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		<title>Conquering Creative Constipation</title>
		<link>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1750</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1750#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 30 Nov 2010 03:46:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blogging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blogging ideas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[creative constipation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social media for business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tips and advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[writers block]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://soundbiteblog.com/?p=1750</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[If you've been blogging for any period of time, then chances are at some point you've experienced 'Blogger's Block' - that discomforting dry spell in the writing desert where your inner muse seems to take an extended hiatus, and you find yourself staring at a blank computer screen for hours on end. Read more to discover the cure!]]></description>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: #0000cd;">&#8220;Conquering Creative Constipation&#8221; </span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: #0000cd;">or &#8220;Overcoming Blogger&#8217;s Block&#8221;</span></span></p>
<p><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Writers-Block.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1764" style="margin: 5px;" title="Curing-Bloggers-Block" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Writers-Block-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="210" height="139" /></a>If you&#8217;ve been blogging for any period of time, then chances are at some point you&#8217;ve experienced &#8216;<strong>Blogger&#8217;s Block</strong>&#8216; &#8211; that discomforting dry spell in the writing desert where your inner muse takes an extended hiatus, and you find yourself staring at a blank computer screen for hours on end.</p>
<p>Well, take heart, Bucko! This article is just what the doctor ordered!  Here you will find some practical  sure-fire methods/strategies to unplug your creative constipation, and ensure your blogging pipeline is chock full of smooth-flowing content that keeps those search engine spiders busy and coming back for more!!</p>
<p>As most of you know, in order to effectively attract, engage, and retain any meaningful amount of readership/traffic to your blog, you have to be committed to consistently contributing good, relevant content to your blog.</p>
<p>I once heard a statistic which claimed only 4% of the people who start blogging will still be blogging after 3 months. If true, that&#8217;s quite an attrition rate. So why do so many quit?</p>
<p>There are probably many different reasons, but I think one of the main ones is that people get to a point where they feel as though they&#8217;ve run out of things to say/write. They hit a mental brick wall where inspiration and creativity seem to elude them.</p>
<p><img class="alignleft" style="margin: 5px;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/5/1/9/1/ar126328754919152.jpg" alt="" width="133" height="197" /></p>
<p>Personally, I think this dilemma has a lot more to do with a lack of proper planning and discipline than it does a loss of inspiration/creativity.</p>
<p>To successfully compete in the &#8216;marathon&#8217; that is blogging, you must develop a consistent, long-term, organized strategy for writing. While a certain portion of your blog writing will come as a result of creative moments of &#8216;inspiration,&#8217; other portions should be planned or scheduled, and become part of your regular writing routine.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: #0000cd;">Top Ten Ways to Maintain Blogging Regularity</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;">#1. Take a Relax-a-tive<a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/relaxative.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-1769" style="margin: 5px;" title="learn-to-take-a-break-from-technology-and-social-media" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/relaxative-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="137" height="137" /></a> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;"> </span></span></p>
<p>Sometimes you just have to &#8216;unplug&#8217; yourself completely from the use of all technologies, and take a short respite.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;"><br />
</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;"> </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;">#2. Keep Your Drafts on Tap</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1762 alignleft" style="margin: 5px;" title="keep-several-drafts-on-hand-in-various-stages" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/beer-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="122" height="122" /></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;"><br />
</span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;"> </span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;">#3. Use The &#8216;Buddy&#8217; System</span></span><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/helping-hand.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1767" style="margin: 5px;" title="find-a-blogging-buddy-to-give-you-encouragement-and-accountability" src="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/helping-hand.jpg" alt="" width="145" height="134" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Find a Friend in the Rain</strong>: I&#8217;ve been most fortunate to have the constant friendship and encouragement of fellow Rainer, <strong><a href="http://activerain.com/mflanders" target="_blank">Mark Flanders</a></strong>. We meet every week on Thursdays for coffee at Starbucks. We started our own blogsite together, <strong><a href="http://www.soundbiteblog.com/" target="_blank">SoundBiteBlog</a></strong>. Mark is like my blogging cheerleader (Can&#8217;t you just picture him with a skirt and pom-poms?) He helps me to keep things in perspective. Find another Rainer to be an encouragement and motivator to you.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;"><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/pimpmyride.png"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1774" style="margin: 5px;" title="real-estate-market-reports-don't-have-to-be-boring" src="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/pimpmyride.png" alt="" width="182" height="138" /></a>#4. Pimp Your Market Reports </span></span></p>
<p>I publish a real estate market report at the beginning of each month for all of <strong>Kitsap County WA</strong>. My reports contain 3 primary components &#8211; statistical data; my personal opinion or analysis of the current market; and a local business/interest story. Consumers don&#8217;t want cold statistical data, they want your expert analysis and interpretation of that data. They also want a sense of what makes your area such a great place to live, work, and play.<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;"><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/rogers.jpg"><img class="alignright  size-medium wp-image-1776" style="margin: 5px;" title="showcase-your-wonderful-neighborhoods" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/rogers-196x300.jpg" alt="" width="97" height="149" /></a></span></span><strong> </strong></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;">#5. It&#8217;s a Wonderful Day in the Neighborhood </span></span></p>
<p>This is where you can do a detailed overview of specific neighborhoods, developments, or communities within your market. Be sure to include lots of pictures, median home descriptions, school information, shopping, parks, etc..</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;"><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/bridge.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1777" style="margin: 5px;" title="building-relational-bridges-with-local-business" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/bridge-300x211.jpg" alt="" width="142" height="99" /></a>#6. Building Bridges with Local Business </span></span></p>
<p>What better way to build relational bridges with area business owners than to promote their services/products on your blog! Start off with recommendations of service-related businesses that new residents would find the most helpful.<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;"><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/jack.bmp"><img class="alignright size-full  wp-image-1771" style="margin: 5px;" title="create-a-helpful-series-of-articles" src="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/jack.bmp" alt="" width="147" height="117" /></a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;">#7. Previously on &#8217;24&#8242;- Create a Series<br />
</span></span></p>
<p>One way to keep yourself disciplined to blogging more consistently is to create a multi-part blog series. In fact, you&#8217;re currently reading one right now! It can require a lot more work than usual, but it will become a worthwhile and valued addition to your blog archive.</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;"><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/expert.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1779" style="margin: 5px;" title="become-the-local-real-estate-expert" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/expert-281x300.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="161" /></a>#8<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;">. Become The Local Real Estate Expert </span></span></span></span></p>
<p><a href="http://www.trulia.com/voices/" target="_blank">Trulia</a> has done an excellent job with this particular approach by providing a forum where consumers can pose questions and solicit answers from local real estate experts. Provide a link on your blog where readers can send in questions, and those questions can become source material for future blogs. Or simply, make a list of the most common questions that Buyers and Sellers are constantly asking you, and turn your answer(s) into blog articles.<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;"><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/comingattractions.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1778 alignright" style="margin: 5px;" title="share-your-local-attractions-and-recreation-spots" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/comingattractions-300x150.jpg" alt="" width="222" height="111" /></a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;">#9. Preview of Coming Attractions </span></span></p>
<p>Consumers can access listings from literally hundreds of websites, but what they really have difficulty finding is good relevant information on local entertainment, recreation, and attractions. What are the &#8216;Must-See&#8217; points of interest in your area? What are the primary local sights and attractions that make your area such a great place to live?</p>
<p><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;">#10. Pictures are Worth a 1000 Words</span></span></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="color: #0000cd;"><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/hoodcanal.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1780 aligncenter" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" title="consumers-want-good-quality-images-of-prospective-areas" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/hoodcanal-300x196.jpg" alt="" width="400" height="298" /></a><br />
</span></span></p>
<p>Consumers are graphically oriented or &#8216;picture happy&#8217; and are accessing the Internet in droves with searches of images for their destinations of interest. If your goal is to expand your digital footprint and increase the likelihood of consumers finding you, then creating photo galleries is one more effective methods to employ. In addition to creating photo galleries on your blog, also consider similar galleries on your Facebook Page, or on social networks that are dedicated to photos, like Flickr. <strong>Keep Your Digital Camera with You at All times</strong>:  Whenever you&#8217;re out and about, take pictures of your area. Capture the essence of your market and where you live through pictures. Then come back, and write about it.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>~     o     ~     o     ~     o     ~     o     ~     o     ~</strong></p>
<p><img class="alignright" style="margin: 5px;" title="silverdale-wa-seabeck-wa-real-estate" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/3/5/6/6/ar123741164666532.jpg" alt="" width="107" height="83" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of <strong>Kitsap County WA</strong> and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at <a href="http://www.kitsaplife.com/" target="_blank">KitsapLife.com</a>, <a href="http://www.activerain.com/blogs/rich" target="_blank">ActiveRain</a>, <a href="http://pugetsoundblogs.com/everyday-ck/" target="_blank">Everyday CK</a>, and <a href="http://www.crabbinginthehood.com/" target="_blank">Crabbing in the Hood</a>, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com</p>
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		<title>Roost Social Media Tool Kit for Facebook</title>
		<link>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1909</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1909#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Nov 2010 19:54:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[social media]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology Tools for Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[derek overby]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[facebook]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[roost]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[roost academy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social media too kit]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[The Social Media Tool Kit from Roost empowers real estate professionals to create and maintain an effective online presence by delivering relevant information and market data; expanding your sphere and potential connections; convert more prospects to clients; foster more referrals; and save valuable time!]]></description>
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<p>Okay, so lately, everyone and their brother has been telling you how wonderful <a href="http://www.facebook.com" target="_blank">Facebook</a> is for making meaningful connections within your sphere and attracting potential clients. And even though you&#8217;re still trying to adapt technology from the 90&#8242;s, you reluctantly relent, and join the ever-growing masses of Facebook friends.</p>
<p>Suddenly, you&#8217;re overwhelmed with an avalanche of questions:<a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/fb1.jpg"><img class="alignright  size-medium wp-image-1911" style="margin: 5px;" title="facebook" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/fb1-300x112.jpg" alt="facebook-roost-real-estate" width="231" height="86" /></a></p>
<ul>
<li>What&#8217;s the difference between a personal profile and a facebook page?</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Can everyone and God see my pictures or what I write ?</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Do people really care about what I&#8217;m doing? (Status Update)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Why would I want to &#8216;Poke&#8217; someone? And if I do, will it hurt?</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Does my profile picture make me look fat?</li>
</ul>
<p>While I am personally a HUGE fan of Facebook and a firm believer that it can be effectively leveraged to grow and promote your business, I also realize that it can tend to be a bit overwhelming to those who are new to social media/networks.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/roost_logo.png"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1912" style="margin: 5px;" title="roost" src="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/roost_logo.png" alt="roost-social-media-tool-kit" width="199" height="70" /></a>Enter the beauty of <a href="http://www.roost.com/" target="_blank">Roost</a>.</p>
<p>Roost is a San Francisco-based technology company that  helps local real estate professionals get more business from social media, and in particular, through Facebook. Roost was  founded in 2007.</p>
<p>Yesterday, I had the pleasure of chatting with Derek Overby, Senior Director of Marketing &amp; Social Media at Roost. I&#8217;ve known Derek for a number of years through my involvement with various national events and conferences. He&#8217;s a 14-year veteran of the real estate and technology industry, having previously served as Vice President of Marketing for Intero Real Estate.<a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2701941525_bb37f62646.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1913" style="margin: 5px;" title="Derek Overby" src="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2701941525_bb37f62646.jpg" alt="" width="138" height="200" /></a></p>
<p>Derek is passionate about social media/blogging, but also understands how it can be practically applied to everyday business. Additionally, he is also responsible for broker and agent training  on the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/roostapp">Roost Social Media  Toolkit</a> which includes teaching webinars and producing  training  materials to help users better understand and implement the Roost tools.</p>
<p>According to Derek, Roost currently boasts over 23,000 users of its FREE basic level product.</p>
<p>During the recent NAR Convention in New Orleans, we offered attendees a discounted advance access to our Premium Toolkit (the official launch isn&#8217;t until November 23rd). We signed  up more than 70 agents right there on the spot during the expo. People kept coming to our booth, listened to the value  proposition, and pulled  out their credit cards! Since the convention, we’ve had a couple hundred more who have signed up.</p>
<p>The <strong>Roost Social Media  Toolkit</strong>, built for use within Facebook,  empowers real estate agents, real estate brokers and other local service  professionals who rely on word-of-mouth marketing to approach social  media with greater confidence — and better results.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">(Double-Click Images for Enlarged Viewing)</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-11-19_1044.png"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1914" title="Roost Social Media Tool Kit" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-11-19_1044-300x169.png" alt="Roost-Facebook-Page-Real-Estate-Tool-Kit" width="375" height="211" /></a></p>
<p>It consists of 1)  a <strong>Real Estate Tab</strong> for your Business Page:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/RoostRETab.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1915 aligncenter" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" title="Roost Real Estate Tab" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/RoostRETab-264x300.png" alt="" width="264" height="300" /></a>This tab allows you to import data from <label for="FbTabLocations_show_altos">Altos Research</label>, Zillow, <label for="FbTabLocations_show_education">Education.com</label>, and <label for="FbTabLocations_show_walkscore">WalkScore</label>. You can also upload four (4) of your own listings.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">2)  A <strong>Publishing Feature</strong> that allows you to syndicate and time release content to your Page:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/RoostPublisher.png"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1916" title="Roost Publisher" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/RoostPublisher-231x300.png" alt="" width="231" height="300" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">3)  And access to the <strong>Roost Academy</strong>, where you can attend FREE webinars, watch informative videos, or find helpful FAQ&#8217;s:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-11-19_1100.png"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-1917" title="Roost Academy" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-11-19_1100-300x218.png" alt="" width="300" height="218" /></a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">The Roost Academy offers FREE instruction on Facebook basics, not just Roost tools.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Premium Roost product offers a number of value-added enhancements that easily justifies the reasonable monthly subscription fee:</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-11-19_1029.png"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-1919" title="Free vs. Premium" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/2010-11-19_1029-1024x576.png" alt="" width="598" height="336" /></a></p>
<p>The Roost Social Media Toolkit enables professionals  to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Establish a <em>professional, brand-enhancing</em> presence on  Facebook</li>
<li>Deliver relevant, engaging data to their connections  (and their  connections too)</li>
<li>Expand their sphere of influence &amp; connect with  new prospects</li>
<li>Convert prospects to clients</li>
<li>Leverage existing clients for online referrals</li>
<li>Save time, rather than waste it</li>
</ul>
<p>The Social Media Toolkit makes these processes simple  and measurable  so users can focus on what works. It is sophisticated  enough for  social media masters and easy for new users to understand.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">
<p>For additional information, go to the <a href="http://www.roost.com" target="_blank">Roost Website</a>, or follow the Roost Blog <a href="http://blog.roost.com/" target="_blank">HERE!</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>~     o     ~     o     ~      o     ~     o     ~     o     ~</strong></p>
<p><img class="alignleft" style="margin: 5px;" title="silverdale-wa-seabeck-wa-real-estate" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/3/5/6/6/ar123741164666532.jpg" alt="" width="107" height="83" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate  professional providing Relentless Representation and Knowledgeable  Empowerment for his clients of residential properties and vacant land  throughout all of <strong>Kitsap County WA</strong> and portions of  Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at <a href="http://www.kitsaplife.com/" target="_blank">KitsapLife.com</a>, <a href="http://www.activerain.com/blogs/rich" target="_blank">ActiveRain</a>,  <a href="http://pugetsoundblogs.com/everyday-ck/" target="_blank">Everyday  CK</a>, <a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/" target="_blank">HomeByHarbors</a> and <a href="http://www.crabbinginthehood.com/" target="_blank">Crabbing  in the Hood</a>, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com</p>
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		<title>Blogging For Business: No &#039;Easy&#039; Buttons</title>
		<link>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1899</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1899#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 28 Sep 2010 19:00:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blogging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[blogging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[internet marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social media]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://soundbiteblog.com/?p=1899</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The use of Blogging to grow/promote business isn't for everyone. Just like any other meaningful marketing method, it takes time, effort, and consistency to achieve meaningful results. There are no 'easy' buttons.]]></description>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/6/4/9/5/ar12856582359462.jpg" alt="blogging-for-business" width="417" height="155" /></p>
<p>In recent years, real estate blogs have become an increasingly popular marketing tool used by real estate professionals to attract/engage potential clients and share helpful information/resources within their sphere. In many instances, well-constructed blogsites, in which good quality content is published consistently, can out rank/out perform more traditional &#8216;static&#8217; websites, resulting in more traffic and more business.</p>
<p>However, blogging isn&#8217;t for everyone. Just like any other meaningful marketing method, it takes time, effort, and consistency to achieve results. There are no &#8216;easy&#8217; buttons.</p>
<p>Perhaps one of the best ways to test the writing waters and get your blogging feet wet, is to join a social network like <a href="http://www.activerain.com/" target="_blank">ActiveRain</a>. Launched in 2006, ActiveRain has grown to nearly 200,000 members throughout the US and Canada. The basic free membership allows you to set-up your own blog publisher, post articles, read/comment other member blogs, etc.. For a monthly subscription fee, your blog content (articles) can be made accessible to the Search Engines, allowing your blog to be found by consumers.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/1/9/9/3/ar128565831439912.png" alt="activerain-social-network-for-real-estate-professionals" width="800" height="468" /></p>
<p>Although there are other blogging platforms, like <a href="http://www.blogger.com/" target="_blank">Blogger.com</a> or <a href="http://www.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">WordPress.com</a>, and niche microblogs like <a href="http://www.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Tumblr</a> and <a href="http://www.posterous.com/" target="_blank">Posterous</a>, you will find that some don&#8217;t get crawled and indexed by the search engines as well as others, and you end up feeling like you&#8217;re having a very long, frustrating one-sided conversation.</p>
<p>Ultimately, your blog should serve as the primary &#8216;Hub&#8217; for all of your online marketing activities and social media involvements.</p>
<p><img class="alignleft" style="margin: 7px;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/8/2/6/6/8/ar128565842386628.jpg" alt="blogger-tends-to-be-a-one-sided-conversation" width="247" height="197" /></p>
<p>For those who discover the value of blogging and find it to be a good fit in their marketing plan, a natural evolution is to eventually migrate over to a <a href="http://www.wordpress.org/" target="_blank">WordPress.org</a> or <a href="http://www.typepad.com/" target="_blank">TypePad</a> blog. The primary benefits are having a greater degree of control and ownership over your site and content.</p>
<p><img class="alignright" style="margin: 5px;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/7/1/0/2/1/ar128565849512017.png" alt="wordpress.org-is-the-most-popular-blogging-platform" width="140" height="140" /></p>
<p>The process for creating your own WP or TP blog is not as difficult as it appears. Contrary to popular belief, you don&#8217;t need to be a Techno Geek or a Code Monkey to successfully launch your own blogsite.</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s the basic steps in a nutshell:</p>
<p>1. <strong>Name and Claim Your Domain</strong>:</p>
<p>What are you going to call your blogsite/blog? Ideally, it&#8217;s best to use a name that describes your local real estate market or niche, like &#8220;HoodCanalWaterfront.com&#8221; or &#8220;HomesOnHoodCanal.com.&#8221; This will help improve the &#8216;findability&#8217; factor of your blog.</p>
<p>There are a number of companies that offer domain registration, like <a href="http://www.godaddy.com" target="_blank">GoDaddy</a> or <a href="http://www.directnic.com/" target="_blank">Direct NIC</a>. Some Hosting Services also offer domain registration as part of their package.</p>
<p>2. <strong>Select Your Hosting Server</strong></p>
<p>Once you&#8217;re chosen/registered your domain name, you&#8217;ll need to select a Hosting Service Provider, like <a href="http://www,bluehost.com" target="_blank">BlueHost</a> or <a href="http://www.godaddy.com">GoDaddy</a>. Personally, I prefer BlueHost because they make the overall set-up process fairly painless.</p>
<p>3. <strong>Upload Your Blog Software</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wordpress.org" target="_blank">WordPress.org</a> is by far the most popular blogging platform currently available, and it&#8217;s FREE! You can go to their website and download a .zip file to your hard drive. Or, as is the case with BlueHost, they have a WP icon that allows you to quickly install the WordPress software onto your hosting space.</p>
<p>4. <strong>Select/Upload Your Blog Template/Theme</strong></p>
<p>One of the great things about WordPress is the seemingly limitless array of themes (free or paid) that are available for use. For my most recent blog project, I simply did a Google search for &#8216;WordPress Themes&#8217; and downloaded a free theme that fit with my intended marketing niche.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ar123863150595202.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1902 alignleft" style="margin: 5px;" title="homes-by-harbors-because-boats-need-homes-too" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/ar123863150595202-225x300.jpg" alt="homes-by-harbors.com" width="225" height="300" /></a>Again, the process may seem daunting at first, but it&#8217;s really not all that difficult. If someone like me can embrace technology and make it work, just about anyone can!</p>
<p>For my latest blog project &#8211; <a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com" target="_blank">HomesByHarbors.com</a> &#8211; it took all of about 15 minutes for me to register a domain, secure my hosting provider, and upload a theme. Now the fun/challenge will be to generate good, relevant content that potential clients will find helpful/valuable.</p>
<p>Happy Blogging!</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>~     o     ~     o     ~     o     ~     o     ~     o     ~</strong></p>
<p><img class="alignright" style="margin: 5px;" title="silverdale-wa-seabeck-wa-real-estate" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/3/5/6/6/ar123741164666532.jpg" alt="" width="107" height="83" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing Relentless Representation and Knowledgeable Empowerment for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of <strong>Kitsap County WA</strong> and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at <a href="http://www.kitsaplife.com/" target="_blank">KitsapLife.com</a>, <a href="http://www.activerain.com/blogs/rich" target="_blank">ActiveRain</a>, <a href="http://pugetsoundblogs.com/everyday-ck/" target="_blank">Everyday CK</a>, <a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com" target="_blank">HomeByHarbors</a> and <a href="http://www.crabbinginthehood.com/" target="_blank">Crabbing in the Hood</a>, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com</p>
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		<title>&quot;I Caught Commissioner Josh Brown Red-Handed!&quot;</title>
		<link>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1754</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1754#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 29 May 2010 08:11:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Kitsap County Bites]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[commissioners]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[elections]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[everyday ck]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Josh Brown]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kitsap County WA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kitsap sun]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://soundbiteblog.com/?p=1754</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[So many times our elected officials are in a rather thankless situation and bear the brunt of endless criticism. Just for a change, I thought I would ‘catch’ Josh Brown red-handed, and praise him for doing something right!]]></description>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter" title="kitsap-county-wa-commissioner-josh-brown" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2721/4368557384_ccc2c437bc.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="375" /></p>
<p>I just posted over on my <strong>Kitsap Sun</strong> Reader Blog &#8220;<a href="http://pugetsoundblogs.com/everyday-ck/" target="_blank">Everyday CK</a>&#8221; an article about <strong>Kitsap County</strong> Commissioner <strong>Josh Brown</strong>. Like most elected officials these days, you either like the guy or you don&#8217;t. Personally, I think he&#8217;s made some great strides for the residents of Central Kitsap County.</p>
<p>To read more about <strong>Josh Brown&#8217;s</strong> recent accomplishments, go to <a href="http://pugetsoundblogs.com/everyday-ck/2010/05/28/commissioner-josh-brown-caught-brown-red-handed/" target="_blank"><strong>Everyday CK</strong></a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>~     o     ~     o     ~           o     ~     o     ~     o     ~</strong></p>
<p><img class="alignright" style="margin: 5px;" title="silverdale-wa-seabeck-wa-real-estate" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/3/5/6/6/ar123741164666532.jpg" alt="" width="107" height="83" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate       professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless       representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant  land      throughout all of <strong>Kitsap County WA</strong> and  portions of      Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also  find him at <a href="http://www.kitsaplife.com/" target="_blank">KitsapLife.com</a>,  <a href="http://www.activerain.com/blogs/rich" target="_blank">ActiveRain</a>,       <a href="http://pugetsoundblogs.com/everyday-ck/" target="_blank">Everyday       CK</a>, and <a href="http://www.crabbinginthehood.com/" target="_blank">Crabbing  in the Hood</a>, or e-mail:       kitsapagent@gmail.com</p>
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		<title>Video Made Easy &#8211; Flip Video Camcorders</title>
		<link>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1734</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1734#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 14 May 2010 18:11:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Miscellaneous]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://soundbiteblog.com/?p=1734</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Remember the horror movie, &#8220;The Blair Witch Project?&#8221; While shooting a documentary, three student filmmakers mysteriously disappear in the woods of rural Maryland. A year later, their documentary footage is found. Most people hate it or love it. Either it scares you so bad you pee your pants, or it leaves you nauseous with a...]]></description>
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			<a href="http://api.tweetmeme.com/share?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.homesbyharbors.com%2F%3Fp%3D1734"><br />
				<img src="http://api.tweetmeme.com/imagebutton.gif?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.homesbyharbors.com%2F%3Fp%3D1734&amp;style=normal&amp;b=2" height="61" width="50" /><br />
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<p><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/scarymovie1.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1742" style="margin: 5px;" title="anyone-can-produce-an-effective-video-to-market-your-business" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/scarymovie1-300x227.jpg" alt="" width="209" height="158" /></a>Remember the horror movie, &#8220;<a href="http://www.blairwitch.com/" target="_blank">The Blair Witch Project</a>?&#8221;</p>
<p>While shooting a documentary, three student filmmakers mysteriously disappear in the woods of rural Maryland. A year  later, their documentary footage is found.</p>
<p>Most people hate it or love it. Either it scares you so bad you pee your pants, or it leaves you nauseous with a splitting headache! Regardless, The Blair Witch Project only cost a meager $35K to produce, but grossed nearly $250M! Proving that even the most amateurish, low budget productions can achieve tremendous success.</p>
<p>One of the fastest growing social networks on the Internet is <a href="http://www.youtube.com/" target="_blank">YouTube</a>. The popularity of this platform clearly demonstrates the significant rise of consumer interest in video and the rapid growth of its use for business sales and marketing.</p>
<p>Fortunately, as is typical when certain media trends skyrocket, a greater variety of cost-effective associated technologies becomes available. Such is the case with digital video recording, editing, and publishing.<a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/flipultra.jpg"><img class="alignright size-full wp-image-1739" style="margin: 5px;" title="video-for-real-estate-made-easy-flip-video" src="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/flipultra.jpg" alt="" width="184" height="210" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.theflip.com/en-us/" target="_blank">Enter The Flip Video Recorder</a>!</p>
<p>Available in 4 basic models and priced from $149 to $279, the <a href="http://www.theflip.com/en-us/" target="_blank">Flip Video Recorder</a> offers up to 4 hours of quick and easy video recording, allowing even the most technically-challenged to achieve some measure of success!</p>
<p>As simple as it is to record, it&#8217;s just as easy to download videos to your computer by using a &#8216;flip-out&#8217; USB connector. Each model comes with FlipShare pre-loaded software that allows you to quickly edit your videos and seamlessly upload them to popular websites like YouTube.</p>
<blockquote><p><strong>Video Tip:</strong> <em>Poor Man&#8217;s Tripod</em> &#8211; To help reduce the amount of vibration and shake, find a bolt that screws into the base of the Flip recorder. Cut a length of string nearly as tall as you, and tie one end to the base of the bolt. On the other end, tie a large flat washer. When shooting video from a stationary position, simply step on the flat washer and pull up on the string until tensioned. This will allow you to capture smoother footage, even when you pan a scene. Plus, it fits into your pocket a whole lot easier!</p></blockquote>
<p>The applications for using video in real estate are virtually limitless:</p>
<p>Neighborhood Reviews, virtual tours for listings, highlight area shops and businesses, feature local parks and attractions, market reports, local expert interviews, real estate advice, etc..</p>
<p><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/flipslidehd.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-full wp-image-1743" style="margin: 5px;" title="The-Flip-Slide-HD-Video-Recorder-with-display" src="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/flipslidehd.jpg" alt="" width="232" height="153" /></a>A short video is the ideal solution for Out-of-State clients who want more than a basic photo gallery. A video provides them with a greater sense of floor-plan flow and the surrounding context of neighborhood/area.</p>
<p>Video can allow prospective clients the opportunity to become better acquainted with you before meeting in person, further reinforcing their level of comfort and trust with you.</p>
<p>While you shouldn&#8217;t plan on winning an Oscar anytime soon, using the Flip Video Recorder can be one of the more effective tools you can utilize to communicate valued information to prospective clients and further distinguish yourself as <em><strong>the</strong></em> knowledgeable real estate professional for your market.</p>
<p>Check-out a couple of my favorite real estate video RockStars:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/ClarkCoREBlog" target="_blank">The Clark County WA RE Expert Dale Chumbley</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/VancouverPenthouse" target="_blank">The Vancouver BC Penthouse Expert Ian Watt</a></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>~     o     ~     o     ~          o     ~     o     ~     o     ~</strong></p>
<p><img class="alignright" style="margin: 5px;" title="silverdale-wa-seabeck-wa-real-estate" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/3/5/6/6/ar123741164666532.jpg" alt="" width="107" height="83" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate      professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless      representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land      throughout all of <strong>Kitsap County WA</strong> and portions of      Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at <a href="http://www.kitsaplife.com/" target="_blank">KitsapLife.com</a>, <a href="http://www.activerain.com/blogs/rich" target="_blank">ActiveRain</a>,      <a href="http://pugetsoundblogs.com/everyday-ck/" target="_blank">Everyday      CK</a>, and <a href="http://www.crabbinginthehood.com/" target="_blank">Crabbing  in the Hood</a>, or e-mail:      kitsapagent@gmail.com</p>
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		<title>How a VA Appraisal Cost Us Our Next House and $25K</title>
		<link>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1718</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1718#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 Apr 2010 19:35:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Mortgage Bites]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[VA Financing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bangor subase]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bremerton WA Real Estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kitsap County WA real estate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[va appraisals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[va financing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[va home loans]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[VA Home Loans provide an excellent financing tool for Active-Duty personnel and veterans to purchase a home with little or no money up front. Unfortunately, there are times when the appraisal process causes that transaction to fall apart, resulting in some very frustrated and upset Buyers and Sellers.]]></description>
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<p><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/ABomb.jpg"><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-1720" style="margin: 5px;" title="Another-VA-Appraisal-blows-up-a-perfectly-good-deal" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/ABomb-219x300.jpg" alt="" width="142" height="195" /></a>Recently, a Seller entered into contract with a  military Buyer who wanted to purchase their house using 100% financing through the VA home loan. The transaction went along smoothly enough, along through the inspection process. Then the Buyer&#8217;s lender ordered up the appraisal.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, the VA sent an &#8216;out-of-state&#8217; appraiser not familiar with their market who used only a 1 mile  radius around the subject property for finding comparable properties to determine her valuation. As a result, the home was appraised for almost 20K less  than what the Buyer and Seller had agreed upon. In addition, the Buyer had also requested for the Seller to contribute $5K towards closing costs.</p>
<p>Both the Selling Agent and Buyer&#8217;s Agent submitted comps within a 2 mile radius of the subject property.  The Buyer clients, knowing that the house was competitively priced and would not find anything remotely close in value within their price range,  also got involved in writing letters to the VA.  Even the bank that was financing the deal  agreed that the 1 mile radius imposed by the appraiser was unfair and  that the appraisal should be contested.  They took the agent&#8217;s comps and sent them onto the  VA in a Request for Change of Value.<a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/the3monkeys.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium  wp-image-1721" style="margin: 5px;" title="The-VA-Appraisal-Review-Board" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/the3monkeys-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></p>
<p>After more than two weeks and numerous errors, i.e.,  paperwork lost, given to the wrong  person, the parties were informed that the Request for Change had been refused.  No reason or explanation was provided.</p>
<p>To compound their problems, the Sellers had been waiting for the appraisal results so they could act upon a counter offer for buying another house  &#8211; a house than they would now lose because other competing offers had come in on the property.</p>
<p>To make matters even worst still, both Buyers and Sellers will now miss their eligibility for the Federal Tax Credits being offered which end on April 30th.</p>
<p>This is yet one more example of the flaws inherent within the VA appraisal process and how people&#8217;s lives are impacted negatively as a result.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>~     o     ~     o     ~         o     ~     o     ~     o     ~</strong></p>
<p><img class="alignleft" style="margin: 5px;" title="silverdale-wa-seabeck-wa-real-estate" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/3/5/6/6/ar123741164666532.jpg" alt="" width="107" height="83" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate     professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless     representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land     throughout all of <strong>Kitsap County WA</strong> and portions of     Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at <a href="http://www.kitsaplife.com/" target="_blank">KitsapLife.com</a>, <a href="http://www.activerain.com/blogs/rich" target="_blank">ActiveRain</a>,     <a href="http://pugetsoundblogs.com/everyday-ck/" target="_blank">Everyday     CK</a>, and <a href="http://www.crabbinginthehood.com/" target="_blank">Crabbing  in the Hood</a>, or e-mail:     kitsapagent@gmail.com</p>
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		<title>Create Your Virtual Biz Card with Flavors.me</title>
		<link>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1713</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1713#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Apr 2010 21:02:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Technology Tools for Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[flavors.me]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social media aggregators]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[virtual business card]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[Flavors.me is simply one more tool for providing prospective clients or business associates with a quick snapshot of who you are and the various web/blog sites you author and social media platforms you frequent.]]></description>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/flavorsme.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1714 aligncenter" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" title="creating-a-virtual-business-card" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/flavorsme-300x240.jpg" alt="creating-a-virtual-business-card" width="372" height="297" /></a></p>
<p>If you’re like me, it’s hard to keep up on  all the new social media tools that crop up daily and weed through the  ones that offer some semblance of value or benefit to your business.</p>
<p>A while back, I came across a tweet on Twitter from <a href="http://twitter.com/mizzle" target="_blank">Mariana Wagner</a> gushing  with props about a new social media toy, <a href="http://flavors.me/" target="_blank">Flavors.me</a></p>
<p>Of course, I did what any self-respecting, social  media-obsessed adopter  would do, I joined <a href="http://www.flavors.me/" target="_blank">flavors.me</a> and created  my own custom web page, which you can find <a href="http://flavors.me/kitsapagent" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>
<p>So what’s the big deal about yet another  social media profile aggregator?</p>
<p>Think “Your Own Unique Social Media  Business Card.” You throw up some  basic bio info, enter in all your  various SM profiles and outbound  feeds (blogs, websites), then it  aggregates/organizes them onto a simple  splash page that you can  personalize with custom formatting and your  own image background. The  whole process takes all of about 10 minutes  without any coding skills.</p>
<p>from Flavors.me Designer, <a href="http://blog.jackzerby.com/" target="_blank">Jack Zerby</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p>“When we set out to  create Flavors, we  never expected that people would catch on to the  vision so quickly. The  uniqueness and personality of each page is why I  believe everyone is a  designer, but may not know how to bring the  vision from their head to  the screen. Web design “themes” don’t allow  the user to think like a  designer. We wanted users to build their  personal pages just like a  painter would, layer by layer. Using a  combination of wireframes,  backgrounds, colors, and fonts, the  possibilities become limitless. The  personal homepage died with the  popularity of social network profiles,  and we aim to bring it back.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Flavors.me is simply one more tool for  providing prospective clients or business associates with a quick  snapshot of who you are and the various web/blog sites you author and  social media platforms you frequent. It&#8217;s a fun and creative way to further distinguish youself from the masses of other agents out there. Embed a link to your Flavors.me profile on your website or your email signature!</p>
<p>To join Flavors.me, use the invite code  ‘heat’</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>~     o     ~     o     ~       o     ~     o     ~     o     ~</strong></p>
<p><img class="alignright" style="margin: 5px;" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/3/5/6/6/ar123741164666532.jpg" alt="kitsap-county-wa-real-estate" width="107" height="83" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Rich enjoys  using the tools of social media to brag/boast about  the quality of Life  on the picturesque Kitsap Peninsula in scenic WA  State. He is a licensed  real estate professional providing  knowledgeable empowerment and  relentless representation for his clients  of residential properties and  vacant land throughout all of <strong>Kitsap  County WA</strong> and  portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson  Counties. You can also find him  at <a href="http://www.kitsaplife.com/" target="_blank">KitsapLife.com</a>, <a href="http://www.activerain.com/blogs/rich" target="_blank">ActiveRain</a>,   <a href="http://www.crabbinginthehood.com/" target="_blank">Crabbing  in  the Hood</a>, <a href="http://pugetsoundblogs.com/everyday-ck/" target="_blank">Everyday CK</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/rich.jacobson" target="_blank">Facebook</a>,    <a href="http://twitter.com/kitsapagent">Twitter</a>,   or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com</p>
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		<title>Kitsap County WA Real Estate Market Report for April 2010</title>
		<link>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1704</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1704#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Apr 2010 21:44:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Kitsap Market Reports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[april 2010]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kitsap County WA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[market report]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[real estate]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://soundbiteblog.com/?p=1704</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Real Estate Market Report for Kitsap County WA 04/08/10 Kitsap County Market Report for April 8, 2010 Id Area Active Listings Mos of Inv Sold (6 mo) Avg Sales Price Avg List Price Sales/ List Ratio Days on Market 141 South Kitsap-W of Hwy 16 163 7.64 128 258,655 265,126 97.56 92 142 South Kitsap-E...]]></description>
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<h2>Real Estate Market Report for Kitsap County WA 04/08/10</h2>
<table id="market-reports" style="height: 468px;" width="617">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="9" align="center">Kitsap County Market Report  for April 8, 2010</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>Id</th>
<th>Area</th>
<th align="right">Active<br />
Listings</th>
<th align="right">Mos<br />
of<br />
Inv</th>
<th align="right">Sold<br />
(6 mo)</th>
<th align="right">Avg<br />
Sales<br />
Price</th>
<th align="right">Avg<br />
List<br />
Price</th>
<th align="right">Sales/<br />
List<br />
Ratio</th>
<th align="right">Days<br />
on<br />
Market</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>141</td>
<td>South Kitsap-W of Hwy 16</td>
<td align="right">163</td>
<td align="right">7.64</td>
<td align="right">128</td>
<td align="right">258,655</td>
<td align="right">265,126</td>
<td align="right">97.56</td>
<td align="right">92</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>142</td>
<td>South Kitsap-E of Hwy 16</td>
<td align="right">148</td>
<td align="right">10.33</td>
<td align="right">86</td>
<td align="right">290,299</td>
<td align="right">298,284</td>
<td align="right">97.32</td>
<td align="right">86</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>143</td>
<td>Port Orchard</td>
<td align="right">116</td>
<td align="right">6.69</td>
<td align="right">104</td>
<td align="right">196,109</td>
<td align="right">198,927</td>
<td align="right">98.58</td>
<td align="right">81</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>144</td>
<td>Retsil/Manchester</td>
<td align="right">121</td>
<td align="right">11.17</td>
<td align="right">65</td>
<td align="right">222,285</td>
<td align="right">229,698</td>
<td align="right">96.77</td>
<td align="right">90</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>145</td>
<td>Seabeck/Holly</td>
<td align="right">77</td>
<td align="right">11.85</td>
<td align="right">39</td>
<td align="right">269,393</td>
<td align="right">278,721</td>
<td align="right">96.65</td>
<td align="right">99</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>146</td>
<td>Chico</td>
<td align="right">31</td>
<td align="right">8.86</td>
<td align="right">21</td>
<td align="right">320,861</td>
<td align="right">333,793</td>
<td align="right">96.13</td>
<td align="right">119</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>147</td>
<td>Silverdale</td>
<td align="right">93</td>
<td align="right">9.00</td>
<td align="right">62</td>
<td align="right">303,215</td>
<td align="right">312,490</td>
<td align="right">97.03</td>
<td align="right">94</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>148</td>
<td>West Bremerton</td>
<td align="right">212</td>
<td align="right">8.37</td>
<td align="right">152</td>
<td align="right">165,991</td>
<td align="right">170,959</td>
<td align="right">97.09</td>
<td align="right">65</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>149</td>
<td>East Bremerton</td>
<td align="right">114</td>
<td align="right">7.60</td>
<td align="right">90</td>
<td align="right">203,825</td>
<td align="right">208,955</td>
<td align="right">97.54</td>
<td align="right">101</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>150</td>
<td>East Central Kitsap</td>
<td align="right">145</td>
<td align="right">6.26</td>
<td align="right">139</td>
<td align="right">232,311</td>
<td align="right">234,177</td>
<td align="right">99.20</td>
<td align="right">81</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>161</td>
<td>Hansville</td>
<td align="right">42</td>
<td align="right">10.96</td>
<td align="right">23</td>
<td align="right">276,830</td>
<td align="right">289,260</td>
<td align="right">95.70</td>
<td align="right">103</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>162</td>
<td>Kingston</td>
<td align="right">72</td>
<td align="right">8.15</td>
<td align="right">53</td>
<td align="right">313,293</td>
<td align="right">327,593</td>
<td align="right">95.63</td>
<td align="right">101</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>163</td>
<td>Port Gamble</td>
<td align="right">16</td>
<td align="right">7.38</td>
<td align="right">13</td>
<td align="right">246,369</td>
<td align="right">256,850</td>
<td align="right">95.92</td>
<td align="right">72</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>164</td>
<td>Lofall</td>
<td align="right">26</td>
<td align="right">6.24</td>
<td align="right">25</td>
<td align="right">300,294</td>
<td align="right">314,386</td>
<td align="right">95.52</td>
<td align="right">57</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>165</td>
<td>Finn Hill</td>
<td align="right">70</td>
<td align="right">10.00</td>
<td align="right">42</td>
<td align="right">308,430</td>
<td align="right">317,033</td>
<td align="right">97.29</td>
<td align="right">93</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>166</td>
<td>Poulsbo</td>
<td align="right">102</td>
<td align="right">6.06</td>
<td align="right">101</td>
<td align="right">289,900</td>
<td align="right">296,580</td>
<td align="right">97.75</td>
<td align="right">79</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>167</td>
<td>Suquamish</td>
<td align="right">41</td>
<td align="right">7.69</td>
<td align="right">32</td>
<td align="right">250,603</td>
<td align="right">260,245</td>
<td align="right">96.30</td>
<td align="right">73</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>168</td>
<td>Indianola</td>
<td align="right">25</td>
<td align="right">8.82</td>
<td align="right">17</td>
<td align="right">311,206</td>
<td align="right">324,685</td>
<td align="right">95.85</td>
<td align="right">88</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>170</td>
<td>Bainbridge Island</td>
<td align="right">256</td>
<td align="right">11.05</td>
<td align="right">139</td>
<td align="right">594,297</td>
<td align="right">643,094</td>
<td align="right">92.41</td>
<td align="right">159</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>I thought I would do something a bit different this month, and show all of the specific MLS zones within our county, rather than just collective county-wide figures.</p>
<p>As you can see, each area is broken down by &#8216;Active Listings&#8217; (how many homes are currently available for sale), the calculated &#8216;Months of Inventory&#8217; for each area, how many homes have &#8216;Sold&#8217; in the past 6 months, the average &#8216;sales&#8217; price of those homes sold, the average &#8216;Listing&#8217; price of the homes sold, the ratio % of sales price versus list price, and the average &#8216;Days On Market.&#8217;</p>
<p>Obviously, East Central Kitsap and West Bremerton are still the selling &#8216;hot spots&#8217; as are Poulsbo, Port Orchard, and South Kitsap West of Hwy 16.</p>
<p>Where the market is heading right now is anybody&#8217;s guess. The tax credits courtesy of Uncle Sam for 1st Time Buyers and Repeat Buyers are soon to expire, so there will probably be some spurt of last minute activity for those. The changing season to warmer weather tends to bring out more Buyers and more Sellers as well. Additional short sales and bank-owned properties will continue to have a negative effect on pricing and appraisal valuations.</p>
<p>Whether you&#8217;re a Buyer or a Seller, there are opportunities out there. Give me a call and I can help you make better sense of the market, and determine what is your most wise and prudent direction.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>~     o     ~     o     ~        o     ~     o     ~     o     ~</strong></p>
<p><img class="alignleft" style="margin: 5px;" title="silverdale-wa-seabeck-wa-real-estate" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/3/5/6/6/ar123741164666532.jpg" alt="" width="107" height="83" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate    professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless    representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land    throughout all of <strong>Kitsap County WA</strong> and portions of    Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at <a href="http://www.kitsaplife.com/" target="_blank">KitsapLife.com</a>, <a href="http://www.activerain.com/blogs/rich" target="_blank">ActiveRain</a>,    <a href="http://pugetsoundblogs.com/everyday-ck/" target="_blank">Everyday    CK</a>, and <a href="http://www.crabbinginthehood.com/" target="_blank">Crabbing  in the Hood</a>, or e-mail:    kitsapagent@gmail.com</p>
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		<title>Waterfront Properties &#8211; 346 North Bay Way Port Ludlow WA</title>
		<link>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1698</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1698#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Apr 2010 10:28:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured Homes/Properties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[346 North Bay Way]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oak Bay]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Port Ludlow WA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Puget Sound View Properties]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[waterfront properties]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://soundbiteblog.com/?p=1698</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[~     o     ~     o     ~     o     ~     o     ~     o     ~ Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of Kitsap County WA and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at KitsapLife.com, ActiveRain,...]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="tweetmeme_button" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px;">
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<p style="text-align: center;"><script src="http://www.realestateshows.com/js.php?showid=482015&amp;width=480&amp;height=385" type="text/javascript"></script></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>~     o     ~     o     ~        o     ~     o     ~     o     ~</strong></p>
<p><img class="alignleft" style="margin: 5px;" title="silverdale-wa-seabeck-wa-real-estate" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/3/5/6/6/ar123741164666532.jpg" alt="" width="107" height="83" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate    professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless    representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land    throughout all of <strong>Kitsap County WA</strong> and portions of    Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at <a href="http://www.kitsaplife.com/" target="_blank">KitsapLife.com</a>, <a href="http://www.activerain.com/blogs/rich" target="_blank">ActiveRain</a>,    <a href="http://pugetsoundblogs.com/everyday-ck/" target="_blank">Everyday    CK</a>, and <a href="http://www.crabbinginthehood.com/" target="_blank">Crabbing  in the Hood</a>, or e-mail:    kitsapagent@gmail.com</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Using Virtual Flyers and Slideshows to Market Homes</title>
		<link>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1689</link>
		<comments>http://www.homesbyharbors.com/?p=1689#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:30:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Rich</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Technology Tools for Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[postlets.com]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[real estate business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[realestateshows.com]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tech tools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vflyer.com]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[virtual flyers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[virtual slideshows]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[virtual tours]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://soundbiteblog.com/?p=1689</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Virtual flyer and Slideshow tools like vflyer, Postlets, and RealEstateShows equip today's real estate professionals and empower them to market homes more effectively and generate greater exposure.]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="tweetmeme_button" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px;">
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<p>With over 90% of all <strong>Home Buyers</strong> accessing the Internet for their Home searches, the responsibility falls on us as <strong>Listing Agents</strong> to generate the greatest amount of meaningful exposure for our Seller&#8217;s properties. Additionally, many markets across the country have a significant amount of competing inventory which demands that your marketing materials offer a quality presentation that effectively sets your listings apart from all the rest.</p>
<p>Fortunately, there are an abundance of excellent on-line tools available for just such challenges! Allow me to share some of the better tools that I&#8217;ve found:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.vflyer.com/main/Guest.jsp" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/3/7/6/2/0/ar127001090102673.png" alt="virtual-flyer-tools-for-real-estate-agents" width="250" height="114" /></a></p>
<p>Launched in October 2006, San Francisco based <strong>vFlyer.com</strong> was one of the first virtual flyer tools that I implemented in my business. Shortly after signing up for their service, one of the company founders, Oliver Muoto, called me personally to welcome me and answer any questions I had.</p>
<p>vflyer offers a very basic Personal Plan for FREE that allows you to create up to 2 listings. You can choose from up to 14 theme templates, including several that are &#8216;brand&#8217; specific to national real estate companies. You can upload up to 9 photos to your flyer gallery. To provide this free service, some Google Ads are placed within the flyer.</p>
<p>vflyer publishes your flyer to 15 high traffic real estate listing domains, including Trulia and Zillow.</p>
<p>There are 4 additional plans that range in price from $155 to $959 annually and allows you to create/manage up 125 flyers. They also offer a great <a href="http://www.vflyerwiki.com/wiki/doku.php" target="_blank">vflyer Wiki</a> and FREE webinars to explain all the various features and how to use them.</p>
<p>vflyer offers a feature that allows you to print or email your flyers. They also provide an &#8216;Activity&#8217; feature which enables you to monitor the amount traffic your flyer is generating as well as the source of that traffic.</p>
<p>To see an example of a vflyer.com virtual flyer, click <a href="http://www.kitsaplife.com/featured-properties/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.postlets.com/home.php" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/4/8/7/9/7/ar127001337979784.gif" alt="virtual-flyers-for-real-estate" width="239" height="64" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Postlets</strong> is another viable tool that has gained a lot of popularity among real estate agents.</p>
<p>Unlike vflyer, <strong>Postlets</strong> basic FREE service allows you to create as many flyers as you want, without any charges. However, there are some limitations in the number of available theme templates (10) and the number of photos you can download (6). The virtual flyers you create with the basic service also contain advertising in the sidebar.</p>
<p><strong>Postlets</strong> allows you to monitor and track your traffic using Google Analytics. However, page views for the HTML or Mini widgets placed on other sites (e.g. craigslist or ActiveRain) are not tracked.</p>
<p>If you want to upgrade to <strong>Postlets Pro</strong>, it can cost as much as $10 per listing, but you get 10 more theme templates and the ability to upload a total of 18 photos.</p>
<p>Additionally, <strong>Postlets Pro</strong> effectively creates a Single Property Website that utilizes a multi-page layout, larger photo viewing size, an embedded slideshow viewer, and removes all advertising.</p>
<p>To see an example of a Postlets.com virtual flyer, click <a href="http://www.postlets.com/res/3603968" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.realestateshows.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/7/6/1/3/ar127001636931672.jpg" alt="virtual-slide-shows-for-real-estate" width="150" height="56" /></a></p>
<p>To me, selecting <strong>RealStateShows</strong> as a vital part of your marketing arsenal is a no-brainer, even though it is only available through an annual subscription of $125. The yearly investment is money well spent for all the features and benefits you will receive. A 14-day FREE trial period allows the opportunity for you to put the tool through its paces and evaluate its capabilities.</p>
<p>There are a number of options for what you can do with your show once its finished. You can publish your Show to Realtor.com, Homes.com,  or add it to the virtual tour link on your local MLS. You can create a Show Flyer and send it to any or all of their distribution partners, or use the HTML code provided and post to sites like Craigslist or ActiveRain. You can also create a mini-show widget and embed the code directly to your blog or website. You can even download any show to your hard drive to make a CD.</p>
<p><strong>RealEstateShows</strong> not only provides a very comprehensive tracking report for each listing, but they&#8217;ll email the report to you each week so you can simply forward it onto your Sellers.</p>
<p>To see an example of an embedded RealEstateShows.com virtual slide show, go <a href="http://activerain.com/blogsview/1568673/stunning-low-bank-waterfront-property-in-oak-bay-near-port-ludlow-wa" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Since both <strong>vflyer</strong> and <strong>Postlets</strong> offer FREE base memberships, I would suggest that you simply try them both out. Use them to market your next two listings and compare the tracking results.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Both vflyer and Postlets publish your flyers to many of the same domains (approx. 15). RealEstateShows currently allows you to publish your flyer to 9 domains.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.homesbyharbors.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/banner_autoPost.png"><img class="size-medium wp-image-1692     aligncenter" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 5px;" title="syndication-sites-for-virtual-flyers" src="http://soundbiteblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/banner_autoPost-300x201.png" alt="" width="300" height="201" /></a>These tools are designed to make your job easier and provide enhanced exposure for your client&#8217;s homes. Incorporating their use in your marketing efforts will enable both you and your listings to stand out from the crowd, and achieve greater results.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>~     o     ~     o     ~     o     ~     o     ~     o     ~</strong></p>
<p><img class="alignleft" style="margin: 5px;" title="silverdale-wa-seabeck-wa-real-estate" src="http://activerain.com/image_store/uploads/2/3/5/6/6/ar123741164666532.jpg" alt="" width="107" height="83" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Rich Jacobson is a licensed real estate professional providing knowledgeable empowerment and relentless representation for his clients of residential properties and vacant land throughout all of <strong>Kitsap County WA</strong> and portions of Pierce, Mason, and Jefferson Counties. You can also find him at <a href="http://www.kitsaplife.com/" target="_blank">KitsapLife.com</a>, <a href="http://www.activerain.com/blogs/rich" target="_blank">ActiveRain</a>, <a href="http://pugetsoundblogs.com/everyday-ck/" target="_blank">Everyday CK</a>, and <a href="http://www.crabbinginthehood.com/" target="_blank">Crabbing in the Hood</a>, or e-mail:  kitsapagent@gmail.com</p>
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