Virtual Views - The View From Here : Pamela Cendejas, Second Self Virtual Assistance (928) 692-3235 (Second Self Virtual Assistance)

Facebook pages are providing even more Google juice for their owners.  Google announced recently that the status updates on all public Facebook pages will be indexed in their real-time search.  What does this mean for Facebook users?  It means that the largest social network on the internet (Facebook) will have the opportunity to enjoy first page placement from their status updates.  Things to be indexed from Facebook pages include links, photos and videos as well as anything else included in a status update.  While Facebook isn't the driving force behind Google's search results, it is sure to head to the top of the class since it outpaces other social networks that Google currently indexes (including Twitter and MySpace) in users.

Since Google is now taking notice of Facebook pages, it is more important than ever before to set up a business page to promote yourself and your brand.  For more information about Facebook pages, please visit the Facebook Pages help page.  If you need help setting up a Facebook page, please contact me and I'll be happy to lend a hand.  It's great news that Facebook pages provide even more Google juice than ever before.  Make sure you get yours taken care of today.

Pamela Cendejas, Real Estate Virtual Assistant - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

Your website is an extended business card that, in many cases, may be the first introduction a potential client has to you and your services.  That is why it is important to make sure you have your site set up properly.  Here are a few business website mistakes you should avoid:

Don't...

1. ...add video or music that automatically starts when your page loads.  This can be hard on the ears if someone's speakers are set high and they aren't aware of it.  Instead, set up video and audio clips so that they can be turned off and on at the visitor's request.

2. ...add flashing or flickering images.  This can be hard on the eyes and can cause headaches or even seizures in some people who are sensitive.  This is NOT the first impression you want to make!

3. ...use dashes in your domain name if you can help it.  Many people will forget where to place the dash.  If they can't find you, they aren't going to use you.

4. ...make your page go live before you are ready.  "Under Construction" signs are a turn-off and will send your visitor to another web page that is ready to go. 

5. ...add tons of advertising to your site.  Lots of advertising makes your site look like a billboard instead of a professional website.  A few well-placed ads are fine.  Too many ads makes the site look too cluttered and can be confusing.

Think of your website as a home you are trying to sell.  Just like a house, your site's curb appeal is important.  If you don't have an appealing presence, potential clients are going to move on to the next site.  By keeping these business website mistakes to avoid in mind when you set up your website, you will be one step up on the competition.

Pamela Cendejas, Real Estate Virtual Assistant - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

Yesterday I received an email from Foodista , an online cooking encyclopedia. They had found my blog post with my Spanish Rice recipe.

I have been invited to enter the Foodista Recipe Contest. If I win, my recipe will be published in the Foodista Cookbook.

Please click on the Vote For Me! icon below to place your vote.

If you would like the chance to have your recipes published in a cookbook, enter them into the Foodista Best of Food Blogs Cookbook competition. But hurry, the deadline is February 28th, 2010!

Enter at http://www.foodista.com/blogbook?src=bo_3

If you participate in this contest, please let me know so I can vote for you! Good Luck!

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

Today's edition of "Connecting the Dots with Carra Riley".  First of all, we at Second Self Virtual Assistance have to give a hearty "thank you" to Carra Riley, the Countess of the Cosmic Cow Pie.  We were privileged to be intereviewed by Carra on her BlogTalkRadio program.  We were flattered that she recognized the value of what a virtual assistant can do for real estate professionals.  As usual, Carra was very complimentary and generous.  The time just flew by.  There was so much to cover in such a little time. You can hear the entire interview by clicking the play button below.

Highlights of our interview included:

SEO
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) means adding keywords and descriptions that utilize key phrases you want to optimize for people looking for a Realtor® in your area.  The keywords are what people type in the search bar of Google, Yahoo or Bing to find exactly what they are looking for (for example, kingwood real estate, homes for sale in colorado springs, etc.).  After your site is optimized, we submit it to the search engines and a list of directories that Second Self has personally compiled over the years to help increase your SEO.  We also link all your social networks, blogs and websites together so that you can increase your "Google Juice", sending you to the top of the search engine rankings.

SOCIAL NETWORKS
With the use of social networks simply exploding over the last couple of years, it can be a bit overwhelming trying to keep up with your social networks.  Second Self Virtual Assistance can create and optimize Facebook fan pages to help you capture the attention of potential clients with a personalized landing page that links to your website, blogs, etc.

Second Self was happy to procure an exclusive deal with HousingStorm.com, a new social networking site.  The purpose of HousingStorm.com is to combine the best traits of Facebook and LinkedIn, with the added benefit of a blog thrown in.  For any new account set up through Second Self Virtual Assistance, HousingStorm.com will offer a free one year upgrade to a Premium account.  This is a savings of $300.

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
Trying to keep up with social media is an ongoing process.  In an effort to stay on top of changes in social media, Second Self Virtual Assistance is currently enrolled in Social Media Marketing classes that teach the latest and greatest methods to market yourself via social media.

If you're in need of a real estate virtual assistant, feel free to contact me.  For a limited time only, if you mention that you heard our interview on BlogTalkRadio, we'll give you a discount on your first month's services.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Pamela Cendejas, Real Estate Virtual Assistant - Second Self Virtual Assistance

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

Many thanks to Carra Riley of Cosmic Cowpie fame for allowing us the opportunity to participate on her Blog Talk Radio series. 

Please see details below.

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

We all know that content is king.  That will never change.  However, it is interesting to learn how Google ranks page speed when considering the value of a website.  While a higher loading page with little to no content will never outrank a page that is full of great info that happens to load at a slower speed, Google can give a little more weight to a page that loads faster than one with similar content but a lower load speed.

So, how do you keep good content without sacrificing page speed?  Don't overdo it.  You want to keep your site easy-to-use and not hard on the eyes.  Using too many widgets, videos, slideshows, etc. bogs down the load time.  Not everyone has high speed internet access.  And even those that do can find some pages taking a long time to load because of all the info the program has to read first.  Focus on the key elements you want your viewers to see and direct them to another interior page to get more details.  If a person gets antsy waiting for your page to finish loading, they will head on over to the competition that won't make them wait.

Google's goal is to rank the most relevant information highest in their search engines.  How quickly or slowly a page loads doesn't affect that at all.  However, making your website both user-friendly and quicker will not only keep your audience engaged, it will also help you stay above your slower competition in Google.

In the end, how does Google rank page speed?  It's not more of a priority than relevant content.  But, it is something that should be considered in your website's overall design.

Pamela Cendejas, Real Estate Virtual Assistant - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

I used to be able to find great Spanish Rice in package made by Knorr. I don't know if they quit making it or my grocery store just stopped carrying it.

I came up with this Spanish Rice recipe out of desperation. It's so simple and only takes a few minutes and even fewer ingredients. I am not real big on measurements when I make this, so use your own judgement and taste.

Mexican Cooking Spanish Rice Doesn't Get Any Easier Than This

• Cooking Oil 1 cups white rice
  
• 1/2 cup bottled salsa - your favorite brand
  
• 1 1/2 cup water
  
• 1 tsp. salt
  
• 1 tsp. garlic salt
  

Barely cover the bottom of a large frying pan with cooking oil. Heat oil. Add rice, salt and garlic salt and brown slightly. Add water and salsa. Bring to boil. Cover frying pan with lid. Turn heat to low temperature and simmer for approximately 15 - 20 minutes. Do not stir until completely cooked.

Everyone's taste is different. So, try it this way and then adjust, if needed.

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

Videos aren't all about what you see.  With the popularity of video positively exploding in the last few years, people tend to focus only on the visual aspect of the video and almost completely forget about the audio part.  This is funny, considering the bulk of information provided on a video is through what you hear, not what you see.  If what is being said can't clearly be understood, what is the point of making the video, right?  Following a few basic rules will help you make a more professional sounding video and make sure that your message gets across clearly and concisely.

1. Don't rely on the built-in microphone on your camera for your sound.  This basic microphone is not meant for higher-quality sound.  Instead, look for a camcorder that includes a jack for an external microphone.  Most of the more professional cameras have an XLR connector while others utilize 1/8" or mini-jacks for their external microphone feeds.
2. Cheaper isn't better when it comes to sound.  While you don't have to spend thousands on a high end external mic, don't go for the $35 low end either.  They aren't much better than your built-in camera microphones and will usually pick up all the sound around you, drowning out whatever you are trying to say.  Lavalier mics (similar to the small mics used on the lapels of newscasters) are excellent so long as you place them near the face (on the lapel or collar of a shirt) and away from anything that can rub up against it, causing disruption in the audio.  If there will be several people being recorded on camera, you may want to consider several microphones with a mixer or a boom mic.
3. Make sure the high or low impedence of whichever microphone you choose matches the technical aspects of your camera to avoid feedback.
4. Use headphones to monitor audio sounds when recording.  These will help pick up any outside noises that you may not be able to hear while you are videotaping but sounds that the microphone will pick up easily, such as traffic, phones, etc.
5. Monitor your video in real time.  This will allow you to see exactly what the camera is seeing and avoid costly retakes when possible.
6. Check the microphone levels.  If the level is too high, it can create distortion.  If the level is too low, you may not be able to hear what is being said.
7. If necessary, rent professional equipment.  If you find that you will only need the higher end camera and audio equipment once or twice, it is more cost effective to rent the equipment.  However, if you are looking to make professional style videos more often, it is well worth making the investment.

If you plan on creating and utilizing videos for your online marketing, you need to remember that videos aren't all about what you see.  Invest in proper audio equipment so that your message can be heard.

Pamela Cendejas, Real Estate Virtual Assistant - Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

Feeling a little stressed?  Who isn't?

Today has been one of those days - the Internet was out, the phone lines were down and I was just fed up.

A very good friend of mine, Billy Ethridge, emailed the following YouTube video.  I was instantly transformed.  I think you will be, too.

Whether you're having a stressful day or not, please do yourself a favor and take a listen.

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

Wondering what's for lunch?

According to the National Restaurant Association, here's some interesting statistics about how we eat lunch:

• Over 27 percent of full-time employees frequently spend their lunch break doing things other than eating.
• 45 percent of employed adults feel that they have less time for lunch than they used to.
• In a typical week, 29 percent of male workers eat in a sit-down restaurant at least once; 26 percent of women do.
• Almost 65 percent of employed workers eat a meal that can be held in the hand, such as a burger or sandwich.
• 50 percent of working adults bring lunch to work at least one time per week.
  

Where do you fall in these statistics?

Please share any statistics you know of.

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas