Browsing the blog archives for February, 2009

Earth Hour 2009

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Environment, News

Earth Hour is gaining popularity every year. This March 28th from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm the world will unite in an initiative to save energy by shutting the lights. 2007 was the first time the event took place with 2.2 million Australians went without power for one hour. In 2008, over 50 million people in more than 370 cities world wide participated. We are approaching the third year; which is anticipated to be the most successful year yet. The World Wildlife Foundation thinks over 1 billion people in 70 countries are expected to participate this year.

Support is there; showing that people care. Will this be enough to show politicians and corporations that the public wants them to take environmental initiatives seriously? Or is this a minimalistic effort by consumers to ease their guilt over unfriendly practises year round?  Will you participate? If yes, why?

BC Real Estate Convention 2009 Spring

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News

BC Real Estate Convention 2009 Spring

Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre
999 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC
Ballroom A, B, C

Date                                      Exhibit Hours             Seminar Hours
February 25th & 26th 2009     10:00am – 6:00pm     10:45am – 5:30pm

The 4th annual BC Real Estate Convention 2009 Spring show. As the only real estate show in Western Canada, it will cover all aspects the BC real estate market and industry. Due to popular demand the show is extended from 1 to 2 days this year. Admission and Seminars are free. There will be influential 10 seminar speakers. The Convention is an excellent open forum with a variety of information on real estate-related topics.

Featured exhibitors include:

  • Municipalities,
  • Insurance companies,
  • Developers,
  • Home Inspectors,
  • Real Estate Brokerages,
  • Home Staging Companies,
  • Financial Institutions,
  • Law Firms,
  • Accounting Firms,
  • Real Estate Agents,
  • Real Estate Associations and others.

www.bcrealestateconvention.com

Tibetan Sand Mandala Cultural Exhibit at Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden

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News, Vancouver

A delegation of 5 Tibetan Monks, led by the Venerable Lophon Jampa Sopa, a master in Buddhist Mandala Arts. A portion of proceeds donated to the monastery.

From Tuesday, February 24, 2009 to Saturday, February 28, 2009 @ 10am-4pm.

Also on display: traditional Tibetan thankas by Kalsang Dawa.

Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden
578 Carrall Street in Vancouver’s Chinatown
www.dzongkarmandalatour.org

Luxury Home Tours in the British Properties

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Home Staging, Photography, Real-Estate, Vancouver, Video Tours

Take a look at a few of the luxury homes for sale in the British Properties.

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Tour this luxury home provided by Julie Miller of Prudential Sussex Realty.

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Tour this luxury home provided by Charles Bilash of Century 21 In Town Realty.

Social Networking for Business?

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Helpful Tips, News, Technology

Are social networking site worth advertising on? The premise of social networking is to unite individuals and expand their associations. Many people see it as a personal marketing opportunity. Large well branded companies have been effectively using this medium for years. Should businesses of all sizes use this forum to connect to their customer contacts?

Connecting consumers with other consumers means they can:

  • See who their contacts trust.
  • Endorse companies they like.
  • Easily discuss topics.
  • Quickly share information.

Social marketing creates a forum for mixed medium marketing combining audio, video, and text. Statistics show that businesses embracing social marketing effectively are reaping the rewards through sales, leads, or increased awareness.

Social marketing helps businesses:

  • Build customer relationships.
  • Acquire vital customer information.
  • Perform market research and customer qualification.
  • Direct and retain traffic in a cost effective, manageable way.
  • Create a community around customers.
  • Targeting specific groups.

Customers:

  • Are actively engaged.
  • Have a channel to voice opinions.
  • Join with a related community.
  • Tap into the collective wisdom.
  • Listen to their network.

Interacting with the social collective on Social Networking sites is very beneficial for businesses looking to increase and maintain their client base. Consider your audience and objectives when you evaluate if this is the right channel for your business’ branding.  So many consumers are out there searching for information. Are they finding yours?

Is Social Networking a useful tool for your business? Has your network expanded since marketing on Social Networking sites? What is working for your business?

Luxury Homes in Shaughnessy

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Home Staging, Photography, Real-Estate, Vancouver, Video Tours

Take a look at a few of the luxury homes for sale in Shaughnessy BC.

5326 Connaught Drive, Vancouver West

Tour this luxury home provided by Tom Gradecak of WESTSIDE Tom Gradecak Realty.

1712 Cedar Crescent, Vancouver West

Tour this luxury home provided by Rosalee Mcrae of RE/MAX Select Properties.

1757 West 40th Avenue, Vancouver West

Tour this luxury home provided by Claire Rockel of Macdonald Realty Ltd.

Do you check your download stats?

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Helpful Tips, Services, Technology

We all want to maximize our marketing effectiveness. We have found it helps to understand the full results of your efforts by analyzing your download stats. Making decisions based on accurate information collected monthly has allowed us to react to trends quickly and get the most out of our budget. We regularly check our video and photo download stats, which are traceable on some sites. They provide valuable information. We then prepare monthly reports with the information to strategize for the next month.

Attracting multiple buyers is central in this real estate market. There are many types of web campaigns you can launch. Many people find it best to advertise a large variety of social networking, video and classified websites. A real estate transaction only really needs one buyer. It can be hard to tell where the candidate will come from or even where they do eventually come from.

Agents who send their listings over a variety of distribution channels are staying ahead of the crowd. This is a key time to make sure your listing get an extra edge. Initial spending during the listing process can reduce listing time while attracting multiple interested buyers.

So many buyers come via the internet, because of how well your listings show virtually. They come without being prompted by personal interaction, based on decisions made quickly. The houses that have been selling have been selling fast according to Dave Watt, Real Estate Board President. The efficiency of using professional quality video and photos and posting them across the largest network possible is well documented, although some types of properties are better served by target specific campaigns.

How are you making decisions regarding marketing your listings? Are you using your stats to guide you or are you taking direction from previous successes? Have you been extending your reach effectively? What has been working for you?