My Vacation Properties in Sussex County NJ series has brought new business my way, which is a wonderful thing for a fairly new blogger. By following tips learned on ActiveRain, even the pictures I'm using have given me the coveted Google juice SEO
Happy to report that the Scenic Lakes - Vernon NJ - home for sale for which I took the original photo is now Under Contract, yesterday I was honored to receive an email (excerpts below):
I work for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. We are in the process of updating the website of one of our programs, the Bureau of Air Quality Permitting Program.
We were looking for a beautiful scenic photograph from within the state to post on our website.
Upon doing a GOOGLE search a photo from your website showed, and to be honest, we love it.
The photo in question is attached, but was found on this page: http://realtorirene.com/channels/home_buying/topics/vacation_properties_in_sussex_county_nj
Its the last one (the lake view of the autumn trees).
The response by this Sussex County NJ real estate agent!
No, I didn't get paid - didn't even ask. (Okay, I'll confess I did ask this gentleman if he was interested in buying or selling any real estate - but only AFTER I gave permission to use my picture!) Personally flattered, I think this is a honor for Sussex County NJ - Scenic Lakes in Vernon in particular. Of all the lovely possibilities, our area was chosen.
Copyright © 2009, Irene Kennedy, all rights reserved. This blog post represents Irene's personal musings.
Considering selling a home or looking to buy one around Sussex County NJ? Benefit from creative marketing, top negotiating skills and vast real estate knowledge by contacting Irene via the data to the right.
Irene Kennedy, who is a NJ real estate agent with Weichert, Realtors, lives in Sussex County & works from the Hamburg office. Her primary market includes: Augusta, Branchville, Crystal Springs, Frankford, Franklin, Hamburg, Hampton, Hardyston, Highland Lakes, Lake Mohawk, Newton, Ogdensburg, Scenic Lakes, Sparta, Stockholm, Sussex, Vernon, Wantage.
Congratulations Irene!
This is a beautiful photo.
Irene - That is an amazing picture and awesome that they contacted you to use it, Congrats!
Laurie - Thanks for your kind words! They just add to my delight.
Michelle - We hear so much about folks who use items without permission. Scenic Lakes is one of the many lovely Sussex County lake communities - I'm delighted it got some attention!
hi Irene and wow! I'm so proud of you and really happy for you!!! An excellent example of tagging photos for SEO benefits!
That is neat...guessing they will give you some credit for more juice!
Very cool Irene, Great photo.
Irene, It works, doesn't it. A picture is worth a thousand words?
marti - And to think I learned all I know about blogging and SEO from you and others here in the 'Rain!
Gary - I'm pleased with more Google juice although it would have been an even better story if the gent HAD wanted to buy or sell real estate. (I'm so greedy!)
Erika - Strictly a "point and click" kind of gal, I was particularly happy with this photo. NJ DEP is icing on the cake, given my Scenic Lakes listing is Under Contract.
Marcia - While I rarely do as I am told, when it comes to SEO it makes total sense. I don't have to become an expert, just follow directions!
Wow...how flattered you must have felt to have them want to use your photo...even though it is truly a GORGEOUS photo! Congrats on the Google Juice you're getting, Irene! :)
Leilani
Leilani,
You soon will be posting success stories too! I am flattered - especially as I'm not one of AR's great photographers.
Irene, this is just one of the MANY reasons I call you 007 for short. Congratulations, Hurray for Google juice.
Heck, Kathleen, I like you so much that you may just call me 7!
Congrats on the google juice and the use of your picture! Both well deserved! It is an awesome picture and I can see why they wanted it. I don't think you are greedy at all for wishing he were interested in becoming a client. It just proves the extent of your passion!
I never could understand all the stuff about Google, SEO, etc., until the folks at ActiveRain put it into plain English for me.
Sharon - You are the sweetest!
Jim - Amazing the knowledge available to us here in the Rain!
Well that deserves a cheer:
Russel,
What a wonderful and pretty comment! Thanks for taking some of your valuable time to cheer me on.
I came back, albeit as my home inspector self, to tell you that I picked up an inspection for this weekend because of the pictures of Zoey the Cool Cat that I put in each and every one of my blog posts. The guy has six cats and two small dogs and he said he was "mesmerized by all the photos of your beautiful cat."
Congratulations Irene, what a nice bonus! Ask for a little link back from the photo to your page. :)
Eileen,
I love a gal who is always thinking! Thanks for the suggestion.
Irene, I'm amazed at the number of my photos that show up when I do Google and click on photos. Love that Googlejuice!
Pat,
Aren't we smart to follow the great tips here at AR? Who would've thought that photos were so important to search ratings?
Irene - You have a talented eye. How cool for you ! I'm inspired to get out and snap more photos. congratulations
It is cool, Claude! Especially as I'm not a top photographer. The best news is that the property for which I took this photo is closing on Friday.