Streamline with Agent Nation

Real estate professionals have a complete set of Web 2.0 tools to magnify their online voice and connect with buyers and sellers everywhere! Here are 10 ways to leverage an Internet presence in real estate with Agent Nation:

1. Earn a reputation as an expert.
   A complete list of tools lets real estate agents show market expertise. You will achieve an increasing level of expertise the more involved you are on Agent Nation. Be sure to post content, listings, photos, and get involved with conversations. The more active you are on Agent Nation, the higher your ranking.
   
   
2. Brand yourself.
   The most consumer-friendly property detail sheet is not complete without your name, your contact information, and a link right to your web site. Agent Nation offers a branded and non-branded version of your listings and virtual tours. Remember, you are a brand too; treat yourself accordingly.
   
   
3. Build your reputation proactively.
   Construct an online profile that includes a record of your accomplishments and lists your affiliations. There’s plenty of room, so include memberships in organizations that fuel your passion even if they are not real estate related (i.e. CARE National Advocacy, Big Brothers and Sisters, Turning Point). This is just another way to connect with colleagues and clients.
   
   
4. Showcase testimonials on the Agent Nation profile page.
   What better way to build a reputation than with the kudos of past clients and colleagues? As your are building this page, take a few moments to contact some past clients and ask them for a few words that you can use on this important page.
   
   
5. Drive leads to your web site.
   The more tools you use, the more traffic you will drive to your web site. Consider the qualitative value of visitors who have researched the real estate market and read the answers to the questions that you post, and visitors who read your blog.
   
   
6. Attract your ideal client.
   Put the Law of Attraction to work for you and let your personality shine. Share your thoughts and successes, share your joy as well as your frustration. Be real. Be you. Watch the magic happen as you establish an online kinship with like-minded consumers and colleagues. What a great way to kick off a formal business relationship.
   
   
7. Use widgets to share market stats and listings.
   Use an Agent Nation profile badge in your e-mail signature that keeps your online presence ever ready.
   
   
8. Agent Nation broadens your reach and exposure.
   Get exposure beyond the organic search. Featured listings appear at the top of search results, and you can aim your exclusive d at 20 market areas or zip codes.
   
   
9. Convert more inbound and outbound referrals.
   Find a real estate professional in other market areas to find the right match for your family, friends, and clients. Read agents’ answers to consumers to gauge their market savvy and select an agent or several agents to interview for a chance to work with a buyer or a seller.
   
   
10. Carve a niche in your local market.
    What is your special fancy? Spend energy and have fun sharing insights and information about the market you know best. Use the keyword search tool to find conversations other agents and consumers are having and lend your voice to the discussion. Leave a trail of footprints that buyers and sellers can follow to find their perfect agent.

A Green Holiday

Statistics show that waste generation skyrockets during the holiday season. An estimated 2.6 billion holiday cards are sold each year in the United States, enough to fill a football field 10 stories high. It is estimated that between Thanksgiving and the New Year an extra million tons of waste are generated nationwide each week. In fact, 38,000 miles of ribbon alone is thrown out each year--enough to tie a bow around the Earth! Here are a number of suggestions to reduce holiday waste:

• Reduce and reuse wrapping:. Make the wrapping part of the gift. For example, wrap kitchen items in a kitchen towel.

• When shopping, consolidate purchases in one bag.

• Save gift boxes, bows and ribbons for next year.

• Carefully plan errands and shopping to save fuel and lessen pollution.

• Recycle your old electronics if you get new ones.

• Take your tree to the end of season collections around town to be used for mulch.

• Do not burn wrapping paper. The colored paper contains lead and other heavy materials.

• Mistletoe is highly toxic to children and pets. Use artificial rather than the real thing.

Consumers today are growing more and more aware of the benefits of going green. These consumers not only look to you for assistance buying and selling their properties, but all things real estate related. Take time to become familiar with green resources in your area; from recycling centers to your efforts to improve energy efficiency in the home. Your local utility company is an excellent resource of information as well as you local Chamber of Commerce. Use this subject to build a connection with your prospects and build rapport.

Staying on top of your on-line marketing

There is no doubt that the real estate industry is one of, if not the toughest profession. Not only are there a lot of licensed agents out there, they are motivated. So, when competition is thick, how do you differentiate yourself from the others? One of the easiest, although sometimes overwhelming phases of your marketing strategy is your on line presence. The great thing about your on line marketing campaign is that it works for you 24/7. While you are out showing property, performing a listing presentation, or even sleeping; your on line efforts are at work.

A critical part of your web effort that some agents tend to forget, is that you have to stay on top of it. This is not something you just throw together and then forget about. It is critical that you update your profiles and add new content to your sites, blogs, and on line communities. For example, what do you think when you go to a blog that has not been updated in a couple of weeks? Where did they go? Are they still in the business? You already know how important it is to stay in front of your clients and prospects with e-mail and mailings; it is just as important to do so on line.

A great tool that many blog services offer to assist you with this task is that of post dating your blog entries. Take some time to write a few articles in one sitting, but schedule them to post at a later date. Do this once a week and you have a great pipe line of articles created. Another great tool for Twitter is called tweetlater. Much like post dating you blog posts, tweetlater allows you to post date your tweet updates. Going out of town? Just want to stay ahead of things? These are two great tools to help you. Stay tuned for more helpful hints from Agent Nation.

What is AgentNation...