Clean Your Social Media House in 2012
By Stefanie Hahn
Make a New Year’s resolution to better manage your name and online reputation. The first step is to figure out which social media platforms work best for you and your business. Check out my video to learn more.
Stefanie Hahn is the education director for Coldwell Banker Hearthside, REALTORS® in Collegeville, Pa. Visit her Web site: www.StefanieHahn.com.

Stefanie Hahn
By Stefanie Hahn
Learn to embrace online agent ranking and review sites by staying informed and engaged. It’s all about reputation management, and this tutorial will give you a few tips on getting started.
Stefanie Hahn is the education director for Coldwell Banker Hearthside, REALTORS® in Malvern, Pa. Visit her Web site: www.StefanieHahn.com.

Toby Boyce
By Toby Boyce
In my prior life I spent eight years working in higher education public relations where I heard over and over again that “any publicity is good publicity.” But I’ve never understood it.
A football team has the longest losing streak in the nation can get publicity, but is it good?
However, I whole-heartedly agree that any publicity is an opportunity to provide a positive side to a story — if it is managed properly.
For example, let’s take a situation I witnessed just this summer. A Columbus, Ohio, man was murdered on the front-steps of his rental home. Of course, the local television stations covered the story with the same gusto as TMZ heading after Paris Hilton’s alleged cocaine habit. The home is currently for sale, and the REALTOR® sign and the listing agent’s name were all prominently featured throughout the shots — on all three networks. If that wasn’t enough, the home’s owner was on one station saying something to the effect of “this is a common situation in this area, you hear gun shots all the time – day or night.” Continue reading »
Pants On The Ground: Beyond Your 15 Minutes

Brian Copeland
By Brian Copeland
I’m really tired of “Pants On The Ground” from American Idol. It was a moment of time that a few cool people jumped on and then it was over. Now, seeing the late-to-the-party-people start talking about it just makes me pull out my southern statement of, “Bless Their Heart.” All that aside, we face the same eminent 15-minute reputation as YPNers.
Many agents today WILL SEE lacking staying power as a trend, thanks to our pop culture influences of trends and passers-by. Here are four things to remember to ensure you last beyond your 15 minutes in this career.
Change Your Technology Talk. Technology is simply an accent or complement to what we already do. The basic principles of listings, buyers and referrals need to stay central with technology as a secondary. View Web strategy and social strategy with other agents and consumers as common as a TV remote. No one today says, “I have this amazing button box that when you touch it, a magic light comes on a beam people from Los Angeles into your living room.” The consumers are not impressed as much with your tech talk as much as they are impressed by your ability to apply the tools to the basics. Integrate your technology plan in your listing and buyer meetings smoothly without trying to be overly impressive on the tools. Make them a part of real estate life. Continue reading »


How to Handle Negative Blog Comments
Brooke Wolford
By Brooke Wolford
I recently received a really negative comment on one of my YPN Lounge posts. When I first received word of the comment, I was really taken aback. It seemed as if the person who commented had some personal issue with me. I was honestly very offended.
I debated over the weekend whether or not to address the individual who wrote the comment. Being the person that I am, I would normally address the person directly, in a professional manner. I could explain that I understood this reader’s opinion and not everyone feels the same way about this topic.
I never expect that everyone is going to like what I write or that they even understand where I am coming from. I completely understand that things of this nature could and will happen.
If I could give any advice to those of you who have a blog, I would say allow the comment to be published and address the comment directly on the post. I think this will show your readers that you have some class and that you can be professional when dealing with less-than-pleasant people or those who simply disagree with you.
Don’t get offended by how others feel. You can’t force anyone to understand your perspectives or opinions. Cherish the fact that what you have written has caused someone to be passionate enough about it to debate the issue.
Brooke Wolford is a real estate practitioner with Coldwell Banker Burnet in Woodbury, Minn. Follow her blog at adventuresinrookierealestate.com.