mRELEVANCE Launches New Highland Homes Mobile Site
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mRELEVANCE, LLC is pleased to announce the launch of the new Highland Homes mobile site, www.HighlandHomes.org. Created to accommodate an increasing number of users who access the website from mobile devices, the new site allows homebuyers and real estate agents to access information on the builder’s product on the go from smartphones and tablets.
“More and more, our buyers and agents are using their mobile devices to view Highland Homes’ information, and we are excited to be able to meet their needs by offering a user-friendly, mobile alternative to our main website,” said Kathie McDaniel, vice president of sales and marketing for Highland Homes. “Whether searching for Highland Homes’ information from home or onsite at one of our communities, smartphone and tablet users can find what they need quickly.”
The Highland Homes mobile site is a compact and comprehensive version of the Lakeland-based builder’s main website. It provides general information about Highland Homes’ communities, floor plan descriptions, pricing, contact information and virtual tours when available, and is integrated with the builder’s social media sites including Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.
There are several benefits to the mobile site including:
- Fast load time on mobile devices
- Easy to view and read due to large fonts and graphics built for mobile
- Finger-friendly – meaning information can be obtained with minimal clicks.
“With 10 to 15-percent of monthly site visitors on the Highland Homes website coming from mobile devices, it is the perfect time to create a site to accommodate those consumers,” said mRELEVANCE managing partner, Mitch Levinson. “In just a couple short months, the new Highland Homes mobile site has already shown an increase in total website traffic to the builder’s website by almost 15-percent. Based on the time viewing pages on the mobile site, these are new high quality buyers.”
Highland Homes has been Central Florida’s value leader for more than a decade. For a complete list of new home communities and more information, visit the Highland Homes website at www.HighlandHomes.org or call 863-619-7103.
Contact mRELEVANCE for a quote on your mobile site today.
Get Ready to Be Back in the Black in 2012!
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Join some of the industry’s top sales professionals at the most powerful sales seminar of your career, the 2012 International Builders Show’s Super Sales Rally: Back in Black.
Back in Black will be held on Thursday, February 9 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This will be the biggest, best and boldest sales education event of the year, designed to provide proven techniques and strategies that lead to immediate results.
And mRELEVANCE’s own Mitch Levinson, MIRM, managing partner, will be making a cameo appearance at the event. He will deliver a transformational experience, teaching critical skills for closing the sale, building relationships and prospecting for new business.
The Super Sales Rally’s presenters Melinda Brody, Kerry Mulcrone, Meredith Oliver and John Palumbo, will give expert advice in how to manage tough objections and keep pace with the latest technology innovations.
Learning Outcomes include:
• How to stay focused, positive and results-oriented – even when everything around you is distracting, negative and full of obstacles.
• Ways to use online marketing and other new technology for personal branding and staying ahead of the competition – even if you’re on a shoestring budget.
• Sure-fire tips for overcoming buyers’ indecision and moving them toward a sale by understanding their buying process and helping them see it as a win-win scenario.
• How to eliminate the fear of closing by hearing best practices in closing techniques that will light a fire within the buyer, and also learn when (and how) to ask closing questions.
Mark your calendar and do not miss this opportunity! Visit the www.BuilderShow.com website to learn more about the Super Sales Rally, other sessions or for registration or other conference information.
IBS 2012: Blogging to Build Traffic: Online and Onsite
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What builder or sales person doesn’t want more online and onsite traffic? One tried and true, efficient way to get more buyers into your communities is through an effective blog. When built and utilized appropriately, a blog can serve as the engine of your social media program, improving your search engine optimization, enhancing customer interaction and increasing sales. Remember, B – L – O – G stands for Better Listings On Google.
Join industry experts at the 2012 International Builders Show at “Blogging to Build Traffic: Online and Onsite,” a special education session that will cover the basics of setting up a self-hosted WordPress blog, how to incorporate keywords into your content, the power of social media campaigns and tracking Return on Investment.
Presented by home builder marketing professionals, Carol Flammer, MIRM and Mitch Levinson, MIRM, managing partners of mRELEVANCE, with Highland Homes Vice President of Sales and Marketing Kathie McDaniel, the session will be held Thursday, February 9 from 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., and will include case studies on blogging and demonstrate how a well-built social media strategy can contribute to increased sales. One example shows how 22% of a builder’s onsite traffic is directly attributed to its social media program.
Learn how to increase your referrals, leads and sales with a highly optimized blog at “Blogging to Build Traffic: Online and Onsite,” which promises to deliver the follow learning outcomes to attendees:
• Gain insights into the power of well built, strategic social media campaigns
• The basics of setting up a self-hosted WordPress blog
• Using your blog effectively with content that incorporates keywords that will maximize your online visibility with search engines and allows you to engage and interact with consumers
• Gauging ROI (return on investment) – learn which metrics are the most important
Add this real-world, highly informational session to your schedule of classes to attend at IBS. We hope to see you there!
Listening is Important on Social Media Too
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The key to communicating is listening. If you don’t listen to those speaking to you or what is happening around you, what you have to say might be irrelevant. The same goes with social media. According to a PR Daily article, “To be a master at social media communication, you must have a strong foundation of listening.”
How do you build this foundation in the online world?
1. Set up Google alerts. This tool sends e-mail updates of relevant content found on Google based on your queries, or key terms. Want to know what people are saying about your company or clients? Generate a query for each individual company, client or relevant search term.
2. Set up Google Webmaster tools on your blog and website. Look at the inbound links report to see the number of inbound links and which sites are linking to your site.
3. Bookmark successful case studies. Read a case study or social media success story in your industry? Use social bookmarking sites, such as Digg, Delicious, or Stumble Upon, to keep track of them. That way, you can refer back to them online and you don’t even have to waste paper or ink.
4. Search on Twitter. Searching on Twitter allows you to view what others are thinking about certain issues, products and maybe even your company. Create search queries and monitor these daily. You can also create lists of people to monitor without actually following them. This makes keeping up with your competitors super easy!
5. Look at your Web analytics—at least once a month. This will help you see where your website traffic is coming from, as well as how it trends month-to-month and year-over- year.
After building a foundation, you can “listen” to what others are saying online and be able to communicate with them easier. Once connections are built, you may make new business partners or even clients. Just remember to listen!
If you need with any of the above tools or any other social media needs, contact the team at mRELEVANCE.
Your Internet Marketing Toolbox
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As you start to budget, plan and strategize for 2012, it is important to take a good look at your Internet Marketing Toolbox. In order to create a comprehensive marketing program, you’ll want to set it up with your blog and website as the foundation and all of your other marketing tactics integrated.
Your website is the single most important communication vehicle for your company and brand. It is also one of the few that you completely control. Make sure that you are taking advantage of your website as an effective tool to attract traffic and capture leads. After all, an effective marketing program will generate quality traffic and capture qualified leads. Your marketing program should
- drive traffic to your website;
- effectively convert web traffic to customers; and
- generate leads and prospects.
Your team will then take those leads and prospects and convert them into sales. Lead management is an essential component of your marketing program.
Each element of your strategy must work effectively with, and reinforce, the others. You must design and build your website so both consumers and the search engines can find it. You need a strong search engine optimization (SEO) and social media marketing program with the right keywords. Additionally, make sure you include blogging, online public relations, social networking, and bookmarking in your tactics. Ensure local search sites include positive information and recommendations for your company. You need to be everywhere your buyers might be and provide opportunities for your marketing team to communicate regularly and directly with prospects by e-mail, text messages, and social networks. Position advertising, whether online or elsewhere, to attract attention and include a call to action consumers will respond to. Finally, include tracking devices for determining what works and what doesn’t so you can adjust your strategy to be more effective.
Make sure that as you look at your Internet Marketing Toolbox for 2012 that these components are included:
• Website and/or blog
• Keyword strategy
• SEO
• Microblogs
• Social networks
• Local search sites
• Online PR
• Photo sharing
• Video syndication
• Social bookmarking
• Search marketing
• Internet advertising
• Lead management
• CRM
• E-mail marketing
• Website tracking
• Search engine rank tracking
If you need assistance putting your plan together, contact the team at mRELEVANCE, we can help!
mRELEVANCE Wins OBIE Award for Traton Homes Blog
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mRELEVANCE won a Gold OBIE Award for Traton Homes blog – www.TratonHomesBlog.com. Named Best Interactive Marketing Tool at the OBIE Awards Gala held at the Cobb Galleria on Nov. 12.
The Traton Homes blog keeps homebuyers abreast of community news, local events and special promotions. The blog includes a featured home, as well as video posts where homebuyers can get a detailed peek at a specific community.
Kimberly Garwood Marketing Manager for Traton Homes comments, “We are so honored to share this award for our blog with the dynamic team at mRELEVANCE. They are truly the best at what they do and are dedicated to delivering smart, relevant programs that maximize results!”
Carol Flammer managing partner for mRELEVANCE said, “Traton Homes does a great job of keeping potential buyers and agent up-to-date on their latest news through the blog. We are thrilled to be recognized by our peers and the home building industry for our work on this site.”
This is the fourth consecutive year that mRELEVANCE has won OBIEs for award-winning Internet marketing. In 2008 the agency won Best E-Marketing – Best Interactive Application for its Heron Bay Golf and Country Club campaign. The agency was recognized in 2009 for Best Interactive Application for Atlanta’s favorite news blog, www.AtlantaRealEstateForum.com. In 2010 mRELEVANCE won awards for the Bowen Family Homes blog and Circle 75 Townhomes.
The Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association’s OBIE Awards celebrates its 31th anniversary in 2011. The awards began in 1980 and have grown throughout the years to now feature more than 100 building, remodeling, marketing and personal achievement categories. The OBIE Awards, named after the obelisk shape of the actual award given, are the premier awards in of Atlanta’s residential building industry. To see more OBIE award winners, visit www.AtlantaRealEstateForum.com/OBIEs.
For more information on launching an effective internet marketing program for your company, contact mRELEVANCE.
Integrated Marketing Plan Connects Builder to Homebuyers
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mRELEVANCE, LLC is pleased to announce the launch of the new Signature Homes blog, http://signaturehomesblog.com. This highly optimized blog serves as a source of information for homebuyers and real estate agents in the Bay Area and Sacramento region, and is at the core of the overall social media marketing strategy created for the Northern California builder by the mRELEVANCE team. In addition to the blog, the Signature Homes social media program includes Facebook, Twitter and YouTube components.
“We worked closely with the mRELEVANCE team to develop our new and improved blog, and are pleased with the results,” said Charlie Roter, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Signature Homes. “The current blog enhances our social media presence and provides a fun and interactive way to connect with our homebuyers.”
The Signature Homes blog is fully integrated with the builder’s website and other social media accounts including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
Visitors can use the blog’s interactive map to find townhome, condo and single-family home communities, as well as information about each community, builder news and special offers and promotions.
“The blog is a key component of Signature Homes’ social media program, and helps engage prospective buyers and agents with the organization’s brand,” said mRELEVANCE managing partner, Mitch Levinson. “The Signature Homes blog is a great addition to the builder’s website, allowing the builder to provide in-depth stories in a conversational tone about its communities and the homeowners themselves. This gives prospective buyers insight into what it is like to own a Signature Home.”
For more information on how you can take your home builder marketing to the next level with an integrated approach to blogging, social marketing and search engine optimization, contact mRELEVANCE.
mRELEVANCE Develops Search for Homes Tab on Acadia’s Facebook Page
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Looking for cool, new Facebook functionality? We are pleased to announce our development of a new Search for Homes tab on Acadia Homes and Neighborhoods’ Facebook page. With this tab, Facebook users can quickly and easily search for available Acadia homes by price point, county, home type and community without even leaving Facebook. In addition, users have easy access to Acadia’s website and contact form.
“The new tab will allow buyers to search for available homes easier and faster,” stated Sam Bass, vice president of sales and marketing at Acadia Homes and Neighborhoods. “We hope users find the home of their dreams and find out more information about us on our social media pages and website.”
“We developed the Facebook Search for Homes tab in order to help buyers search for homes on the social media platform that they use the most, Facebook. These active listings pull directly from the database on their website, so they will always be current and accurate,” stated Mitch Levinson, managing partner of mRELEVANCE. “While users are on Acadia’s fan page and thinking about homes, they can search without having to leave the site.”
mRELEVANCE offers a variety of marketing services including Internet marketing, website development, search engine optimization, social media and public relations.
With offices in Atlanta and Chicago, mRELEVANCE can connect your company with buyers and build relevant relationships nationwide. For more information or to contact us, visit www.mRELEVANCE.com, Like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/mRELEVANCE, Follow us on Twitter at @mRELEVANCE or call 770-383-3360 or 847-259-7312.
Selling Books Website Interviews Carol Flammer
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Although many builders, real estate agents, remodelers and other small business owners may be a bit apprehensive about diving into social media and creating an online presence for their organization, Carol Flammer reminds home builders and others that social media is “Easier than You Think.”
In a recent interview with Cathy Stucker of Selling Books, Carol discusses her first book, “Social Media for Home Builders: It’s Easier Than You Think” and how all businesses can use it to enhance or begin a social media program from the ground up.
In the interview, Carol explains her inspiration for writing the book, how she came up with the title and the obstacles she encountered while describing the best practices for social media. She also gives insight to the writing process by sharing her rituals, advice to aspiring writers and what she would do differently if given the chance.
Social Media for Home Builders 2.0 is on the press right now. You can already order this updated, bigger and better version of it from BuilderBooks.
To read Cathy Stucker’s interview with Carol visit the Selling Books website. For more information on top-selling author and marketing consultant, Carol Flammer or her book, visit the mRELEVANCE website, Carol Flammer.com or find Carol on LinkedIn.
What Should My Marketing Plan Include?
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There are so many choices today for where to spend marketing dollars, it is really not surprising that small businesses often ask us, “What should my marketing plan include?” Because we get this question a lot, we thought it would make a great blog post. Here are our top picks for what your marketing strategy should include in 2011. Even if you can not afford all of these in your budget, your marketing strategy should contain several of them. From the mRELEVANCE team, 15 marketing strategies for your 2011 marketing plan:
- A search engine optimized website
- Ongoing SEO (search engine optimization) and/ or PPC (pay per click
- Fresh website content – new specials, meaningful incentives, etc.
- Public relations – both online and traditional
- Local search – from a Google place page to FourSquare, Patch, Yelp, etc.
- Social media sites, a strategy and fresh content – the basic four are a blog, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
- Email newsletter – this is easier than ever if you have a blog
- Referral and/or Rewards program for existing clients
- Ads or articles in publications in target market
- Mobile-friendly website (i.e. NO flash)
- QR codes or Text
- Partnerships with relevant businesses (i.e. a gym and a smoothie company can offer dual discounts or share ad space)
- Reputation management and monitoring – set Google alerts, respond to negative comments on review sites such as Yelp, Google, etc.
- Social couponing – we love using coupons that we find on social media sites, of course you can still use newsletters and circulars too.
- Landing pages – this provides you with an excellent way to track and capture traffic on your website.
Let us know if you have others to add, or need help with any of these! Please comment, we love comments!
