’s not to like with this app! The user interface is simply “AWESOME” and highly intuitive. You don’t have to go searching for obvious features, they are actually where you’d expect them to be. Building Twitter karma is easy with Tweetie 2 because the retweet feature is painless, but also offers “requote” so you can add or modify your retweets. You can also manage multiple accounts with Tweetie 2, for those of you tweetin’ double time! And just when you didn’t think this app could get any better it gives you the option to tweet both photos and video. Yes, video…I know! Happy dance!!! Okay sit back down now! When it comes to sharing your video tweets you can even select your preferred image/video host (i.e. yFrog, TwitVid, MobyPicture, Posterous, Vidly)! Woohoo, I love you Tweetie 2!

Cost: $2.99

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On the 4^th Day of iPhone Apps,

About Ustream Live Broadcaster:

Ustream Live Broadcaster may not be the first official app providing streaming capability from your iPhone, but the features and functionality are absolutely noteworthy! You’ll need the 3G network and wifi, but both 3Gs and 3G iPhone users can download this free app (running OS 3.1 or higher). Shoot and share your live video via Ustream, Twitter, Facebook or YouTube. You could also embed a Ustream player on your blog. Viewers can interact with your live video via chat. You can even launch a yes/no poll and receive real-time results!

Now this app isn’t free of a few glitches, like the fact that you need to change your auto shut-off setting otherwise you’ll be left tapping the screen time and again for long streaming sessions. Also, I tested sharing my videos to various networks which seemed to work just fine…minus a couple that were cut off just after a few seconds. Was planning on blaming that issue on user error, but I wasn’t the only one experiencing that problem.  I am happy to note that I haven’t had any recent streaming problems and still think this app rocks!

Why we like Ustream Live Broadcaster:

To start, 3G users who don’t normally have the option to shoot video (like their 3Gs cohorts), will be able to with the Ustream Live Broadcaster app.  Most importantly, this app turns your iPhone into a mobile TV studio, making it easy to share video from important events, like a fundraiser or even an open house. Even remote showings for relocation clients are a possibility with this little freebie! In fact, shooting and sharing video is so simple that I’m sure we’ll be seeing more and more “on the fly” videos from our friends Michael McClure and Ian Watt!

Cost: FREE

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Let’s start with obvious failures inside Facebook…at the moment!

MyRealEstateListings (there are 2 of them, as well as a few more similarly named cohorts) but they essentially all do the same thing- create a “MyRealEstate” or “MyListings” tab on your profile. You can then click on the tab (when was the last time you clicked on a tab) to view a lack luster interface of your manually entered listings from which you can then decide to click further to obtain details, which lands you on a third party site outside of Facebook. Click for more details, really!?!

My Listings, or Realtor Listing Application, displays your listings on a tab or box on the side of your profile. But again when you click to learn more you are taken to a third party site away from Facebook. Third party site. Really!?!

CenterStage for Real Estate, a failed, failed attempt to charge you $8 for displaying listings inside Facebook. Don’t even get me started! $8, really!?!

Oodle Pro aims to solve the listings inside Facebook issue. The tool can distribute listings to online communities like Facebook Marketplace & MySpace Classifieds. I’m sorry, when was the last time you were on MySpace.  Really!?! Oodle Pro can upload your listings to your Profile and Fan Page, yet they recommend to keep personal and professional identities separate from one another.  Listings on both, or is it one or the other, really!?!  And Oodle Pro will run you $15 a month! Really!?!

I will throw them a small “woot” for displaying links back to social profiles from wherever your listings get posted online.  And I do see great value in listing syndication to numerous online marketplaces and listing aggregators…don’t get me wrong! But the Facebook MarketPlace is not where I’ll be turning to search for my dream home. Really!?! I’ll turn to a reputable source…like the agent, broker, or one of the major real estate portals.

Apparently, the best options…

Posting your listings as status updates on a Fan Page dedicated to your local market, where locals can choose to participate seems like the best choice to me! This strategy is non-invasive, opt-in, and informative. It can even be more friendly and creative since you can add your own take via text in the status bar along with a link to the listing…preferably one that takes you back to the agent/broker blog or site.  Check out the example from Heather Elias.

Now if you don’t host listings on your own domain, the next best option is creating a single property site or posting to Vflyer or Postlets. Once you’ve created a detailed packed site with all the trimmings (local info, pictures, video, etc) you can post the URL to your Fan Page Wall and include a brief message. Some services include an autopost to Facebook feature.

SeeMyListings from Realtor.com is a widget that can be added to your Facebook profile and displays your listings. To view more details you are derailed to a 3^rd party site, but it is a more reputable site (at least in the eyes of consumers) and also displays listings in a much more user friendly manner.  See the example I grabbed from Mariana Wagner’s profile on the left.

Now if you are looking for a more organic way to share listings inside Facebook, I would recommend using photo albums. You can create photo albums of active and sold listings. I have to say, The Rains Team, does a great job of sharing listings via photos on their fan page.  But don’t forget to include a few details about the home, and important contact info.  I also came across Lesley Lambert’s photo of a recent listing via Posterous inside Facebook. She emailed the photo from her phone which was posted to her Posterous site as well as her Posterous photo album inside Facebook.

Last but not least, if you like to have stuff that no one else has you can create a custom tab for your listings with FBML (Facebook Markup Language).  You could brand the landing page with links to your blog or listing sites.  Check out  the Los Gatos Real Estate & Homes Fan Page via Mary Pope Handy. She includes a great deal of area info, market reports and listings with links to her blog. But again, I worry that tabs get looked over. Nonetheless, I know where to look for Los Gatos housing info inside Facebook.

My opinions on all this…really!?!

Personally, if and when I’m ready to move again I wouldn’t go to Facebook to look for listings. I’d go to a resource that rocks…like the agent or broker Website or a national aggregator. I go to Facebook to make connections and build relationships….to chat and find out what’s new in the lives of my friends, family, colleagues and clients! Search listings, really!?!

But if you’re goal is to show everyone the listings you’re currently managing, then go ahead and share them at Facebook too. But consider posting them to a Fan Page dedicated to your market area with links back to you, your site, or your company…not third party sites. Third party sites, really!?!

Don’t fail at implementation! If you post photos about the listing on Facebook don’t forget critical contact info or brief details. No contact info, really!?!

So, what’s your opinion…

• Do you think listings should be posted inside Facebook?
• If so, what’s the best way?
• Where do you post listings ? Profile and/or fan page?

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What are Twitter Lists?

Twitter Lists are nothing more than groupings of your tweeps based on categories you choose. For example: I have 3 lists thus far, (1) RE Rockstars, (2) Tech Influencers, and (3) Keepin’ It Real. Tweeps can exist in multiple lists, but at this point it looks like you are limited to creating 20 lists.

How to create your Twitter Lists:

(1)   When the feature is available to you, you will know! A happy blue bird will invite you to “create a new list” right on your home page.

(2)   To get started, select the “create a new list” button at the top of your profile. Or check out the right sidebar under Lists, and choose “New List”

(3)   You’ll be prompted to name your list and decide whether you want to make it public or private.

(4)   Once your list has been named, you can then add your chosen tweeps to any of your lists from the drop down on their profile.

How to manage your Twitter Lists:

(1)   If you like to be organized, consider making a list of possible lists prior to going hog wild.

(2)   Identify what is most helpful or relevant to your network. When it comes to real estate, you should “think local”. Lists of local businesses you recommend and/or local tweeps are a great way to connect your community.

(3)   Identify your hobbies and interests (i.e. travel, photography, dance, etc.) and consider making a list or 2 of those.

(4)   Identify topics and tweeps that help you be better at what you do or feed you with relevant content. You may want to create both public and/ privates lists for these categories.

(5)   You should know that once you have created a list, you can re-name.

(6)   Create 3 lists to start so that’s it’s easy to add tweeps in real-time and as you think of them!

Why Twitter Lists ROCK!

(1)   You can better focus on conversation with your target network/locals, similar to the way lists are used in the Facebook Live Feed.

(2)   Stay tuned in to those who influence your business practices or the real estate industry. Get to the good ideas and relevant content faster.

(3)   Connect with your friends and family by filtering them out for easy access!

(4)   If you make good lists, tweeps will share them and look to you as a resource.

Finding Twitter Lists that ROCK:

(1)   Visit your favorite tweeps and scan their lists.

(2)   Go to Listorious, a directory of lists by category where you can scan the most popular Twitter Lists.

(3)   Go to TweetMeme which aggregates the most tweeted Twitter lists.

(4)   Tlists lets you launch, curate and distribute twitter lists. <Coming Soon!>

Promoting your Twitter Lists:

(1)   Write a blog post containing links to your lists.

(2)   Create a badge on your blog that links to a favorite list.

(3)   Create a page on your blog dedicated to your lists.

(4)   Promote a list on your offline marketing.

Twitter Lists – Best Practices:

(1)   Don’t ask people to add you to their list. Unless they’re holding open additions! @Scobleizer did, but I didn’t beg him to be on a list…rather I asked him to be the judge! And I’m quite honored he found a place for me on his Tech Pundits List!

(2)   Don’t create lists that are inappropriate or mean spirited…you won’t make many friends that way!

(3)   Try not to take it personally if someone doesn’t add you to their list.

(4)   Stay focused on building relationships through conversation and offering helpful resources. The better reputation you create, the more influence you will have amongst your peers…and yes, the more lists you will find yourself on.

(5)   Thank those tweeps that add you to their lists. You can view the lists you’ve been added to easily, just look next to your follower count. Select “listed” and reply with a simple DM or perhaps public “thank you”…depending on your level of excitement!

MyTechOpinion

This feature is still in BETA and it will be interesting to see what happens once everyone has it. I have a feeling that being “listed” is going to be of great importance to some…but remember it’s not always about the numbers, it’s the quality of the list created and who’s doing the creating that really matter!

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I’m accustomed to presenting in a why-to, how-to style, but it was still fun to hit the audience fast and furiously with 20 takeaways for their real estate business. You may not like all of the following tips, but I wouldn’t expect you to. This list represents a wide scope of online marketing ideas, so (1) you’ll need to consider your current marketing plan and (2) decide which of the following can assist you best with your business goals.  If you have a specific question about any of the tips, leave me a comment and I’d be happy to expand further!

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Tweetups also give small business owners a chance to reach out to consumers (in a non-spammy way) and gain more exposure. Some local businesses will even take it a step further by sponsoring or hosting a tweetup. For real estate professionals who understand the current marketing and communication shift taking place, tweetups offer a unique way to engage with likeminded locals and grow your network. But there are many more reasons to tweetup, here are my top 10:

10 Reasons to Tweetup

(1) It’s fun!

(2) Gets you off the computer and facilitates meeting your online friends in person! Face to face!

(3) Connect with other likeminded tech folks and make new friends with similar interests.

(4) Connect with local business leaders which can lead to more referrals or cooperative business endeavors.

(5) Learn more about your local community – local needs, new businesses, upcoming events, etc.

(6) Support a local charity or fundraiser. Rally supporters, organize donations, or host an event.

(7) Promote your business authentically via networking. Your business will undoubtedly gain more exposure from word of mouth and via the media (photos, videos, etc) being shared from tweetups.

(8) Share your love of Twitter with others who know EXACTLY what you are talking about – favorite apps, cool tools, new tweeps, etc.

(9) Swap twitter business strategies, as well as other social media tools and tips. Share what has worked for your business, talk best practices, and ask questions.

(10) Reconnect after the tweetup on Twitter, support local endeavors, pay it forward with RTs, and foster your new friendships.

If you haven’t been to one, or wish to start a regular tweetup group in your local area, check out these 10 tips for success!

10 Tips for Continued Tweetup Success:

(1) Create a Facebook Page for an online hub, inviting others, and fostering community.  Invite several admins to participate by sharing helpful links, creating future events, and regular communication.

(2) Identify media makers! There will always be that one guy or gal who loves taking pictures and/or video. Dub him or her as your media mascot and invite anyone who enjoys sharing media to take a lot of photos and video at the tweetups. And be sure to post to Flickr and Facebook, tag tweetup members and promote commenting!

(3) Center the evening around an optional activity or fun contest! This will help kickstart conversation. Draw upon your local attractions, restaurants, activities. (ex: bocce ball, star gazing, wine tasting)

(4) Name tags!  Okay, it may seem dorky, but how else will you remember the names (and usernames) of your new Tweeps! Check out these super cute “Tweetstickers“! An alternative option would be to create a fun sign-in sheet or board.  The usernames can be made into a list and then shared via Facebook, email or your own tweetup blog.

(5) Invite speakers or “sharers” meaning someone shares a helpful twitter tool, social media strategy, OR provides a fun demonstration. Could even be a local restaurant sharing a favorite recipe, a nurse sharing flu-shot clinic hours, or real estate pro giving some helpful advice or tips. But remember to keep it short & tweet! Tweeps are there to connect and converse, not to sit and watch a speaker all night.

(6) Create an official local tweetup blog (invite several tweeps to contribute), OR  lifestream local member tweets.

(7) Create an event page, either as a Facebook Event, Twtvite, or a page off your tweetup blog. Be sure to share with your local network, invite newbies, and connect with new tweeps ahead of time!

(8) Get a local business(es) to host the tweetups. A local restaurant owner who uses Twitter or has the benefits explained to him/her will usually offer up their location for regular use (especially if your tweetups take place during the week). Our local Tri-Valley Tweetup Club has invited several businesses to take part to help provide exposure to a variety of locals in our community. I happen to live in an area with over 40 local wineries who are happy to participate. For example, our October 8th Tri-Valley Tweetup is being hosted by Wente Vineyards. In fact, they are so excited to host us that they are pouring our first glass of wine for free and setting up a star-gazing center for attendees!

(9) Involve local businesses as sponsors (prizes for contests, host activities, freebies). Again we reached out to our community and our friends at Diablo Magazine bring free mags to our tweetups, our Tri-Valley Visitors Bureau brings local treats and wines for prizes when we have contests/activities, and other local business owners, like Swank Mommy provide special giveaways from time to time!

(10) Everybody loves a T-shirt! And they can help promote your local tweetup club! Even better when you add fun phrases like “wearing my twitter shirt” or “show me your tweets”!

Now these are my tips and suggestions. You could really go in a lot of different directions here. There is no one true formula for tweetups. I have attended tweetups that were organized specifically for real estate professionals, or in conjunction with a local conference. In fact, I’ve attended a tweetup that was itself a unique learning event hosted by a speaker. However, in my experience I’ve really enjoy my local tweetup group, because I get the chance to connect with people who live, work and play in the same community. The tweeps I’ve met have shared their reviews of fun events and activities, suggested new local resources which I have benefited from, and most of all….I’ve made many new local friends! Oh, and did I mention…it’s fun!

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When it comes to online branding, remember the 3 P’s: personality, professionalism, and passion! Your blog, social profiles and avatar should be consistent but also showcase your 3 P’s! Now when I happen upon these visual missteps, the teacher in me wants to fix it immediately. Fortunately, I can do one better….give you the tools to fix it yourself, as well as a few basic guidelines to consider.

Avatar: This is the image that can be associated with everything from your tweets on Twitter and your status updates on Facebook to your business cards, LinkedIn profile and other professional marketing. I suggest selecting a photographer than can shoot both a headshot and more relaxed or natural pose. Then you can use both versions for all your marketing needs. NOTE: When it comes to Twitter and Facebook, you can and should have a little more fun with your avatar. Take your professional pose and magically enhance it with one of these sites: BeFunky, Blingee, PhotoFunia, Picnik.

Social Profiles: Some social profiles like Facebook and LinkedIn will only allow you to upload your avatar. But others like Twitter and YouTube, allow you to completely customize your background. A custom background can imitate your professional blog/Website branding, but should also be infused with personality and passion! Here are a few examples of some of my favorite custom backgrounds: @SellingPeoria and @Cyberhomes.  If you liked these, then visit TwitterPinch for truly amazing Twitter and YouTube backgrounds. It may cost you $150, but it’s worth every penny! In the interim, try these free branding tools: Twitbacks & BackgroundTube.

Blog/Website: Your business home base. Should be highly professional, showcase your expertise, include your logo, branding colors, highlight niche or local flavor. Consider hiring a professional designer to create your logo and/or header image.  Once you have those pieces in place, it’s pretty easy to take your logo on the go….by adding it to the design of your social profiles.

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With that said, my Twitter for Real Estate Twits ebook is back! I’ve updated the first version (released March, 09) to include new tools, new tips, a new tweet plan, and even success stories from real agents using Twitter for business.  In “MyTechOpinion”, Twitter for Real Estate Twits v. 2, is one rockin’ guide that clearly explains how to not only get started with Twitter, but also learn key strategies for becoming your network’s trusted advisor. But don’t just take my word for it, check out what these real estate pros have to say…

To download your free copy of “Twitter for Real Estate Twits v.2″, click here! And please drop me a tweet if you want to let me know what you think about the ebook, have any questions or just want to “get your tweet on!”

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