Real Estate Agent Marketing Tools
How do you get your first real estate client?
I just moved to San Diego from Ohio and I am working on getting my real estate license right now. I am kind of a shy person so I haven't made friends here yet. What marketing tools work really good for real estate agents to get clients?
I can relate. I was shy as well and still have my moments, yet I've been a Realtor now for 16 years. This business forces me out of myself. I first got my license, then I received an opportunity to become a sales counselor for a production builder. I put my license in inactive status to avoid the high fees and became an employee with benefits.
While that was a good start for me, the corporate structure wasn't for me and I eventually broke away and became an independent, straight commission with a national brokerage firm who had a training division. I was with them for eight years before I broke away from them and went with my current brokerage firm, RE/MAX.
Factoring in your shyness, you may want to consider becoming a Buyer's Agent and work with a team. There you'll have the support of your peers and help to encourage you along. Your confidence will build with experience.
For agents new to an area, working open houses for other agents' listings within your office can be a good start in building clientele.
As far as marketing tools go, the BEST are handwritten thank you notes expressing your 'genuine' appreciation can do wonders. It very often initiates their phone call to you at which time strikes up an opportunity to ask for their business or anyone they may know that could use your services.
Lastly, be creative to figure out ways that will set you apart from the other agents in your area. More and more agents are specializing. Know your passion and go in that direction. Connecting with people to which you to have the same passion will truly make this an enjoyable business in which to work.
Good luck in your transition. I wish you all the best!
Real Estate Agents Must Have Their Own Personal Web Sites
Every real estate agent needs a website in today's online connected world. I guarantee your top competitors will have a website, and you will be left in the dust if you don't. You can bet that the vast majority of your customers start their search for a new home on the Internet.
This is the age of the Internet, and information is the hottest commodity going. Any person, anywhere, with information to share can now market to that exact audience looking for the information faster than ever before.
Now, anyone has the potential to be the hotshot owner of a rapidly growing Internet business, and yes, even to be the top-dog online real estate agent in any town in the world.
The Internet can make anyone a Superstar, for more than Andy Warhol's 15 minutes. But the Internet is only a tool.
Consider the following recent statistics:
- 84% of home buyers use the Internet in their home search.
- 60% of all real estate companies have a web site for business purposes.
- 50% of all real estate agents communicate by e-mail with their clients half of the time.
- 82% of home buyers who used the Internet to search for a home purchased it through a real estate agent
- 65% of those who did not use the Internet purchased directly from a builder or an owner they already knew.
- 61% walked through a home that they viewed online.
- 29% first learned about the house they bought online.
Those statistics make it pretty obvious that you NEED an online presence.
So, what kind of website should you use?
Larger real estate companies will offer you a page on the company's website. If one is available, by all means use it to send traffic to your own personal website. Yes, you MUST have your own personal web site.
Why do you need a personal web site? Because it allows you to be in complete control of your marketing, which lets you control your future. Your individual web site is where you will post all of your listings (in addition to the Multiple Listing Service and any other cross-listing services available to you), plus all the information about you as an agent such as:
- Testimonials from past clients
- Your professional certifications
- Your photo
- Articles for your clients
- Personalized tools, such as customized mortgage calculators
Benefits of having your own personal website
There are several benefits to having your own website, such as:
- You own everything. If you leave your franchise, all you have to do is change a few things, like the colors and the logo on your site, and you are ready to go.
- You have complete control of the content. You can do whatever you want such as survey your visitors, post videos, post an online newsletter, etc.
- Your website is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to service your customers. One major advantage is with out of town buyers. They can get a much better idea of who you are and what you can offer to them without having to pay for a trip to your city.
- You can capture leads and funnel them directly to your own mailing list autoresponder. This way, you can continuously market to your leads, economically and on your own schedule.
Conclusion
If you don't have your own website, you are leaving your independence and control of your own business, not to mention large amounts of money, on the table. Do you really want to do that?
About the Author
Matt Coy is the Founder/President of InFront Tools, and the developer of Agent Success Club, an innovative new membership site dedicated to helping real estate professionals create and maintain a powerful and effective online presence. Visit AgentSuccessClub.com to see how our personalized calculators, private label articles, newsletter maker, and other tools can revolutionize your online marketing.
Real Estate Agent Training - FAQ's about my "Cheat Sheet"
