The Agent Spring Blog by Jon Varsano is going on hiatus but the blogging is not over. It has been reactivated at my new blog at http://www.webretool.com/blog

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I know that it's been a while since I have made a real estate marketing post, but I'm working on a new concept for 2010. In the meantime, for those of you who want to know a little bit more about me, I have redesigned my personal website. Please visit at www.jonvarsano.com

How to Launch Your Real Estate Website
Free Techniques
1. Add website address to existing marketing materials (business cards, signs, stationary, brochures, fliers, postcards, newspaper/magazine ads, bus stop benches, and other promotional items.)
2. Add website address to your profile on Social Networks (Facebook, Linked-In, Twitter, Active Rain, MySpace, Plaxo, etc.)
3. Update Brokerage Company Website Agent Roster with your website address
4. Add your business and website info to Google and Yahoo (Google Local & Yahoo Local )Read more

After taking much of summer off from Blogging, I have returned with some recession busting marketing tips for the real estate agent who is trying to stretch their dollar during these tough times. Lots of marketing on the internet is free, but it takes time and technical expertise, so let's start off with the stuff that free and easy.

ABSOLUTELY FREE MARKETING: Integrate Your Website Address into your Existing Marketing
- Business Cards
- Fliers
- Post Cards
- Letterhead
- Outdoor Signage
- Newspaper & Magazine Ads
- Bus Stop BenchesRead more

Many agents and I have to admit designers as well have lost sight of the basics of a real estate agent personal business website. Having been swept up by catch phrases like Web 2.0 and 3.0, social networking, blogs, and Twitter, real estate professionals have ignored the primary function and goal of the website. The ultimate objective for agents is to close transactions for the maximum long term pay out to them. Captured leads, cultivating new prospects, and showcasing listings and expertise are the main ways a real estate website does this.Read more

Twitter has been in the news quite a bit lately with the protests in Iran, politicians and celebrities, trying to get their message out, and news reporters seeking a new means of communication. Most business people including real estate professionals are wondering how they can take advantage of Twitter. I'll have to admit it, I didn't think Twitter was such a big deal when it first started. After all, it was basically text messages in 140 characters or less to a public website.Read more

Email Marketing is one of the most underutilized internet tools at a Realtor's disposal. Today, just about everyone sends email for business and/or personal reasons, so they assume that they are utilize it effectively. However, sending email correspondence with a collegue or client is far different from an email marketing campaign. Also, sending a text email advertising a new listing to a contact list through gmail is not the same as sending an HTML email campaign through an email marketing service or email marketing software.Read more

Generating a lead from your website is generally a long process that requires both patience and perseverance from the real estate agent. I am surprised by the amount of agents that believe an attractive and functional website will magically generate quality leads for them. Building an interesting and informative website is a starting point and not the final step in creating a self-perpetuating money maker.
Read more

PLEASE VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE REAL ESTATE WEBSITE!

Any real estate agent with an email address is inundated with solitications from Search Engine Marketing companies promises to get them to the top of Google for a small fee. Many agents roll the dice and blindly hire these Search Engine "experts" to magically get their site to the top of the search engines. Yes, they usually are successful at putting your ad near the top of the Google, Yahoo, or MSN sponsored results. For those of you not familar with the difference between sponsored (or pay per click) results and organic results, one cost money and one is free.Read more