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If it's the all the same product, how can we be different?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Marketing Solutions by Serena

We've all been to restaurants, stores, or hotels and had a bad experience.  You remember the bad, and you tell more people.  There is endless supply of companies selling the same thing.  One might be selling a service, another a product, but those services and products don't often vary widely to their direct competition. 

Take casual dining for instance.  They offer similar foods, at similar prices.  One might have a certain menu item you might prefer, but essentially, they have few differences.  What might be the main one that would keep you coming back for more then?  Customer service.  They can't vary widely in their food selection, because they are limited by cost, so what can they do to get repeat and satisfied customers?  Treat you right; I know that's how they get my business. 

Real estate agents are working with the same products too.  You are providing services in real estate, and you all have the same group of products in your local market to serve to your customers.  So what can make you different than all those other agents? Work commission free?  Give away free cars to people who sign with you? Customer service... you can offer more experience, more technology, or more education than another agent, but ultimately, people can buy that house on Main street from you just as easily from your competitor. 

Consumers have a lot of choices today, ALOT.  They are taking their business to companies who can provide them with the service they deserve, sometimes at a slightly higher premium.

When you hire somebody, you want the job done, and you want it done right.  The "doing it right" part is not only your competence, its the customer service behind it.  Its your attitude, your availability, flexibility, empathy, and drive to go above and beyond for your clients. 

 

Marketing Solutions by Serena

www.SerenaMarketing.com

SerenaBautell@gmail.com

 

Li Read
Sea to Sky Premier Properties (Salt Spring) - Salt Spring Island, BC
Caring expertise...knowledge for you!

Yes!     Thanks for this timely reminder of the route to differentiation.    It isn't the product, it's "us".  

Nov 05, 2008 04:32 AM
Serena Bautell
Marketing Solutions by Serena - Pinehurst, NC

Li- I couldn't have said it better myself!

Nov 05, 2008 04:35 AM
Ilyce Glink
Think Glink Media - Chicago, IL
Best-selling author, award-winning TV/radio host.

Serena- You're very right! This was a great post because I never really thought about real estate this way. Essentially, we are all selling the same thing but in different ways. Thanks again for posting!

Nov 05, 2008 11:42 AM
Serena Bautell
Marketing Solutions by Serena - Pinehurst, NC

Ilyce- Thank you!  If every business remembered that they were in customer service business, consumers would really benefit.

Nov 05, 2008 10:36 PM