Raleighwood Media Group + Raleighwood Event Group
Traditional & Digital Marketing + Commercial Event Planning Based in Downtown Raleigh
As part of a three-presenter line-up, I opted to focus on tips for improving lead generation to complement other panelists’ focus on print and social media strategies for real estate investors. Knowing that we’d be speaking to first-time home flippers, seasoned full-time investors, and even vendors like lenders, these five tips are broad enough that any business or organization running marketing campaigns can benefit from them.
I posted this update to my twitter/facebook profiles this morning, but thought it was relevant enough for a blog post.
Pet Peeve: Email & other publications using shortened links. It’s fine for twitter, but otherwise, I want to know where you’re sending me.
Here are my views on using link shorteners/url shorteners in your marcoms (marketing communications).
The Good: URL shortening is used to reduce the number of characters in any web link – most commonly used to fit a link and its related commentary/description within Twitter’s 140 character limit. TweetDeck, a popular desktop Twitter application previews the link’s actual destination when clicked. TinyURL (a free url shortening service) offers a preview so you can decide whether to continue to the link’s destination or not (although it does require enabling and the use of cookies).
The Bad: Bit.ly, another popular link shortener, does not appear to have a prominent preview tool. From a professional standpoint, it does look appealing though because you can create an account and track the number of clicks your links get, etc.
The Ugly: The smart computer user needs to know where they are being directed on the internet! A lot of nasty viruses and malware are running around out there – and no one wants to deal with that.
While I appreciate the value of link shortening for twitter updates, I prefer not to see them on facebook, in emails, and even more so in online publications, blog posts, and articles. If not for the safety factor, there’s the other reason that when I’m reading real estate updates or marketing updates, I’ve probably already read the article on Realtor.org or Mashable.com that you are linking to. There’s no reason for me to click though to something I’ve already read!
So please – don’t waste my time or leave me exposed to security risks when you’re publishing links online 🙂
If anyone has any tips on best practices you’ve experienced for using and sharing web links using link shortening, please pass them along! I’d love to share them here.
I was with a client just a few days ago looking at a very high end home that had – you guessed it – a desk built into the kitchen.
A few years ago, this was super standard in larger kitchens, but it’s on the decline now and I believe that’s with good reason.
2) If you’re “laptopping it” with your email and recipes, you can do that on a good amount of counter space to begin with and the laptop can still call the office “home”.
3) These built-in desks are usually positioned lower – at a “seated” chair position. It’s just awkward and screws up the flow of the counters. Plus, most kitchens function better and look better with high stools/bar chairs. Once again, a “W” (a win) for the laptop on the regular counter/bar option.
I personally don’t agree with all of them, especially because some trends just don’t translate locally the same (ie: fireplaces – they CAN stay. This is still the South and unless you’re in a always hot locale in a small flat, it’s still a major “want” for many buyers), but it’s got some good tips and fresh perspectives nonetheless.
I sure do!
Good news in the real estate world today – thanks for the heads up, Ashton!
WASHINGTON – For the first time in more than 30 years, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development today issued long-anticipated mortgage reforms that will help consumers to shop for the lowest cost mortgage and avoid costly and potentially harmful loan offers. HUD will require, for the first time ever, that lenders and mortgage brokers provide consumers with a standard Good Faith Estimate (GFE) that clearly discloses key loan terms and closing costs. HUD estimates its new regulation will save consumers nearly $700 at the closing table.
