articles » NDG Communications, Inc.

It’s been quiet on our blog lately, but we’ve been busy behind the scenes and we’ve got big news!

We recently launched the NDG mobile site, so now you can see what we’re up to on your smartphone or tablet. You’ll even notice a new client on the roster, Orleans Homes.

Orleans has had a tradition of building and delivering outstanding homes since 1918 and we are thrilled to be working with a company that focuses on a “simply happy” customer experience and building fantastic homes.

Of course, the NDG staff has been hard at work bringing these exciting new changes to life and we’re pleased to welcome two new members to the team: Art Director Ola Elrefai and Proofreader/Junior Copywriter Sean McKenna.

With a summer this hot, we can’t wait to see what fall has in store for us at NDG.

What you say and when you say it means everything on social media!

Do you want more people to see your Twitter content? Post it on a Monday between 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.!

In a recent article from the NDG Knowledge Base, you’ll find out the best times to post on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and more.

Do you want more likes and shares on Facebook? Create content people want to actually share!

Another great article reveals that the biggest factor for creating engagement is creating content that is relevant to both your brand and your customer. Click here for more great insights into creating engagement on Facebook.

With 10.4 million monthly visits originating on mobile devices, Trulia is releasing a new ad platform that will allow advertisers/homebuilders to place geolocated ads on the most trafficked pages of the Trulia smartphone app and mobile website.

Mobile banner ads will appear above search results mapped by zipcode and will show a contact name, phone number, and photo.

Why is this such a big deal?

30% of Trulia’s weekend traffic is from mobile devices
Homebuyers searching on mobile are 60% more likely to take the next step
Mobile searches have grown by 250%

However, it’s about more than advertising to mobile users—it’s about offering content specific to a user’s geographical location and tapping into the buyers who are most likely to visit your communities and homes.

Click here to learn more about Trulia’s new geolocation
mobile advertising platform.

It’s no secret that homebuyers are using their smartphones and tablets to conduct new home research and to find new homes while visiting neighborhoods. With ownership of smartphones and tablets skyrocketing, mobile advertising has now become an effective way to create brand awareness and generate sales.

Here’s some recent news about mobile trends we wanted to share:

Tablet owners say they are less likely to use a laptop or desktop computer after purchasing their tablet.

70% of mobile searches result in action within one hour.

What works in traditional online advertising will not necessarily be successful with mobile campaigns.

What’s the conclusion we can draw here? It’s that if you haven’t started seriously considering mobile advertising, now’s the time. Mobile is where you want and need to be to connect with savvy new home buyers on the go—and now at home as well.

Click here to learn more about how you can use mobile advertising to connect and engage the right buyers to generate real results.

What inspires people to buy your product? Chances are, it’s the very same thing that motivates you to build that product.

According to Simon Sinek, author of “Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action,” people don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. It’s a concept he refers to as The Golden Circle.

Every company or organization knows what they do, most know how they do it—but very few, Sinek says, know why they do it.

A real world example? Take Apple.

Apple is a successful, innovative company with loyal customers. What sets them apart from other computer companies? Instead of simply saying they make great computers, Apple starts with their why—challenging the status quo.

Apple’s goal—and your goal—is not to do business with everyone who needs your product, but rather people who share your “why”. This is especially true for a purchase as important and personal as a new home.

Your “why” gives your customers something to relate to, it encourages them to act, and can lead to greater brand loyalty. It’s also what truly sets you apart from other homebuilders.

What’s your “why”?

Click here to read more about The Golden Circle, or click here to watch a video where Sinek shares more on this concept.

Infographics are hot on the marketing scene right now. An infographic is an eye-catching graphic representation of information, trends, or statistics. Whether for real estate, healthcare, or any industry, infographics can make facts and figures much more interesting.

Lately, I’ve had the pleasure of designing a number of new infographics, including this one detailing some fun facts about our agency’s culture.

How can you make infographics work for you? First, the text in your infographic should be brief, representing the basic facts and figures you wish to convey. Second, successful infographics offer intriguing titles and perspectives about topics that draw people in. Third, effective infographics are presented in a visual style that delights and inspires.

And when it comes to building links and generating online publicity, infographics have the power to take your message viral, especially on social networks. Marketing doesn’t get any better than other people spreading your message for free, and infographics are one thing that people definitely love to share.

Click here for more insights into how infographics can be a smart and cost-effective vehicle for marketing your brand.

Are you looking for the best and most cost-effective way to promote your services and real estate listings?

See how Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com, Homes.com, and others rank from a realtor’s perspective at InmanNext Agent.

As this new article reveals, 88% of homebuyers use the Internet in their home search, causing many of the above websites to flourish, but which one is best for you and your clients’ needs?

Click here to read the full story.

Still trying to convince prospects that it’s time to buy? Here’s huge news: homebuyers can now own a home for the same price as renting—or in some cases, even less. Affordability is at an all-time high, and the cost of renting will soon exceed the cost of owning for many people.

According to Trulia’s newly released Winter 2012 Rent vs. Buy Index, homeownership is more affordable in 98 of the nation’s 100 major metropolitan areas, with Honolulu and San Francisco as the only holdouts.

The Winter 2012 Rent vs. Buy Index tracks renting vs. buying affordability based on asking prices for rental and for-sale homes between December 1, 2011 and February 29, 2012.

Ready for even more convincing news? Click here for more on national—and even some localized—renting vs. buying trends, or click here to view an interactive chart displaying each city’s index value.

Earlier this week, Facebook announced that Timeline for brand pages will be pushed live on March 30.

One benefit to the new layout—photos will become a main focus. According to Dr. John Medina’s book, Brain Rules, “we learn and remember best through pictures, not through written or spoken words,” meaning better and faster brand recognition and engagement.

The purpose of the Facebook brand page will be less about selling and more about telling an authentic story and sharing your company culture. This is another opportunity to express what makes your company unique and build an emotional connection with fans.

Here are a few things you can do to prepare:

Start thinking about your company’s cover photo. It’s the perfect spot to showcase a new product or promotion.
Go through your company’s history and mark milestones to share on the timeline and show a more complete story.
Make sure all of your information, photos, and videos are up to date.

Check out the links below to learn more about Facebook Timeline for brand pages:

How many times have we heard that the three most important things in real estate are location, location, location? But what makes a location appealing to buyers?

According to one of the latest stories in the NDG Knowledge Base, “8 Location Factors that Influence Home Buyers,” it’s different for every buyer, but three fundamentals are consistent: Survey research shows that the top three things first-time homebuyers look for in a location are proximity to shops and services, to their job, and to good school districts.

Click here to see the complete list from MLS Maps.

Stay tuned for more interesting articles from our Knowledge Base.

NDG Communications, Inc.

Category Archives: articles

Some Exciting New Changes for NDG

Mobile Advertising Connects with New Home Buyers

Inspiring Others to Act

Which Realty Website is Best for Your Marketing Needs?

New Home Affordability Makes Owning Less Expensive than Renting

The Three Fundamentals of Real Estate: Location, Location, Location