New Mexico

Over the last year, I have written and read a lot about social media. This blog, about the possible upcoming trends and new website to explore, could be very helpful to someone who is unhappy with the layout or user interface of a specific website. Earlier there was this blog, musing over why social media is the best way to market yourself and pondering, what did we do BG (Before Google)? There was this blog in which we linked to a video that explained the how-to’s behind Twitter, and another Twitter post about how we need to reach the right audiences. And of course, there was another blog that exemplified just how important social media is.

I realized I have done a lot of “why’s” and not a lot of “how’s,” and absolutely no “what’s.” There are a lot of tools out there that any real estate professional - or any business professional - could use in their arsenal in order to be the most effective with all of those websites we have talked about recently. I wanted to highlight a few things, both tangible and intangible, that I think are absolutely essential to utilizing all of that free Internet marketing stuff that will help you save on the one thing that it does cost you: your time.

Everyone’s time is valuable, and I know few people who want to be sitting at their laptop establishing connections or tweeting while everyone around them is making memories. That’s where there are websites like ping.fm and TweetDeck come in handy; they turn you into syndication. Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn, and more all updated in just one place; I can say from experience that it’s very convenient. On Facebook, under the Notes application, there is a simple way to set up an automatic import from an outside blog so you minimize your copy/paste time. (On the sidebar nav, look for the Note option. On the right of the Notes page there is a box to set up the import/export function). That is HOW you organize your social sites and save yourself time.

In order to utilize SEO, blogs and websites need pictures and videos. Now it’s fairly easy to do a Google Image search and pick whichever picture you wanted to put on your own site, but remember that the image you chose was hosted by a website like yours, which you gave traffic to in order to get that picture and every YouTube video you search for is some kind of advertisement; that stuff is free. That’s why every business professional should have a digital camera or smart phone that takes good quality pictures to have original content on a blog/website. I admit that it can be hard to get into the routine of taking a picture when the city looks beautiful, or even remembering to take your camera out with you but once you do, it’s worth it. Videos are a little bit trickier, because typically they involve more editing and time, but it’s easier than ever to be your own videographer; all you need is a basic program like Windows Movie Maker to get you started. With tools like Flip Video Camcorders and most digital cameras, it is affordable and easy to build things like testimonials, motivational videos, informative shorts, and so on. These are examples of WHAT you need and HOW to make SEO work for you.

I hope this blog helped to expand on the initial discussions of social media. I think that at this point we all know why it’s popular and what it is, but now it’s time to figure out what we need and how to make it work for us.

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Evelyn Bruder: CRS, GRI, ABR, E-PRO, Las Cruces Cyberstar

The Evelyn Bruder Dream Team http://www.homesforsaleinlascruces.com

For more information about what we do and how we can provide all of your real estate needs, CLICK HERE

We welcome comments and questions - CLICK HERE

Steinborn GMAC Real Estate (575)522-3698

Have you spoken to your Credit Card Company lately? I would encourage you to. Today I spoke with a representative of my credit card company and it was a very interesting exchange. I was informed that the law will take effect on February 22, 2010. The representative wanted to know if I would elect to allow over the limit transactions for $29 instead of the previous rate of $39. The new law states that unless the card holder allows it, the credit card company cannot allow a charge over the limit, and then charge the over the limit fee.

Michelle McFadden of BankRate.com captured 8 major benefits of new credit card law

• A rate increase can't be applied to existing balances unless cardholder is delinquent.
• Cardholders must be notified of a rate increase 45 days in advance, but there is no cap on rates.
• Those under 21 can't apply for a credit card unless they have co-signer, income or pass course.

There are some who need to see the entire bill. It is H. R. 627. Check this link click here

I had the opportunity to compare my Iphone with a Droid yesterday. Yes, I did. The phones are similar in functionality, and to the extent that there are APPS written, they are very similar. Here is where I see the difference between the two:

Cost: DROID - $99; Iphone - $299

Service contract: 2 years contract for both

Monthly Charges: $59.99/mth for 950 mins for Iphone

$200 for 5 phones on a family plan for the DROID

The most interesting thing I have learned in my discussion with the gentleman was that Verizon is more consumer sensitive. At least it gives a discount on the DROID, so if the individual decides to break the contract, the charge for the balance on the phone, would be a reasonable charge. AT&T on the other hand provided no discount. They say they do, but the Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price is out of touch.

Both Verizon and AT&T are now in steep competition. Both have dropped the cost of Unlimited Voice to $69.99 per month, yet the cost of other plans remain the same. The 950 minutes per month runs $59.99. Nobody has challenged these companies yet. But I think it's a racket. All other plans are being used to pay for their competition. If this isn't PRICE DISCRIMINATION, I don't know what is.

It's time for consumers to get some relief. Where is the FTC when we need them?

Consider the following, the weather forecasters in New Mexico are usually wrong 85% of the time here, so when they predict inclement weather it usually misses us. Albuquerque is surrounded by mountains that usually get their fair share of snow and more. Albuquerque has dodged all major natural disasters since I moved here in 1996. Are you looking for a place where you don't have extreme weather conditions?

Fortunately for us, our elected officials seem to understand what's important to its residents, consequently, they are doing a doing just fine. Checkout the below article in the Denver Post, where "Colorado Springs cuts into services considered basic by many." "City recreation centers, indoor and outdoor pools, and a handful of museums will close for good March 31 unless they find private funding to stay open. Buses no longer run on evenings and weekends. The city won't pay for any street paving, relying instead on a regional authority that can meet only about 10 percent of the need." Somehow, I don't think tax cuts are the right thing to do here. I feel for the residents of Colorado Spring. It is such a beautiful city.

Are you looking for a place to relocate to? Consider Albuquerque.