Archive for May, 2011

QR Codes - 28 | 05 | 2011

QR Codes (QR stands for Quick Response) are two dimensional bar codes that when scanned with a smart phone take the user to a mobile optomised site. These aren’t a new piece of technology and have been around for years in many parts of the world.
In real estate they have been used with moderate success, and I say moderate because the application has been limited and without any real thought as to the power of delivering quality, meaningful content quickly to a “primed” mobile customer.

Traditionally, a scanned QR code would take a user to the relevant section of a website, a phone number or a basic product promotion. Often these sites wouldn’t be mobile optomised, resulting in a poor user experience and below-par follow through.
Thought needs to go into the content that sits behind these codes and the user who will ultimately be scanning these.
At the very least your website should be mobile optomised, even better the QR code landing site is customised specifically for that campaign / promotion so that the content is highly targeted, the experience positive, the delivery instant.

With mobile platforms predicted to overtake desktops as the primary internet search tool by 2014*, it is clear that embracing mobile by integrating it into your marketing spread makes a lot of sense. QR code anyone?

* Source,Morgan Stanley Research,

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category: Brands, Latest trends, QR codes, digital media, marketing, online video, social media

Something for everyone at AREC11 - 19 | 05 | 2011

More than 2500 Australian and New Zealand real estate professionals will gain inspiration from one of the world’s most influential leaders this weekend. Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will address industry professionals at Sydney Convention Centre on Sunday for the 14th Australasian Real Estate Conference.

With this year’s theme “Raising the Bar – The Catalyst for Growth”, AREC will educate conference-goers about creating fresh approaches for their businesses, which includes Mr Giuliani’s keynote speech about “How to Take Control and Lead Yourself”. His speech will focus on effective leadership in relation to greater profitability, principles to inspire excellence, preparation being the key to all success and problem solving. Other speakers include radio personality and former sports coach Alan Jones, acclaimed marketer Mike Morrison, international business coach Tom Ferry, leading UK real estate figure Peter Rollings and leading US realtor Bob Bohlen.

AREC organiser Total Real Estate Training’s General Manager Stephanie Mason said AREC was a great networking opportunity for Australasian real estate agents. “Our line-up of entrepreneurs will share their unique and winning strategies, and provide new and innovative ways to grow your business with new ideas, fresh thinking and great inspiration.”

AREC also features more than 70 exhibitors showcasing the latest technology and tools for the real estate industry at AREC’s Trade Expo while AREC’s Power Broker Series takes conference participants on a journey of a day in the life of Australia’s four leading real estate sales people.

category: AREC, Brands, Real Estate, marketing

Real estate on the go – How smartphones are transforming real estate marketing - 15 | 05 | 2011

Compact and at your fingertips 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the smartphone is proving to be the newest real estate marketing hit. Revolutionising the new media industry, real estate agents are tapping into using smartphones as a powerful complement to traditional online marketing campaigns.

IMAGEination Digital Media Manager Nick Keenan says recent statistics about smartphone usage suggested there is great potential for real estate marketing on mobile devices. “A Google commissioned study has indicated that 89 per cent of smartphone owners use them on a daily basis, and many of them interact with their devices several times per day,” he said. “Other stats indicate that roughly 50 per cent of mobile phone users watch online video on a daily basis, ” he said.

Mr Keenan says the delivery of online property marketing content to hand-held devices is “the much needed bridge between print and online media”. “Again a strategic approach to this needs to be employed,” he said. “Quick, ready and easily accessible information is the essence of hand-held technology – information ‘on the go’ needs to be quick, impacting, rich and available immediately. I think the power of mobile relies heavily on cross media campaigns – using the hand-held devices to complement traditional marketing materials.”

category: Brands, Real Estate, Smartphones, marketing, social media

Reinvent your home for winter - 09 | 05 | 2011

Want to reinvigorate your home this winter? Don’t have the money to make big changes?
Then why don’t you consider adding some signature pieces to create your perfect retreat. Try out some of the latest interior design trends to glam up your haven.

Here are five things that you can add to your home to spice it up this winter.

1. Bold coloured/textured rugs
2. Contemporary leather sofas and lounge suites
3. Designer textured wallpaper
4. Funky outdoor lighting
5. Retro coffee tables

category: Interior design, Latest trends

The power of social media marketing - 01 | 05 | 2011

Word of mouth is undoubtedly the most powerful marketing medium in business. And now social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter are adding another dimension to property advertising.

Australia’s real estate market expects information to be readily available and direct. IMAGEination Digital Media Manager Nick Keenan said combining social media with video productions was a powerful complement to any marketing mix. “We are now seeing major players in the real estate industry embracing this concept – from direct property marketing through to promotion and brand awareness,” he said. “Clear evidence being the major portals such as realestate.com.au embracing and moving video technology to the forefront of their services.”

Mr Keenan said social media pushed traditional word-of-mouth marketing boundaries further than ever before. He said people needed to identify elements of their specific campaign that were socially engaging. “I really think the power of social media lies at the brand level more so than at a campaign level. In the social space, it is all about how information is wrapped up and delivered.”

He encouraged real estate marketers and agents to look specifically at how social media mediums could work for their business. “It’s a new and very exciting medium where the core values and principles of marketing are very visible and being heavily embraced,” Mr Keenan said. “I do however think there is still a long way to go and again, the real estate industry needs to look outside of the market to see how resources such as social media and online video are truly and effectively being utilised.”

category: Brands, copy writing, digital media, marketing, online video, social media