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Say 'No' to Selling and 'Yes' to Serving - Real Estate has Changed

Reblogger Graziella Bruner
Managing Real Estate Broker with NCS Premier Real Estate Michigan Broker

What do you consider yourself to be a Sales Person or Service Person?  Here's a great blog by Greg Harrelson about servicing in our industry.  Please consider how you're doing business! 

Original content by Greg Harrelson

Consumers Change and we need to Pay Attention

The real estate industry is changing faster than we know. We can keep our eyes on the new technologies that are coming out yet it is the changes in consumer habits that will influence our industry the most.

We will see enhanced ways to shoot video, more effiecent ways to process paperwork and cheaper ways to brand ourselves. We see the same changes occurring year after year.

But, the Game Changer is the changes that the consumer makes without the industry taking notice.

Let me share a few changes that are occuring right now and if we do not pay attention, we will lose the game of real estate Big Time!

Consumer Changes:

1) Consumer do NOT want to be sold! - The days of 'Cheesy Sales Talk' to get someone to sign a contract are over. Consumers demand that they are given enough information for them to determine if they want to buy.

Instead of you using strategy to Sell Them, they are using information to decide if they want to Buy what you have to offer. Are you an information real estate agent?

I actually wrote an article on Cheesy Sales Talk called "Infusionsoft - Real Estate Warning". I included some tips on how to avoid Cheesy Sales Talk and still get the deal done.

2) Consumers have a Shorter Attention Span - Real estate agents need to pay attention to this. The consumer is looking for quick and precise information. They do not want you to make them read a book to figure out what you are saying. A quick explanation over a 2 minute Youtube video is all they need. 

Keep you letters simple and to the point. Invite them to get additional information if they desire but do not force it sown their throats. Remember, the consumer is in control now.

3) Consumer Control the Mute Button - Visualize yourself watching TV right now. How close is the remote from you hand. Most of the time the remote stays in your hand the whole time. Why? The reason it is in your hand all the time is because you want the power to choose what you see and hear. If a commercial comes on and starts selling soemthing you are not interested in then you change the channel or hit the MUTE button. Real Estate agents keep selling and consumers continue to hit the mute button or change the channel.

Have you ever had someone unsubscribe from your newsletter? Guess what, they change the channel or hit the mute button so they would not have see things they were not interested in.

Email marketing seems to be the area hardest hit with this Consumer Habit Shift. The consumer has the power to tune you out and they seem to be using that power often. 

The leading real estate agents are those that understand that Selling is dead and Serving is alive.

Listen, I know that I am a salesman. I am not in denial of that fact yet I also believe we have to focus on the consumer. The best way to sell your client is to demonstrate to them that you are 'In It for Them to Win It'

 

I suggest all real estate agents conduct an Annual Checkup on their selling strategies. Ask yourself the following questions:

- How am I helping the consumer?

- What information am I providing the consumer?

- Did I choose what I am sharing with the consumer or did the consumer tell me what they want?

- How often am I talking to the consumer?

- What tools will I use to deliver a better message?

- Who will help me develop the message?

These are just random questions that I asked myself while reinventing the way I sell real estate. I hope this information will inspire you to make the proper changes in your business. Do not underestimate the power of the Consumer's Mute Button. Once they tune you out, it is nearly impossible to get their attention again.

Have a great year in real estate

Greg Harrelson

Infusionsoft 'Real Estate Consultant'

 

Myrtle Beach Real Estate
North Myrtle Beach Real Estate
Charleston Real Estate

Century 21 The Harrelson Group - www.C21TheHarrelsonGroup.com
Barefoot Realty - www.BarefootRealty.com
Century 21 Charleston Expert Advisors - www.C21CharlestonRealEstate.com

Greg Harrelson
Myrtle Beach, SC
843-457-7816
 

Posted by

 

Graziella Bruner

NCS Premier Real Estate
Managing Broker

http://www.facebook.com/graziellabruner                               LinkedIn

 

 

 

 

 

Sheila Anderson
Referral Group Incorporated - East Brunswick, NJ
The Real Estate Whisperer Who Listens 732-715-1133

Good morning Graziella. greg is certainly onto something bt all the former tools weren't bad and all of the current strtegies aren't for everyone either. Ethical, informed and eager are still the basics in my view.

Jan 10, 2014 11:08 PM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

You, me, your real estate buyer and seller are beaucoup busy. So service means load it up, make your media streams loaded with buffets of information. Rich in imagery, video, helpful links and details that save money, time, gas. Yours and theirs. Don't tease and make your buyer beg, wait, be put off because they flit. Don't have to and will find the little red hen in your market if that person is not you. Serve them, don't sell them. Provide the can I help you, be of service, what can I do that you would like. That attitude moves properties, gets more listings and causes you to stand out, your work to glow in the dark.

Jan 10, 2014 11:25 PM
Graziella Bruner
NCS Premier Real Estate - Detroit, MI
Associate Broker - Serving Wayne & Oakland County

I agree Sheila - Ethics, Information, and going back to the basics is a huge part of our business.

Very well said Andrew - Serve instead of Sell!  

Jan 10, 2014 11:40 PM