The Most Important Aspect of Google Search Is…Timing
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If I don’t know the answer to something, my first instinct is to ask people around me. And if they don’t know the answer, they usually reply, “Look it up.” In recent years, this oft-used phrase has been replaced by an even simpler one: “Google it.”
Google has worked hard to become the place people go to for search results. It has tweaked algorithm after algorithm to bring you the most comprehensive collection of information relevant to your query. Unfortunately, this all-encompassing nature is sometimes a severe disadvantage. A student writing an essay on the Civil War won’t care if the top search result is from 2001 or 2011 – the facts are still the same. However, someone looking for ways to change page settings on Facebook will find that results from 2010 or even early 2011 are already obsolete.
In the ever-changing world of technology, obsolescence is damning. It might not be so bad for Google if not for the popularity of other sites that provide up-to-date information. Twitter, Facebook and and Bing have all made strives to provide real-time search results.
According to a recent New York Times article, Google is making changes to its search algorithm to produce timelier results. The new algorithm should affect roughly 35 percent of all searches.
“Depending on the search terms, the algorithm needs to be able to figure out if a result from a week ago about a TV show is recent, or if a result from a week ago about breaking news is too old,” said Amit Singhal, a Google fellow working on the algorithm. “This algorithmic improvement is designed to better understand how to differentiate between these kinds of searches and the level of freshness you need.”
Google is constantly making changes to its search algorithm to provide users with the most relevant search results possible. Although you may not have some complicated formula for creating content, you could still take a page from Google and apply it to your company blog or website. Consistently creating new and varied online content will let your readers know that you’re still relevant and timely.
If you need help creating fresh content for your blog or website, please contact mRELEVANCE at 770-383-3360.
Just Let Your Fingers Do the Walking. . .
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Remember the old jingle to “let your fingers do the walking” its a snap? Our fingers are still doing the walking, but it certainly isn’t in a printed phone book. A recent survey from Yelp! shows that only 24% of business owners consider the yellow page phone books relevant today. Business owners believe that only a very few customers find them by looking in a yellow page phone book. Instead business owners say that their customers’ fingers are doing the walking on keyboards, tablets and smartphones as consumers turn toward online and mobile directories to find businesses.
Online Search
With 85% of shoppers using Google, Yahoo!, Bing, or another search engine to start their online searches, a sound search engine optimization or social media optimization plan starts with identifying the search terms buyers use to find you or companies like yours online. Next, you integrate these search terms as keywords into your blog posts, online public relations, and other online content you post as part of your social media marketing program. When these keywords are used as anchor text, search engines will identify your site as relevant for these words and phrases.
You must think like a search engine. This is especially important when blogging and posting to social media sites. One place to look to see how Internet shoppers are finding your website is in your analytics account. Yikes! If you don’t have an analytics account, then set one up immediately for both your website and blog. Google Analytics is free, but there are many other programs (both free and paid) available. You may be using Yahoo, Webtrends, Allstats, and or Urchin.
Make sure that your business is reaching today’s consumers where they start their searches for products and services – online.
If you need help with your interactive marketing including search engine optimization, contact mRELEVANCE, we can help!
Prices are Falling on Facebook
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Fall is in the air and the leaves are starting to fall. However, leaves aren’t the only things falling this month. So are the prices on Move In Ready homes at Geordan Communities in Auburn and Dothan, Ala. This builder has found a creative way to showcase home discounts through social media marketing on Facebook.
When you like this home builder on Facebook – www.Facebook.com/GeordanCommunities – you will receive random cost savings offers throughout October. If you want offers from them but don’t want to fan them on Facebook, just send them an email at info@GeordanCommunities.com to be added to the email list.
Geordan Communities is known for luxury at a price you can afford. They take this a step further with the specials and deals they ore offering. Here are a few of the recent ones that you still have time to act on.
The Christal at Southern Hills is located at 42 Riverbirch Lane on lot 37C in Dothan, Ala. This home is in Rehobeth School District. With an accepted contract by Oct. 26 Geordan Communities will reduce the price to $197,200 and offer the following:
- Seller will pay up to $5,000 closing cost
- FREE pack and move (up to 30 miles)
- FREE fence
- FREE lawn maintenance for one year (which is a pretty big deal since it is a large yard)
Another Geordan Communities homes is located in Auburn at Stone Creek. They are offering a special Facebook only price on lot 2B the Chesapeake. Get this house for a special price of $255,900 (instead of $269,800). Best of all the seller will pay up to $5,000 for closing costs and include FREE pack and move (up to 30 miles). This home needs to have an accepted contract by October 23 using a preferred lender and their closing attorney.
If you are looking for a new home special in Auburn or Dothan, Ala. “like” Geordan Communities. If you are looking for a marketing firm to manage your social media marketing, contact mRELEVANCE.
Google+ is Now Open to Everyone
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Google+ is now open to everyone! Look for the blue arrow on Google’s home page, it will walk you through signing up. After being an exclusive invite only site since July, this new social media site has fully launched its beta version to the public.
According to Mashable, Google’s Vic Gundotra wrote on the official company blog, “We’re ready to move from field trial to beta, and introduce our 100th feature: open signups.”
Did you know that 99 improvements were made on Google+ during this field trial? Crazy!
These improvements included the ability to use Google+ Hangouts (which are way better than Skype, in my opinion) on Android devices. Gundotra stated, “We think Hangouts should keep pace with how you socialize in the real-world.”
In addition, Google+ now includes search. Not having a good search option was one of the weak points of the site, but now users can easily find people and look up different topics. Plus, you can search through Google+ and web content.
If you were one of the original Google+ users, you may remember that the site was all of the rage when it first launched. Since then, Facebook has revamped to include features that were unique to Google+. Facebook has even made changes to the News Feed and Friend Lists to make them function more like Google+ Circles.
However, since everyone can now sign up for Google+, including more of your friends, family members and co-workers, maybe the site will be the next Facebook. Who knows!
If you need help navigating through the Google+ world, be sure to click here. Once you sign up, make sure to connect with mRELEVANCE founders, Mitch Levinson and Carol Flammer. Also, contact the team at mRELEVANCE for all of your social media marketing and search engine optimization needs.
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.
Social Marketing Program Launched for Ashton Woods Homes
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mRELEVANCE, LLC is pleased to announce the launch of the social media marketing program for Atlanta division of Ashton Woods Homes. With an expanded online footprint, the builder hopes to connect with potential homebuyers. The new program includes a custom blog – www.AshtonWoodsAtlantaBlog.com – developed by the mRELEVANCE team that serves as the heart of the program. Other components include Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
“Our new blog gives our team additional ways to connect with potential homebuyers,” said Dwayne Hill, vice president of sales and marketing for Ashton Woods Homes. “We will share community news such as new models, talk about design trends and let our homebuyers know when we offer money-saving incentives.”
“The Ashton Woods Homes social media program is an extension of their online presence,” said Carol Flammer, managing partner with mRELEVANCE. “Having social media sites in addition to a website is a great way to keep prospective buyers and homeowners engaged with the builder as well as the communities they live in.
mRELEVANCE offers a variety of blog solutions for businesses from basic blogs to completely custom themed sites. By leveraging years of experience in Internet marketing and blogging, mRELEVANCE is able to effectively build and launch blogs for clients that immediately show return on investment. Contact mRELEVANCE today to find out how to build an effective online marketing program.
21st Century Show in Charlotte
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mRELEVANCE founders are headed to Charlotte, NC this week to the 21st Century Building Expo & Conference. The expo is held at the Charlotte Convention Center, and offers an exceptional line-up of courses and seminars for the home building industry. Carol Flammer and Mitch Levinson will present three seminars geared towards the sales and marketing professional. We hope that you will make plans to join us at the conference. Our seminars cover a wide range of topics from selling to women, to hot marketing commodities to using social media to market your homes. Here’s the line up:
- Sisterhood of the Traveling Laptop
- The 11 Hottest Marketing Commodities of 2011
- Friend, Fan, Follow or Fail: Discover the Basics of Social Networking
With over 50 seminars and courses to choose from, there is something for every home building industry professional. Register for General Session Seminars ($85 for unlimited sessions, plus lunches) by visiting http://nchba.expotracker.net.
SPECIAL PROMO: Enter EMKT and receive $10 off. This code makes the Expo Floor Only badge free or takes $10 off your conference fees.
Questions about the 21st Century Building Expo & Conference? Contact 1-800-662-7129 or 21buildingexpo@nchba.org.
Levinson Named to NAHB Business Management & Information Technology Committee
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Mitch Levinson, managing partner of mRELEVANCE, has been appointed as a board member of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Business Management & Information Technology Committee.
The Business Management & Information Technology Committee sponsors business-related research, resources and educational events with the goal of improving business performance for builders. The committee is dedicated to helping members succeed, offering insight into managing businesses more efficiently, professionally and profitably.
As a member of the NAHB committee, Levinson will bring expertise in both real estate and Internet marketing. He is the founder and president of MLC New Home Marketing and MLC Flatfee Realty and has consulted with numerous national home builders, helping them become more efficient and successful. Levinson is also a managing partner of mRELEVANCE, an Internet marketing, social media and public relations firm that creates programs designed to enhance consumer action and interaction. Being a member of the Business Management & Information Technology Committee allows Levinson to combine two of his greatest interests.
“I am honored that the NAHB has appointed me to the board of this committee,” said Levinson. “This appointment will give me the opportunity to share my expertise with a wider audience and help companies use technology and the internet to be more effective. I’m happy to do whatever I can to help members be successful.”
For more information on how mRELEVANCE can help your business to succeed online, contact us!
mRELEVANCE Builds Blog for Premier Communities
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mRELEVANCE, LLC recently launched a new blog for Washington state builder Premier Communities. The blog – http://PremierCommunitiesBlog.com – is the core of the overall social media marketing strategy created for the builder by the mRELEVANCE team.
“The mRELEVANCE team’s expertise has really helped to jump-start our social marketing program,” said Marisa Thorson, marketing director with Premier Communities. “Our new blog is a great way to bring our communities to life on the Internet and engage with our homebuyers!”
Premier Communities’ blog is fully integrated with its website and other social media accounts including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Flickr, Stumble Upon and YouTube.
Visitors will be able to get news from every Premier Communities neighborhood under the “Locations” tab. The “Testimonials” tab is a feature that will give blog visitors an idea about what homebuyers love best about living in a Premier Communities home.
“Premier’s blog is a key component of the builder’s social media plan,” said mRELEVANCE managing partner, Carol Flammer. “Having a blog in addition to a website is a great way to keep prospective buyers and homeowners engaged with their homebuilder as well as the community they live in.”
Premier Communities has been building homes in the Washington area since 1998. The builder has communities in Puyallup, Lacey, Olympia and near Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Premier is dedicated to providing buyers with affordable pricing without compromising quality and continually works to enhance its homes features.
