Enter “The Drive!”

Have you tried Google Drive yet?  Don’t miss out on this super-easy-time-saving-cloud-fantastic tool.  The skinny:  Google Drive is your personal storage locker on the web.  Bonus – Google Docs is part of Google Drive so all of your Docs are already there.  Technically, yes, Google Docs was always cloud storage, but Drive sounds more storage-y and they have added some extra coolness.

A few reasons to heart Google Drive …

1.       Stop paying for Productivity Suites

The create menu in Drive will allow you to create a Word-like, Excel-like, PowerPoint-like docs plus forms, tables and drawings.  Additionally, import existing MS Office Word and Excel docs, edit and save as MS Office docs or PDF’s and bask in the beauty of compatibility.  You can send me an Excel spreadsheet, I can open it in Google Docs (as a “spreadsheet”) and edit it there and then send it back to you in Excel with zero compatibility issues.  The “presentation” piece of Drive is not on par with PowerPoint, but you can upload your presentations just to have them saved in the cloud and do some editing there as well.  You spend enough money – save some cash here.

2.       Cloud Storage

Don’t be baffled by the term “cloud” – the cloud is really just the internet.  Google Drive will allow you to store documents, photos and more on the cloud with access limited to your Google account.  You can share docs that you store here, but all of your docs are private until you share them.  Cloud storage is essential to the agent on the go and can really save you on those jam-packed days of showings and offers and marketing oh my!  Access your docs from your smartphone, iPad – anywhere you can get online.

3.       Live Collaboration

Write up your sellers MLS description in a doc on Google Drive, share the doc with your sellers (via an email address) and they will receive an email with a link to access your doc.  The sellers can access the doc at same time and you can edit the description together in the document.  You will see in the top right corner of your doc when someone you have shared the doc with is also accessing.  Additionally, each person that accesses the doc (if you have more than one person in there at a time) will be assigned a color.  You can chat on the right side (just next to your doc) as well.  Live collaboration can help you get things done faster.

4.       Desktop Drive Folder

You have the option to download a little folder icon that lives on your laptop or desktop that is linked to your Google Drive.  Polish up your listing presentation and throw a copy in your Google Drive folder for easy access anywhere.  Anything you move or save there will automatically upload to your drive.  Having a drive folder makes uploading to the cloud a breeze.

5.       Google Drive App

Grab the Drive app and start snapping!  Take a picture of your receipt, negotiation notes and more to upload to your Google Drive in seconds.  Share instantly with your clients, cooperating agents, mortgage reps, and title people – anyone essential to your transaction.

For more, check out this video on Google Drive!