Virtual Views - The View From Here : January 2009

The power of praise is amazing.  It has the power to instill confidence and pride in both the giver and the receiver.

Many agents post testimonials from past clients on their websites because they believe in the power of praise.  Testimonies (praise) from past clients who have worked with you is powerful.  Website visitors feel that they know you a little bit better and can trust your integrity, knowledge and skills because someone has taken the time to praise your efforts.  If you have not posted testimonials on your website, you are missing out on the power of praise and its benefits.

All real estate professionals love to receive referrals.  Referrals (praise) are considered the highest compliment a professional in any field can receive.  Referrals not only generate confidence in the person who has been referred, but also to the one receiving the referral.

Some social networks allow you another format in which to use the power of praise.  On networks such as LinkedIn and RSN Link, you can pay it forward by recommending the services of an affiliate or a real estate professional who serves another area.  Recommend someone with whom you have had a good working relationship whether as a client or as an associate.  You can recommend anyone whom you feel offers quality services.  They do not necessarily need to be involved in real estate.  Facebook allows you to write on someone's wall (a praise report recommendation) of their services.

Blogs also allow you to use the power of praise.  Positive comments are always appreciated.  And the one receiving the compliment may just become another subscriber to your blog.  Bloggers read other blogs.  Have you found one you enjoy?  Use the power of praise by linking to it in your blogroll.  If you ask, most bloggers will reciprocate with a link back to your blog.

Pay it forward.  Add the power of praise to your website, your social networks and your blogs.  You may be surprised at how fast it comes back to you.

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

I am a virtual girl in a virtual world.  So, why not a virtual photo on my website?  I have used my "laptop lady"  logo in place of my actual photo for years.  I recently heard that some people find virtual avatars or canned photos a bit objectionable. However, caricatures seem to be acceptable since they still portray the real you.  It seems internet users want a bit of reality when visiting professional sites, though. When website visitors see your photo, they feel they have met you and, therefore, feel more confident and trusting of your services.
 
All of this got me to thinking about personalized marketing and our websites. So, here are some ideas for your personal marketing, websites and blogs:
 
Branding - Stand out from the crowd with a personal logo and/or slogan. Your brand should appear on all marketing materials, letterhead, postcards and emails. Be sure to brand your website and your blog. As much as possible, use the same color theme and backgrounds for your website and blog-sites. There are almost as many licensed agents as there are houses for sale. Brand yourself and be unique.
 
Create a Marketing Plan - If you haven't got one get one or if you are using last year's version, analyze it. See what is working and what is not.  Then make adjustments.
 
Client/Prospect Follow-up - Put your systems in place so that you are a friendly face that your past clients see over and over again. Get your email campaigns, drip systems and e-newsletters lined up. Plan your work and work your plan.
 
Contact Management - Is your contact list up to date? Maintaining a contact database can be tedious and easily put on the "tomorrow" list. However, if you are going to be effective in your client/prospect follow-up, this task is a must. Statistically, 93% of buyers and sellers are happy with their agent; but only 11% will use your services again. Why?  Because you lose touch with the very ones that mean so much. If you can't find the time, assign it to someone.  It's that important!
 
Find A Niche - Who do you love? Seniors or first-time buyers? Expired listings or corporate relocation? Make sure your website homepage includes something directed to your niche market - the people you've chosen to provide your services to. Create a web-page that addresses your niche market specifically.
 
Links - Link your website to your blog and link your blog to your website. Links are still important and there are many ways to create them. Create a Whitepage, reciprocal linking still works. Be selective, choosing links that are relevant to home owners, sellers and buyers.
 
Blog - Talk about it, talk about it - your community, your market and yourself. No confidence in your writing skills? Hire someone.  Give them a rough draft and they will finalize it for you. Sign each blog with a live or distinct signature. Be sure your blog site address appears on your business cards, emails and marketing materials.
 
Articles - Present yourself as an expert in your field. Write articles for ezines. Most will provide an area for you to link to your website.
 
Market Expert - There are several websites that allow you to post the most current market conditions in your area. Some sites, such as Realty Times, allow more than one Realtor® to post their reports. Almost all allow you to link to your website.
 
Social Networks - Choose at least one social network to join. Participate!  You can't drive a car unless you put the key in the ignition (your profile) and step on the gas (participation). If a member of the network is looking for a realtor and find you, but your information is incomplete and/or they see that you are not actively involved, they will most likely continue searching for someone who is. Social networks also provide another means to link to your website.
 
Use Technology - Keeping up with technology can be difficult in our fast paced world; but it is necessary. You must use the technology of today if you plan to be a real estate agent tomorrow. It really is a virtual world.

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas

Don't you love it when readers leave comments on your blog? First of all, it means that someone is reading it!

Blogging is meant to generate conversation and relationships. This is the reason you became part of the blogging world. Conversations and relationships are a two-way street. Therefore, comments need comments.

When someone leaves a comment on your blog site always respond; even if it is only a "thank you for your thoughts".

For those new to the blogging world, here are instructions for responding to comments:

For Active Rain users:

1. Login to your Active Rain account.
2. Click the Active Rain blog link.
3. Scroll down to the comment section.
4. Respond to the commenter.
5. Type in the "What does the Graphics Say" word of the day (this step is included to keep "robots" from submitting spam comments to your blog).
6. Click the submit button.

For WordPress users:

1. Login in to your WordPress account.
2. Click on the number next to the word "Comment" (located in the Right Now - At a Glance box).
3. Outstanding comments waiting approval will be listed.
4. When you move your mouse directly under the comment, the words: Unapprove|Spam|Delete|Quick Edit|Edit|Reply will appear.
5. Click Disapprove or delete, if the comment is inappropriate. Click Spam if it appears to be Spam.
6. Click Reply to respond to the commenter.
7. Click Submit Reply.

Real estate professionals know that when they do not respond in a timely fashion to a phone call or email, they have run the risk of losing that person as a client. When you do not respond to a blog comment, you also run the risk of losing the person as a reader first and a potential client second. Not responding to a reader's comment usually means that the reader will not return again because they feel devalued.

Just as you check your phone messages and emails, you need to check your blog for comments. Checking in once a day or every couple days is sufficient, but if you want your blog to have a more conversational tone, then you will want your blog host to email you whenever a comment is left on your blog post. You will receive an email within minutes; your reader may still be online, allowing you to have a friendly "chat". WordPress offers an instant messaging option as well.

Advantages to responding to comments not only increases your chances of gaining readership and building relationships, it also helps with your blog's search engine optimization and, therefore, the blog page ranking.

Here are a couple of tips for you when replying to comments:

• When responding, ask a question whenever it is appropriate to do so.  This can start a dialogue with the reader that can develop into so much more.

• Always end your comment with your signature (name) and a keyword which can be linked to your website: Pamela - Second Self Virtual Assistance.This little step creates a nice little linkback to your website, helping that page ranking as well.

 Happy blogging and commenting everyone!

Pamela - Second Self Virtual Assistance

    
 

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Pamela Cendejas