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Social Networking: why you should be on Facebook

Jan 22nd, 2010
by Bob Toovey.
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This article about Facebook came to my attention via a tweet from Cindy King. The Social Media Examiner published ‘11 Mind-Blowing Reasons Your Business Needs Facebook‘, these are the points that I found most interesting…

  • 350 Million Global Users and Counting
  • Average Facebook User Spends 55 Minutes Per Day
  • Average Facebook User Has 130 Friends
  • Average Facebook User “Fans” 2 Pages per Month
  • Wall Posts Don’t Impact Popularity

With that many global users spending on avarage 55 minutes per day, imagine what a Facebook advert or fan page could do for you and your business?

Posted in: Social Networking.

Selling a house? Blog about it!

Jan 20th, 2010
by Bob Toovey.
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It is tough times if you want to sell a house, things are getting better (according to some) but not everyone wants to wait for an estate agent to find a buyer. So what can you do to help things along?

My friend Dianna has taken what I believe is a very sensible step and is blogging about the sale of her house. The blog is hosted on Wordpress.com and contains static pages for the various descriptions of her property.

What makes this a smart move is that, the blog details information not just about the property (featuring some great photos) but also about the process of selling a property, Notaire fees and actions the seller must take. This gives a clear view of what a buyer can expect and content for a search engine to find. All will help to market and sell her house.

Posted in: Blogging, Estate Agency, websites.

Funny you should ask, I know some one who can…

Jan 14th, 2010
by Bob Toovey.
1 comment

Many years ago, there was a saying that I have not heard of lately. I first heard it in the mid 80’s in my first job.

“It’s not what you know but who you know”

When we need something done, like some electrical work or plumbing, we ask friends and neighbours who they would recommend. We trust their suggestions because of their previous experience or what they have heard. A variation on the saying, “…who you know”.

In fact for a business to be recommend in this way is a great way to gain customers. Do a great job and the news spreads. It gets remembered. “Word of mouth” can be a powerful thing.

Does any of this sound familiar?

The more friends and connections you have the better the suggestions. If you are a business with lots of friends or connections, you can spread the word of you good deeds. You can reach more people.

Familiar yet?

If you have not guessed already, I am talking not just about the real physical world but also social networking. Examples being Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

Many business people I have met have all said that social networking was good but not something they would spend time on. Well, what they actually said was that sites like Facebook was a waste of time. I met these people at the Angel Traders business fairs, events where people come to ‘network’ and ’socialise’ with other business people and potential customers.

Sites like Facebook can help you reach out to more people by connecting with those who need your product or service. They in turn can recommend you (add as a friend, etc).

This is the Internets version of “word of mouth”. This becomes “It’s not what you know but who you know” once you have enough connections.

The Internet offers many opportunities to connect with customers, other businesses and to market yourself and your business. Don’t let them pass you by.

Posted in: Social Networking.

Angel Traders heading to Brantome

Jan 11th, 2010
by Bob Toovey.
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This month the Angel Traders will be holding their next business fair at Brantome. January 23rd will see them holding their increasingly popular event at the Old Church. If you are looking to attend for the first time then the price is €120, if you have exhibited before then the price is €90. For more information see their website which includes booking details.

Posted in: Events.

Big or small, all estate agents are now the same size

Dec 7th, 2009
by Bob Toovey.
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In a recent post, a talked about how estate agents need to change. I quoted Graham at Cognac Property because he had already seen how things were changing and warned property sellers to wise up or loose out.

The time to change is now upon us as Google takes on the property market. Their mapping system allows for overlays, extra information placed on top of a map. Estate agents and private sellers will be able to insert their property for sale, along with pictures from Google Street View.

From the BBC article, Google set to offer property dimension to UK mapping

Speaking to BBC News, Edward Mead – sales director for Douglas & Gordon estate agents – said that the new system would be a win-win situation for both Google and estate agents.

“The technology to do this is already in place and estate agents are a little busier these days, although transactions are still fifty per cent down on what they once were.

“So this service, which is free, will appeal to estate agents’ cost-cutting nature and given that sixty per cent of agents are one-off traders, this will have serious appeal.”

Mr Mead said that Google’s head of property and classified team, Ben Wood, briefed 30 of England’s top estate agents at Estate Agency Events last week, telling them everything about the system, other than an official launch date.

Do we now see the end of the big websites who offer directories of property for sale?

Sarah Beeny, who presents Channel 4’s Property Ladder and also runs her own home sales property site Tepilo, told BBC News that the service could well damage estate agents in the long run.

“It will hurt estate agents and it will hurt property sites like Rightmove.

“If it does what Google says it will, then it brings the buyer and seller closer together and that could mean removing blocks in the way, and that could mean no longer having to pay extortionate fees to estate agents.

“It will certainly blow Rightmove out of the water. You can only get your property listed on that site if you are an estate agent – what Google will do is level the playing field and they are doing it for free,” she said.

Rightmove shares fell by 13% over worries about competition from the world’s biggest search engine, a late afternoon rally saw them close 10% down at £4.95 a share.

So now there are less things to get in the way between the seller and the buyer. We may see a drop in estate agent fee’s and perhaps more services from them in attempt to survive. What ever happens, it’s going to be interesting.

Posted in: Estate Agency.

Angel Traders fair, another profitable day

Dec 4th, 2009
by Bob Toovey.
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It has been a busy week for me, I attended the Angel Traders business fair Saturday and this is the first time since then I have had chance to write about it. It was another great day and I must thank all those who I met for their time.

It was great to meet Julian from Urrutia Stone again, I know I have already mentioned him, his business and just how passionate he is about his online presence. He is proof that a well crafted website can become part of the core of a business. He knows just how much money it makes for him, either directly or indirectly.

There were many types of business in attendance, ranging from security systems and language translators to bathroom supplies and swimming pools. They all had differing views on how the Internet should be dealt with, many think that is something to think about while others know (correctly) that it is a vital tool to use and exploit.

You must of noticed the small banner that now graces this site, the one from Halo Financial. I am very carefull about advertising and prefer to know as much as possible before recommending anyone. However, I am more than happy to have Halo here as I met them on Saturday and were very friendly and informative. They said they would give me a call during the week, after our chat. On Monday morning they gave call from their London office to provide the extra details, as promised. Sounds like a keen bunch.

If anyone has tried to get hold of me during this week, sad to say my phone line has been out of order. Please drop me a line or get in touch with Skype. Should be working again fine after the weekend.

Posted in: Events.

UK website rankings, more ideas on promoting your website and business

Nov 24th, 2009
by Bob Toovey.
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I have been looking at some interesting figures for search engine and website rankings for the UK. Google of course is popular on both counts, most visited websites and search engine. The interesting bit is what comes next.

The list indicates FaceBook at number 2 and eBay at number 5, both potential great sources of traffic to your own website.

For FaceBook, you can create fan pages and encourage people to interact. Create a community around your website using free tools.

I am sure you would not consider eBay as a way of promoting your website. I would for the following reason.

Do you sell products? Advertise them on eBay with links back to your website. eBay has a high page rank and well visited. Not only will someone buy from you but you may also get a little extra to your own page rank. Another page out there with your web address on it.

Top ranked social networking sites has (obviously) Facebook as number one and has YouTube at number 2. Why not create a video about your business. A tour around your gite, demo’s of your products. Create how-to guides on getting the best out of what you sell. Again make sure your web address is mentioned.

These are all FREE ways of promoting your website and in turn – your business

Posted in: Business ideas, Marketing.

Update from the Angel traders – still some space left

Nov 16th, 2009
by Bob Toovey.
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I received an email from the Angel Traders yesterday, announcing a few more details about the next fair. It will be held in department 24, the Dordogne, Chateau Des Vigiers – Monestier. If you still want a stand at the show then get in contact with the ladies ASAP…

We can’t wait now for our next fair in less than two weeks time. It is to be held in the “Salon Chai”. Within less than 12 days we marked the fair as sold out, however we have revisited the Chateau and we now have room for just four more stands. The stands will be sold on a first come first serve basis. We know that you won’t want to miss out on this one!!!.

Posted in: Events.

Guide2 sites expand to social networking

Nov 15th, 2009
by Bob Toovey.
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The Guide2 Poitou Charentes website has now expanded to a social network, bringing a more interactive and useful place for residents of the area to communicate with each other.

It is free to create yourself an account and talk to other member and even advertisers on the site.

From Guide2PoitouCharentes launches My Guide 2 social network

You’ll also be able to benefit from loads of great competitions and special offers that are exclusive to Guide2PoitouCharentes members. Our advertisers are putting together some fantastic deals that you’ll be able to use by downloading vouchers direct from the site, and if you like you’ll be able to talk directly to them through their own groups.

MyGuide2 is based around Poitou Charentes groups, and there will be plenty of opportunity for sports clubs, charities, local causes, student groups and a whole host of people around Poitou Charentes to get together to discuss local issues. This is going to be a lively place where Poitou Charentes people will get the chance to form their own social networking groups to interact with others, whether it’s to talk about hobbies, organise a match or find out about the Poitou Charentes area.

The social network side of Guide2 is being rolled out to the other websites that are part of the group.

Guide2 is a fairly unique franchise based system but with the addition of social networking it has created a special brand that will do well in the future.

Posted in: websites.

An Internet based business that is already a proven success

Nov 9th, 2009
by Bob Toovey.
No comments yet

From time to time I look around the Internet looking for ways to make an extra income. We all like the idea of making money from a web site but it always seems that everyone else can do it but not you.

You may of tried your hand at a blog and found it was fun but did not make any money or at least, very little. In fact the whole idea of using the Internet for an income either baffles you entirely or previous experience has put you right off.

Well I think I may of found a great way to earn an extra income, it can work for anyone no matter how much experience you have.

It is a franchise system which was established in 2008 by a UK company. It has gone from strength to strength with sites for the UK, France, Croatia, Cyprus, Spain, Nigeria and Slovenia. There are many more on the way.

A Guide2 web site offers detailed, clear and factual information on a local area including property for sale or rent, places to stay & things to do, as well as local news, a classifieds database, and up to date events listings.

Each Guide2 site also has its own social network which allows for User Generated content and also allows visitors to join local groups and interact with the site and fellow visitors.

A single site that acts as a guide to a town or city, a county, department, state or even country. They have the own adverts, banner ad’s and paid placements which you earn money from.

I guess it sounds complicated and that you are going to need technical knowledge. Well you don’t as there is an experienced team behind the whole thing that provides all the help you need including training. Not only that but the site has a special management system that simplifies the whole thing so anyone can do it!

If you are looking to invest in a Internet based opportunity then this is the one.

However you don’t have to believe me,

“We have been running Guide2Poitou Charentes for a year now, we were making money within the first month and the website easily covers it monthly costs. Running a guide2 website is an excellent way for expats to earn an income, you work from home and are your own boss. The website is easy to use and you don’t have to be technically minded as full training and ongoing support are provided. The research required to create a top-class guide site took a couple of months, but the process was fun and engaging, and we learned so much about the area in which we were already living. We have created something that is truly original, and of which we are proud. In fact we have been so pleased with Guide 2 we decided to launch a second site guide2limousin in February 2009.”

Kerry, Guide2Poitou Charentes and Guide2limousin

Like all business, it will take time and effort but the rewards will be yours. It’s not easy setting up a business in France or anywhere else at the moment. But with the Guide2 Network behind you, you can be safe in the knowlege that there will be help when you need it and you won’t be on your own.

To find out more and to get in contact with the right people to get you started, send me a message via this sites contact form.

I look forward to hearing from you!

Posted in: Business ideas, websites.

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