That’s right, old Ambassadors never die, they just fade away into RAINMAKING...!!!

In case you haven’t noticed I’ve lost my ‘Ambassador’s Badge’ here at Active Rain...That’s right again, I’ve been relegated to be a plain old ‘RAINMAKER’.......once again...

Oh, don’t be concerned that I was involuntarily ‘IMPEACHED’ by the wonderful staff at AR...

My return to RAINMAKING was very mutually agreed upon...

You see, I’m from Douglassville, Pennsylvania, and I have sometimes been referred to as the ‘ASS’ in the center of DouglASSville...

I recently became aware that AmbASSador also had an ‘ASS’ in its center...AND...

Since I felt there were already too many ‘ASSES’ to go around in this great Country of ours...

Well, let’s just say I agreed to lose my ‘ASS’ at Active Rain in favor of returning to my very familiar role as ‘RAINMAKER’...

What with so many droughts in our Country these days...geographically, politically, and spiritually...

We can certainly use a breath of fresh air and A GOOD CLEANSING RAIN...!!!

Not to worry.......FRAN'S FRIDAY FORUM and Fran's Blog will still go on, and, who knows, I may still have time to post between FORUMS...

Have a great weekend...!!!

Back in the day, a few of us discovered a really cool tool from Google known as "The Wonder Wheel" which helped members with keyword selection for their SEO friendly blog posts.  Now that the Wonder Wheel is gone, I get literally hundreds of requests from members looking for good alternatives to enhance and better the "Keyword" content on their blogs, sites, posts, and blog titles.

Understanding The Importance of Keyword Searches:

Search engines like Google focus on returning the best quality and "Best Available" SERP's (Search Engine Results Pages)  It's all based on what "Keywords" or phrases are being typed into the Search box.  Search engines simply want to return the best available matching content based on both short-tail and long-tail keyword searches.

The two things people search most are: the item, the person, the company, the thing or service, and then a geographic or what many refer to as a "hyper-local" location.  Having this knowledge about search engines and keywords is the first step, the next steps will hopefully help remove the guessing game of...

"What are people looking for and typing in the search box of search engines?"

No pun intended (well, maybe a little...) SEARCH NO MORE!  While we can never really be 100% certain of what people are searching and the exact keywords or terms they're using, these keyword tools will help you not only define what IS being searched on the web, but how and what keywords to be using when creating and refining your blog titles and blog content.

Keyword Tools for Your Blog

Introducing Google's Keyword Tool:

In the "Keyword Search" we typed "Real Estate in San Francisco" which seems like a pretty reasonable search that most web surfers would type if interested in looking at Real Estate in San Francisco.  Interestingly the "Keyword Tool" came back showing that there is a larger percentage of people searching San Francisco Apartments which might make sense considering the space and demographic of San Francisco.

Maybe creating a Blog post with the Title "San Francisco Apartments" and then provide content on how those living in "San Francisco Apartments" could qualify for a great loan, with great rates, and possibly become first time buyers and first time homeowners.  Would this be a worthy option and idea worth trying?  This is just a sample of how you can use these Keyword tools to better your content, your traffic, and hopefully your business.

Give the Google Keyword Tool a Try

Check out the Google Keyword Toolbox

Soovle Is Another Great Keyword Tool

Soovle.com search multiple sites and returns most searched results on multiple platforms of your choosing.  You can select from up to 15 sites at one time to get the most poplar searched "Keywords" or related "Phrases" on those individual sites.  Here are the results as I started typing the keywords "Real Estate" when suddenly I realized that if I stopped typing, the Soovle tool kicked in and started solving...

I was personally pretty excited to see that on the Yahoo site, "Zillow Real Estate" was a pretty popular search by consumers and Internet surfers.  (I do hope you have a profile setup on our site for those visitors to view)

• Go Ahead, Take Soovle For A Spin

SEOBOOK Keyword Suggestion Tools

SEOBOOKS Keyword suggestion tool cross-references Wordtracker.com, Google, and others.  It displays links to related search results, semantically related phrases, and offers a new CVS exporting option which rocks.  SEOBooks combined with Google Insights will provide you with a wealth of FREE data and information to set you on your way using "Keywords" effectively in your online marketing, advertising, and blogging endeavors going forward. 

Check out SEOBooks, you won't be disappointed.

"The objective of a business website or blog is to attract potential buyers and convert them into paying customers. Keywords can help. Use appropriate keywords on your site and you’ll attract visitors who want to buy the types of products you offer."    Source: Wordtracker

"Hover your mouse above for hidden message"

I'm always looking to provide better, faster, more efficient, and cost effective ways to help get the job done, but I'm only one grain of sand on a very large beach. If you find this content useful and worthy, take a second to reblog it. You can help spread the ActiveRain love across larger beaches much faster, and by doing so, you're helping to take the" "keyword" message further and make the process easier and better for those that might be following you or your blogs. Thanks.  :-)

If you don't mind, I'd love to hear some input and perspective from you. I have a number of decisions on my mind with our company, and I would welcome any helpful advice/direction. Please note that I said "helpful". :) I'm editing this opening paragraph now that I've finished writing the rest of the post and I realize that some of the stuff I wrote below seems a little disjointed. Hang in there if you can.

Here's the thing: I've been selling homes full-time in Austin for 15 years as of this month. I started my own brokerage just over 7 years ago. We've had some very good years (thankfully, 2011 was one of them) and a couple of very lean years, too. As we begin another year, my business partner and I are evaluating things to try to determine the best direction for ourselves and our company. I find myself going back and forth between two extremes: big-time company growth vs. streamlining, saving money, and focusing on my own sales.

We're paying way too much for office space, so we're likely moving down the hall to a smaller, much less expensive space. Most of our agents work from home, so it seems silly to pay for a large space with lots of barely-used desks. This downsize in physical office space will save us $1700/month, so that's a no-brainer. We will be moving.

I could use some of the savings for additional marketing/branding, I suppose. Again, I'd have to think about the most effective use of these dollars. I've used just about every type of print and internet marketing technique over the years, and it seems that the internet is the only one that makes much sense, outside of handwritten notes (not a joke). Again, I welcome your input.

We have a nice system in place for the leads from our website, and a relatively substantial number of new prospective buyers sign up every day. I would love to increase our conversion rate for these leads, since I worked so hard to get the traffic in the first place. It seems that this would probably entail more accountability, and a different system, although I have no idea how much this might cost to design and implement. I could focus on SEO, but since we're getting ample traffic, perhaps the site needs a re-design to maximize its effectiveness? Here's our primary website: http://www.austintexashomes.com

I DO offer something that seems to be in short supply based on my conversations with agents: I care. I genuinely care about the people who work for us, and I am available pretty much any time to answer questions or provide advice. I've never been involved in a lawsuit or mediation of any kind, because we really try to head off problems before they grow into full-fledged legal issues. I value honesty and integrity, which might be a hindrance to substantial growth, although I'd like to think otherwise. Maybe I'm not cut-throat enough, and I'm okay with that.

There's no easy way to say this next part, so I guess I'll just be blunt. I promise it's not sour grapes, just an observation. I have seen other local companies grow to 50 agents and beyond with seemingly less to offer, other than possibly bravado and aggressiveness on the part of the managing broker/owner. I don't begrudge them their success, and I'm sure I could learn something from their recruiting efforts. Having interviewed a few agents who went to work elsewhere, only to be disillusioned, I just can't bring myself to over-promise to agents. Yes, we have leads. No, I can't tell you how many to expect, nor do I want agents who are dependent on me or the company to produce all or most of their business.

I haven't instituted minimum production standards for our agents, partly because it struck me as disingenous, since I wouldn't have been given a chance with my original mentor/broker if these were in place, but I think I was a great addition to his team for 8 years. It reminds me of the classified ads I used to see for Dell Computers that required a college degree and 2-4 years of experience, when the CEO was a college dropout. That being said, I don't think I want very many brand-new agents, partly because of the time commitment involved in training. What are your thoughts on minimum standards for sales production?

I've managed up to 20 agents in the past, and I think I could handle a lot more (40-50+), under the right circumstances. Namely, if I weren't so dependent on my own sales to provide the vast majority of my income, and if the agents were at least somewhat self-sufficient. I recognize that this sounds obvious.

I guess the bottom line is that I am torn between building an actual business that can provide income for me on its own vs. continuing to grow my personal sales. I am now 41 years old. I don't think I want to drive people around showing houses (even if they're nice houses) when I am 60 or 70.

I need a plan.

Feel free to chime in below with ideas. I'm all ears.

Thanks for reading!

Photo credit:Joe Shlabotnik via Flickr.com Creative Commons license

2012...A Leap Of Faith Year...???

It will take a ‘LEAP OF FAITH’ on behalf of many potential voters to bring about a successful 2012...!!!

Even though our current President has failed on just about every front, there are millions of deluded liberals who still have their heads in the sand.......(or perhaps the liberal heads are somewhere else)...who are still in denial...Actually, in fairness to liberals and conservatives alike, the people of whom I speak don’t deserve to be labelled either liberal or anything else because they wouldn’t be able to enunciate the ‘typical’ liberal mentality...no...these people, for the most part, are simply IGNORANT...!!!

WELL, this is a leap year, and we have one extra day to get educated...or one extra day to moan and groan about or wallow in our dissatisfactions...

Perhaps it was no coincidence that the year 2012 began on a Sunday...perhaps The Lord is reminding us to get our priorities straight...and He’s giving us one extra day to practice those priorities...for any ‘non-believers’, you have an extra day of grace to ‘catch the Spirit’...

Of course it would be much easier if potential voters would get a head start on their New Year’s resolutions by turning to the Lord first when faced with a problem situation...but, of course this would only happen if they trust THE LORD...some don’t even believe He exists...YET...

Someday ALL will know HE DOES...!!!

I pray that enough will take that LEAP of FAITH BEFORE the elections...!!!

Have a Happy & Blessed New Year...!!!

Most Popular Charlotte NC Real Estate Articles and Sites in 2011

Every day of every year, we analyze the information which we are providing to our consumers, both near and far, to see if we’re giving you exactly what you are in search of.  If you search for something related to Charlotte real estate in Google, Bing, MSN, AOL or any of the other search engines and find us, we strive to provide you the information that you need in an accurate, clear, concise and thorough manner.  In fact, we go to great lengths to do so!

Our staff works diligently to find exactly what YOU, our valued customer, needs with regards to Charlotte real estate–and even basic Charlotte North Carolina information such as things to do, schools, restaurant information, economics and more.  We then work to give you just that–what you want!

So, to end a fantastic 2011, we’d like to share with you our top 20 posts that were viewed in 2011 on our main Charlotte NC Real Estate website, www.iCharlotteRealEstate.com.  Here’s hoping that your 2012 is happy, healthy and prosperous!  Please let us know how we can serve you in the New Year.

20.  Discover Charlotte’s Foxcroft – A Premier Charlotte Community

19.  Discover Charlotte’s Stonecroft Community – Luxury at its Finest

18.  Discover Ballantyne Country Club – A Golfing Community

17.  Home Seller Tips | Your First Impression May Just Be Your Last

16.  What Can $1M Buy Me in Charlotte Real Estate?

15.  Charlotte Home Buyer Tips | 3 Lending Tips

14.  Just What IS Absorption Rate Pricing?

13.  Which Type of Home Loan/Lender Do I Want to Use?

12.  Charlotte NC Real Estate Pricing Your Home – Myth vs. Reality

11.  Do I REALLY Need a Buyers Agent?

10. Define:  Foreclosure and Short Sale

9.   Lifestyle Home Selections–The Only Way to Buy a Home

8.   Just What IS Luxury?

7.   Savvy + Company Real Estate Success – $1,165,000 Home Sold at FULL Price in 8 Days!

6.   What Defines Luxury in Charlotte Luxury Homes?

5.   How to Be a Savvy Charlotte Home Buyer

4.   Needs vs. Wants for Charlotte Home Buyers

3.   Appraisal Issues for Charlotte Home Buyers and Sellers – What to Do if the Property Doesn’t Appraise

2.   What’s the Charlotte Real Estate Market Doing in YOUR Neighborhood?

1.   Charlotte Home Buyers Guide – Time to Nest

Popular links that were accessed from our site included:

www.AtHomesCharlotte.com, our sister site which offers an incredible home search, in fact, many say it’s the BEST home search out there–customized and simply like no other search tool in Charlotte!

www.ListMyCharlotteHome.com which is one of our smaller sites that has information primarily for Charlotte home sellers.

www.Facebook.com/CharlotteLiving is our Charlotte Real Estate Facebook page that is updated quite frequently–not just by us but, by Charlotte local businesses.

www.FB.com/ThingsToDoInCharlotte - Many things to do in Charlotte for all ages and you’ll find current events and specials here.

www.Scoop.It/t/Charlotte-North-Carolina – The scoop on Charlotte – news blurbs you can use, updated daily.

www.SavvyAndCompany.com – Our brokerage site with one of the most popular home searches with great community information

www.HipHoods.com – THE most popular Charlotte community page–lots of great information about living in Charlotte, Charlotte neighborhoods and much more!

www.SavvyLuxury.com – If you’re in search of luxury home information in Charlotte NC, this is the site that will tell you where you need to go to find the specific information that you need with regards to luxury home communities!

If you need assistance in buying or selling your Charlotte home, give us a call at (704)491-3310 or email me at Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com.  We look forward to working with you in the New Year!

Read more: http://www.icharlotterealestate.com/top-20-for-2011/#ixzz1iEh0CsJU

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

Disclosure of material contained within.

My hope is to encourage anyone and everyone that reads this to DREAM BIG and then LIVE YOUR DREAMS!

What will you do with your future? You really only have two choices...

You can choose to just survive, or you can choose to succeed. Know this though, if you do choose to succeed, and you decide to prosper, and commit to focused and clearly defined goals, then anything is and will be possible because YOU were born to succeed!  Your very BEST can still be in front of you.

YOUR future is in YOUR hands. Inside you is untapped potential. You have unlimited value and your dreams can definitely come true but ONLY if you believe they can. You are unique and very special which NOBODY can ever take away.  You can achieve whatever you put your mind to so choose to enlarge your vision.

Retrain your brain, increase your confidence, attract the GOOD around you, and seize the profitable opportunities in and around your path. Step forward daily and positively engage relationships. Unleash your maximum wealth and don't forget to "DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT!" 

Prepare for your success and believe in yourself.

Plan before you do anything. Ask questions and question everything. Avoid the negative and move outside of your comfort zone. Let go of the past and remember, NEVER GIVE UP!!

Share this with anyone you know that might need a bit of encouragement and inspiration in these challenging times. It might make a difference in their day . . . and maybe, just maybe . . . their entire year! 

I wish the VERY BEST to you all in 2012~

There are some very educated people who are saying, right now, that they will vote for President Obama in 2012...!!! And this in the face of an economy racked by foreclosures, bankruptcies, short sales, jobless, underemployed, debt ridden, near hopeless mentalities, etc..And all this...before Obama dips into his near billion dollar reelection stash...!!!

Of course, these ‘ostrich types’, are some of the same people who referred to President Bush as ‘STUPID’ or ‘DUMB’, and do the same when referring to any of the present opposition to Obama’s reelection...attacking the messengers instead of focusing on the message...

They simply cannot face reality...even though if they were to get into their cars and drive down any stretch of commercial real estate where business after business and building after building show signs of an economy that has put them out of business and caused them to go ‘belly up’...evidence in abundance...

WELL, if they attribute these signs to a Republican controlled House of Congress or yet the workings of President Bush now 3 years removed from office, rather than the failed policies of a destined-to-fail administration...What will their thinking be when President Obama begins spending some of his billion dollar ‘war chest’...

When even ‘some of the elect’ will be deceived...!!!

May I suggest, during this next week of Christmas Holiday, that each of us take that ride down the sickening evidence of a depressed economy, praying for The God of Peace to restore that which has become broken, and impress upon our minds an indelible vision of ‘where we really are’, so that when it comes time to vote, and we are bombarded by Obama’s Billion, our minds will see clearly to vote for a change in the presidency and the Senate as well...and show once and for all who the really smart ones are...!!!

Some see the ‘OCCUPIERS’ as prophets...but the true prophets are ‘THE TEA PARTIERS’, who, early on, saw what was happening to our dear Nation, and decided to do something about it...Diverse.....consisting of Republicans, Democrats, independents, conservatives, young and old alike, black, white, and every hue in between, Christian, Jew, and Atheist...determined by one motive only...To restore our Nation to the prosperity which it once enjoyed so that our posterity, children and grand children alike may enjoy God’s Blessings as we did...!!!

This is the Season which reminds us that Christ came to bring Peace To Men Of Good Will...

Wise Men still seek Him...!!! The unwise...???

Merry Christmas to ALL this Christmas Season...!!!

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

This time of the year is typically spent reflecting on the past year--our experiences, our businesses and our loved ones (not necessarily in that order).  This year has been a whirlwind for most of us and for many, we've shared in the losses of dear friends and family, making this time of the year especially difficult for those who have lost loved ones.

My dear friends, Missy Caulk and Christa Stewart-Caulk are healing from two very tough family losses this year--they lost Christa's amazing brother (Missy's son), Jamie and Missy's precious granddaughter, Lillie Bear (and Christa's niece), both within a month of each other.  

Carol Grub, Cyndee Haydon and a few of our other friends have started a project, “THE JAMIE & LILIAN CAULK MEMORIAL PROJECT” for our friend and fellow ActiveRain member Missy Caulk and her family.  The project is focused on placing a memorial bench in the Caulk family's favorite spot, in honor of their family members, Jamie and Lillian.  We're raising funds to purchase that bench and would love for as many friends of the Caulk family to join us in the dedication in 2012.     

Despite the amazing family unity and strength that the Caulk family has, they still need our prayers for comfort and strength.

I have known Missy since I started blogging on ActiveRain in 2007.  She welcomed me with open arms and we quickly became 'virtual' friends until rooming together last year at NAR/RainCamp/REBar Camp in NOLA--in real life!  Prior to NAR, I had flown to Dallas for ActiveRain Camp, where I also met Missy's lovely daughter, to whom I immediately connected!  

Spending a week with them gave me such a warm feeling--their family unity is something that we just don't see these days.  I believe each of Missy's boys and her other daughter, Alyssa, phoned her several times while we were together and Christa was with us as much as she was with Bob during the week!!  The love and connection knows no bounds in the Caulk family; they're truly a wonderful example of what 'family' truly is. 

There's no time like Christmas Eve to reach out to this wonderful family and offer your love and support for them.  After all, that IS what we do here in the Rain, right?  Please help us spread the word about “THE JAMIE & LILIAN CAULK MEMORIAL PROJECT” focused on dedicating a memorial park bench in Jamie and Lillie Bear’s honor.

How can you help?

• Continue to pray for comfort and strength for the Caulk family.
• Help get the word out by socially sharing this post or re-blogging for those who know the Caulk family--OR, write your own blog post about it.
• Make a donation

How to Make a Donation:

Make checks payable to "The Jamie & Lillian Caulk Memorial Fund"

Mail checks to:

Carol Grubb
3647 W. Greenook Dr.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103

*Be sure to write "The Jamie & Lillian Caulk Memorial Fund" in the memo of your check.

Or send a Paypal gift (as a gift so all funds go towards the fund) to: cyndeehaydon@gmail.com. 

PLEASE leave your name(s) & email address(es) to be included in the Caulk's card from everyone who participated.  We'd also like to keep you informed of the details of the upcoming dedication ceremony that is being planned so that hopefully you'll be able to attend as well.

Thank you SO much! Happy Holidays to you and yours!

This is from Cyndee Hayden.  Thanks, Cindy & Carol for spearheading this--your hearts are pure gold!

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

Disclosure of material contained within.

We all enjoy reading informative posts--especially when they’re focused on a topic for which we are searching.  We tend to enjoy a connection between the writer when we’re fully agreeing with something or sometimes, for whatever reason, we may get the feeling that we just don’t ‘understand’ that particular writer.

The consumer is the exact same way--they go by the ‘tone’ and style of your writing as well as the content that you provide them within any given article, blog or website.  Here are some pointers that I’ve gathered from discussions with clients who have found me or my firm online:

• Readers don’t like the hard sell.  Your ‘About Us’ page on your website and your ‘Profile’ page on ActiveRain gives you the perfect spot to tell the world about you.  Don’t over-do it though--everyone detests a bragger so, saying that you’re the ‘best’ or ‘highest producing’ at something is a major turn-off.  

• Give them a bit about YOU, not how great YOU think you are!  
• Include a few testimonials; those are well received by readers--far more than touting about yourself!

• Write with passion--let the reader know that you have a wealth of knowledge about your area and that you’re more than willing to share.

• Do your research. What is the consumer in search of while on your site?  Are you finding that they’re clicking on your neighborhood posts or your market reports?  Or is the consumer looking more for school information or local happenings?  

• Take care with your comments - This is one thing that is often overlooked:

• Do you leave snide comments on others’ blogs or in response to those who were gracious enough to leave a comment on your blog?  Sometimes no matter how diplomatic we try to write, it comes across as snide.  Refrain from this type of commenting.  Remember what your grandmother always told you, “If you don’t have something nice to say, just don’t say anything at all!”  Your comments speak louder than you realize.
• Comments are indexed in the search engines so, remember that if you’ve been nasty before, that may just be the comment that you’re ‘discovered’ by--and that’s certainly not a good first impression!

WRITE to the consumer--give them what they want!  Make your blogging voice loud and clear so that the reader wants to continue reading.  Happy blogging in 2012!

 

      

  Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

 (THE best Charlotte home search available - no kidding!)

Debe Maxwell, CRS/Realtor®/Broker
Broker@TheCharlotteScoop.com
Phone (704) 491-3310

     

  

 

    

      

       

 

         

   

Disclosure of material contained within.

A recent article on MSN HOME explained how SOLAR ENERGY was empowering ‘DEVELOPING NATIONS’ to develop more quickly and efficiently...BTW, I keep MSN as my home page just to see what ‘the enemy’ is up to...!!!

If I thought the article had any merit I would have established a hot link on this blog for quick and handy reference to the piece...

However, like THE MEDIA, MSNBC, CNN, THE THREE MAJOR TV NETWORKS, THE NEW YORK TIMES, etc...Their hidden agendas are easily recognized and remain no longer hidden...

The only advantage provided by SOLAR ENERGY to the developing nations was to possibly move them out of the STONE AGE a few years sooner...giving them light bulb power for their tents, powering their radios and other low power appliances...

If God intended SOLAR POWER to be the ‘END ALL’ He would have made the sun shine day AND night...Instead He has, in His Wisdom, placed sufficient natural resources to power THE ENTIRE EARTH...right beneath our very soil...GEOTHERMAL...NATURAL GAS...CLEAN COAL...CRUDE OIL...and even those natural resources yet to be discovered by us...

The liberals must be getting desperate or concerned that their time of influence is rapidly about to come to an end...So they’re pulling out all stops before WE THE PEOPLE take back our Country and restore it to the prominence that God and Nature intended...!!!

While they’re looking out 93 million miles for salvation, it lies right beneath our feet...Perhaps even closer...!!!

Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS by keeping CHRIST at the center of your families...!!!