The ActiveRain Stuff You Won't Find Anywhere Else on the Web

The whole point in setting your goals is so you can accomplish those things you really want in life.  Goal setting is so unbelievably powerful.  Goals must be specific, written down, and have a time frame.  Just making the commitment to put it in writing will help you get there.  Having good organization is a hard thing to do in this business because we are constantly interrupted.  You have to be able to multi-task.  We all want to get to where our business is repeat and referral, but it will take good organization, consistency, and patience.

 

I believe that the great NFL Hall of Fame coach, Vince Lombardi, had it right when he said, "The quality of a persons life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor."  Do you agree with the coach or are you the type of person who has difficulty staying focused and keeping commitments?  Do you allow the negative influences of fear, anxiety, self-doubt and worry to dominate your thinking and sabotage your goals and results?

 

 

Sadly, most people fail to achieve their goals, not because they're lazy or lack self-motivation, but because they were never "fully committed" to succeed!  Walt Disney would frequently tell those around him, "When you believe in something, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionably!

 

 

The four reasons people don't set goals:

1. Fear
2. Poor Self Image
3. Never been sold completely
4. They just don't know how

The 7 steps in a successful goal formula:

1. Identify the Goal
2. List the benefits you'll receive
3. List the obstacles you have to overcome
4. List the knowledge, skills and tools you'll need
5. Identify the people, groups and organizations you must work with
6. Develop an Action-Plan
7. Set a completion date
   

 

 

According to Zig Ziglar, there is danger in setting your goals because you might not reach them and if you don't reach them, there is that little damage to your ego, to your self-image.  But, there is infinitely more danger in not setting your goals.  Here's a great little goal setting application to help you set your goals for the fourth quarter this year. 

 

 

 

 

It's an excel spreadsheet designed to map out what it will take to achieve your goals in Real Estate.  It's very easy to use, easy to download, but you will need Microsoft Excel to run it.  Now more than ever, we need to redefine our goals, our challenges and our obstacles.  It's easy to know where we are, but can we determine where we are going, simply by setting some goals?

 

Here's the 8th step!   You can      

                                                                                               
All Content Copyright Protected © 2007

When you first heard the word "Blog" you were probably just like the rest of us.  Not sure, confused, and maybe even uncomfortable with the whole idea and concept.  My guess is that you still are if you've opened this post and you're still reading it. 

Here is a Starter Kit with everything you need to know, for your Blogging and Blogosphere survival.  If you are new to Blogging (less than 3 months or so) this is the post for you.  Here is the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of Blogging, which is the newest and most exciting way for social networking in the World...and it's FREE!

Your Starter Kit Includes The Following: 

Here are the TOP 100 Most Subscribed Bloggers on the Active Rain Network.  Almost 50,000 members strong, but these are the 100 that most readers subscribe to.  If you view and learn from these Bloggers, you can shave years off the learning process.  This is where I have learned so much, and you can too!  Who should Blog?   You!  That's why you signed up isn't it?

ActiveRain Networking

Top 5 secrets of successful blogs and how yours can be one of them

ActiveRain Community Resources - Updated 05/18/07

So what is a Blog?  What should you Blog about?  Here's what the experts have to say. No chance of writers block with this available to you.  Here 's 101 ideas to write about on your Blog - compliments of the Real Estate Tomato.  If that isn't enough for you, CLICK HERE to be blown away!  There are more ideas and content here than you could ever write about.

What should I write next? The Ultimate Guide to Ideas for Your Next Blog

What Kind of Blogger Are You?   Blogphobics, Come On Out and Play

The Top Ten 4-Letter Words of Real Estate Blogging

When should you Blog? It varies for most, but I use the hours of 6-7am and or 10-12pm.  Post in the mornings and comment at night.  This way it doesn't interfere with my daily obligations and commitments.  You will have to decide when and how much time you want to put into it.  Here's my analogy.  If you practiced piano for 1/2 hour and only once each month, that's 12 practices a year totaling 6 hours of overall rehearsal.  Now if you practice for a 1/2 hour each day, within two weeks, you'll be better than the one who practiced all year!!  I see you're catching on. :-)  You'll find your way, just get started! Finish this post, read the links, then just go post.  

Welcome Active Rain Newbies: Read Me First

Active Rain of course, but also get connected on Facebook, LinkedIn, MyBlogLog and some of the other social networking groups out there.  Even Myspace has even generated business for some folks.  Where can you Blog from?  Anywhere you have an Internet connection.  Your desktop at the office or home, your laptop, your palm top, and even your cell phone.  The iPhone and TREO are great for mobile Blogging.

Blogging 101 - Advice from some of the best....

Paying It Forward, Active Rain Style - 100 Links You MUST See!

Do You Want to be the "Featured Member" in your Area?

This may very well be the $64,000.00 question!  I'm going to let these successful and very well rewarded Bloggers give you the why.  For me, it's simple: Networking, Business, SEO, Relationships, Referrals, Education, Advertising, Experience, and the Price! FREE!  Better than a website, and much less expensive!

Is Blogging Journaling? - Why Should I Blog?

Does real estate blogging really work? 

Blogging For Business

The Top 10 Reasons to Blog on ActiveRain (If you are a mortgage broker)

The Power of Blogging - SER 

FIVE WAYS TO MARKET YOUR BLOG! 

Rain Tips and Pieces of the Puzzle that are good to know! What Say You?

Do You SEO?

SEO | It's Not all That Complicated

This is the one holding 1000's back from being successful Bloggers!!!

Goal setting for bloggers: how to build a popular blog

10 Effective Steps to Blogging For Business $$$

5 Principles to Creating an Effective Post 

How To Become The Expert in an Area

How to write a blog that generates leads 

7 Mistakes to Avoid on Active Rain 

10 Features of Successful Blogs

Best blogging resources

Top 10 Most Common SEO Mistakes 

Please.... No More Wall of Words!

10 Features of Successful Blogs

Top 10 Free SEO Web Tools 

Should I post to Professionals, Consumers or Both?

How To Get Your Post Featured and/or Included in Week in Review  

 

Blogging Tools and Help? 

ActiveRain Owner's Manual | Book 2

Photos and Graphics and Clip-Art Oh My...

Blogging Tools - ProBlogger

Tech-Know-Babble 

20 Google Tools for Your Business

Widgets: How to Add Them to Your Blog

Successful Blogging in the Real Estate Industry

 

I know that if you have not placed your first post on your Blog yet, there's a chance you just won't ever do it at all.  I hope this "kit" will inspire you to better understand and utilize Blogging to your benefit, and your customers.  This "Starter Kit" is all you will need to move forward effectively and efficiently on Active Rain, and in the Blogosphere.   It's all here, now the question is... are you?  

 

All Content Copyright Protected © 2007    

                                   

The first "EVER" post, inspired and compiled entirely from other members' Blog Title's regarding the "Open House", and it's obvious Controversy!

I heard about The Best Open House List in Town, isn't real estate still local?  Wouldn't you like to know more on HOW TO GENERATE BUSINESS FROM AN OPEN HOUSE!?  Some of you may even be asking yourself  Why Open House is a Waste of Time and What You Should be Doing Instead, feeling that it's an absolute waste of time.  Open House, Closed House, Safe House, there's nothing in it for me and they don't work!! 

Open Houses...Think Outside The House!  Maybe if you take A Fresh Approach To The Open House, you might have more success.  Some have even figured out how to create the urgency MAYDAY! MAYDAY! OPEN HOUSE S.O.S.!  It sure caught my attention.  Everyone knows that OPEN HOUSES - NOT FOR THE TIMID - PROS NEED ONLY APPLY. But here, you'll find that SELLING HOMES IN A SLOW MARKET - THIS AGENT HAS IT RIGHT!!  I have always wondered about Open Houses: Waste of time or Savvy marketing technique??  Some members believe in them so much, they create Efficient Local West Michigan Spring Time Open House Search 's for their areas.  Oh the controversy!!  Don't you wish there was an Agent Open House Tutorial?  Maybe this article will help give you at least  5 Reasons why Realtors should co-host open houses with a mortgage professional! or even a List of 26 Open House Tips for Realtors®.  Is anyone looking for A Great Article For Buyers on Attending Open Houses?

I guess if you wonder Who does open houses? You'll definitely find out here.  A Tale of Two Open Houses will shed some light on the whole concept.  How about the Open House Flyer – Ideas to Maximize This Simple, Useful and Inexpensive Real Estate Tool , Denise Says: Open Houses are the Dying Diamond of Real Estate.  I guess if you're always Making the best of Open Houses, they might make cents...  We are all looking for The Real Deal on Open Houses | Do They Really Provide Results, so look no more!  It's all here!!  The controversy of How to hold an effective "Traditional Open House", may be over...or NOT!  If you have that question,  Is an Open House Right for You? I hope you'll find the answer here.  If you do hold "Open Houses",  I hope you'll find out  How to make your public open house a success! Everyone wants Open house secrets for the millionaire Realtor!  If you feel Preparing your home for an Open House, is a waste of time, then you might want some Open House Tips.  

Whether you feel Open Houses Are A Waist Of Time For Sellers  and they are a Waste of a Sunday....The Public Open House, or that Hosting an Open House  the right way, might be Creating Captivating Open Houses!  I think this will be a creative post in helping you Prepare for your Open House!!  The question Open houses. To do or not to do. will probably remain a mystery forever, so before you Schedule An Open House...When? be sure to read these links!  This way, the comments alone from posts like: Open Houses: Do they really sell homes? will help you make that final decision.  I hope you'll be able to determine if Open houses; a worthless waste of everyone's time or a great selling tool???  Personally, I Love Open Houses!  

The "Open House" question will always exist, but my question to you is, How do you feel about Open Houses? and What Do You Do To Advertise Your Open House?  In many cases,  Open Houses - Seize the Opportunity!  With this post, you might even Increase Your Open House Conversion Rate!

I'm not trying to change the world here, just trying to help you decide if your world needs change!?!  The "Open House" is what sold my last two residences, one in California and one in Hawaii.  Also, I bought my current home from an "Open House"  Are you HONEST about Open Houses? 

                            

For a list of the contributing members and writers on this post, CLICK HERE! 

All Content Copyright Protected © 2007     

These are some really great tools that are ALL provided by Google for FREE. It's obvious that they are on a mission to remain the leader in Internet services and tools for us in our business. You will have seen some of these before, but I am certain you have not seen or used them all. You'll be amazed at what Google can do for you and your business, your websites and Blogs, and for your overall health and wealth. :-)

Google Search
Everyone knows about Google's search engine and it's capabilities. This is one of the most universal search engines and used by more "web surfers" than any other on the Internet. The simplest search is at Google.com but do you ever use the "Advanced Search"? This takes your searches to the next level. Here's a link to their Help Center which gives a great overview on how to use the advanced search options. You won't believe your options!

Google Analytics
If you want to know who's been to your website or blogs, this tool is a must. Google Analytics helps you to understand where your visitors are coming from and how they interact with your website. What pages they view, how long they're there, and much more. This tool will help you improve your site and strengthen your on-line marketing initiatives.

Google Free Email
Gmail is a way to have a free email account that you can use for personal or business use. This is a fantastic alternative to your regular daily email account. Tired of spam? Paranoid about entering your email when registering for on-line products, tools and services? Gmail is what I use to filter out my spam, and still have a valid email address for my on-line travels and endeavors. This keeps my business email from getting out of control. Gmail has a very user friendly interface that allows you to navigate easily and quickly.

Google SEO Tools
For those of you who may not understand SEO (Search Engine Optimization), you really need to look into this one and try to understand it as much as possible. This can make all the difference in what you decide to put on your website and post on your blogs. The goal (for most) is to have your website or Blog come up first in the search engines without having to pay for it. Understanding how SEO works, then making it work for you gets my highest recommendation.

Google AdSense
Have you considered making an additional income from your website or Blog? Google will pay you. That's right, pay you to advertise using their AdSense Widget. Make sure you take the time to understand all the benefits and drawbacks of Advertising on your Internet presence portal. Here is their Help Center which will answer any questions you may have. The ads you place on your site can be individually selected, customized, or automatically be chosen by Google based on your content. Thi$ is worth checking out.

Google Maps
Brand New! Now you can add maps to your Website or Blog in 3 easy steps. This is an ultimate tool for your web presence as well. You can probably think of at least 10 uses right away that would help in your marketing efforts. I can't think of a better way to promote your location than this. Google maps has a ton of other features that many of you already use or are aware of, and it's also now available for your TREO and cell phones.

Google News
Here you can search and browse 4500 news sources and web-pages that are being continuously updated. Want to get your arms around what's going on in your area or around the world? Google drops no balls in this area. The beauty of this tool is that, once you decide what you want and need the most in the news, you can use the RSS Feed to have it all brought to you. iGoogle let's you customize your home page to anything you want. If you don't like the news, go out and make some of your own! :-) Now you're in the news!

iGoogle
This article is discussing Google's newest brand. iGoogle. It's on ZD Net and written by Garrett Rogers and is titled, "What Google is up to". It's an easy and short read if you want to save some time. I have customized My iGoogle to use as a link in some strategic locations out on the web. This is a great tool for helping you gather and organize the on-line tools you use most. It's your own personal web-page to use for yourself, but can definitely be shared with others...especially clients. It all depends on how you decide to set it up.

Google Alerts
It's easy to do a search in Google for just about anything on the planet, that's why so many millions of people use it. This tool allows you to have the future delivered right to your email door-step. You can run any phrase or keywords, then be notified if any website, blog, or article is posted with your "Alert" specifications. I just did a post regarding this powerful tool, I hope you'll take the time to read and use this one! "Staying Alerted"

Blogger
Are you looking to start your own personal Blog? Google's Blogger allows you to create, customize and personalize your "stand alone" Blog and it's FREE! When done properly, you can't even tell it's a Blog, it looks more like a website. You don't need to be a programmer or an HTML code designer, you just have to decide which of the many options to use, to best suit you and your audiences needs. I have 3 personal Blogs that were created using Blogger.

The Google Blog
This is the Official Google Blog using Blogger. They currently have 842,000 readers subscribed through Feedburner. Imagine having that many people viewing your Blog or Website continuously! If you are looking for posts that relate to anything, for every Country, this is a great Blog to subscribe to. This Blog is so huge, you can't even leave a comment, but you can create a link. I would most certainly check this one out, even if it were to just get an idea on a layout for your own. Why re-create the wheel?

Google AdWords
This is a quick and simple way to advertise on Google regardless of your budget. This link to the AdWords Help Center will give much more detail than I can possibly post here. You should investigate all these types of tools for your business, if you foresee doing more and using the Internet to do it. I'm not sure of the returns in value for every business, but the successes I have heard and read about are phenomenal.

Google Web History
All the Websites you ever visit right at your finger tips. Some of you may not want to use this! I guess that depends on how much you browse the web and where you browse. I use it because I want to track some of the sites I visit for updates and I don't want to use Google Alerts for everything. This is a personal preference, but it seems better to me than having 1000 bookmarks in my Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla's Firefox browser.

Google Groups
Here are over 10,000 groups you can join or visit for just about any topic out there. Here are over 2700 just for the Real Estate Industry. If you want to see how big the world really is on the intenet, fasten your seatbelt and drive your cyber-cycle through here. There is enough information here to give you some great reasons to run to the medicine cabinet for something to stop making your head spin!! LOL! :-O

Google Photos (Picasa)
Each account with Google's Picasa gives you about 1 Free gigabyte of space. That's approximately 4000 standard resolution photos! You can then share them with family, friends, clients and co-workers. You can create albums, add captions, and even comments to your posted photos. Keep them private, or share them with the world. I know there are many other photo applications like Kodak Share, Photo Bucket, Slide, and Image Shack, but Google has it as an addition to ALL these other tools. It's like a One-Stop-Shop!

Google Earth
Let's face it, if you haven't heard or used Google Earth, then let me be the first to welcome you to our planet! :) This has to be one of the best services and tools you can incorporate into your business. Find directions, email 3-D maps and areal views, look into outer space, and see who's parked in front of your clients house (just kidding on the last one), I use it almost everyday. Google Earth is a must have for any Industry Company or Professional. Click here if you have any doubt.

Google Translator
You may have seen this on other websites or Blogs most recently. Google has a Widget you can add to your site that will convert your entire site or page into a multiple selection of different languages. Now I know how many feel about these translators, but I have to say, if Google has services in every Country, wouldn't you think that their translator must be the most accurate? It's not like they don't have the money or people to invest into it. I have tried it, and of all the translators I have used, Google gets my highest rating. *****

Google Video
Here's my favorite 1 minute video on Google Video. I know you'll enjoy this one! This tool is much like Youtube.com video, but it's provided to you by Google. You can email, forward, or add to your posts, blogs, websites and more. The interface is very easy to use and is a great alternative to some of the others out there. Google Video can be quite educational and entertaining at the same time. Try it, you'll like it!

Google Labs
This is Google's technology playground. Here you can have the chance to see what Google is working on next, and get the chance to try it out before it hits the Prime Time! They are looking for feedback and suggestions from you! For example, they are working on a prototype which is still in Beta testing; Google Voice Local Search where you can search for local businesses using your voice, from any phone, for Free! Just Dial 1-800 GOOG-411. You should look at Google Labs to see what other products, tools and services they are working on while you're here reading this post!

Google Desktop
Info when you want it, right on your desktop. Now you can download Google Desktop and search your computer like you would the web with Google, view news, photos, and more anywhere on your desktop, add Google Gadgets and Widgets to customize your Google sidebar, you can even create and share your own gadgets and widgets with others.

Google Mobile
Great Google features right on your mobile device. Maps, Gmail, Searches and their newest addition, YouTube Videos. This is brand new, you can watch, upload, and share videos right from your mobile device. Also new is the ability to access your Picasa albums and photos from your mobile device. What will they think of next? I'll tell you. I saved the best for last. Google Mobile now allows you to Blog from your mobile device. Take a photo, upload it, create your post, all on the go. WOW! Thank you Google, there's no need to be frugal, since all this stuff is FREE!! Do you Google?

Copyright Protected © 2007 - ActiveBrad

Have you ever wondered how other people find your Blog when you have written a post about them?  How do they do that?  I used to ask myself this question all the time.  Many of the comments on my Blog lately have asked me, "Where do you come up with all this stuff?"  This post reveals the secret to finding out all the information you ever wanted, or needed to know, that is ever posted anywhere on the Internet.  You can have any information come to you, instead of you going out and trying to find it, or maybe missing out, and never even seeing it all-together.

As many of you may, or may not know, I just traveled to Arizona to see my father who is 82 years old.  His name is Gunner Andersohn, and he is the oldest living Andersohn in the Country right now.  He is very ill, so I had to leave town for a few days to be by his side.  He is doing OK for the time being, and is in much better spirits now.  Getting back on track here (sorry), while I was away, another Active Rain member wrote a post that included me in their Blog.  Then another Blogger wrote a post outside the rain, using my name on his Blog too.  How do I know this? 

Google has a tool that will email you if and when "Key Words" or "Phrases" are picked up by their search engine.  I use Google Alerts to run my name to see if anything new is ever posted.  The first was a post by David and Kirstin Small.  (Thanks you guys)  I would have never known if it weren't for this great tool that Google provides for free.  The second was by DeansGuide, it was posted outside the Active Rain Network. (Great Post Dean) Again, Google Alerts picked up both of these posts, and informed me via my email.

You can use Google Alerts to report back "anything" to you by email, you just need to join, and then add your alerts.  I also use "Real Estate Technology" and "New Real Estate Tools" as just a few of my keywords or phrases.  There are quite a few others I use as well that have been very helpful to me in serving the community, my clients and other AR members.  Be careful what you ask Google to search for and "Alert" you, you will get it, and if you put in a word or topic that is common, you'll be inundated with Google Alert emails.  You can also check out the Google Guide for a ton of great information.

Some other handy uses for Google Alerts would be for monitoring a developing news story, keeping current on a competitor or industry, getting the latest on a celebrity or event, or even keeping tabs on your favorite sports teams and shopping sales.  Create an alert for just about anything you can think of.  What do you want to track in your area?  You can also sign in to manage your alerts if you need to.  Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Google Alerts.

You can begin using Google Alerts right away by going to THEIR WEBSITE.  Use this tool to help you and your business.  I would suggest starting off by just using your own name.  Maybe even your company name.  Start out easy and then build your way to being informed about any topic, person, or subject matter you desire.  I have found this to be one of my most helpful tools, and in so many ways.  Don't miss out on Google Alerts, now YOU'VE been ALERTED! :-)

After I completed this post on "Staying Alert", I did a search to see if others had seen or used Google Alerts!  WOW! Check it out! 

All Content Copyright Protected © 2007 - The Escrow Guy