Real Estate Marketing, Social Responsibility and Squidoo???
By Mert on Oct 12, 2007 in Real Estate Marketing
But a family in Washington changed my point of view to Squidoo and to overall marketing.I am not a stranger of squidoo as a lensmaster.
I nominate Joe and Colleen Lane, Richland Real Estate agents to be the REALTORS® of the year in the nation if not for their home state of Washington. Their Squidoo lensmaster page has become a family effort for them and their five children. They have written about anything and everything from the state of Washington along with many other subjects such as religion, SEO, to many famous people. In 8 months they have built 100s of beautifully thoughtout lenses. And why do I think they should be the REALTORS® of the year. All their income from these hundreds of Squidoo pages go to charities such as World Vision (a sample of their great Squidoo lens work) and Acumen Fund. As a real estate professional with great insight in SEO he has also made sure to optimize his Squidoo pages (my next blog post) for maximum income effect for these charities.
What is my point???
Step #1 REALTOR® puts up great informational lenses
Step #2 REALTOR® makes this a family effort and gives income to Charity
Step #3 REALTOR® wins the goodwill of all people who will trust him/her to serve them.
Apply goodwill and social responsibility in everything (your own websites, community events sponsorship, volunteering). There is no marketing as face time with potential clients doing the good deed and actually feeling better about yourself. The Lane family has shown me the way of being good. I actually created a page about Falcon Living’s relationship with Peregrine Falcons who are the official city bird of Chicago. I also am lending all income from my lenses to create microloans at Kiva.org to change lives.
I really think everyone needs to create a squidoo lens today
7 Comment(s)
By Mike Brown on Jan 29, 2008 | Reply
While I agree I also disagree.
Are they giving to charity out of goodwill or as a marketing plan and tax write off?
I apologize I’m just in a grumpy mood today and can see the negative in everything:-)
By Mert on Jan 29, 2008 | Reply
I know Joe very well. He gives it strictly from charity. Most of his squidoo pages have nothing to do with real estate. I donot usually promote people whom I donot believe of their sincerety.
By Glenn on Apr 29, 2008 | Reply
Hi Mert - I am real estate agent and stick with just real estate related topics. Your post points out the necessity of presenting different views of our communities. It is making think of what I can do to enhance what I am currently doing. Truly surprised you did not get more comments on this post. BTW all my squidoo pages’ revenues go to charities - I don’t think the revenues qualify as a charitable deduction. Need to ask my tax adviser about this one.
By Mert on Apr 30, 2008 | Reply
Glenn, if you receive the money from Squidoo and actually then give it to the charity of your choice then it is deductable.
By Glenn on Apr 30, 2008 | Reply
The key words in your statement “receive the money” - on Squidoo if your money is going directly to a charity they are not tax deductible, unless if you have specific documentation to support the deduction. The aforementioned is directly from a tax attorney that was a former deputy commissioner with the IRS.
By Mert on Apr 30, 2008 | Reply
No, what I meant was you receive the check from Squidoo as earned income than donate it to whomever you want with receipt. Direct donation to squidoo is a similar thing (not the same) to my Mc Donald’s example. People should have their own choices on how to donate stuff and where.
By Glenn on Apr 30, 2008 | Reply
Ah, we are saying the same thing in the end. LOL Glad we were able to reach a happy accord. I need read your post which you referred - really liked your article.