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Aug. 6, 2007 - Widgets, Mashups and FaceBook

I spent the last week at Inman Connect and Blogger Connect. There were times I thought I had gone to a foreign country because there were so many words I didn't understand. As I am sitting there and listening to someone say,"All you have to do is go to your plug in despository and deposit your widgets" I think to myself that it is time to wake up from this dream. Where IS my plug in depository? I didn't even know I HAD widgets!And yes!......they were serious. I don't know how many others there felt most of the experts or owners of the Million Dollar Companies were younger than their children, but I felt kind old. Oh my!
Being a self-proclaimed "life-long learner"  I recognized there was a pretty big gap in my knowledge base.
 
So, I took a deep breath and resolved to take what I could and share with you the goodies that I did get! First, the Blogger Connect was a blast because Mary Pope-Handy and Frances Flynn Thorsen WON the Blogger Project! Thank all of you who went and voted. It helped. Fran and Mary have chosen CARE as their charity (close to my heart, as you all know!)
The final results were VERY close, so it could have been your vote that made the difference. Mary, however, outdid herself for 14 weeks. She had happened to say to me in one of our coaching sessions, "I'd like to learn a little more about blogging! I think she got what she asked for and more!
All of the teams did an awesome job. It was a crazy contest because how do you judge something that is supposed to be personal and specific to your audience? Each judge, of course, brought their own opinions and perspective and what worked one week for one judge was dinged the following week. The contestants didn't have an easy time with the rules and, yet, most stayed true to themselves and gave the rest of us some wonderful examples and models of  blogging at it's best. You can see all of the information about the contest here.
It was co-sponsored by Inman News and Active Rain. If you aren't an ActiveRain member, you are missing a great resource and community. Click here to become part of it.
 
Some TakeAways
I have gathered from my notes, some of the things I learned (in no  particular order):
  • I need to hang out with my Social Communities. Visit www.RealTown.com
  • Blog Posts are read more in the mornings and Monday is the best day (who would have known??)
  • I need to have a presence on www.FaceBook.com . It made me happy Brad Inman said he hadn't quite figured it out yet!
  • Link, link and link to articles, blogs and resources for your readers
  • Find your own voice. It is about your uniqueness and building relationships
  • You must really optimize your landing page.
  • Your keywords need to appear on your landing page
  • Short blog posts (under 300 words) with pictures and graphics get read
  • Zillow is here to stay.
  • You can moneytize your blog? (Why else would you want to do this if it doesn't generate income)
  • Use Google Analytics so you know what people are attracted to
  • Create articles from the questions your clients ask you.
  • You will be hearing more about communitainment
  • Video,video,video is where it is at. Do you have a movie on YouTube.com?
  • There are going to be new ways to make money!
  • Mickey Mouse leads turn into money if followed up on!
  • You must develop the most relevant conversation
  • Another Great list from Jeff Dowler
Whew....I can home with my head spinning!
Inman News has many of the sessions on it's InmanTv   This was a good one with Zillow and Realtor.com
Comments ( 5 ) :: Post A Comment! :: Permanent Link

Aug. 6, 2007 - re: Widgets, Mashups and FaceBook

Posted by Agent Scoreboard

Joeann,

Sometimes we young guys need to learn from you!  Most of those companies you couldn't understand won't be around next year, but you will... the question you should ask yourself is; "How does this solve a problem for me?"  If it doesn't then keep moving. 

I have to tell you... you know more about it than 98% of your colleagues... keep up the great work!!
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Aug. 6, 2007 - re: Widgets, Mashups and FaceBook

Posted by Joeann Fossland, e-PRO, PMN, SRS
Thanks for the vote of confidence! Your question about solving a  problem is right on target. Thanks for coming by!
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Aug. 6, 2007 - re: Widgets, Mashups and FaceBook

Posted by Frances Flynn Thorsen, e-PRO, SRS
A TRIO OF BLOGAHOLICS: Mary Pope-Handy, Master Certified Coach Joeann Fossland, and Frances Flynn Thorsen.Joeann:  Thanks for all of your support during Project Blogger, and thanks to all of your readers who voted for RealTown Blogger Mary Pope-Handy! It was fun to share the win with the Real Estate Industry's favorite Coach!!!

Edited by RealTownReport on August 6, 2007 at 7:59 pm
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Aug. 7, 2007 - re: Widgets, Mashups and FaceBook

Posted by Joeann Fossland, e-PRO, PMN, SRS

Thanks for being a great Fairy BlogMother. As is said,"A good time was had by all." And the best part for me was that I didn't have to do anything but watch you guys ROCK!!!!
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Aug. 16, 2007 - re: Widgets, Mashups and FaceBook

Posted by Ann Heitland
Thanks for the great collection of information!
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Resources, articles and thoughts on being awesomely productive and creative while enjoying a life you love! Don't forget to visit my web site at www.joeann.com for even more information and resources. COMMENTS ARE WELCOME. Please notice the Post A Comment link at the bottom of the posting.

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