Author: Eric Blackwell (page 8 of 8)

by Eric Blackwell

The Real Estate Group, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake VA

Author website

Why am I bringing this up? I have already mentioned it on my blog and it has been well documented on the web.

I am bringing it up in the real estate community because it may well affect how you look for and purchase domain names. I will try to keep this less technical and more practical. A more technical explanation is found here.

I-CANN allows registrars (like Network Solutions) a five day refund period and does NOT specifically forbid registrars from “using” the search data from people on their websites who search to see which names are available. Here’s an example of what Network Solutions is purportedly doing and why you should not search for domain names on their site…

Cost (as of this writing) to purchase a domain name for a year on many registrars is MUCH less than that of Network Solutions, yet many search for domains there due to an easy interface and Network Solutions’ longstanding presence in the industry.

Step 1: You go search for domain names on Network Solutions

Step 2: They GRAB your domain ideas for up to 5 days

Step 3: If you go to another registrar to register your domain name, you CAN’T (without waiting for the 5 day hostage period to end.

What they claim: Their response is that this is a “security measure” to protect you from “domain tasters” (people who use the same I-CANN policy to test domains to find the best ones that they want.)

My opinion: Like many others, I view this as a low class way to FORCE unsuspecting domain name searchers to pay upwards of twice as much for their domains OR wait for the 5 day hostage crisis to end. Well, my opinion is a little stronger, but we will keep it mild for now. I think an all out boycott is in order, if you want to know the truth of it.

The way around it?: Pretty simple. Search for your domain names for your blog elsewhere on the web than Network Solutions. Anywhere else.

The other reason I am posting about it here? They (Network Solutions) have had a few days Read more

by Eric Blackwell

The Real Estate Group, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake VA

Author website

The words Search Engine Optimization have been taken to mean everything from “Trickery to get to the top of Google” (untrue and unfair in my opinion) to “Giving Google’s algo what it wants.” (true, but incomplete IMO). It is high time we unchain the term “Optimization.” Time to turn this Optimization dog loose and let him hunt! That’s what he was born and bred to do.
Take a listen to this radio show podcast from one of the Big Dogs on MY porch. (Scroll down to her radio show podcast.) It will be 18 minutes WELL spent. Stephanie Mattingly OPTIMIZES on You Tube and uses that exposure to sell houses for her clients. She also participates in our Blogging Lunches and is starting to work on OPTIMIZING her blog search engine wise as well. I am proud to know her and glad to have her as one of the 120 stellar folks at our office. This is her first full year in the business (as an agent) and make sure to catch how her sales have gone…. Unchained optimization works.

True optimization (Optimization Unchained) involves ALL of the following:

1. Search Engine Optimization–Getting the most from the search engines by giving their algorithms what they want –(looking back at Greg’s recent post–this is the part I agree with Bob Wilson’s comment on) and MORE IMPORTANTLY (looking back at the same post–the part I agree with Seth Godin on..) taking the time to give them the optimized RELEVANCE that they are after so that it is a long term win / win — not short term getting over on them and then them penalizing me. It is a noble profession and I tire of people talking it down and saying that it is less than that. They simply are ignorant or have dealt with unscrupulous people. True professionals in MY profession Optimize.
2. Optimizing Hyperlocal blogging efforts to TRULY connect agents with people and people with agents. We currently have 15 hyperlocal blogs in our office (as part of our blogging lunch group) and if I have my way in 2008 that will be 115. You Read more

by Eric Blackwell

The Real Estate Group, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake VA

Author website

I am sitting in Las Vegas right now at the close of PubCon, a Search Engine marketing conference produced by Webmasterworld. I am tired (exhausted actually), but very satisfied with the past few days and what I have learned and who I have been able to get to know better. In an hour or so, I will board a plane and hopefully get some rest..
In my sleep deprived state, my mind is mulling over a question that someone (an SEO focused someone) asked me this week. Are bloggers getting too much credit from Search Engines? Actually, they were quite prepared to make the case that there in fact was an overabundance of credit to bloggers.

First off, I consider myself a proud member of BOTH the SEO crowd and the blogger crowd. I think there is a nexus between them. Always have. As I thought through the case this gentleman was making, my mind flipped back to Greg and Brian’s recent podcast that mentioned the subject. I am paraphrasing here, but in essence Greg said the same thing. That it will at some point flip back to where less creedence is given to bloggers in the search engines.

Hmmm…so bloggers think they are getting more than they deserve and SEO focused folks think the same thing. Can I offer a different possible reality?

 I think the search engines have it right.

Why?

Principle #1: They are in the business of providing relevance to their customers (visitors).

Principle #2; If they do not provide relevant search results their search engine loses traffic quickly. Really quickly.
So what constitutes relevance? I would assert that it includes BOTH of the following:

1) information that is about the subject matter being searched for. (i.e. when I Google “widget modification techniques” I get information about how in fact can modify widgets.

2) And here is the kicker…relevance also includes TIMELINESS. In today’s world that is becoming an increasingly important element of relevance. This means that we want the LATEST information on widget modification techniques and not a page that may have been indexed 2 years ago…

If you agree with these principles and premises then isn’t Read more

by Eric Blackwell

The Real Estate Group, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake VA

Author website

I received an email from a friend this morning…the essence of it was that Trulia is now “offering” us REALTORS the opportunity to enhance our listings for a modest fee…and I started preparing to post almost immediately. Then I noticed Bramlett had beaten me to the punch.
As Bramlett correctly pointed out, we saw it coming. (That’s nothing to brag on…Heck, Ray Charles could have seen it coming.) They (Trulia) are a business after all and sooner or later, we REALTORS who have given Trulia those listings were destined to become Russell’s pencil sharpener. I even commented on his post about it. I am actually sad to be right.

Mind you, I am not mad at Trulia. They are in business to make money and God bless them for it. I DO have an issue with a real estate community that turns a blind eye or simply doesn’t see the same pitch coming that it got hit with a few years back. What’s the saying about fool me once?
Same stuff different day.

Bend over. Here it comes again. BOHICA.
Another way to lighten your wallet as REALTORS. Another interloper doing what we can and should do for ourselves. In my opinion, people in the end do not care whether the real estate site they are searching on is national or local. They want it complete. As many local listings as possible and as much information and photos as possible are the ticket. We are providing that as REALTORS in spades in most locations. IDX does provide that, especially in the hands of skilled webmasters who do not require registration to view listings. We can do everything that they can do and do it with local relevance and intimate knowledge of our markets…When combined with microfocused niche blogs (or hyperlocals…) we can provide AMAZING amounts of information to potential clients. With an ever expanding internet mindshare, that’s more important than ever.
Can we at least on a local level (and it CAN IMO vary from location to location) agree to only provide listings where it is well and truly warranted by true market presence.

Everytime we provide our Read more

by Eric Blackwell

The Real Estate Group, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake VA

Author website

One of the great things about my day occupation is that I get to associate with 120 of the finest REALTORS that are in Louisville. It is my job to help them advance their business plans using technology, and I love doing it. 120 business plans provides me with more than a few opportunities to laugh at myself and enjoy humor with others as we experience this wacky world of real estate.

So without further ado, I have compiled a few of my favorite personal Real Estate diseases (yes–I am building it over time) to help those who may be new to the industry understand the REAL disorders that come from a life of real estate sales.

Silver Bullet Syndrome-The innate feeling that if you can just copy what someone else does by getting someone else to replicate their work, then you can enjoy their success without putting the creativity into it. This disease originally stemmed from advertising and people copying other agents’ ad copy. The internet does not work that way. There IS NO silver bullet and many agents die in the desert looking for that mirage.
Familius Interuptus- That simultaneous feeling of joy and and dread that usually comes in the springtime with the success of your marketing campaigns with its corresponding increase in business, children’s end of school year activities, and the spouse (parenthetical note–yes the one who was upset because you DIDN’T have business a month ago) who does not understand why you cannot get to everything AND have “quality time” with them.
OMG Syndrome-The annual feeling of dread in the fall that the buyers have gone forever and will never return. This condition is made worse by the worrying spouse and national press announcing the official end of real estate industry as we know it. Symptoms range from mild irritability to outright paranoia and fits of rage. Somewhere in these fits you will utter (or think) the words “OMG–Why exactly did I get into this business in the first place???” Increased use of expletives is another sure sign.
Multiple Stream Dysfunction Symptoms include a gnawing empty feeling in the pit Read more

by Eric Blackwell

The Real Estate Group, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake VA

Author website

In my undergrad days, I had an accounting professor. He was a great guy actually. He was from Cuba, (pronounced Coo-bah) with a thick, middle aged Ricky Ricardo accent.

He used to tell us all of the time:

“What you are giving! What you are getting! That is important!’

He would then hold his cupped hands out in front of himself like a balance scale to weigh the two. Funny the things that stick with you through life…Nestor Ruiz–wherever you are, thanks. That lesson has been invaluable.

I have been quietly watching and considering some things lately…I see many of the RE.net’s social networking sites get lobbied heavily by bots and their employees who proclaim to be different from the others and yet in the end, they look very much the same. They all look for creative ways to tie the pork chop around their neck just hoping for this result:

They want the REALTOR community to like them. Why would they want to do that? When they say it isn’t about the Benjamin’s, that IMHO is exactly what it is about. Obviously these social networks that they are lobbying are full of influence on REALTORS. The pork chops dull the REALTOR’s  (read: dog’s) senses as he prepares to enjoy a nice little exposure snack.
But the cost of the snack may well affect the REALTORS livelihood long after the savory snack has passed. If I follow my accounting professor’s sage advice, I realize that recouping the X million smackers that founded some of these companies HAS to come from somewhere. And a big somewhere at that, IMO.
Logic indicates that advertising models on the web do not do it alone. It also indicates that free (often less than accurate) Automated Valuations are not enticement enough (in many locations throughout the country). Since these bots don’t enjoy universal search engine presence, there are many consumers they are NOT reaching. The clock is ticking and they need revenue. To get it, could it be that they need listings to create relevance? And once relevance and internet dominance are assured, will they will charge the REALTOR, whether via referral fee Read more

by Eric Blackwell

The Real Estate Group, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake VA

Author website

In the beginning was the Keyword…just kidding!

But that is how many SEO focused obsessed people look at it. After reading Kris’ post I could empathize with her position. Why spend hours fretting over well placed keywords. It is enough time to find the right methaphor and not leave dangling participles. One cannot (without divorce and a 30 hour day) do both…right?

And even if we get beyond the aspect of time. Then there are all of these pages of content to write that are stuffed with keywords…a journalistic sacrifice at the altar of the almighty Google. You feel like you are selling your soul for traffic…and at that traffic that may or may not be interested in buying or selling a home in your area. Why bother. Either we have standards or we do not as bloggers, right?

I am sure that there are other concerns as well…for brevity’s sake I will confine the concerns to those..just understand that I can empathize.

You are RIGHT. Taken on the whole and not individually.

Frank admission #1: There is only so much time. Too often SEO focused folks DO sell their souls for traffic in my opinion. We all have to make decisions and I have made many decisions in the past that I have looked back and regretted. I hope that is honest enough and blunt enough. They focus on how many links and how many keywords that they can stuff here and there.

They often lose journalistic integrity. They often do not write for the love of the industry or the love of convincing others of their value. They are writing to please an algorithm. Scratch that…they are simply writing to get over on an algorithm.
That said, the reality for search engines is that they are after essentially one thing–relevance. Relevance = traffic and success for search engines. This is something that TRUE blogs (and yes, TRUE bloggers) deliver better than almost anyone else.

The content is fresh and frequent. The points that are made are direct and on target. They are convincing.  And good blog writing is a talent and gift. Geno, Russell and Kris (just Read more

by Eric Blackwell

The Real Estate Group, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake VA

Author website

We are in a war, my friends. I am not talking about Iraq or the War on Terror, but a marketing war. In this war, we are battling to sell homes in a sea of inventory. Sellers are not listening to us. What we need is Weapons of Mass Instruction (sorry Rush…need to borrow the line) to break through and win.

Weapon 1: The IED (Improvised Educational Device):

Most MLS systems have “dream home finders” or “Email Updates” or other such systems. They are designed to provide buyers the latest listings via e-mail. “Get the latest listings as soon as they are on the market!” is how we sell them to our buyers.
Time to improvise! Use it on your sellers! If they live in a subdivision, set this program to give them ANY home price changes, sales, expireds or withdrawals. This provides your seller a real education as to the market in their specific neighborhood.

You would be amazed at the changes that they will make when they see the guy down the street drop his price in near real time. Call it your “Competitive Market Update”

Weapon 2: Electronic Warfare and Recon
This weapon is deployed by using one of several available feedback systems using email. The difference between feedback provided via e-mail vs via phone is that the e-mail feedback goes directly to the seller from the showing agent. Unaltered marketing information that is unfiltered and unmessed with, delivered in a email at light speed.
We have used this type of system for over a year and have had pretty stellar results. Why? Because when a seller gets information directly from the showing agent, they HAVE to accept it as valid. When they hear it from you, they think that it is less reliable.

I realize that may be hard to accept. We think we have done a great job of selling them on our value, but the bottom line is that they take what we say with a grain of salt. it could NOT have been the 5 years of cat pee that turned the sellers off. No, it wasn’t that the price was 20K Read more

by Eric Blackwell

The Real Estate Group, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake VA

Author website

First of all..let me say upfront that I am humbled and honored to even be writing on this blog. It is daunting indeed to match wits with Kris, or write anecdotes like Geno, or make a picture clarify a position like Russell…not to mention to try to add to Greg’s insight on issues like Zillow.

There are a ton of others that I could point out as well…I feel like Wayne and Garth at an Aerosmith concert… but I have my guitar and play I will…

I do come from a unique point of view. We all look at the “elephant” of the real estate marketplace from different angles. Here’s my typical view:

One of the great things about my job is that I get to work with 120 real estate agents and teams all in one office. Why, you ask, is this fun? Well, speaking personally, it is because working with 120 agents means that I get to work with 140 business plans (written or not..)!

80 of the agents have a single plan. (Good idea.)20 of them have two plans (depending on their mood…).2 of them have a plan for every day of the week (grin.) That brings the total to 134 by my count. Then there’s the broker’s business plan, 3 licensed assistants who have unspoken business plans that they won’t tell their teams, but are happy to ask me about..total 138. Almost forgot! The two phone receptionists….ahhh..yes. That rounds it out to 140. They DEFINITELY have plans (just not selling real estate per se…!)

Of these plans, I get to observe the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. I respect the courage of you who (like Kris’ crazy man) brave the heights for the thrill of the ride..i get to live that out vicariously as I do similar things on the search engines.I get to see people build their futures both monetarily and online.

For the record, this was the first real estate related blog that I ever read that even mentioned the Cluetrain (a fact that is sad, but revealing in today’s industry). Pretty cool. I look forward to contributing Read more