Author Archive
I don’t care about you. What’s in it for me?
When it comes to writing engaging content, “you” is the most powerful word in the English language, because people are ultimately interested in fulfilling their own needs. (more...)
How to fix your web mail display problem: Godaddy & Secure Server Email
Some people are experiencing display problems when using the GoDaddy & Secure Server web mail interface. Here is the fix:
Open your web mail. Click on “settings” “display settings”
Click the “other” tab and put a check where it says “Use full-time ssl mode” (at the bottom)
And that should do it!
HouseLogic Beta
HouseLogic is providing quality real estate content for consumers. Adding value, saving energy, tax credits, 8 ways to do this and 5 tips for that. Here is a terrific resource for blogging Realtor's to get some inspiration. Just remember, you are taking inspiration, not copying an article that is already available. HouseLogic has a national audience, your audience is local. Only you can offer the best local real estate news, tips and advice.
RPR: The coming civil war in real estate
I've pulled highlights from the full article
The MLS
Turns out, MLSs employ rather lots of people, including executives who are drawing a very nice income from heading up said MLSs. Are we to believe that these people will voluntarily march down to the unemployment line so that RPR can make millions?
Fact is, once RPR is in your market, every Realtor will use it. It's that good. There isn't an MLS in the country (yet) that can release a competing product. Over time -- and a rather short period of time at that -- every member of that MLS will wonder why he is paying those MLS fees.
The Brokerage
After RPR, every single member of NAR will have the best backend agent tool ever created. If you're a Coldwell Banker agent, there will be little reason to go to CREST or to the CB Extranet site to get tools and data. RPR will have it for you.
The mapping tool on RPR kicks the bejesus out of anything I've seen offered by any major franchise or major brokerage. And the local mom-and-pop will have it, just as your agents will, except that the local guy will be paying 90/10 splits since he doesn't have the overhead you have.
Think your big brokerage office will be attracting or keeping more top agents? Based on what?
Why Realtor’s don’t need Web stats
Is your site primarily about you, your brand, what your company does, or how you do what you do really well? The only time you mention someone other than your company is to say how much better you are than that other someone? Congratulations, Web analytics probably isn't for you.
Respect your Web Visitors by offering Quality Content
You will establish an identity through blogging if you focus on your specific audience. Identify who you are writing to and put the focus on them not you. Your web site already says who you are: a realtor with your broker in your market area. Your content/writing will define who you are in that context. Are you an industry expert? Friendly and approachable? Funny? Serious? An expert in a certain niche? Do you know everything about your market area: do you offer the inside scoop?
Define your goal: what is your expected outcome?
Define your audience: who you are writing to, what do they want to read, what is helpful, entertaining, what makes them want to continue reading and come back for more?
The blog is your platform for connecting with prospective clients so they will want to contact you. It’s the virtual equivalent of sharing information and expertise with people in person or on the phone.
Learn from experts. The following blog posts are not only instructional; they are generous and worth the read:
The Ramones’ Guide to Killer Content
Blow self-obsessed smug corporate communication to bits with razor-sharp relevant content.
The 7 Deadly Sins of Blogging
If you write a blog, the bad news is you have millions of competitors. The good news is most of them suck.
How to Craft a Blog Post - 10 Crucial Points to Pause
If there’s one lesson that I’ve learnt about writing for the web it’s that a key element to writing successful blog posts is that in most cases they take time to CREATE.
Dear PaylPal User Phising Scam
Security Tips & Fraud Prevention from PayPal
Look for a PayPal Greeting: PayPal will never send an email with the greeting "Dear PayPal User" or "Dear PayPal Member." Real PayPal emails will address you by your first and last name or the business name associated with your PayPal account.
Don't fall for this email scam:
Dear PayPal user,
As part of our security measures, we regularly screen activity in
the PayPal system. We recently contacted you after noticing an
issue on your account.
We requested information from you for the following reason:
We recently received a report of unauthorized credit card use
associated with this account. As a precaution, we have limited
access to your PayPal account in order to protect against future
unauthorized transactions.
Case ID Number: PP-503-172-560
This is a reminder to restore your account as soon as possible.
Please download the form attached to this email and open it in a
web browser. Once opened, you will be provided with steps to
restore your account access. We appreciate your understanding as
we work to ensure account safety.
In accordance with PayPal's User Agreement, your account access
will remain limited until the issue has been resolved.
Unfortunately, if access to your account remains limited for an
extended period of time, it may result in further limitations or
eventual account closure. We encourage you to restore your PayPal
account as soon as possible to help avoid this. We thank you for
your prompt attention to this matter. Please understand that this
is a security measure intended to help protect you and your
account. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Sincerely,
PayPal Account Review Department
PayPal Email ID PP593762
