October 01 2017
Got tech questions? We had a lot of answers in September.
Our top 10 most read articles of the month offered answers to questions like, Can I post my client's photo on social media? (see article #3) or, What should I do if I drop my smartphone in water? (#4).
Want scripts to help you communicate better? Check out article #7 to learn how to handle common objections from prospects and win more appointments. For advice on answering that question that everyone always asks real estate agents, "How's the market?" see our #1 article from September:
1. How to answer, "How's the market?" so strangers never (ever) forget you
If you're a chatty agent who tends to make new friends and contacts wherever you go, you likely hear the following question quite often: "So, how's the market?" Here's the script you should follow to wow your new contact.
2. Open House Pros and Cons for Real Estate Agents
"Should I host an open house for my client?" It's a question that nearly every real estate agent asks at some point in their career. Yet, there never seems to be a clear answer. Open house pros and cons have been debated among industry experts for years, and both sides have valid points. Many factors should be considered, including your client's needs, where the house is located and your marketing plan for the home. But to help make your decision, here are some open house pros and cons.
3. Should You Post Your Client's Photo on Social Media?
You just listed a home, sold a property, or started working with a new client and the first thing you want to do is brag on social media. It's okay, we all do it and working in the real estate industry, a client-centered marketing focus is necessary to show leads and clients why you are the perfect real estate professional for them. However, before posting your client's photo on social media, take your client's opinions into consideration.
4. What to Do When Your Smartphone Falls into the Water
Kerplunk! That may be the most dreaded sound a smartphone user can ever hear. If your cell phone has ever dropped in the water, you know exactly what I mean. Here are some things you can do when your smartphone decides unexpectedly to take a bath.
5. Friday Freebie: Rev Up Your Online Marketing with Free Real Estate Content
Real estate agents, are you tired of hearing that you need to create content to be successful? That you need to blog, write newsletters, and shoot videos ad nauseam—and then post about it all on social media? We get it. As an agent, you play a lot of roles, from tour guide to advisor to therapist and beyond. Adding "content creator" to that list is an exhausting prospect! That's why in this week's Friday Freebie, we're highlighting world-class real estate content that you can use without having to lift a finger.
6. Do This One Thing, and You'll Double Your Business Next Year
Many broker-owners say one of the biggest challenges they face is getting their agents to stay in touch with their book of business. So it's not surprising to learn that the National Association of REALTORS® reported in the past that 88 percent of buyers said they would use their agent again or recommend their agents to others, but only 22 percent of buyers do. That appears to be a really big—yet missed—business opportunity that very well could be caused by agents simply not staying in touch with their clients.
7. 5 Scripts to Bypass Objections and Land that First Meeting
When it comes to leads, it's all about getting that first meeting, and the initial telephone call is your ticket to get there. But when you consider that a lot of online leads have already talked to other agents, the pressure is on to seriously nail that first conversation. You need to be prepared for their objections and practice. A lot. Here are scripts for some of the most common objections you'll face.
8. 9 Mobile Apps that Keep Realtors Safe During Showings
Realtors are increasingly turning to smartphone apps to keep them safe on the job, according to new research. NAR's 2017 Member Safety Report says that 44 percent of Realtors use a smartphone safety app, up from 42 percent in 2016. Let's dig into how safety apps work, and the features that specific apps offer.
9. How to Break Away from Portals and Generate Your Own Leads
Tired of relying on unreliable sources for real estate leads? It's time to generate your own and break away from the lackluster returns of other sources like property portals or print postcards. This is easier—and cheaper—to do more than ever before, thanks to the highly targeted nature of online ad platforms like Facebook. The key to a successful real estate ad campaign? Landing pages, or the place you send prospects who click on your ad.
10. 5 Marketing Practices That Have No Place in 2017
The days of traditional marketing are numbered, but some businesses haven't caught up with the times yet. Due to lack of digital know-how or resistance to adopting new methods, many antiquated marketing practices are still lingering in the real estate industry, and they're quickly becoming ineffective. If you are still marketing your business like it's 1999, it may be time for a change. Here are five marketing tactics that are quickly becoming extinct.