R TEAM

On the Way to Seattle reBarCamp

On the way to Seattle reBarCamp last week, my husband grabbed the Flip video camera and interviewed yours truly.

 

The planning committee for the 2011 Seattle reBarCamp started meeting months in advance to prepare for this event. 

 

What happens when you show up at Seattle reBarCamp?

Considering the volumes of people, I think this years reBarCamp in Seattle was a huge success!

 

 

Blogging is so 2008? No way!

David G from Zillow makes some excellent points on using social media for you to consider whether you blog or not...this is worth checking out. 

Video for First Time Homebuyers about the 2009 FTHB Tax Credit

Tokbox and the Rebirth of R TEAM

I'm pretty excited about a new FREE social media tool that you use with your web cam: TokBox.  Don't stop reading here...if your lap top doesn't have a web cam...you can pick one up for less than $100.

TokBox allows you to do:

• Free video email--the recipient does not need to join to see your message.

• Free video conferencing--if your recipeint also has a web cam.

• Drum roll... free video web conferencing!  I'm thinking this will be an incredible way to re-launch R TEAM meetings!   No driving...make your own coffee and breakfast...log in and we're talking about the subject du jour.  I believe (but I'm not certain) that if someone doesn't have a webcam, they may be able to log in and view our conference and chat via text.

Cool, huh?  So if you're interested in getting R TEAM going again, sign up for TokBox at www.tokbox.com.   Check out my TokBox at www.tokbox.com/mortgageporter

Last, read this Sellsius article about TokBox and be sure to click on the video link.

I really see this as an easy to use tool that will set you apart from your competitors. 

Did you catch King 5 News this morning?

Here's a link to this morning's Homefront Report on how on-line marketing aka "Web 2.0" is impacting our local markets.   Get over Redfin being discussed right off the bat, there's an important message that you need to hear.

Home buyers are shopping for homes using the internet by using blogs, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube or Viddler (vlogging = video blogging). 

In fact, most of the transactions I have right now are from people who found me via my blogging efforts.  There are buyers out there who want to participate in this market...will they find you?   

• Having a blog increases your odds.  Search engines prefer an active blog over a static website. 
• Blogs allow you to demonstrate your expertise and to have conversations--interaction.
• Twitter is like a mini-blog and probably my favorite form of "social networking".

What are you waiting for?   There is no shortage of topics these days. Just do it!

Update: it was brought to my attention that at 0:56 into the video, one of my post from The Mortgage Porter is in the screenshot.   What a bonus!

Using Videos in Your Post

Leave it to Dustin Luther to add video comments on Rain City Guide.  At first I was a bit skeptical,  I wasn't sure who would watch the video and I thought that most people may prefer to read instead of watch.  After posting a few of my video comments from our built-in camera on our Mac, I'm hooked.  There is a real sticky quality to the videos--sticky is good for your blog/web sites.

I encourage you to give it a try--if you have a web cam, you can now leave a video comment on any RCG post.  I used it last night to say (actually say) "Thank You" to a real estate agent in Atlanta who left me a nice comment regarding my posts at Rain City Guide.  Instead of typing "thank you..."; she can hear and see me say "thank you".  There's huge difference between reading text and seeing/hearing a fellow human. 

Do check it out and consider this for your blog...you DO have a blog, don't you?

Adding Video and Video Comments to Your Blog

Okay...this is beyond RE Blogging 101...sorry Class!  However, I want you to see what's possible in the bloggosphere.  Imagine doing videos between you and your clients.   This is beyond texting, Twitter and commenting on blogs.  When you hear someone say your name and address your issue, question or comment, it's a entirely different experience.   With this post, I'm talking with Dustin who is in California.  I've met Dustin once and now we're "video-ing" back and forth via comments in a post a Rain City Guide...just how cool is that?