Minneapolis Saint Paul Real Estate

Send Your Posts to Twitter (and Facebook Too) with EASE!

This post is a follow-up to the many emails and comments on my post about communicating with Generation-Y.

Believe me, this is the easiest thing to accomplish and you'll just love having your post sent over to Twitter and Facebook without even having to think about it--after the initial re-direction of your posts! You can accomplish this easily for Twitter from your Active Rain home page in a matter of seconds; Facebook requires you to do this from their site.   Here are VERY simple instructions to accomplish this in no time at all:

TWITTER:

STEP 1:  From this post, click on MY HOME





STEP 2:  Click the SETTINGS tab on the left side of your Active Rain home page.



STEP 3:  ENTER you Twitter ID and Password.  You will also be directed to click or not to allow your members only posts to go to your Twitter account.  These posts are for members only here so, I don't check that box because I don't want them on my Twitter account.




STEP 4:  (Displayed above) Click UPDATE!  That's IT!  

You're done and your posts will now be fed to your Twitter account.  Took you about 5 seconds, didn't it?!  Follow me on Twitter!

FACEBOOK:

STEP 1:  Login to Facebook



STEP 2:  In the search box (right hand corner), enter Blogcast and hit search (in Facebook)




STEP 3:  The first or second application that comes up should be Blogcast; click on Blogcast





STEP 4:  Click Go To Application





STEP 5:  Click Allow to allow access to your Active Rain profile.




STEP 6:  Enter your blog feed URL.  I have entered mine here and yours is probably similar--only you most likely have your last name (no one is named Debe so, I always try to get just my first name only).  Substitute my name for yours in the URL address (don't forget the /rss after your name), allow them to handle all of the work for you and hit LET'S BLOGCAST!




Believe it or not, you're all done with both Twitter and Facebook, in a matter of minutes!  Now all of your posts from Active Rain are going to be sent to your Facebook and Twitter accounts!  One click (entering a post on AR) sends them to all three places and you don't even have to worry about Twitter and Facebook--it's DONE for you!

Good luck!

As part of the annual Swanepoel TRENDS Report that is published every year during the first week of February, the research team wraps their four month study of the real estate industry by announcing the top 10 Newsmakers, Events and Trendsetters for the year.

The second list to be released is the top 10 events that during 2008 had the largest impact and influence on the real estate brokerage industry. Events are defined as those occurrences that transpired during the previous calendar year (2008) that made headlines and captured the attention of the real estate industry.  The selection of these events was based upon their potential future impact on the industry rather than only their 2008 impact.

The Top 10 Events impacting Real Estate for 2008 are:

1.     The Bailout: September 17^th

Most notably the one single event of the year was the announcement of the "Silver Bullet" designed to save the country from the subprime collapse itself and the failure/buyout of major Wall Street firms and national banks.  Depending upon how effectively the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act's $700 billion is going to be allocated and managed it may prove to be the beginning of the turning point in the current economic recession.

2.     The Presidential Election

In one of the most competitive, contentious, divisive and yet historic political campaigns the country responded with the largest voter turnout in history to remove the incumbent president and elect an African American, Barak Obama as president.  The "I have a dream" has taken a huge step toward fulfillment.  However, the new administration will have little time to reflect on victory as it faces serious economic challenges and a trillion dollar plus debt that will take years to resolve.

3.     In Memory Of: Countrywide, IndyMac, WAMU, Wachovia And Others

Barely one year ago in 2007 these companies were not only household names but were considered financial giants.  In one short year they have become a factoid of history.  Some filed for bankruptcy while others were acquired by the likes of Bank of America, the federal government, J.P. Morgan Chase and Wells Fargo.  2008 reminded us that nothing lasts forever and everything is replaceable.  

4.     Facing Foreclosure Frenzy

As a direct fallout of the subprime collapse, the foreclosure rate in the U.S. hit staggering levels in 2008.  At the opening of the third quarter foreclosures were up 25% over the previous October with a reported one in every 452 of the country's homes in foreclosure.  RealtyTrac reported last October that there was a sharp decline in foreclosure filings but it still estimated that by the end of 2008 there would be more than one million REOs on the books.

5. Home Prices Spiral Downward

The recession devastated many real estate markets across the country with the worst-performing towns and cities in places like central California, Miami and Las Vegas posting declines of 40% in 2008. The stranglehold on financing continued to drive home prices in many other places back to 2000 - 2002 levels, with predictions of continued declines in 2009 as unemployment reaches record highs and the financial meltdown spills over to other industries.

6.     NAR - DOJ Settlement

Finally the long and protracted 2½ year legal battle between NAR and the Department of Justice (DOJ) was put to rest as Judge Kennelly issued his final judgment in November.  In the end, NAR's longstanding Internet Data Exchange (IDX) policy was validated as NAR was deemed to have not admitted any liability or wrongdoing and no payments were made in conjunction with the settlement.  In addition, NAR has been cleared to reinstate an updated version of its Virtual Office Website (VOW) and the MLS has been preserved and strengthened in the process.  Now it's back to business.

7.     Brokers Go Bust

Changing names, merging, consolidating, filing bankruptcy and closing branches was on the order of the day throughout 2008 as literally thousands of real estate brokerages companies went out of business during 2008. This included many independents as well as franchises from just about every major brand including Century 21, EXIT and RE/MAX. Also filling for bankruptcy is national franchise Help-U-Sell and Web 2.0 newcomers such as Igglo. 2009 may see even more brokers closing up shop than 2008.

8.     Keeping It Short

Founded in 2006, Twitter moved into the mainstream this year as the next evolution in the social networking and micro-blogging environment.  By using short text-based posts (affectionately named "tweets"), staying in touch has been given a whole new meaning.  

9.     ActiveRain Explodes Past 100,000 Members

As we discussed in last year's report (Trend #1 - Two Worlds; One Industry) ActiveRain has moved to the head of the social networking line in the real estate industry.  With as many as 35,000 users logged on at the same time, no one else has even come close to reaching that many Realtors^® at one time.  It goes without saying that ActiveRain has proven that social networking has made a home in real estate.

10. NAR Celebrates 100 Years

In May 1908, 120 men gathered in Chicago with the goal to "unite the real estate men of America." Today the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is America's largest trade association representing more than 1.2 million members. For 100 years, NAR and its members have established homeownership as a cornerstone of the American Dream and advocated private property rights as one of the fundamental principles that unite us as Americans. 2008 marked NAR's centennial birthday.

How many of these events impacted you or were/are you aware of?

In your "Starter Kit" is everything you'll need to get started here on ActiveRain. 

Take your time and read through each post in the order they are listed below, this will save you hours
of frustration, anxiety, and that feeling of being overwhelmed when you first join our community. 

Welcome aboard!

Before You Begin:
It's Important to understand what ActiveRain is, how it works, and what's expected. 

• ActiveRain Community Guidelines

The Terms of Service may be a little dry, but this is a "must read" for every member.

• Terms Of Service

The 10 Guiding principles and philosophy of our network and community.

• ActiveRain’s Weltanschauung

 

Now Take the Video Tour of ActiveRain. 
Learn To Navigate ALL the areas available in our community.

• ActiveRain Navigation for New Members
  

Understanding The Point System and How to Become the Featured Member in your area.

• Understanding The ActiveRain Point System
  

Getting Started in 3 Easy Steps
Now you're ready to get started.  Follow these next steps to get setup on ActiveRain.

Creating a personal profile is the very first step and the most important.  This is where members and visitors will go to see and find out all about you.  Make sure you take the time to setup your profile correctly, it's important and it's easy.

• How To Setup Your ActiveRain Profile

Your profile has three areas that will allow you to maximize it's potential.  It's better than a website.

• How To Complete Your Profile - Part II
  

Now you are ready to go into your settings and customize ActiveRain how you want it.

• How To Use Your "My Settings" Page
  
  

Setting Up Your Blog
Before you create your first Post on your Blog, here's a few tips to help you do it right.

• 5 Principles to Creating an Effective Blog Post

Now you're ready to write your first entry, get the most out of your first post.
(Don't be afraid and stop now, this is why you're here!)

• Using The ActiveRain Channels and Topics
  

What are ActiveRain Channels and how you should use them.

• How To Create Your First Blog Post

Making your Blog personalized and unique is what differentiates you from other members.
Change background, headers, colors and more.

• How To Customize Your Blog

ActiveRain offers FREE Outside Blogs in addition to the one you've just created.

• How To Setup Your Outside Blog

Additional Tips, Tools, and Things You Should Know
You are now ready to advance to some of the more powerful tools available here for you.

• The Ultimate Guide to Ideas for your Blog
  
  
• Creating and Joining Groups on ActiveRain

• How To get Started with ActiveRain Video

• 7 Mistakes To Avoid On ActiveRain
  
  
• 5 Ways To Subscribe To Blogs
  

• 3 Ways To Use ActiveRain Referral Links

• 20 Google Tools for your Blog and Business

• What's a Widget? How to add them
  

Some Advanced SEO Tools and Information
What is SEO and How to maximize it on ActiveRain

• SEO Tools - You should know about SEO

• ActiveRain settings and SEO Benefits

There will be more posts added here as they become available.  If you need any assistance or have any issues at all, please contact your ActiveRain support Team at support@activerain.com or just click on this link to "Contact ActiveRain."

Good Luck and Enjoy!

 

Other Related Articles:
New Members - Start Here
Bloggers Startup Kit
ActiveRain Community Resources

 

Here are the top 10 things that agents have done over the holiday that really worked for them:

1.  Hold an Open House - even if that is not normally what you do, the consumers who are out looking are serious, otherwise they would be shopping or at home eating "figgy pudding"

2.  Join a social network, like Face Book or LinkedIn.  It is a fun and easy way to build your sphere and create an online presence.

3.  "Drop-by" your past clients, with a plant, calendar or a little something like home-made jam.  Let them know you care.

4.  Meet your neighbors.  This is a great time to have an open house at your house, with the express notion of everyone getting to know their neighbors.  Keep it simple- make it short and convenient.

5.  Hold a holiday party for past clients, sphere, neighbors.  This can be more elaborate.  You can create a nice holiday tradition.  If done annually, people will begin to ask you in Oct/Nov when you are scheduling your party.  They'll want to schedule around it.

6.  Check your listings.  Make sure they show well- decorations are not over the top, the house is heated if it is vacant, check with the sellers to make sure the pipes are wrapped in parts of the country where that is necessary.

7.  Attend as many events/parties as you can comfortably manage, without feeling overwhelmed. This is a wonderful time to meet new people and network.  Everyone always ask,' What do you do?" The next question is almost always, "How's the market?" Make sure you have your "elevator speech" prepared, regardless of market conditions. (Ask for emails!)

8.  Contribute to a community event or charity. Show that you are a valuable member of the community or neighborhood: volunteer at your church, carol in your neighborhood, collect food or toys for those in need.

9.  Send out holiday cards and make calls.  This is essential!                      

10.  The most important: take the time to enjoy family and friends and the holiday traditions you have created.

What will YOU do?