How To Improve your Video and Images for Higher Ranking in the Search Engines.

Acquiring SEO and traffic to your Blog or Website using great content, titles, descriptions, and keywords etc. has always been a subtle yet powerful strategy in the Blogging community.  Many new businesses and individuals don't start off blogging or creating websites with the understanding of how SEO (Search Engine Optimization) works, or why it might be important to their success. In time... they learn. We all do.

In my travels around the country teaching SEO, Blogging, and Social Networking, the one thing that is least talked about or questioned is the power of video and images. You hear "Content is King" but you won't hear or learn that video and images are the most viewed and sought after items on the Internet.  Could this be one of the reasons Google has links to them at the top of every search results page?

How do you get YOUR Video and Images to show at the Top of the Search Engine Results?

Matt Cutts from Google explains a few ways you can accomplish this.  He shares some great ideas and tips on using and adding meta-data and user generated content.  The idea of using captioning in Video is brilliant!  You provide the transcripts and youtube will auto-align the text.

Creating captioning is easier than you may think, Matt and others do this on every video and I can show you how.

Matt also shares some great ideas on how to use flickr, he gives some great examples and says “it’s almost like crowd sourcing!”  Flickr has great SEO but you need to understand how to use tags, descriptions and some of the tips in this video will assist you in knowing how and why.

If you create and use your own pictures, images, or video, and you want to get views, traffic, and ultimately generate leads and business, it's important to know a few key things including the SEO tips Matt shares in this video. It's also important to know that SEO isn't the only key ingredient that gets your material found on the web. Apply the concept that "Content Is King" to images and video, along with these tips and you've won 90% of the battle.

Some of you will remember my post awhile back about the "Future Real Estate Office or Brokerage."  This post and video received a ton of attention and though many of the comments reflected a controversial and expected response, others agreed and saw this type of technology and office being the future of Real Estate in regards to the traditional "Brick and Mortar" office.

Last month I wanted to follow up with this particular company to see personally, where they are, what they've done, how it's working, and most importantly, is this new "Virtual Office" technology really working for them and their clients?  It's easy to get excited about this type of technology and many will see why after watching the video below, but the REAL question is always DOES IT WORK? 

Come join me and a few others as we explore the "Virtual Office" concept, and interview some of the Brokers and Top Agents using this technology effectively in the *NEW* on-line world of Real Estate.  We'll be doing an update from our last interview back on December 11th, 2009, to see where this is all going except this time we'll be doing it "Live" at ActiveRain University.  You can come along and join the ride for FREE.

I have always been fascinated with this type of technology, but it's the service to the client that I see as an even greater value and a reason you may want to know more about this and join us for this class/webinar.  I'm giving everyone plenty of notice so there's no reason you should or can miss this.  Believe me, my first interview with these guys was amazing, I can only imagine where they have come with all of this by now.

The "Virtual Real Estate Office" Live webinar is scheduled for Thursday, July 22nd at 10:00am.
You'll want to "virtually" be there, the seats to this one will be gone fast.

REGISTER HERE NOW

The Google Wonder Wheel Keyword Research Tool

...is a keyword research utility that was created by Google Labs and allows users to discover keyword searches that are popular and built around certain specific keyword terms.

Google's wonder wheel could be a great tool for helping writers to find new topics. The wheel can also help you dominate specific keywords and phrases in the search engines because it helps you write about the things that are the most searched for on the web using the most popular keywords or terms.

Here's How It Works:

Create your search in the Google Search Engine, then click on the "Google Search" button:

The results displayed will include sponsored and organic links:

To Access "Google's Wonder Wheel" Click on the "+Show options" Link at the top of page:

Scroll down the left hand side of the page untill you come to the "Standard View" options and click on the link for "Google's Wonder Wheel"  Wait for just a moment and the Wonder Wheel will appear on the page.  The links coming off the Wonder Wheel are popular and similair keywords, terms, and phrases that you can now use as "Titles" and "Topics" to write or Blog about.

Each time you click on one of the spokes "Terms or Phrases" a new Wonder Wheel will load on the screen displaying even more "keywords" and popular "search terms" These can be used for creating great content and getting you closer to dominating your Blog with those specific keywords or phrases.  Go deeper and further into the possible options and opportunities to make your Blog's content the most likely to be searched and found.

This is like having a road map or blue print for your Blog.  If you use Google's Wonder Wheel for a variety of search terms and keywords that you want to be found with, this should save you time and headaches "Wondering" what those "Words" and "Phrases" are.  There's always going to be great tools out there, and promises to help get you the best SEO results, but in my opinion, this is one of the best and most powerful I have seen yet.  Thanks to Google and Google Labs for making the "Wonder Wheel" available, and for hiding it so well, it gave me a reason to write this post.

ActiveRain University - How to Use Video and Youtube to Enhance Your Blog and Business

How are you using Video in Real Estate and on your ActiveRain Blog?
Are you creating or using Video Listings, Virtual Property and Community tours?  Does your video show up on Google Earth? Can your videos make you money?  Want to generate more traffic to your videos and visitors to your Blog?  This week at ARU, we are going to be sharing some things about video and Youtube that will be very beneficial to your Video library on Youtube and your Blog on ActiveRain.

Video Is important to your Real Estate Business
We're going to show you some Youtube video secrets and tips and how to use some of the tools that are available.  Youtube just changed their format and the look and feel of their site.  They've added a few things and moved some stuff around.  These are just some of the ways you can now optimize your video and channel, and we'll show you how.

7 Tips You'll Need To Know and Use

•   Creating Outstanding and Unique Content

• 

    Optimizing Your Youtube Channel and Profile

•   Using Keywords Cleverly In the right places

•   Adding URLS and Proper Hyperlinks 

•   Linking and Embedding Videos Everywhere

•   Video Sharing and Youtube Settings

•   Ping Your Youtube Channel
  

•   Do's and Don'ts of Embedding Video

•   Getting Beyond The 10 Minute Video Limitation

•   Getting More Visibility, Traffic, and Views
  

Learn useful techniques on how to use Youtube, one of the Top 3 most searched sites in the world.  Grow and promote your Blogs, Websites, and Local Business using video strategies that have worked successfully for others and have resulted in increased traffic, customers, and paychecks. 

Embedding video into your Blogs and sites is just one small key ingredient to using video and Youtube.  You don't need to be an expert at this stuff, but you should know what things work and which ones won't.  Come join us for a FREE "power-hour" of creating and using Video and Youtube for your Business, this will be one of our best video training and support classes at ARU.

Register For The Youtube Video Training Class

Google Groups - Create Discussion Opportunities with your Niche or Community

In researching some of the many tools that Google offers Web Based Business users, (over 45 tools) I discovered that Google Groups might be a great service for you, your business, and possibly your niche's or communities.  Some of the features are very powerful, and the SEO within Google Groups is very good. I tested it out by creating a Real Estate Technology Group and already have 3 discussions showing up on the first page of a search within Google Groups.

Real Estate Technology

Visit this group

Results 1 - 10 of about 4,320,000 for real estate technology

What is Google Groups?

Google Groups is a place on Google that you can discuss items online or over email, create rich custom pages, and customize your look and graphics. You can add images, links, create discussions, ask questions, and build a collaborative area to be shared with the world, or at least with those you invite or who find you. Make it public, make it private, make it any way you see fit to best serve your needs.

Creating Your Own Groups

What type of groups might be useful?  You could create a group for your family, your golf or bowling team, your Real Estate Company or your own Business.  Create a group for stagers, inspectors, or even custom homes and niche markets.  There is no limit to the type and amount of groups you could create.  Creating and starting a group is easy and it's FREE.  All you have to do is pick a Group name and then start inviting members to participate.  You can even post to your groups via email or right from your smart phone.

Extra Features and Tools For Google Groups

A promo box, your own Group URL, and an email address all members can use.

If you Can't Beat em, Then Join em

One thing about Google Groups is that you don't have to create your own, you can just join others. Find groups where you have experience or knowledge and can contribute, or even learn something new.  The possibilities and opportunities within some of the existing groups might even be better for some of you to explore?  You can search Google Groups for just about any topic and find something of interest available.  There's even an "Advanced Search Tool" that refines and filters your search.  There are many groups available that could benefit you and your business.

The Real Estate Technology Group

I just setup this Real Estate Technology Group yesterday to test and explore. Check it out, maybe join, and possibly contribute.  More importantly, I wanted to share, and just let you know these groups are out there and available if you need.  Why not create a community group for the neighborhood and allow your friends and neighbors to contribute their ideas and collaborate on some "fun" or even important local issues?  (the wheels upstairs should be spinning about now...)

Many of you focus and specialize on specific niche and target markets with unique customers, a Google Group could be a very non-threatening and fun way to get members of your community and target audiences involved.  Topics and discussions create and build great relationship opportunities, just like Blogging and social networking do.  What group could you create or join to benefit your community or business?

It's a Group, Do I have To Sit In A Circle?

Check out all the things that Google Groups has to offer then decide on your own if this is a tool or product you can use. If nothing else, at least join my Real Estate Technology Group so I won't feel like I did all this for nothing! lol~ Seriously though, I see some great potential and opportunities to use Google Groups as a way to do much of what we're used to doing already in this business.  Connecting with others, learning, sharing, growing and providing value to all those who come into contact with us. This could be a great conduit to connect directly with some of your clients and potential future customers.  The best part of these groups is that you don't have to drive there to sit in the circle!

Here's Google Everything
and Everything Google

How To Create and Use iFrames and Tables on Your Blog

Last week I promised to create a post explaining how to add iFrames and tables to your Blog posts.  Instead of making this a long drawn out technical "How To" tutorial, I decided to make it really easy for those of you interested in using this feature.  It is HTML based and does require a little HTML skill, but I think the way I'm about to show you will totally simplify the process and keep you from losing your sanity! lol~

The hardest thing you'll have to do is switch the tabs at the top of your New Blog Post from "WYSIWYG" to "HTML"  then you'll just need to copy the code onto the HTML page where you want your iFrame to appear, then save it.  Can't make it much easier than that. So let's start with the iFrame. The purpose of Adding an iFrame to a Blog post is so that you can share a large amount of information in a very small (customized) space.  Maybe a website, or an interactive page, or even an entire Blog for example.

Here's an iframe of a site I'm sure you'll all recognize. :-) (updated to show image only)

The size, color, width, height, URL, etc. can all be customized. Now for all you advanced HTML users and Bloggers, this is probably easy stuff, but for many of our members and friends, learning this type of stuff has been known to cause overdoses of Tylenol and in some extreme cases, even alcohol.  So here's a way for you to preserve your anxiety and stress for something a little more worthy.... I hope.

HTML Basics has setup what they call an iFrame generator.  You just enter in the information, and it creates the iFrame for you, then just copy and paste the code into the HTML tab of your new Blog post. It looks like this:

Just enter the URL of ANY page you want to appear in your iFrame, never make it wider than 550pixels if you don't want to Blow Out your Blogs sidebar, select any height you want, give it a name, set the alignment, maybe add a border with some color, setup how you want it to scroll, and generate the code for your Blog post.  This is much easier than trying to explain the HTML which you're about to see once you generate the code anyway. Once you become familiar with the iframe code, you won't need the generator anymore. Now try it yourself. 

Suggestions: Try using your MLS page, your IDX page, your Website, one of your Blog posts, maybe your AR Outside Blog, any page that's on the internet will work as long as you have the URL or website address.  You can use iFrames to add some additional value to your Blog if this is something you're interested in. Now just be creative and imagine all the ways your clients, visitors, and subscribers might benefit from your using custom iFrames in your Blog posts.

Are you ready for tables now? Here's a link to a table generator, you'll be a pro in no time at all!  :-)

Top FREE Online Technology Tools and Services for Your Business - 2009

Last year around this time, I created a Blog post with links to the "Top 200+ FREE Sites and Tools" for your Business.  Hard to believe that was a year ago.  This year is focused on some sites and tools I actually use more frequently, and think you might too.  There are so many great sites that offer some fantastic services, it's a challenge to keep up with all of them, and try to tell you which ones are the best. You could spend more time learning and playing on the computer than actually getting your work done. (so be careful if you check out my top 200 from last year..)

With that in mind, I tried to focus these "Top Sites" on things you can actually use and apply to your business.  For every site and service I mention here, there are probably 4 or 5 others that offer the same type of tools or service, and that's not to say they aren't fantastic, these are just my selected choices to share.  The slide-show below (using slideshare.net) has the name of the site, a quick overview of each one, then a link to their site using their logo. Some of these you will have heard of, and might even be using already.

You can download a copy of this from Box.net, a great site to store and share files with others.  If you've come across some great sites, on-line tools, or FREE services yourself this year, and you'd like to share them here, feel free to do so.  On many occasions, I have found some of the best stuff by just reading Blog comments on others posts.

In these tighter economic times, I hope some of these sites and tools will help save you some money, time, and contribute to improving your Blogs, Websites, and Service to your clients. Enjoy! :-)

How do I get rid of the Antivirus Pro 2009 Virus? 

Those are the exact words I Googled when I found out we had been infected by the virus on our home network last Friday night.  Three days later, I'm here to tell you, BEWARE, WARNING, DANGER, CAUTION!

If you are reading this post, and you have been infected with the Antivirus Pro 2009 Malware Virus, STOP HERE!. This is the ONLY way I have found that will effectively kill and remove this "monster virus" from your PC computer.  I've tried every possible site, scanner, bug-fix, free application, and removal instruction, ALL to no avail.

After two days of (real-time) on-line battles with one of the nastiest, most malicious virus, Rogue AntiSpywares out there, today, I finally found the cure, the complete removal and fix.

This virus has many names, and it will usually appear as a pop-up warning in your system tray that tells you "Spyware has been detected on your computer", then it coaxes you to run their program to remove it.  DON'T DO IT!  Do NOT click on that pop-up bubble or the warning that appears.   Not even Norton was able to detect this one sneaking onto our home network.  Not knowing, my wife made the mistake of clicking on it.

Here is the known Danger level on a scale from 1 to 10. 

It is so bad, that as fast as people are posting instructions and creating solutions to fix it, AVP2009 goes  into your computer, and disables all the tools and applications that are created to kill it.  This is no joke!  Katerina Gasset had the same virus, but with a different name, and now even her instructions won't work.  This is one of the worse virus's I have ever had to tackle.

I spent hours researching this so you won't have to.

Click here to find out more about the Antivirus Pro 2009

Look what others have to say about it

Hundreds of computer users looking for solutions

Yahoo Answers solutions won't even work

How Do You Get Infected with It?

There are many ways your computer could get infected with Antivirus Pro 2009. It can come bundled and hidden with shareware or other down-loadable software.  Maybe watching a video, and a pop-up requires you to download a codec file that has it attached etc.  The worst part is that it looks legit.

What can the Antivirus Pro 2009 Virus do if not removed?

According to WidowsVistaPlace.com - "failure to remove Antivirus Pro 2009 results in instant bothering. Effects after Antivirus Pro 2009 presence are not just annoying, they also include upload of various viruses and programs pretending to be useful like either fake registry cleaners or system optimizer and privacy guards. These fake utilities share the same final aim with Antivirus Pro 2009, i.e. they want users to pay for registration. The last but not least undesirable consequences of Antivirus Pro 2009 activities are system disordering and data erasing."

THIS IS ONE SCREEN TO AVOID AT ALL COSTS!  THIS PROGRAM WILL COMPROMISE YOUR SECURITY.  IT CAN SEE YOUR PASSWORDS, LOGINS, ACCOUNT NUMBERS, ANYTHING YOU TYPE OR ANYWHERE YOU GO!

Here's The Solution I Found after Numerous Calls, Reading, and Research.

I'm not going to post the exact instructions, as it will only aid the creators in developing yet another way to prevent you from fixing your computer.  Instead, Here is the solution, it's the only company and application I found that could do the job!  They are the real deal.  Malwarebytes.com.  I'd also add AVG antivirus before or after.

They had to remotely access my system, run it in safe mode, run various scans, apps and cleaners, rename and remove files, reboot multiple times etc.  Even as an experienced (protected) PC user, I still couldn't have done it without their help.  This could happen to anybody, don't think it can't happen to you. 

This is a sure fire, guaranteed way to defeat this virus.  It's a nightmare, I hope this post will help you if you're a victim, or heighten your awareness if you're a target.  What's scary is, as fast as people are posting instructions and apps, this virus is finding ways to disable them, and doing it on your computer.  It's that bad.  Contact me if you need more details, I won't post them here because I know how this virus, and its owners work now.  It's really very disturbing.  Watch out for the Anti-Malware apps that say they can remove it as well, they are in fact Rogue Malware applications themselves. If in doubt, just call me, I will walk you thru this process right over the phone.  :-)

Who says you can't make a Blog Post look like a website every now and then? Why not bring the boring links and text to life sometimes? Do you dare or desire to be different once in awhile? Are you stuck, and just part of the everyday Social Media Matrix? Ready to meet the Oracle? Has NEO peaked your curiosity yet? Are you an AGENT, or are you the ONE? Pick Your Pill...one of them, or both, might just help.

Here's a post that I just couldn't resist.  LinkedIn.com has announced some really cool new features to their site.  Up until now, I think many have just considered this site to be a place to have a profile, an on-line resume', or the place to be if you're anybody in any business.  I think most members on ActiveRain are probably on LinkedIn already, and if not, should be.

Just today, I have already incorporated two of their new features to my LinkedIn profile which is now a syndicated site to host my Blogs and other more useful information.  I just added the ability to have posts from my various Blogs show up right on the profile. Check out BlogLink. You can even have Google Docs and presentations there. 

Here's some of the other items they've added that you can include:

Box: Collaborate and share files with your friends and network.

Huddle: Create private work areas to share projects.

Amazon: Find out what the rest of your network is reading.

TripIt: Check out and follow your traveling network.

SixApart: Keep up to date with your networks latest posts.

Google Docs: Add and embed presentations on your profile page.

SlideShare: View, comment, and share presentations.

WordPress: Promote your latest WordPress Posts.

CompanyBuzz: See what others are saying about your Company.

I haven't had the chance to setup and try or test all of these yet, but at least we know that LinkedIn is trying hard to become more than just a place to host your Resume' and Profile.  They've built that reputation to some extent, and now looks like they might be trying and live up to the their name instead.  LinkedIn. 

I personally like what they've done.  That means this post should appear on  my LinkedIn profile now. (once you're logged in)  Don't forget to add YOUR AR Blogs there too.

See all their new "Featured Applications"

For the past few years, we have had the ability to convert "Text To Speech" (TTS) on our computers.  We can even select a male or female voice to read back text in a Word Document or on the computer screen.  My son, a college student, uses the TTS "Speech synthesis" feature to have his computer read back stories and articles for homework assignments while he multi-tasks on other programs and applications.  Well fasten your harnesses...

It was recently announced that Video can now be searched on Youtube.com using audio converted text. WOW! So what does this mean?  What you say in your video will be converted, indexed, and now searched by viewers and consumers using keywords and phrases.  This is a new and exciting time for the Video enthusiasts.  Video and SEO?  Until now, the only searchable part of any Video was the "Title", "The Description", and "limited" tags or keywords.  No longer will this be the case.

See how Adobe Works to Make Video Search Indexing Easier, or how  Adobe Makes Flash Content SEO-Friendly.  "Adobe is providing optimized Adobe Flash Player technology to Google and Yahoo to enhance search engine indexing of the Flash file format and uncover information that is currently undiscoverable by search engines."

It's only a matter of time before ALL search engines like Google, Yahoo, MSN, and the others will incorporate this into their search options.  See how Google Labs is working with Audio Indexing and testing this right now with "Search what the politicians are saying", I think you'll be surprised and impressed.  It is predicted that video will be a $3 Billion Dollar Business by 2010. Video is what's hot and happening, otherwise these companies would not be investing this kind of time, money and research into its "Searchable" Future.

More Great Articles and Posts On Video:
Video Marketing & Video SEO Best Practices WhiteSheet
Video SEO: Tips for Clips that Capture Results

In the beginning, well...many years ago, the only way people could communicate and share information with others, was by traveling on horseback or by boat to personally deliver their news.  Then came mail.  In regards to advertising, marketing, and providing news and information, this must have been a nightmare.  Word of mouth was pretty much it!

Once newspapers were created and evolved, they quickly became the "Resource" to get information, and find out what was going on in local areas and around the world.  Then came radio, followed by television.  Now the Globe became smaller, and the World felt more connected.  The news media still utilizes all three of these methods today.

Newspapers, Radio & Television have been the primary source for getting information into our homes for decades now.  We are hooked.  So where am I going with this?  Look at the costs of advertising and marketing with these traditional methods of media.  The fees to run an ad, grab a radio spot, and have a commercial on TV during "prime time" has been, and continues to be very expensive. 

How do you compete with the media platforms that have been so effective and had such an impact on our daily lives for so many years?  WEB 2.0!  We read, we listen and we watch.   We are in some way touched daily by one, if not all of these methods of delivery.  Still, most of us have a preference.

Do you Read, Watch, or Listen?  (Because you Blog, might mean you prefer reading)

Example: Star Wars is a Classic: Would you rather read the book, listen to the audio, or watch the movie?  You most likely prefer one over the other.... Now ask someone else the same question.  The answer will vary depending on that individuals taste and audio/visual preference.  We're all different.  Getting to the point...

Today, we have the Internet!  We are ALL new to WEB 2.0 and Social Media Marketing, shouldn't we re-evaluate our advertising processes and marketing efforts?  I know some will disagree, and I welcome your thoughts and opinions, but just Blogging in today's On-line World isn't going to be enough.  That's like only having a newspaper as your source to get your valuable content and information out there.

In addition to Blogging, incorporate Podcasts and Video as a part of your arsenal and marketing plan too.  If you are only Blogging, then you might be missing the "radio" and the "television" type listeners and viewers.  Blogging, Podcasting, and Video will allow you to get in front of a wider variety of prospects, and on the same media platforms they use and enjoy most, just like the Newspapers, Radio and TV do.

Do you read the paper?  Do you listen to radio?  Do you watch television?  Sure you do, and so do your friends, family, clients and prospects.  Do you read Blogs?  Do you listen to Podcasts?  Do you watch Videos?  Yes you do, and so do your friends, family, clients and prospects.  I think you get the picture...

By using these "3 Proven Methods" of getting news and information out there, you can expand your audiences and connect with a wider variety of readers, listeners and viewers.  The World is changing very fast, and with these "New" methods of delivery now available, you should JUMP ON IT.  Just as traditional methods have evolved, these new WEB 2.0 platforms will too, and they WILL be/are just as powerful and effective.

The "BEST PART OF ALL", they are FREE.  So don't just get Read, Be Seen and Be Heard too.  :-)

                     FREE Blogs - ActiveRain.com
                     FREE Podcasting - MyPodcast.com
                     FREE Video - Seesmic.com

3 Ways To Reach An AudienceTime to compete with Newspaper, Radio, and TV. How? WEB 2.0! Blogging, Podcasting, and Video! These are the 3 ways to get your information out to clients and prospects. Unlike the traditional methods, these are all FREE, more fun, and more effective. Blogging just isn't enough! :-)

What if a single click could convert your entire Blog or Web-page to a different language?  How about 18 different languages?  That would be very cool.  Well, I get excited about this stuff because I see there is a potential to reach more readers, have global potential with your business, and use the latest and greatest technology to enhance and grow your relationships.  Possibly breakdown the language barrier between you and your clients and readers.

I have a client who speaks 12 different languages.  She is an Active Rain member, and I hope she'll find this post!  I would love to see how she might use a tool like this. This could be a huge opportunity to open up the marketing floodgates all over the country!  The best way to find out, is of course, to do a post on my Blog and see what others have to say.

Go ahead and try this, convert this post to any language you choose. I'll show you how to add this to your Blog, Website, or any other HTML Internet web-page!  Some of you will read this and go get it right away, there are others of you that may not be familiar with HTML and how to place it on your AR profile or Blog.  This is just another little tech tip for you in trying to help you, "Get Your Arms Around Technology" 

You can go to my widget showcase, and look for the following text at the top of the page: Try it for yourself...

                                                                      Convert This Page To Any Language

If you like this tool, you can pick one up yourself at their website, and add it to your Blog.  Here's instructions how to add HTML to your Blog! DETAILS>>>
                                                                                         

If someone does contact you to do business from another Country, or even locally, but speaks another language, how do you do business with them now?  I'm sure many of you will have some great ideas on how to utilize this tool in your business, I just wanted to bring it to your attention. This is "NEW", and available....for FREE!  It's a good life!  Enjoy.

All Content Copyright Protected © 2007