ActiveRain - The Official ActiveBlog

How To Create HyperLinks to Anchor Text

Many of our Members and Bloggers have heard, read, or been told that it's not good to include links in your Blog posts to other sites.  Nonsense!  In this post, I'll share my difference of opinion, then show you how to do it.  Creating Hyperlinks to Anchor text can be very powerful and beneficial to your Blog for multiple reasons. Useful and informative links bring more value to your readers and targeted audience, they increase your SEO, and they drive traffic back to your blog from those who you are linking to.

According to many experts, creating anchor text boosts your search engine rankings and can make all the difference in the world to your Blog. "It tells search engines what the page is about.  Used wisely, it boosts your rankings in search engines.

What is Anchor Text?  Anchor text is the hyperlinked word(s) or phrases on your blog or website page - the words that you can click on to be taken to another site, Blog, or web page. 

What is a Hyperlink?  A Hyperlink is the underlined word which is commonly referred to as embedded text or an embedded link.  It's usually a blue underlined word that turns purple once it's been clicked on.  When you hover your mouse over a Hyperlink on a page, the arrow of the mouse will turn into a hand, and the URL or web address of that Anchor Text Hyper Link will appear in the lower left hand corner of your browser.

Hover your mouse over this Anchor Text Hyperlink but don't click on it, you'll see the Web address displayed at the Bottom of your Browser.  If you click on the Anchor Text Hyperlink, you'll end up right back here at this post.  Why?  Because that's how I've setup the hyperlink for that Anchor Text phrase.

How do you create hyperlinks and what is considered good Anchor Text?  Here's a couple tips:  Words like CLICK HERE, and READ MORE are not the suggested anchor text to use on your Blog posts.  They carry less value, and even moreso, they're less likely to get clicked on.  Also creating URL Anchor text IE: http://activerain.com/blogs/activebrad is less valued than using keyword(s) Anchor Text like "ActiveBrad's ActiveRain Blog"  If you want to see what other members have written about this Anchor Text topic, check out ActiveRain Anchor Text Blogs.

Now it's your turn!

Creating a hyperlink to Anchor Text is really easy. 

1. Type the keywords or phrase (Anchor Text) you want to use as the hyperlink within your Blog post.

2. Highlight the word(s) or phrase with your mouse so that it's
(only highlight and select the keywords or anchor text you want to use for your link)

3. Click on the "chain link icon" located in the toolbar at the top of your Blog Entry
(if there is no chain link, then you are most likely on the HTML tab)

4. Once the "Insert/Edit Link" box pops up, type in the URL or web address that you want to link to:
Example: http://activerain.com and be sure to add your "Keyword" or "Phrase" as the Title

The default on ActiveRain is to open a new window when your hyperlink is clicked on. You can change that option by clicking on the black arrow located at the end of the "Target" box.  I suggest having it always open in a new window so that your Blog post stays open, and your readers can come back to your post.  If you want the linked site to replace your Blog post page, then select "Open In Same Window."

5. Now click on the "Insert" button and your Anchor Text will be Hyperlinked to whatever URL or Web address you've entered.  If you hover your mouse over the new link, this is where you'll see the "Title" you created pop up over the hyperlink.

This should help get you started creating Hyperlinks to Anchor Text and key phrases, and understand why it's important that you do this on your Blog posts.  Don't get carried away with these though, if not used wisely, too many hyperlinks to anchor text can do more harm than good. The recommended amount of Hyperlink Anchor Text ranges depending who you talk to, I suggest no more than 3 or 4 per Blog post.  So what type of links are you thinking about now?  Maybe Local Schools?  MLS or IDX sites?  Chambers, Restaurants, Local Businesses etc.?

Just for fun, here's an Anchor Text that's sure to get clicked: DON'T CLICK HERE! :-O

RainCamp Los Angeles - The Date and Venue Are Set

Many have been asking me when...When... WHEN is RainCamp coming to Southern California?  We just received our confirmation so I'm typing this as fast as I can.  Los Angeles it is - May 15th, 2010.  Mark your calendars and register quickly, we only have about 300 seats open, and only 84 Platinum seats available with tables and power for your laptops. That is about 1/2 the size of an average RainCamp in a much bigger real estate market. The other auditorium seating will only have your laps available and no electrical power. 

RainCampLA will be hosted at Loyola Marymount University in the "Hilton 100" Room. - 1 LMU Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90045. (310) 338-2700. Check out the new RainCamp.com, we have our schedule posted there and all the information you'll need for each and every RainCamp event!

We're really very excited to be coming to Los Angeles, we might have to stay a couple extra days just so we can meet up after with so many of our AR friends and family down there.

"I was lucky to attend the first RainCamp in Seattle. The investment of time and money has been well worth every penny and minute! I am a believer! As an attendee of the first RainCamp, I say "Save the date" and make time in your busy schedule!!! You will be astonished..."
Paul Henderson - Lacey, WA

"I have been to a slew of events that over-promised and under-delivered, often nothing more than expensive sales pitches from people who didn't even want to be in the field anymore. What impressed me was that Ben Kinney is simply sharing what he's actively doing. Very useful information all day!"
J Philip Faranda - Westchester County, NY

"I have received three phone calls in the last two days as A DIRECT RESULT of what I learned at RainCamp"
John Cannata - Dallas, TX

The ActiveRain University on-line Campus is one of the best ways to learn everything about the ActiveRain Community and the Social Media World.  Every day, we are offering classes for our members and guests.  It's not just for new "RainMakers" either, it's for you too.  We've added intermediate and advanced classes and are having experienced members and outside experts come in to present, share, and show you their tips and secrets.

Each class is about one hour using our ActiveRain University on-line platform.  You can access these sessions from just about anywhere as long as you have an Internet connection.  Every day we're offering training webinars and support sessions.  A wide variety of classes are now available, you can pre-register on the ARU Calendar.

NEXT CLASSES:

Monday - March 15th, 2010
1:00 -2:00pm (PST)
"Tips For Using The Top Tools on ActiveRain"
Presenter -  The ActiveRain Professor

Tuesday - March 16th, 2010
10:00 -11:00am (PST)
"Using Twitter For Business"
Presenter - Pat Kitano

Wednesday - March 17th, 2010
10:00 -11:00am (PST)
"Meet The AR Team Behind The Scenes"
Presenters - The ActiveRain Staff

Thursday - March 18th, 2010
1:00 -2:00pm (PST)
"Open Forum - Q&A - Get Questions Answered"
Presenters - Brad Andersohn & Kerrie Greenhalgh

Friday - March 19th, 2010
8:00 -9:00am (PST)
"Customizing Your ActiveRain Blogs"
Presenter - Jeremy Blanton

Visit the ActiveRain University Calendar for details and to pre-register.

RainCamp Las Vegas - The Highest "Payout" Odds in Nevada!

RainCamp™ Las Vegas is confirmed for April 1st, 2010.  This is NOT an April Fool, but it is a great opportunity to get away for the weekend, enjoy mixing some business with pleasure, and be one of our guests in the Ballroom Theater at UNLV.  What happens in Vegas, won't stay in Vegas this time, you'll be able to bring home what you learn, along with everything else that happens, and begin applying it immediately to your Social Media and Marketing Business Plan. 

Lot's of our friends and members are coming this year to "soak" up the "rain" and they're coming from all over.  Why?  Because it's Vegas baby, and who'd want to miss out on that?  Register for a seat, book your flight, get a room, bring your suitcase and Vegas dining attire, throw in your laptop, cellphone, some aspirin, and a couple extra bucks for site seeing and for some extra curricular activities, and COME ON DOWN!!!

We're going to make an entire weekend of fun out of it, throw in a RainCamp™, have an awesome AR Gathering after, and we want you ALL to come be part of it.  We'd love to see all 175,000 members show up at this one. There's no good excuses, you deserve it, so come help us make this the Best ActiveRain Gathering of all time.  It will be more fun than one person should be allowed to have, I promise!  :-)

RainCamp™.com

What Is RainCamp™

RainCamp™ Reviews and Testimonials

DON'T GAMBLE MISSING THIS ONE - REGISTER RIGHT NOW!

Address: Student Union, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV 89154
Maps: Student Union is building #31 on the Parking Map and #30 on the Campus Map. 
Maps can be accessed on the UNLV website:  http://maps.unlv.edu

RainCamp Denver - "Taking Your Business Miles Higher, and Farther!"

Denver, Colorado is currently preparing for the ActiveRain Thunder and Lightening that's about to hit the City.  Last night, as I was leaving RainCamp in Dallas, I received the confirmation that we are now booked and confirmed for Denver, and it's just 3 weeks away.  Just yesterday, Kristal Kraft was asking me on Facebook when we'd be bringing RainCamp to her "Mile High" City, so I tossed out a rumor, and a few minutes later, Lauren confirmed it. 

This will be the 5th RainCamp on our US tour, and thus far, every one of them has been a sold out packed house.  I know the folks in Denver and surrounding areas are going to be very excited to hear that we're on our way over.  We're excited to be coming! I've also been told that people in Denver really know how to have a good time.  They play hard because they work hard, and when it comes to taking "Care of Business" they've set the standard and bar very high!  Maybe that's really why the area is referred to as "mile high?" ;-)

Get registered early for this one, I know it will be sold out faster than the others.  I won't try to excite you with all the RainCamp details, there's plenty of posts on AR with all that, but I will tell you to block out your Calendar for March 9th, 2010 and plan on joining us in Denver for one of those "Thunder and Lightning" Rainstorm RainCamps you've heard about.  Trust me, it's going to be awesome!

REGISTER NOW!

Now before you leave a comment or question here that says "When are you guys coming to ?????" just know that WE ARE coming to a City close to you soon, and we'll make sure that when we do, and we have all the details confirmed, you'll be the first to know, I promise!  :-)

    
Special thanks to Kerrie, Lauren, Christa, and Doug for their behind the scenes efforts, they make it happen!

The ActiveRain Conduit - A Nifty Toolbar for Your Internet WEB Browser

This may be one of my coolest and greatest inventions EVER!!  If you can believe that...  lol~

ActiveRain members and even non-members should consider adding this toolbar to their Internet WEB Browsers.  It will work with Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and Safari.  The toolbar gives you easy and instant access to some of the most viewed pages and important helpful tools on ActiveRain.  I think you'll find it to be a very useful tool.  Here's some of the features and cool stuff it has:

The ActiveRain Real Estate Network Toolbar - Will help you "Stay Connected" easily and instantly.

• Access ActiveRain.com with a single click
• Pull-Down menu to select from ALL Industry Affiliates
• Search the AR Network for members or any topic
• One Click Access to Important Member "Must Read" info
• HELP Menu for Manuals, Guides, Training & Support
  
• Easy Access to AR Features from an RSS menu
• Link to Search and Sort ALL ActiveRain Blog Posts
• One-Click Access to the ActiveRain Staff and Team
• Live Updates, Announcements & ActiveRain Broadcasts
  
  

You can easily download the toolbar for your specific browsers and remove it just as easily if needed.  Take a moment to try it out, see some things you may not have known existed, and let me know what you think?  Once you download the toolbar and add it to your browser, you'll see how easy it is.  Most likely, your "wheels" will start spinning and you'll be wondering how you can create a "custom toolbar" for your Site, Services, Blog, or Clients Browsers?  I'll show you how, and the best part is that it's easy and FREE! 

I hope you'll check it out,  I'm really excited about this one...  :-)

Select YOUR Browser below to Install the AR Toolbar

ActiveRain University Wants You!!

Now that the ActiveRain University is underway providing training and support sessions for our members, we want to send out this invitation to ALL members inviting them to come present at our new on-line campus.  We are looking for volunteer members who wish to share their knowledge, successes, and "how-to's" with the rest of the community.  We already have a few interested members who are willing and want to come share their secrets and tips on what has made them successful using their Blogs, Internet Marketing, and Social Media skills.

In the weeks ahead, we are inviting Special Guest Speakers, Presenters, and Trainers that are very influential in the Industry.  Folks who are in the trenches using their knowledge and experience to benefit in today's economy and Real Estate Market, and who are excited about coming to join us and share.  At some point soon, we will also open up sessions and classes for some of our AR Business Builders and Vendors to come in and share how to use their products and services more effectively and efficiently.

We already have our first ActiveRain member, Jennifer Martin who has agreed to come share with you, her insights and experience which stemmed from a comment she left on Kerrie Greenhalgh's "Success in the RAIN" Blog post.  The date and time for her class will be this Friday at 3:00pm (see calendar for pre-registration)

Here is a link to our Speaker/Trainer Registration form.  Just a couple things we need to know so that we can schedule you into a classroom on the dates and times you request.  We'll also need your presentation topic that you'd like to share so we can setup the appropriate environment and tools you may need.  It's a very easy going and relaxed campus, each presenter or trainer has up to an hour.  We suggest 45 minute classes allowing 15 minutes at the end for Q&A.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

The Calendar and all class details are located at ActiveRain University.

This invitation is open to ALL members regardless of which segment of the Industry you represent.  Title Companies, Stagers, Home Warranty, Inspectors etc., you're all welcome to come "profess" and share.

So if this "calling" has your ears burning, or the excitement and thought of teaching, presenting, or sharing is keeping you up at night, then ActiveRain University Wants You. Come volunteer, and be a part of this exciting new addition to ActiveRain.  Thanks.  :-)

How To Get Started on ActiveRain - A quick route to a successful Journey on ActiveRain.

The ActiveRain Staff,  along with our members and ambassadors, wish to welcome you to the community.  We know you have a choice, and we're glad you've chosen our network as a place to connect with others, support your local neighborhoods and communities, plus grow your business and relationships. 

Before you begin your journey here, there's a few areas we invite you to navigate first.  This will save you time and give you a better understanding of the Network.  We're confident that our site will bring value, benefits, and substantial rewards to you and your business.

    BEFORE YOU BEGIN
    These are REQUIRED and a MUST READ for ALL New Members - NO EXCEPTIONS!

•   What We Stand For - Weltenschauung
  Weltanschauung: The guiding principles and philosophy of an organization. A world view.

•   The ActiveRain Community Guidelines
  Please take these rules seriously.

•   Terms of Service
  Terms of Use are binding and we want you to feel comfortable with them.
  
  

    GETTING STARTED in 3 EASY STEPS
    Follow these next steps to get setup on ActiveRain.

•   How To Setup Your ActiveRain Profile - Completely Customizable
  Creating a personal profile is the very first step and the most important.  It's ALL about you.

•   How To Complete Your Profile - Part II
  Your profile has three areas that allow you maximize the page.  Learn How to use these sections.

•   How To Use Your "My Settings" Page
  Now you are ready to Customize your ActiveRain Settings.
  
  

    GETTING THE MOST OUT OF ACTIVERAIN
    Social Networking, Connecting and Blogging

• ActiveRain Member Success Stories
  Read what other industry professionals and members have to share.
  Here's A VIDEO version

• Understanding ActiveRain Points
  Learn about points and how they work on the network.

• The RainMaker Membership
  Becoming a RainMaker - The Value and The Benefit
  
  

    READY TO MAKE LIGHTNING, THUNDER AND RAIN
    Now that you're a member and RainMaker, put the power tools to work

• Top 10 Tools for New Members and RainMakers
  Take the time to review what this network has to offer.

• ActiveRain Custom Outside Blogs
  How To Create and Maximize Your Outside ActiveBlog.

• The ActiveRain Starter Kit
  Details about more ActiveRain Products, Tools, and Services.
  
  

    OTHER USEFUL RESOURCES TO HELP YOU
    Use these links to dive deeper in the "Rain" if you need more information

• The ActiveRainGuide
  A Tutorial Blog by Members for Members

• The ActiveRain Staff Blog
  The Official ActiveRain TEAM Blog

• Help/FAQ Group
  A network group created to help members

• An ActiveRain eBook Tutorial
  Find Almost Anything about ActiveRain here
  

• ActiveRain University
  Online Campus for Training and Support

• Real Estate RainCamp
  "Live" Local Conferences and Seminars
  

DID YOU KNOW?
ActiveRain is the TOP Real Estate Social Network in the World (source: Google)

The ActiveRain Network hosts over 170,000 RE Industry members averaging 200-300 new members daily.  There are more than 1.5 million articles posted, with an average of 700-1000 new posts daily.  Two million+ visitors traffic the ActiveRain network each month, over 80% are consumers.  Only Rainmaker upgraded accounts receive Google traffic to their blogs and posts.  ActiveRain Member's Blog posts receive more than 500 views on average.  Activerain is the ONLY on-line Network that offers this wide variety of tools, diverse services, and proven solutions to the Real Estate Industry Professional and for consumers on the WEB.

Best of Luck and Enjoy!

Having recently been to Seattle, San Francisco, New York, and now on our way to Dallas Texas, I wanted to share what others who have attended these RainCamps experienced, and are sharing with us.  This Review and Testimonial Lens is starting to grow with some great testimonials and feedback.  There's some new Blog posts, member comments, a few photos and video, and a "live" twitter feed.  The RainCamp "cloud" is beginning to take form.

If you attended any of the RainCamps, or plan to this year, we'd love to get your feedback and add it to The RainCamp Page.  We are all about making RainCamp "The BEST" it can be and are only able to do that with your help and support.  Share with us what you liked best, and we'll make it even better.  Based on many of the posts and comments, it looks like we're on the right track.

There's a feedback section available at the bottom of the page, just click the RainCamp button below.

Reviews HERE

If you have already written a post or review about RainCamp and would like it added, just leave me a link, I apologize if I may have missed it when putting this together.  You can also just leave a review or comment here, and I'll take care of the rest.  We'll be updating the page often with reviews and comments from each event going forward. Can't wait to see yours.  :-)

So come experience "Rainergy" then share your thoughts and experience with us.  We love hearing from you.

I've really enjoyed travelling around and meeting so many of you in person.  I'm excited and looking forward to seeing and meeting many more of you at future RainCamps, especially this one coming up in Dallas, I get to wear my Cowboy Hat and Boots! (Big Smile)

Cityplace Conference and Event Center
2711 North Haskell Avenue, Suite 100, Dallas, Texas 75204
Phone: 214-515-5100 - Fax: 214-515-5199

"RAINCAMP™" Platinum Pass Includes:

• Reserved Platinum seating in the front of the room with table, wi-fi, and power
• Hosted VIP lunch at RainCamp™ with ActiveRain CEO Jonathan Washburn and RainCamp™ speakers,
  Ben Kinney, Brad Andersohn, and Bob Stewart.
• RainCamp™ T-shirt exclusive for Platinum supporters
• Premium RainCamp™ tote with surprise give-aways 
• Platinum RainCamp™ Supporter Badge at RainCamp
• Invitation to VIP after party, including appetizers
• Latest cutting edge social media instruction e-book by Ben Kinney and Jay Papasan
• Platinum RainCamp™ Supporter Badge on ActiveRain Blog or Profile page
  
• Access to VIP registration line

"RAINCAMP™" Premium Seating Includes:

• Reserved Premium seating near the front of the room with table, wi-fi, and power
• Access to VIP registration line

We also want to thank our Platinum Sponsor for their continued Support.

RainCamp™ - San Francisco

RainCamp™ -  New York

RainCamp™ -  Dallas Texas

(Your Photo and Face Belong Here)