We continue our series on blogging for business with this 5-step guide to launching your blog. Go to our page on How To Blog for all the other articles in this series. 1 – Identify your primary topics (niche) Think of your blog as a book – in fact it could lead to actually publishing a book one day! Ideally 3-5 primary topics and 10-12 overall categories What are you truly passionate about? What is your niche or specialty? 2 – Choose a blog platform Built-in blog on your existing website WordPress.com vs WordPress.org Blogger (Google) Typepad (movable type) Active... Read more →

Blogging is not for everyone! It requires dedication and commitment … and your most valuable resource … your time.  Before you even consider starting a blog, ask yourself these fundamental questions: Read more →

Blogging is not for everyone! It requires dedication and commitment … and your most valuable resource … your time. Before you even consider starting a blog, ask yourself these fundamental questions: Do I enjoy writing? Am I willing to be myself, be transparent and let my voice be heard…by the world? If the answers to the above are a resounding YES, then blogging may become your secret weapon for lead generation, online presence and becoming an authority and influencer in your market. Here are 15 blogging tips to guide you to a better blog: 1. Write about your passion(s). Choose... Read more →

Excellent article and infographic on the true essentials for great blog posts from Copy Blogger. Craft a magnetic headline. Open with a bang. Use persuasive words. Write damn good sentences. Insert killer bullet points. Create exquisite subheads. Tell a seductive story. Keep attention with internal cliffhangers. Choose an arresting image. Close with style. Be authentic. Like this infographic? Get content marketing advice that works from Copyblogger. Join the Wanderers Club for $67/mth membership fee to access all of the member benefits including monthly training webinars, group coaching sessions, online training courses, private Facebook and LinkedIn Groups. FREE Basic membership is... Read more →

Have you included a Social Media Marketing Strategy for your business? Don't miss the last Blogging and Social Networking for Business class of 2010! Approved by the Nevada Real Estate Commission 3 Hours Continuing Education (PD) CE.3706000-RE Instructor: Jan O’Brien, 858-9191 Tuesday, November 9th, 9:am to 12 noon Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS® 1750 E. Sahara Ave. Las Vegas, NV 89104 REGISTER Online: www.LasVegasRealtor.com Or via phone with GLVAR Education - (702) 784-5051 Three hour (CE Approved) training seminar covering… What is a Blog? Who Is Blogging? Why should You Blog? The anatomy of a blog – understand all... Read more →

Darren Welsh, Attorney for Prudential Americana Group Realtors in Las Vegas, posted on April 23, 2010: TGIF Legal Tip: Blogs and Copyright Infringement Darren discusses a recent lawsuit brought against a REALTOR for alleged copyright infringement. Bottom line, don't take the entire article or work of another and post it on your web or blog site. This practice is not okay even if you cite the source or post a link back to the original. The best practice is to reference the post or article AND add your commentary, remarks, response, etc. You could use a specific paragraph and always... Read more →

Join me on this FREE Webinar... Wednesday, April 28, 2010, 10-11:00 am Pacific In this workshop, Steve Hundley, CEO of 1parkplace and expert blog consultant will outline his personal and professional knowledge on successful blogging strategies. He has not only has developed one of the most powerful blogging platforms in America, his clients include some of the most successful brokerages, teams and REALTOR’s in the business. Specifically the Care and Feeding of your successful blog will cover: - How to determine your purpose and goals – This step is the most OVERLOOKED step for bloggers - Blog planning road map... Read more →

Nicole Adams' passion for blogging, construction and sharing valuable information is evident in her site and Fixer Upper Blog Read more →

Blogging & Social Networking for Business Approved by the Nevada Real Estate Commission 3 Hours Continuing Education (PD) CE.3706000-RE Friday, May 7th 9:00 am to 12:00 pm Mountain View Mortgage Building (215 – between S. Buffalo and S. Durango – off W. Sunset) Not on Mapquest -Download a Map when you Register $30 in advance; $40 at the door Register online at http://business-blog-consultant.com/register/ Instructors: Jan O’Brien 858-9191 Kathryn Bovard 348-7191 Three hour (CE Approved) training seminar covering… The anatomy of a blog – understand all the components 6 Questions to Consider before Launching a Blog Learn the 15 Top Tips... Read more →

Tamar Weinberg of Techipedia compiled an unbelievably comprehensive and well-researched “Best of 2009″ summary of the best blog posts on social media, social networks, reputation management, branding, seo and more. This post is a must bookmark for reference and reading. Best Internet Marketing Posts of 2009 Attention Las Vegas Real Estate Agents & Business Professionals! Don't miss the Blogging & Social Networking for Business Workshop Next Class Date: Friday, February 12, 2010, 1:00 to 4:00 pm Download the class flyer: Blog Class Flyer Feb 12, 2010 Location: Robb & Stucky Community Room, (Town Square Las Vegas • At I-15 and... Read more →

Content ideas for real estate bloggers. Read more →

Blogging & Social Networking for Business Class Are you ready to embrace and adapt to the Social Media phenomenon for your business? Don't miss the last class of 2009! Approved by the Nevada Real Estate Commission 3 Hours Continuing Education (PD) CE.3706000-RE Friday, November 13th, 1:00-4:00 pm Mountain View Mortgage Training Room 215 & Durango (Sunset to Butler to Building) Click here for a MAP - Street Address not on Mapquest $45 in advance; $55 at the door Register online at : http://careerrealty.com/contact_training.htm Instructors: Jan O’Brien, 858-9191 and Kathryn Bovard, 348-7191 Three hour (CE Approved) training seminar covering… What is... Read more →

Are you a real estate agent and BLOGGER? Are you searching for ways to add interesting and compelling content to your blog or web site? How about adding a widget or two to your sidebar? In case you are not yet familiar with the term “widget”… What is a Widget? According to Wordpress.com… A Widget is a fancy word for tools or content that you can add, arrange, and remove from the sidebars of your blog. Widgets make it easy to customize the content of your blog sidebar – the part of your blog to the left, right or sometimes... Read more →

If you haven't seen this video - take a look...Very powerful and compelling stats and facts about how social media is impacting us on all levels. Are you ready to learn more about Business Blogging & Social Media? Don't miss our next CE training Class: Real Estate Blogging 101 Wednesday, September 23rd, 1:00 to 4:00 pm First United Mortgage Building Do not mapquest - The street does not exist! (215 - between S. Buffalo and S. Durango - off W. Sunset) Here is a MAP $45 in advance; $55 at the door Register online at http://www.careerrealty.com/contact_training.htm Join the Wanderers Club... Read more →

Real Estate Blogging 101 Sponsored by Lucky Katz Seminars Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 1:00 to 4:00 pm First United Mortgage Building (215 - between S. Buffalo and S. Durango - off W. Sunset) Not on Mapquest - Here is a MAP $45 in advance; $55 at the door Register online at http://www.careerrealty.com/contact_training.htm Download - Blog Class Flyer Sep2009 Jan O’Brien 858-9191, [email protected] Kathryn Bovard 348-7191, www.KathrynBovard.com Three hour (CE Approved) training seminar covering… o What is a Blog? Who Is Blogging? Why should You Blog? o The anatomy of a blog – understand all the components o 6 Questions to... Read more →

Real Estate Blogging 101 - How the Internet is Changing Business Sponsored by Lucky Katz Seminars Approved by the Nevada Real Estate Commission 3 hours (PD) Continuing Education CE.3706000-RE Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2009 Class Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm Location: First American Title 7201 W. Lake Mead Ave. Ste. 200 Las Vegas, NV 89144 Click Here for MAP Cost: $45 in advance; $55 at the door Register online at www.CareerRealty.com Instructors: Jan O’Brien 858-9191, www.JanOBrien.com Kathryn Bovard 348-7191, www.KathrynBovard.com Download BlogClassFlyerJuly2009 Three hour (CE Approved) training seminar covering… What is a Blog? Who Is Blogging? Why should You Blog?... Read more →

Real Estate Blogging 101 - How the Internet is Changing Business Approved by the Nevada Real Estate Commission 3 Hours Continuing Education (PD) CE.3706000-RE Date: Friday, April 17, 2009 Class Time: 1:00 - 4:00 pm Location: MetLife Home Loans 1401 N. Green Valley Pkwy #250, Henderson 89074 From I-215, north on Green Valley Pkwy to 1401 Cost: $45 in advance; $55 at the door Register online at www.CareerRealty.com Instructors: Jan O’Brien 858-9191, www.JanOBrien.com Kathryn Bovard 348-7191, www.KathrynBovard.com Three hour (CE Approved) training seminar covering… o The State of the Internet – How Blogging can Generate Business o Blogging 101 o... Read more →

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... Read more →

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... Read more →

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...... Read more →