I have LOVED being a part of the AR community, so I think it's well past time that I share some ‘insider secrets', since I have not been as active as I would like to be! I use a combination of all of the following marketing tools to market my company websites. Grab a pen and paper and kick up your feet! (or just press the print button on your browser...lol)
Click to Talk - Place a button on your website that allows potential clients to enter their telephone number and contact you instantly! The system will call both you and the potential client at the same time. Agents can use this website integrated system to allow prospects to click, enter their phone number and connect! Then, if they have a question you can PUSH a web page right to their monitor. Imagine pressing buttons on your cell phone and having your website page or virtual tour right in front of them as you talk! They don't even hear the buttons being pressed! Do you want to look like the ultimate techno GURU.. get your hands on this technology today! Get $10 off with this link RealPing.com
Send Out Cards - Who doesn't open a greeting card when it arrives in the mail? Agents can set themselves apart by setting up automatic campaigns that send a card to clients on birthdays, anniversaries and more. Automatically send a congratulations card on the 1 year anniversary of their closing! Talk about a REFERRAL MACHINE! Virtual tour providers can set up special promotions like birthdays and anniversaries! Everything is automatic! Just a few clicks of your mouse and the card is printed, folded, and MAILED with a real-live stamp! SendOutCards.com
Surveys - Everyone NEEDS testimonials for their website. Want an easy way to get more testimonials? Combine SurveyMonkey with your follow-up emails and create a quick 5 question survey that asks customers about their experiences. For the 5th question ask for comments/suggestions "or" a quick testimonial.
Images - Get professional photography and images for your website from Dreamstime.com starting at $1 each.
(please check licensing requirements when using photos)
Pre-Recorded Messages
Using pre-recorded messages for value-added services is a great way to keep in contact with your clients without tying up your phone line. You can set-up 800 numbers or local numbers and allow clients to call 24/7 for information about you, what to expect as a first-time homebuyer/seller or how to get ready for a virtual tour. Packet8 offers solutions from complete virtual office set-ups to single virtual numbers to use as an info-only outgoing message.
Auto-Responders
You can use email auto-responders on your website to deliver instant FREE reports, information about your company, monthly newsletters and more. Keep your clients updated on new offerings and keep them interested in all that your company has to offer. Aweber provides unlimited responders, newsletter templates, email templates, email follow-up, ad tracking and real-time stats. Best of all it's easy to use!
Shopping Cart - Attention VT providers! Setting up a shopping cart on your website can help you get paid faster. When you combine credit card processing with an all-in-one solution like 1ShoppingCart.com you make it easier for customers to order their virtual tours and you take the guesswork out of invoicing. 1ShoppingCart also allows you to send follow-up messages which is a great way to get started using an auto-responder. You can set-up the auto-responder to 'check-in' with your clients 1-2 weeks after purchase and make sure that they are happy with your services. (1shoppingcart does not work with quickbooks, I personally use both quickbooks processing AND 1shoppingcart so that not only can they order from my website, but I can also take credit cards over the phone)
Processing Credit Cards - You can use QuickBooks to keep track of all of your business expenses PLUS process credit cards. All in one easy to use place! I am considering offering training on this to RTV VT providers, so let me know if you would be interested. Get 20 % Off QuickBooks Accounting Software Products + Free Shipping
"I'm researching a virtual tour companies to show our properties. I enjoyed your website, very informative and captivating, and you market yourselves well....Today I was on Realtor.com researching all the virtual tour companies in Florida, and, we have selected you to do this virtual tour for us. ... you have great marketing, great sales job, very competitive pricing....SOLD!"
-Paul Thomas, Longwood Fl
"I see your name and company everywhere I turn and would love to hear from you regarding any tips and tricks in the VT business. You seem to have learned from your mistakes and reaped the rewards through hard work and listening to your clients needs and I commend you. You are the perfect example of how the right attitude, the right technology and the right business ethics come together to complete the cycle. Bravo!"
Jim Bourgea (Alter Ego 360 Virtual Tours), Lancaster, MA
(Shameless plug...I also provide marketing services to agents on a case-by-case basis. So, if you are looking for someone to build your website and want more than just a ‘pretty face' on the net, then contact me for more information. I currently have one opening for August and 2 for October. My internet marketing packages include a website with several of the above integrated marketing tools, ‘limited' SEO and start at $2k.)
If you have any tips or tricks for me... please feel free to post them here!
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