Advertising: Internet Is New No. 2 Ad Medium

The year just ending marked a sea change: The internet (including mobile) passed newspapers in 2010 U.S. ad revenue, making the internet the second-largest ad medium behind TV, according to Interpublic Group of Cos.' MagnaGlobal.

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Complete Your FREE Agent Profile on the NEW REALTOR.com®

Attn: Real Estate Agents: Complete Your Agent Profile on the NEW REALTOR.com®: Connect with Millions of Real Estate Consumers* Make sure your detailed profile is included in the new REALTOR.com® national agent directory so that millions of online real estate consumers can find you and your listings more easily. Set up your Agent Profile today- Download Free Instructions: Complete Your FREE Agent Profile on the NEW REALTOR.com®

Make Your B2B E-mails the Best, Not the Worst, of 2011 | ClickZ

List growth is the lifeblood of an e-mail program. Research has found time and time again that subscribers who have recently signed up for your e-mail program are much more engaged than those who have been on your list for six months or more. However, it is always surprising to me how difficult it is to subscribe to many brands' e-mail programs.

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina Raffles Off a Log Cabin in the Smoky Mountains, Tickets Just $100 Each

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina Raffles Off a Log Cabin in the Smoky Mountains, Tickets Just $100 Each

ASHEVILLE, N.C., July 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina announced today that the organization is raffling off a Log Cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains of Bryson City, North Carolina. The holder of the winning raffle ticket will take possession of this beautiful Smoky Mountain Cabin, a fully furnished 2 bedroom 2 bathroom Log Cabin with custom hardwood floors, granite countertops, hot tub, pool table and a rocked fireplace. Proceeds from the 1st annual Smoky Mountain Cabin Raffle will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina in its continued effort to recruit, screen, train and support caring adults who want to make a difference in the life of a child.
A limited number of raffle tickets will be available for purchase from July 16, 2010 through the October 7, 2010 deadline on our specially created event website at www.LogCabinRaffle.org The Grand Prize Drawing will take place on October 14, 2010 and will be open to the public. The Smoky Mountain Cabin Raffle will also include bonus drawings throughout the three-month event. Designed to incentivize early ticket purchases these bonus drawings include a one-week stay at a cabin provided by Hidden Creek Cabins, a Whitewater Rafting trip for 4 down the legendary Nantahala River provided by Paddle Inn Rafting and a $1,000 cash prize drawing.
"The Smoky Mountain Cabin Raffle was created as an innovative way to raise significant funds for children and mentors," says Robin Myer, Executive Director. "We are thrilled to present this Smoky Mountain Log Cabin as the Grand Prize of our raffle. It's a beautiful cabin in the mountains overlooking one of the country's most spectacular views. Raffle participants can give back while also having the exciting chance to win a beautiful custom log cabin in the Smoky Mountains."
"Some kids wait more than 9 months to be matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister stated J. Clarkson, Director of Development for Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC. "It takes time to recruit, screen, and train a caring adult to be a "Big" and the funds raised from this raffle will allow us to dedicate more staff to that effort and still give professional support to the mentoring relationships already in place. In the end, this means more children will have the opportunity to experience the difference that a Big Brother or Big Sister can make."
For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina please visit their website at www.bbbswnc.org and for more details on the "Smoky Mountain Cabin Raffle" please visit www.LogCabinRaffle.org

Press Contacts
Info@LogCabinRaffle.org
Mary Anne Baker (239) 898-1662 info@LeisureLinx.com J. Clarkson (828) 253-1470 jc@bbbswnc.org

Cost Effective Social Media Tips for Lodging

The benefits of a solid internet marketing plan are far-reaching. Businesses can reach a targeted audience quickly, and measure results immediately. Compared to traditional marketing, Internet marketing is more affordable and more effective. And for lodging professionals seeking cost-effective marketing strategies, it is essential to partake in social media.

By participating in social networks, your Internet marketing plan takes on an interactive edge. An essential element to your Internet marketing strategy; social media provides you with an avenue to engage travelers and turn them into your biggest advocates. Check out these seven social media tips for lodging establishments such as resorts, hotels, cabin rentals, vacation rentals, lodges, and bed and breakfast inns:

1. Your business name is essential to protect across multiple channels, so register your username as many relevant social media sites as possible. Even if you do not plan on participating immediately, capturing your name and owning your brand identity is simply good business.
2. While Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn tend to be the most active social networks, other sites, such as Foursquare, Gowalla, Google Buzz and hotpotato are becoming major players.
3. Don’t let “lack of time” be your excuse for not participating in social media. Empower your employees to become social media ambassadors and get out of their way. Passionate staff members can sell your property as well as any marketing professional, if not better.
4. Focus more on quality of followers and fans than quantity. A handful of influencing fans and followers can be much more valuable than hundreds of passive followers.
5. Be memorable. Write a personal story about your property. This sets your property apart from the competition and gives your fans and followers a theme to incorporate into your posts and interactions.
6. Content should be useful. It’s not always about packages and offers. Gather content to tweet or post by involving co-workers and colleagues. A constant source of information needs to be cultivated. Mix it up a bit. Sometimes it about a new breakfast recipe or find out what is going on in town.
7. Keep it light and make it fun– even a little edgy. Your fans will actually look forward to your updates and posts, rather than skipping over them.

Travel and Real Estate Websites Hit the Mark with Integration of Social Media

(CAPE CORAL, FL) December 14, 2009 -- Leisure Linx announces the launch of four new websites, aimed at showcasing leisure accommodations and property for sale with social media. These dynamic websites enhance the Internet search experience by socially engaging visitors with the Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages of its lodging and real estate professionals. The online real estate and travel experience is further highlighted with special offers, testimonials, photos, detailed property descriptions, pricing, and booking information, along with website and email links.

Today’s hurried lifestyles call for tranquil escapes that allow an appreciation of nature and a slower pace of life. The Leisure Linx websites highlight this niche travel and real estate segment, providing visitors with easy access to rustic and peaceful settings throughout the U.S., including gated communities, homes and condos, vacation rentals, cabins and cottages, bed and breakfast inns, resorts, and lodges.

With compelling content-rich designs and ease of use, these new websites provide a refreshing alternative to the long lists of inventory and advertising clutter routinely found on mega travel and real estate websites. The new collection includes:

DevelopmentsAndCommunities.com – Exceptional lifestyle communities
VistasAndViews.com – Extraordinary properties in unique settings with captivating views
CabinsandInns.com – The finest directory of cabins, cottages and inns across the U.S.
LogHomeGallery.com - The complete guide to buying, building and renting a log home

With a renewed consumer interest in relocation real estate and travel, Leisure Linx fuses the fragmented relocation and lodging industries by compiling real estate, accommodations, and travel information in an easy to use format. Visitors seeking lodging are often interested in real estate at their destination. And consumers searching for real estate away from home often desire lodging at their destination. Visitors can find it all in one place on a Leisure Linx website.

The new website collection compliments the well- established FloridaHalfbacks.com, an industry stronghold connecting visitors with travel and relocation opportunities throughout the Southeast. What is a Florida Halfback? It's a nickname given to Floridians who originally migrated to Florida from the north, but now prefer to be "halfway back" in the serene and relaxing mountain and lake areas of the Southeast U.S. Visitors can also join the conversation on the Florida Halfbacks social network.

"Our cross-promotional approach combines the power of the Internet and social media," said Mary Anne Baker, owner of Leisure Linx, LLC and sought-after expert on migration trends in the Southeast. "Providing our advertisers with search and social media strategies applies a solid approach to engaging more visitors.” When visitors return, advertisers win. For a small annual fee, Leisure Linx offers developers, real estate agents, homeowners, and managers the most economical and efficient marketing channel for their property. With a renewed interest in relocation and travel, it is no surprise that the Leisure Linx websites are growing rapidly as well.

Spectacular Seasons in the North Georgia Mountains!

Discover the beauty and spendor of the North Georgia mountains. Mild summers provide a cool refuge for those who live further south. Spring is abound with new sprout, new starts, and beautiful floral and fauna color. In the Fall our trees transform from cool greens to flaming colors of splendor, in the clean mountain fresh air. Mild winters in the North Georgia mountains make it a great time to celebrate an authentic Blue Ridge mountain Thanksgiving or Christmas. Curl up by a fire and take in the wonders. You might even stumble upon a crystal white Blue Ridge mountain snowfall.

North Georgia is an ideal setting for the year round lifestyle. Award winning architect/builder Henry Zuckerman designs and builds exceptional custom homes in the North Georgia mountains, and he’s been doing it for more than twenty years. Now, StoneyBrooke Homes is Henry’s latest vision of adapting today’s lifestyle to casual mountain living. StoneyBrooke Homes are earth-friendly and can adopt as much of the latest green technology as you may desire.

North Georgia and it's famed Blue Ridge Mountains hold a multitude of surprise for any lifestyle activities. Quaint antique shops, authentic homestyle dining, whitewater rafting, tubing, and welcoming state parks make this sure stop for Looking for a refuge? Find a cabin or home with an outdoor deck, grab a book and a rocking chair and breathe in the cool mountain air as you gaze over the mountains.