You are here: Home / Internet

Awesome Free Tools from Google

August 27, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I am becoming more and more a fan of Google.  They are contantly coming up with new tools and they are FREE!  How awesome is that?  And Google is constantly looking to improve and offer more.  Some of my favorite tools are:

Google Docs – You can create documents (similar to Word), spreadsheets, and presentations.  you can easily invite others by email to have access to the documents you create.  They can be set up with  access to view the document or to edit the document.  If you have multiple people working on 1 project, this is a great way to keep 1 copy of the document, while allowing changes from everyone.

Google Docs Templates – within Google Docs there is a templates section with tons of ready made templates.  From resumes to household budgets.

Google Notebook – this is so cool.  You set up a notebook and a “note this” button is added to your toolbar.  When you are surfing the web, and want to note a website or some text – just hit the “note this” button and it is saved to your notebook.  This is great for doing research, or just to note a website you run across, and want to remember.

Google Alerts – set up alerts for your business, or any other terms that are relevant to your business and target market.  You recieve a daily emaily notifying you when those terms come up in the news or blogs.

Google Forms – This is part of Google Docs and is an easy way to create a survey, or any type of information form.  You can then email the finished document.  Just go to Google Docs, Click on the New drop down menu and choose Forms – that simple!

These are the tools I use most often from Google.  They are useful, easy to use, and free – what more can you ask for?

Share and Enjoy:
  • Print
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Blogplay
  • Twitter
Filed Under: Internet Tagged With: ,

How can Builders use Twitter?

August 17, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I previously posted about the basics of Twitter.  Now, I am going to share some ideas on how builders can use Twitter for their business.  Twitter is such a great tool to share information.  And there is a ton of information related to homes and homebuilding.  You should be sure to not only post information related to your company, but to also include information your target audience would find interesting.  Provide valuable, interesting content and your Twitter following will grow.  Talk to the different departments about what information they have to share.  You can become a great resource for potential homebuyers by continuing to provide new and helpful information.

1.  Share links to your most recent blog posts.  There are ways to automatically post your new blog entries to your Twitter account.

2.  Share your Press Releases.  Any time you have a press release, post a link on your website and post a link on Twitter.

3.  Promote your events, such as Grand Openings, Model Openings, Sales Promotions.

4.  Run a contest – by running a contest, you can get your followers involved and connect with them.  Be creative and think outside of the box.

5.  Share information related to homebuilding, links to articles and other information about the industry.

6.  Share tips on the care and maintenance of your homes.  Get your customer service department involved.

7.  Answer questions from current and potential customers.

8.  Share new products or floorplans.

9.  Post home design ideas.  You can share links on Kitchen design, or selecting cabinets, or how to inexpensively decorate your family room, etc.

10.  Post links about what is happening in the neighborhoods you build in.  Maybe there is a Farmers Market, or a local fair.

11.  Provide information and links to restaurants located in the neighborhoods you build in.

12.  Have your design center share information on choosing the decor and products for homes.

Participation is very important when using Twitter.  You want to provide valuable content for your followers.  These are just a few ideas for ways you can use Twitter.  But there is no right or wrong way to use the tool, so start to think outside of the box.  Think about the valuable information you can provide and start to share!

Share and Enjoy:
  • Print
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Blogplay
  • Twitter
Filed Under: Homebuilding, Internet Tagged With: , ,

Using the Web for Contractors and Builders: What is Twitter?

August 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Fotolia_13744139_XS
You have no doubt heard of Twitter, whether on CNN, a Sprint commercial, or even a recent Best Buy commercial.  You know it is growing rapidly.  But, you may not know how Twitter can be useful for you.  When you first join, it is a little overwhelming and confusing.  As you continue to use Twitter and participate by sharing thoughts or interesting articles, you will begin to get how it works.  Twitter may not be for everyone, and many feel it is too time consuming.  I feel it can be an extremely useful tool to get your name out there.  Since it is free, what have you got to lose?
First, what is Twitter?  Here are some of the basics.  It is a micro-blogging site, where you are asked the question “what are you doing?” and given 140 characters to answer.  You will follow other people on twitter and this simply means you can see what they are posting.  Other users will follow you; therefore they can see everything you are posting.  The more you participate, the more followers you will gather.
Some of the other terms and usages are the @ reply, the re-tweet, and a direct message or DM.  If you post a tweet using @username, then you are replying to that user. And this is called an @ reply.  A re-tweet is a post using RT and is simply repeating another user’s tweet.  If someone has posted something you agree with or find interesting, you can re-tweet it to share it with your followers.   A direct message is a message sent to another user that is only seen by that user.  So it will not show up to your other followers.
It is important to approach Twitter with a plan.  There are many useful tools to help you manage your Twitter account.  I use Tweetdeck.  Tweetdeck is a free desktop twitter tool.  You can create columns and group together your followers, see your @ replies and see your DMs.  You can also easily reply or re-tweet others from Tweetdeck.  Tweetdeck also now allows you to manage multiple twitter accounts.  There are other tools like Seesmic, as well as many programs available for your phone.  I highly recommend finding one of these tools that you like and using it.  It is much easier to manage Twitter this way.
It is easy to get lost in twitterland.  So decide when and how often you will spend time on Twitter and stick to it.  If you are using one of the above mentioned tools, you won’t miss any mentions or @ replies.  You can commit to getting on for an hour in the morning, respond to any mentions and post or re-tweet some new information.  If you stick to a plan, twitter won’t seem as overwhelming or time consuming.
That is the quick version of what Twitter is.  My next post will be some ideas for how builders and contractors can use Twitter.

Fotolia_13744139_XSYou have no doubt heard of Twitter, whether on CNN, a Sprint commercial, or even a recent Best Buy commercial.  You know it is growing rapidly.  But, you may not know how Twitter can be useful for you.  When you first join, it is a little overwhelming and confusing.  As you continue to use Twitter and participate by sharing thoughts or interesting articles, you will begin to get how it works.  Twitter may not be for everyone, and many feel it is too time consuming.  I feel it can be an extremely useful tool to get your name out there.  Since it is free, what have you got to lose?

First, what is Twitter?  Here are some of the basics.  It is a micro-blogging site, where you are asked the question “what are you doing?” and given 140 characters to answer.  You will follow other people on twitter and this simply means you can see what they are posting.  Other users will follow you; therefore they can see everything you are posting.  The more you participate, the more followers you will gather.

Some of the other terms and usages are the @ reply, the re-tweet, and a direct message or DM.  If you post a tweet using @username, then you are replying to that user. And this is called an @ reply.  A re-tweet is a post using RT and is simply repeating another user’s tweet.  If someone has posted something you agree with or find interesting, you can re-tweet it to share it with your followers.   A direct message is a message sent to another user that is only seen by that user.  So it will not show up to your other followers.

It is important to approach Twitter with a plan.  There are many useful tools to help you manage your Twitter account.  I use Tweetdeck.  Tweetdeck is a free desktop twitter tool.  You can create columns and group together your followers, see your @ replies and see your DMs.  You can also easily reply or re-tweet others from Tweetdeck.  Tweetdeck also now allows you to manage multiple twitter accounts.  There are other tools like Seesmic, as well as many programs available for your phone.  I highly recommend finding one of these tools that you like and using it.  It is much easier to manage Twitter this way.

It is easy to get lost in twitterland.  So decide when and how often you will spend time on Twitter and stick to it.  If you are using one of the above mentioned tools, you won’t miss any mentions or @ replies.  You can commit to getting on for an hour in the morning, respond to any mentions and post or re-tweet some new information.  If you stick to a plan, twitter won’t seem as overwhelming or time consuming.

That is the quick version of what Twitter is.  My next post will be some ideas for how builders and contractors can use Twitter.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Print
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Blogplay
  • Twitter
Filed Under: Homebuilding, Internet Tagged With: , ,

Start a Design Center Blog

July 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I have previously discussed the benefits of having a blog.  Blogs can be very helpful for your customers and potential customers.  For home builders who utilize a design center, a Design Center blog  is a great way to prepare buyers for the design center experience and educate them.  Buyers can be excited and intimidated by the design center experience.  For some, it is overwhelming to have so many choices.  A blog is a great way to share information and to help buyers before they come to the design center.  As well as helping potential buyers make the decision to purchase.  Below are some ideas for design center blog posts:

1.  Maintenance Tips – Share care and maintenance tips for the products you offer, as well as standard features.

2.  New Products – use blog posts to share new product offerings, colors, and styles.

3.  Frequently Asked Questions – Answer questions that come up over and over again.  This will be very helpful for new and potential buyers.

4.  Interior Design Tips – share design ideas.  Your designers are the experts, have them offer some easy design tips.  Keep your buyers imagining their house as a home.

5.  Share benefits of the products your offer – write a blog post on the benefits of energy star appliances or an upgraded carpet.  Start the education process early!

6.  Do product spotlights – for example, write a post about tile, include advantages, disadvantages, style and usage tips, maintenance information.

A design center blog gives you the opportunity to prepare your buyers for the design center process, and to educate them on all of the products in their home.  It also gives you the chance to connect with your buyers and keep them interested and excited about their new home purchase.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Print
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Blogplay
  • Twitter
Filed Under: Blogs, Design Center, Homebuilding, Internet Tagged With: , ,