Using Web 2.0 Tools to Reach, Recruit and Retain Clients

e-Mail Strategies by Mike Barnett

RISMEDIA, January 21, 2009-In today’s rather soft real estate economy, real estate professionals have to make extra efforts to explore Web 2.0 tools in order to reach, recruit and retain customers and clients.

Web 2.0 tools are an excellent way to accomplish our goals and to collaborate (digitally). For the purposes of this article, Web 2.0 collaborative tools include blogs, groups and communities. Each of these Web 2.0 tools has its own feature set, which makes it possible to collaborate (communicate) more clearly and consistently.

What are the different features you should be looking for?

First, you will definitely want a Web interface so you can view and administrate your Web 2.0 tools from any Internet connection. In addition, you will want to have a password-protected admin area that only you (or whom you appoint) can manage the tools for you.

E-mail should be a consideration-does the content get sent out by e-mail to the members and/or do you require someone to log on to view the content?

- Do you want your Web 2.0 tools to be “private” or “public” (or maybe a combination of both)?
- Once someone gets to your Web 2.0 tools, is it private and do they need to log on with credentials (username/password), or is it public (anyone can see it?) or maybe you want a combination of both?
- Are you given the opportunity to upload and place and use your logo (or moniker) within your different Web 2.0 tools so you can brand these tools to you and/or your company, team, etc.?
- Can you easily upload all your contacts (sphere of influence) from your current favorite contact manager to the Web 2.0 tools so you can easily invite all (or some) of your contacts to join your Web 2.0 tools?
- Do you have an area to easily upload files and images to share within your Web 2.0 tools?
- Are RSS feeds available for you and your visitors to use if they choose to?
- When someone is viewing a posting, can they “star” it (make it a favorite) to make it easier to review and/or share with others in the future?
- Can you create your complete “profile” page and have it (and all your other tools) ranked with Google?
- Are your listings on your profile page?
- Will the tools be found by Google so you will receive SEO ranking?

At RealTown.com you can get all of these tools and features, plus more, at no cost.

Mike Barnett is CTO/VP of Technology for InternetCrusade’s RealTown.com.

For more information, please visit www.realtown.com or e-mail Mike@MikeBarnett.com.

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