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Online Lead Generation... Getting the Best ROI!

By
Real Estate Agent with Century 21 Redwood Realty

I have worked with internet leads the last couple of years and I came across this article.  I always knew this information was true.  I used to work on a real estate team where the team leader provided internet leads.  Many of the agents on the team would complain about the quality of the leads.  Here is what I have found to be true.  Calling them the moment that you receive the lead (as long as they are during reasonable hours) will increase your chances of them working with you.  The longer you wait, the less probability of them contacting you.  My personal rule has been to follow up with them 3 times.  I put them in my personal planner to follow up by phone a week after the initial call.  I always supplement this wiht an e-mail drip campaign.  The drip is an important part of the process - it's that wonderful, mindless, no need to remember to hit the send button e-mail that autogenerates.  It's a beautiful thing!  I also make sure to put a picture on everything!

The below listed article is based on an MIT Management Study and has very specific details regarding the best times to call and the facts of knowing how your delays as an agent waste your money!  Remember friends, Sales is a Contact Sport!

Be positive, be happy, and own that lead before you call them.  Be thankful when they tell you that they are not interested because they are not serious buyers anyways!  The rule of thumb is that 1 in 100 internet leads are workable.  I hope you enjoy this article!  Happy Selling!

http://www.leadresponsemanagement.org/mit_study

Show All Comments Sort:
Vickie Osoria
Keller Williams Realty - Leland, NC

Thanks for sharing such a great article!  It's quite helpful to know where and when to put your efforts to get the most benefit from them.

Feb 12, 2010 11:25 PM
Coldwell Banker Cutting Edge
Coldwell Banker Cutting Edge - Grants Pass, OR
"Your Proactive, Trusted Real Estate Advisor"

If you can get the correct internet lead company it can definitely work but I too get concerned with the quality of them.

Feb 12, 2010 11:31 PM
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Thank you for sharing the article.I will check out the link.

Feb 12, 2010 11:58 PM
Norma J. Elkins
Elite Realty Group - Morristown, TN
Realtor - Elkins Home Selling Team

Thanks for sharing --- I will check it out - Have a great day!

Feb 13, 2010 12:20 AM
Scott Guay
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services PenFed Realty - Ocean Pines, MD
Associate Broker. Ocean City and Ocean Pines MD

Great article. I have found that the sooner I contact them the better the lead will be converted. I love it when I get a Internet lead to my cell phone and immediately call or email them. Works almost every time.

Feb 13, 2010 12:59 AM
Cindy Greenya
Century 21 Redwood Realty - Winchester, VA
Cindy Greenya

Online leads are all the same quality.  There are many different lead generation services.  Our office used to use Realty Generator and we are now using Boomtown.  Reply Real Estate will allow you to pay per lead.  Realty Generator and Boomtown have very high monthly fees.  If you are paying a monthly subscription fee, make sure that you are receiving a reasonable number of monthly leads and it should correlate with the expense.  House Hunt is great because they offer leads by area.  They are pricey but they do supply you with lots of leads.  You have to research and find what's best for you.  The pay per leads tend to be expensive because you're paying large amounts for few leads but they are a great way to get yourself comfortable.

Feb 13, 2010 01:02 AM
Cindy Greenya
Century 21 Redwood Realty - Winchester, VA
Cindy Greenya

Scott, You are so right!  I've had a very high success level with receiving texts or e-mails to my smart phone.  The key is contacting them very quickly!  I used to worry about saying the right thing and delay... you don't have to have the perfect script - you just need to call!

Feb 13, 2010 01:11 AM
Elizabeth Bolton
RE/MAX Destiny Real Estate Cambridge, MA - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge MA Realtor

Thanks Cindy! These are super tips. Off to read the article now.

Liz

Feb 13, 2010 12:27 PM
Phil Leng
Retired - Kirkland, WA
Phil Leng - Retired

Thanks Cindy,

A topic that is central in the thinking and practice of real estate agents everywhere.

How do I get leads. How do I capture them? How do I convert them to closed sales?

Thanks

Phil

Feb 08, 2011 08:09 PM
Brien Berard
Remax Professionals Laurel MD - Laurel, MD
Maryland Real Estate Agents - Laurel Real Estate

Yes, quick contact and constant follow-up are good rules to follow.  Simple, but even I have trouble doing it.

Jul 01, 2011 10:25 AM