Realtor.com Launches New iPhone App & Makes Mobile Home Search Useful
By NikNik · January 12, 2010 · 7 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
12 Days of iPhone Apps – Day 10: Dragon Search
By Reggie · December 20, 2009 · Leave a Comment
On the 10th Day of iPhone Apps
MyTechOpinion blogged to you…
Dragon Search powers voice,
Displays results on the fly!
About the Dragon Search app:
Historically if you wanted to search a keyword or phrase on your iPhone you’ve typed directly into a search engine. Ok, maybe you’ve tried the Google voice app, but for me I was left wanting more. Not any longer, Dragon Search is the new one-stop search application controlled by your voice. At its heart you’ll gain the ability to speak any given search into like Google, Yahoo, Bing, YouTube, Twitter, iTunes, and Wikipedia. Once the results have populated your screen, use the intuitive search carousel to switch between the other sources on the fly. Dragon also archives recent searches, allowing you to quickly recall past activity.
12 Days of iPhone Apps – Day 5: Tweetie 2
By NikNik · December 15, 2009 · Leave a Comment
On the 5th Day of iPhone Apps,
MyTechOpinion blogged to you…
It’s time to twitter like a pro,
Get Tweetie 2 now…go…go, go!
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 Read full story
How to Make Use of Twitter Lists
By NikNik · November 2, 2009 · 12 Comments
Twitter has been rolling out their new Lists feature to tweeps over the last few weeks. If you’re still waiting, be patient (or whine about it in the public stream like I did). The feature was made available to me last week and unfortunately I was so busy I had to wait until the weekend to play with it. But now that I have, I’m excited to share my experience and suggestions with you.
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. Read full story
10 Reasons to Tweetup & 10 Tips for Success!
By NikNik · September 8, 2009 · 15 Comments
Tweetups are fast becoming a fun and effective way to connect with other Twitter users in your local community! What exactly happens at these tweetups you ask? Well, usually they provide an opportunity for Twitter enthusiasts to get together offline and talk about their love of Twitter, their local flavor, and other interests.
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: Read full story
The Tweet Plan 2.0
By NikNik · August 6, 2009 · 25 Comments
The Tweet Plan is a simple way to share your resourceful tips and expertise with your network. You’ve heard of drip marketing right?! Well, the Tweet Plan is essentially “drip tweeting”. Read full story
TinyChat: Don’t let the name fool you, it’s all muscle
By Reggie · June 18, 2009 · 3 Comments
If you’ve been unimpressed with the available chat applications for your blog, you’ll be excited to learn about TinyChat.
TinyChat recently delivered version 2 of their chat product and I’m really impressed. The application is extremely intuitive, which starts with a large text field prompting for a chat room name. Within seconds your new room is created. But not before you’re given the chance to sign in using Twitter and invite other participants. If you’re not using Twitter don’t fret; just enter your name to continue.
At this point the chat room has been created, now set a chat topic and select your privacy option. By private it really means not listed on the TinyChat website. If you need password protection, you’ll have to upgrade to the professional plan. With that plan, you’ll also own up to 5 rooms, and broadcast in HQ video.
Why TweetLister, When You Can Just Twitter
By NikNik · May 21, 2009 · 27 Comments
What is TweetLister?
TweetLister is a new Twitter tool specifically created for real estate agents. Signing up for the free service allows you to post, schedule and manage real estate listings on Twitter. Track clicks received on your listings, as well as collect and download contacts you get through those listings (available via an Excel Report).
While I see the benefit of scheduling resourceful tweets to share with your network (aka “drip tweets”) throughout the day, I don’t recognize the benefit of ONLY twittering your listings. As a real estate professional on Twitter, your goal should be to become your network’s trusted advisor. This means you should be sharing what makes you a great source of related information. Yes, listing information is important to your local network (for those planning to transact now or in the near future). But what about the vast majority who are not transacting. Surely you want to maintain your connections and provide resourceful and local information so that when those in the majority are ready to transact, they call you!
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
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
Tweet It Forward: The Secret to Building an Invaluable Twitter Community
By NikNik · February 19, 2009 · 15 Comments
Recently I’ve been getting a lot of questions about how best to build your network on Twitter. I previously offered up some search strategies for finding your tweighbors. But after finding and following…where do you go from there? Not everyone finds jumping into the conversation that easy. And if you approach twits the wrong way you can end up being outcast as a marketer or spammer…or even worse in my opinion…BORING & SELFISH!
The best way I’ve found to foster community on Twitter is by being a community participant. If you want twits to interact positively with you, then you need to start by positively affecting others. But first, you better get organized. Read full story
12 Ways to Use Bubble Video in Your Real Estate Business
By NikNik · January 15, 2009 · 8 Comments
Yes, it’s true…I thoroughly enjoy creating deliciously dorky birthday videos. It gives me a chance to show off another facet of my personality…the REAL NikNik! And apparently, highly intelligent and obviously fun-loving people find them somewhat engaging! If you haven’t seen one of these masterpieces, check out these birthday dance grams for @Respres, @MikeMueller, and @BHGRE_Sherry.
More recently though, I’ve created “welcome videos” for my new Twitter followers. I wanted something that would stand out in a sea of simple greetings like…”Thanks for following!” So I usually send new followers a welcome message with a link to a video that lets them know what they can expect being a follower. The only downside to the video link is that it takes new Twits to a 3rd party site (like Viddler) to view my videos. Now I have a video player embedded on my blog, but to keep my “welcome video” most current I would have to create a blog page specifically for a welcome video. But, I’m looking for a bit more flexibility with my short and sweet videos.
Thanks to the BubbleGuru (aka: Kevin Sherman) and his Bubble video solutions I have some seriously great video options now! With BubbleTweet, BubbleComment, and BubbleTestimonial, I can create, send and manage all sorts of fun and informational videos and place them atop any Website or page I choose! Bubble-what? Let me break it down for you:
