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!
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Hello, Brad! I'm so glad to hear that your dad is ok. Say, does your family have anything to do with Anderson's Pea Soup Restaurant? I just love pea soup. :)
I signed up for Google Alert a few days ago but I think I put in the wrong keywords. (I always say that my phone is broken when it's not ringing). LOL Your blogs are always informative and helpful with easy to follow instructions. Thank you for being a great contributor to AR.
The phone is not broken, it's just unplugged! LOL! My contributions are to my friends like you who just happen to be on AR! AR is nothing without it's members, and I am proud that you and I are one of those! :-)
Brad - First of all....glad to hear your dad is doing better! We will keep your family in our prayers! Great post as always. We have been using Google Alerts but you just gave us some ideas to add to our alerts. Thanks for the tips and glad to have you back!!! P.S. Thanks for the really nice things you said about us on your associates list!
Brad, I have been using Google Alerts for many terms. It is interesting when your name pops up in a comment and you find out about it. Lately, I have not been getting as many from my activerain blog ? I proposed this question to members only last week. No one seemed to know why not ? Do you ?
I set them all to comprehensive and they are all working fine. I Google Alert my name, plus Ann Arbor real estate, real estate leads, blogs about ann arbor etc. The real estate leads sends me so many ( lots of them from activerain bloggers ) It is starting to fill up my email so I may have to delete it.
I'm glad your dad is doing better and I'm sure your visit was a real lift in his spirits.
Google Alerts is one of my favorite tools on the web, there are some really great things you can use it for, like running your city, subdivisions, associations, competitors, developments etc. This can really help make you the expert in anything, and be the first one to know. Love it Love it Love it!!! Regarding the associates comment, I meant every word of it! You guys are both Awesome!! Thank you for your comment as well, it is really appreciated! :-)
Darlene - thanks for your thoughts and prayers, Dad is doing better, but still needs all the prayers he can get.
I hope you find the google alerts to be as helpful as I have, it really is a great tool! Thanks again Darlene.
Here's a picture of pops!
He says "Thanks For Your Thoughts and Prayers!"
Brad,
You really have your hands full now, don't you between your father and stepfather both being ill. My heart goes out to you.
On to the topic of this blog, I wrote a similiar article back in January, What Can a Google Alert Do For You? . There have been numerous others that I have seen since then and it still amazes me at how many people don't have a clue what a Google Alert is all about or why you would want one.
I recently got into the habit of Googling all of my clients and then setting up a Google alert with thier name. It is a great way to keep in touch when something interesting shows up. It also lets you know how tech savvy your clients really are...and most of mine are since they have found me, for the most part, here on the Internet.
Brad, you and your family are in my prayers,
John
PS - look to see who is once agian in the #8 slot!
Hi Brad,
First let me say, I send blessings and good health wishes to your Dad.
I have not been using Goggle Alert but think I will give it a try. Thanks for useful info as always.
Hi Brad..I just ran over and signed on to google alerts! Does it just pick up from posts on blogs or articles? Or can it pick up your name being mentioned in emails? That would be too cool....especially for paranoid people like me!
All the best to your Dad...mine is 88 and they have so few people left their spirits sink easily. It doesn't take much to cheer them up and help give them a more positive attitude!
Brad - I hope everything will go well with the operation, it is a amazing how these operation are now handled almost routine.
Thanks for the information on alerts, I will have to do more of that.
Brad -
I hope your dad is doing OK. Great pic of him. Makes me want to reachright out and give him a hug!
I've just signed up for Google Alerts. Never knew about it. Thanks for keeping us in the know!
Cool post, Brad. I use Google Alerts all the time and have for a couple of years...my name, keywords, and so on. Pretty useful.
Jeff
PS - Glad to hear your Dad is doing better!
Brad - that is twice I have learned something about Google from you this week. Keep up the good work and best wishes to you and your Dad.
This is AWESOME! I had no idea you could do this.
Thanks for sharing, Brad!!
Erika
Brad, I don't know you (yet) but my best wishes are with you and your Dad. Thanks for sharing the photo of him; it was terrific that you were able to take some time and visit with him! Thanks also for the terrific info you always share on AR!
Best regards,
Sarah
Brad,
I have been "Googling" a long time and use many of Googles tools already as a Webmaster and hard core techy. But I had not checked out Google Alerts. What an awesome tool! Thank you very much for this post and "alerting" me to yet another great tool from our friends at Google.
- Chris
NotaryBids.com
Brad-
I know this is an old post but I'm just now catching up on some reading since I subscribe to your post. Thanks for passing this information along about Google Alerts, I just signed up for it and looking forward to using this new tool!
thank again for the outstanding jog that you do with all this "techno-stuff"! You're great. Oh, how is your dad doing by the way?
C&M
Chris and Maria - it's not really that old of a post, only 18 days! I guess in the Blog World that is "Old". LOL!
I think you guys will love the Google Alerts tool. It has brought me so much value, the secrets are out and now many are understanding how it can help you and keep you informed. When used properly, it will even help get you business. Can't give it all up here, some things have to be kept under wraps for obvious reasons.
Lastly, Dad is doing much better now after my visit with him. Thanks for asking and caring! You guys are awesome, I hope we can meet in person someday, would love to be able to do some business together or at least share a cup of java and a few tales. Have a great weekend, and thanks for subscribing to my blog. :-)
Brad:
One of the interesting things I have found by using Goiogle alerts is that in some cases there are forums I particip[ate in that actually generate an alert within an hour of a post I make. That means instant promotion on Google!
AWESOME
- Chris
I can see how that would be fun Brad LOL...got to love technology!
- Chris
Brad- Once again I learn more from you. I just signed up for google alerts thanks to reading your post.
My father in law just passed away last week so I want you to know I will be praying for your family and hope your Dad is feeling better real soon. I loved the picture you posted of your Dad!
I bet you got your kindness from him. Take care of yourself too!