I recently read an article in Inman News: "Old tricks for new market realities" by Glenn Roberts, Jr. In a nutshell, it talked about the changes in the real estate market and how to cope with the downturn in the market, as well as the age of the agent vs. the age of the consumer the (age of the agent, still averageing roughly 50, and the age of the consumer, which continues to get younger). It discusses that it's time for agents to get back to the basics of marketing, yet many agents don't even know what that is.
The information I pulled out of the article was that agents need to really assess the consumer; who they are, what they want. No matter how much some people don't want to see the change, it's happening. It's time to either jump on the boat or.. well... drown.
Your consumers are technology savvy. They are buying houses at a younger age. They are available 8 hours a day BUT if you need to reach them after hours, you can send them an email or text message and chances are they'll respond. They use their blackberry's and laptops to communicate. As long as you are providing them with timely, valuable information, then you are satisfiying their needs. As long as their best friend's agent doesn't have a cool techy tool which you were reluctant to try because you were too afraid, or didn't want to even bother to learn how to use it, then they are happy with having you as their agent. BUT chances are, you are the same agent their best friend used. They are too busy to shop around for someone, so they just ask a friend or family member who they used. They gather a lot of information on their own, and when they finally need some expert advice, they come to you.
Basically, it's time to embrace technology. Don't be afraid to give things a try, even if it does look "hard" or "confusing". Many tools designed specifically for real estate have been simplified because the creators know how little time you have to learn how to use them. But the intention of the tool is huge; gain real leads, provide timely, valuable information to consumers the way they want it; provide excellent customer service and the list goes on!
You've heard the terms. Which one are you?
- the first 2.5% of the adopters are the "innovators"
- the next 13.5% of the adopters are the "early adopters"
- the next 34% of the adopters are the "early majority"
- the next 34% of the adopters are the "late majority"
- the last 16% of the adopters are the "laggards"
Have you jumped on the boat of marketing to the new generation of consumers? How? What made you decide to do so? or NOT do so?
Happy Tech-ing :)
Erika
Comments(2)