In this world of instant communication and easy access, you might not be available 24/7. There are times when you will be at closings, showing houses, negotiating offers, crunching loan applicant numbers, and heck, maybe even on vacation.
This is when you get to use those tried and true systems that you put in place, like voice mail, email auto responders ,even messages on your real estate blog or website, to let prospects and clients know where you are and when they can reach you.
Plain and Simple. If you lead your prospects to water and they can't find you they will go to another water fountain to drink if they are thirsty.
Here's how to keep them drinking from your real estate fountain:
1.Don't be afraid of commitment. If you use a generic autoresponder, commit to a time frame in which you will personally respond by email or phone.
"Real World" Example:
Thank you for contacting me!
I would love to be of assistance to you regarding your real estate needs. I read my email regularly and will respond according to your request, as soon as possible.
Feel free to contact me by phone or e-mail for additional assistance.
This is vague at best. It says that you took absolutely no time to read my email and you will get around to it whenever it is that you read emails.
If I want help I can go ahead and try and contact you again.
Instead Try:
Thank you for contacting me!
I would love to be of assistance to you regarding your real estate needs. I read my email three times a day and will respond to your request (tell them how: phone or email) by (put a specific time frame- either end of business today or within 24 hours. No longer than 24 hours should be used).
If you need to get in touch with me sooner, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or email. I am ready, willing and able to help you achieve your real estate goals.
2. Change is good . If you leave to go on vacation make sure you change your voice mail and your email autoresponder when you come back.
I received an email autoresponder from a real estate agent which stated that she was going to be on vacation from March through July of 2007 and would be available in person to assist her clients on July 15, 2007. She gave a name and number of the real estate agent who was available to assist in her absence.
Problem was, I received this auto responder message in January of 2008. Uggh....hope she didn't send too many of her prospects to another real estate agent.
When you go on vacation and leave a contact name and number on your voice mail, make sure you change it promptly upon your return. If it is a client, they might ask for you by name, but if it is just a web prospect, they could call the real estate agent you asked to fill in for you and never mention you at all.
3. Maintenance required for optimal performance. If you change your email and voice mail daily maintain consistency.
Your voice mail message is a reflection of the way you conduct business. If you have a meeting that you will be in on Tuesday and you record this in your voice mail greeting, make sure you change it for Wednesday morning. Personalized greetings that give daily updates on your whereabouts are a nice touch only if you can keep up with them.
4. Don't speak in tongues. If you tell your clients to call you or text you, they need to be able to reach you. Keep it clear and concise in all your communication and you will keep your business in control.
10 Comments on Are you a tease? Don't send mixed messages to your real estate buyers and sellers.
Rebecca, I have a friend who is dealing with an agent now that has a message on her cell phone telling real estate agents that she doesn't answer the phone they need to email her. When you email her then she has an autoresponder that says she will contact them back in 24 to 48 hours. Can you imagine doing business like that?
Rebecca, This is so basic and common sense, but it makes me roll my eyes when people have messages that are expired. You are right, it is a reflection of how you run your business. Or voicemail on your cell phone, like Marchel said, hi, don't leave a message here, I never use this phone? WWWhhhaaattt?
Having messages for people to know when to expect your call or response is so crucial. I hate those that say I will get back to you as soon as possible or as soon as I am able. Well is asap today, tomorrow or when? Good post. Thanks
Danny- No need to bring them in if you can't keep 'em is there?
Marchel- That is absolutely ridiculous. I have never heard of such a thing.
Audrey- I know, it is all these little things that tied together make the complete package.
Kevin and Monica- Absolutely. I would tell clients of mine when I was in sales and they said they were taking too much of my time, "We are on the phone now, together, and there is no such thing. You have my undivided attention, and you need to ask me whatever questions you have". Every client should feel important. They shouldn't be able to abuse you, but they should feel like you are their adviser. Reading thru your blog posts, I can tell that you and Kevin pay attention to the details.
Martha- Once you make a commitment, it feels better anyway, doesn't it? I used to say on my vmx, " as soon as possible". I stopped that about 10 years ago after a phenomenal "Magic by Enesco" coaching session.
Rosario- Exactly. You want to work with someone who you feel will put in the time to make it work.
Steve- I think I need to meet this wife of yours:-)
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