RSS Pieces Will Remain Dark Today to Mourn Our Friend, Bear. For those of you that do not know, a dear friend and part of the RSS Pieces family unexpectedly passed away this past weekend. While many of you may not know the name Bear, you probably know Ann Cummings (New Hampshire Real Estate Blog) very well. Bear was Anns significant other and a well known figure in New Hampshire real estate.

John and I had the pleasure of having both Bear and Ann visit with us last autumn. The four of us and Laurie Manny spent a weekend at our home sitting by the pool, talking SEO, blogging, life and some other crazy and irreverent stuff that only 5 New Englanders could truly relate to. What was most evident during that weekend was how much Bear and Ann adored one another.

Whenever I saw that 603 number on my cell, I could always be sure it was Bear calling to ask me something about the blog or even just checking in with me that they were doing all the right things.  He even once called me up to tell me how worried he was about Ann that she was spending so much time buiding backlinks.   That was Bear, someone who always wanted the very best for Ann, always looking out for her.  And that is what I am sure he will continue to do.  Bear was funny, smart as heck and real joy to spend time with. We will miss him and always treasure the brief time we spent with him.

To Ann, there are no words to express how our hearts ache for you.  Please know you are in our prayers and feel so priviledged to have been able to know Bear.

For those of you that know Ann, please reach out to her as best you can to let her know she is in your thoughts and prayers.

Here is a post Midori Miller wrote last year about meeting Bear and Ann

Please visit Monika McGillicuddy's blog for service information and more information about Bear and Ann

Bear's Obituary

If you have other posts about Bear and Ann or want to share images, please place the links in the comments below and I will be sure to post them here as an online Memorial to our friend. 

No One Can Know

No one can know just what you've lost;
No one can understand the cost;
But when you feel your energy drain,
Please count on us to help ease your pain.

Let us help you cope with grief;
We hope with time you'll feel relief.
We can't replace the one who's gone,
But let our concern help you carry on.

By Karl and Joanna Fuchs

OK, so I never make blog announcements but these two are extremely cool. We are welcoming the blogs for 1parkplace and Russell Shaw and announcing the approval of 1parkplace for offering it's IDX search and lead generation solution to the ARMLS.

Real Estate Lead Generation Blog: Steve Hundley

The first is that of Steve Hundley, CEO of 1parkplace.  For those of you that don't yet know just how much I love the 1parkplace IDX search and lead generation solution, just talk to our clients using it- Laurie is generating between 5-30 leads per day, Ines, Mariana, Teri and others are also raking in leads daily. Most of you may also know that we have had a very strong relationship with 1parkplace and exclusively offer their RSS feeds through our blogging platform.  Steve is a newbie blogger- so be gentle and give him encouragement.  He's a fast learner and is happy to share what he knows- so if you have questions- go to his blog and ask away.  Or, better yet- register for a webinar - his presentation and tips on lead generation can change your business.

What's the product?

1. A map based IDX search

2. Search, CMA, VIP Sign in etc lead generators

3. Back end client management and drip email campaign system

There are other features but these are my top 3 picks.

Read also: How to generate leads from your real estate blog: we have proof

Why am I excited about Steve blogging?  Because I have been telling him he should for almosta  year now- he is a master at crafting online strategies that get results for top producers liek Ruth Pugh and Gregg Neuman and amazes me with his knowledge of how to use on and offline marketing to generate more leads and grow your business.  His new blog will focus on tips, tools and ideas on how to improve your bsuiness, online presence and lead generation. 

Check out his "Steal This Post" blogs - these are articles he writes that you can use on your own blog - they are mostly controversial, research or entertainment pieces meant to be linkbait.

Read more »

Rudy, the Trulia Guru (yeah, it actually says Guru on his business card - that is too cool) was such a doll at RETech South that he shot some great candid video of speakers and hosts behind the scenes.

Check out the blog post and video over at the Trulia Blog. It's a great little behind the scenes look at the conference and what the speakers are really like. Enjoy.

However, I need to tell you this post is a total bribe. Rudy did send me this video of Jimmy Kimmel !$*@-ing Ben Affleck to complment my Matt Damon Sarah Silverman video.

For those of you that were not at RETech South in Atlanta, GA, you missed out. Almost unbelievably Brad Nix and Matt Fagioli put together a full technology conference covering blogging, SEO, social networking, widgets, video and IDX services in less than a month. The event was hosted by blogger and Domus Consulting Co-Founder, Kevin Boer who did a stellar job of keeping the conference entertaining with his unparalelled wit. RSS Pieces was lucky enough to have sponsored a portion of this kick-off event. I had a total blast sitting on the SEO panel discussing the downsides of recprocal links, 3 way links and blogroll. We also touched on how Realtors need to attract consumer traffic instead of Realtor traffic and how to safely build authority with Google through backlinks.

Read also: Google slaps real estate blogs with reciprocal linking penalty

Read also: 3 Way Links: reciprocal links repackaged

Read also: Google slaps real estate blogs in latest PageRank update

Read also: Why Google hates your blogroll

OK, I never do this, because I think it is L-A-M-E, but I am going to pass out link love to my dear friends in the industry that made RETech South a total blast:

Dustin Luther for livin' the Malibu lifestyle and hanging with celebrities and having the kind of stories you can tell on Letterman. And yes, he is way too cool for all of us.

Kevin Tomlinson for always stirring up trouble wherever he can with his mini diet cokes, popcorn and totally devious sense of humor.  And yes, I am just using him for an intro to Ann Coulter.

Rudy (no last name necesary) for catching my ode to Sarah Silverman and Matt Damon on camera and being such a trooper even though he lost his voice

Mike Simonson for having the personality of a rockstar and keeping me entertained.  He is one cool cat!

Pat Kitano for always being such a cool and sharing visionary in the industry and taking time to sit down and chat

Jonathan Washburn for keeping the rest of the motley crew just slightly grounded.  Congrats to the whole ActiveRain crew for their successes!

AND A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO TOM OF THE REAL ESTATE BLOGGERS FOR SAVING RUDY AND I FROM M.A.R.T.A. AND TAKING US TO THE AIRPORT!

The Sarah Silverman Video for those of you that missed it:

From everyone here to everyone out there, may you have a wonderful Easter.

May the Lord Bless you,

The RSS Pieces Lake Park Team: Tom, Paul, John, Mary, Brian, Big Jeremy, Wayne, Andrea, Nicole, Dee, Brandon, Noah, Pedro, Little Jeremy and Angel.