Sleepless in Sturbridge: Massachusetts: Worcester

Blogging For Business Networking Class - Week 2

Week 2 we had a great turnout in class.  This week we focused on becoming a RainMaker & How To Shoot Up The Search Engines.

What Is A RainMaker?

• A Blogger with an Outside Blog on ActiveRain
• Blogs are open to the public and not just members
• Get the full benefits of "Google Juice" as we like to call it

What Happens To RainMakers?

• More Exposure with Outside Blogs
• Google Juice - Very important to find consumers, leads & prospects
• Domain Name Branding - Free domain with subscription
• Multiple templates and styles to format your Outside Blog
• Undoubtedly 100 times more business from blogging

Power of Branding YOU versus Branding Your Company

• Consumers hire a person, not a brand
• Brand your strengths & services (they are not the same company wide)
• Not every 2 professionals are the same - emphasize this to your advantage
• People change companies, don't be stuck reinventing yourself if this happens to you

Tips For Shooting Up The Search Engines

• Block time each week to consistently blog
• Make an outline of the week's blog topics in advance when possible
• Keep your eyes open for useful information to share with your audience
• Read other blogs and magazines with related articles
• Use clearly identifiable keywords throughout your blog - 2-4% keyword density is the magic number
• Make use of your tags
• Fill out the name & descriptions for your photos
• Promote your blog on other websites
• Write about hyper-local content
• Make your posts very detailed to what you're writing about and try not to be too broad

ActiveRain Points:

225 Points Per Blog (Max. 10 per week)

25 Points Per Comment on other blogs (Max. 10 per day)

25 Points Per Re-blog

100 Points for Logging In

Points for Contests

Points for Inviting Members

LAST CLASS:  Tuesday, September 7th @ 6:00PM TOPIC:  Adding Style to Your Blog Adding Great Images Embedding Video Adding Style & Color to Your Blog

 JUST SOLD - 4 Dolly Drive Worcester MA (01604) - $356,000

List Price:  $367,777
Sale Price: $356,000
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms:  3.5
Living Area:  3242 SQFT

Congratulations to the Eger family on their new home purchase.  It was a pleasure working with you!

If you are looking for similar homes like this one for sale in or around the city of Worcester, click on the link to start your home search today!

 100 DAYS OF CENTRAL MASS FEATURES UNION STATION IN WORCESTER

Located in Washington Square in Worcester, Union Station is one of Worcester's great landmarks.  Union Station was originally built in 1911 and abandoned in 1975.  The rundown and neglected station was acquired and renovated by the Worcester Redevelopment Authority and opened back up in July of 2000.  In 2006, an intercity and local bus terminal with 5 bus ports was added.

Union Station Amenities:

• Western terminus of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's Framingham/Worcester commuter rail line, with inbound service to Back Bay and South Station in Boston
• A stop on Amtrak's Lake Shore Limited Boston section to/from Albany, New York with connections to Chicago (formerly also the Regional's Inland Route)
• Intercity (Peter Pan Bus Lines) and local Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) bus service
• Staffed ticket windows, small concession and vending area, restrooms, enclosed well-lit waiting area
• Free Wi-Fi
• Grand Hall, with original elliptical stained-glass ceilings, interior marble columns and mahogany wood trim

For more information about Union Station and parking, visit Wikipedia.

 100 DAYS OF CENTRAL MASS FEATURES WORCESTER - CITIES TO WORK IN

Worcester, MA is located in Central Mass and is known as the "Heart of the Commonwealth".  It is the second largest city in New England.  Bordering towns that commuters often live in are Auburn, Paxton, Millbury, Grafton, Holden, Leicester, West Boylston and Shrewsbury.  Worcester covers an area of 38.6 square miles and is just 40 miles from Boston.

Worcester has a very diversified economy.  The University of Massachusetts Medical School is one of the largest employers.  Hanover Insurance maintains their national headquarters in the city of Worcester.  Worcester is a huge college town with many universities and colleges to choose from.  A city full of opportunity and growth, Worcester is a great place to live and work.

If you are looking for more information about Worcester, or searching for homes for sale in Worcester, MA, don't hesitate to contact JCKC Realty.  We are happy to help you start your search. 

 WORCESTER MA - HOME SOLD BY JCKC REALTY
NOT IN MLS!

Often times when you are working with a client looking for something in particular, you just know what they want.  That was the case with this sale.  We were working with an investor for several weeks and knew what he wanted.  We called on a listing that was Under Agreement to see if there was any chance it would be coming back on the market and found out from the listing agent about this expired listing that she owned.  We setup the showing with her.  Everything worked out perfectly and close to 2 weeks later, voila!  Another home sold by JCKC Realty. 

Sometimes representing a buyer means more than sending them listing via email.  Sometimes you have to do a little digging to get them what they want.

127 Plantation Street
Worcester, MA 01604
List Price: $235,000
Sale Price: $200,000
3 Family w/2 Rented Units

To start your Worcester MA multi-family search, click on the map below.  Don't hesitate to call or email us if you need assistance with your next home purchase.

 100 DAYS OF CENTRAL MASS FEATURES WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE

Worcester Polytechnic Institute, WPI, is located in the city of Worcester and was founded in 1865.  It is one of the country's earliest technological institutes and provides a unique approach to science and technology education.  WPI ranks very highly among other national, doctoral universities.  The campus is absolutely beautiful and centrally located in the city set on top of a secluded hilltop.  It is an 80-acre, traditional New England campus.  WPI is one of 13 colleges and universities throughout the city and is strategically located with good access to commuter rails that can take students into Boston in an hour.  Worcester Polytechnic Institute offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree programs with focuses on science, technology, engineering, management and humanities & arts. 

Information from the WPI website:  http://www.wpi.edu

A highly regarded institution

WPI is ranked No. 62 among all national, doctoral universities by U.S. News & World Report; No. 1 for student/faculty interaction in the National Survey of Student Engagement; and No. 9 by The Princeton Review for "best career prospects" for graduates of our MBA program. And that's just the beginning of the recognition we've received from a large number of institutions and individuals for our high quality and unique approach to education.

A community of diverse interests

The WPI community is alive with activity. Students participate in nearly 200 extracurricular activities, including music, theatre, and Greek organizations, 20 varsity sports teams, and more than 30 club and intramural sports. There are also fun campus-wide annual events, including Homecoming, Winter Ball, and QuadFest.

 100 DAYS OF CENTRAL MASS FEATURES BECKER COLLEGE

Becker College has 2 campuses in the towns of Worcester and Leicester and originates back to 1784.  Becker College is a relatively small coeducational school offering 2 and 4 year programs.  The college is dedicated to helping students achieve success in growing intellectually, socially and personally. 

FACTS FROM THEIR WEBSITE:  http://www.becker.edu

Year Founded: 1784

Enrollment: 1,739, representing 18 states and 12 countries

Academic year: Two fifteen-week semesters

2008-09 Cost (per year):

     Tuition: $24,780 
     Room and Board: $9,760 

Financial aid: 100% of students who apply for financial aid receive some form of financial assistance

Campuses:

     Worcester: 31 buildings including 14 residence halls
     Leicester: 24 buildings including 7 residence halls

Student-faculty ratio: Eighteen to one

Worcester State College is a public institution of higher learning located in the heart of Central Mass.  The campus is set on 58 acres in the desirable west side of Worcester and was founded in 1874 as the Worcester Normal School.  In 1932, the name was changed to Worcester State Teachers College.  By 1963, the once teachers college had made the transition to one offering liberal arts and science studies, and therefore the word "Teacher" was dropped from the name. 

Worcester Magazine's Readers Poll voted Worcester State the "Best College in Worcester" the past 4 out of 6 years.  The Princeton Review designated the college as "America's Best Value College" in 07' and "Best Northeastern College" from 2005-2010.  At Worcester State College, the faculty and administrations is dedicated to offering a high level of education to both under-graduates and graduate students. 

Some Quick Facts About Worcester State College courtsey of their website: http://worcester.edu

Worcester State College 2008-2009

Student Profile

Fall Enrollment 2008:

Undergraduate (full-time): 3,377
Undergraduate (part-time): 1,266
Graduate (full-time): 103
Graduate (part-time): 632
Total Headcount: 5,378 

Student Characteristics:

Women (undergraduate): 59%
Men (undergraduate): 41%
Out-of-state: 4%
International (23 countries): 1.3%
ALANA* students: 14%
Residential students: 30%
Average age (undergraduate): 24
Average High School GPA: 3.06
Average SAT score: 1011

Cost of Attendance

Undergraduate tuition: $970
Undergraduate fees: $5,200
Room and board (avg.): $8,527 

Financial Aid (2007-2008)

Students receiving financial aid: 2,897
Average size of award: $7,666
Students w/ WSC scholarships: 1,026 

Faculty/Staff Profile

Full-time: 185
Part-time (day): 145
Part-time (adjunct): 82
Full-time with terminal degree: 140
Faculty to student ratio: 1:16
Average class size: 19
Staff: 282 

Academic Programs

Undergraduate majors: 24
Undergraduate minors: 29
Graduate programs: 20
Study Abroad  programs: 44 

Largest Major (1st major only)

Business Administration: 830
Psychology: 410
Criminal Justice: 322
Communication: 244
Nursing: 253 

Degrees Conferred (2007-2008)

Baccalaureates: 762
Post Bachelor's Certificates: 131
Master's: 183
Total Degrees Conferred: 1,076 

Student Life

Student Clubs & Organization: 42
Honor Societies: 15
Intercollegiate Sports: 10 women, 10 men

Alumni

Total Alumni: 31,728
Alumni living in Massachusetts: 20,887
Alumni living in Worc County: 16

Tonight we are going to feature one of Worcester's prestigious universities - Clark University.  Founded in 1887, Clark University was created as the first graduate university in the US.  Clark is a teaching and research institution.  Clark University focuses on liberal arts education with interactions between undergraduates, graduates and faculty.  The university strives to help students achieve success and become well rounded, educated beings in society.  Clark takes pride in being an urban university full of culture and history that helps adapt it's students. 

To learn more about Clark University, visit their website:  https://www.clarku.edu