Today I take on the Age of Disinformation. That actually goes back several years to the early 1900s and Edward Bernays. I take on several myths and tricks online. And you are again reminded how writing about anything online can...

The webs history has evolved by hype and misinformation. Sold by hope and the mantra of "build it and they will come", budding webmasters have been met by disappointment as each new new platform was met with frustration and complexity. If this sounds like you do not fret. Chasing Shiny Object Syndrome

Guest Blogger Alex Cortez is a REALTOR with Hawaii Life Real Estate Services. Visit his Maui Real Estate site for local information.

The keys to Google’s success as a search engine have been its perfect blend of simplicity and functionality. Fortunately, those traits have transcended to other applications as Google has grown from a SE to a powerful work center. In the past month I have been making a slow transition from working on various PC and Mac-based programs to using Google as my primary workstation (both mobile and static). And although most people who use Gmail or other Google-based email service as their email provider know how powerful and convenient it is, I would like to share a few note-worthy features in Google Docs and Google Calendar that can simplify previously time-intensive tasks.

Google Docs

The premise behind Google Docs is simple: provide a clear, yet effortless, way to share documents. In this regard, Google Docs has delivered with features that are as responsive to the growing needs of its users as they are visionary. For example, the sharing interface is very user-friendly, intuitive and, most importantly, useful. By providing an easy method of sharing documents online, Google Docs empowers its users with a robust platform on which people can save, edit, and collaborate.

Whether you are working on a listing presentation, financial report, or marketing material, you can easily allow other team members (i.e. co-listing agent, marketing director, office manager) to collaborate and edit the same document in real time while using data validation that you have set forth. Use the chat function to interact with collaborators during real-time co-editing to produce a concise document, saving time and frustration of multiple edits.

In addition, a new feature to Google Docs that can have an array of benefits is the use of Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to turn digital documents into editable text versions of it, thereby minimizing data entry. Formats supported are Images and PDF files, as well as Images from digital cameras or phones. Keep in mind that formatting may be lost during the conversion, but as this is the first iteration of OCR implementation, you can expect quality and compatibility to improve with time. Furthermore, as real estate professionals constantly work on the go, the ability to access PDF’s, .ppt, .doc, and .docx files that you have uploaded is paramount. Although currently only iPhones, iPads and Androids are supported, look for more accessibility options in the future.

Google Calendar

Between listing appointments, office meetings, caravans, marketing plans, etc., there never seems to be enough hours in the day. As such, any tool that can assist real estate agents in increasing their time-management efficiency is always a welcomed addition. And the Google Calendar accomplishes this in spades. With mobile support for smartphones and sync-ability to Microsoft Outlook or Mac’s Calendar, you can access GCal whenever and however you want. And what I find most practical on Google Calendar is the ability to share calendars, which can minimize scheduling conflicts.

Need to schedule a showing, but hate the back-and-forth aspect of coordinating availability of sellers, listing agents, buyer’s agent, and buyer? By sharing calendars as appropriate, it can simplify what is an otherwise unnecessarily complicated task. Look for future integration of social media calendars into GCal, making it the one and only calendar for the busy, on-the-go real estate professional.

By being on the cutting edge of technology and addressing concerns with practical email solutions, a functional scheduling calendar, and a pragmatic method of document-saving/sharing, Google has created a setting where productive professionals can thrive.

Do you have any time saving tips that you’d like to share? Comment away.

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Guest Blogger Alex Cortez is a Realtor in Hawaii, specializing in Maui Condos. Visit his Maui Real Estate Blog for local market information.

The importance of social media in a real estate professional’s marketing plan is undeniable.  And although there are many different approaches as to how to best implement a strategy, the need to streamline the SM integration process on a day-to-day basis grows constantly.  Below I have listed 5 tools that have helped me tremendously in effectively managing time and increasing efficiency. Use one, a combination thereof, or all of them!

1. Tweetdeck – Initially made as a desktop application for Twitter, now it has grown to incorporate Facebook, Myspace, Linked In, and the most recent updates include Google Buzz and Foursquare.  The purpose of Tweetdeck is to connect the user with contacts across different social media outlets, allowing you to tweet, update Facebook status, change Myspace user moods and much more all from a single application.  And the fact that it supports iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad makes it a mobile command center for all your social media needs.

2. Gist – Although still in the beta stage, you can consider this to be your ultimate Customer Relations Management (CRM) for social media.  This application allows users to combine contacts across multiple mediums and organize data based on contact priority, thereby providing a full view of your social network.  Gist will continue to be my social media CRM of choice, especially as it has an app specifically tailored to work with Gmail.

3. Roost – In order to establish and maintain a successful social media presence it is critical to provide useful/relevant information.  The Roost application for Facebook, aptly named Social Real Estate, is a free, easy-to-use tool that gives consumers the information they want and agents the ability to further engage their target audience.  Data includes Altos Research market stats, walkability scores, education info, and a market snapshot. Not all real estate markets are available yet, but expect big things from this forward-thinking company.

4. Chatterbox - The more people you follow on Twitter, all the ‘chatter’ makes it more difficult to stay updated on the topics that matter most to you.  Chatterbox allows users to organize and prioritize their tweets based on keywords, Twitter handles, tags and an assortment of other criteria.  Think of it as your single-point of reference for all your Twittering needs.  This tool is of particular use to large real estate brokerages that have strong Twitter presences, as it allows specific areas to be assigned to individual agents who can better engage followers with timely responses and local expertise. Although currently it only works for Twitter, look for other services to be integrated in the future.

5. Social Radar – As the Carolyn Capalbo story has made the RE.net rounds, it illustrates the importance of proactively managing online reputation.  Social Radar by Infegy provides users with the ability to get updated information of what is being said about them.  It scours the ends of the Internet, literally billions of messages 24/7, so you don’t have to.

As the hours in the day seem to be getting shorter and there are always more things to attend to, it is important to use technological advances to work more efficiently.

I welcome you to post tools that have helped YOU work smarter and more effectively in your social media efforts.

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Have you tried Google Alerts? It is a great way to monitor reputation management. In other words you can see if anyone is smack talking about you or you business. By typing into Google your name or your business name...

Hi FOREM fans! I am super excited to announce that we have picked our FOREM guest bloggers. Over the next few months you will see about a number guest bloggers that were carefully selected based on their experience, writing ability, and enthusiasm for FOREM and the type of content we post.

I was overwelmed by the number of applicants we had for guest bloggers. Thank you to everyone who emailed me or contacted me. It is obvious there is a lot of love for this blog – and for that, I am very grateful!

Over the next 3 months you may see periodic posts from me as well, however as of today, I will be going on maternity leave! Baby #2 is due very soon! I am very confident in the guest bloggers we have chosen to fill in while I am away. I think you will enjoy the content and diversity they will bring to FOREM. You will see me back full-time at the FOREM helm toward the end of the year.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank all of our FOREM readers. I am very proud to say we have grown exponentially in the last 6 months. I love receiving all your comments and feedback. Our fans truly help to make FOREM great!

Feel free to “tweet me!” @katielance

Thank you again!

Written by: Katie Lance, Senior Marketing Manager, Inman News

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Today is Take My Gloves of Thursday! part 1: +How did hyperlocal emerge? +Two types of hyperlocal as it is sold and why it is wrong +And why that benefits you +Why it is nearly impossible to get content feeds...

I am definitely a fan of Gist and the opportunities it has for social media. I love the ability to organize all my social media contacts in one place. I received an email from Gist today announcing the launch of the new resdesign tothe Gist Gadget for Google Apps which provides contact details, news, and status updates inside Gmail.

Here are the 4 highlights of this app:

1. A face with every email.

2. All contact information.

3. Everyone you know in common.

4. Latest news and social updates.

Download the Gist Gadget for Google Apps here.

I am excited to download this and try it out for myself! Do you use Gist? Would love your opinion about this service!

Written by: Katie Lance, Senior Marketing Manager, Inman News

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Image via Wikipedia Yahoo Organic is now powered by Bing. I feel the earth shifting on its axis and hell freezing over. Actually it is more like Yahoo getting to its roots having been powered by Inktomi,Alta Vista (they bought...

Please join us for an Inman News FREE Webinar! 3 Things You Must Do Now for More Profits in 2011

Sponsored by: Market Leader

DATE:  Thursday, August 26th, 2010
TIME:  10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (PDT)

Register Today!

Planning ahead is the key to success, especially in this market. Who knows what 2011 will bring, but you can prepare by taking an hour out of your day to think about three key points that will make a difference to your brokerage.

In this webinar, we will cover:

1. How to Find and Track New Leads: Learn how brokers can generate more leads, assign them to agents effectively, and maximize every marketing dollar.
2. Lead Your Team from Follow-up to Close: Learn how to use technology to manage your team, provide appropriate training and guidance, know what the prospect is thinking—and know when the prospect is ready.
3. Recruiting – Ensure You’ve Got the Right Stuff: Make sure you have the team you need to succeed—including the tools to attract and retain a team of great agents.

This webinar is ideal for brokers, owners, managers and team leaders!

Brought to you courtesy of our sponsor: Market Leader

Join us today for this FREE webinar!

Register Today!

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The following post was written by Keoki McCarthy, Designated Broker/President of Real Living Northwest. Thank you Keoki for your post!

What a great event. My fellow agents and I headed to Agent Reboot with high hopes of learning some new things. We were not let down. What we received was a fantastic day of technology, energy and education. The whole event was fantastic from start to finish.

The program opened with a sleepy Seattle crowd tentatively sipping their lattes when Nicole Nicolay (@nik_nik to the social media hipsters in the crowd), the emcee, got up to some fun, energetic music and paired her evolution of dance moves to the evolution of real estate marketing. She was making the point that while it’s obvious that disco died in the 70’s, it is not as obvious that some of our marketing tactics should as well. It’s time to put away the disco ball and wake up to the great new ways to market in the information age. This theme was repeated throughout the day with concrete ideas and examples.

The program was filled with experts with tons of great ideas and best practices that they have been using in their market. I am going to share a couple parts of the day that I really enjoyed.

One of the speakers was Chris Smith of Tech Savvy Agent. He wanted to give his “must-have” tools for the agent with “Mobile-Mojo”. I was thinking he would give us a few tips. HE GAVE US 30!!! Wow, 30 tools and tips to help bring your career to the next level using today’s best technologies. He gave us ideas that I think will be standard practice in the next few years but are being used by only a handful today. These 30 tips were well worth the price of admission alone.

There was a young agent from Vancouver Washington, Dale Chumbley, that is using Facebook and blogging in very creative ways to connect with people. He has found that not only is he connecting with people he knows but is building off those connections to meet more and more people. He has created a social network around things to do in his area that brings people together. The side effect of his efforts are that he has now positioned himself as the expert in his market and the agent to call if you are in Vancouver.

I could continue for pages about the valuable contributions made by all of the speakers and exhibitors. However, I think that would take up much more space than I have available. I think I would serve you better by saying if you are in Seattle and missed the event, grab some friends in your office and go on a road trip to Portland on the 22nd of September. If you live in any of the remaining cities on the tour you owe it to yourself to go. View all 12 cities here.

Thanks for your post Keoki! If you were at Agent Reboot Seattle, I’d love to hear your feedback too – leave me a comment below!

- Katie Lance, Senior Marketing Manager, Inman News @katielance

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Image by Dan Patterson via Flickr As an avid reader of books and biographies I have learned that very few people can describe the reason for their success with an a to z plan that anyone can follow. Instead you...

It isn't about SEO... It isn't about Blogging.... It sure isn't about Social Media!... The Secret to your success is about Publishing! Find out The Five Reasons You Must Create Consistent Content If you wish to survive online in 2010

How do you become influential on Twitter?

You can post great content all day long – but if no one is following you then it’s not as effective as it could be. You need followers to get followers; it’s a Catch 22. The quality of your tweets is only one factor. I am proud to say I’ve never played any games or purchased lists to get more followers. I don’t think those methods will produce the type of followers you want.

Here are my top 7 tips for increasing your followers today:

1. Understand it is a numbers game. The more people you follow, the more followers you will have. If you follow a lot more people, a lot more people will follow you back.
2. Follow people with similar interests who also have a high likelihood of following you back. Search for key people in real estate OR in key people in your community and follow them. Then look to see who their followers are, and then work through the list, following selected followers. By selectively following people who follow leaders in your industry, you tap into people who want to be connected, have things in common with you, and will likely connect to you too.
3. Use hashtags (#) to find followers. In my case, I am always looking for great social media tweeters, so I often search for tweets under #sm or #facebook. In real estate, search #realestate or #realtors. I also love to search #mobile, #ipad, or #iphone. I know I will always find good people to follow there, as well as followers to follow me. I also always search event hashtags to follow like-minded people. Check out the #agentrb hashtag to see everyone talking about Agent Reboot!
4. Be sure to add appropriate hashtags to your tweets so that they will show up in those Twitter streams and thereby increase your chances of getting re-tweeted.
5. Get re-tweeted. Having your followers re-tweet your great content is like getting an unsolicited endorsement. How do you get re-tweets? You must re-tweet others. Make it a point to re-tweet 3-5 posts a day.
6. Repeat hot tweets. I am a big fan of the repeat tweet. Key messages repeat 2-3 x a day or 1x a day for 3 days in a row!
7. Promote it. Make sure your Twitter profile is part of your email address, linked to your Facebook, LinkedIn, email signature, blog, and prominent on your homepage.

BONUS: It never hurts to ask, right? For instance: Please follow me at@katielance or @inmannews

What are your tips for increasing your followers? Leave me a comment below!

Written by: Katie Lance, Senior Marketing Manager, Inman News

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What if Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Skpye existed 40 years ago? These fake vintage ads for Facebook, Skype and Youtube created by Brazilian ad agency Moma for a media seminar called “Everything Ages Fast”. Enjoy!

The Facebook Company:

The sublime, mighty community with just 140 letters:

Your films will last forever on YouTube:

The fabulous voice system able to put your family together:

What IF these companies existed 40 years ago? How about just 10? Sometimes I am still amazed and how young these social media companies are. It’s exciting to think where we will be in another 40 years! Now where is my flying car?! 

Would love your comments! Leave me your feedback below!

Written by: Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Inman News

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Do you live in Seattle or the surrounding areas? It’s not too late to make it to Agent Reboot Seattle!

Don’t miss the incredible ONE-DAY event devoted to teaching agents the hottest new trends and ‘how-to’s’ in social media, online marketing and mobile technology. Also ALL attendees will receive the Inman News 30-Day Social Media Plan FREE!

Date: Wed. Aug. 18th

Time: 9 am – 3 pm

Location: Meydenbauer Convention Center – Bellevue

View program and speakers >>

FOREM fans – save $20 off off your ticket!

REGISTER TODAY >> (use code: ‘FOREM0812′ and pay only $79)

Check out this ROCKIN’ video from our emcee Nicole Nicolay! Nicole talks about what to expect at Agent Reboot and what speakers you will hear from. (Click this link if you can not view the video)

Who is Nicole?

As an industry educator, consultant, and innovator, Nicole Nicolay “@nik_nik” has equipped real estate professionals, brokerages, and title companies with progressive marketing techniques and best practices for generating business. Nicole has trained thousands of agents nationwide and speaks regularly at industry leading events including: Inman Connect, REtechSouth, REBarCamps, C.A.R.- Tech Tuesday, BizTechDay, New Media Atlanta, Triple Play, REBlogWorld, and the BlogWorld New Media Expo.

FOREM fans – save $20 off off your ticket!

REGISTER TODAY >> (use code: ‘FOREM0812′ and pay only $79)

*tickets regularly $99 and will be $149 at the door.

Questions? Contact registration@inman.com

Written by: Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Inman News

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As mentioned in Part 1 of this post, one of the best parts of going to a conference are the exhibitors you meet.

At Real Estate Connect we had well over 60 fantastic tech, marketing and real estate vendors. Many of these vendors I was familiar with, but there were plenty of new faces (over 20 new start ups!!) During our “Meet the Press” session I was able to sit down with a number of CEOs, founders and marketing directors who told me about their products or services.

Each one of these companies has a very unique value proposition! Here are some highlights from my conversations.

Note: this is PART 2 (click here for PART 1)

Web Real Estate Tools | Drew Burks, Founder

This site is offers a very unique “School for REALTORS®” that teaches agents how to set up a WordPress blog, keywords for your website or blog, link building, social media, video marketing and more. There is a one-time fee that agents pay to access the school. Once they have paid, they have full access to all the learning modules. The training includes screen shots, PDF’s and screen recordings. Just launched – they will have a free webinar every Friday called “Free Blog Friday!”

Personally, I think this site provides excellent content for agents. In my opinion, there is a definite need for this type of digestible information.

In our interview, Drew said they they took over a year to research what REALTORS® really needed. To access the school, agents pay a one-time few to access all of the modules which include screenshots, PDF’s, screen recordings and more!

You can catch Drew live at Agent Reboot San Diego on August 25th – he will be on a panel teaching how to expand your social reach online. FOREM fans – use the code ‘FOREM0812′ to get $20 OFF your ticket!

HootHut – Tony Fantis, Founder Director

Tony is a REALTOR® himself and realized the need for agent to learn how to work in a social way. Real Estate Connect SF was his “official” launch. Not only is this a great product, but I was really impressed by Tony’s passion and enthusiasm for this product. According to the website:

“Most real estate software is just way too complicated. Agents do not have time to learn fancy software and certainly should not spend all day on the computer. HootHut is designed with the beginner in mind, and offers extra features for the techno-geeks, too. We made it simple to use so you can get back to work.”

When asked, “Why Hoothut?” The response is: “Because social networking has always been the primary 
source of referrals for real estate agents.” Among other features, Hoothut offers a Facebook application – “My real estate” tab available to put on Facebook page or profile. Coming up: online coaching, how to use friend lists, under contracts, solds, etc.

Tony has offered a special rate for FOREM fans – valid ONLY on Friday the 13th (8/13/10 only). Use the code: ‘INMANNEWS13′ to receive a FREE 6 month subscription!

Qonnect – Danny Sanchez, Co-Founder

Qonnect is a unique, bar code, mobile marketing platform. Their bar code is unmistakable. Scan a bar code with your smartphone, and instantly arrive at a mobile optimized website. This is a great opportunity for real estate agents and brokers to promote their listings and themselves in a unique and tech-savvy manner. According to their website:

“Qonnect is a platform that delivers mobile content through the use of QR Codes. We’re taking marketing to the next level as the online experience moves from desktop to mobile device. We’re talking hyper-drive speeds. Whether it’s advertisement, production, or publication, our codes will link to the information you need in the easiest way possible.”

They have worked with clients such as Weichert Realtors, The Chicago Tribune, the Hyatt Regency and are currently involved in a pilot program with 400 Coldwell Bankers agents. This is a great up and coming company to be on the lookout for.

VoicePad | Michele Rehm, Marketing Manager

This product reaches the consumer via a phone call. The idea behind VoicePad is that not all consumers have a smartphone, but virtually everyone has a phone. They offer a broker branded phone number that can be listed on ‘for sale’ signs. Once someone dials that number, all the MLS data is read over the phone to the consumer. According to Michele, this is a really unique and simple lead generation tool to receive ‘curb-side’ leads.  Once the call comes in, VoicePad can track exactly where the call came from via Google Maps. By using VoicePad, agents have seen the queality of leads from siugns increase 2-3 times over. Another added benefit is there is no IDX approval needed. Why is VoicePad different” According to their website:

“Unlike previous technologies, VoicePad automatically creates and delivers high-quality property presentations in both English and Spanish. There is no recording required, no per-minute charges and no toll-free phone numbers attached to your yard signs. VoicePad is available only to the professional community and cannot be used by FSBOs, who are not working with a licensed agent or broker.”

I think this service provides a really unique niche for agents and a way to differentiate themselves when marketing their listings.

I really encourage you to go to these websites to find out more about each company and service they provide. They are really leading the way with tech and innovation..

Written by: Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Inman News

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Image by Coneee via Flickr"In God we trust; all others bring data" ~W. Edwards Deming, renowned quality control expert who gets much credit for the quality of modern Japanese products Facebook's users are the size of a Country. So as...

Recently, I googled “Google for real estate professionals” and came across this page on Google for real estate agents! Google truly has some fantastic (and FREE applications what can enhance any agent or broker’s business.)

Here are my top 9 favorite Google products for real estate agents:

1. Google Maps

• Google offers a free service that lets you make your listings easier for home-buyers and real estate agents to find when they look for properties on Google.com.

2. Submit listings to Google.

• By providing your real estate listings to Google, you will broaden your distribution and receive free traffic and leads through natural search results on Google properties. Real estate search results will be displayed on Google Maps, allowing users to immediately zero in on the neighborhoods most attractive to them.

3. Google Maps API.

• You can also place interactive maps on your own website using the Google Maps API. Display your listings on detailed maps and satellite imagery and give your users a visual, intuitive way to find the property that is right for them. Also, use the Google Maps API to show the location of your office and provide directions to your door.

4. Google Earth

• Give your agents and clients the power of 3D satellite imagery with Google Earth Pro. Exceeding 200 million downloads, Google Earth has redefined the way people interact with real estate and property information. Publish your listings in Google Earth’s KML data format to expose them to a new, sophisticated audience. Also, give your company the ability to research and present property information overlaid with school districts, parks, roads and business listings.

5. List your business on Google Places

• Over one-third of people looking for real estate information on Google are searching for agents or brokers. You want your name and address to be displayed when they search. Google Places gives real estate professionals an easy way to submit business listings. Submit multiple locations with a data file and conveniently manage and control listings.

6. Market homes in 3D with Google SketchUp

• Google SketchUp Pro is a deceptively simple, amazingly powerful tool for creating, presenting, and modifying 3D models. Model your properties in Google SketchUp and give your clients a 3D view. Enhance your website listing by using the animation capability of Google SketchUp Pro. Allow customers to freely explore the home, community and its surroundings in 3D. You can also use Google SketchUp Pro to print to high-resolution devices, place your models in Google Earth, and post them to the 3D Warehouse.

7. Gmail and Google Apps

• Communicating with colleagues, clients and other agents is essential to every real estate professional. Google offers a package of simple and powerful tools that you can use to communicate and collaborate more effectively, for less. Google Apps includes fully customized email addresses with plenty of storage, instant messaging, sharable calendars, tools for sharing and collaborating on documents and spreadsheets, and even collaborative wikis. What’s more, you can access these services and all of your information wherever you are — at your own desk, on other internet-connected computers, and even while you’re on the road with your mobile device. Best of all, there’s no special hardware or software required, so you can be up and running with Google Apps with minimal hassles.

8. Create a Google profile

• When you’ve created a business based on your name, you want to be easily discoverable. Creating a Google profile makes it easier for prospects and partners to find you because Google profile results appear at the bottom of U.S. name-query search pages. Your profile can include photos, information about your real estate business, and ways for people to contact you. Turn on the ‘Send a message’ feature, and anyone with a Google Account can send you a message through your profile, without having your email address revealed to them.

9. Create a YouTube channel to showcase your listings

• Allow your listings to sell themselves and give home buyers the ability to pre-screen potential homes before they contact you by creating a YouTube channel. YouTube actually reaches the specific audiences you are looking to reach: real estate buyers and sellers. Did you know that YouTube viewers are 90% more likely to obtain information about real estate online than the average American?

Google sure has come a long way!

This is a great video I found a few days ago – a 2 minute look back over the last 11 years of Google. I wonder what is NEXT for this super-search giant!

The Google Story (can’t view the video, click here)

What is your favorite thing about Google? Leave me a comment below!

Written by: Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Inman News

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Last Tuesday was Agent Reboot L.A. – this was the 2nd in our 12-city ‘roadshow.’ We had hundreds of agents at UCLA who were excited to learn more about social media, tech tools, online marketing and more. Pens were flying as agents took pages of notes. Check out our Facebook page for pics, videos and posts from the event and info about upcoming events.

We also had a number of people who had already attended Agent Reboot in San Francisco a few weeks ago, but also came to this event. Holly Schwartz, @hollyschwartzOC - Social Media Manager at Torelli Realty posted a great post event wrap-up and had this to say:

“The learning never stops… Fantastic because I enjoy the journey! I thought my 7 pages of notes and non-stop Twittering and networking at the last conference just 2 weeks ago would make this conference more of a review… Nope! The Inman News team added content, incorporated different speakers, and even threw in some technology that didn’t exist 2 weeks ago… Wow!”

There so many great soundbites from Agent Reboot L.A.  Below are 10 ways that real estate agents can take their business to the next level – and beyond!

Eric Stegemann, Director of Business Development for Tribus Real Estate Technologies (@EricStegemann) was on a panel: “From Clicks to Closings: Turning Your Online Marketing Strategy into a Lead Machine.” Some of his key points were:

1. Have systems in place to follow up with your contacts. Use drip and blast emails to keep up with clients and remind them of who you are.  According to N.A.R. 87% of client at closing are happy with the experience but only 6% of transactions are with the same REALTOR® again.
2. Have your systems be integrated. Don’t go to 15 vendors to buy various products.  If they don’t talk together you won’t get the functionality out of them.
3. Being a REALTOR® in social media should be about taking relationships created online and bring them offline. The best strategy for REALTORS® in social media is to remember to blend the old world with the new.
4. Being found online is changing. It’s no longer that you can pay people to search engine optimize your page.  Soon the amount of people engaging on and about your page in a meaningful way will be the new rankings.

Ted Mackel, Realtor at Keller Williams Realty & blogger at homebuysblog.com (@RealtorTed) was on a panel: “Mastering Social Media to Expand Your Reach Online.” Some of his key points were:

1. The importance of understanding that static promotion (i.e. in the style of Yellow Pages or brochures), does not work today and people go to Google for answers. They are looking for richer information than traditional one dimension static advertising.
2. Agents have a ton of expertise and knowledge. leverage a blog/website to show off that knowledge.  That blog/website becomes a virtual resume for your clients, potential clients and past clients.
3. Facebook is now becoming a first point of contact with your sphere of influence. Facebook can be used effectively to create the touches to your sphere but your blog/website needs to be your foundation as those thinking about doing business with you or referring you will check you out professionally off Facebook.
4. Use Twitter to monitor the discussions about your market area. Ted does this in Simi Valley.  If he sees people looking for information about his market area (i.e. recommendations for auto repair), he tweets back a recommendation.  He tries to be “the connector.”

Linsey Planeta, REALTOR® and Broker Owner for Orange County at M Realty Orange County (@linsey) and Stacey Harmon, Founder, AgentApplause.com (@staceyharmon) were on a panel together: “Case Study: Managing Reputation and Content on the Web” Some of their key points were:

1. Have a Hub. Agents should have an online hub for their business activities.  EXAMPLE: Linsey’s hyper-local blog. The site is built in Wordpress and she uses it as a hyper local blog that she writes a post on only 1-2 times per month. The rest of the content is fed in from her IDX provider (active listings), and market statistics that she is already compiling for listing presentations and postcard campaigns.  She is now just posting that information on the website and it is available any time consumers want to see it. She also has floor plans posted on the site and receives a lot of traffic from that.  They recommended that Wordpress is the best tool for the execution of this strategy, and suggested for the initiated, Wordress.com was the place to start to learn the basics.  Once comfortable, agents can graduate to Wordpress.org (the self hosted solution) which will allow the addition of items such as IDX integration.
2. Monitor your Online Activity. There are many free tools that allow agents to monitor their content and reputation online.  This is helpful for agents who may be concerned about negative feedback on Yelp or a Facebook page. It also helps them to be timely in a discussion if they are mentioned in a blog post or article, resulting in potentially positive PR for them.  They suggested they put emotions aside and address any online criticism in a prompt, classy way that encourages direct contact with the agent via direct email or phone number to discuss any further concerns that they have.. Three easy tools to use are: Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, and Google Alerts
3. Be Consistent. In whatever online marketing the agent chooses to participate in (they don’t have to do it all), they should be consistent in their branding an username selections which play a part in the overall professionalism perception that people have of them.  Linsey mirrors the branding she uses on her website and blogs with the postcard, mobile application, and business card that she does.  She also is consistent in the usernames that she uses for her brokerage accounts – the username is MRealtyOC on Twitter, Facebook which is the same as the brokerage URL www.mrealtyoc.com.  For her personal accounts, she sticks to using her name.  Sites like www.checkusernames.com can help agents to determine if their desired username is available on the various social networks.  Also, sites like Picnik.com offer free photo manipulation tools which help agents maintain a consistent visual look in the sites they participate in – at the minimum with their personal photo often require sizes/dimensions that vary from site to site.  Picnik will allow them to easily adjust the sizing of their photo to be the recommended size of whatever site they are posting the photo to.

In addition to the points above, Linsey made these points:

1. The practice of real estate – procuring business, selling homes, servicing clients – hasn’t necessarily changed that much, but the evolutions in technology can help to enhance facets of an agent’s practice. Start to bring in the pieces of technology that can help you enhance the places that you are already experiencing success.
2. You have to have an online presence, or hub, that is reflective of who you are and your real estate practice. More and more, our clients, our sphere of influence, our family are finding themselves online for education, research, and entertainment.  If an agent isn’t representing themselves online, where their potential clients are, certainly those potential clients are finding agents that are.

When asked about the benefits of Agent Reboot, Linsey said this:

“Often agents feel a sense of overwhelm wondering if they need to be blogging, on Facebook, on Twitter tomorrow.  That type of overwhelm can be paralyzing.   Rather than taking it all on tomorrow, they can isolate small places to embrace the new technologies in their business where it makes the most sense for their individual practice.  Agent Reboot is a great way to identify the right place for that individual to begin.”

This was just a taste of this event! Next stop for Agent Reboot is Seattle on 8/18 and then San Diego on 8/25 where our awesome emcee Nicole Nicolay (@nik_nik) will be ROCKIN’ it again!

Did you attend Agent Reboot? Would love your feedback below! Weren’t able to attend? What do you think of the points I listed about – leave me a comment below!

Written by: Katie Lance, Marketing Manager, Inman News

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