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Can You Afford To Be Second?

By
Title Insurance ePro, MBA

Someone responded to me nearly a month later after two emails were sent to them and they nearly missed a profitable opportunity.

Your spending money on a technology plan, your generating leads, contacting those leads QUICKLY is more important than ever.  In some industries, studies show that 78% of buyers close with that Company that contacted them FIRST!

Other studies show that calling customers within FIVE minutes of the time they complete an online application or inquiry, increases contact rates by 500% compared to calling at the 10 minute mark.  Up to 76% of high quality leads contacted within three minutes are immediately qualified, but only 10% of those reached in the first six hours are qualified.

Speed directly relates to money -- use your smartphones or get a blackberry -- Don't waste your money on technology if your not going to follow up quickly.

If you don't have time, make time -- get a virtual assistant to just respond to your emails -- the expense you will incur will be returned ten fold and you will improve the level of customer service with your current clients.

Sorry for the rant but this is sooo important.  Make it a profitable day!

Posted by

Make it a profitable day!

Scott Hoen

SHoen@FirstAM.com

Direct:  (714) 250-5014

Cell:  (714) 270-9607

"The Views expressed herein reflect only the individual's personal views and are not the views of the author's employer."

Rich Ferretti
Rich Ferretti Real Estate - Charlotte, NC
ABR QSC Realtor/Broker, Charlotte NC Real Estate a

Hi Scott, great advice. Thanks for sharing.

Do you use a virtual assistant?

Rich

Rich@RichFerretti.com

Charlotte NC

Aug 13, 2008 06:00 AM
Tim Hawkins
Remax Realty Pros - Pell City, AL
Realtor Pell City, Pell City Real Estate

I would like to see some reviews of virtual assistant companies out there

Aug 13, 2008 06:10 AM
Scott Hoen
Carson City, NV
Carson City Clerk Recorder / Public Administrator

Rich -- I don't now but I have -- check out TeamDoubleClick.com -- excellent talent trained on the systems you are currently using and the price is right per hour.

Aug 13, 2008 06:10 AM
Anonymous
Not Yet Licensed

Sorry for the rant but this is sooo important.

Hi Scott,

No worries.  It's a good rant.  In fact, I tell my clients to use the 15 Second Rule!  :)

Aug 13, 2008 06:14 AM
#4
Laura Kombrink
RE/MAX Alliance - Collinsville, IL

Great post, Scott.  I also use an 800 call capture system and the statistics are about the same.  You must return the call as quickly as possible.  Lead generation is only the first step in doing the kind of business we all want to do.  You must be ready, willing and able to follow up.  :)

Aug 13, 2008 06:22 AM
Jan Gaweda
Realty Mark CityScape- BUY SELL FIX FLIP RENT - Norristown, PA
BUY SELL FIX FLIP RENT

You make a good point. Potential web clients need instant gratification in getting the information they are looking for.

Aug 13, 2008 06:26 AM
Scott Hoen
Carson City, NV
Carson City Clerk Recorder / Public Administrator

Laura-- I don't know what 800 system you are using but AutomaticLeads.com has an excellent one and the pricing is great! -- The call capture systems are perfect for those consumers that are driving the neighborhood and looking at signs -- they call you and you immediately call them back when they are even in the same neighborhood.  Impressive service will score every time.  Make it a profitable day!

Aug 13, 2008 08:00 AM
Laura Kombrink
RE/MAX Alliance - Collinsville, IL

I use proquest technologies because I worked there many years ago.  I like it and I get a great deal as an ex-employee.  Not many agents use the 800 call capture system in my area.  That's a shame because it works really well for drawing leads when marketed properly.

Aug 13, 2008 10:57 AM
Scott Hoen
Carson City, NV
Carson City Clerk Recorder / Public Administrator

Laura -- thanks for sharing the Proquest Technologies tip -- will check it out

Aug 13, 2008 11:00 AM
Laura Kombrink
RE/MAX Alliance - Collinsville, IL

Awesome...tell them Laura Kombrink sent you!  :)

Aug 13, 2008 11:02 AM
Deborah Fisher
Fisher & Company, P.A., Marketing & Creative Strategists - Fort Worth, TX

Another good one, Scott.  Thanks for the stats.  People that use technology are generally using it because they like convenience.  They don't want to wait for anything.  We need to recognize that.  Thanks for the reminder.  You are keeping us on our toes!

Aug 13, 2008 11:22 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

I check my E-Mail every 1/2 hour if I can. Sometimes more often

Aug 13, 2008 12:17 PM
Laura Kombrink
RE/MAX Alliance - Collinsville, IL

Hey Scott,

I just read this post: How To Add an Automated CALL ME Button to Your ActiveRain Blog (Widget).  I added this little button to everything that I have out there on the internet.  It's a way to capture phone numbers from your internet marketing.  I'll let you know how it works.  I just tested it and got a text message on my cell phone that tells me the phone number, and which piece of marketing material the lead came from.  Pretty cool.  It took me less than 5 minutes to set it up.  This means I don't have to check my email, my cell phone lets me know wherever I am.

Aug 13, 2008 12:25 PM
Arnie Smith
John Aaroe Group - West Hollywood, CA

I couldn't agree more about the need for immediate communication.  There is nothing more infuriating than waiting for a return call.  I also use a product called Vobre and with my own personal 800 number I know exactly who is calling and on what property.  They can get a fax on demand for that piece of real estate and I know to follow up with them immediately.  We have so much available to us with all the technology out there and this product has proven over and over just how invaluable it truly is.  If you're interested please check it out at http://vobre.com and good luck to you all.

Jan 27, 2009 05:31 AM