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The results are in: 52% of your lastest business was generated via the internet.

By
Industry Observer with ARFCO Media

Where did your last client come from?

The Results...

Thanks to everyone who chimed in with your ‘where did my last client come from’ statistics. Although this is certainly not the most scientific analysis, I thought this sampling from those of you in the Rain, and from all over the country, was very interesting.

Roughly 140 of you gave me input based on my question to you from my blog post of 3/19/2009. Some of you gave me more than the last client, and some of you have had leads but no deals yet from the internet.

 

It was a challenge in a few cases to separate them out as:

  1. They know someone I know.  (referral)
  2. It was through my marketing.  (traditional marketing)
  3. They found me online.  (internet)

 

After reading all of your comments several times, I simply tallied everything up, counted all of the transactions you mentioned and where they came from, and it made sense to me to break it down into four categories.

 

  1. Traditional: You got the client based on traditional farming, postcard mailings, flyers, signs, a newsletter, floor time, or a newspaper or magazine ad.
  2. Referral: Your client showed up because you were recommended by a former client, you worked with them before, or through someone who knew someone who knows you.
  3. Mixed: A blend of Traditional and/or Referral, yet the internet (and email marketing) played a role and couldn’t be separated out.
  4. Internet: They saw your listing online. Because of your internet presence they found their way to your website, blog or know you via Active Rain.
Referral 33%, Traditional 15%, Internet 42%, Mixed 10%




 

What I find interesting is: Referral 33%, and Internet 42%. Nearly half of your new deals came from the internet, and if you’ve been in business awhile, by referral.

 

 

I have a hunch though, that more and more referrals will be generated via the internet.

 

 

 

 

If we separate the internet related leads from the traditional, it’s about 50/50...

with the internet in a slight lead.

 

Internet 52%, Traditional 48%

 

 

 

 

I’m working on a regional analysis of the Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Tacoma, Everett area). I am not finished and my numbers still need some work, yet this sampling on AR is very close in comparison. Here in the Northwest it is looking more like Internet 65% and Traditional 35%. I’ll be sharing my report on this with you soon.

 

 

 

 

 

Conclusion: All and all, a compelling reason to have a meaningful presence on the web!

Thanks again for your feedback...

René

 

Posted by

René Fabre

"Where there's conversation, there's opportunity."

Please Note - The views expressed herein reflect only the individual’s personal views and are not the views of the author’s employer.

The Blackberry Chronicles, a blog by Rene Fabre and his travels around the Greater Pacific Northwest and beyond. Connect w/ Rene Fabre on Google+. Rene Fabre on Twitter. Rene Fabre writes reviews on Yelp. Rene Fabre on Linkedin.com The Audiorium YouTube Channel by Rene Fabre. Facebook.com/renefabre Rene Fabre loves digital photography and here are his shares on Flickr. Rene Fabre is a musician and composer and shares some of his orginal music and recordings on Soundcloud. Rene Fabre shares his interests on Pinterest.

Comments (7)

Patricia Aulson
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY HOME SERVICES Verani Realty NH Real Estate - Exeter, NH
Realtor - Portsmouth NH Homes-Hampton NH Homes

You are welcome...I would have thought that the difference would be greater on the internet side!

Portsmouth NH Real Estate

Apr 12, 2009 11:08 AM
Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Well, that's an "alert" that can't be ignored.    Thanks for bringing this to our attention.

Apr 12, 2009 11:33 AM
Pat Champion
John Roberts Realty - Eustis, FL
Call the "CHAMPION" for all your real estate needs

Thanks for the information-seems like we are 50% and 50%.

Apr 12, 2009 11:35 AM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

Good post -- think we can all agree that the Internet is growing by leaps and bounds and that it is key.

Apr 12, 2009 11:48 AM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Rene, For me the Internet has made it possilbe for me to start my own brokerage.  My statistics would be even higher than that 50/50. 

Apr 12, 2009 02:08 PM
Paul McFadden
Responsive Pest Control - Seattle, WA
Pest Control, Seattle, WA.

Rene: I have had a presence on the web for almost 3 years now with few results. All my business has been garnered through referral; either from satisfied clients or people that know me in my database. I expect this to continue. I never expected a majority of my business to come via the internet. I thought some might and still believe it will. It could be that the methods I use are designed to get referrals. Any way you slice it, I plan on staying the course! Thanks for the post.

Apr 12, 2009 02:59 PM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Patricia: I thought so to, but let's remember that the numbers are based on those that commented, so its not really a market sample, but a demographic sample based on the audience that reported in. I still find this very interesting. I should have asked 1 more question, "How long have you been in real estate."

Ah, another idea for a blog post!

Li: I agree... the internet is becoming an increasingly important part of our day to day business fabric and I think it will continue to grow.

Pat: Yes, @ 50/50... I think it's fascinating that this was essentially a random kind of survey. And yet, the internet played an important part of the mix. I'm looking forward to comparing this to some specific geographic areas. I know in my own daily work, I am involved with Seattle metro, Portland, Salem, and smaller venues like Astoria, Coos Bay, and Grants Pass etc.

Bob & Carolin: Leaps and bounds indeed. Especially when we think about first time homeowners (that 25 - 35 year group) and how much the internet is a part of their lives.

Marchel: That's awesome, making the jump to your own brokerage. Congratulations. More and more I believe that the internet gives us all a chance to be a viable force. With a little imagination and web savvy, we can offer our clients leading edge services no matter our size.

Paul: I think you and I have a lot in common. We don't have that physical thing to sell. Our's is more of a service. The consumer's frame of mind is a little different and I don't think they search quite the same way for lenders or title and escrow services. Let's get together soon, I'd love to talk to you about that. I do believe that the internet plays an increasingly important role in our presence, being familiar, being an authority in our respective fields.

 

 

Apr 12, 2009 04:50 PM