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TXT code on your yard signs?

What are you doing to really set yourself apart?

I have been lookin for txt providers and have run across several but just not one I am ready to give a try to... What if any are you all using out there?

Here is one and to give you an idea of what I am looking at / talking about... www.cellsigns.com

What are you using?
How are you using it?
Success?
Cost?
General tips...

If it is working so well and you don't want to "tip off" your competition... please email me off line! I work in the greater Dayton, Ohio area...

Posted by Mark Ryan, Broker, CRS, ABR, CDPE on 08/16/2008 01:26 AM

Comments (49)

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49 Comments on TXT code on your yard signs?

AUG

2008

This technology looks interesting. I totally agree that it is about setting yourself apart from the competition. I even have to admit that I myself have become a mobile phone junky, sometimes texting with my clients more that I even talk with them. It is just easier for everyone, and every time I talk to my clients they are fine, they love that they feel like they aren't bothering me and me like I am not bothering them, because everyone involved knows they can answer a text message when they want to, which could mean after dinner or even in the middle of the night. P.S. Just remember to turn down your ringer and they theirs as you don't want to wake the house. Good luck with your search and I agree that the company www.cellsigns.com looks like a winner. Site is very well layed out and taken care of and that means a lot today more than ever.

Looks like a great idea. I will check it out. Thanks for the tip.

Texting has become the most popular form of communication. I'm hoping someone can enlighten me while they enlighten you.

AUG

2008

Thanks for the comments... I was not trying to recommend this company... I actually think they are kind of expensive... is anyone out there using someone else?

Thanks,

Sorry don't know of anyone that uses it but it is a seed and any seed is worth sowing to see what comes up.

You know, I never thought about this particularly way of having people contact me. But for those people that are shy, this might be a good thing to put on the sign or advertising.

"Call or Text Message me!"

I know I would prefer texting somebody for info at first than calling. I am so bad about the phone. Thank you for the thought!!

Brooke

I love texting...hope it works! www.tracysoussi.com

AUG

2008

Mark--this is awesome! such a great simple idea. I think cellsigns.com is definitely a bit pricey...did some quick research and I think this company has the best pricing plan. https://www.textreal.com/signup.php

Let me know which you decide on...I'm definitely going to test it out.

Dan

Dan,

Thanks for the tip I am going to check it out now...

I could not get the test txt to work with textreal.com... anyone else try it and get it working?

AUG

2008

I just tried texreal.com and it worked just fine...The website for xaprealty is a bit nicer but its a little more expensive than textreal. only problem is that I couldn't find a way to test it out.... http://www.xaprealty.com/shop-realty.php Drivebuytech is the 3rd cheapest....tested it out and it worked well. http://www.drivebuytech.com/pricing.html

Dan,

Thanks for the two new options... I am checking them out now. I have not found either of them before...

Don't know what the problem was but now the textreal.com demo does work? xaprealty.com worked too... will have to do some looking and may make a choice.

Thanks,

I have three sign riders from cellsigns. So far I am getting good results with it. I love the fact that it captures the texter's phone number so that I can follow up with a call. My seller's like it, too, because I am the only one in the area that is using these.

I heard of this recently at the Star Power convention and they were using the Drivebytechnologies.com and were very pleased.

Allen,

Thanks for another option... it looks good too... not sure what I will do but all the suggestions look better than what I had found...

I don't know if I think the top producer integration is a good thing or not?

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Mark

Lesley,

I missed your post... GREAT to hear from someone actually using them... Why only 3? Are you just testing? Using as a value add for higher commission?

How has the buyer response been?

Thanks,

There's always something new to learn, this does sound interesting. Thanks for Sharing

Have A Great Day

There's always something new to learn, this does sound interesting. Thanks for Sharing

Have A Great Day

AUG

2008

What a cool concept both from an agent and buyer's perspective. You'll have to let us know who it realates to lead generation. Best of luck.

AUG

2008

Still looking into which product to go with but at our team meeting I showed it to our buyer specialists and they LOVED the idea... I will keep you all posted.

I would still LOVE to hear from others that are already using txt...

Thanks,

AUG

2008

I have been doing some looking and compairing and like http://www.hitxt.com but am having problems getting it to work... anyone out there using them and or have suggestions now...

Thanks!

I tried this technology last Spring and Summer--for about 6 months-- and did not have great (any) results. It could have been that texting had not crossed the generational divide to the price range of the houses I was selling. I think that it is all about marketing to your audience and my audience was not ready yet for this technology.

Live and learn...I am sure I will be back now that texting is becoming more widespread!

Good idea. You should get some business on this one.

AUG

2008

Holly,

did you use sign riders, in print, flyers... what all did you use? Are you thinking of trying it again? And... what service did you use?

Thanks,

AUG

2008

Mark.. I have not heard of this one.. Please let me know what type offline responces you have recieved.

Mark, what an innovative concept. I agree that it really depends on your target market, but texting & email is way less obtrusive to most prospects. Caller ID has changed phone follow up forever.

SEP

2008

Well... I thought I had made a decision... but as I looked at Cellsigns more closely I think they may be the best choice after all...

Anyone out ther have things to share on them specifically?

Thanks,

thanks for the information and the tip

Johnathan Smith
Staten Island
http://wwww.johnresales.com

SEP

2008

No problem John... by the way your site is not working?a

Great post - thanks for sharing!

SEP

2008

Norma,

Happy to... let us know how it goes for you if you start using...

SEP

2008

Hi Mark-

I use DriveByTechnology. Check out the blog I recently posted. Warm regards from Naples Florida.

Drive Buy Technology - OK This Is Way Cool

Naples Florida Realtor Greg Gorman's Team Paradise Logo

SEP

2008

Greg,

Thanks for the tip... I think I checked into them a while back and they were kind of pricey...

Your blog does not say if you were getting any results so far? How is it going? do you still like the tech, how about drive by?

Thanks and I hope it is working!

SEP

2008

Hi Guys, Just wanted to let you know that we recently added a new feature to give prospective buyers access to pictures for no additional cost. You can try out by texting "REAL 1" to 95495

Thanks, Brad

textreal.com

Thanks Brad,

Hey, just tried the new photo thing and it is not working... I have a blackberry? I click the link but then it just goes to a blank screen. This is on my account not the trial account... Thoughts?

Thanks,

I use ListingProducer.com to generate a single property website domain and then order a sign rider from e-zriders.com -- I put up a sign rider for www.123anywhere.com so people driving by can write down a specific website to learn more about the property.

I use Gumiyo.com. They are the most affordable I have found and allow for unlimited pictures and video. www.gumiyo.com.

Tina in Virginia

nice idea. Please let us all know if you find this worth the money. I have to think this would work better on a well traveled roadway.

SEP

2008

Scott,

Do you use e-zriders.com with a text service or just the url and sign rider?

Tina,

gumiyo.com does not look like a text service either... did I miss something? thx

Sharon,

In our area at least buyers still drive neighborhoods so it should not need a super busy road...? Also, we will use in different areas aside from signs, flyers, print ads, etc...

OCT

2008

We're with ERA who just added the capability for all agents - got our first riders today and will put some up tomorrow. The latest data I saw on AR said more than half of cel users now use text messaging - time to make the move and get rid of some flyers!

I like the idea! I do put "I text" on my flyers and occassionally someone will, mostly they text me their phone number so I can call them.

We have attempted this on a couple properties and have had some success. We placed the signs on homes in high traffic areas and have only had a few text messages...that said, one of those texts turned into an "A" buyer and a great sale! No one else in our market is trying this (yet).

Sandy,

well that makes it worth it for years... right? Are you using it in print ads, flyers, classifieds, etc?

Thanks,

John and Susan,

ARe you sure you want to get rid of the flyers? I know that is part of the idea but maybe test to see if you get good txt off the flyer too?

Thoughts?

Getting rid of flyers was somewhat tongue-in-cheek. It's a move in that direction, which is nothing but positive! We don't put flyers out on every listing - if it's priced to attract attention, interested folks will call - it happens every day.

OCT

2008

I've been watching the development of sign texting but have not found a provider that I can get excited about. We have a new company here in Denver that has asked for beta testers, but I'm waiting. I'm usually quick to adapt new technology and software for our industry and then end up being an unsuspecting beta tester and give up before the technology is ready. But I am lookng forward to this new technolgoy when it's ready.

NOV

2008

Sandy,

well that makes it worth it for years... right? Are you using it in print ads, flyers, classifieds, etc?

Thanks,

10/11/2008 04:46 PM

by Mark Ryan, Broker, CRS, ABR (Mark Ryan Group / Re/Max Victory)

Hi Mark, sorry for the extremely delayed response but I guess it's better now than never! We put the code on flyers and have a rider on the sign. We do not use print ads any more with exception to direct mail and flyers. If we still used any type of home magazine, I suppose that would also be an appropriate place for the code.

Thanks for the reply in any event...

It has been a while... how is it still working for you? How do you respond if they dont contact you directly for more info? do you call, txt?

Thanks,

NOV

2008

Hi Mark,

I own and publish a Luxury Real Estate Magazine in the Philly market, and am just now providing this service included for free so that people reading the magazine can text in for more information. I shopped around quite a bit for providers, and I landed with http://www.mobilerealestateid.com. They are a pleasure to work with, and have several other tech products you might find interesting. Also very reasonable. Tell them I sent you, they'll give you a great deal!

Angelica

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