Real Estate 2.0 Technology

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ActiveRain - Now iPhone Compatible

It's true.  If you own an iPhone, you can now interact with the ActiveRain Real Estate Network of friends and business partners from anywhere your iPhone browser works.  This is not an iPhone application, it's a browser enhancement from our AR developers. (great job guys)

At 2:00am, we deployed a fix that will now allow you to post, and comment on ActiveRain Blogs using your iPhone.  Members have been waiting for this upgrade and I'm glad to announce it is finally launched.  It's great.  We're also working on an iPhone application that will be custom tailored and made available for ActiveRain members later.

The only things you can't do from the phone right now are create links, add images, and there's no text toolbar for bold text etc.   So now you can create a post from anywhere, make edits, add and delete comments using just the iPhone browser.  (iPhone uses the Safari browser) 

You can email posts to others right from the iPhone using the email graphic icon that's below each post.

10 minutes is all it took to create this using just my thumbs, (haha) it's a new record for an ActiveBrad post. 
We've taken one small step for mankind, one Giant step for Activerain and iPhone.

This was created and posted using the iPhone.  I'll add a picture from my computer later.  I love my iPhone.

59 commentsBrad Andersohn ~ Community Manager • January 26 2009 01:26PM

5 Important Tips - Outside Blogs

Here's 5 Really Important Tips for Outside Blogs

Now that many members have had the chance to setup their own Individual and Outside Group Blogs, and we've had the chance to work out the kinks, I've noticed some common issues that keep popping up as we're setting these up.  I wanted to share them in hopes it would save you some time and frustration.

ONE: 

You do NOT need to go elsewhere to purchase a domain name for your Outside Blogs on ActiveRain.  If you setup your Outside Blog and URL or Domain name through AR, it is a 3-step process and your domain will be up in most cases within minutes.  If you go outside AR to purchase a domain name, you can still use it, but you'll have to point the DNS nameservers and for some, it's a PITA(Pain In The @$$) See Jodi's Post

This is the best way right here!

see below: (and yes, you do own the domain name, AR is just hosting it)

Once you click check availability, You'll know if the domain is available or not by what's returned in the box.  If it has a red dash mark, then it's not available, if it has a green check mark, then you can claim it! 
Just click on the "Claim Domain" button and you're done.  Some new domains come up instantly.

  RED = NO  &  GREEN = GO 

TWO

Adding your Posts to your Individual and Group Blogs is easy.  You can either create new posts or move existing posts over to your new domain and outside Blog, but you'll need to be in the edit mode, then select the appropriate boxes by placing a check mark in the ones you want to push your post to.  It's Fast!!

SELECTING WHERE TO SEND YOUR BLOG POSTS:

THREE: 

Be sure that you are using the "Topic" feature in Channels when creating ALL Blog posts from now on, this will help index your posts for easy searching on your outside blogs.  Many other Blog formats have "Categories" or "Keywords" on the sidebar that can be searched and viewed by visitors, but your AR Outside Blogs will be searchable by "topics" and "local area posts"(Raindexing) Make sure you are using "topics" to avoid having to go back and edit posts later. 

You may even want to go back and edit the ones you have.

FOUR: 

Keep ALL your Videos, Photos, and Images under 600W on EVERY POST.  (200-400 is optimal)  This will keep ALL your (AR Blogs, Outside Blogs, & Localism) formatted properly and looking consistent across all three platforms. This is one of the main issues we see repeatedly when setting up outside Blogs. Some members are using photos that are 1024x768 or 800x640 and they will not look right on Localism or Outside Blogs. 

You can see this post at ActiveRainGuide.com to confirm this format works.

        Bay Bridge Photo - By Brad Andersohn The Bay and Bay Bridge - Photo By Brad Andersohn Rare Bay Bridge Photo By Brad Andersohn

FIVE: 

If you want readers to be able to see your FULL SIZE photos, upload them to Flickr.com first, then place the photo in your ActiveRain post at 200w (as shown above), with a link to the full sized photo in Flickr.  This will not only look better on your posts, if readers want to see the full image, they can, but let it be their choice.  An 800w photo or image is just too big, it'll overlap and look weird on Localism and Outside Blogs.

There's your High-Five for this week ~

I am very proud and excited of what our team behind the scenes at AR have produced.  I'm looking forward to showing off some of these Blogs by our members and groups this week, they really do look awesome. :-)

146 commentsBrad Andersohn ~ Community Manager • January 26 2009 02:52AM

How To Create an ActiveRain Outside ActiveBlog - 10 Easy Steps

How To Create A New ActiveRain Outside Blog for an Individual, Group, or Team.

I'll demonstrate how to set one up from scratch.  Following these steps correctly should have you setup in about 15 minutes including invitations out to your desired contributors.

1) Make sure you are Logged into ActiveRain. 

2) Click on the "My Home" link located at the top of your screen in the upper right corner.

3) Click on the "Outside Blog" link located on the left hand sidebar of your "My Home" page.

4) Next, Click on the "Sign Up" button:

5)  Just Fill out the details in this section below:

Blog Name, Description, Select Theme, Credit Card Info, and Click Create Blog
(If your credit card info is not currently on file, you'll be prompted and need to enter it.)

5) Selecting the "THEME" of your choice from the "Theme Library".  There are some themes that are not branded with a company name: Elements of SEO, Legacy, Blue Days, Black Tie, Easy Going etc.  The Chameleon Theme has CSS Styling Capabilites.  These are available to use if your company theme is not listed.  More company themes and non-branded themes are coming...

Your Team Blog has now been created. 

To start posting to your new Individual or group Blog, just click on the link "Write a Blog Post"

on your "My Home" page and begin writing a new post.  NOTE: Your posts are still created in ActiveRain, but before submitting them, be sure to click on the check box to add them to your OUTSIDE Blog.  You can also add previously written posts by going to a post, select edit, then check the box to add it to your Outside Blog.

You will also receive an email that confirms the creation of your new Blog.  There will be a link to the temporary internal site (ie: 09567de4.ActiveRain.com) Click on this Blog link in your email, and you can now go in and customize your Blog with your own domain name that ActiveRain will host, or you can add a domain name that you have previously purchased. 

(YES, ActiveRain Hosts Domain Names Now)

NOTE: Only enter a domain name in the "DOMAIN" box at the bottom if you already own one.  This would be a name that you have previously purchased and wish to use.  (this can't be a domain where you already have data in use) If you do select an outside existing domain name, you will need to click on the blue link that says "HOW DOES THIS WORK"  This will show you the information you'll need to give to the site where you purchased your domain name.  example: TheRealEstateScoop.com purchased from GoDaddy.com etc.

7) Take a deep breath, you're almost done...

Once you click on the update domain button, you're done, now you're ready to use the toolbar below for additional features, and then it's time to invite other contributers, add listing router, create links, widgets and more.

8) If you chose to Invite other members as contributors to your team/group Blog, click on the "Members" link:  The following screen will appear:  You can add them as Editors, Authors, or just Contributors.  AR Team Blogs and Individual Blogs are the same thing, the only difference is if you wish to have multiple contributors or not.

9) To invite another member to contribute to your Blog, just enter their ActiveRain Profile user name which can be found on their profile page.  It will be up in the URL box or Address bar.  Example: (ActiveBrad)  The member you invite will get a message on their "My Home" page that will look like this:

They can choose to accept or decline your invitation.  If they accept, their photo will be automatically added to the new blog as a frequent contributor, and they'll have the ability to start posting or moving posts over immediately.  To see an example of an Individual Blog setup, check out Bill Gassett's outside Blog at MassRealEstateVoice.com.  Look at how the "RAINdexing" on his site is already working wonders with all his previously written content.  Also, See Bill's Post on Individual Blogs.

To see a group Blog, go to ActiveRainGuide.com or ActiveRainTeam.com to compare a multi-authored Blog.

10) You will be able to modify, edit, make changes, add listing router, create links and more by simply using the toolbar options at the top of your new outside Blog page.  I apologize for this extremely long tutorial post, but these are the steps you'll need to go through to create your NEW ActiveBlogs. 

One of the things this price includes is support from myself and the AR staff and team.  Plus you'll get BIG SEO, RAINdexing, Themes, Wider bandwidthWidgets, and the ability to mange your invited contributors.  We're here to help, but if you follow these instructions, you'll probably never need us.  Need more details?  Here's How To Create & Maximize Your Outside Blog.   Here's 5 Ways you could use a group or team Blog.

The ActiveRain Team  &  The ActiveRain Guide

160 commentsBrad Andersohn ~ Community Manager • January 21 2009 10:45PM

Real Estate Technology - The Key To Your Success

"Technology will NEVER replace real estate professionals, but real estate professionals WITH technology will."  I've heard and read this line so many times, but is it true?  Technology and the Real Estate Industry have become so inter-connected and dependent upon each other lately.  Just look where we've come from in the last 10-15 years.  I remember when Fax machines and ATM's were headline news.

So What Is Real Estate Technology?  I Guess that depends on who you ask...

What Technology and tools do you consider a necessity to do business effectively in 2009?  Is there a right or wrong answer?!  My observation is this, many people in the Industry already have some of the technology tools they need to be successful, they just might not be using them to their full potential. 

Having a laptop, a cell phone, fax machine, scanner, digital camera, a GPS and more may seem like the tech tools you'll need, but just owning them might not be enough.  Do you already have all these items?  Are you using them to their fullest?  What else could you be doing?  It's all about how you use Real Estate technology that will determine how effectively you can and will do business today and in the future.

Any of these look or sound familar?  

  • You own a laptop, but you're only checking email and the MLS for listings, otherwise it's closed.
  • Your cell phone works for making and receiving calls, the rest of the time it's in your pocket or purse.
  • Your fax machine has been out of paper for the last 3 mos. you only noticed today because it rang?
  • You own a scanner, but the convenient horizontal surface allows you to stack up folders and bills?
  • Your digital-camera hasn't been out of it's case in the last 5-10 days...you think...
  • GPS - Why would anyone ever need or use this in the Real Estate Industry?

Many of us already own these tools, but aren't using them fully to develop and help grow business.

If you owned a VCR (old school technology) this is a classic example.  Most people used less than 25% of the features on the VCR.  It's not much different with some of the newest and latest tools that are available today.

So in what unique ways are you using technology in your Business?  What more can you do to maximize the tools you already have?  What technology do you really need?  Which tools will become obsolete or be replaced?  Technology is ruled by two types of people: those who manage what they do not understand, and those who understand what they do not manage.  Want options?  Needing more ideas?  Stay tuned...

RENetBlog - Real Estate Technology & Tools for 2009

It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity Albert Einstein

Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic Arthur C. Clarke

Technology makes it possible for people to gain control over everything, except over technology John Tudor

Technology is like a fish. The longer it stays on the shelf, the less desirable it becomes Andrew Heller

If new technology rolls over you, & you're not part of the steamroller, you're part of the roadStewart Brand

640K ought to be enough for anybody”  Bill Gates

"Evaluating and Changing the way you use Technology is the key to your success"  Active Brad

 

Come learn more about Real Estate Technology and the Tools that are available:

Next Stop: OABR  Join me: REBarCamp Seattle  Come to: RETechSouth  ActiveBlog: ActiveRainTeam

Join The ActiveRain Real Estate Technology Group

65 commentsBrad Andersohn ~ Community Manager • January 13 2009 05:02PM

ActiveBlogs - 5 Suggested Ways To Maximize Your New Group Blogs

ActiveBlogs Launch on ActiveRainToday, ActiveRain Launched ActiveBlogs for our members.  I have been hinting that this was coming the past couple weeks and now it's finally live!  Jeff Corbett just sent out the global press release which you can read here: ActiveRain Launches ActiveBlogs, a Multi-Author Blogging Platform for Real Estate Industry Professionals.  Jorgen Hahn also posted Winning Wednesday: Introducing New Team and Individual Blogs.  Although I am in NYC right now enjoying the Inman Connect Conference, I just had to break away and take a minute to share a few suggestions and ideas with you on how you might possibly use these new ActiveBlogs to benefit you and your business.

In literally minutes, I was able to create and setup a "TEAM" or "Group" Blog without ever leaving the AR Network.  You can register, choose themes, create domain names, invite contributors, and more all from a (simple to use) interface.  It was created and setup in a way to minimize the hassle of setting up a new Blog.  Check out ActiveRainTeam.com.  It's just the skeleton right now, but we'll be using it to "TeamBlog" more in the days ahead.  To see how others are using Team or Group Blogs, check out GeekEstateBlog, RainCityGuide, or MyTechOpinion. You will also notice changes and improvements in the formatting of your existing individual Outside AR Blogs. 

I am totally jazzed about our new ActiveBlogs.

5 Ways To Maximize Your New Group Blogs

1.  Brokers, Companies and Franchises - Promote your company and agents.

This group or team Blog would work well for ANY Brokerage or Franchise that wants to add the power of multiple contributors and content from agents located and working in that office.  Maybe a Broker that has 20-100 agents, and wants to create an environment where each of them can add their expertise and experience.  This one will be a winner!

2.  Hyper-Localized - The Neighborhood Bullhorn

This group Blog would be focused on Local area content whether by demographic or geography.  You can invite others to contribute and share information with the sole purpose of providing Hyper Localized content to your community.  Being in control of what gets posted and who has editing, authoring and contributing rights makes managing the group blogs easy and effective.  I love these features.

3.  The Power TEAM - Your affiliates who contribute to your business and success.

This was hinted about vaguely in the "New Years Membership Drive" when I mentioned to invite others from your team that help make you and your business successful. Your Lender, Title Company, Stager, Inspector, Attorney etc.  Having a team or group Blog with all these affiliates contributing relative content to their fields, makes for a very powerful resource to your clients and readers.  This one is my personal favorite.

4.  ActiveRain Groups - Founders, Administrators & Moderators

There are over 5000 Groups on ActiveRain.  Why not consider an SEO packed group Blog from your best members, subscribers and contributors.  I can see this becoming a very popular way for our Groups to utilize ActiveBlogs.  You are likely to see many of these created early on.  It's a great way of taking our groups and content beyond the AR walls.

5.  Specialty Properties - Niche and Target Markets

Every Real Estate Office has individual professionals that focus on niche and targeted markets.  Vacant Land, Horse Property, Commercial, Relocation, Million Dollar Homes, WaterFront Properties etc.  This group could focus on one type or all types of specialty properties.  The sky is the limit when it comes to target and niche marketing using a group or team Blog.  Check out the links I provided in the second paragraph of this post,  they're a good example of what others have done with target and niche Blog Marketing.

 

Hopefully this will give you some ideas and creative ways to consider maximizing the potential of your New ActiveBlogs.  I am really looking forward to supporting and seeing our members get the most out of these Group and Team Blogs, both personally and for business.  How would you use a Team or Group Blog for your Business?

149 commentsBrad Andersohn ~ Community Manager • January 07 2009 03:19PM

"Live" from New York City - The TwitterFlickr FeedFuze

I'm out the door for Inman Connect and RE BarCamp in NYC.  You can follow me and everyone else on Twitter and Flickr if you're not able to make the trip this year.  This will be a "Post As I Go" so check in often.  There's a feedfuze here to make it easy for you to see what's going on live in the Big City.  :-)

 

If you'll be there with us, feel free to add your photos to the Inman Connect NYC 2009 group on Flickr.com. I'll be posting photos there as well. My "other" photos will be posted here.

This will be a very interesting trip traveling from the West To the East, it'll be an exciting adventure!

More juicy details and tid-bits coming shortly....

Added 1/12/09:

Contrary to some beliefs,                   
we are not a cult.......                     We made some friends... eh hem     and enjoyed our meetings.  

      

There were great gatherings...        Hundreds lined up to attend....      and classes were jam packed!

         

Lots of familar FACES....                  Tons of ActiveRain friends.....         and ActiveBlogs were Launched.

         

The Nightlife was breathtaking...    The sites were too many to see....   NYC... it was the place to be.

        

Click Here to see more NYC....       Click here to see more friends...     Even Super Heroes Love New York!

       

The TwitterFlickr FeedFuze

44 commentsBrad Andersohn ~ Community Manager • January 05 2009 07:41PM