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What The Heck is Web 2.0 And Why Should You Care?
If you want to stay in this business, you better be part of the new movement. Web 2.0 is changing the way we networking works!
Few weeks ago there was a thread created in an online forum about Web 2.0 and how it can be used in Real Estate to increase the sales. I decided to give you my spin on it and why you should use it if you really want to stay in the business few years from now because that is where we are moving, and before you know it, you will be playing catch up if you do not hurry up and get in.
First, lets look at what Web 2.0 is all about… then we can talk about why and how you should use it if you plan to boost your business.
So what the heck is Web 2.0?
The term Web 2.0 refers to the new wave or the new movement that is going on online with the increasing number of forums, blogs, social networks such as facebook, myspace and so forth.
It is the new way people started using the Internet. Large number of the online population is spending their time on social networking sites. They get their news from blogs, find long lost friends on myspace and facebook, find hobbies, and some business people are using it to find and promote their business.
What is interesting about this trend is that people are starting to spend more and more time on each of these sites!
This is an amazing networking tool for Real Estate!
So the term Web 2.0 is just a label to the way we use the Internet. and it is not specific technology, or a product. Anyone can get into it pretty cheap, and the potential in it is amazing!
I will tell you exactly what to do to take advantage of this new trend, and will explain the benefits. You see, for years agents and investors are known to have a website that looks like a large post card or business card. The website is being used as an advertising or an ad online with no means for potential clients to find it. The so called advanced packages have featured properties, some has few reports, articles, how-to and a form or two to submit a listing or house for sale. And these sites are not cheap. Amazing…
What you should do is this… find a killer domain name that is easy to remember, and get a dirt cheap website. I’ve explained how to do both in other articles, I will give you links at the bottom of this post to save you the trouble of looking for them. Make sure your website is a blog and not just a static one! If you do follow my advice and use WordPress (free blogging software for your website) with the Real Estate Theme, then you can still accomplish pretty much everything offered by the overpriced web packages for $5.50/month.
The reason I like WordPress is because it takes all the complexity and technical skills needed to run a website, and there are literally hundreds of themes (website designs) and plug-ins available that enhances its look. All configurable with the click of the button.
The other reason for WordPress, and you can pick any other blogging software, is that it allows you to post articles and blog (a blog is the term used for an online diary) on what is happening in your world. Blogging gives your website content and puts you out there for clients to meet you and read about you. It will be your own social network. This is an excellent networking tool! When you pass your business card to people with your website address on it, they can learn more about what you do and how you can help them or work with them!
I hope you see where I am going with this 
Now, I know you might be wondering why the urgency? You can do it later when the trend picks up and becomes more popular.
WRONG!
Websites take long time to get indexed and ranked high in search engines, so the sooner you do it (how about right now?) the better position your website will be in the future. Also, if you start blogging now, as the trend increases, your website will be full of material for people to read and end up spending quality time on your site learning to trust you and get sold on why they should do business with you.
The other concern you may have is "what do I blog about!"
I will give you couple of ideas!
Blog about each deal you have made… keep it up beat and talk about how you were able to help someone, or how you feel bad that they made the wrong choice and how they will be hurt. This type of blogging is as valuable as testimonials! people will feel they are reading your private diary and how sincere you are…
Blog about the state of the industry and what is going on… get on news sites and find articles about Real Estate and talk about them…
Blog about different aspects of buying and selling… how to stage, how to price a home, how closing process works, how agents work, how investors work and so forth!
The most important thing when blogging however, is to stay focused and not get discouraged because like I said, it takes time for it to build traffic, but if you get your clients to your website, you sure can sell them if you blog right!
Some resources to consider:
READ these articles:
How To Setup Dirt Cheap Real Estate Website Explains how to get a website started CHEAP!
http://www.fadizeidan.com/2008/07/How To Find Killer Domain Names Explains how to find really good domain names!
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