3 SEO Tips for Real Estate Agents

3 SEO Tips for Real Estate Agents

 

People are not only ordering clothes and gadgets online, they are also searching for their next home. According to a report from the National Association of Realtors titled “2016 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers,” 86% of people who recently bought a home found websites to be helpful, and 44% began their quest to buy a home online. Real estate agents can reach these home buyers by putting these three SEO tips into action.

 

Put Keywords to Work for You

Figure out what keywords people are searching for when they look to buy a home. Keywords are an integral part of any SEO effort because they can help get your website ranked high in search engines such as Google. The keyword phrases you use should include the name of the town where the house for sale is located. For example, if the home is in Tampa, you might use the keyphrase “Houses for sale in Tampa”. You don’t have to be an expert when it comes to finding the right keywords for your real estate strategy. Over the Top SEO knows what keywords will help lift your real estate website to the top of the search engine results. In addition, you should also focus on mobile SEO since Google now notices if a website is mobile-friendly and ranks it accordingly. Mobile-friendliness means making your website more accessible to people viewing it on a mobile device such as a smartphone or a tablet.

 

Get Social

Social media is an extremely useful SEO tool for real estate agents. Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube are a few of the social media sites real estate agents should be using to improve their SEO while at the same time building relationships with people. Real estate agents can generate interest in houses by posting images on Facebook and Twitter. They can form relationships with future house buyers by replying to questions about the house listings. Real estate agents can also upload house video tours to YouTube to give people a 360° view of houses for sale. Another way real estate agents can use social media is by posting links to blog posts about houses for sale on Facebook and Twitter.

 

LinkedIn is another website that can help a real estate agent’s SEO. Since Linkedin connects people in the workforce, it gives real estate agents the ability to form connections with other agents. It also sheds a professional light on real estate agents by letting them share their accomplishments such as awards they have won. Some people will specifically search for a real estate agent’s LinkedIn profile page when looking for a house, so it is not something to overlook.

 

Get Listed in Real Estate Agent Directories

Being listed in real estate agent directories can improve a real estate agent’s SEO. Two major house-buying websites which feature real estate agent directories are Zillow and Trulia. Zillow even lets you link back to your real estate website, Facebook page, and Twitter profile.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/02/07/3-seo-tips-real-estate-agents/

5 Essential Apps for Online Marketing Professionals

5 Essential Apps for Online Marketing Professionals

Having been affiliated with online marketing for a whopping five years, a lot of folks seek my advice on what apps to use. Plain old Facebook or special hidden gems? Free growth hacking apps or expensive licenses?

Well, it’s something in between. These are tools for every online marketer, no matter the product you dabble in. It’s in no particular order. I have intentionally not included the social-related apps since they vary according to your professional focus.

Dropbox

All of my personal and professional life is stored on Dropbox. Spreadsheets with performance statistics, client materials, and even pictures of my dog can all be found in the cloud. No more fretting over losing files when your laptop is jammed or broken.

Depending on the plan you pick, you will be privy to file history, two-factor authentication, unlimited file sharing as well as business invoicing and expandable storage. The best part—all this is on your phone. It proves handy when you are working remotely, on the road or have to send last-minute detailed emails.

I personally use Dropbox Pro for which I get 1TB of storage for 99 Euros per year.

Evernote

While Dropbox stores files, Evernote stores my ideas. Reminders, scribbles, meeting minutes, blog post drafts, and social copy, web clippings and fragments of information are all housed here.

Thanks to its handy widget, Evernote is extremely fast to use.  Its web interface is way faster than that of Dropbox, making it the perfect storage complement.  If you’re always rounding up ideas and inspiration for your next series of online marketing, then you should make the most of Evernote.

Google Drive

This app offers real-time, collaborative editing of spreadsheets, and text documents. This is my go-to app for managing content calendars,seeing as most content management platforms do not offer intuitive file/share storage that sharing Google Drive accords. As with all things google, there is a nice free version but you can also bump up the features and storage by paying a few dollars a month for the Google suite package.

 

LastPass

Do you recall the time you shared a password with a client or friend through Facebook chat? Pretty terrifying to think about. (I even got the password for my doctor’s online booking system sent to me in plain text through an unencrypted email. Seriously, my very personal health information is somewhere in there).

Start using secure passwords—unique for every service you are utilizing which you don’t need to remember and are accessible on every device you use. My choice for this is LastPass. They offer a trial version so you can check it out and see if you like it before ever paying them any money.

 

Slack

Mentions. Channels. Direct messages. Checklists of your to-do’s which you can access on your phone. Cross-device conversations on all your online marketing adventures. Easily manageable push notifications sent directly to your phone. Plus: no more emails. Get the Slack app. It’sfree.

 

I hope you enjoy these 5 Essential Apps every bit as much as I do!

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/02/07/5-essential-apps-every-online-marketing-professional/

The Brilliant Business Tycoon, Bill Gates

The Brilliant Business Tycoon, Bill Gates

Bill Gates is the American business tycoon and legendary icon behind Microsoft, the top computer software company. It has been said that Bill Gates has the potential to become the world’s first trillionaire, a word so rare it is still not used in the dictionary. It is estimated this will happen for Mr. Gates in approximately 25 years, or around 2040. As per a late Oxfam report, wealthy people are gathering riches at and astounding rate; to the point that the world could see its initial trillionaire in only 25 years.

Since 1987, Gates has been frequently seen in the Forbes list of the world’s wealthiest people. Today, Gates is the wealthiest person on planet, with an estimated net worth of US$84.2 billion as of January 2017.

Exponentially growing wealth is nothing new for Bill Gates. Way back in 1999, as his wealth had crossed the $101 billion barrier, the media began to call him a “centibillionaire.”

For more information on what it means to be a trillionaire, check out this great article: DOW JONES TRADING ABOVE 20,000 FOR FIRST TIME EVER!

When Bill Gates parted with his company, he had was worth $50 billion. After 10 years, despite his praiseworthy endeavors to give it away through his very worthy foundation, his wealth figure has now grown to $75 billion. The bottom line – The wealth of Bill Gates has increased by half ($25 billion) since he cleared out of Microsoft in 2006.

Other notable billionaires are Amancio Ortega, Warren Buffett, Carlos Slim Helu, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Ellison and Michael Bloomberg.

Worldwide money related administrations organization UBS has evaluated that in the following 20 years, 500 individuals will hand over $2.1 trillion to their beneficiaries –more than the GDP of India, a nation with the population of 1.3 billion people.

If all goes according to prediction, Microsoft originator Bill Gates will be world’s initial trillionaire in the following 25 years. He will be around 86 years old.

 

 

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/02/07/brilliant-business-tycoon-bill-gates/

Five Business Ideas You Can Start Using Your Smartphone

5 Business Ideas You Can Start Using Your Smartphone!

People are smart these days, and there is a reason why that is. Here is a business case example: When the world learned that a brick-and-mortar outfit was not going to be able to make it without a bit of e-commerce, websites sprung up and made history. But did the buck stop rolling there? Certainly not! A paradigm shift happened, and what we notice now is that most youngsters with the business itch have begun using their mobile phones to start a venture – some of them have become very successful too. If you want to be a successful mobile business entrepreneur, here are five businesses that you can start just by using your smartphone! Take a look:

 

Mobile App development 

Let’s face it, in the world of smartphones and iPhones, we need our apps to function nice and smooth. People are willing to pay and download apps only if they are worth it and are cost-effective. For those of you that have a penchant for app development or have a great idea for one or many, you create an app and run it from your mobile too. There are lots of developers out there willing to help you develop your app and turn it into a reality and hopefully a very large business in the near future.

 

Mobile translation services

If you have a penchant for languages and are extremely good with the, mobile translation could be a way to make money and start up your own business. The demand for translators and interpreters is huge these days. You can take advantage by getting a talented pool of ready- translators and interpreters alike. You can work from any location and at any time; a smartphone with a computer and fast speed internet access is what you need, that’s it. Your idea can help bring people closer and communicate better!

 

Mobile salons and spas

From massages to skin therapies, hair care to makeup and hairdressing too, mobile salons have sprung up on playstores and app shopping lists like never before. Mobile spas have already begun to source high end clients; people that need services at their doorsteps rather than visiting a salon. Since the world is a fast paced these days, people have less time and their schedules are tight. Mobile salons collaborate with salons in the area closest to the client and reputed coupon websites that give huge discounts and incentives to the customers. Customers get the pampering they need through your mobile app, and you get paid a commission.

 

Mobile grooming for pets

Most people have pets at home and getting them to the groomer can be a huge chore. Why not start a business as a mobile groomer, have an app and provide service right at your customers door. Clients hate to waste time searching for just the right place to go. With a mobile app they can find you right away, schedule you and have you come take care of their pooch in a jiffy. You do need the right type of grooming training for this business, and some tools, but you can also create an app that schedules appointments for other groomers and make a commission as jobs and booked and paid for.

 

Mobile gardening

Through the year, a bunch of flowers and heavenly greens in all shapes and sizes can psychologically make us happy. In 2017, you can help gardening enthusiasts further hone their skills or teach them the art of organic gardening or whatever it is they are interested in. Most people don’t have the time to clip and snip their lawns or home gardens; here is where gardening mobile apps can come in handy. Take requests from clients, send over designated gardeners to do the job, and offer competitive package deals for residential and corporate folks alike- make the world a colorful place through your own mobile gardening app.

 

Think about these, and do let us know if you have other ideas for a mobile business to share.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/02/06/five-business-ideas-can-start-using-smartphone/

The Overlooked Benefits of Cloud ERP Software

The debate over on-site vs. cloud ERP software has now been settled. Companies of all sizes and in every industry prefer to rely on the cloud for its ability to lower costs, increase functionality, simplify maintenance, and amplify the benefits of enterprise resource planning software overall.

In practice, however, cloud ERP software is able to deliver even more benefits than even the most enthusiastic adopters expect. It is worth being aware of the overlooked benefits early so that you can begin taking advantage of their full potential starting on day one.

Improve Data Security

Data security is a paramount concern for every business. The risk of a breach is greater than ever, and the consequences range from disruptive to catastrophic. Cloud ERP software actually enhances the level of data security that companies can depend on by bundling a number of security resources together into a single package. Cloud service providers have invested heavily to secure their clouds, and to manage and monitor those clouds according to the direction of world-class security experts. In almost all cases, it will be too costly for companies to invest in similar capabilities just for the protection of their own data.

Optimize Your IT Team

Since the heavy lifting of managing and monitoring your cloud enterprise resource planning software is handled by the provider, your in-house IT team is liberated from a lot of time and labor-intensive work. That means that rather than having to install updates and patches, they can spend their time working on IT initiatives that can deeply impact your bottom line. You free your IT team up to utilize the full extent of their credentials rather than handle an endless stream of rote assignments.

Embrace Mobility

Being able to access mission-critical apps from anywhere at anytime is no longer just an exciting capability for today’s businesses. It is an imperative for any company that hopes to remain competitive and avoid the slow slide into irrelevance. Cloud ERP software has been built from the ground up with mobility in mind. That means companies can instantly embrace a mobile strategy, and evolve that strategy as new devices, data sources, and client expectations are introduced into the mobile ecosystem.

Prepare for the Future

Perhaps the single biggest advantage of cloud ERP software over any other type of implementation is how seamlessly it can change. Since the cloud offers on-demand access to a pool of computing resources, companies can match their exact capabilities to their exact needs at all times. As a result, when growth suddenly accelerates, new markets open up, or the industry landscape takes a turn to the left, companies are not stuck with IT that is no longer relevant. The cloud puts these companies in the perfect position to adapt to changes over the short-, medium-, and long-terms.

Maximize Customer Satisfaction

Cloud ERP software is often viewed as an in-house resource. It is designed to improve communication, collaboration, processes, and strategies for everyone on your team. But as a result of these refinements and enhancements, the overall customer experience improves significantly as well. Issues in the financing, distribution, sales, and marketing departments can easily be resolved so that every customer interaction is as efficient and effective as it can possibly be. And once you begin basing strategic decision making on data rather than assumptions, you’re in prime position to adapt what you do to the exact needs and wants of the customers you serve. The effect on the bottom line is immediate and lasting.

These are the most commonly overlooked benefits. But many companies find that once they implement cloud ERP software, it also leads to unexpected improvements and opportunities that are specific to their operations and goals. Anyone looking to reap the greatest rewards from ERP specifically and IT generally should be very enthusiastic about the capabilities of the cloud.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/02/06/overlooked-benefits-cloud-erp-software/

Quick Pointers to Enhance Your Website’s Content Marketing Program

Quick Pointers To Enhance Your Website’s Content Marketing Program

This is an excellent article on content marketing for your website. While it was written with medical practice organizations in mind, the tips apply to any type of business that has a website and is interested in attracting customers and building a strong lead marketing list.

With over 15 million people worldwide having cosmetic surgery each year, it’s safe to say that the demand for cosmetic surgery procedures is bigger than ever before. Procedures within the US seem to be one of the most prevalent.

Americans spent a colossal $10.1 billion on plastic surgery last year alone, suggesting that many people wanting to get a cosmetic procedure are willing to pay a very large amount for it. However, the downside to this recent boom in cosmetic surgery is the increase in competition, with cosmetic surgery clinics all over the world competing to attract new customers.

If you or someone you know is looking to improve their surgery’s marketing strategies, (or any other type of business) you’ll be pleased to know that there are numerous methods that can be used right away to instantly increase competitiveness and overall success. Below you’ll find some key tips to perk up your practice, guaranteed to kick-start an increase in customers and sales!

 

1. Emphasize content

Many people assume marketing is all about pricing and making worthwhile offers to new potential clients/customers. While this is somewhat true, there is still one aspect of a cosmetic surgery’s practice that is even more important: content.

What’s the point in having a sophisticated, attractive looking website if you don’t have any useful content to back it up? In addition to finding the best possible surgeon for the procedure they’re looking for, potential clients want information they can use and will educate them. People would not visit your site unless they had some sort of interest in cosmetic procedures. It is essential you utilize this and provide as much useful content as possible. Always encourage your visitors to stick around and see your practice as their number 1 option.

Generating leads and making them convert isn’t as easy as it sounds, so it’s essential you learn how to include content into your overall marketing strategy without getting lost in the process. Therefore, getting some expert help with your cosmetic surgery marketing will be extremely useful, and give a much better chance of more clients, more appointments, and more money.

The point is to start building an email list. You might want to offer a “lead magnate” for visitors on your site. It should be relevant to whatever it is you do. For instance, if you are a dermatologist, you might offer a free guide such as “Top 10 ways to make your skin absolutely glow this summer.” Once people download your guide (guide needs to be filled with 10 EXCELLENT tips), you will have potential clients names on your email list. You can begin a email marketing campaign from there. Use this list to announce the new products you carry, that it’s time for a client’s annual check up or that you have a new online booking system they really need to check out.

Hopefully you can see this is a great way to start building an excellent rapport with your clients.

 

2. Use an online booking system

No matter what type of practice you have, there are times when you are busy, your office is closed or your staff is away from the desk. There is no reason in the world in this day to not offer potential customers a method of booking appointments after hours. (Again, this goes for most business models).

Providing a booking system that directly syncs with your practice’s calendar will allow customers to see your availability, as well as notify you of any bookings that have been made overnight. You may be surprised to know that quite a lot of cosmetic surgery clinics still don’t offer this, so you’ll be giving your practice a competitive edge by including this step. If people can’t book appointments at a time that’s convenient for them, they will simply go elsewhere; you don’t want to risk sales just because customers aren’t able to get in touch. This tip is certainly true for all service business types from booking hair appointments to dog sitting; and everything else in between.

 

3. Send regular emails to your leads

Once your content and online booking methods have successfully generated new leads, it’s vital to keep your practice on their radar – the easiest way is through email marketing.

Sending one email a month is more than enough, and marketing them as ‘monthly is a great method of doing this. In addition to providing useful information they can use straight to their inbox, you’re keeping your practice at the forefront of your leads’ minds. This means that, when the time comes for them to book an appointment and go ahead with a procedure, they’ll instantly think of your practice because you’ve consistently stayed in touch.

Cosmetic surgery marketing isn’t a walk in the park, simply because of how competitive the niche has become. However, the above tips are a sure-fire way to give any practice an effective edge and, if you incorporate outside help and advice from the experts, you’re almost guaranteeing a boom in procedures and sales for your clinic!

Scott Harvey works for a marketing company that deals with a variety of client needs each month. His informative articles are aimed at business owners to help them understand what they need to market their business.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/02/06/cosmetic-surgery-marketing-quick-pointers-perk-practice/

How to Generate Attention on YouTube as a Small Business

The YouTube community accounts for two thirds of the premium online videos watched on devices by millennials. Despite this, only 9% of small businesses use the platform. For brands that use YouTube, it has become a lucrative advertising channel, bringing with it the opportunity to target specific groups and interests.

Sometimes the success of a video can be somewhat of a surprise, with viral content capturing the public’s imagination and hitting the magic formula in getting shared across the world. A perfect example of a seemingly inconspicuous message from the ALS Charity Ice Bucket Challenge of share the challenge and nominate your friends, raising £88 million in just a few short weeks.

Investing in content on social network such as YouTube has proven results. Social media guru Gary Vaynerchuk says that due to the advancements in competition on social media every successful company must now also be a media company which means that companies are now spending more time and money to put out great content in their feeds.
Creating compelling content for YouTube is, of course, a goal for many SMEs, who want a share of that viral magic for their own businesses. In this article, we list a few top tips for YouTube success, that any SME can utilise for their own brand.

Understand what your customers are looking for

YouTube content should always be developed to appeal to the target demographic of the company producing it. Irrelevant or gimmicky content that has little to do with the company’s products or image is unlikely to prove successful.

US toy firm, Hot Wheels has found a way to use YouTube to grab kids’ attention, in order to market successfully in a very crowded marketplace. Hot Wheels’ videos shows action-packed footage of its toy cars racing in realistic competitions, instantly getting across the thrills and excitement of these toys. It’s not particularly sophisticated, but it’s certainly effective.

Highlight your USP

Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best, and Hebridean whisky distillery, Lagavulin, demonstrated this brilliantly with its Christmas YouTube campaign. The firm hired actor and comedian, Nick Offerman, to star in a 45-minute video, in which he does nothing but sit in a comfortable armchair in front of an open fire, drinking whisky. No words are spoken, but the atmosphere is superb, and the message – that you can’t hurry a good whisky – is made abundantly clear. This tactic was repeated over the 2016 festive period, with Nick Offerman again appearing for the whiskey company in an hour-long countdown to New Years to great effect!

It’s a basic marketing principle that consumers like brands that they perceive hold similar values to their own. Lagavulin worked on that principle with this video, to create content that whisky lovers could relate to personally. For SMEs looking for YouTube success, it’s important to find their own unique connections with their customers.

Demonstrate your products’ abilities

A superb example of using videos for product demonstration is CAT, the heavy plant manufacturer. CAT has produced a video that shows mini-diggers playing Jenga, and machines carefully moving around a China shop, amongst other things.

That video is just one in a series of Youtube hits that form part of CAT’s #BuiltForIt campaign. This campaign highlights the precision handling, manoeuvrability and strength of the company’s product range in a fun and engaging way.

Answer your customers’ questions

A good example of how YouTube can be used to answer common customer questions is Vape Club. Vaping is a fairly new phenomenon, with many new products appearing on the market all the time. That means that there is a constant stream of questions coming from both existing customers and people interested in trying e-liquids for the first time.

Vape Club saw an opportunity to position itself on YouTube as experts in this field, producing videos that answer those common vaping questions. This is easily replicated using a simple free tool ‘Answer the Public’, which allows the user to further hone in on the core questions being asked within their niche.

Vape Club produced the first ever video guide for e-liquids, which was called ‘A Beginner’s Guide to Vaping’. Providing simple and easy to understand answers to typical questions asked by those new to vaping, the video has now been viewed over 1 million times, and directs more than 2,200 visitors to the Vape Club website every day. Clearly, that one YouTube video is an investment that has paid off handsomely, and one that other SMEs should be inspired by.

As well as using the key points above to guide your YouTube strategy, it’s also important to keep abreast of news, trends and events that might be of interest to your target audience. Tapping into the latest celebrity news or happening can be a great way to create a YouTube buzz around your own brand. If you’re aware of what your target demographic is following and talking about, you can present yourself as being 100% in tune with their needs and interests.

Your first YouTube video is unlikely to be an instant success, but perseverance is key. If you keep a tight focus and produce regular high-quality content, your audience will soon grow. YouTube videos don’t have to be highly-polished, professionally-produced masterpieces, so long as they are interesting and relevant to the target audience. Anyone can produce a viral hit, with potentially huge rewards for online success. For SMEs looking for a low-cost marketing opportunity, YouTube certainly has to be worth a try.

source http://www.business-opportunities.biz/2017/02/02/generate-attention-youtube-small-business/