I hate Drip E-mail systems but I found a way to use them!

I agree that many of the drip e-mail systems have the canned messages but it is important to customize everything you send out.  For our clients, we often take the canned messages and rewrite them to be specific to the clients' area or niche.  That way, the recipient is not receiving something not relevant to them.  It's all in how you use the systems available.  We also ensure that campaigns have some messages that ask how the automatic listings are working, if they need to be tweaked, etc.  Plus, we do telephone calls for the personal touch.  Leads also receive monthly newsletters and other timely information (for holidays, etc.) regularly.

~Renae - Market 4 Real!

Team DiMuria, I'm with you about not liking drip emails.  I can see that as a good way to handle those that get on automatic notfication and then live there for what seems like forever.  I was deleting them but then decided why should I do that it is not hurting me any to leave them and who knows they may come back to life.

So what are your first names?

Sorry, I forgot to sign in. That last question for Michael was from me.

Sue Adler 

If you were going to combine a drip approach into your follow up....I generally find it is not either/or but how to integrate multiple approaches....is there a recommended drip email program?  Thanks, Mike

Mike - I always tell my clients to work with what they've got.  You may already be paying for something or have access to a program that will do the trick.  If you have an account with Top Producer, that would work just as well as Sharper Agent, or IMPREV.  If you don't use any of these systems, Outlook could be made to do what you need.  Start with what you've got!

~Renae - Market 4 Real!

That is a great idea.  If we throw them away, they are gone forever.  Put them on a drip, then they can throw themselves away by unsubscribing, if they so choose.  Otherwise, they stay and receive a service.

Looks like I'll be putting people on drip again afterall!

Hi Sue,

When a client receives my email updates of new listings that fit their criteria the email does not actually show them the listing information.  They are notified of the changes but to actually see the listing they must click the link to log in and the listings show up right at the top of their list.  Here is an example of how the update email looks:

Hi Sue,

This message is an auto-response from Michael Pierce. You requested to have an automatic email sent to you when specific changes occur in your Updated/Interested Lists.


Here are the specific changes that have occurred since the last time you were at the site:

Blue Valley Search 
     New listing at (whatever the address)
Overland Park Search
     New listing at (whatever the address)

Click Here to login and view these homes.

I am a realtor myself in British Columbia Canada.
I am also a partner in a drip email program.

I am a huge believer in Drip Email.  I have used drip email for 3 years, the same way that you have mentioned.  It has worked wonders, and I actually recieve about 2-3 extra deals a year because of it.

I had a hard time finding a program that I liked, so I had a friend who is a programmer build me the system that I wanted.  After it was done, I had lots of realtors at my office asking to use it.  There are now 32 realtors at my office using it.  All of them having wonderful success.

The biggest thing to remember is that the canned campaigns are just that "canned".  We recommend to everyone that signs up, that they should read and modify all the emails to fit their personallity.  That is the key to a successful campaign.

Team DiMuria - Do you think the reason people loathe drip campaigns is that so many of them are obviously cookie-cutter, one size fits all? 

From all of the replies , I also agree that a somewhat personalized drip campaign is probably the way to go,being careful to use small replies that are directly relevant to their search and keeping track of replies so as not to repeat and removing from drip at the right moment. 

Although I have not done many drip campaigns, I am gearing up  for my first MAJOR campaign...wish me luck!

I have had a lot of sucess from my drip email campaigns.  When most visitior visit my site they are not ready to buy at that moment, but drip email keeps my name and contact information in front of them.

I think it all depends on how it is done.  I agree that the canned responses can be quite cheesey.  The key is to always provide the consumer with something of value.

Have any of you tried WiseAgent? I have just finished the 30 day free trial and I love it so far. I had to spend about two hours making the 8 x 8 campaign sound like I wrote them. I signed up my ten people who are "hanging out" on the fence and I have recently heard from two of them!!

It has a letter format I can put all my own "cliches" etc. in so they sound like me.

It has a campaign for "recruiting" other agents that I meet and inviting them to join Keller Williams. (We have profit share ya know!)

It has templates, etc. It's pretty advanced.

It has a month to month fee, no contracts...which I like.

All in all I've found it to be pretty fun and I've gotten quick response from their techies!

If you decide to check out the 30 day thing, please use my username and after about five people sign up, I get a free month or something!  My username is JWatts5   Thanks if you think of me!

Blessings, Jill

I enjoyed your posting..

Great idea!