Frisco Texas Mortgages, Real Estate, Events, and more

How often to you search for yourself or your website through Google, Yahoo, MSN, and most recently Bing? 

According to statistics, Google is still the #1 search engine used.  Seeing as Google is number one, I wanted to take some time to understand how SEO works.

A few months ago during a meeting with Loreena Yeo, she introduced me to Katerina Gasset (Coach Katerina) who is also a member of ActiveRain.  For a small price, I learned a TON about Search Engine Optimization.  And although nothing about SEO is black and white, I certainly picked up enough tips to be lethal in my area.

Shortly after my last class, I wrote a post called Blogging is Awesome because I was listed #2 on Google under one of my keywords.  Since I have been out of class, I have written a few posts.  My posts usually cover personal and business related items.  So how have I been doing since the class?  Good question, so I googled a few keywords to see where I exist.

Here is an example of my Google results for a Refinance in Frisco Texas.  As you see, I am listed in 4 of the top 5.  All are different sites/blogs, including my Mortgage Website which is listed as #5.

Another friendly search placed my blogs in the # 1 and # 2 spot for Home Loans in and around my area.

So I ask you... Do you think that Katerina's class is worth checking out?  I would say YES!  It was well worth my time and money.  Blogging is GREAT!  And it all started with ActiveRain!

See you at the top!

Always available for your Frisco Texas Mortgage needs!

John Cannata  Reliant Mortgage  p# 214.545.5604  

www.JohnCannata.com

Frisco Texas Mortgage Consultant

This is an honest question, but I want to tell you why I am asking because I am still not understanding how it works and I've been a part of AR for almost 6 months.

Earlier today I was reading a post from Jeff Belonger about how Google being your best Testimonial.  If you have not had a chance to read it, I suggest that you do.  Within the post, Jeff provides a sample 'response' letter that he sent to a potential client.  The letter suggested that the client check him out on by googling 'Jeff Belonger'.  I have directed people to my site before, but never to google my name.

Personally, I like the idea.  Why?  Because I was never really 'searchable' prior to ActiveRain, Facebook, Twitter, Plaxo, LinkedIn, Naymz, etc.  Sure, I have googled myself several times, but how likely is it that someone will 'google' my name?  Not very likely unless I tell them they should.  Now that I am on all of these platform, there are several things out there which will help a potential customer get to know me.

Anyway, let me get to my point.  After reading the post, I decided to check out my name again.  The very first link is not me.  The link is for a boxer and who recently fought Dan Cramer ??  I am actually not mentioned until the 3rd link (activerain of course).  So, I was curious enough to open all of the links to see what others pertain to me.

When I got to the 2nd page, a link was displayed for a post I had written about 4 days ago.  I thought it was JIE (a word from the Jason Crouch's dictionary meaning very cool, awesome, etc.) that my post showed up on the search at all.  But I was curious as to why THAT particular post showed up.  When looking at the tags, it does not reference my name, mortgage, or anything.  My name is within the post, but that is not abnormal.  The post itself was actually about Time Management and your marketing efforts.

So... why does THIS post show up under a John Cannata search on Google?

** side note...  I strongly suggest using the word JIE moving forward.  Jason created it and as we know, anything he touches turns to gold.  This will be the new word for 2009 **

When I first started blogging, I had thoughts that many new bloggers had:  What will I write about?  Who will read it?  Is it really worth my time?  I had these concerns and I hadn't even started yet.  I'm very thankful that I did start.

I'd like to start by saying that ActiveRain Members have been great!  I've asked many questions and I've received many responses that help guide me in the right direction.  After each post, I would check google.  Why?  No good reason.  I didn't really understand SEO at the time (and I am still not very clear) and thought I could find my post right away.  That is wrong... very very wrong.

After trying several times, I realized that it did not happen this way.  To make myself feel better, I would google my name.  Obviously I was able to find myself, but who is going to search for John Cannata?  ummm... no one.  But if they did, they would find a Boxer by the name of John Cannata listed first.  That's not me!

I just kept at it with posting and commenting within ActiveRain.  My daily/weekly routine is to post two or three posts a week and comment about 15-20 times a day.  This keeps my networking active even if I can't find myself in google.

Well, after several weeks of not checking, I finally checked google today.

My first search was "Frisco Texas Mortgage".  To my surprise I was #5 on the first page.  I was very excited, so of course I had to tell my wife.  I know I would not be found under "home loan Frisco" or anything similar because those phrases are all bought up by some bigger companies.

While sharing with my wife, she thought I should check "Frisco Texas Refinance".  Can you believe I was listed #2.   NUMBER 2 !!

I'm not sure who will use those phrases when searching for a mortgage, but I'm hoping to find out.  If I do, it goes without saying that I will post about it.

Thank you ActiveRain!  I am still unclear how it all works, but have continued to learn each day.  As of now, I am very pleased with the results because I have made great contacts, great friends, and look forward to further success!

UPDATE AS OF 11/3 @ 8:15 am = I have moved to #1 for Frisco Texas Refinance and I am officially 'on the front page' (#7) for Frisco Texas Home Loan.