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Simple and Consistent

I'm working on developing materials for a new class I'm teaching on Social Networking and Blogging. My first class, on Aug. 26th, is to a group of real estate agents. My second class is to a group of real estate branch office managers. Right at this moment I'm wondering why I chose one of the hardest ways in the world to earn a living.

The only thing I want the managers to understand is that their job is to support the agents in really simple ways. Not every agent is a born blogger. And that's okay. But at Long & Foster (where I do most of my work) every agent is given a free agent website. And there are two really simple things I am asking both the agents and the managers to do:

Put your website address in your email signature right under your name;
Say your website address in your outgoing voicemail message: "Hello, you've reached Nancy Pav. Please leave me a detailed message and your number; or if you would prefer to send an email, please visit www.GottaHavePav.com

Not very hard is it? But most agents don't do it and their managers don't call them on it. I come in and teach one class - inspire the room for about 2 hours - and then move on to the next office. And six months later I see agents emailing me with no website address or I leave a voicemail message with no email address in their outgoing message.

So I am challenging the managers to do this: on every email they receive from their agents, reply and ask why their website address is not in their email signature; and when they return voicemails to their agents, ask them why their website address is not on their outging voicemail message.

Success in sales frequently comes down to doing simple things on a consistent basis. I need everyone to simply work with me! How have simple and consistent habits helped your business?

Posted by Catherine S. Read on 08/19/2008 01:21 AM

Comments (17)

marketing, websites, long foster, email, voicemail

Post is included in group: Long & Foster Agent Lounge
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17 Comments on Simple and Consistent

AUG

2008

This is such a good idea, I need to find out how to do this, I don't know how to do it , maybe my assistant knows how, I'm a good writer over all, but technogy challenged.

Simple and consistent. It sounds so easy though many of us fail at it each and every day.

Thank you. I have been practicing part 1 of your message but not part 2. I always have my signature with name, website, email address and phone number.....however, I was not doing it on voice messages. I will start implementing this immediately. What a simple idea that could be so rewarding.

Cheers.

Simple and consistent sounds simple but it is not an easy job being consistent.

To Anna, Christine, George & Gita - It is not always easy to be consistent and I struggle with that myself. But what is even more challenging is getting agents to simply start - to take the first step and execute on what they can do right now. A website address on a voicemail message not only offers your caller an option they might prefer, but you brand yourself in a very memorable way. Start today!

My God..............Wes Foster has actually sought the services of someone with a brain. kudos

Oh John! I laughed so hard I nearly fell out of my chair! I've come and gone from Long & Foster so many times over the last 21 years Wes Foster may not know I'm no longer in the building! My little renegade heart was meant to be out in the field with the managers and the agents - the foot soldiers in this business. And I'm bringing the message of 21st century marketing to one office and one agent at a time! Thanks so much for your words of encouragement!

great idea.. ive done it immediately. hope it helps my business!

Carol, it will help your business. It's branding, but you are also providing people with options, and you are doing it consistently without even having to think about it! Continue to implement things that work on your behalf while you work on other aspects of your business.

AUG

2008

Absolutely spot on! I am continually amazed by how many agents think having a website address alone is going to magically generate business for them. It is a rare day I don't get an internet inquiry; of course, internet leads are much "colder" than referrals, but many of them are excellent. I am asked on a regular basis, "how do you do it? I have a website but have never gotten a lead." Sigh. There aren't enough hours in the day to keep explaining it! Good luck with your mission.

Susan it amazes me as well. There seems to be a lot of misconception about online technology tools and how they are used. I think the key here is getting the managers to reinforce the message on a regular basis. Teaching a single class to a group of agents is not enough to shift their paradigm or their behaviors. There needs to a system to keep everyone on point all the time. It is indeed a mission and thank you for your support!

Catherine, my manager is Bill Jourdan...'nuf said...LOL...and yes, I know he will laugh if he happens to stumble across this post. I think he has recently attended one of your classes - he is definitely enthusiastic, but there are only so many hours and it is hard to "herd cats" as they say when it comes to getting the agents' buy in, as well, especially in this market. I totally applaud what you are trying to do and think it is sorely needed! ;-)

Yes, I know Bill from way back. I've been asked to teach a class on Social Networking and Blogging to the Northern VA Branch Managers next month, which I'm really looking forward to and I think they are as well. They know they need to know it, they're just very uncertain how to go about it. If I can herd the "big cats" and get them headed in the right direction, we have a better chance of making a difference with individual agents in every office. And I'm up for the challenge! :-)

AUG

2008

Catherine...Blue in the face comes to mind when you try to teach these old dogs new tricks.

Why Bob Carney! Do I detect a bit of cynacism here? Well you are in the middle of it all the time, and I'm not. When I was surrounded by resistance to change on a daily basis, I was very frustrated too. It has helped tremendously to be outside the arena in a consultant capacity. You have undoubtedly made a greater impact on those around you than you realize, and I appreciate everything you've done to bring enlightenment to those who need it most! :)

Rub it in...:) "It has helped tremendously to be outside the arena in a consultant capacity."

It's happening in baby steps. Maybe since I made the Washington Post they will finally believe what I say.

AUG

2008

I don't think it's a matter of not believing you. People will do things the way they've always done them until that is absolutely no longer an option. It's the avoidance of pain that ultimately drives behavior changes. These social media tools are still viewed as "optional." You just keep chipping away at it Bob, and I will do the same!

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