Chicago Signature Properties

By Arin Agase

Not only is Pinterest a girl’s best friend, It’s also your businesses. Prior to attending InmanNext’s, “Pinterest A-Z for Real Estate Agents” I was skeptical on how the website, (An online pin-board that allows you to organize & share the things you love) would actually be conducive to our brokerage. I thought it was too good to be true. Do I actually get to pin at home, and work? (Is that allowed?)

Thanks to the knowledgeable Chris Smith, and Katie Lance, my skepticism was proved wrong. In fact, Pinterest is home to 10 million U.S. monthly unique visitors, faster than any independent site in history. With 100+ brands pinning, such as: Whole Foods, Etsy, Lowe’s and Zillow. We decided to join the fun.

“Pinterest is generating more referral traffic to websites than YouTube, Google+ and LinkedIn combined” -Mastercom

Several Key Thoughts/Tips:

Via Pinterest

Great Match: The combination of spectacular photos (architecture, landscaping, decorating ideas, DIY tips, Design + more) make Pinterest a great match for realtors. Share photos/projects with clients via email, and social media channels. Make your emails personal and listen to client-wishes during tours. They’ll be more complied to refer you down the road, and you’re setting yourself apart from the rest.

Backlinks: Create back-links to your site from Pinterest. If you have a company blog, or listings (with photos), simply pin the photos with a link. You can see a few examples here if you’re not following. To learn more about backlinks, and how they are impacting your ranking, check out Inman’s article.

Update: Instructions on how to pin from blog:

- Download the “Pin-it” button in the about section on Pinterest.com. Once you download,  go to your blog and press the pin button (from tool-bar) An array of images will come up, click which image you want to pin (from your blog post) and copy/past the URL in the comment section.

Want to see if your website has been “pinned” Follow this website: (Via InmanNext) http://Pinterest.com/source/YOURWEBSITE.com/ to view your backlinks.

See Chicago Signature’s backlinks here.

Category Ideas: Some of our favorites include:

• Celebrity Real Estate

• Chicago Eats

• Home Office Spaces

• Meet our Team (see our example)

• DIY Ideas

• Cleaning Tips

Chicago Signature Pinterest. – Don’t forget to visit!

By Collis Hancock

Monday

Head to Mercadito for a four-course sharing menu, paired around different drinks and tastings of Fortaleza Tequila. Chef Patricio Sandoval is creating a fantastic and fun menu and tickets are only $55 for the dinner and drinks. Call the restaurant for reservations.
Mercadito
108 West Kinzie
312-329-9555
www.mercaditorestaurants.com

Enjoy dishes from dozens of local chefs and a show emceed by Steve Dolinsky at Cooking up a Cure, a fundraiser for to find a cure for Scleroderma. Tickets are $125 a piece, which includes a night of fun, food, drinks and a generous donation to the cause.
Cooking up a Cure
Salvage One
1840 West Hubbard Street
www.cookingupacurechicago.com

Tuesday

Lockwood’s Regional Wine Journey this week features Napa Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Guests will enjoy a class from the sommelier, tastes of several varietals and some foods that pair well with the wines. Classes start at 5:30 and are $25 per person. Call the restaurant for reservations.
Lockwood Restaurant
17 East Monroe Street
312-917-3404
www.lockwoodrestaurant.com

Wednesday

Starting this week, Hearty is hosting a mussels special every Wednesday. For only $10, guests can get a bucket of steamed Bar Harbor mussels, house cut fries and a seasonal draft beer. Call the restaurant to make reservations.
Hearty
3819 North Broadway
777-868-9866
www.heartyboys.com

Thursday

Support the oldest child welfare agency in the city, the Chicago Child Care Society, while having a few glasses of wine and some delicious appetizers at Webster Wine Bar. There will also be a silent auction with sports, spa and dining items and a 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $45 if you buy ahead of time (http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2038333711) and $50 at the door.
Webster Wine Bar
1480 West Webster Avenue
773-868-0608
www.websterwinebar.com

Saturday

Spend the day at one of the last outdoor Saturday Green City Market. The market opens at 7 a.m. and runs through 1 p.m. Pick up produce, meats, cheeses and prepared goods for the week and have a picnic brunch with doughnuts from Zullo’s, crepes from Abby’s crepes, smoothies from Seedling and much more.
Green City Market
Lincoln Park between Clark and Stockton
www.greencitymarket.org

By Collis Hancock

Tuesday

Learn everything you’ve ever wanted to know about sushi and sake at SUSHISAMBA Rio’s Sushi Sake 101 class. You’ll make your own rolls, enjoy expertly crafted sashimi and appetizers. Additionally, sip sake and learn about the Japanese import. Classes are $75 a person; call the restaurant for reservations.
SUSHISAMBA Rio
504 North Wells Street
312-595-2300
www.sushisamba.com

Wednesday

Get the Day of the Dead festivities started right at Zocalo. For $25, guests will be treated to appetizers, cocktails, a four-course tasting menu paired with tequilas, two cocktails, live music and a raffle. The menu consists of ceviche, crema de calabaza, mole, tres leches cake and more. Call the restaurant for reservations.
Zocalo
358 West Ontario Street
312-302-9977
www.zocalochicago.com

Thursday

Cityscape is hosting a free tasting of beers from Tenth and Blake Beer Company. While you sip, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city. The event runs from 6 – 7 p.m. and you can make reservations by emailing cityscape@martplaza.com.
Cityscape Bar
Holiday Inn Mart Plaza – 15th Floor
350 West Mart Center Drive
312-836-5000
www.cityscapebar.com

Friday

Support an amazing cause and feel like a judge on Top Chef at this year’s Meals on Wheels Celebrity Chef Ball. Chefs Stephanie Izard, Chris Pandel and Paul Virant are the official hosts and dozens more chefs will be offering tasting samples of some of their best dishes. Wine, dine, dance and indulge in casino games, all while helping Meals on Wheels. Tickets start at $125.
Celebrity Chef Ball
Macy’s State Street
111 North State Street
Visit Website

Saturday

Table 52’s Pastry Chef Celeste “CeCe” Campise has opened a pop-up pastry shop on Saturdays in October, just outside the restaurant. Start you morning with hot coffee, doughnuts with jam and hummingbird cupcakes. The stand will be open from 8 – 11 a.m.
Table 52
52 West Elm Street
312-573-4000
www.tablefifty-two.com

By Collis Hancock

Whether you’re looking for a date night, an evening with friends or a learning experience, cooking classes are a perfect fun event. The Chopping Block is one of the best places to take cooking classes in Chicago and there are two great locations – one in the Merchandise Mart and one in Lincoln Square.

The Chopping Block holds classes almost every day of the week, some after work, some weekend evenings and even some weekend afternoons. For more serious students, they even offer a few bootcamp-style classes. Most of the lessons fall into either the demonstration or hands on category, each appealing to different occasions.

Coming up this month, you can take classes for sushi-making, knife-skills classes, pasta classes or any of several different classes focused on seasonal fall ingredients. Sign up for any of the classes on the Chopping Block’s website.

By Collis Hancock

Monday

Have you tried the mac and cheese from the Southern Mac and Cheese Truck? Well for one day only, you can try it for free. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., if you test-drive a Chevy Volt at the Merchandise Mart, you’ll get a free order of the mac.
http://www.thesouthernmac.com/
The Merchandise Mart
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza

Tuesday

Learn more about Riesling at Lockwood’s Regional Wine Journey. The class starts at 5:30 p.m. and is $25 per person. Guests get a lesson in wine, tasting pours of a few varieties, and some perfectly paired appetizers. Call the restaurant for reservations.
Lockwood
The Palmer House Hilton
17 East Monroe Street
312-917-3404
www.lockwoodrestaurant.com

Grab a beer and support a great cause with Rock Bottom’s Wonderbrew Tapping Party. The event is open to the public and samples that night are free but a portion of sales for the entire month will go to the Lynn Sage Foundation. Members from Lynn Sage will be at the event collecting donations in exchange for pink ribbons.
Rock Bottom Brewery
1 West Grand Avenue
312-755-9339
www.rockbottom.com

Wednesday

Practice your artistic skills while you have a cocktail at Drinking and Drawing at Palette and Chisel. The event is BYOB and starts with a mingling reception at 6 p.m. and then drawing and painting from 7 to 9 p.m. An experienced artist will lead the live-model class and all the materials are included. The class is $38 a person ahead of time and $49 at the door and you can buy tickets here.
Palette and Chisel
1012 North Dearborn Street
312-642-4400
http://www.cityswarmchicago.com/drinking–drawing.html

Friday through Sunday

The Publican is turning three and celebrating with a special three-course menu for $33, featuring some of the menu items from the opening weekend. Make reservations by calling the restaurant.
The Publican
847 West Fulton Market
312-733-9555
www.thepublicanrestaurant.com

Saturday

Mercat a la Planxa is unveiling a new series of tapas over eight days, starting this Saturday. Every day through the 15th, the restaurant will introduce one new seasonal menu item to celebrate fall. Call the restaurant for reservations.
Mercat a la Planxa
638 South Michigan
312-765-0524
www.mercatchicago.com

Sunday

Enjoy a festive Italian pig roast in the garden at Due Lire. Chef Kevin Abshire is going to roast a whole pig and serve it family style with plenty of sides for $25 a person. Call the restaurant for reservations.
Due Lire
4520 North Lincoln Avenue
773-275-7878
www.due-lire.com