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Be careful when using autoresponders…

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Marte Cliff Copywriting

Do you use autoresponders to send marketing messages out to people on your list?

If so, you may have some pre-loaded campaigns.

I always suggest that agents who use my prospecting letters in email campaigns pre-load the whole series and automate it to start at the beginning when a new person opts in.

That just means one less step that you need to take after your initial response to a prospect who opted in. It saves time and ensures that your messages will go out at the right intervals, even when you're busy.

If you have more to say, you can also include their lists in other broadcasts. For instance, when you want to announce a new listing or a “just sold” in your territory.

Do be careful what you write in those pre-loaded messages.

I haven’t opted in anywhere lately, but I find myself on plenty of lists. A message from one of them this morning was a prime example of the need to be careful when creating your messages.

It informed me that I desperately needed to do some sort of marketing right now, in August. This needed to be completed before the end of August in order to … something. I didn’t finish reading. I should have saved it to write about, but I unsubscribed, then deleted it. Oh well.

Clients care about details.

Since potential clients want to be able to trust you to be careful with the details in their transactions, you need to be careful with the details in your messages to them.

While I was at it, I unsubscribed from another list that is notorious for writing click-bait subject lines. I don’t need them in my in-box either!

That reminds me – do also be careful about your headlines.

They can be cute or funny or they can create curiosity. But make sure they are relevant – and truthful. If prospects feel like you're trying to fool them, you'll lose them! 

 

Comments(10)

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Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Marte,

Oh I had to chuckle at the message you received today about needing to complete something by the end of August. I had two such messages this morning and they both cited a date of September 15th! Really?? DELETE!!

Nov 02, 2023 01:47 PM
Marte Cliff

Dorie Dillard Austin TX A month or so ago I received one that said "Now that Spring is here..."

People need to pay attention if they want credibility. But maybe if they're mailing to 50,000 people they don't care?

Nov 02, 2023 01:50 PM
Leanne Smith
Dirt Road Real Estate - Golden Valley, AZ
The Grit and Gratitude Agent

Auto responders with a double opt in are the best. I used one years ago within my executive coaching practice - A. Weber and it was quite affordable and good.

Nov 02, 2023 02:46 PM
Marte Cliff

Leanne Smith - I use Aweber now, and like it. But in the past, when I had super-slow Hughes Net Internet service, it didn't work well at all. 

 

Nov 02, 2023 09:40 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Marte- it happens in radio and tv ads too. Conumers understand that there will be ads in all forms of media but we want them to be correct...up-to-date. 

Nov 02, 2023 05:13 PM
Marte Cliff

Yes Kathy Streib - we know those aren't personal messages, but they don't need to look like "I don't care" messages! 

Nov 02, 2023 09:41 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Hi Marte, thank you for sharing this warning while using auto responders 🙂

Nov 02, 2023 09:14 PM
Marte Cliff
Marte Cliff Copywriting - Priest River, ID
Your real estate writer

Yes, Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS - I do use auto responders. The only messages I load way ahead of time are my little Monday quotes, but I do usually pre-write my weekly message and set it to go out on Thursdays. But that's only 2 or 3 days ahead - there's no danger of saying it's August in November! 

Nov 02, 2023 09:43 PM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hello Marte - consequences, intended and otherwise, are a part of life.  Beware.  Be and stay aware too.  

Nov 03, 2023 04:26 AM
Marte Cliff

Michael Jacobs - We've certainly witnessed a lot of unintended consequences the past few years! 

Nov 03, 2023 10:43 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Great point! Being careful with what is auto-sent is definitely very important.

Nov 03, 2023 05:20 AM
Marte Cliff

Kat Palmiotti Yep - that's just as important as proofreading what you write and send the same day. 

Nov 03, 2023 10:43 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

When I get an auto-response, it usually leads to me not using that company or person for services that I might have used them for, haha.

Nov 03, 2023 05:35 AM
Marte Cliff

We all have our pet peeves, @Brian England. That's one of yours. One of mine is that I won't open an email whose subject line promises a "hack." 

Nov 03, 2023 10:45 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Real Estate Broker

Great advice. I hate those auto-responders. I only use one that is very general when someone signs up on my website in case I can't follow up immediately, telling them I will be following up soon.

Nov 03, 2023 07:26 AM
Marte Cliff

That's a wise use Nina Hollander, Broker.

Nov 03, 2023 10:46 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

You are so correct that there is a time and place for this practice. But, I so much prefer that personal touch whenever I can respond.

Nov 05, 2023 06:29 PM
Marte Cliff

Yes, Dr. Paula McDonald - the personal touch is always better, but there is a place for auto responders. Staying top of mind with those lukewarm or tentative leads can make all the difference. 

Nov 05, 2023 08:03 PM