Real Estate Social Media Blog

Many of you have probably seen the old mac mini.  It's a 6"x6"x2" computer that sports a 2.26 ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, and ran on 13w of power.  For under $599.  That was the old Mac Mini.  You may have recognized in on the desks of your fellow professionals, in design marketing offices, and currently run the majority of ActiveRain's Computer force.  

True Story

My mom currently has a PC that is 4 years old and is slower than dirt.  She has several programs that are PC only, so I explained that Mac has a program called Boot Camp that will allow you to run Windows XP or Vista, and run all of her PC programs for her business.  I have encouraged her to purchase a Mac because of their history of reliability, ease of maintenance, and value.  So we went to Best Buy to shop for a new computer (I of course was encouraging her to buy a Mac) and we came across the old Mac Mini.  The Best Buy sales rep said that we can't get a copy of a Mac Mini because their stock has depleted.  You can't find it anywhere.  He then said Apple only does this when it's about to unveil a new version of a product.  Apparently Apple has gotten so good at keeping things hush hush that even their own sales reps in major electronics stores across the country were in the dark on the release date of the new mini.  I come into work this morning to see my co-worker looking on a blog site at what appears to be a Mac Mini.  STOP THE PRESSES! 

APPARENTLY...

Today, June 15th 2010 Apple released the new and vastly improved Mac Mini!  Available for ordering TODAY is this new powerhouse computer, that starts at only $699.  I believe the main reason the majority of the U.S. public has not switched to a Apple computer is because of the price.  The Mac Mini is their answer to such a need, being incredibly energy efficient, and being affordable, this tiny little Tsunami in a box is exactly what a new college student, or business owner needs to power their career.   

In addition to all the specs below, the thing that impresses me most is Apple's ability to run this tiny monster on 10w of power.  If you are looking for a powerful computer solution that reduces carbon footprint, this is it. 

The Operating System Myth: My MLS Software won't run on Mac!

Mac has a program called Boot Camp, which allows you to install and run Windows on your new Mac OSX Snow Leopard.  All of those PC programs you've spent $1,000's of dollars on, can easily be installed and run on your new Mac, with the Boot Camp program.  The excuse to NOT own a Mac is over people.  

The Specs:

"Yah yah, it's all well and good, but what's this little stick of dynamite sporting under the hood?"  Some of the major improvements over the old mac mini are the memory capacity, size change, and built in power supply.  The new mini can support up to 8GB or DDR3 ram, running on a 2.66 Intel Core 2 Duo processor.  The graphics have received a shot of adrenaline with the NVIDIA GeForce 320M, which uses 256MB of DDR3 ram shared on the system.  Because of this massive graphics upgrade, you can run virtually any HDTV through it's new HDMI out, and the mini DisplayPort and run graphics with resolution up to 2560 x 1600, larger than most monitor resolutions.  You can also run the displays in dual mode, so you can have multiple displays running at the same time, with perfectly crisp clear images and no lag.  

For those of you that don't speak Geek, what all that means is that it is fast, VERY FAST, has a incredible picture, And is easy to maintain, and will not slow down over time.

Size:

• The size of the new Mac Mini is smaller than its predecessor, only 1.4" H x 7.7"W x 7.7"W and only weighs 3.0 pounds.

Processor and Memory:

• 2.4 Ghz or 2.66 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
• 3MB on-chip shared L2 cache
• 1066MHz frontside bus
• 2GB (two 1GB SO-DIMM's) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM; Supports up to 8GB

Peripheral Connections:

• One FireWire 800 port (up to 800 Mbps)
• Four USB 2.0 ports (up to 480 Mbps)
• SD card slot

I frankly can't find any excuse not to go out and buy this little machine.  With it's vastly improved memory options, faster Processor, smaller sleeker design, energy efficiency, and Apple software for running PC programs, all for around $699, I can't find any reason for me not to own such an amazing machine.  Apple truly steps it up in every way with every product release.  Who knows, maybe someday we'll all be using something created by Apple.  I know I will!

Follow these 5 steps to get a jumpstart on ActiveRain as a Newbie, or as a member who is looking to take their blogging to the next level. 

Step #1:  Watch my Welcome Video!

Upgrade Your ActiveRain Profile for $1

Step #2:  Take ActiveRain Blog Training

Newbie Resources

One of the things you will want to do is learn how to blog on ActiveRain and rank at the top of a Google or yahoo search in front of consumers.

Below is a outline of our blog and RainMaker training program, along with a promo we are currently offering for recently active members who aren't public on the network yet:

ActiveRain blog training teaches you to:

• How to title your blog
• What to write about
• How to write to get the best Google ranking
• Blogging SEO (Search Engine Optimization)
• How to have good keyword density
• How to increase your business with blogging on ActiveRain
• How to write good content that will produce leads

How we train:

We do live webinar classes twice a week on Tuesdays from 10-11am PST and Thursdays from 11-12pm PST.  These are our blogging 101 classes that cover the above topics.  It is the same content both days, so if you are busy and can't make it Tuesday, you can hop in on Thursday.  The training course is created for a busy Real Estate Professional.   You get One on One Help from ActiveRain Member Services, and a pre-recorded webinar of the blogging 101 so you can get started right away.

In addition to the initial training, you also have access to:

• Blog Review Webinar Class on Mondays
• Pre-Recorded Webinar of Blogging 101 so you can start right away.

ActiveRain University webinar classes, which cover topics such as:

• Facebook for Real Estate
• Twitter for Real Estate
• Social Media Marketing for Real Estate
• ActiveRain Q & A sessions
• Sponsors such as Market Leader and RealBird giving free training on their products
• And Much More....

What is included in being a Rainmaker:

• Public visibility on ActiveRain
• Top page Google potential
• Outside Blog with its own domain name and URL  (i.e. www.joelsellsrealestate.com) 
• Posting in www.localism.com very popular in search engines
• Blog Training

Step #3:  Upgrade Your Profile For a $1 to Public Visibility (RainMaker) so You Can Reach the 1st Page of Google with Your Blogging.

1.  Log into your profile

2. visit  www.arpromo.com/training1

3. fill out the billing information for the $1 month and click upgrade

If you would like some examples of Rainmakers Blogs on the 1st Page of Google click on these links:

• Mesa, AZ short sales  (Look for ActiveRain in the URL under the results)

• Neighborhoods in Kirkland, WA (See the #1 organic result titled, "Part 1- South Juanita")

• Homes For Sale in Copper Bluffs Mesquite, NV (See "The Mesquite Nevada Real Estate Blog" and several AR blogs. All the same agent!)

Step #4: Read, Print off, and Follow these Tips for Writing Your Blog:  Click Here

Step #5:  Call or Email Me With Any Questions M-F from 8-5 PST

Joel Kruse - Rainmaker Trainer

My Direct Line: 206.470.2903

Email: joel@activerain.com

http://activerain.com/joelkruse

ActiveRain Training and Help is just a few clicks away.  Have you ever wondered why so many people use ActiveRain?  Read through this intro and take advantage of being public and our blog training which is world class.  

Thanks for choosing to further your career with Blogging on ActiveRain!

My name is Joel and I am going to be your contact here at ActiveRain.  I'll be here for you while you take our Rainmaker blog training and become a blogging pro!  This is going to be a fun learning experience where you will maximize your time spent on ActiveRain and social media and see how easy it is to market yourself through blogging.  

Read, Print off, and Follow these Tips for Writing Your Blog:  Click Here

Expectations for Success:

For you to start seeing measurable success with your blogging (i.e. Ranking on the 1st page of Google, receiving phone calls, emails, listings, closings) you will need to expect to write at least 3 blogs a week.  Read this blog to get ideas on what to write about.

Follow these and you will maximize your potential for business:

• Blog AT LEAST 3 times a week (without blogs, how are people going to find you?)
• Attend the SEO blog training class
• Follow Our Training when writing your blog
• Post at least 5 comments a day (stimulate conversation to create referrals!)
• Re-blog once a day

You Can Contact Me anytime M-F from 8-5 PST.

Joel Kruse - Rainmaker Trainer

My Direct Line: 206.470.2903

Email: joel@activerain.com

Links to ActiveRain Offered Blog Training

Blog Training Calendar:  Click Here

ActiveRain University Calendar: Click Here

Pre-Recorded Webinar for Download: Click Here

Follow the training when writing your content to get the most success!  Read blogs posted on www.activejoel.com for more tutorials and help on maximizing your blogging. 

IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE NOT A RAINMAKER ON ACTIVERAIN, YOU ARE NOT PUBLICLY VISIBLE AND YOUR BLOGS WON'T RANK IN GOOGLE OR YAHOO.  TO TRY OUT BEING A RAINMAKER WITHOUT CONTRACT FOR 30 DAYS FOR A $1, LOG INTO YOUR PROFILE THEN CLICK HERE.   IF YOU ARE NOT A RAINMAKER, YOU WON'T BE FOUND BY CONSUMERS LOOKING FOR YOUR BLOGS.

How to Upgrade to Rainmaker:

1.  Log into your profile

2. visit  www.arpromo.com/training1

3. fill out the billing information for the $1 month and click upgrade

Thanks for being on ActiveRain, and get ready to start singing in the rain!

The Blog Tool you all have been waiting for is here!  For those of you who have wanted to be able to import your blogs on AR to Wordpress, the wait is over.  Read up!

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.

So by now, most or ALL of you have heard of ActiveRain University.  Our newest project with a focus to bring even greater value to ActiveRain members and to the Real Estate Industry as a whole.  Our goal and mission at ARU is to provide you FREE training and support on a variety of topics and technologies that will help you with your online marketing, networking, social media efforts, and growing your business.  It's all about sharing and learning how and what other successful professionals are using and doing to be successful.

This week, Jared James is coming to share "How To Systematize Your Business"

Jared James is the CEO & Founder of Jared James Enterprises.  He travels around the country speaking to and coaching REALTORS. As a REALTOR®, he's built one of the largest and fastest growing Real Estate Teams in New England, was inducted into the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, and was voted by the over 2 million readers of the International publication REALTOR® Magazine as their Web Choice Award Winner.

Jared was recognized as the favorite REALTOR® in the Country among the 30 under 30 issue.  After making the transition to become a full-time coach and speaker, Jared’s debut book “Enjoy Success Today: How to Start and Build a Thriving Business… and Still Have a Life!” became a best-seller and his coaching programs have helped countless numbers of REALTORS looking to take their business to the next level and not spending 24 hours a day doing it.

Some of what you'll learn:

* What good systems do
* What systems to implement into your daily business
* How to implement these systems
* How these systems will help you make more money and spend less time to do it

* Providing Structure and Order to your Business
* How To Appear You Are Doing More than you Actually Are
* Making your Clients feel Comfortable, Knowledgeable and at Ease
* Free up your Time Allowing you to Grow on Many Levels
* How to Enable Yourself to Implement New Ideas more Proficiently

Thursday - May 6th, 2010
10:00am - 11:00am PDT (1:00pm EST)

We've had some really outstanding sessions so far featuring some very talented and experienced guest speakers and presenters. Coming up in the weeks ahead we'll be doing a few series trainings like: "How To Brand Yourself as an Expert and Build a Six-Figure Real Estate Business" featuring a surprise and very special guest speaker.  We'll also be doing a series on "The Short and Long of the Short Sale" a four-five part series that will make YOU the Short Sale expert using tested tools, techniques, technologies and systems used and shared by other Short Sale experts.

Visit The ARU Calendar for Other Upcoming Training and Classes

This is an amazing blog about how to use Twitter to increase your business.  A great read!  

ActiveRain University - How To Maximize Your ActiveRain Blogs with Zillow

Join us for a FREE Webinar on March 29

Hey Everyone, just wanted to let you all know that Sara Bonert (Director of Broker Services from Zillow) will be coming to ARU and sharing some tools you can use to bring greater value to your ActiveRain Blogs and readers.  

She'll be sharing things like how to use Zestimates, Zillow Advice, Advertising, Widgets, Free stuff and more on your ActiveRain Blogs.  Sara travels all over the Country for Zillow teaching industry professionals how to get the most out of their online time and social media efforts.

If you've never heard or seen Sara speak or present, she's really good and she knows her stuff.  I'd encourage everyone to try and come to this class. Reserve your seat for Monday's class (March 29, 2010 - 9:00am - 10:00am PDT) by pre-registering early.   

Sara is an expert and is coming to share her knowledge and expertise with us, so come support her and learn at the same time.  She's a long-time ActiveRain member who provides some great content on her Blog. Don't miss the class, there will be a Q&A session at the end that I'm sure will be educational and beneficial to many of you, your business, and your Blogs.