The Social Media Examiner released its 2013 Social Media Marketing Industry Report recently. Inman culls 4 tips on creating a social media strategy.

Maybe that strategy includes Twitter. Want more followers on Twitter? Georgia Tech’s research can help you, says Inc. magazine. Be positive, don’t just talk about yourself, send out 8 tweets an hour and follow your followers. Sounds like a full time job…

Fathers Day is this weekend. Time rounds up 11 high tech gifts for the low tech dad.

What magic number of leads generates great commission income? RealtyTimes features the Reverse Lead Calculator to help you figure that out.

The Reverse Lead Calculator does more than spit out numbers. Unlike other lead calculators, it shows real estate professionals how far they are from their income goals and then gives marching orders on how many leads they need to generate, by type, to reach those goals.

The American Psychiatric Association recently released an updated version of its manual of mental disorders (DSM-5) and this time it includes a new addition: Caffeine withdrawal.

More and more fast food marketers are discovering that ‘five’ is a sweet spot. “If the consumer needs something that gives them permission to experiment with a brand, $5 is the magic number,” says one PR manager at an ad firm. You’ll see $5 specials this summer from Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen and Long John Silvers.

As summer approaches and the outdoor recreation scene revs up, Washington Trails Association offers some great guidance for keeping your car safe on hiking trails (though this guidance can extend to other types of recreational parking lots).

Go Hawks!  A fan is refusing to mow his lawn in support of the Chicago Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup hopes. Blackhawks traditionally grow playoff beards, refusing to shave until the Stanley Cup has been won.  Not so fast, says the city of Park Ridge, Illinois. The  Support your team, but also be aware of village ordinances.

I’ve heard of the game Mumbly Peg, but I didn’t realize what it really involved. Yikes!

We always love a good picture show and particularly enjoyed this one of grandmothers and their cuisine specialties. The food may differ significantly from country to country, but one thing remains the same: they are all adorable!

Remember, all of these great ebooks are available to members and staff for free. Just be sure you download the software to get started. Be sure to take advantage of this great free member benefit. Questions or having trouble? Give us a call at 800-874-6500.

According to a professor at Columbus State University, the more attractive the real estate agent, the higher the listing price. In general, the research found that the agents who were rated more attractive had listings with higher prices and larger commissions, which comes from higher sales prices for attractive agents. Good news for the rest of us: less attractive agents actually got more listings and more sales.

Fannie Mae is now asking agents to register info on Homepathforshortsales.com, a new short sale tool for agents.

Ever wanted to live in a lighthouse?  The GSA can make this possible, by auctioning off U.S. Government-owned lighthouses.  You can choose between Massachusetts, Long Island, Connecticut and Maine.

My passwords are scribbled in a notebook at home.  Not very safe, I know.  The New York Times reviews Dashlane, a password memory program.  It not only remembers your password, but logs you in as well. It’s a free program, though a few subscription options can add some cost.

Friday, June 7, 2013 is National Donut Day (what you didn’t know?!). Would you pay $40 for a black market donut? Some people in New York City are doing just that to get their hands (and mouths) on a ‘cronut’, a cross between a donut and a croissant made by one small bakery in Soho. The day’s supply sells out almost instantly each morning, even though orders are limited to six. Not able to get your fix for the store price of $5 each? You can hire someone via CraigsList to procure your supply. Not only are you going to pay through the nose, the delivery guy will only deliver 5 cronuts. He keeps the sixth as part of his payment.

Feeling stressed out?  Maybe part of the blame is your email. Neck pains? Maybe part of the blame is texting and mobile phone gaming.

How do you market a product that no one has tasted in years? That was one of Coke’s challenges as it moved back in to Burma after sanctions were lifted this year. When much of your regional marketing is based on tv ads and social media, how do you market in a country where the electricity isn’t even a sure thing? NPR takes a look how Coke dug into its archives to try to figure out its marketing challenge.

1. Field Guide to Quick Real Estate Statistics
2. Field Guide to Opening a Real Estate Brokerage
3. Field Guide to Real Estate Office Policy Manuals
4. Field Guide to 1031 Exchanges
5. Field Guide to Marketing Tips for REALTORS®
6. Field Guide to Listing & Selling Luxury Properties
7. Field Guide to Preparing & Staging a House for Sale
8. Field Guide to Farming & Prospecting
9. Field Guide to Personal Assistants
10. Field Guide to Buying vs. Renting

Have an idea for a new field guide? Let us know!

Members can also borrow up to three books for 30 days from the Library Catalog for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.

The Art of Being Brilliant
by Andy Cope

Consumption Economics
by J. B. Wood

Dream It. List It. Do It!

I Wish I’d Known That Earlier in My Career
by Jane Horan

Networking for People Who Hate Networking
by Devora Zack

Personality Power
by Shoya Zichy

The Procrastination Cure
by Jeffrey Combs

Members and staff can also borrow up to six electronic books, digital audios and/or videos at no cost, through the Virtual Library eBooks Collection.

Takin’ Care of Business
By Brian Buffini & Joe Niego
Buffini & Company, Inc., 2011

In Takin’ Care of Business you’ll learn the one critical element that determines success or failure for a small business. In addition to strategies and tactics to help you succeed, this book features inspirational stories of ordinary, everyday folks who’ve turned their business around and are now enjoying the good life.

The Foreclosure of America
By Adam Michaelson
Berkley Publishing Group, 2009

With an insider’s knowledge and thorough reporting on the impact on American families and the ripple effects on the economy, Michaelson examines the marketing of a mirage and the bad business decisions that destroyed a company, confronts the ethical questions that have arisen in the wake of the foreclosure crisis, and offers creative proposals to prevent such a meltdown from ever happening again.

Green Building Square Foot Costbook 2013
BNI Publications, Inc., 2013

For each building, the Sweets Green Building Square Foot Costbook 2013 provides a detailed narrative describing the major features of the actual building, the steps taken to minimize the environmental impact both in its construction and its operation and a square-foot cost breakdown of each building component.

All costs are clearly broken out on a cost-per-square-foot basis, along with the primary specifications and full details about the construction team.

Work As If You Own It
By Kirsty Spraggon
Kirsty Spraggon, 2008

Whether you enter the world of commission sales through real estate, the automotive industry, network marketing, mortgage broking, finance planning, insurance or recruitment (just to name a few) you should be working as if you own the business. In this practical ‘how to’ book you will be guided every step of the way from start up to success.

Kiss Theory Good Bye
By Bob Prosen
Gold Pen Publishing, 2006

Strategy Espresso
By Rich Horwath
Strategic Thinking Institute, 2008

Strategy Espresso packs powerful bursts of business insight into short, practical shots of concepts, tools and frameworks that you can immediately use to successfully grow your business. If you’re looking to strategically rev up your business in a hurry, Strategy Espresso is just the jolt you need.

Influencing and Collaborating for Results
Dearborn Publishing, 2005

More and more of today’s business solutions require a greater level of coordination across multiple parts of an organization or across more than one organization. Successful results depend on a manager’s ability to identify and understand the interdependencies and work effectively across all boundaries. You can’t do it alone. You need the help and expertise of a larger network. Leading from the Center: Influencing and Collaborating for Results is a primer for 21st-century management that will help you develop your ability to influence and collaborate to achieve the results you want.

Office Policy manual – 13th Edition
Wisconsin REALTORS® Association, 2013

The new Office Policy Manual is now available! In its 13^th edition, both the business and technology sections of the manual have been completely updated. The Office Policy Manual is designed to assist brokers who are drafting or revising a manual for their office. The goal of the manual is to identify areas and topics regarding office policies and the type of language that may be used in developing these policies. As an added bonus, a CD disc offering an electronic version of the manual is included.

Big cities could be making a growth comeback after a rocky decade. Their growth rates are rising and, for the second year in a row, they are growing faster than their surrounding suburbs.

Is the smartphone the all-purpose Swiss Army knife of the future? Software developers offer August, adding one more utility to the smartphone: house key. Thanks to @paulmacko for sharing this article with us.

Google is ‘improving’ Gmail once again. You can now sort your inbox by tabbed category – personal, social, updates, etc. – so that you only see the type of email you want to deal with now. The rollout is supposed to be gradual, so if you don’t see anything different now, wait a bit. And for now, you can opt out of the upgrade if you don’t like it.

This week Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate released national survey findings of 18-35 year-old Americans that reveal the next generation of homeowners are rewriting the rules to homeownership and reinterpreting traditional norms to fit their values.

The process of home buying and selling invariably entails a move. BuzzFeed offers 33 great moving tips to smooth the transition.

Seems like the whole Midwest has had a week of storms, thunder and lightning. To keep up to speed on the go, check out these apps for coping with severe weather.

The passage of time as seen through photographs can sometimes feel haunting or sad, yet photographer Wilma Hurskainen captures this passage in a stunning, provocative, and mostly happy presentation. Take a look at the four sisters, side-by-side, as children and adults.

Man’s best friend? Last year dog bites accounted for more than one-third of all dollars paid out in homeowners insurance liability claims.

On a lighter dog-related note, if you’re still traumatized by Old Yeller and you didn’t even see the ending of I Am Legend because you ran out of the theater holding your ears. At this cool website, learn the fate of canine cast members BEFORE watching the film!

Real Estate Office Policy Manuals
How do you keep your office running smoothly? These days it’s essential for companies to have written documentation about office policies and procedures. An easy-to-understand guidebook for salespeople to refer to in their daily business can help solve and prevent disputes, and helps ensure the success and reputation of your company. The articles and books in this field guide provide you with the necessary tools and tips to create a policy manual for your real estate office.

Strategic Planning for Associations
The strategic planning process is key in helping an organization develop a vision of where it will be in the future and determining the best ways to turn that vision into reality. This page includes resources on all aspects of strategic planning, from beginning the process to monitoring its implementation after the plan has been worked out. Also included are the strategic plan of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and other resources to assist REALTOR® association executives in developing strategic plans for their organizations.

Investing in Real Estate
Is now the right time to be investing in real estate? Some say yes, some say no, and some say it depends. In a declining market, there are bargains, but don’t look for a quick flip. If you’re thinking long term, you can find some great deals. So if you’re ready to take the plunge or want to be ready for brighter days ahead, find out how to get started, invest with IRAs, use real estate as a retirement tool, get information on rental homes, buying tax liens, real estate partnerships and much more in these books and articles.

Commercial Broker Lien Laws
Commercial broker lien laws allow liens to be filed on commercial properties for the full payment of commissions. In states that have enacted commercial lien laws, there has been a dramatic decline in commission collection litigation and arbitration. Explore the resources on this page for information on how lien laws work, summaries of current laws, news updates, and more.

Association Budgets & Reserves
Creating and maintaining a successful association budget doesn’t have to be a headache. Take the pain out of budgeting with these tools available through NAR’s library at Information Central.

Vacation, Resort, and Second Homes
In 2013, buyers of primary residences, vacation homes, and investment properties were active in the market, despite hurdles they may face with low inventory and tight financing. 78% of vacation buyers and investment buyers reported that now is a good time to purchase real estate. 47% of investment buyers are likely to buy another investment property, and 31% of investment buyers are likely to purchase a vacation property in the next two years. Similarly, 37% of vacation buyers are likely to purchase an investment property and 30% are likely to purchase another vacation property in the next two years. Among primary residence buyers, 22% are likely to buy an investment property and 21% are likely to buy a vacation property in the next two years.  Here you will find information on the activity in the vacation/second home market as well as tips on working with the vacation/second home buyer. You’ll also uncover a variety of resources available from the National Association in addition to updates on the RSPS certification.

Vineyards & Wineries
Owning and running a vineyard suggests an appealing and romantic lifestyle. In truth, it is hard work, costly and subject to the whims of weather, the economy and foreign competition. Still the lure of the vines may just be the ticket for those seeking adventure and a soul-satisfying business venture. This updated field guide provides start-up resources, statistics, reports, websites and more for those thinking about entering this interesting market.

Can you catch up on lost sleep? Do short naps actually work? New research suggests the answer is yes.

In the wake of the Oklahoma tornado, tornado-proofing your house is an important topic.  Metal clips and straps run about $1.00 each, with hundreds needed to secure a house. ” For about $2,000 more, a house can be outfitted (or retrofitted) with a safe room built to specifications of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These fortified rooms, often constructed with cinder blocks and filled with mortar and rebar, can withstand tornado-force winds and storm debris. Interested in donating to relief efforts? Contact the Oklahoma Association of REALTORS.

Tornados aren’t the only natural disaster threat we face of course. And NOAA says this year’s Atlantic hurricane season is shaping up to be a rough one.

Social media is hardly the new kid anymore in marketing, but campaigns still often stumble on delivery. Social Media Today presents 3 common social media marketing mistakes and how to correct them.

Scientists don’t exactly know why we itch, or why scratching it can sometimes feel so good, but they have recently figured out how our body tells our brain ‘that tickles’.

Most people start their day gulping a psychoactive drug.  Yep, it’s caffeine. Are we drinking too much of it?  Besides coffee, tea and energy drinks, caffeine is found in waffles, trail mix and jelly beans. “A recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health suggested that “coffee drinking doesn’t have any serious detrimental health effects” and that drinking up to six cups a day was “not associated with increased risk of death from any cause. In moderation, caffeine may have some positive effects. Research suggests it could be associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer and breast cancer. A recent study linked drinking coffee and tea with a lower risk of type two diabetes.”

The Wheel House brings new meaning to the concept of a mobile home. Check out the Acrojou Circus Theatre’s version of a mobile home.

The next World’s Tallest Building isn’t going up in New York, Dubai, or even Shanghai, but in the inland Chinese city of Changsha. What’s unique about it is the speed of its construction. While Freedom Tower in New York has taken over a decade, Sky City is scheduled for completion in only just over 6 months. The secret is the prefab construction process, among other things.

Talk about planning ahead: a woman from China bought her daughter a $6.5-million apartment in Manhattan. The only thing is, the daughter is still a toddler.

Now listed at Trulia: Barbie’s dreamhouse. 3 floors, 8,500 SF. Comes with ocean views, an elevator, and more pink that you can imagine. What’s the commission on a $25 million sale again?

Florida has attracted foreign home buyers from South America, Canada and England.  Now, Chinese real estate buyers have also discovered Florida. Houses in Florida are more affordable than in China, with no government restrictions on home buying as in China now.  Florida real estate provides a great real estate investment for wealthy owners and the status symbol of owning real estate in the United States.

What advice would you give your 23 year-old self? That’s the question Andrew Forsthoefel asked hundreds of people in his “Walking to Listen” adventure across America. We learned about Andrew from This American Life, episode #494 Hit the Road.

Time says this housing recovery looks like the real thing.

And if it’s the real thing, you’re probably hungry. Let’s go out to dinner! But before you do, take a look at 9 ways restaurants get you to spend more. I’ve probably fallen for the no dollar sign and daily special method, but I have a firm rule about not eating anywhere you can buy a souvenir.

Before and after pictures are always fun. Blogger Miriam Reeves shares a recent DIY basement stairs project (complete with before and after pictures) that turned out great.

The lastest Star Trek movie premiered this week and of course there are tons of articles and reviews. But I enjoyed the article from the Slate blog Bad Astronomy that listed some of the more glaring science mistakes for the series.

Syria, Korean missiles, the last 10 pounds you can’t seem to lose—banish them from your mind and watch The Laughing Babies instead.