This past week, I was busy exploring the use of tags and keywords for the Real Estate 411 Directory Network, when I discovered a really powerful tool called a Swicki! When a visitor or member finds your Swicki, they can see the keywords or tag phrases used to find particular posts or videos. A Swicki allows you to add all the "Key Words" or "Tag Lines" you want to use, and that you want your visitors to see! I have copied the one to the left here from the RE 411 Main Dashboard.
I love this tool because it allows your visitors, who may be searching for a certain topic, see keywords that may entice them to be interested in something they might not have thought of during their "keyword" or "tag line" search! Do you know what your visitors are typing into Google, Yahoo, and MSN to find you, your Blog, or your website? Now you can add them to your Swicki. If the keywords or tags they are looking for aren't on your Swicki, they can still use your search feature, and you'll get notified on what words they used to search your Swicki. Now That's powerful!!
Swicki is created by a Company known as Eurekster, Inc. (http://www.eurekster.com/) They are the pioneer and leader in social search technologies. Their custom search portal and widget ("Swicki") harness the knowledge, power and behavior of on-line communities to improve the search experience. Users can now build and customize their search portal on any topic, then share and distribute the social search widget to grow a community of interested users. With every search, your Swicki becomes more relevant and meaningful to the user, and more valuable to "YOU" the swicki builder.
I also love that it works with text or Video. To see a sample of the Swicki's I am using, you can CLICK HERE, or go to their website above. Eurekster won the 2006 Peoples Choice Award! They were also the 2007 Web 2.0 Awards Winner! Their headquarters are located in San Francisco, California, with their Research & Development Department located in Christchurch, New Zealand. I would consider looking into this product for your Blogs and Websites. To see Eurekster's Directory of many Swicki's, go to http://www.eurekster.com/directory.htm
Since I mentioned this above, I would also like to extend a Formal Invitation to any of my close Active Rain friends to join me at Real Estate 411. This site is nothing like LinkedIn, FaceBook, Cre8buzz, or any of the other Social Networking sites. The tools and options available there (like the Swicki) are like none I have seen on any other Network. It is a "New" community, with many valuable tools and benefits!
I really like that you can upload documents, files, attachments, videos, and even widgets into the comments of your post! That's right, into the comments! I also love the ability to customize and make your profile unique. There is much more to report, but that's a post for another time. Check it out, you won't be disappointed!
Hopefully this post will make up for the one I posted about BlogBar a couple weeks ago, where many AR members were unable to use it here on their AR Blogs. I know you'll forgive me after seeing the Swicki tool and the Real Estate 411 site....at least I hope!! These are definitely two items I feel are worth looking into. Also, watch for the upcoming post "Year-In-Review" being compiled by many of your fellow Active Rain members! It will be a fantastic compilation of "The Best of 2007 Here On Active Rain!"
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Brad,
I do not know what to say. Are you one of 33 identical twins or half of India is feverishly working for you in unbearable conditions?
Swicki, or not swicki, man, be careful, or you will get in trouble if Anderson Cooper finds your sweatshops.
Seriously, how can this be serious?
You see, I just knew it. I am doing this for a few months already, and you are the only one, who responds before I manage to run to my bed (it is 2:20 here). So, I just do not know which of 33 is watching me.
I will check this all stuff out, Man, you surprise me.
Thank you (and 32 other twins)
Jon - It's 11:24pm here and I'm off to hit the hay!! :-) If you're still up at 2:20am, who's really running the sweatshop here??? Hahaha! What are you doing up at 2:20am Blogging? My hats off to you my friend!
BTW - there are no twins, perception is everything! ROFL :-)
Very interesting, Brad. So, this is blind faith, and I joined Real Estate 411, then I found out you created this knowledge network. I am curious as what's your real job - title? blog master? tech guy? Whatever, I keep on trying to find out how all your twins come out and help you with all these and you actually know the subjects. wow!
Thanks, Sylvia
Brad,
Thank you ----------- I think. Now I am going to be hooked on yet another network! hahahahaha My husband already thinks I'm on here way too much - now his suspicions will be confirmed.
Thanks for sharing this. You're great! Hope your Christmas was a good one.
Brad,
Thanks for the invite and I am looking forward to using RE 411 in the up coming year.
Thanks, Brad. You sure are a font of information. Thanks for the invite - I was actually already a member since we are using this for the 411 Real Estate monthly newsletter as a place to communicate on-line (I am one of the editors) that was founded by Amber Riviere. I am still learning how to use Ning but plan to be more active as time allows.
Hope you had a great Christmas with your family.
Jeff
Brad 1-33,
I agree with Jon, you either have twins, or you have an in with Santa, and are using his elves. LOL. Not that I mind,.. either way I'm glad you keep finding these for us. I just signed up at 411, it has a nice look to it. Thanks for the invite.
Brad,
Book marked for later. You do a great job bringing new tools to us and the know how on how to implement them. Thank you.
Brad, I will sign up on real estate 411. See ya there.
Kathy
thanks for the tips
Anne
Hello Brad. I hope your holiday was enjoyable.
I will look into RE411 not that I can add another thing to my priority plate. I will take a peak.
Very interesting, Brad. So, this is blind faith, and I joined Real Estate 411, then I found out you created this knowledge network. I am curious as what's your real job - title? blog master? tech guy? Whatever, I keep on trying to find out how all your twins come out and help you with all these and you actually know the subjects. wow!
Sylvia - If you were to ask me how I'm doing it, I'd tell you if I had TWINS, it would be much easier! LOL~
I am working on numerous projects this year and trying to get them all wrapped up before 2008. AR and RE 411 will be my main focus this next year! Life will become manageable once again! Happy New Year!! :-)
Brad, and I thought Christmas presents were already given out. You are definitely Santa Brad because of all the gifts you give to help us out on the Internet with SEO. You're simply awesome!
Linda - you are so kind and thoughtful. It's comments like yours that make people keep wanting to give!! Don't ever change!! :-) Have a safe and Happy New Year!
Brad,
Thank you ----------- I think. Now I am going to be hooked on yet another network! hahahahaha My husband already thinks I'm on here way too much - now his suspicions will be confirmed.
Thanks for sharing this. You're great! Hope your Christmas was a good one
Carol - Balance! We all must find Balance in our Social Networking activities. Focus on the ones that bring you the most joy, and the most referrals, and the most leads, and the most friendships. Like I said, it's Balance. I have a wife that calls my computer my mistress! LOL! That's why you are seeing me so much less now! haha! ...but true! :-)
BTW - you won't get hooked on RE 411, but you will like what's available, and also our marketing strategy to consumers and other social networks, I promise!
Brad, How can anyone not forgive you for what happened with Blogbar with the wealth of information that you've given all of us? Seriously, the nerve of a person like that. Anyway, thanks for another great tip. I need to learn a lot more about RE411 but have to get a bunch of localism posts out and also update all of my websites, etc.
Marc - I guess you forgive me then!! Thanks my friend, I still use Blogbar, just not here.... Get your Localism posts out, then come on by and say Hi. Check it out, we'd love to have your company! :-)
Brad, Thank you for the information, I don't know how you keep on top of everything either! If it's new, out there and valuable, you know about it :) Thanks again, I've bookmarked.
Carole - it's a FULL part time job, and I'm sure I'm missing a ton of stuff that's coming up or is out there. That's why I count on the other 60,000 members here, to keep us educated on what's going on in this fast paced world around us! Thanks for taking the time to read this post and comment, I always love getting your comments, sorry I have not been around as much during the Holidays! :-)
Thanks, Brad. You sure are a font of information. Thanks for the invite - I was actually already a member since we are using this for the 411 Real Estate monthly newsletter as a place to communicate on-line (I am one of the editors) that was founded by Amber Riviere. I am still learning how to use Ning but plan to be more active as time allows.
Hope you had a great Christmas with your family.
Jeff - I'll have to check out your site, didn't know you were an editor of the 411 Real Estate Newsletter. I found using the Ning platform to be very flexible and user friendly. Have a great and safe Happy New Year! :-)
How different is Swicki from Bloglines, Technorati, Wordpress, etc?
Lisa - Bloglines is a blogging tool, Technorati is a Blog tracking tool, Wordpress is Yahoo's FREE Blog Platform, and a Swicki is used for commonly used tag words or keywords on your site. All different tools but very valuable to any Blogger. Hope that helps! I use all of them! :-)
Brad,
Book marked for later. You do a great job bringing new tools to us and the know how on how to implement them. Thank you.
Fran - bookmarked is cool! Hope you'll find time soon to check it out. Better later than never! :-) Have a great and safe Happy New Year!
Hi Brad, Good Post, I never heard or Swicki or real estate 411, I am going to take a closer look now.
Steven - I think it's great that you're willing to take the time to investigate. Welcome to my world! LOL!~ Enjoy my friend! :-)
Aloha Georgina - You just call, and I'll be there... (sounds like a song comin on..) LOL~ As long as you take me to Mama's Fish House, I can be there in 5 1/2 hours. :-) Houli Maka Hiki Hou!! (did i spell that right?) :-)))
Thanks Anne,
a swicki a swicki it's a fun and wonderful toy, a swicki a swicki, it's good for a girl or a boy! Sorry, just felt like singing and had to do it! :-)))
Hey Brad, this is wonderful information. I attempted to sign up on 411 through my email; however, it wouldn't let me finish. I'll try again and stop back with any questions. I just know you will have the answer. :-) Yep, tried it again, filled out everything and it just requested I redo, redo, redo. Any ideas?
Jim - thanks! I was using it, but then I think I found other tools and widgets, and this one got shelved!! Did you ever see kids movie "Toy Story?" "To infinity and Beyond..."
I should do a post about "The Widget Story!" LOL!~ :-)
Howdy Brad
Thank you for the link to the Real Estate 411 site.
I have joined the site.
I'll take a look at the Swicki also.
It must be good, or you would not be telling to us to take a look at it.
Sorry that I had not seen or read this fine post before now.
Thank ya my friend, for always taking the time to let us know about things
out there for us to use.
Brad, can you tell me a little more about realestate411, or is there a website I can go to to look at what it has to offer? When I clicked on your link above, it went straight into their registration form.
Troy - welcome to ActiveRain, I've seen a few of your comments coming through in my email. RE 411 is like any network, you have to sign up to join just as you did here. You'll find that all the social networks make you go through this process. LinkedIn, Twitter, FaceBook, MySpace etc. all require you to fill out a profile. Check it out, let me know what you think. There's a link to my 411 profile there up under my photo. You'll see a button, you can just click on it to see more... Great to have you onboard here. :-)