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Jackie Colson-Miller

Jackie Colson-Miller
Direct - (813)629-5757
Toni Everett Company
5000 Bayshore Blvd
Tampa, FL 33611
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'Project Blogger'

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The Contest is Over…Time to Vote!

Filed under: Project Blogger, Real Estate News

For those of you who are regular readers on The Real Estate Sizzle, you will recall that I have been a contestant in Project Blogger, a Real Estate Blog contest.

The Prize: $2500 to my Favorite CharityKW Careswhich is the Keller Williams charity which supports many causes in our community.

The final votes will be tallied in the next few days. If you have enjoyed reading the Real Estate Sizzle, I hope you will vote for me …Here’s How:

Send an email to the contest:

mailto:Vote@ActiveRain.com

**Include your Name and Phone Number( or it will not be counted)

Vote for Jackie Colson-Miller** …Make it easy…Just copy and paste this into your email…

**If it is easier for you…you can send the email to me mailto: Jackie@RealEstateSizzle.com

and I will forward it for you…don’t forget your name and phone number!

You will see some changes on The Real Estate Sizzle over the next few weeks, as I add more information and make it more user-friendly.

Thank you for voting…Keep reading the Real Estate Sizzle for the latest news on Life and Real Estate in Tampa and Around the World!

If you are curious about the judging…this past week’s judges did a great job and judged via “video”….watch it HERE!

Be Patient…the beginning is a little loud and a bit of a commercial…but it’s fun and informative!

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Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   5 Comments »   |   07.25.2007

Jackie Colson-Miller is Featured Speaker in Internet News Conference Today!

Filed under: Project Blogger, Real Estate News

Jackie Colson-Miller, Keller Williams South Tampa, and contestant in Project Blogger, a National Real Estate blog contest, will be one of the featured speakers in an Internet News Conference with Inman News on Monday, June 11 at 2pm EST. Listen to her story about why, when and how to start a blog!

Tune in and listen on HeaderLogo

I did listen to a recent talkcast, just to see how it works. If you would like to listen to my conference, here is the link:
http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/tscmd/tc/32606

Then, you can decide to Just Listen , or Create an account to further participate.TSLiveTalkCastBtn
**YOU WILL HAVE TO ALLOW POP-UPS TO LISTEN IN**


This is my first internet conference, so it should be interesting. So, I hope you can take a few minutes and listen in!

Here are all of the details!

Inman News Audio Conference
Monday, June 11, 2007 at 11 a.m. Pacific / 2 p.m. Eastern…That’s Today

Building from the Ground Up. Real Experiences Starting a Real Estate Blog from Scratch.
Hosted & Moderated by Inman News Managing Editor, Jessica Swesey
Starting a real estate blog doesnt need to be hard. You can do it too! Listen to the first hand experiences from participants in the Project Blogger challenge to hear what it really took to get their real estate blogs up and running. Youll learn exactly what works and what doesnt work, as well learn some tips and tricks to make sure you succeed.
Project Blogger is a blogging competition co-sponsored by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network and Inman News. 12 blogging coaches selected 12 apprentices to mentor and set on the path towards real estate blogging superstardom. The winning team will be announced at the Bloggers Connect conference this summer in San Francisco.
***This audio call will be hosted on the Talkshoe network, and will be recorded as an interactive podcast. In order to dial in or participate in the call you will need to create a Talkshoe account and choose a PIN number (see directions below).

***You will, however, still be able to listen to the call live over the Internet, without a Talkshoe account. ***

Our Speakers Jackie Colson-Miller (Apprentice)Jackie Colson-Miller is a 13 year veteran in the Real Estate Industry. Originally from New England, she has lived and studied in Switzerland, has a B.A. from Providence College, Providence, RI, and was recently awarded the Certified International Property Specialist Designation (CIPS). Working with a heavily international clientele, Jackie works in the Tampa Bay area, as well as International Relocation. Jackies blog is http://www.realestatesizzle.com/

Jim Cronin (Coach)
Jim Cronin, author and creator of the popular Real Estate Tomato (http://realestatetomato.typepad.com/) blog. Having helped thousands of Realtors embrace the internet as an effective marketing tool over the last 7 years, Jim has developed a blog, a company and a product on the premise that the best service is through education.
Julie Ferenzi (Apprentice)

Julie is a Realtor with JP Realty Group in Illinois, and prior to her career as an agent she spent 3 years working as a real estate investors apprentice. She is the busy mom of four great kids. She loves real estate and working with people and is a new blogger and a new agent, and so far loves them both too. Julies blog is http://www.livinginplainfield.com/
Jeff Turner (Coach)
Jeff Turner is a serial entrepreneur and is currently President of RealEstateShows.com. Throughout his career, Jeff has excelled at bringing extraordinary vision, creativity and innovative solutions to challenging situations. Jeff only recently started blogging but sees many similarities between what makes a good entrepreneur and a good blogger. Jeff blogs at http://activerain.com/blogs/respres
Note: If you encounter problems, call TalkShoe technical support at 724-935-8265 or email support@talkshoe.com.

If you miss the live call, you can always listen to it after the fact. You can download and listen to an MP3 podcast using your favorite music player (like iTunes) or stream it over the internet. Click here to access all recordings and features: http://www.talkshoe.com/talkshoe/web/tscmd/tc/32606
All Graphics from Talkshoe

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Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   3 Comments »   |   06.11.2007

Would You Put Your Face on a Bus Bench???

Filed under: Fun and Frolic, Project Blogger, South Tampa

Eight years ago, this month, I attended a South Tampa Chamber of Commerce luncheon. It was the same year I started putting my photo on my business card. As an aside, I HATE to have my picture taken, but I understand how important it is for marketing. At the event, I exchanged cards with a number of people, including one who said, I think you should put your face on a bench. . WHAT???? , I said. He went on to explain that he sold bus bench advertising and, though it hadnt hit our market yet, it was all the rage in other parts of the country for real estate agents.

I explained to the nice guy, That is the tackiest thing I have ever heard in my lifethis is South Tampa we just dont do things like put signs on our cars, or wear goofy name tags all day , so imagine what people would say about my face on a bench . He said, You already are well-known and have a great reputation in the industry, so YOU should be the first face on a bench . I thought he was crazy! BUT, that month, I had gotten divorced and sold a zillion I was feeling like I was on top of the world. So, I told him I would take 2 benches. I put one on the most heavily traveled street in South Tampaat a stop light, near Plant High School. And, I put the other at the end of my ex-husbands street! Just because I have a great sense of humor, and he doesnt!

The response was incredible! Immediately, people started recognizing me in public as the girl on the bench . And, there were plenty of jokes, as you can imagine. I rolled with the punches and racked up Benchthe kind of brand recognition that Proctor and Gamble would die for! Eight years, and three bench designs later, it now looks just like my blog, with the same colors and film strip. The name and face recognition from that bench on the busy corner is immeasurable. Other real estate agents have offered the bench company triple the monthly rate to steal my spot on that corner! NO , they say, Jackie has the spot for life! absolutely!

I gave up the second bench years ago. I kept moving it from one spot to the next, giving the appearance that I had benches all over town . That second bench was always the one where I played with the location. Several years ago, I called off a wedding, three weeks before the wedding day. I moved that bench to the end of the ex-fiances street! I never laughed so hard in my life. The first time he turned the corner and saw my face, he laughed pretty hard, as well.

So, on June 8, of every year, I celebrate the anniversary of my divorce, and the anniversary of MY BENCH. I have had great business from it, great name recognition and LOADS of fun. I am thankful to have a career that is challenging, satisfying and FUN buy yourself a Bus Bench and add some humor to your life!

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Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   10 Comments »   |   06.08.2007

When is That Contest Over and WHAT is it, Again??

Filed under: Project Blogger

I am currently in a National Real Estate Blog Contest, called Project Blogger. I get a lot of questions, every day, about the Contest, and it has been months since I first wrote about it, so let me bring you up-to-date on all of the details.Pj

What is the Contest?

It is a national competition sponsored by Inman News and Active Rain, the on-line real estate community. It is a contest to select the best apprentice bloggersomeone new to the real estate blogging industry. There are 12 contestants who were chosen by a coach , an experienced blogger in the real estate industry. The apprentice and coach are teams in the contest, which started April 9 and continues until July 15th.

The winner will be announced at Inmans Bloggers Connect conference in San Francisco on August 1.

How Did You Get Involved?

I was selected by my coach, and blog designer, Jim Cronin, of The Real Estate Tomato to participate with him. I think he sensed my “competitive” nature!

How Do You Think of Things to Blog About?

The current issues with the market, property taxes, current events in real estate and life in Tampa, and around the world, give me plenty of ideas. When a man was encroaching on me in the airplane, it gave me the idea for an article on encroachments. Everyday life gives me plenty to talk about! Having my car towed led to the story about the bad neighbor on Howard Avenue. I am sure something interesting will happen this week for me to “blog” about. It really helps to keep my friends and family on their toes, as they may find themselves to be a subject on “The Sizzle”. I like to have a good balance of Important Issues in Real Estate, along with some interesting articles about life in Tampa, and other areas around the world. About 15% of my readership each week comes from foreign countries.

How do You Find the Time to Write So Much?

Its not as difficult as it appears. When I am checking on market statistics, I simply turn it into a blog article. Or, if someone calls me for advice on a subject, or asks an interesting question, that is just “food” for a new article. I write most of my articles in advance, in the off hours. When I have an idea, I start an article and finish it later. I currently have about 20 articles started . If something happens with respect to property taxes, or any other topic that is timely for my readership, then I will write about it as soon as it happens. The new Real estate contract is a good example. That was a major story that needed to be written ASAP. All my articles for this week are “ready to go”!

How Does the Contest Work?

My blog articles are judged, on a weekly basis, by various judges from the blogging community. In addition, the readers can vote for their favorite contestant each week. The judges voting counts for 85% and the Readership vote counts for 15%, each week. At the end of the contest, the apprentice with the most accumulated votes will win.
The judges are supposed to use the following criteria:

a. Degree of innovation in approach
b. Consistency
c. Quality of postings
d. The Apprentice’s community involvement
e. Traffic or reach of apprentice’s blog(s)
f. Documentation of experience and participation in ActiveRain’s Project Blogger’s group
g. Cost effectiveness of campaign
h. Improvement/progress of the apprentice
h. Business viability of approach
Are You Winning?

I am winning the readership vote and am currently in second place overall. That changes from week to week as the judging comes in for that week. It is fairly complicated and was somewhat disorganized at the beginning. We are still waiting on the judges vote for week 3 and we are in week 8!

What is the Prize?

ActiveRain will be donating $5,000 to the winning team’s charities of choice.
The blogging coach and apprentice will each be allowed to direct $2,500 of the $5,000. I have already decided to donate my winnings to KW Cares. That is the fundraising arm of Keller Williams. Our office supports many local causes and I serve on that committee.

Who is Competing?
The Competitors (and their coaches):

Jackie Colson-Miller & Jim CroninTampa, FL
Michael & Barbara Daly & Joe Ferrara & Rudy Bacharty The Hamptons, NY
Kelly Kilpatrick & Joel Burslem Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Ines Hegedus-Garcia & Paul Chaney, Miami, FL
Tisza Major-Posner & Drew Meyers, Claremont, CA
London Whitted & Pat Kitano California
Kevin Tomlinson & Ardell DellaLoggia, Miami Beach, FL
Vali Wimberly & Teresa Boardman, St. Paul, MN
Julie Ferenzi & Jeff Turner, Plainfield, IL
Theresa Lussier & Greg Swann, Dayton, OH
Madison Hildebrand & Dustin Luther, Malibu, CA
Mary Pope-Handy & Francess Flynn Thorsen.Los Gatos, CA

THE BIG QUESTION?? Are You Going to Win??

I am VERY competitive…What do YOU Think?? Of course, I am visualizing that trophy!

Thank you for your interest, and continued support during this contest. Keep Reading and Voting!

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Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   05.29.2007

Hurricane Preparedness….Part 3

Filed under: Florida Real Estate, Hurricane Preparedness, Project Blogger, Real Estate News, South Tampa, Tampa, Tampa Real Estate

8. BOOK A HOTEL EARLY

If you are planning to evacuate, you need to plan ahead. Every county has shelters available, so that is always an option.

I start watching the storm early on and scout out 2 or 3 possible locations away from the storm. I have pets, so I need to stay in Pet-friendly hotels. The Amerisuites chain is always my first choice. They are pet-friendly and kid-friendly! I book rooms in several places for 7 10 days and then make adjustments for time and location as the storm approaches. By the time the storm is 3 days out, most of the hotel rooms in the state are already gone.

9. PETS

Have travel supplies ready for your pet, too. I have a cat and a sweet, Ab_beylittle Yorkie who only barks when she is in a strange place, like a hotel room. A barking dog in a hotel is not very welcome, so she has a muzzle. She can drink while she is wearing it, but she doesnt bark and she wont disturb anyone.

8. LEAVE EARLY

I evacuate before the roads get busy, usually the day before anyone starts to panic.

10. TAKE YOUR YELLOW PAGES WITH YOUYellow-pages

After the storm, you may need a Restoration Company, Pool Clean-up, Electricians, Rug Cleaners, etc.

11. CONSIDER BUYING A GENERATOR

If your area is prone to storms and electrical outages, you make consider buying a portable generator. There are many sizes and models available, so it is best to consult with your electrician to see what size you need for the size of your home.

I hope you have found my series on Hurricane Preparedness helpful. If you have any other ideas, please leave a comment!

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Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   05.11.2007

Hurricane Preparedness…Part 2

Filed under: Florida Real Estate, Hurricane Preparedness, Insurance, Project Blogger, Real Estate News, Tampa

If you havent already seen it, please read Part 1 of my Hurricane GuideThe Insiders Guide to Hurricane Preparedness.

5. If you have a pool, drain it about 12 inches. Otherwise, your pool will overflow and contribute to the flooding!

6. GET WATER,CASH, GAS, NON-PERISHABLE FOOD and BE PREPARED FOR NO ELECTRICITY FOR 1 2 WEEKS OR MORE

The guides really underestimate how soon things will be back to normal. Banks, ATM machines, Gas Stations, Stores and Restaurants will be closed until there is electricity. I served food in a temporary St_ormkitchen in Arcadia after Hurricane Charley. It was the only food available in town and I met several local Real Estate agents who has no where else to eat. That was one week after the storm hit and some of the roads were still impassable. It was a humbling experience, but it gave me a glimpse of a real-life disaster.

Your power lines may be down, so have at least one phone in your home that uses a phone line, but not electricity. Have surge protectors on all of your electronics and appliances. The ideal is to have a surge protector on your Electrical Box. My electrician installed one for me, but some of the Electric Companies offer one, as well. Even some minor winds can cause electrical outages and fires.

7. MAKE PLASTIC BINS YOUR BEST FRIENDSBi_ns

Keep all of your photo albums and irreplaceable things in plastic bins with covers. It makes it easy to get them out of harms way or take them with you. During the summer of 2004, I rented a storage facility and left all of my art and photographs there for the entire hurricane season.

Stay tuned for “Part 3″ tomorrow…

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Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   Click Here To Comment »   |   05.10.2007

Andrea Opens the 2007 Hurricane Season A Little Too Early!

Filed under: Florida Real Estate, Insurance, Project Blogger, Real Estate News, Services, South Tampa, Tampa

Andrea, The first named storm of the 2007 Hurricane Season is stirring in the Atlantic. Shes tiny and fairly harmless, but for a season that starts in June, its a little too early. Are you ready? Here is Part 1 of my Hurricane Preparedness Guide

I am hyper-sensitive to Tropical Storms. My home flooded in 1995 with Tropical Storm Josephine. It was a freak storm that flooded parts of South Tampa and St. Petersburg due to storm surge at high tide. We Char_tevacuated in the middle of the night through hip-deep water with babies in tow and boarded an amphibian vehicle, which navigated the flood waters and took us to higher ground. Three days of having the muck cleaned out of my home, and my possessions destroyed, was enough for me to decide I was never going to live through that again! As a result, I have become the Queen of Hurricane Preparedness!

In the next few weeks, all of the newspapers will be printing a Hurricane Guide with a list of supplies, ways to prepare for a storm, etc. Well be loading up on water, batteries, duct tape and sterno. But there are many things the guides dont tell you. So, lets call this series The Insiders Guide to storm preparednessall the things the newspaper doesnt tell you.

1. MAKE A PLAN

Now is the time to talk about where you would go in case of a disaster. What if you need temporary housing? Would you stay with relatives? What if you sell Real Estate and all the homes in your area are destroyed? How will you earn a living? Would you rebuild or move to another city? Whether it is a fire, a hurricane or a terrorist attack, having a disaster plan in place, will make the event far less stressful for you and your family.

2. STORMS ARE UNPREDICTABLEBE PREPARED FOR THE WORST

In 2004, Hurricane Charley was projected to hit Tampa. I live in a mandatory evacuation zone, so I was safely ensconced in a hotel far from the bay. Just hours before the projected hit, the storm took a sharp turn, went from a Category 2 to a Category 4 storm and hit 2 hours south of Tampa, in the Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte area and tore through the middle of the state. Those areas were not prepared and the devastation was incredible. Had that storm hit Tampa as a Category 4, all of South Tampa would have experienced a storm surge over 20 feet high. Anyone who did not evacuate, would have perished. Many of my friends would have died in that storm. Nothing is worth risking your life, when a storm is approaching you need to evacuate. There can be a 200 mile difference in the various projected paths of any storm. If you are anywhere in the cone ,(the possible projected path) you need to be prepared to evacuate. My favorite website for hurricane tracking is www.noaa.gov

3. INSURANCE

Review your insurance policies. Home owner’s Insurance does not cover rising water. You will need flood insurance for that. Neither Homeowners Insurance, nor Flood Insurance will cover your contents, unless you add that to each policy. Your agent will not automatically add contents to your policy, so you need to request it. If you are not in a designated Flood Zone, then Flood Insurance is very inexpensive. If you are remotely within the possibility of ANY kind of flooding, BUY IT. Believe me when I tell you that, in case of a flood, or a fire, you will not remember 1/10th of the mud-soaked items that were destroyed. Your insurance company is in business to make a profit, so they are counting on that! AND, any changes to a policy take 30 days to go into effect. The time to check your policies is long before any storm is approaching.

4. MAKE A HOME INVENTORY

The loss of some womens shoe collections could run into the thousands of dollars! Seriously, the most important thing you can do to prepare for a disaster is to make a Home Inventory. Take a spiral notebook and use several pages for each room in your home. Make a list of every item in that roomi.e. in your kitchen you need to list every wooden spoon, pots, pans, dishes, etc. Pay particular attention to your closets and drawers. Every time you buy something, add it to your home inventory. Add values to each item, and make sure your contents policy covers the cost of all of your items. Jewelry, Antiques, Art and Computer equipment may require additional riders to your policy. Add pictures or video of each room as well. Keep a copy of all of the pages in your inventory in a place other than your home! Flood insurance contents are reimbursed at thrift store values, so it is critical to itemize every item in your home.

Stay tuned for Part 2

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Posted by Jackie Colson-Miller   |   4 Comments »   |   05.09.2007

Got Junk…One Phone Call Takes it Away

Filed under: Florida Real Estate, Project Blogger, Real Estate News, Tampa Real Estate

How many times have you had piles and piles of junk that you needed to have hauled away?