The subject line read “Touching Base” and in the body there was a request that I call him. I picked up the phone and dialed the number. I had a “feeling” before he answered what this was about and it turns out the feeling was right. He had decided to go with another company that would manage his social media platforms yearly for a bit more than I charge monthly.
“It’s not you Sarah, but pure mathematics. How can I not go with this deal? If it doesn’t work out then I’ll come back to you.”
Do you have any idea how many times I have reread this exact same script? It’s okay even though it stings at first because what it boils down to is value and I don’t mean getting a better value through paying less. What I mean is value in what social media is and what it can represent. To me, what I do is a job and not a simple add-on to someone’s business.
A social media manager should be included in your team’s directory of services. Here’s what I see when I visualize a complete real estate team or office –
- Listing Coordinator
- Escrow Coordinator
- Field Coordinator or Runner
- Buyer’s Agent
- Prospecting Agent
- Office Manager
- Social Media Manager
Maybe some of those jobs can be combined and probably so, but recognize it as a position and not simply a monthly service such as your website or your MLS fees. There’s a difference in my eyes and the difference is in your value system of what everyone brings to the table.
You can also view it from the following example. Say a person chooses another Real Estate Agent over you because that agent said they can get a higher price for the home and they’ll cut their commission as well. That “sounds” great doesn’t it? Who wouldn’t want more money for their home and to pay less to get a better end result!
The reality is there will be a compromise. Will that discounted real estate agent put his/her best foot forward when it comes to marketing the home or will they cut corners? Will they take the time to get the word out to their brokers and contacts? Will they make themselves available at all the necessary times when someone wants to see the home? Also, in the end, will they get that higher price they promised? Market determines price, right?
There are differences my friends in what you pay for and what you get. If it sounds too good to be true then it usually is in my opinion. If money is a factor when it comes to having someone manage your social media then either take it in-house or do it yourself. You can even take my classes or have your assistant take the classes OR take someone else’s classes, but you can do this and not compromise your reputation.
I totally sound like sour grapes, but here’s the thing because I’ve actually traveled down this road of being able to offer what I do for dirt cheap, bargain table prices. I had an enormous number of clients when I charged $50 a month that I couldn’t even keep up. So it was either charge more or start cutting corners on the way I present the content. I chose to charge more and I lost most of my clients, but what I attracted in the future were people who wanted to stand out as themselves and they valued the power that comes with a unique social media presence.
Sarah A. Cole
Sarah Cole VA On Demand
Providing Social Media Assistance and Training
To The Busy Real Estate Professional
(315)399-6773 mobile (text)
(315)238-7068 voice
Services Nationwide
sarahcolevaondemand@gmail.com Email
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