6. Google Profile. If you have a Google account you have a Google Profile. Find your profile and fill it out as completely as possible. I promise that it will make it easier for others to find you on the Internet.
7. Google Buzz. This is a newer Google offering that resembles FriendFeed. It acts as an aggregator and will put your social media content in one place. Others can follow you and you can follow them. Buzz is integrated into Gmail. I have not decided if Buzz is a good thing but set it up in case it is the next big thing.
8. Google Sites. Did you know that you can create a website for free through Google sites? It won’t replace your website but it works wonderfully as a free intranet for clients. I can put information in it and give them a password and include links to those Google docs that I mentioned a couple of paragraphs ago. Google sites could also be used for quick temporary individual property websites. All the tools needed are available for free. You can also create a free wiki and use it to collaborate on a project.
9. Google Chrome. Chrome is a newer Internet browser. The more I use it the more I love it. I have not used Internet Explorer in years. I switch to Firefox several years ago and while that is an excellent browser, it likes to crash and it does not run as well on slower computers and some netbooks. Chrome is clean and simple. Try it.
Next time you have a little time, go into your Google account and read and set up your profile. It is all free and there are many more handy tools that can be used for business or for fun or both. You can’t break it and it may save you some money because some of the Google applications can replace software that you pay for now.
Teresa Boardman is a broker in St. Paul, Minn., and founder of the St. Paul Real Estate blog.
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