There is so much concern and “Buzz” about Google shutting down Picnik.com, I decided to provide you with some alternative tools for editing and customizing your graphics, photos, and images.   While Picnik.com will be shutting down in April 2012, here are some other options you have available immediately.

FotoFlexer – Create some dazzling photo and image effects in your browser for FREE.  Use Animations, resizing, coloring, contrast and more.  Take a look at These 5 Demo’s for a quick tour of what FotoFlexer has to offer, you’ll love some of these cool features.  Smart Scissor is a favorite feature.

Pixlr – and for Picnik users, try Pixlr Express.  You’ll love the Editor, the Pixlr-o-matic, the Pixlr Grabber for Firefox and Chrome browsers, and the Pixlr Imm.io hosting, all of which are very robust and user friendly cool features.

LunaPic – This site will rock your world!  Lunapic offers more choices and options for photo editing and custom effects than some of the paid software applications I’ve purchased and used in the past.  Use vignettes, color bars, animated imaging, picture frames, retro color, collages, custom text, reflection animations, slide shows, and a ton more.  One of the most feature rich FREE online editors available.  You’re gonna love this site.

FreeOnlinePhotoEditor – A really simple and easy to use photo and image editor for those “quick fix and gotta go” graphics.  Very basic but simple and fast.  Some of the other online photo and image tools include:  OnlinePhotoTool.com: Online photo editor,  Automatically resize your images when sending it by email,  Create an Image from your RSS feed,  Create Image from your Tweet and Twitter account, and Create, save and email screenshots.

BeFunky -  Be Funky lets you do some pretty amazing things with your photos and graphics.  Most of the features and tools are focused on creating cool, fun, and funky effects and artwork.  The site’s name says it.  Some of the effects available would take hours to create in Photoshop or other high end and costly photo/image editors.

Definitely worthy of a visit and tour.

Photoshop.com – That’s right, you can use Photoshop online and for FREE.  You’ll need to register, but I promise it will be worth it.  The Photoshop tools are powerful and very easy to use.  Be prepared to spend a little time here, you’ll be amazed at what they have to offer and allow you to do online for free.  I’m not going to lie, this is one of my favorites and my personal replacement for Picnik.com closing down.

GIMP – GIMP is very similar to Adobe Photoshop except that GIMP is FREE.  It does require you to download the software but one huge benefit to that is it will never be bought and shut down on you.  It is a very powerful and feature intense program so unless you’re really experienced with editing and graphic design, or you have more time than it takes to close a short sale, you may want to stick with one of the others.

I personally like to use GIMP for graphic design more than image or photo editing.

Combine all these together and you’ll have more FREE editing tools and features than you’ll ever need or use and absolutely FREE.  Take a few moments to review each site, bookmark them, then give each one a try to see which one(s) best meet your photo and image editing needs.  Enjoy! 

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.  :-)

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~

Is your Real Estate Marketing Plan ready and in place for 2012? 

This post might be useful in helping you determine where to best spend your time and money for maximum results.  Online and offline, you're going to need a business plan with goals.  Here's a great article and resource to help get you started. 

Recently I was invited to join this investing opportunity using "Groupon" buying power to purchase Real Estate.  Is this a fad, a trend, or will it become a standard in the home purchase and selling process?  I've used Groupon to make "deal" purchases for smaller material items in the past but never considered investing in purchasing real property in this manner? 

I remember hearing that someone put their home on eBay and sold it.  I was told another homeowner put an ad on Amazon, and I've seen hundreds of homes on Craigslist and other classified sites but Groupon power?  I'm curious how many others have this happening in their areas and if so, what are your thoughts? is this something you would participate in? 

Can they really do this?  Dumb question: Looks like they already are...

Would your potential clients or past clients go for an opportunity like this?  Would you?

Join us for a group buying discount & group leverage Meeting

"We have negotiated with the builder a discounted price on duplexes near Round-Rock (Austin). We are combing the group buying power to get better prices and create a rent protection concept. The duplexes' (2 units each) price is based on a group purchase."

NEW Concept: “Groupon” Purchase of Duplexes
Tue. 9/13/11 7PM - In the room & via web
RSVP for details

Investment Highlights

Regular price: $260,000 – $270,000 per duplex ($130,000-$135,000 per door)
“Groupon” price: $249,900 – $259,000 based on a minimum purchase of ten duplexes (20 doors)

Myself and others could sure use your help, advice, and feedback here.

This is happening right here in the Bay Area, just about an hour away and I'm curious what my ActiveRain friends would advise or do themselves? No need to pull punches here, give me your honest thoughts and opinions. Usually, I'm the one trying to give information and advice but this time I need yours? Thanks.

HOT AUGUST TOPICS - Real Estate Tech Savvy Speakers offering FREE Training and Support

This is possibly one of the best months of FREE Tech and Real Estate support training ever. There's going to be some awesome topics covered this month with some absolutely amazing speakers and presenters.  I hope you'll stop by and take advantage of these FREE classes, sessions, and webinars. 

Thousands of industry professionals pay big money, travel long distances, and invest great deals of time and money to learn what these folks will be sharing with you this month.  The best part is that they are doing it in the convenience and comfort of your local business or home office. All you need is a computer with Internet access and a reserved virtual seat, that's it!

This month we are offering some great free training and support webinars, take a look then RSVP, we'd love for you to join us.

Is this form is not displaying correctly? View it in your browser.

~ To All ActiveRain Community Members and Friends ~ HOT AUGUST Training & Speaker Calendar with News Updates

AUG. SUPPORT CALENDAR FREE Real Estate Support and Training Webinars V.I.P SPECIAL GUESTS... Look who's coming to Zillow Academy in August! Sign up early, these FREE webinars will be filled quickly and are limited to the first 1000 attendees. Tom Ferry, Chris Smith, Michael Krisa, Ben Kinney, Jared James, Krisstina Wise and more... POSTLETS IS NOW FREE! Yes it's true!  Head to Postlets.com NOW The Postlets PRO paid subscription service is now FREE to all agents and users.  Create, publish, syndicate and share your real estate listings across web channels. NEW RECORDED CLASSES Did you sign up for a Webinar or Speaker and miss it?  We know you have busy schedules so we've recorded some of our BEST WEBINARS for you. COOL STUFF IN THE NEWS Client Listing Report Updates - New On Zillow Zillow Goes Public - Read About Zillow on NASDAQ Inmans Innovator of the Year - Read More... Zillow Search by Price Cut - Here's The Details GET FREE Co-Branding - Promoting You is KEY Want a career at Zillow?  YES, Show Me The Money CONNECT WITH US Friend us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Read our blog CONTACT US Zillow Academy 999 Third Avenue, Suite 4600 Seattle, WA 98104 Add us to your address book SHARE THIS EMAIL the campus Toolbox REFER AN AGENT THE PREMIER AGENT Zillow Mobile IS Global  - Choose your device: iPhone, Android, iPad, Windows Mobile, and Blackberry.  follow on Twitter | friend on Facebook | read our blog | forward to a friend

Copyright © 2011 Zillow Academy

Sign-up quickly to save your seat, you'll also save a ton of costs and expenses because again, these classes and sessions are all complimentary.  I hope you'll join me, I'm certain you'll learn and Enjoy~

I want to take a moment here to wish Jon Washburn ALL the very best in his new and future endeavors. Jon Washburn and Bob Stewart brought me into the rain, gave me shelter during the storm, then encouraged and supported me while I helped them build and grow this great network.

I owe a great deal of my experience and success to these guys for giving me the chance, for supporting me through thick and thin, and for bringing me on board to the AR team and family.  I am forever grateful to them for letting me take deep root in the soil of this great community. 

Thank you Jon for a wonderful journey! May all things good and prosperous be yours and in abundance.  The direction and path you are taking today is exactly where you are suppose to be at this time in your life and during your adventure...

Stay true to your passion my friend... always! Do something "AMAZING!" Crush It!

Zillow’s New Agent Rating and Endorsement Tool

Today, Zillow launched the ability for consumers to review real estate agents they’ve worked with in the past. Millions of home shoppers visit Zillow every month, and many of them have not yet found a real estate agent to help them buy or sell their home. 

Access to reviews and endorsements of local agents can be an incredibly useful tool for consumers.

Reviews and endorsements by past clients are a powerful tool to grow business – they're the next best thing to a referral. Great agents will flourish with this addition.  With this launch, agents can solicit reviews from past or current clients, directly from their profile page on Zillow.

Zillow launched the first ever public feedback system for lenders with the launch of Zillow Mortgage Marketplace in April 2008.  On Zillow Mortgage Marketplace there are 6,500 ratings and reviews for lenders, and reviews have dramatically increased their customer contacts. Lenders with good reviews (4-5 stars) do even better - getting twice the contacts of those with lower ratings.

More than 12.5 million people visit Zillow each month.  Two-thirds of Zillow visitors are buying or selling now, or in the near future. 87% of consumers would recommend or use their agent again in the future, according to NAR’s 2010 survey of buyers/sellers.

Here's a post by Sara Bonert with some additional information.  You can get the jump on the new rating and reviews feature by going directly to http://www.zillow.com/reviews/request  since you're most likely very excited and motivated to get started and solicit some reviews immediately.  I'll also be hosting a training class over at ZillowAcademy.com with some additional Q&A soon. I hope you'll check the calendar and make some time in your schedule to join us.

Zillow’s goal has always been to help people make smarter real estate decisions by providing access to as much information as possible – be it home listings, home value information, comparable home sales or tools to find the best agent or mortgage lender.  This launch is another step in this direction of consumer empowerment.  It's also a great way to help the agents business by making their customers endorsements available.

Related Articles and posts:
Agent Reviews and Ratings FAQ  
Review Guidelines    
A Free On-line Agent Endorsement System

Today it is official so I'm announcing my new role.  It really is going from "A" to "Z". 

My thought was if I said from "A" to "Z" many of you might figure it out.  I'm sure some of you already have.  I’m excited to announce that I'm now the Industry Outreach Manager at Zillow.

Over these past few days I've spent a great deal of time with some really awesome people learning all about my new company, their culture, the products and services, but most importantly, their passion as a team for helping connect real estate professionals with consumers. 

"I'm 100% confident that I am in the right place and working with the right people and company."

The relationships I've developed here in the rain mean more to me than anything.  I'm so thankful for all I've been blessed with here over the years, and I'm very enthusiastic and excited for what the future holds.  I'm also committed to bringing even more value and meaning to those relationships by sharing new and exciting ways/tools to help you get more business and maximize your efforts while spending less time and money to do it.

I'll continue to work from the greater Bay Area in California, but I'll still be mobile.  I'll be doing many of the same types of things you are used to seeing me do here on ActiveRain.  Social media and marketing training, classes and seminars, webinars, speaking at national events, and providing education and support for the many tech tools, products, and services I can offer you.

Those of you who know me know that I have a passion for sharing real estate technology, widgets, and all that tech-y and useful kinda stuff.  I have written about so many different companies and tools that can help increase your business, save you time or money, or just simplify your life.  There really are lots of choices in real estate both for agents and consumers and I'm feeling positive and confident that I've found a single solution that will serve and bring great value to both sides.

So now it's official, I'm on board, I'm part of the  Z-team and very excited!  As I continue to get adjusted, trained, and adapt to my new role, it will be difficult for me to resist the temptation to want to share everything I learn as I go along.  So I promise I won't fight it, I WILL be sharing.  :-)  I'll open some huge doors of opportunity for many of you, and create some great ways to contribute to your growth and success. 

Fasten your seat-belts, hang on tight because from the "" in Activerain, to the "" in Zillow, it's going to be a fun and exciting ride!  Here's a link to my profile when you need me.  As I've said in the past, and it still holds true today, my door is always open to you and I'm looking forward to our continued growth and successes together!  :-)

I'm excited to announce that I am taking on a new role and change in the Real Estate Industry!  

Over the past few years in my role as Community Manager for ActiveRain, I've learned so much and grown in so many ways.  During this time my role has included helping many thousands of people and that work has been immensely rewarding and exciting.  However, I am now moving to a new place with my career. 

To all my friends at ActiveRain, a big "Thank You" for all your love, support and friendships over the past few years.  I also want to thank the staff and my good friends here inside ActiveRain for all their hard work, and for the passion that they sweat into this network each and everyday.  It's been a wonderful learning experience.  Getting to witness the growth and changes on AR has been an honor and privilege.

I feel blessed to have so many great friends and such a truly authentic extended family here. 

I look forward to telling you all about this new challenge that I have accepted in the days ahead.  I'd spill the beans right now, but I have to head out the door... I'm running off to get married in a couple weeks. Then ActiveBrad's spending his honeymoon in some untold locations.  I am not leaving the AR network or all of my friends and family here, I'm just merging onto a different road up ahead and creating a new and exciting path.

So wish me luck, I'm looking forward to YOUR future as I plan to still be part of it.  :-)

The rest of the scoop coming soon ...to be continued

No matter the path you travel, make a difference in the world and enjoy the Journey...