How Do We Build Personal Relationships in an Automated World?-inspired by Sharon Simms

Wow!  Thank you to everyone who responded to my blog and thank you for thinking my blog was worthy enough to be featured and thank you AR gods for agreeing :)

Now on to the comments:

Konnie - I've heard of that one too.  However I think even if we don't answer each and every call, as long as we respond back in a reasonable amount of time, I think that's fine too.

Charles - Yep, you're sooo right.  We do live in an automated society.  (Between you and me - I had when I need to talk to a live person when calling my credit card company and have to push a zillion buttons to just speak to a live human being).  But I still think in Real Estate we still have to make that personal touch - even if it's sending a personal note by email to our clients from time to time.  And trust me I know we all can't respond to everyone.  I don't know how some of our amazing bloggers in the rain keep up sometimes.  They do a heck of a job trying and for me that's all that matters.

O &L Mary RE - I didn't either until I read Sharon Simm's blog, and yes I agree I think the concept is kind of neat, but again as you see in my blog, I would never use it.

Christine - Me too.  I think if you're going to be out of town I that's a good time to use an auto-responder.  That way people who email you know that you are actually on vacation or out of town and won't  be responding back so quickly.  However I don't think this would really work for us in real estate unfortunatley.  I'm sure if it was a potential client they would move on to the next agent.  Even though we do need time for ourselves.  It's a toss up.

Beth - Congrats on the getting the new client!  That's great.  I think in the long run most sellers and buyers don't really care how busy you are, or how many listings you've sold, etc.  I think you're right.  They want to know that we're going to give them personal attention.

Tom - I checked out your blog on this about auto-email responders.  Personally it would fall under the same category for me as the auto-responder for blogs.  I think if we have a system set up to respond fairly quickly (ie: Blackberry, I-Phone, etc.) we might be able to handle a quick email back.  I just received an email from active rain not too long ago asking me to look for some lease option property and so I responded quickly letting my potential buyer know I would look into it.

Petra - I agree with you 100%.  I'm a big fan of Nestor & Katerina Gasset who have really increased they're business through Active Rain by truly building relationships here.  Katerina did this by not only responding to comments on her blogs, but to reach out to others and comment on theirs.

Bob & Carolin - Wow, I didn't even think of this one.  Thanks for sharing.  Yeah.  You're right many would end up in our spam box, never to be seen again.  Good point!

Liz - Yeah my BC buddy! Thanks for the WooHOO - I really believe what you are saying.  I think over time, people would catch on and just stop reading the auto-responder's blogs.  Blogging creates an environment for us to get to know eachother better...personally and for business.

Endre - Your response is how I think(overtime) many will feel.  If you put yourself in someone elses shoes and ask, "Would I want to receive this."  If you answer is no then it's kind of hard to do it yourself isn't it.

I promise to respond to the remaining folks who spent the time to comment here.  For now though I have some chores to do...Family first.

Castellum - I think in the long run it could hurt a blogger more than help.  And by no means do some of the top bloggers respond to every comment, but what I have noticed is that they try and that's for me what is important.  I think if you are a newer blogger, I absolutely wouldn't recommend it, because you won't build the relationships you intended to build with that approach.

Margaret - My pleasure.  The last thing we need is more junk mail in our email box. 

Sally & David - Yep, it can be quite overwhelming.  It's just gotten to that point that if you get an email from a prospect you need to respond pronto.

Marcia - There are ways to have a standard letter to send to FSBOs and Expireds without it sounding too cheesy and canned.  There are actually some decent programs out there.  I happen to use XPlus and I hate cheesy and pushy. XPlus although aggressive is not disrespectful.  Although if I were responding to questions  from either group, I don't know how else I would do it, but do what your doing: address each ones questions and concerns one by one.

Diane - Thanks.  I love it.  Short and Sweet and too the point.  I'm striving for that.  I don't think I've achieved it yet though.

Joel - Personal touch is definitely important.  Just a little heads up regarding blogging and commenting etiquette...the AR g-ds and many folks here have had plenty of conversations about not promoting yourself on someone else's posts.  So just for future reference please stick to just the comments, you will gain so much more that way.  

Kristin - it's good to know up front what's expected of you and if something is way off, you have a chance to change that expectation up front or make a decision to not represent that seller or buyer.

Hey Gita - anytime.

Kara - i think we will all stand out more if we keep it personal and keep it real.  More thank you notes, more personal comments, personal emails and phonecalls in the longterm I think is the better strategy.

James - I agree, that is a case where auto-emails would probably work.  Although it might be over doing it if you did it evertime you were out in the field daily, but if you are on vacation, I think it's a useful tool.

Carol - I'm glad I was able to give you another perspective to think about.  Thanks for sharing your thoughts too.

Thank You Jared! - I agree I think the ones that at least make an effort to personalize their business will definitely stand out.  That's all I hear these days from people.  They want real customer service, not an automated person on the other end of the line or email.

Pam - That might be another good use for auto-responders, but when it comes to blogging, for me personally, I wouldn't go this route.  I want people to continue to comment on my future blogs and of course build lasting relationships in this industry.

Susan - Amen!  I guess an auto-responder wouldn't quite accomplish that, huh.

Tim- Your absolutely right.  First and foremost...this is a people business.  In the end with all this technology, if we can't convert that to face to face then we're dead in the water.  It's hard to make things personal online, but auto-responders will not help improve that effort.

Terry - Trust me if you respond personally in this automated world, you will stand out :)

Integrity - I think it's a balance - a little bit of both, goes along way.

Deb - Absolutely, that's why I think blogging is such a great way to become more transparent as an agent or other real estate professional.  And I'm sure when I visit your blogs, the feeling will be mutual.

Derek - Amen to that.  Jennifer Allan's my favorite "Soulful" Guru out there :)

Sharon - Thanks for the congrats by the way!  I think there's a place for automation.  I don't think it fits well in the blogging world.  However I believe some automation is probably ok if used in a limited format.

Karen - Thanks Karen - better late than never I guess.  It's actually pretty hard to keep up when you get features.  It's a little overwhelming - I guess that 's always a good problem huh?  I think we all try to make an effort to respond as much as possible, but I'm sure we all need breaks too. So we don't have major burn out moments.

Patricia - Yep - It's about building the relationship and you can't do that with out personal contact - even if it's just a comment on someone else's blog.

Jeff and Lisa- It gets harder to do sometimes doesn't it.  I'll go check out your blog.  Thanks for the heads up.