If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
I just noticed a new feature on MRIS. (Metropolitan Regional Information Systems) I’m not sure how long this upgrade has been there, but I find it a nice addition. You have the ability to add a customized header and footer to your emailed property list. This adds some eye candy to the page. Before there was only a blue bar across the top and it said compliments of Billy Bob Real Estate agent.
All you have to do is log in to your Matrix MLS and click on “My Matrix” and on the far right will be a tab labeled “Settings.”
You will see the area in which you make the changes for the Headings/Footers. Select the background that appeals to you, update your contact information that you want displayed and you are all done.
Anytime you send listings to clients, manually or automatic, your page will have your contact information at the top embedded in the new graphic.
OK you learned how to create a Wordpress.org blog using bluehost on Agentgenius’ blog. Benn did a fine job at explaining it. If you haven’t started yet, here’s a couple pre-requisites to this tutorial.
Created a subdomain and installed Wordpress on it. (Use Agentgenius tut if not done yet)
A fresh pot of coffee. (or a six pack of your favorite beverage)
For the purpose of this Tutorial… I created “Subdomain.bob-carney.net” and installed wordpress on it. By doing this first, I can create a beautiful layout and get some links and information on it prior to launching it to the public. Maybe you want to test a couple variations and have a group review them. Just create another subdomain and install your blog platform on it. (Wordpress is by far the easiest, but its not the only open source software; nucleus and b2evolution) By the end of this tutorial, I will have www.gb4h.com as the assigned domain. You will still always be able to access the blog by typing http://subdomain.bob-carney.net.
On your Bluehost cPanel, your domain menu is where you will create your Subdomain and your Addon domain. The Addon Domain is where you going to click for this tutorial.
This next step takes place on your Domain registrar. For my domain GB4H.com it is registered at Godaddy. This next graphic is the Nameserver section. I changed them prior to make the changes on Bluehost, if you don’t do this first, you will be asked to enter your EPP code. This will need to be requested from your registrar. Godaddy has a link that you click to email to you. It’s much easier in my opinion to just change the Nameservers first.
Here’s your next step in the Addon menu. A key note here…DO NOT PUT “www” in front of your domain. In a sense you are creating another subdomain…in actuality, the “www” is a subdomain of your domain. (another note; if your domain is registered with Bluehost, use the drop down from top selection)
This is where Bluehost will link your previously created subdomain. (My subdomain is called “Subdomain”, I know creative!)
OK now, GB4H.com is assigned to Subdomain.bob-carney.net. They are one and the same anything that you do in cPanel to files will reflect in the other one.
OK, off to our wordpress site. Open a browser and type in your new domain. At this point when I type GB4H.com in the URL field, it takes me to my wordpress site, but the URL immediately changes to http://subdomain.bob-carney.net.
Sign in and head over to the Options tab. You will see the below fields with “http://subdomain.bob-carney.net” in both fields. This is what is telling the page URL what the blog domain is. So change the bottom one. You can change the top one too. I don’t see any problems if it remains as is.
OK now your done. You have just set up your blog. Like I said early this is great when you are creating a new site and don’t want the domain to show it off yet. Maybe you have the domain already on another blog…like wordpress.com (the free web-based wordpress blog)
One final tip before you go...since the site is new. Make this last change so you don’t lose any SEO opportunities. While you are in the options section. Go over to “Permalinks” and make the following change.
By selection the option with the title, you will enhance your SEO by including the title of your post URL. Google likes that. The later you do this in your blog, you will have to make changes to your .htaccess file (whole different post)
I have been kicking this idea around about changing my static website for sometime now. Ever since I started blogging, I really never give that site much attention. I mean really, why do I need to have it? Well, for starters, it’s another place on the internet for someone to find you. It has a Page Rank of 4. If you use it right, you can use all of these little sites to help your other sites gain popularity in your search rankings. If you notice one thing about my blogs and websites, I try to mention them on each of the other sites with some quality back links. And by that, I mean don’t just mention your website like this... “You can visit my website at http://gotbob4homes.com and start your home search.” You have to really use all that HTML will give you. Bold letters, alt tags and some descriptive anchor words. Like this… “When you are looking for real estate in Frederick MD, stop by my website to start house hunting.” Hover over the links…see that little gem is call “alt tag” you have it here when you highlight your words and click the Hyperlink tool (or ctrl-K for you power users) and put something in the description area. It helps Google define your website.
Back to me changing sites… In this whole process, I have been looking to learn Joomla, Mambo or Drupal to actually make my site. I know, you’re like Joo-pal what? When you sign up on Bluehost, you have a free tool to install various website software called Fantastico. (If you are going to self host your websites, I highly recommend Bluehost. CLICK HERE TO SIGNUP FOR BLUEHOST.COM NOW.) Wordpress is one of them and that’s the platform I use for my blog. Anyways, Joomla and friends are various open source CMS (Content Management Software.) They have a lot of components that you can really tie a lot of items up neatly in one place. It just takes some time getting used to and can be overwhelming to learn. But I wasn’t giving up, I was just running out of time and also tired of paying for Advance Access to host my site, since I have all of this space. The traffic wasn’t there to justify the expense.
One of the finer things about Twitter, is when you think out loud on there, people are listening. I was throwing out some of my concerns and thoughts about what I was doing. Mostly asking everyone if they knew an easy CMS application. Jeff Turner kept ribbing me, why would I even want to fight with Mambo or Joomla… CAUSE I WAS BOUND AND DETERMINED, that’s why!!! (his suggestion was a wise one…use Wordpress for Content Management.) Believe me, I did that too. I have created multiple sites with that too.
But then came along, @Virtuallin, she approached me about my problem and offered to help. That she did…she offered to put something together for me to look at and then gave me the keys to break it. Not quite like that, but just as dangerous. Turns out she is the Joomla Queen. Go ahead and search for something related to Joomla, I am sure one of her many sites will show up. We have been working on it for a while now (mostly her.) And almost ready to unleash it on the world with my old domain on it. I will let you take a look at it shortly…I am not done tooting Cheryl Allin’s horn. Yes, that’s her real name. @Virtuallinis her Twitter name and also the play on words for her company. Cheryl is a Virtual Assistant. Whenever you think you are too busy to get stuff done, but not confident enough to hire a personal assistant for the office, you’ll need to think about a Virtual Assistant. There are quite a few out there waiting to help. Cheryl does more than websites, but that is her specialty. Her prices are very reasonable, even for a cheap skate like me. Not only did she put together a fine website, for a very reasonable price threw in her new Drip Mail program. (you need some like this to help maintain new leads.)
If it wasn’t for Twitter and me thinking out loud amongst my followers, I would still be racking my brain. Cheryl has helped alleviate my problem and free up my time to look for business instead of maintaining my business. That’s only one of the many benefits of a Virtual Assistant.
As promised take a look at what I used to have and what I will have soon.
You can see the new site in action before it goes live here, but remember we are still working of it. Again, if you’re looking for some great website help, think about calling (or Twittering @Virtuallin) Cheryl Allin.
Yeah, that’s coming from me…Mr. “I’ll do all that techie stuff myself”
Trying to keep up with your blogs while you are on vacation can be a daunting task. Not that I have been on vacation anytime lately. But if I ever was on a vacation, I would want my blog to post while I was on vacation so my readers wouldn’t miss me. I stumbled upon a post that showed me how but forgot to book mark it so they would get some link love.
You always worry about losing your traffic because you neglect to post on your blog…now you don’t have to worry…just do it ahead of time.
Here’s how you do it. First and foremost you have to write your post ahead of time. We’ll keep it simple with one, but it works for multiple post.
Write your post.
When you are done and ready to save, here’s what you do 1st. (very simple)
Edit time stamp box to the date and time you want to automatically post
Click Publish on the Post Status Section
Click Save (NOT PUBLISH)
Wahlah…your post will automatically post on the date and time that you save it.
I have been totally overwhelmed by the amount of the social network invites that I received lately. There is no way you can actively participate on all of these networks, be effective and actually get work outside of the internet done. I have never had the time to really just work one and create an actual plan to make it effective. It seems that I have just been following the flock to the next new network. So, as part of my 2008 New Year’s resolution…manage the social networks, before they get the better part of me.
I plan on focusing on less than 6 networks in 2008. I intend on building a plan for each one on how I will market myself…truthfully that is what it is all about, marketing yourself. Just as in real life, you cannot be everywhere all the time. You are going to drop one of those balls eventually. I feel that also applies with the cyber-world. You have to tend to each of these sites in order to be effective.
I am always asked about internet technology in the office. I tend to gravitate to all of the technology mumbo jumbo and then it’s followed with “do you make money on it?” Actually no, but I know my time spent here and there and over there is money in the bank, but only if I use my time and effort wisely. I plan on creating a series of my thoughts and plans the whole Social Networking idea.
Avoiding the MySpace Mistake - MySpace has been the pioneer in the Social networking sites. If you haven’t been part of all of the other networking scenes, you have at least heard of MySpace. The netiquitte that is recommended here can be extended into any of the social networks. I think one of the biggest problems with new people jumping into the social network scene as a business…they immediately want to push their goods on you. You have seen it and still see it on Active Rain. (one of the most popular Real Estate Networks)
“This isn’t a direct marketing tool, this is human communication,” says Rob Key, chief executive officer of social marketing firm Converseon. “You don’t have to beat people over the head.”
How many times have you seen the copy and paste of every advertisement the author has in his arsenal? My friend Jeff Turner said it best and it has really stuck with me. When you are on the internet you are constantly thinking about SEO, but it is much bigger than that. It’s about YEO!!! My social network needs to go face to face more aggressively this year.
My 2008 Social Media Plans:
Facebook. Update and network on it at least once a week. Dump all the garbage applications - don’t poke me, don’t buy me drinks, and don’t throw sheep. I want to see what you have to offer and read your blog post. I do want to get to know you, but lets keep it somewhat professional until we get to know each other a little better.
LinkedIn. Is one of the more professional networks that I have found. Build on the idea of Six degrees of separation. I have been building a network of past collegues, friends, and industry experts. But one problem is that I have not been using all of the features and functions it has to offer. The Answer section helps you build a reputation of an industry expert. Utilize this once a week.
ActiveRainPost once a week and comment more on new members post. It is about building relationships. My issue here has been it lost the pizzazz that it once had and I lost the desire to network here. It used to be fun and engaging with people until the whining starts. If you don’t like what someone has to say or do, stop following or commenting on their blogs. Don’t whine about it. Just let it go and move on, life’s too short to be miserable. This blogging platform has all the right tools to let the newest of Real Estate Professionals to be found on the internet.
Blogs
Focus On Frederick - I currently write 3 times a week here. This one needs more Real Estate information. I currently post Market Updates on Monday, Wednesday has been Industry related, and Fridays have been fun. One more day of Industry related content needs to be added. I also intend on removing the Adsense on this blog. I experimented with it for a while and feel it’s distracting in its current format. If I can find the right app to implement cohesive ads, then I might continue. The question about the local competitor ads on adsense…they should be scared that their ad was found on my site. I have been to their sites and I’m not concerned, consumers click away. Customers are finding my site for free…it just cost you a buck and I still get the customer.
Focus On Mt Airy- Office blog - This one I am teaching a group of agents on the blogging basics, the mechanics of Wordpress.com, and the basics of blogging SEO. Google seems to love Wordpress if you manage to talk to it right. The idea is to make it invisible to the reader. (I am still learning this one)
Bob’s Brain Dump- This is where I will post my thoughts on technical mumbo jumbo. This is the place where I can say what’s on my mind. I want to stay focused here for the web stuff…but not exclusive. If it doesn’t fit anywhere else…it’s dumped here. I need to grow this one adfasfd
2 other blog in the making and they not ready for publication
Twitter - Microblogging (aka chatroom) but its more fulfilling. You can Twitterfeed your blogs for everyone to read. With Shareaholic Plugin you can share what you are reading on the internet. Right now, I am finding this to be a very viral form of marketing. But I must caution you, it is addicting. What I like about this is also, you have the choice of who is allowed to follow you and who you follow. You don’t like what you’re reading just stop following. It is great to follow some of the major players in Web 2.o, makes it easy to keep up with the latest information.
Flickr has to be top with me. They say you hobby should make you money…I am far from making money at it. But truly enjoy it. Flickr is not only a storage place for photos, but it is also a social network. I have met quite a few people just from finding some great local pictures and people finding my photos. Photography has been a hobby for me…now it’s a way to meet people in my area. Flickr has a great interface that lets you also post to your blogs. I specifically use it for a Mobile Phone Blog. It’s just a creative release for me….or simple acts of geekdom.
Plaxo Pulse. This has to be my last one for the year. This decision was made today after seeing all the hubbub on Twitter about Robert Scoble “scraping” data from facebook. I admire his insight and expertise on the whole internet convergence ideas. I have been following him for sometime now and actually have one of his books…just haven’t started to read it yet. This is only the beginning of my research of him. There’s a variety of opinions on him…but isn’t there about everyone?
Now will I really just stop at joining networks...probably not, but I do need a plan in order regain control of my time. I need to utilize each of these social networks to the best of their ability. And then taking that time to actually relate to new people…and that’s what it’s all about!
This is my personal blog. If you want real estate information visit my Focus On Frederick Blog. You can see it in the feed below.
If you have questions, you can email me at bob (shift 2) gotbob4homes (dot) com. I will be glad to help if I know that answer...if not most likely will obsess to find it for myself.
Back to me changing sites… In this whole process, I have been looking to learn 
