Blogging
dsIDXPress: Search Engine Friendly IDX
By Reggie · January 26, 2010 · 14 Comments
If you’re not already aware of Diverse Solutions….you should be. These guys have some serious cool factor and have been driving innovation with their dsSearchAgent Pro IDX for years now. Recently they unleashed a beta of a long awaited “indexable” IDX plug-in for WordPress. And today they’ve ripped off that BETA label!
What does this mean for you?
It means your real estate blog can now have the functionality of a highly custom site with search engine friendly IDX data. dsIDXPress is released with special introductory pricing of $99.95 setup and $29.95 a month. That is an introductory offer and will go up over time.
And for the most part the plug-in is compliant in all markets they cover with the exception of a couple of the more strict MLSs. If you have any questions or comments about compliance reach out to them here. Let’s take a look at a few ways to implement dsIDXPress.
AgentPress: The Ideal Theme for Real Estate Bloggers
By NikNik · October 26, 2009 · 14 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
4 Ways To Add An Event Calendar To Your Wordpress Blog
By Chad A. Johnson · June 24, 2009 · 11 Comments
The addition of an event calendar can add a lot of value to your website or blog. This is especially true for those real estate agents who maintain a community based site.
Posting information on events such as farmers’ markets, garage sales, club meetings and city recreation programs to a calendar makes your website community resource. A resource worth bookmarking, Twittering or sharing on Facebook.
Cyberhomes Blog…NOT Your Run of the Mill
By NikNik · January 22, 2009 · 7 Comments
Our very own Reggie Nicolay helped officially launched Cyberhomesblog.com today. Reggie hasn’t wasted anytime jumping into his new role as Director of Social Media for Cyberhomes. Yes, I may be a bit biased since I’m married to the guy. But the Cyberhomes Blog is more than just your run of the mill industry blog. Reggie practices what he preaches here on MTO, by demonstrating how design, content and social media strategies can make for a powerful and insightful online community.
Upon first glance, you’ll notice that Reggie integrated Facebook Connect, like what we’ve done here at MTO. FB Connect allows you to port your Facebook Profile right into the Cyberhomes Blog Community. This makes participating an optimal experience! You control your profile settings and how your comments and other resources are shared. Read full story
22 Reasons to Use Twitter for Business and Pleasure
By NikNik · May 29, 2008 · 41 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 full story
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.
