What hours do you work? What days? Chances are, as a real estate agent, you aren’t just working from nine to five, Monday through Friday. Whether you’re showing properties, meeting with prospective buyers, or focusing on paperwork, a typical work week includes evenings and weekends. Because many buyers and sellers do work 9-5, they’re likely to reach out during those evening and weekend hours—and if you want to earn their business, it’s critical to create a good impression when they call. Here are three key things to keep in mind concerning phone coverage:
Giving Clients One-on-One Attention
According to Zillow’s 2016 Housing Trends Report, 67% of buyers consider private home tours the top service they want from their agents. Home buyers are looking for personalized attention and prefer seeing homes in person. So it’s important that you can dedicate the time to researching, taking client calls, and showing them homes—all uninterrupted by your other clients or prospects.
Unfortunately, you can’t be in two places at once, and it’s hard to walk away during a home tour to answer your phone. When you devote your undivided attention to a client, you no doubt make that client happy. But if you let your cell phone ring to voicemail while focusing on that client, you run the risk of missing out on new business.
Appealing to Potential Clients
Zillow’s 2016 report also shows 53% of buyers evaluate more than one agent when shopping around. That means first impressions matter. Your phone experience could be the differentiator that sets you apart from the competition—or the weakness that holds you back. What better way to build rapport with potential clients than greeting them with a live, friendly voice when they call?
Finding the Perfect Balance
It’s vital that you can focus on home tours, closings, and the things that grow your business without the fear of missed opportunities. The key is to have somebody manning the phones when you aren’t available. Whether that’s a fellow real estate agent, receptionist, or virtual receptionist, it’s important that your callers can reach a real, live person. These days, automated systems and voicemail don't cut it. Callers who have a poor experience or can’t reach a live person are likely to move on to the next name on their list.
A virtual receptionist service is a cost-effective way to ensure every caller reaches a live voice, and Ruby® Receptionists delivers a stellar experience to boot: Ruby is the only remote receptionist service dedicated to creating meaningful connections with every caller, building trust and helping you win clients. Ruby’s 100% live answering is available from:
- 5:00am-9:00pm Pacific Monday-Friday (8am-midnight Eastern)
- 6:00am-6:00pm Pacific Saturdays and Sundays (9am-9pm Eastern)
With Ruby’s customer experience experts fielding your calls, you can focus on your work—or enjoy your weekend—knowing that your callers are getting the attention they deserve. Plus, ActiveRain members receive a lifetime 5% discount on Ruby’s monthly plans! Learn more at www.callruby.com/activerain.
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