Jan O'Brien - Real Estate Coach

Technorati's State of the Blogosphere Report September 2008

Technorati has posted the State of the Blogosphere 2008 in a 5 part series packed with trends, stats and details about the who, what, why and how of blogging.  This year, as discussed by CEO Richard Jalichandra at the recent Blogworld & New Media Expo, Technorati conducted a random survey of the 1.2 million Technorati members (approx 1300 participants from 60 countries). 

• Introduction
• Day 1: Who Are the Bloggers?
• Day 2: The What And Why of Blogging
• Day 3: The How of Blogging
• Day 4: Blogging For Profit
• Day 5: Brands Enter The Blogosphere

 

Previous reports:       2007,       Index

   

Some of the highlights of the report and from the Blogworld 2008 presentation:

• Technorati has indexed 133 million blogs since 2002
• 76,000 blogs have an authority of 50+ (Technorati assigns an authority rating based on the number of sites linking ot the blog - the more links the higher the authority rank)
• Two-thirds of bloggers are male
• 50% of bloggers are between the ages of 18-34
• 70% of bloggers have college degree
• One in four have an annual household income of $100k
• The top 10% of blogs producing income blog multiple times daily and use multimedia formats
• Bloggers are also active Web 2.0 participants (social networks, Twitter, Videos, podcasts, social bookmarking)
• Bloggers are self-identified as Personal, Professional or Corporate

Blogworld 2008 - Dave Taylor on Search Engines and Findability

 Dave Taylor -  Ten Things Your Need to Know about Search Engines and Findability

It all starts with good content - interesting, compelling and relevant.

Search Engines use semantic (what are you saying) and contextual analysis (who links to you and how they link) to figure themes and topics.

Here are Dave's 10 Things (plus a Bonus Tip) to Know About Search Engine Optimization:

1. Importance of titles- is title good enough to draw attention? Does is contain a keyword or concept about the post?
2. Keyword Density - think keywords when writing - use the keyword several times in the post and not "it" or other pronouns.  Don't use click here - make the keyword text a link.
3. Smart image filenames - Rename your images with relevant keywords for the particular post
4. The alt and title attributes -Take the time to fill out the alt and title tags for your uploaded images and files - again with relevant keywords/concept.
5. "More..." is definitely less" - Reconsider the use of the Read More  in the post.  Change the link from more to the keyword heavy title for example.  Consider not using "Home" but the name of your Website in Navigation.
6. Use savvy permalinks -  Each blog post has it's own unique URL - choose the most powerful words to describe the content of your post.  Wordpress has plugins to customize your URL.
7. Use HTML too, not just CSS - Search engines like HTML - All blog platforms have easy HTML editors. (header tags <h1> <h2> for example)
8. Minimize exit links - scrutinize who and how many links are in your blogroll.  The more outgoing links you have increases possibility of visitors leaving your site
9. Use internal links to cross-promote content - Use Related/Similar Posts at the end of your post (Use Wordpress plugin); Title of the blog post is the link.
10. Encourage easy commenting - Don't require login or registering in order to post comments.
11. Bonus Tip:  Use Keyword Research Tools to see what combination of words and word phrases people use and how often people search for certain keywords.

RE Blogworld Sept 19-21 - Save $100 until August 22nd

Do you want to learn all the latest about blogs, podcasts, video blogs and social media?  Then sign up today for the 3 day conference coming to Las Vegas September 19-21, 2008.  Friday is a full day of workshops and panels geared for the real estate professional.  Your conference registration ($350 until August 22nd then it goes up to $450) also includes both days of the Blogworld & New Media Expo. 

Visit the REBlogworld Blog for more details and check out this post from Todd Carpenter What does my registration get me?

5 Key Social Networks for Real Estate Agents and Why You Should Participate

Blogging from ReBarCamp in San Francisco... 120+ participants, lots of energy, networking, great conversations on a variety of topics (from Foreclosures 2.0 to everything blogging and social networks). 

An informative and thought-provoking session entitled: "What are the 5 Social Networks Every Agent Should Participate In?"   brought out some key points to explore before deciding what social networks to join.

1. What is your objective, outcome, goal?  And it should not just be about the sale!  The power of social networking is connecting with others and building relationships.  It's about the community and sharing.  It's about you being authentic and transparent and not just another salesperson.  The same basic principles of traditional networking groups apply to online networking - it's about meeting people, having a conversation and socializing!
   
2. Find social networks that fit your lifestyle, hobbies and passions.  What do you like to do?  What are your interests?  Real Estate Agent Teresa Boardman is an avid photographer.  She shared her success with Flickr - using photos in her blog and being actively involved in the Flickr community.  She goes on group photo walks set up by local members, for example.  For Teresa, it's all about meeting people, building the trust and relationship first - sales and listings will be the ultimate result.
   
3. Leverage the power of your profile.  All of these networks have a profile - complete it fully!  This is your opportunity for people to get to know something about you right away.
4. Keep it Local.  Research and join social networks that have a local connection.  You could join Yelp.com and contribute reviews of local restaurants or businesses for example.  Or, join a Meetup.com group (or start one) that you are interested in to meet new people and build community.

By the way, the consensus from the group to answer the initial question of which 5 Networks to participate in...

1. LinkedIn - the best professional, business social network; online resume service
2. Facebook - started out as a college crowd network and has really grown up; stay connected with your groups and contacts 
   
3. Flickr - share photos - including your listings - make sure to optimize for search engines by including titles and tags for all of your photos
4. Active Rain - largest social network for real estate professionals; great starting point for new bloggers
5. Twitter - spontaneous blogging; you can use your cell phone to post brief comments(140 characters or less); answers the question "What are you doing now?"; broadcast to your network quickly and easily

Related Posts:

• Real Estate Online Marketing Tips - Consider Joining These 3 Social Networks
• To Twitter or Not Twitter?

Blogging for Buyers - Las Vegas Fox 5 News Interview about Social Networking and Real Estate

I did a mini-interview for the local FOX affiliate for a story they were doing on "Blogging for Buyers" - how some agents are using social networking and blogs to reach more consumers (Gen Y in particular).  Here's a link to the story and video clip: Realtors Use Internet To Attract Young Buyers

If you are not familiar with the term Gen Y (aka Millenials), here's an excerpt from Wikipedia:

Gen Y represents more than 70 million consumers in the United States and refers to a specific cohort of individuals born, roughly, between 1980-83 and 1994 (first half) and 1995-2001 (second half). "Generation Y" alludes to a succession from Generation X (used to describe generations in many countries around the world born from 1965 to around 1982).

Generation Y & technology

In their recent book, Reynol Junco and Jeanna Mastrodicasa (2007) found that in a survey of 7,705 college students in the US:

• 97% own a computer
• 94% own a cell phone
• 76% use Instant Messaging.
• 15% of IM users are logged on 24 hours a day/7 days a week
• 34% use websites as their primary source of news
• 28% author a blog and 44% read blogs
• 49% download music using peer-to-peer file sharing
• 75% of college students have a Facebook account^[23]
• 60% own some type of portable music and/or video device such as an iPod.

Go Green with the Eco-Safe Widget for Your Blog or Website

I discovered the Eco-Safe widget today on Chris Brogan's blog as I was reviewing my blog feeds. What a great idea and a way to promote more environmentally-friendly alternatives to printing.  I immediately installed it on my blog and checked it out - brilliant!  Works as advertised, simple and green.

The widget allows visitors to your blog alternatives to printing thus helping to reduce the to staggering amount of paper used daily for web printing:

• Send the page via email
• Email a PDF of the page
• Download a PDF of the page

Do your part to help the planet today... Visit Eco_Safe , get the widget for your blog and spread the word...

Live Total ECO-SAFE Merit Badge Interactions:   1,278,043  (as of 6-1-08)

"We believe in our individual power and the collective power of all of us. Together we can change the world. I can, you can, we can. Here and now, from this day forward."  -Eco-Safe.com

Managing Your Online Reputation

One of the panel discussions at the recent Bloodhound Blog Unchained covered the topic of online reputation management with:

David Gibbons, Zillow
Rudy Bachraty, Trulia
Jeff Brown, www.bawldguy.com Real Estate Investments Broker

Here are some of the best ideas and tips I gleaned from the discussion:

•    Leverage your blog presence by commenting on blogs - reaching the audience you seek
•    Use Google Alerts  to receive updates on topics of interest.  Set up a Google alert on your name, company, etc.
•    Zillow & Trulia agree  that when someone trashes their company – it is a great opportunity to engage and get publicity; promote their company by setting the record straight, engaging in the dialog
•    They like to engage negative, controversial comments the most as it tends to create better dialog and learning
•    Write for the evergreen content value – think longevity – depth and breadth of reach on Internet
•    Set -up Subscribe to comments feed on your blog
•    Correct  faulty info on other blogs via comments
•    Don’t overreact to negative comments – breathe – wait – then address with gratitude
•    Get on Craigslist Housing Forum for your area
•    Comment on the Featured content at Active Rain 
•    Trulia Voices – find your zip code and join the conversation
•    Find local areas of blogs like Yelp.com and add value
•    Join Facebook and LinkedIn

To Twitter or Not Twittter?

Andy Kaufman and Brad Coy presented and demonstrated Twitter, the numerous applications available to enhance your Twitter experience and how to use it all at the BHB Unchained Conference on May 20, 2008. 

What is Twitter?

• A microblogging platform that asks the question..."What are you doing now?"
• A communication channel and social network
• You post to Twitter in 140 characters or less via your mobile phone or the web
• It's text messaging, instant messaging, and email rolled into one service that allows you to communicate instantly with a group
• A potential addiction and time-waster or a unique way to stay in touch with family, friends, current and prospective business clients?  Only you can decide that one!

The answer to that controversial question depends on several things, among them:

• Are you comfortable with the platform?
• Do you have clients or friends who use Twitter as a preferred communication method?
• Can you find the balance of following members in your group and what they are doing at the moment and "Tweeting" or posting a comment about what you are doing and the rest of your daily life?

I setup my Twitter account over a year ago when I attended the Real Connect conference in San Francisco.  I posted 2 times to it and was reintroduced to Twitter this past weekend at Unchained with Brad and Andy.  For me, I see the potential benefits to connecting with others and building my online social network.   I just have to find that elusive balance...

Twitter can be an incredibly effective platform to:

• Connect and communicate with a group for a specific event, function or gathering. 
• An impromptu or planned get together or meet-up.  Several people have shared stories with me of putting together a meet-up using Twitter - for business or social reasons.
• Stay connected with a client and their group of friends during the buying or selling process.
• Connect with potential clients by simply participating in the online social networking world.

There are numerous desktop Twitter applications or clients popping up - additional services to enhance your Twitter experience.  Here are just a few:

• Twirhl - monitor and post to your feed with this desktop client
• Tweetscan - a real-time search engine for Twitter
• Twemes - use the hashtag (#) to follow a live event, conference or group event
• Twitpic - let's you share photos on Twitter

If you really become a Twitter fan, you can create a widget and post your live Twitter feed on your blog or website to encourage visitors to follow you.

Here are some useful posts I've read researching the whole Twitter phenomenon:

Tweeting for Companies 101 - great post about "why Twitter, stuff to tweet about, how to talk Twitter" 

12 Reasons to Start Twittering - from Michael Hyatt of "Where I Sit"

Twitter Fan Wiki = lots of useful information on Twitter, applications

Pat Kitano of TransparentRE.com has several recent blog posts about Twitter - check out:
How to fully participate in the Twitter conversation in only 30 minutes

To Tweet or Not Tweet...now that's the question.  Hope this post can help you find your individual answer.

Enjoy this short, simple explanation video on You Tube  "Twitter in Plain English " 

Unchained Day 2 - Brian Brady on the Way of the Hunter

Brian Brady shared his obsession with marketing and how "ubiquity" works with the Unchained Conference attendees on Day 2.  Brian is everywhere on the Web 2.0 /RE.net webscape and he showed us how he does it.

Some key points from Brian's discussion:

• New customers are the life blood of your business, including referrals from your past clients and sphere of influence.
• The Internet automates your Unique Selling Proposition - how you stand out from your competitors.
• Web 1.0 - static, your business card and brochure online.
• Web 2.0 - an exchange, participatory, interactive.  The  empowered customer has all info available to make decision to use you.
• MySpace changed everything - it was free, all about the user, provided multiple ways to connect, open access and grew exponentially.
• Social media marketing is using online platforms to promote a brand or service and to connect with influential customers Mavens).
• Why should you engage in Web 2.o?
  • It works
  • Connect with past customers and stay at the "Top of their Mind" or "Buying Brain Cells" (See The Art of Brain Cell Domination post by Mike Cherim)
  • Connect with new customers
  • Develop referral/affiliate relationships
  • It's free - however it requires Time!

• Ask your clients where they go on the Web.  What a great way to reconnect with your database today and, more than likely, get some business! 
• Get readers, visitors to subscribe to you via RSS feeds, email subscriptions, and e-zine subscriptions.
• Build a community - consider joining and building your profiles on:
  • Zillow
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Trulia
  • Meetup
  • MySpace
  • You Tube
  • Active Rain
  • Gather
  • Facebook
• My personal recommendations are LinkedIn, Active Rain and Facebook.  YouTube if you are using video in your business.

Brian's talk inspired me to take action and join or organize a bloggers group in Las Vegas.  Since there is currently not a meetup for bloggers, I formed one today - the Las Vegas Beginning Bloggers Meetup which will meet on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, 7:00 pm,  at a place yet to be determined.  Look for more to follow on this group in the very near future - calling all Las Vegas bloggers or would-be bloggers....

Unchained Conference Monday, May 20 - Epiphany, History, Way of the Farmer from Greg Swann

My second day at the BloodhoundBlog Unchained Social Media Conference proved to be more than I expected - these guys know how to deliver the good stuff!  The morning started with an epiphany and intriguing historical review from Greg Swann on, well, history - from primitive cultures to the Greeks to the 20th Century.  I loved how he tied the history and philosophy to the evolution of Web 2.0.  Visit the Unchained You Tube Channel for all the videos.

The epiphany - read/view more on this BloodhoundBlog post and Greg's April post on the subject:

• You are free to THRIVE
• You are free to STARVE
• But you are not free to escape the necessity of making a choice

Other memorable quotes from Greg included:

• "Big ideas rule the world."
• "Greeks... We are they, they are us and none of us are normal."
• "Beehive (worker bee) mentality ... Trained to think but not talk back. Trained to embrace change but stay in line.  Trained to dream of the day when you might be the boss but n=meanwhile, do what you are told."
• "20th century all about the sacred organization.... and then came the Internet"
• "Welcome to the wired-world of real estate."
• "Freedom's reflection is transparency."

What I got out of this session is the major opportunity we all have right now to really embrace Web 2.0 and take charge of our individual destiny.  Web 2.0 is transforming the way  Real Estate is  sold and we haven't yet reached the tipping point.  Make the choice to become your own boss and rainmaker.  I choose it now!

Greg also outlined 10 Simple Things to Do Now to Put Your Business on the Web 2.0 Road.

In his afternoon session,"Way of the Farmer" Greg demonstrated how he applies Web 2.0 to the traditional real estate marketing idea of geographical farming.   He uses a variety of tools to stand out from the competition, among them:  See Listing Real Estate the Bloodhound Way

• Over-sized, custom yard signs
• Single Property websites using Engenu - now in Beta testing
• Virtual tours from Odeo.com which has a slick virtual remodeling feature
• Open House, 2-sided business cards that are delivered to the surrounding neighborhoods and on the yard sign for prospects to pick up like a flyer to promote scheduled open houses
• Applying the principle of the long tail house-by-house, street-by-street, to the neighborhood, to the region all the way to the short head "Phoenix Real Estate" and "Historical Phoenix Homes." as he demonstrated in this session.  This work in progress is labor is intensive and intriguing. When completed, they will have mapped all the historic districts and photographed every home on every street within those historical districts of Phoenix.  A truly unique tour of Phoenix distinctive homes!
• Blogging about your listings - with flare, care and creativity