The key to getting more business is simple… Answer the phone!

Great point, Todd. I used to have 4 or 5 numbers for clients to reach me at. I had some of them say "I didn't know which one to call." So now I give out only one number, and that rings where I am at - regardless of where I'm at. Oh, and I probably answer 95% or more of my calls personally as they come in. Return calls to clients are usually in less than 30 minutes.

Sometimes I know when I'm letting an opportunity pass by but sometimes it just has to be that way.  It's all about balance!

Todd: I get many jobs from clients who say the other stager hadn't returned their call or didn't call back for several days. I try to return every call in 4 hours or less, usually more quickly. I hear other home stagers complain about not having more business, but it may just be a matter of returning calls more quickly.

I agree that it is very important to answer you phone as much as possible.  However, there are times when it would just not be appropriate such as when you are in a training class or other situation where you would disturb others.

Good post!  Here's a clue... you can't talk to anyone on your phone unless you answer it!  A great idea for realtors.

I try to answer all calls but if I can't take a call I always return calls promptly.  I am always calling other agents and get very frustrated whenh they choose not to answer calls.  I don't want my customers experiencing that frustration when they try to call me.

I always return calls as soon as possible, however, if I am with a buyer or seller, they have my full attention so any caller at that point will have to leave a message.  I'm sure anyone working will appreciate the fact that I'm not constantly cutting in to their time to answer my phone.

Todd: I once had a lender tell me I was the only agent he did business with who always answered their phone when he called. Unless I'm with a client you'll be able to reach me seven days a week from 8 am - 10 pm. Carrie

I love to answer my phone, call me, call me, unless I am in the bathroom, I will answer the phone 98% of the time, try me.

Do you have a separate phone line for buyers to call on? I have been thinking of getting a 2nd line..you know, one to advertise on signs and ads, and then my private line for agent calls.

So true, so true...the only way to get the business is to answer the call.

Answering my phone has always paid off well for me. I had a call once on New Years day and showed property. Last November I got a call around noon on a Sunday from a man asking if I could possibly show him some of my land listings. He apologized for calling with so little notice but found he had the time after his plans changed. I told him that I could and met an hour and a half later. I wrote a offer on one of my land listings that day and another about 10 days later. I learned afterwords that he called another agent first and didn't reach her. He told me that she called him back a week later and he told her that he was in the process of buying two parcels of land. She was probably sick about it but it does prove that it pays to answer your phone. Two of my sellers were glad I answered my phone.

Jacqueline Drake CRS

Cochise County AZ

Todd - I was reading this and thinking, "Hmm... This sounds familiar."  And of course I had read it before.  Good advice back then & still applicable.

Great Post! I am a new agent with only 2 years under my belt. I see this EVERY DAY, even in our own brokerage.

A lot of this happens with agents who have been in the business for YEARS. Now I am not downing all experienced agents, but many I know seem to think business will come their way from referrals and repeats. Their sales skills have hit rock bottom, and many answer simple questions of these callers and never dive deaper into molding the lead. Many of these cold calls that come in have turned into solid leads for me with sales (dollars in my pocket) at the end of the day!

I fully agree that answering the phone, understanding (listening to) the situation, molding the lead.....ultimately leads them right into your contact list. This is VERY important to me as most of my business has been from cold calls off of floor time and marketing actions. I want to fully support that caller so in the end they too become my repeat and referral business!

That is so obvious, but there are people who do not do it.  It is amazing.

It can be difficult to always answer but as you said, returning calls promptly is very important.  Agents get bombarded with telemarketing calls and that may play a role as well.

Wow, 15-30 calls from your blog and craigslist.  That's awesome! -Kasey

So true. This is basic, basic, basic. (why do we say everything 3x in real estate?)

The bar is set so low in our industry you can barely trip over it. ANSWER YOUR DA%N PHONE!

My phone is set to a ring-tone of "Cha-Ching" everytime the phone rings, that is potential money calling.

:-)

Yes it sure is important to answer your phone in this business.  When I call some companies out there and a live person answers, my voice is so happy and I always say something like -Wow! you actually answer the phone at your company.  Just think how clients feel when you answer the phone.  :)

Hi Todd, excellent point.  Same with answering web inquiries or emails!