Browse Groups
Groups are smaller communities within the larger ActiveRain. Join groups created by others. or start your own and
get others to join
GROUPS HOME
ActiveRain Contests
This is the place to view the past and present contests put on by ActiveRain and its members. Everyone can join the
group and help encourage each other. Current contest will be highlighted posts so it's easy for you all to see. Let it
Rain!
Ask a Real Estate Question
Have a real estate related question that you want answered?. Ask a local expert who is part of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network.
Product Reviews
Curious as to what others in your profession think about a certain product or tool?
AR's community takes the time to leave honest and transparent reviews of their experiences
so you can be a bit wiser about your purchase.
Broken down by categories and subcategories for easy finds
Get an unfiltered look at what real users are saying
Leave a review yourself for others to benefit from
Add new products as you use them and gain points for doing so
University
ActiveRain University (ARU) provides free on-line training. We coach, consult and support real estate professionals about real estate trends, technology and social media.
ARU Calendar provides class types and registration links
Watch short tutorials on updating your photo, inserting a hyperlink and much more
Sign up for the Daily Drop so you don't miss out on AR's daily happenings
Find answers to most FAQ's
Browse Groups
Whatever it is you're into and wherever you are, AR surely has a group for you to join.
Brand, off the wall, specific subject matters…whatever it is you're looking for.
Each time you write a post you can syndicate your post to 5 groups.
And if by chance you don't find what you're looking for, start a new group today!
Get your content in front of more eyes
Search by location or type
Feel free to start your own group
Find some that are close to home and close to heart
Contests
Each month AR runs numerous contests as a way for our members to engage in activities
that will boost their business and increase their visibility in the community and beyond.
Earn points by partaking in these contest and climb the leaderboard
Do what's good for you and your business by participating
If you have an idea for a contest, just let us know
Stay motivated and on track with new contests popping up each month
Ask a Real Estate Question
Here's another avenue for you to build relationships with others. Share your expertise with someone searching for answers.
Play the teacher role and help someone out today
Your Homepage will alert you of new questions in your state
A wonderful way to open a door to a possible new client
Ask a question yourself to get help
States
These state pages or hyper-local pages provide content directly related to a specific geographical location.
State, County, City and Neighborhood pages make it easy for consumers to find what they're looking for.
Post your listings, school information, local events, market reports and more
Consumers peruse these pages for information
Farm your niche market and cover all the happenings in your neighborhood
I cannot remember the exact figure, but some Sandicor (MLS) mucky muck told me the average age of the San Diego Realtor® was somewhere between 55 and 65 years old. If that’s the case, then the average agent is probably addressing marketing and prospecting using many traditional methods such as direct mail.
Direct mail is a great form of advertising, but as the population grows and changes, the Internet and other forms of advertising should definitely be added to the mix.
Here are two trends common to Generation Y (aka echo boomers):
Generation Y Doesn’t Leave (or Listen to) Voice Mail Messages. Since caller identification is part of everyone’s smartphone, you can see who is calling you when the phone rings. No need to listen to a message or to leave one. The individual on the receiving end saw who called and will respond accordingly.
Generation Y Does Not Use U.S. Mail. All bills can be paid online. You can also opt to receive all bills online as well. All notes and messages are sent via text or email. Magazines and books are read electronically. So, there are very few items that actually come to Generation Y via U.S. Mail—except for a $25 check from Grandma on your birthday. And… nobody uses checks anymore.
With those two trends in mind, it is important to consider the best mechanisms for advertising. If the echo boomers prefer texts and emails, are they going to check their mailboxes? Are the going to read the direct mail postcard?
In order to effectively market to Generation Y, you need to consider what they like and how they like their material presented. Using Youtube, a tablet, and text messages may go a long way towards finding a new niche in 2012.
LOVE it Melissa! I am spending more time texting than on the phone by a long shot!! Very few of my clients will call..... Most text. And I am one of the ancients ...
Melissa -- That pic is scary! I can't believe how many of the 'older' clients are texting as well. I had a client in her 70s who preferred texting. I text excessively. Never thought I would.
Melissa - LOL ..... it still surprises me the number who do not even have a web site ..... I may fit that age range chronologically but certainly not mentally.
That picture is terrifying. The information isn't unscary either! LOL I do the same thing. Listening to the vmail takes FOREVER when you have 50-100 calls a day. I try to answer calls immediately when possible. And thank God less use of postal mail - you can go broke that way.
I always ask new clients how they prefer to communicate and am occasionally disappointed by one who wants telephone calls. I'm not a phone person so email is my preferred form of contact and texting has come easily. When it comes to important discussions though such as offers or negotiations, I don't use texting and will usually move to email so I have record of the conversation. I'm almost surprised when either a client or an agent actually listens to my voice mail messages these days. Most of the time they just call me back without knowing why I was calling.
You are correct! I tend to ask what the clint prefers and adapt to their preferred system. I used to reserve texts for friends and family... now most clients and other brokers prefer the short and sweet text. I do prefer the texts that say... "I just emailed you an offer on listing XYZ."
Well said. Texting is huge with Gen Y, and although it isn't good for marketing in the traqditional sense, it is a great way to communicate with prospects and clients. Times they are a changing.
You are so right, along with all those commenting! Text messages are a good way tp communicate. I always ask clients about their preferred method of communication.
Wow...that photo was very eye-catching! Very good points as it's so important to communicate with buyers in the manner they want to communicate which means using a wide range of methods these days. While I'm definitely using texting more (with all ages), I still run across folks who want a phone call only...with a message. Yep, it's the older set mostly, but I'm surprised at how many younger gen Y folks want a phone call with a message when it's real estate they are conversing about. It's all about figuring out what works best with each client and then making sure that's how you communicate with them. It's great to point out that many gen y'ers do not listen to voice mail messages as I think that's still a shock to some people. Again, some will and some won't, so one of the questions to get out there right up front is how to best communicate with a new client.
While I think a bit of everything in moderation is generally a healthy approch to marketing, your post addresses a key point. Namely, "Evolve or Die". THings are changing and you need to incorporate those changes into your business if you wish to remain ahead of the curve. Good post!
Nice job Mellisa! I can't agree you anymore! I didnt know that there are a lot of people dont have their own websites. And it's true, the best way to communicate with clients is texting massage. Or we can askthem about their preferred method of communication.
Melissa, wow, that photo would definitely stand out in a profile pic on the internet. Gen Yers do not listen to voice messages. Text or email is the thing, many have smartphones so they can get information through email. I'm terrible at texting, I need work and practice. Do you know of any classes or training that offer texting to boomers like me? I do find direct mail does work, even with my tech savvy clients.
I bet we could expand on this post and list even more ways we should be tweaking the way we market to consumers. The average age of a buyer today is around 32-35 I think, and so it is this agent group who has seen the Internet blossom from the beginning. They know what works and what doesnt. They may not be quick to adapt new technology that comes out daily (as the 18-24 group does) but they are savvy enough to know how to search for the right agent. I believe in the next 5-10 years buyers will do all the research and home searching and then find the best agent for them to make an offer. We shall see...GREAT POST!
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.
Connect. Share. Learn.Welcome to ActiveRain, the #1 social community for real estate professionals.
I cannot remember the exact figure, but some Sandicor (MLS) mucky muck told me the average age of the San Diego Realtor® was somewhere between 55 and 65 years old. If that’s the case, then the average agent is probably addressing marketing and prospecting using many traditional methods such as direct mail.
Posted by 
;)
;)
;)
42 Comments on What a Few Minor Tweaks Can Do for Your Real Estate Biz
LOVE it Melissa! I am spending more time texting than on the phone by a long shot!! Very few of my clients will call..... Most text. And I am one of the ancients ...
Melissa -- That pic is scary! I can't believe how many of the 'older' clients are texting as well. I had a client in her 70s who preferred texting. I text excessively. Never thought I would.
Melissa, I could not agree more!!!!
Melissa - LOL ..... it still surprises me the number who do not even have a web site ..... I may fit that age range chronologically but certainly not mentally.
Melissa - And, this is why we have to find a mix of different types of marketing.
That photo is quite something.
I'm 53 and I use all of the above. I'm pretty proud I have been able to incorporate so many tech-savvy devices into my business.
That picture is terrifying. The information isn't unscary either! LOL I do the same thing. Listening to the vmail takes FOREVER when you have 50-100 calls a day. I try to answer calls immediately when possible. And thank God less use of postal mail - you can go broke that way.
I always ask new clients how they prefer to communicate and am occasionally disappointed by one who wants telephone calls. I'm not a phone person so email is my preferred form of contact and texting has come easily. When it comes to important discussions though such as offers or negotiations, I don't use texting and will usually move to email so I have record of the conversation. I'm almost surprised when either a client or an agent actually listens to my voice mail messages these days. Most of the time they just call me back without knowing why I was calling.
If you are going to communicate with Generation Y, know how to text!
You are correct! I tend to ask what the clint prefers and adapt to their preferred system. I used to reserve texts for friends and family... now most clients and other brokers prefer the short and sweet text. I do prefer the texts that say... "I just emailed you an offer on listing XYZ."
Well said. Texting is huge with Gen Y, and although it isn't good for marketing in the traqditional sense, it is a great way to communicate with prospects and clients. Times they are a changing.
You are so right, along with all those commenting! Text messages are a good way tp communicate. I always ask clients about their preferred method of communication.
I'm still trying to recover from the shock of that picture. Now she would make some Realtor!
Wow...that photo was very eye-catching! Very good points as it's so important to communicate with buyers in the manner they want to communicate which means using a wide range of methods these days. While I'm definitely using texting more (with all ages), I still run across folks who want a phone call only...with a message. Yep, it's the older set mostly, but I'm surprised at how many younger gen Y folks want a phone call with a message when it's real estate they are conversing about. It's all about figuring out what works best with each client and then making sure that's how you communicate with them. It's great to point out that many gen y'ers do not listen to voice mail messages as I think that's still a shock to some people. Again, some will and some won't, so one of the questions to get out there right up front is how to best communicate with a new client.
We have found that they absolutely NEVER listen to the message. It's always I saw your number and called you back...ahhh that's a cutie in that photo!
It really is quite amazing. People just don't want to pick up the phone anymore.
While I think a bit of everything in moderation is generally a healthy approch to marketing, your post addresses a key point. Namely, "Evolve or Die". THings are changing and you need to incorporate those changes into your business if you wish to remain ahead of the curve. Good post!
Nice job Mellisa! I can't agree you anymore! I didnt know that there are a lot of people dont have their own websites. And it's true, the best way to communicate with clients is texting massage. Or we can askthem about their preferred method of communication.
Thanks for sharing with us! You have a good day!
Melissa, wow, that photo would definitely stand out in a profile pic on the internet. Gen Yers do not listen to voice messages. Text or email is the thing, many have smartphones so they can get information through email. I'm terrible at texting, I need work and practice. Do you know of any classes or training that offer texting to boomers like me? I do find direct mail does work, even with my tech savvy clients.
I bet we could expand on this post and list even more ways we should be tweaking the way we market to consumers. The average age of a buyer today is around 32-35 I think, and so it is this agent group who has seen the Internet blossom from the beginning. They know what works and what doesnt. They may not be quick to adapt new technology that comes out daily (as the 18-24 group does) but they are savvy enough to know how to search for the right agent. I believe in the next 5-10 years buyers will do all the research and home searching and then find the best agent for them to make an offer. We shall see...GREAT POST!
Login or register to leave a comment