think it does require the e-everything. now we get to go learn our new iphone. eGad!

best

Haley,

Since joining ActiveRain....I've realized how many agents are hoping the internet will be the "answer-all" to their real estate marketing dilemma. Posting 100's of blogs on a really great site...or doing inexpensive online flyers and/or placing free ads on Craigslist. These are certainly necessary parts of an overall marketing strategy...but I personally don't believe they'll work effectively on their own toward long-term success. (We do both...online and print...so I'm hoping this doesn't come across as being biased against online strategies. We're definitely not against them at all. But we believe a balanced mix is more effective than internet alone.)

I've watched as many agents have practically stopped their real estate business to learn search engine optimization in their attempts to rank in the ubiquitous Google Top 10. Problem is....there's only room for 10 in the Top 10. The other 3,417 will be somewhere below that.

And in their quest to be ahead of the curve in internet marketing...I see agents searching for, finding, and implementing as many cool, high-tech goodies as they possibly can in hopes of distinguishing themselves from the rest. Video this, virtual that. Almost ad nauseum.

Still...in the last year, I haven't received ANYTHING from a Realtor at my own home. No "Just Listeds", no "Just Solds", no knocks on the door saying "Hi, my name's Mary and I'm your local neighborhood real estate agent."

I've said this before, but if you're looking for an online business where all you have to do is have an internet presence (the "build it and they will come" strategy), then my recommendation would be to contact an importer, buy some widgets and sell them on eBay. But if you're going to be successful at selling real estate for the long haul...I believe you need to mix up your marketing strategies a bit.

As more and more Realtors convert their marketing gameplans to internet-based only, your competition will be stiffer...and you'll spend your entire career trying to keep up with all of the new technologies, SEO optimization strategies, etc.

Meanwhile, the agent who sent out 300 "Just Listed" postcards...may have just taken her 3rd listing this week. My top, top, top customers (those in the $650,000-$1,000,000+ per year earnings category) certainly have an internet presence. They use email (begrudgingly)...and most of their business is based on traditional marketing strategies (referrals and print advertising) that seem to serve them exceptionally well.

Just a little food for thought.

Dave

Hey, relax.  You could be a travel agent!  

Oh.. what... travel agent?  What's that?

It's called progress.  Lots of industries and professionals have basically bit the dust or diminished to the point of near obscurity (think Polaroid, Kodak..)  Companies that basically fought technology... didn't believe in it... didn't think it would affect their business.

Hello Canon, Nikon, Expedia!  

Either adopt and change, or you'll be working at the mall.  The role of the realtor IS changing, like it or not.  You're becoming more of a consultant.  Your job will mostly entail marketing and negotiations.  The 'legwork' will mostly be done by buyers on their own - online.

Embrace it.  Understand it.  Make it work to your advantage.  

Or work at the mall.

Those who embrace technology and make it work FOR them will run over those who fight it. It's happening already.

Whether we like it or not, technology is part of the total package. Real Estate success requires good customer service but without the technology to get you noticed noone will know you offer good service.