Virtual Views - The View From Here : February 2009

This week, I have been attending the Real Estate Cyber Convention.  I want to share with you a new tool I discovered while attending yesterday's session.  Policy Map is an online geographic information system that provides detailed demographic and property information.  You can search Policy Map by address, Congressional district, school district, census tract, county, state or by zip code.  Policy Map allows you to easily manipulate data to make custom personalized maps, tables and reports.  After you have created the report, table or map to your satisfaction, you can export the data as a Jpeg or PDF file.  You can use these files as part of your presentation and marketing materials or upload them to your website.
 
Policy Map is a very user-friendly tool which features over 4,000 indicators.  Information is provided in a rich layer format.  Policy Map provides data such as home values and sales, demographics, crime statistics and much, much more. I highly recommend a visit to Policy Map's website.  Policy Map also offers online tutorials and help.
 
Data access is provided to you free of charge, all you need to do is register.  Policy Map also offers two levels of paid subscriptions.  However, I think you will be quite impressed with all the data that you can access by just simply registering.  I thought the information provided was quite extensive.  Check it out and let me know what you think.
 
Property Maps Features
Property Maps Demo - Video

Pamela Cendejas with Second Self Virtual Assistance: When There Just Isn't Enough of You to Go Around!

    
 

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Here is a little tip that can save you a BIG headache if you choose to become a Beta Tester.  A Beta tester is someone who chooses to download a program which is still in development stages.  The only way a software manufacturer can find out what works and doesn't work is to have actual users test their program.  Currently, Microsoft has two products in Beta versions: Windows 7 and Silverlight (IE8).
 
The reasons someone would choose to test a Beta version of a product are varied and individual.  Some people just like to have the newest version of a program.  The why and how are not really important.  What is important (here comes the tip) is that you are prepared for disaster.  I am not saying a disaster will strike you, but the fact remains that it has and does happen.  It's kind of like a California earthquake. We all know its going to happen, but we don't know where, when or how much damage will occur.
 
You cannot depend on a system restore in the event a disaster does strike.  A beta version can disrupt your system to the point that a system restore will not restore your system to its previous state.  You may even see the dreaded blue screen ("the operating system is no longer operating").
 
Prepare For Disaster

    *      Be sure all of your backup systems are in place and working properly.  Restoring data can be a long and tedious process even with the best of systems.  I recommend an online backup service.  They are very reasonably priced.  Try http://www.carbonite.com.
    *      Be sure you have all of your original software disks.  Many backup systems, including online backups, only store data, not your programs.  If you experience a severe disaster, you may need to reinstall them.
    *      Partition your hard drive.  By partitioning your hard drive, you can run the Beta version in this sector, minimizing the risk to the rest of your operating system being corrupted.

When using Beta versions, it is wise to remember the Boy Scout motto: Always Be Prepared.

    
 

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You would think that being a full-time Realtor® would be enough to fill a person's day.  But, in today's world, so much more is expected of you.  You are expected to keep up with continued education requirements, market info, marketing, prospecting and technology.  As if that isn't enough, many buyers and sellers expect you to maintain a website, blog about your local area and participate in social networks.  Mr. John Q. Public may not know that he expects all of this from you, but you do.  There are only so many hours in a day and only so much one person can do.  So, today I thought I would share a few tips that may help you make the time you spend managing your social network(s) a little more manageable.
 
1. Before you do or read anything else, update your status.  If you are a member of more than one social network, use a service such as Ping.fm.  Ping.fm supports over 30 social networking sites.  Post your update here and all of your social networks will receive the update.
 
2. Look at your news and blog feeds.  Just quickly scan for the articles that will increase your expertise and knowledge base as well as those in which you can make a comment.  Review the blog and news feeds of your groups and friends.  Don't visit everyone everyday.  Instead, schedule groups/friends to one or two a day.

3. Look to see if there are any updates from your groups/friends.  Select only those worthy of a comment.

4. Look for any requests/invitations your have received.  This would also be the time to send Happy Birthday greetings and the like.

5. Win friends and influence people - add friends or join a group.  Read any notifications you may have received.

6.  Check your email inbox.  Read your personal emails first and then, if your schedule permits, read the remainder.

A secret to any good business strategy is to plan your work and work your plan.  To make your social networks manageable, schedule your time and time your schedule.

    
 

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Is "thank you" enough when someone signs up for your newsletter or signs in on your website?
 
Hmmm, let's see:

    *     Thank you for signing up for my newsletter.

    *     Thank you for visiting my website.  I look forward to serving you.
 
Both sound a little canned and boring to me. As a recipient, I would not be able to click the delete button fast enough.
 
What else can be said, you ask?  Maybe not much, but you can add some interesting content.

    *      Thank you for signing up for my newsletter. I appreciate your interest and hope the information you receive will be interesting and helpful.  By the way, here are some newsletters (blog, links) that I have found interesting (helpful, invaluable).  You may enjoy them as well.  If you have a question or need real estate information, you can contact me directly at myemailaddress@xxx.com.  I will be happy to assist you.

    *      As a way of saying thank you for signing up for my newsletter, I would like to offer you this free e-book: How to...

    *      As a way of saying thank you for visiting my website, I would like to give (offer) you ....
 
Anyway, you get the idea.  Adding content beats the "plain Jane thank you".  I can guarantee you that the recipient will at least finishing reading the email before hitting the delete key and they may just be a little more inclined to read your emails in the future.
 
If you link to another blog or website, be sure to email the owner and let them know.  Linking to another blog, website, etc. is another way of saying thank you for the good work you are doing.  The blogger or website owner just might return the "thank you" in the form of a link back or a referral.

    
 

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