Weekly Tech Tip: Set up Google Alerts

Check out this great tip from the CENTURY 21 sponsored Xplode Conference. It will take you less than 3 minutes and will provide tons of value.

To quote Jim Marks, "If you don't do this today, you're crazy!"

1. Go to http://www.google.com/alerts

2. Fill out the form, making sure to put your query in quotes.

You can sign up for as many alerts as you like, and you absolutely should sign up for the following:

• "[Your Name]" and any variations.
  For example, I would use "Natassia Bezdeka" and "Tassia Bezdeka"
• "Century 21 Award"
• "[Your City] Real Estate"
  For example, "La Jolla Real Estate" or "Irvine Real Estate"
• "[Specific community or neighborhood you service]"
  For example, "Dove Canyon" or "Hidden Meadows"

Other good ideas:

• Your phone number, email address, address, etc. (Same for your kids or spouse)
• Contact information for your business
• Any key words or topics you would like to keep tabs on
• Addresses of properties you've listed

3. Receive emails with search results matching your queries.

Why do this?

• Know when something new is posted about you online
• Know what's happening at CENTURY 21 Award
• Know when pertinent real estate information is posted for the area(s) you service
• Know what's happening in general in the specific areas or neighborhoods you service
• Use this information on your social media sites, newsletters and in face-to-face conversations
• Be more knowledgable, inspire more trust, do more business!

Questions? Email techsupport@century21award.com

C21 Social Xchange: Videolicious

Video marketing is increasingly important for your business. To help you enhance your online presence, CENTURY 21 has partnered with Videolicious, a best-in-class video creation tool.

The Videolicious app (available on iOS and coming soon to Android) empowers all CENTURY 21 System members to create sophisticated video productions, automatically, in seconds.

Simply follow the directions below to sign up, then follow the in-app instructions to create your first video. Check out our demo!

How To:

1. Log into 21Online.

Click on C21 Social Xchange in the Tool Library. Need your username/password? Ask your branch staff!

2. Click Sign Up for Videolicious. 

You can also view Videolicious FAQ.

3. Enter your account information. 

You will need check your inbox for a confirmation email.

4. Download the app to your device.

Launch the app and sign in to your account.

Helpful Tips:

• Take video of yourself using your device's camera or create voice-over narration only.
• Horizontal photos and videos work best.
• Licensed theme music is available from the Theme Music Library (this is recommended so that you do not violate copyright).

View the full Videolicious FAQ.

Need more assistance? Contact support@videolicious.com

Weekly Tech Tip: Adjust Your View

Chances are, you spend a good chunk of your time at a computer. To avoid back, neck and shoulder pain as well as eyestrain and other overuse injuries, take some time to make sure your desk is as ergonomic as possible. Your body will thank you!

Tips & Tricks:

• The top of your monitor(s) should be at or just below eye level. Invest in a riser to put yours at the proper height. If you are using a laptop, you will also need to invest in a keyboard/mouse set as your keyboard will also be raised. Money-saving tip: A cabinet shelf makes a great, cheap alternative.
• Make sure you're sitting pretty. Your chair should be comfortable, include lower back support and have arms to support your elbows and forearms.
• Your forearms should be parallel to the floor, so make sure your chair is at the proper height.
• Your feet should rest flat on the floor. If you are short like I am, a foot rest can make sitting much more comfortable.

It's also important to take breaks!

• Close your eyes or focus on something 20+ feet away periodically to avoid eyestrain.
• Stand up and stretch/take short breaks at least once an hour.

Check out these websites from Apple, Microsoft and OSHA for more tips, tricks and diagrams.

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Weekly Tech Tip: If This Then That

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IFTTT (IF This Then That) is a service that allows you to connect certain web applications together to automate the web and eliminate busy work for you. For instance: IF you are tagged in a photo on Facebook THEN have that photo saved to your Google Drive.This is just one of many possible connections that you can create. One helpful connection or recipe, as they're called on IFTTT, is being sent an email when a new Craigslist ad is posted that fits a specific search critera. This is useful as a real estate agent because it will help you be notified of fraudulent postings, for example: a scammer posting your listing as a rental.

Step 1:

Create your account on IFTTT.

Step 2:

Once you have signed up, you will be directed to the main menu or Dashboard. At the top of your tool bar select "Create".

Step 3:

Select "this" for a list of applications or Channels to drop down. Then select the Craigslist icon:

Step 4:

Click on the "New post search" box and a space to enter the URL of the search results on Craigslist will drop down (see next step).

Step 5:

To get the URL, search for your listing's in Craigslist, IE: 123 Main. For best results, do not use terms like Street or Avenue as they can be abbreviated and may not show up in your search. Once the search results appear, highlight and copy the URL of the results page.

Step 6: 

Paste the URL into the search results bar and then select "Create Trigger"

Step 7:

Select "that" for another list of Channels to drop down. Then select the email icon.

Step 8:

Click on the "Send me an email" box and a draft of future email notifications will appear. You can change up the Subject to show the property title if you wish. Once you are done customizing the email notification select "Create Action".

Step 9:

Select "Create Recipe" for final completion of your recipe.

Step 10:

You'll then be brought back to the dashboard where you'll select "My Recipe" at the top of the tool bar.

Voilà! You have just created your own recipe on IFTTT.

When an ad is posted that matches your search criteria, you will receive a notification email:

IFTTT has many recipes pre-created to help you automate your digital life. Click on Browse to see what's already available, as well as for inspiration on other ways to use IFTTT/

Learn More: https://ifttt.com/dashboard

Use IFTTT on the web or download for iOS: