Virtual Views - The View From Here : February 2010

Does Practice Make Perfect?

What did it take for Michael Jordan to be one of the most memorable basketball stars?

What did Tiger Woods do to be on his way to one of the greatest golfers ever? 

What did Donny Osmond do to win Dancing With The Stars?

What is it the Olympians do to go for the Gold?

How did Chris Brogan become a Social Media Expert?

How does the top real estate producer in the area keep learning all the new techniques?  Do you think the top producer needed to practice to make the techniques work?

Listen to this adorable boy explain how to get better!

Now think about everything we do in life.... no one starts knowing how to do everything well without practice. We are no different than our children... we MUST practice to get better at anything new we try.

Do you play Texas holdem?   How did you play to begin with?  What did it take to get better?  

Do you want to understand social media better?  What does it take?  Jump in and Practice! Practice with your friends! Try facebook, Twitter and Linkedin, Get a fanpage and have some fun!  No one gets better without practice! Let's connect all over cyberspace!

When you started to blog what were the 1st posts like?  How did you get better? 

Wanting to get better at activerain?  Check out ActiveRain Universityand attend some of the webinars.  It's a fun way to learn and Guaranteed to help you get better! Brad Andershonhas done an excellent job of setting up the perfect way to learn! With enough practice you too, can be giving webinars to your customers and clients!  It just takes practice!

Friday - February 26th, 2010

• 8:00 - 9:00am (PST)
  ActiveRain "Live" Training and Support with Q&A
  Presenter: Brad Andersohn
  Register

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MARCH
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Monday - March 1st, 2010

• 8:00 - 9:00am (PST)
  ActiveRain "Live" Training and Support with Q&A
  Presenter: Brad Andersohn
  Register

Tuesday - March 2nd, 2010

• 11:00 - 12:00pm (PST)
  ActiveRain RainMakers - A Community Guided Tour
  The Top AR Tools and Resources
  Presenter: Brad Andersohn
  Register

Wednesday - March 3rd, 2010

• 1:00 - 2:00pm (PST)
  ActiveRain "Live" Training and Support with Q&A
  Presenter: Brad Andersohn
  Register

Thursday - March 4th, 2010

• 10:00 - 11:00am (PST)
  SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER/PRESENTER
  Presenter: TO BE ANNOUNCED
  Register

Friday - March 5th, 2010

• 8:00 - 9:00am (PST)
  ActiveRain "Live" Training and Support with Q&A
  Presenter: Brad Andersohn
  Register

Practice DOES make Perfect!  

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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Valentines Day 5 Days and Counting!

The time just slips away and you could be wondering what can I do that is different? 

My friend Tim Wilson was looking for posts with Valentine ideas and I haven't seen many so here you go Tim! 

You can create you own slide show with pictures of you and your sweetheart or whoever you want! 

It's easy and Free!  Just go to www.Slide.com  register and away you go! 

Now buy a bundle of flowers from Safeway or the local grocery store and save money.  Go to TJ Max, Ross, Pier 1 or some discount store and get a beautiful vase!  Put those bright colored flowers or even the rose specials in the beautiful vase.. and you are set! 

Wait there is more.. with the money you saved on the flowers... you have can purchase a wonderful fragrance.

My favorite perfumes:

Issey Miyake 3.3 ounces about $100

Chance by Chanel 3.4 ounces about $98

Private Collections by Estee Lauder 2.5 ounces about $56

Of course you dressed up in a bow is always a hit! 

Have a wonderful Valentine's Day!  Share the LOVE!

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

You Can Have It All Without Doing It All!

If keeping up with social media seems like a monkey you do not want on your back, you will want to listen to the Blogtalkradio show coming up.

Our next guests on the Blogtalkradio "ActiveRain member series" will be Pamela Cendejas ,  Heather Chavez  and Crystal Morris of Second Self Virtual Assistance. The show will be airing on February 11, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. MST We hope you can join us by listening and chatting online or by calling in to (347) 994-1903.

Second Self Virtual Assistance offers excellent support services for real estate agents including website design, contact management, blog marketing, social media marketing, online property syndication and many other administrative services.  One of the most important benefits of working with Second Self Virtual Assistance is the fact they offer a vast array of helpful and convenient services based on your individual needs. Their primary goal is to help make your business run smoothly. Pamela Cendejas, CEO of Second Self Virtual Assistance says, "You're great at selling real estate and really enjoy working closely with your buyers and sellers.  It brings you great joy to help them find their little piece of paradise.  Doing the job right can take up a lot of your time and energy.  However, the rewards are immeasurable and you can't imagine doing anything else.  At the end of the day, you have a feeling of great satisfaction for a job well done."

In today's highly competitive real estate world, it takes more than simply selling real estate to be successful. You must constantly promote yourself and your services. "When will I find the time?" you ask.  Sit back, close your eyes and imagine:

• More Time for Yourself
• A 24/7 Assistant
• Someone to Do What You Can't
• Auto-Pilot Marketing
• Someone to Do What You Don't Like to Do
• More Productivity
• Less Stress
• Peace of Mind
• Maintaining Your Privacy
• Complete Confidence & Confidentiality
• To Time-Consuming Training
• Tasks That Get Done on Time
• More Time for Your Family
• No Payroll Taxes or Insurance to Pay

Your dreams can become a reality with Pam, Heather and Crystal at Second Self Virtual Assistant!

It is the smart choice for maximizing your time and talent.  At less than the cost of temps or employees, you can take advantage of their skills and knowledge.  You can use their extensive training and expertise to help you stay on top of the everyday tasks that get in the way of what you do best - selling real estate.

Technology and the Internet are constantly changing.  They keep up so you don't have to.  Experience the freedom of a Second Self Virtual Assistant the next time there just isn't enough of you to go around.

On a personal level, I cannot say enough good things about Pamela, Heather and Crystal.  If you take the time to read their blogs you will see first hand what they can help you with.  Their presentation of ANY posts are impeccable and the content is ALWAYS informative.  Pamela, Heather and Crystal are perfectionists with the technical end of social media.  As the authority in your field, you can be the one who gives them the content ideas which will help bring customers to your blog.  Don't have the time?  Second Self Virtual Assistance offers ghostwriting services.  They can take the ball and run - doing all the work for you.

Set your reminder on the Blogtalkradio to hear the "ActiveRain member series" with Pamela Cendejas, Heather Chavez and Crystal Morris of Second Self Virtual Assistance.  The show is Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. MST  We hope you can join us by listening and chatting online or by calling in to (347) 994-1903.

For more information about services or if you have any questions, you can visit Pamela's ActiveRain blog, Heather's ActiveRain blog, Crystal's WordPress blog, email them at info@thinksecondself.com, give them a call at (928) 692-3235, or connect with them on Facebook.

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