Tech Tip! How to use a QR Code...

This week, each agent of CBU Lake Travis got a QR codes on their agent website. This is an exciting technology, but one that causes a lot of confusion as well. Here are some quick tips on how and when to use QR codes…

Why should you use QR codes? QR codes are free, quick and easy to create! You can create an infinite number of QR codes using free websites like qrstuff.com - perfect for linking to your personal website, a property website, the office homepage, our blog, your Facebook, whatever! In addition, QR codes catch the attention of tech-minded consumers and keep them interested by allowing them access to more content than would be available in a regular flyer or ad space.

However, there are some downsides to QR codes, specifically the fact that there is no standardized reader for the codes. Some people will simply not be able to access your content unless they are willing to take the time to download and run a new QR code reader to their device. Still more people will be unaware of how to use the QR code at all, forcing you to use some of your valuable space printing instructions on how to use the code.

Using QR codes is most effective on print media, such as flyers or in ads. If you took a look at the Homes& Land ad that many of our agents ran last month, you’ll notice that there is a QR codes in the ad. That code directs readers to our office website, where they have access to additional information about all our agents. That is an effective use of space, as we were limited to two pages when there is so much more to CBU Lake Travis! Also, the reader would likely be in a position to easily pull out their mobile phone and scan the QR code. On the other hand, putting a QR code on a For Sale sign is unlikely to generate much traffic. That situation requires that the person would have noticed the QR code in the first place, understand how to use the code, then stop and get out of their car before they even had the opportunity to scan the code. A better idea would be to place the QR code on the flyer attached to the sign, making the code and instructions for use available to them on their time.

Hopefully this answers many of your questions about QR codes and their appropriate uses. Let me know what sort of topics you would like addressed in future Tech Tips!

Meet our newest agent - Ashley Pope!

The Lake Travis office of Coldwell Banker United, REALTORS® would like to welcome and introduce Ashley Pope.

           

Born and raised in Paris, Texas, Ashley attended the University of Houston and the Conrad Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management before beginning her career in hotel business. Her work has allowed her to live throughout the United States, including Chicago, Miami and Boston, as well as abroad, in London.  Ashley spent ten years working in the luxury hotel business for both Four Seasons Hotels as well as Mandarin Oriental, learning first and foremost the importance of great customer service. She began her real estate career by buying and renovating, staging and selling her partner's homes, both in Boston as well as Austin. “My career has always been to make the impossible, possible,” she says, “and I will bring this level of service to real estate.” Ashley is also active in the community as a member of the Chamber of Commerce for the City of Lakeway.

           

Ashely can be reached by e-mail at apope@cbunited.com or by phone at 512-534-8522.

Tech Tip! Use Facebook More Effectively

Many of you use Facebook everyday to communicate with friends and family. But Facebook is also quickly turning into a place for companies to interact with consumers and potential clients. However, getting people to friend you or “like” your page is not enough to get noticed on Facebook. Here are some tips on using Facebook to its full potential…

The first thing to know is that there is NO GUARENTEE that anything you post on Facebook will make it your even your best friend’s wall, let alone a vague acquaintance or interested stranger. This is especially true of business pages. Facebook uses a complicated system of algorithms to figure out the status updates, pictures and links that “matter” to you. What “matters” are things posted by users who are frequented visited, who have statuses with lots of comments and “likes” and by those users who have more friends. So how can you play the system and get your statuses and updates noticed??

1. Post relevant and meaningful statuses. No one cares what you had for dinner, unless it was really and truly something amazing! If you post statuses that people care about, they will “like” and comment more often, which boosts the number of times your status updates will appear in their Top News feed.

2. Post links. Links are given preference in the news feed over statuses. Link to your blog, the office blog, funny websites, news stories, relevant industry blogs, your website, the office website. Sign up for Google Alerts for some relevant topics – things that matter to you – and make it a point to link to one interesting story everyday.

3. Post photos and videos. Photos and videos are given preference even over links – which makes them WAY more effective at catching the attention of the average FB user than links or statuses. Many people also connect better with visual media over a black and white status update and are more likely to “like” or even share your photo on their page. This, in turn, promotes you in the FB algorithms and places you even more prominently on the Top News pages of your friends and sphere.

4. Comment, like, share! The best way to push traffic to your Facebook is to be active with others on Facebook. Commenting, liking and sharing the statuses, links, photos and videos of others tend to make them feel more connected to you. They will then be more likely to return the favor when they see your post, which then promotes you to their Top News feed.

I hope these tips will help you guys build a better business page on Facebook!

Get ready for Fourth of July Weekend!!

The fireworks may be cancelled but there are still plenty of things to do this weekend here in Austin!!
If you're looking to start celebrating earlier, LAGO VISTA will celebrate on Saturday, July 2nd with art and essay contests, talents competitions, the Little Mr./Mrs. Lago Vista Contest, a silent auction and tennis.

The LAKEWAY JULY FOURTH CELEBRATION starts at 8:30am with a parade up Lakeway Drive from Live Oak Golf Course to The Lakeway Church. CBU Lake Travis will be handing out ice cold water during the parade. At 5:00pm, an "Old Fashioned Block Party" will feature the bank Duck Soup at the Swim Center at 3103 Lakeway Blvd. There will be food, lasertag, inflatables, and carnival rides. BYOB.

In GEORGETOWN, festivities begin at 11am with over 80 arts and crafts booths, food vendors, and a Kids' area including games, a petting zoo, train rides and face painting. The Hometown Parade, starting at noon, will feature Miss Georgetown.

In ROUND ROCK, The July 4th Fronteir Days Celebration begins at 10am with a parade through Downtown Round Rock. The festival to follow will include a live stunt men show, free watermelon provided by the Round Rock City Council, skydivers, a pepper eating contest and a performance by the Rock Rock Ballet Folklorico and the Austin Symphonic Band. Showings of Iron Man 2 and Despicable Me will play at 9:30pm.

In LEANDER, their 10th Annual LibertyFest will include live music, good food, and a laser light show! Park at Leander High School to join up with the free shuttle service to Crystal Falls Golf Club.

WIMBERLY Chamber of Commerce is hosting a July 4th Parade and Jubilee beginning at 10am. The Jubilee will take place under the shade trees at Ozona Bank.