As real estate professionals, nationwide, search for sales and marketing tools to better advertise their listings to consumers, talk of mobile advertising capabilities continues to rise to the top of discussion.
We've seen MLS and Associations swarming around the idea of mobile MLS search, in attempt to meet real estate consumer demands and provide easy access to listing information from mobile phones. The only question is, are we ready to start marketing campaigns via mobile web search? If you are trying to reach a large audience, wireless user reports point to "No".
In our research, we have yet to find a real estate professional who's been satisfied with the results of utilizing a mobile web marketing service. This only makes sense considering the statistics for actual users of mobile web. Reports indicate that only 14% of mobile subscribers in the US actually use mobile web, a pinch of the over 255
million total mobile subscribers. Smartphone owners consist of a slim 3.8% of users and 1% piece of the pie goes to iPhone owners.
Although the idea is great, they are ahead of technology curve for their consumers who are actually using mobile web. But there is another option. Do not disregard the opportunity to utilize mobile phones and marketing capabilities as there are solutions that are very successful.
"Today, technology is being woven into the very fabric of our social culture, offering advertisers the ability to extend their reach to consumers much more effectively and immediately." (USShortCodes)
Text messaging is a strong avenue for you to consider as it is approaching nearly 5 times greater the number of cell phone owners utilizing mobile web and mobile search. Consider marketing services like Goomzee, which sends a text message with information to consumers, as well as the option to either view a mobile web link, or actually download a slideshow of up to 8 photos to their phone.
The benefits to text message advertising is extremely valuable: you can provide buyers with instant property information, 24/7 and generate quality leads that you can follow-up with. That has got to make your home-sellers happy!
As summer all to quickly comes to an end, you'll likely be finding more time to sit in on those weekly team sales meetings in your office. To be honest, now may be the best time to attend these meetings, too! With the attitude about the market, this is a great way to get you motivated and back in the real estate game.
Here are a couple of things you'll want to remember to bring with you:
1.) A POSITIVE attitude - If you go into a meeting with a pessimistic attitude, you'll just bring everyone around you down. If you put yourself in a positive mood, you will look at things in a completely different light.
2.) A pen and paper - Put down that Blackberry (Crackberry) and write down some ideas! You're clients won't mind that you didn't answer them right away, especially if you are finding out new ways to help their homes sell faster!
3.) New ideas for marketing listings - you can share these new tools with others to see if they have heard of them. Ultimately, if several office members are interested in one of the tools, you can likely get a discount on the pricing for more agents signing up together.
4.) A list of your goals - Goals are a way to inspire yourself. It's important to write down your goals for the next month, 3 months, 6 months, year, etc. Those goals can be anything from the number of houses you want to have listed, or the number of contacts you want to make every day or even the total commission you want to walk away with at the end of a period. If you have your goals in front of you at all times, you'll know how close your are to reaching them and how long you have to complete them. You might want to write down something that you will treat yourself to WHEN you reach your goals. It's a great way to remind yourself to stay on track. You just have to find the determination to keep them!
Although sometimes they may seem repetitive and not worth your time, MAKE the time to attend your sales team meetings!!
As summer all to quickly comes to an end, you'll likely be finding more time to sit in on those weekly team sales meetings in your office. To be honest, now may be the best time to attend these meetings, too! With the attitude about the market, this is a great way to get you motivated and back in the real estate game.
Here are a couple of things you'll want to remember to bring with you:
1.) A POSITIVE attitude - If you go into a meeting with a pessimistic attitude, you'll just bring everyone around you down. If you put yourself in a positive mood, you will look at things in a completely different light.
2.) A pen and paper - Put down that Blackberry (Crackberry) and write down some ideas! You're clients won't mind that you didn't answer them right away, especially if you are finding out new ways to help their homes sell faster!
3.) New ideas for marketing listings - you can share these new tools with others to see if they have heard of them. Ultimately, if several office members are interested in one of the tools, you can likely get a discount on the pricing for more agents signing up together.
4.) A list of your goals - Goals are a way to inspire yourself. It's important to write down your goals for the next month, 3 months, 6 months, year, etc. Those goals can be anything from the number of houses you want to have listed, or the number of contacts you want to make every day or even the total commission you want to walk away with at the end of a period. If you have your goals in front of you at all times, you'll know how close your are to reaching them and how long you have to complete them. You might want to write down something that you will treat yourself to WHEN you reach your goals. It's a great way to remind yourself to stay on track. You just have to find the determination to keep them!
Although sometimes they may seem repetitive and not worth your time, MAKE the time to attend your sales team meetings!!
Yesterday I was in a meeting with a group of people and introducing them to mobile advertising and the role it plays in the real estate industry. One particular person happened to not be a real estate professional, but in the process of being a homebuyer/seller in Boise. Once we described our service to him, he completely identified and related to the need for a service like Goomzee in the real estate industry. It's a great way to gather pertinent information right away.
As we explained our service, mobile advertising and lead generation, he was interested in what kind of information he would receive on his phone once he requested information. As we told him, he would get the standard property information as well as whatever additional information that the homeseller found relevent. I noticed a sense of relief in his eyes.
He stated that the day before, (Tuesday) he had been driving around looking at homes and noticed a "call for a recorded message" sign rider at a property. He called in and said the first three minutes of the message were not about the property at all, but rather information about REALTORS in general and how important it was for him to work with one. His frustration? So, what did that have to do with the house he was looking at? He hung up after he finally got to the end only to hear a very brief message about the actual home and was so irritated by initial part of the message that he didn't even remember anything about the house. Needless to say, he didn't call back and he left without any information to recollect. Do you think this guy will be using a "call for recorded message" service again? Not likely!
DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU!
I know it's important to educate consumers on the importance of working with a REALTOR. But when a consumer is looking specifically for information about a property, is it really the best time to tell them about REALTORS? Consumers are too busy anymore; they want to get the information they need right away, to make a decision whether or not to move on to the next step. Beds, Baths, Sq.Ft. and Price are a few of the very basics, then of course adding the special amentities that the property may offer.
Let's put it this way; you want to find out how much your car insurance is going to cost. First of all, what a pain in the butt! We've ALL been here. You call around and the first place you come across answers the phone. You tell them you are looking for car insurance. So the first three minutes of the call, the salesman talks your ear off about why you should work with them and how much they want you to be their customer. You didn't even ask them! All you want to know is how much it's going to cost! You'll decide if you want to work with them or not.
Do I think it's irrelevant to teach consumers the importance of working with a REALTOR? HECK NO! I think it's very important, but when a consumer is on the go, they want the information they are looking for. Find a better time to do it! And hey, they may already know! Those NAR ads I've been seeing and hearing have convinced me to work with a REALTOR!!
Today my colleagues and I took our first trip to the new Hooters that opened just last week (the first Hooters in Montana!). While there we were talking to our lovely waitress and making conversation asked where we worked. On Monday, we hired a new member for our sales team. This gave him the chance to give his first live spiel about Goomzee and what we do. HE DID SO GREAT!
As Lon explained, "we provide the ability for consumers (house hunters, renters, etc.) to send a text message to learn more information about a property. Basically, if she drove by a house for sale or rent, saw a Goomzee sign and sent a text message containing that property ID code, she would receive a text back with information about the house."
Her eyes opened wide and she said "That is such a cool idea! A few weeks ago my friends and I were looking for a house to rent for the upcoming semester. Mind you, we needed something with five bedrooms and definitely more than one bathroom since it's five girls living together. We drove around for about two days and called and left messages for the agents and companies to find out more info on the houses and apartments we saw and hardly any of them called us back prudently. It took forever for us to find a house, although finally we did. It would have been so much more helpful and less time consuming to be able to find out the information right away, than having to call all the places, wait for them to call us back, come to find out they only had 2 or 3 bedrooms! Not only that, if they did have something we were possibly interested in, by the time they called us, we couldn't remember where the heck that particular house was since all of us are from out of town. Having the information right away would have saved us a ton of time. Not to mention we are obsessed with text messaging and of course I always have my phone with me!"
I sat there smiling as I related to everything she was saying. It brought back my frustrations of house hunting as a college kid (not that long ago folks - only 3 years !). I am still a renter so I'm always looking for a better deal on apartments or better apartments in an area I like. Well, that and I know all about obsession with text messaging!
By the way, the food was great, the girls were beautiful and the service was awesome! I won't be seen working there anytime soon, however - I don't look so good in orange!
Renters are future home buyers. The sooner you get in front of them, the longer you'll have them as a client! Goomzee provides that ability to connect with them early on. Also, keep in mind that not only does a service like Goomzee provide your consumers with instant property information, it saves THEM time, it saves YOU time and also provides you the contact information for a potential Hooters girl. :) hehe. Okay, I suppose only the guys will appreciate that!
In light of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a member of Inman put together a Real Estate Olympics competition; "Real Estate Pacesetters 2008".
Last week, over 40 contestants were submitted for the contest as the industries premier pacesetters; companies who are leading our industry towards change.
I'm PROUD to announce that GOOMZEE.com has been chosen as one of the 8 final contestants!! Among the 8 contestants, we currently are listed in Lane #5! Now is our chance to make our move and to be nominated as Gold (preferrably), Silver or Bronze. All votes are submitted by the Inman community.
Please take a moment to check out the final contestants. I highly recommend you check out the contestants, there is a great diversity of challenge among the final 8. I'm sure you will be seeing much more of them (if you haven't already) in the very near future!
As a real estate professional you have an important task of keeping your clients satisfied. One of the key factors in keeping your clients satisfied requires you to be available to your client when they are available. After all, they've chosen you to work for them. (I know, I should be nicknamed "Captain Obvious"!) However, there is a fine line that can be crossed, and that's the line between your personal and professional life. When that line is crossed, it can eventually cause small sparks that lead to a fire in the relationship between you and your clients down the road.
It's important to clarify your professional schedule with your clients, immediately. Let them know exactly when you are available for receiving and returning phone calls, emails, text messages and appointments. Breaking your own rules can lead to the following:
1. If you communicate with a client outside of the schedule you initially gave them (or didn't give them for that matter), they may expect you to be available at all times. People become comfortable with routines. If even once you communicate business with a client outside of your set schedule, it can set the expectation that it's acceptable for them to continue that and builds a routine for them. When routines are broken, people often become frustrated and discouraged.
2. If clients make a special request for time outside of your set schedule, clarify with them that although you normally don't make appointments during that time, you would be happy to do so in this particular circumstance. Although it may sound a bit harsh at first, if you word it the right way, your clients will respect your time and know that you are going above and beyond your duties.
3. Giving clients "optional times" to meet, similar to as a Dr's office would do, gives them the feeling you are busy; aka successful. This can be a struggle to manage. If your schedule is perceived to be TOO full, they may think you aren't giving them enough attention and you are spreading yourself too thin among other clients.
3. Telling clients your schedule is "wide-open", gives them the perception you may be desperate, have no other clients to deal with and you are at their beck and call. Maybe your schedule isn't so full right now, but remember, you need to make yourself time to do some prospecting and listing presentations as well! Imagine if you were to drive past two restaurants every day; although never have been to either. Every day Restaurant A is packed with cars; whereas Restaurant B never has more than 2 cars in the parking lot. You feel like stopping for a nice meal on your way home from work one day. Are you going to choose Restaurant A or Restaurant B? Restaurant A; you might have to wait a while, but obviously people like it a lot more than Restaurant B! This also goes back to rule #2. It may cause clients to expect you to return their correspondence much faster, since you obviously have nothing else to do.
4. Feel free to tell your clients you may be checking emails while on vacation, but also tell them you may not get back to them until you return. As your clients are your business, you do have to work at a time that fits for them, but that doesn't mean ALL the time. It can burn you out and give you a negative perception on your job, ultimately driving your will to work into the ground. After all, that's why you're on vacation! You know those "Out of the Office Notifications", they work a charm :) Be sure to tell your clients ahead of time you will not be available, but you have found a person to fill your shoes while you are out.
5. Don't pack your schedule so full that you don't have a minute to spare. Let's face it, things happen and get in the way or take longer than expected. Give yourself some time between appointments. It's better to have a few extra minutes in a day than show up a half hour late to an appointment! Make yourself block off a couple of hours here and there that you DON'T make public to your clients but that you still consider work hours. It gives you time to catch up if you have gotten a bit behind in paperwork; the fun stuff that can sometimes lead into all hours of the night. If you have an unexpected client emergency, this is a great time to help them out without interrupting something else.
Everyone has a personal life. Keeping it real with your clients can only lead to gaining their respect for you managing such a demanding, yet efficient schedule.
How do you manage your professional and personal schedules?
I've noticed politicians making an extra effort to reach-out to more young adults with campaigns such as the get out and vote programs by companies like MTV. Other sources for news, information and events have been implemented this year, and if you haven't already heard, one of the biggest has been text-messaging. People can sign up to receive the latest news from their favorite politicians to keep in touch and updated. This morning I was catching up with some wireless industry news, and according to Wireless Week Obama will be announcing his VP running mate thought his text messaging campaigning during the Democratic Convention in Denver in just a couple of weeks. That's HUGE NEWS!
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Here is a snap shot of the news release:
"Obama to Break VP News by Text By Rhonda Wickham WirelessWeek - August 11, 2008 The 2008 U.S. Presidential campaign is turning into the election year that mainstreamed wireless technology. Barack Obama’s campaign has announced its intention to let texters know who his running mate will be in the days leading up to the Democratic convention Aug. 25-28 in Denver. According to Obama website, voters can be the “first to know” who Obama’s vice president will be by going online and providing a cell phone number (or e-mail address), or by texting VP to 62262 to receive a text message with the breaking announcement. Obama's campaign has used wireless and Internet technology to build more of a grass roots campaign. Since announcing his plan to run for president last summer, Obama has employed roughly 25 text campaigns to supporters."
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Do you think that text messaging is a good way to increase communication reach? I most definitely do! Not only for young adults, but for everyone. Think about today's fast-paced lifestyles: some people are just too busy to listen to the news at night, and search the internet for news. (Those are people like me!) If they are able to receive a text message, it takes them literally just a few seconds to open their phone and check out.
If you haven't already, you should really try and implement text messaging into your communication line between you and your potential or current customers. Suggest to them you are open to this way. Chances are, they will be THRILLED their agent is so tech savvy, even if they'd rather receive a phone call or email, they'll be grateful you offered. And for those who just don't have the time, they'll LOVE receiving updates from you. There are many great ways and unique systems for adding text messaging to your real estate career and the best part is that it's affordable. It's not just another teenage fad, this will stick with us for a long time!
Side note #1: While writing this blog post, I received a text message from my aunt in Eastern Montana. I said - "WHOA, I have never gotten a text from you!" Her response? "I need to somehow keep up with Dara!" (her 16 year old daughter!) It was so great! We just made weekend plans in a matter of minutes.
Side note #2: I was in Denver over the weekend and the town was buzzing with news of the Democratic Convention. Signs, banners and whispers of what was giong to happen everywhere we went.
So things may not be looking so bright and shiny in the real estate industry as they once were, nor may your wallet be as thick. BUT, does that mean it's time to give up? NO WAY!
You've worked long, hard hours to make real estate your career. Lately, I have heard whispers of agents talking about their "fall back" money making jobs or considering one if they don't already have one. I understand, I have a second job/hobby myself; it's an at-home business selling lotions, and potions and make-up... OH MY. However, the money I make I definitely don't rely on, because I never know how much time I will actually have to put in to it. It's actually more of a "fun account". I know that if I started depending on that money, then my focus would be skewed from my career at hand and therefore, begin to fail.
I'm sure your mamma always told you, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket". I know, because my mum told me the same thing! BUT, in this case, maybe that is the best way to go. A business needs time, nurturing, energy and strength. If you don't put all the ingrediants into it, the recipe will flop!
If you want to make the most of your real estate business, but still need the extra cash through another source, here is my suggestion:
Create a To-Do list of every day tasks for your real estate business. Once you've completed those tasks, THEN move on to your next venture. Otherwise, you'll get behind and it will take you even more time, nurturing, energy and strength to bring it back. Keep up with your customers, remind them that you LOVE referrals and you can't wait to work with them again. The market is how you perceive it. Keep it positive!
I see gas has just dropped below $4.00 a gallon for us in Montana. Hopefully it's doing the same everywhere; that should put a few more bucks in your pocket when you fill up!
As we all know, technology continues to evolve by leaps and bounds, and the role it plays in the real estate industry is a vital one. We, Goomzee, was recently invited to attend an event that's premise was meant to motivate customers and keep their marketing minds going. As we continue to hear of the market downturn, although we may not necessarily all agree with it nor be affected by it, we need to have a way to keep motivated. How can we keep selling our properties? What tools are available and which of those will best fit my marketing portfolio?
I want to share a recent event that we experienced and the benefit it can play for you.
The Keller William’s Northwest Market Center (NWMC) in Austin, Texas recognizes the value-add of technology tools, and recently took initiative to enhance their agents’ education in the field of technology. The KW Geek Affair stems from the motivation to bring not just ideas, but actual business tools directly to agents for review. Agents at the KW office called upon us at Goomzee to help them get their agents' blood flowing again with real estate excitement.
Roland Castillo, the Career Development Coach at the NWMC, and Michael Brandt of United Lending were the real innovators. They brainstormed the idea for the event in May, which took place in June. Its premise: bring together real estate technology vendors to help agents learn more about technology readily available to enhance their real estate business. Not only was this just an idea, but an idea that had turned into a reality for many of the KW agents in Austin. Roland and Michael's excitement for this event was contagious, and many agents arrived to see what the fuss was all about.
Participants at the event were able to see Goomzee in action, among several other real estate vendors. A hands-on approach to presenting the product allowed agents to experience products first hand.
Events like these allow you to experience new tools, know that it's not just another gimmick to sell your properties. Talk to your colleagues, find out what they want to learn more about and hold a mini-tech fair. The beauty of the smaller shows is that you get the ability to talk one on one with vendors. They can answer the questions directly for you, rather than you receiving short-answers because they are bombarded with so many real estate agents.
Even if you are unable to hold a show, take initiative to find out from your other agents what tools they want to learn more about. Try this; at your next team meeting, poll the agents about what vendors they have heard of but just haven't taken the time to find out more about. Come back with information at the next meeting, and they will appreciate you more than you know!
Your leadership will rub off on others and bring them back to that happy place :)
Disclaimer: ActiveRain Corp. does not necessarily endorse the real estate agents, loan officers and brokers listed on this site. These real estate profiles, blogs and blog entries are provided here as a courtesy to our visitors to help them make an informed decision when buying or selling a house. ActiveRain Corp. takes no responsibility for the content in these profiles, that are written by the members of this community.
In light of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a member of Inman put together a Real Estate Olympics competition; "Real Estate Pacesetters 2008".
As a real estate professional you have an important task of keeping your clients satisfied. One of the key factors in keeping your clients satisfied requires you to be available to your client when they are available. After all, they've chosen you to work for them. (I know, I should be nicknamed "Captain Obvious"!) However, there is a fine line that can be crossed, and that's the line between your personal and professional life. When that line is crossed, it can eventually cause small sparks that lead to a fire in the relationship between you and your clients down the road.
So things may not be looking so bright and shiny in the real estate industry as they once were, nor may your wallet be as thick. BUT, does that mean it's time to give up? NO WAY!
;)
;)
