Hot App Alert: Postagram
Q/A Friday: Content Curation for Every Digital Lifestyle
Q: I know it's important to be in-the-know and share useful content with my friends and fans, but I just don't have the time to write my own stuff or spend hours searching for valuable articles. I also prefer [email/websites/social networks/using my mobile device]. Isn't there a better way?
A: Regardless of how you prefer to consume information, there's a method to fit your needs. A lot of the options are crossovers as well. For example, you may prefer email, but you probably also receive your email on your smart phone, where you likely also access your social networks. Keep in mind also that this list is by no means exhaustive!
If you prefer... EMAIL
About You: You live in your inbox. It's the one place where you know you can find anything, any time. If someone needs to get in touch with you, shooting you an email is the best way to do it.
Ways to Curate:
If you prefer... WEBSITES
About You: You prefer the convenience of a full keyboard, standard mouse and larger screen. You may not always be with your laptop or PC, but you favor its company to a mobile device.
Ways to Curate:
About You: You are a champion Facebooker, Tweeter, Pinner or Blogger. Email generally feels clunky, and you tend to keep in contact with people on these sites instead.
Ways to Curate:
About You: You are a person on the go and hate being tethered to a desk. You likely access all of the above options through apps on your phone or tablet.
Ways to Curate:
So, how do you have content delivered to you? Share with us in the comments!
All images courtesy FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
A: Regardless of how you prefer to consume information, there's a method to fit your needs. A lot of the options are crossovers as well. For example, you may prefer email, but you probably also receive your email on your smart phone, where you likely also access your social networks. Keep in mind also that this list is by no means exhaustive!
If you prefer... EMAIL
About You: You live in your inbox. It's the one place where you know you can find anything, any time. If someone needs to get in touch with you, shooting you an email is the best way to do it.
- Newsletter Subscriptions. Find websites that create content you appreciate and find useful and subscribe to receive their regular newsletter. This can come in the form of a blog (like Houzz) or a news website (like NBC San Diego).
- RSS Email Notifications. You can receive email updates from nearly any website that updates regularly using RSS, or Really Simple Syndication. These feeds can come directly to a special folder in your inbox in Outlook or delivered as an email via a third party service such as FeedMyInbox or Feed2Mail.
About You: You prefer the convenience of a full keyboard, standard mouse and larger screen. You may not always be with your laptop or PC, but you favor its company to a mobile device.
- YouTube Subscriptions. Even if you don't create content on YouTube, having your own account has its perks. When you subscribe to a channel, not only can that content be emailed to you on a weekly basis but you are able to access it in the Subscriptions section of YouTube.
- Blog Subscriptions. Similar to YouTube, you can subscribe to blogs when you have an account with either WordPress or Blogger. Simply log into your account and look for the "Blogs I Follow" section (WordPress) or "Reading List" section (Blogger).
- RSS Feeds. RSS is a simple and expedient way to have content from various websites delivered to you in one centralized location. Google Reader and FeedReaderOnline are two good choices.
- Personalized Landing Page. Unfortunately, iGoogle will soon be extinct however there are other sites waiting to take its place. NetVibes and Protopage are functional as both an iGoogle replacement or a first-time user landing page.
About You: You are a champion Facebooker, Tweeter, Pinner or Blogger. Email generally feels clunky, and you tend to keep in contact with people on these sites instead.
- Twitter Lists. If you've ever used Twitter, you know how quickly information can pile up. Make sense of the noise by separating who you follow into lists. Lists can be public or private and there's no limit to how many users you can place in a list, or what topics you create. Bonus: Hootsuite can help you digest your Twitter lists even more efficiently.
- Facebook Lists & Interest Lists. Similar to Twitter lists, Facebook allows you to sift through the noise and focus on the accounts you want to hear. Friend lists are private and allow you to filter your friends into separate groups. Interest lists are more about topical content.
- Paper.li. Paper.li takes your Twitter lists and formats the content into a digital newspaper. Not only can this make it easier for you to digest information, but it also can share with the public via Twitter.
About You: You are a person on the go and hate being tethered to a desk. You likely access all of the above options through apps on your phone or tablet.
- Preferred Source Apps. Many content creators have their own mobile phone apps that will even notify you when there is new content available. Mashable, TechCrunch, CNN and MSNBC are good places to start.
- Aggregation Apps. If you'd rather streamline the number of apps you have running, an aggregator is your best option. Check out Zite, Flipboard, Pulse or Google Currents. Besides having an assortment of pre-selected sites available, these apps also allow you to customize your content by adding RSS feeds from your favorite sites or your social media connections.
So, how do you have content delivered to you? Share with us in the comments!
All images courtesy FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
Hot App Alert: Sandicor
Q/A Friday: 5 Ways to Enhance Your Open House With Tech
Q: I have an upcoming open house. How can I improve the experience for potential buyers by using technology?
A: That's a great question! These days, we have so many technological tools at our disposal to upgrade the entire customer experience from start to finish. Here are five ideas for you to implement at your next open house.
A: That's a great question! These days, we have so many technological tools at our disposal to upgrade the entire customer experience from start to finish. Here are five ideas for you to implement at your next open house.
1. Capitalize on video, before & after.
Virtually every home is posted online these days, an a virtual tour can help set your listing apart. Create a virtual tour video and use that to enhance your marketing (Craigslist, email, social media, etc.) Be sure to include information about the neighborhood and community in addition to the home itself. Your video will help familiarize people with the property, but it will also help people get to know you as a person. Check out this great example from Tom Koel:
Virtually every home is posted online these days, an a virtual tour can help set your listing apart. Create a virtual tour video and use that to enhance your marketing (Craigslist, email, social media, etc.) Be sure to include information about the neighborhood and community in addition to the home itself. Your video will help familiarize people with the property, but it will also help people get to know you as a person. Check out this great example from Tom Koel:
Post-open house, shoot a quick recap of the open house events, thank anyone who attended (either in general or specific), and if appropriate, let the viewers know that there was interest in the house and it won't last long.
2. Get connected.
If the home doesn't have internet access readily available, bring your mobile hotspot/stick and have your computer available. There are multiple benefits to having a computer with internet access at an open house:
If the home doesn't have internet access readily available, bring your mobile hotspot/stick and have your computer available. There are multiple benefits to having a computer with internet access at an open house:
- Enable visitors to email or share the property website with others who aren't at the open house
- Showcase the features of searching on your site and allow people to register
- If you have the time, set custom searches through your website or the MLS
- Give people directions to their next location or direct them to a restaurant or shop nearby
- If the opportunity presents itself, sign an Exclusive and write an offer
Bonus! There are many people who use devices, like tablets, but do not have a data plan and rely on WiFi to be connected. If you have the ability to share your network, let them know that there is free WiFi available. This is especially a bonus for tech savvy clients who use services like Evernote to keep track of homes and details.
3. Take attendance with your iPad.
I've never personally used the Open Home Pro app, but from what I've heard from people like Chris Smith, it's the best $3.99 you'll ever spend. This iPad app will allow you to take attendance & receive a visit report, share mobile-enabled listings to any mobile device, automatically send a thank you email & information on price reductions and more.
I've never personally used the Open Home Pro app, but from what I've heard from people like Chris Smith, it's the best $3.99 you'll ever spend. This iPad app will allow you to take attendance & receive a visit report, share mobile-enabled listings to any mobile device, automatically send a thank you email & information on price reductions and more.
*Note: An Android version is planned although no timeframe has been set.
4. Add a little mood music.
As we all know from the movies, music can make an experience truly magical. Did you know that CENTURY 21 Real Estate has created a Pandora online radio station specifically to enhance the atmosphere of your open house, office or special event. The music is a customized selection of contemporary songs and includes a custom skin (background) that features the Smarter. Bolder. Faster. theme:
Click here to access the station now. Add it as a saved station to access it on your mobile phone or tablet. Don't forget speakers!
Want to create your own custom radio station? Sign up for a free account with Pandora.
5. Follow-up in seconds (and in style).
The Postagram App for iPhone and Android provides a unique opportunity to connect with a potential client both at the open house and again a few days after:
Does your home have a great backyard or fireplace? Offer to take a family photo or couples portrait and collect their mailing address. Include a thank you message on the postcard and voila! You've created a unique memory, followed up with something tangible, and provided your contact information all in one quick, easy and cheap motion.
*Note: at time of this posting, Postagrams cost $0.99 each with discounted multi-packs available.
So tell us, how do you enhance your open house with technology?
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