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Internet dominance is only the first virtual step in achieving business success. After that, the real work of lead conversion begins!

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Richard Weisser Realty

Clouds below peaks in the Greaat Smoky Mountains by Richard WeisserA strong Internet presence is absolutely essential to succeeding in the modern business environment. Not only is it the fastest way to deliver information to your target audience, but it is also the most cost effective way of doing so.

But many businesses fall short of achieving significant increases in production after attaining the desired level of visibility on the Net because they fail to realize this important tenet:

The Internet is only the first step in generating new business.

There also has to be a follow-up plan in place. It is of no benefit to make the phone ring if nobody is going to answer it!

The misty mountains of North Carolina by Richard WeisserThere also has to be a way to track leads and assign priorities to them. And most importantly of all, there MUST be people in place that are ready and willing to handle the onslaught of work that a good Internet presence generates.

The leap from the virtual world of websites, blogs and social networks to the reality of live clients is a broad and dangerous jump over a wide chasm that has claimed untold numbers of lost potential customers.

If you do not have a dedicated plan to make the successful conversion, your leads will disappear forever into the abyss, never to be seen or heard from again.

There is no sorcery in the Internet that will magically do the work for you. It can only set the wheels in motion.

After that, it's up to you!

All content, including text, original art, photographs and images, is the exclusive property of Coweta Fayette Real Estate, Inc., and may not be used without the expressed written permission of ERA United Realty and Coweta Fayette Real Estate of ERA United Realty Newnan Georgia. All information is believed to be accurate but is not warranted, Copyright 2003-2009. Richard Weisser 770-827-6225.
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Barb Szabo, CRS
RE/MAX Above & Beyond - Cleveland, OH
E-pro Realtor, Cleveland Ohio Homes

It's most definitely a challenge to handle the leads so I am continually trying to work on follow up and fine tuning my listing presentation.

May 31, 2009 01:01 AM
Mike Saunders
Retired - Athens, GA

Richard - well so much for looking for the Real Estate Gandalf. That is the key, tracking and conversion.

May 31, 2009 01:14 AM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Paddy..

We are in the service business after all is said and done! Thanks for the comment.

Rebecca...

I liked that line too! And thanks for noticing the photos, I really appreciate it!

Gary...

Very nicely put. Thanks for adding to the conversation!

May 31, 2009 01:19 AM
C Tann-Starr
Tann Starr & Associates, Inc. - Palm Bay, FL

Featured @ Club Chaos

May 31, 2009 01:48 AM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

I'm not sure that a strong Internet presence is essential.  I do believe that it is an efficient and successful method of generating business.  However, there are many successful businesses and real estate companies that have little to no Internet presence. 

May 31, 2009 01:51 AM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

Internet leads have always been a little more difficult to capture than referrals, of course, but I am finding a slightly different attitude these days...folks that believe if they find you on the internet, you must be the top selling agent for a particular neighborhood/community/city. 

May 31, 2009 01:55 AM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Janice...

And I'm not very good at it. That's why I have a team! Thanks for the comment.

Mark...

I do some adwords when my budget allows, but I prefer good organic returns. Well, who wouldn't? lol and thanks.

Barb...

I could use some good listings right now ... all of my good ones have sold! THX

May 31, 2009 02:01 AM
Kathleen Cooper
Kathleen Cooper, Sposato Realty Group - Worcester, MA
Sposato Realty Group - Broker Owner

Richard,

I love your photos!  They are absolutely beautiful!

Sincerely,

Kathleen

May 31, 2009 02:03 AM
Richard Weisser
Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA
Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Mike...

Can it be as simple as that? Yes, but it's not easy, is it? Thanks my friend.

C...

Thanks!

Lenn...

But I assumed that anyone that read post this would consider that a big part of their game plan. Is that fair enough? THX

May 31, 2009 02:11 AM
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Richard...Converting any lead is the hard part.  But, if you are honest and be yourself, showing you have the knowledge will be all it takes!

May 31, 2009 02:27 AM
Richard Iarossi
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton, MD
Crofton MD Real Estate, Annapolis MD Real Estate

Richard,

It is all about having the right systems in place. Internet leads do seem to be a bit harder to convert but the reward is just as great. 

There really isn't anything easy about this real estate business.

Rich

May 31, 2009 03:54 AM
Lisa Wetzel
RE/MAX Realty Affiliates - Carson City, NV
CDPE, SFR carsonvalleyland.com

Richard - Great Job!  You really hit the nail on the head with this one!  You are right, follow up and conversion are so important.  all the leads in the world don't help if you never close an escrow!

May 31, 2009 08:12 AM
Cameron Wilson
Labrum Real Estate - Murrieta, CA
The Short Guy - Murrieta,Temecula,Menifee Californ

As with any lead generation program follow up is the most critical part of the program. Lack of follow up has caused more than one agent to fail.

May 31, 2009 09:31 AM
Claude Cross
Homes By Cross, Inc. - Charlotte, NC
Charlotte NC Homes For Sale

Richard - We work every lead. Mainly because we worked hard to get them. We answer the phone and respond to emails. Just part of our routine. We don't stop there. We actually do the same with a follow-up. It is a simple but effective.

May 31, 2009 09:37 AM
Terry & Bonnie Westbrook
Westbrook Realty Broker-Owner - Grand Rapids, MI
Westbrook Realty - Grand Rapids Forest Hills MI Re

Follow up, follow up and if you don't get results follow up some more. Great advice.

May 31, 2009 12:02 PM
JL Boney, III
Coldwell Banker - Columbia, SC
Columbia, SC Real Estate

The Internet is a great thing to have working for us, we just have to remember that we have to work as well to make it worth wild.

May 31, 2009 03:42 PM
Lenn Harley
Lenn Harley, Homefinders.com, MD & VA Homes and Real Estate - Leesburg, VA
Real Estate Broker - Virginia & Maryland

Sure Richard.  But, how many is that???

May 31, 2009 09:33 PM
Hannah Williams
HomeStarr Realty - Philadelphia, PA
Expertise NE Philadelphia & Bucks 215-820-3376

Richard..What a magical blog..I love it.. I had a very busy day and this is one of the first I have read..enchanting..Thank you

HelpfulHannah your friend in Philadelphiatweet this

Jun 01, 2009 02:57 PM
Coleen DeGroff
Coldwell Banker M.M. Parrish Realtors - Gainesville, FL
Haile Plantation Real Estate - Gainesville FL

Hi Richard,

Since more than 80% of buyers start their home search online, internet presence is indeed critical to success in today's marketplace.  The trick is figuring out how to create and maintain that presence....and of course, once you are discovered by buyers, your job is to reel 'em in!

Jun 01, 2009 10:49 PM
Christine McInerney
Great Life RE - Knoxville, TN
The McInerney Team, Knoxville TN Homes For Sale

Richard you have hit the nail on the head with your post.  Without converting the leads you are pretty much wasting your time- we are guility of wasting a lot of time in the past.

Jun 02, 2009 02:38 PM