The Ultimate Hub: WordPress Self-Hosted Real Estate Blog

May 27, 2011 By Suzanne Roy Leave a Comment

Are you still using your traditional website for generating business? SHAME ON YOU!

Ok, I take that back, IF you are actually getting business from your website, then bravo! You’re one of the very few!

If you haven’t heard already, the hub of all your online marketing and social networking should actually be on something that will bring you business and something that you actually own yourself! There is only one way to go to maximize the perfect hub and integrated network: through WordPress self-hosted blogs (ie. hosted on your own server through Godaddy for example).

“But why do self-hosted real estate blogs work better than a traditional website (such as point 2 agent or a la mode)”?

Because blogs are (or at least should be!) constantly changing and giving the search engines something new to index, whereas a website is basically a static site – one that does not change after it is created (except for your new listings that you may or may not add).

“Ok, but what does that do”?

Being found on the first page of search engines is what makes your site succeed. Properly setting up a blog, consistently updating it with relavent, interesting information and using well researched keywords are the three major components to successfully being found by the search engines and getting your blogsite ranked on page 1. Sounds simple enough, right?

No? Need some help to get the job done? Send me an email below and let me know where you are in the process. You’d be surprised to know how many others are in the same boat as you!

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How to drive traffic and gain more solid leads

May 4, 2011 By Suzanne Roy Leave a Comment

Yesterday I asked a question on our Tech Savvy Agent Facebook Page, about how you are using Facebook’s ad space to maximize your online business lead generation. Some of you responded by saying that it was working for you really well, and some asked how to do it. The response, as in many things, was pretty diverse.

When it comes to advertising online, one thing remains the same: How you use your words. Now, I’m not referring to how your mother brought you up to use your manners. On the contrary. What I am referring to is the choice of words which you use to get the attention you are seeking, and moreover, the results you are desiring.

This is not just about Facebook Ads, of course. This is about all your communications – whether it is in your marketing materials online or offline, you will either make it or break it. Your choice in the words you use to advertise you, your services, or your properties is really important and should be given more than just a fleeting thought.

Here’s a breakdown of how to correctly drive traffic and gain more solid leads through your online marketing by using your words:

1. Who is your customer? Determining what traffic you want to attract is the first step to success.

2. What is the purpose of your marketing? Do you have a solid call to action – are you giving them something they really WANT?

3. Determine the main idea of your marketing and shorten it to be your title too (see the title of this blog?)

4. Think before you write. Kinda like the saying “think before you speak”, this is just as true within your online marketing endeavors too!

This post was inspired by the short video below which I saw earlier this week. I hope it inspires you to choose your words carefully too.

Filed Under: Coaching Tips Tagged With: drive traffic, facebook ads, lead generation, offline marketing, online marketing, solid leads

Investment – It’s not just about the money

May 2, 2011 By Suzanne Roy Leave a Comment

Investment – It’s not just about the money

Have you ever noticed how you put a lot of effort, or at least what you think is a lot of effort, into something and the results don’t come quick enough?

Does this question resonate with you?

This is what I hear time and time again from agents – they expect instant gratification from their online marketing (or anything for that matter within their life or business) and when it doesn’t happen, they get extremely frustrated and give up and move on to another attempt of instant gratification. And so the insanity cycle begins.

Let’s be realistic here. What you put in, you’ll get out. If you are putting little to no effort into something, then you’ll likely get little to no return from it. Think about it: ROI means Return On Investment. This isn’t just monetarily speaking! To invest in something is (per Dictionary.com) to use, give, or devote (time, talent, etc.), as for a purpose or to achieve something. So, really, be truthful, how much investment have YOU put into your latest attempt at online marketing?

People hire other people to do their work – hence, why I am, and have been, in business for almost 10 years. But at some point there has to be some personal responsibility for your own business’ success (or failure), wouldn’t you agree? Hiring others to help you with your business is a given – I mean there’s a reason why there is such a thing as a “TEAM“. Zuckerberg didn’t create Facebook single-handedly and Gates didn’t create Microsoft solo either. But they certainly did have their hand in the work, right?

One of the recurring questions I am asked from my clients is “What works“? Or they simply will say, “Tell me what I need to do to make money from my online business (quickly!)“. The truth is, what you put in, is what you will get out. As with anything in life, if you truly put your heart and soul into something, rarely will it fail. If you try something for a few weeks, or months, and feel that it simply isn’t working, you stop. Well, what’s the chances that it will work better when you stop!? I would have to say… ZERO PERCENT!

So, when we put this heart and soul mentality into practice within our online marketing, WE must TRULY do that and give it our all. I would urge everyone, whether you are a client or not, that when you are contemplating to stop trying something after a short period of time, DON’T! Do the opposite – put MORE effort into it! Think, ‘what can I do better? What can I do differently? How much INVESTMENT have I truly put into this up until now?’ Chances are, not as much as you need to.

The word “insanity” is defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Don’t be insane! Stay consistent, stay on course, stay focused, and keep your goals in the forefront of your mind. Rome wasn’t built in a day!

Filed Under: Coaching Tips Tagged With: insanity, invest, investment, online marketing, online marketing business