Top 10 Most Popular Articles of April

Commission and its discontents were on the minds of real estate agents and brokers, according to our latest top 10 articles of the month. Our #1 article in April (by far!) looked at the rising trend of $1 and 1% commissions. What does that mean for your bottom line? Check out the post in the list below to find out!

Email was a popular topic in April as well. For Gmail tricks, click on article #5. Learn how to fine-tune your email subject lines in #4, and turn your email list into a sale generating machine in article #10.

Next, find out why you should get social...

• ...with other Realtors in Facebook Groups (article #2), and
• with leads on Instagram (#7).

Want more? Check out the full list of RE Technology's top 10 articles of April below!

1. Listing Agents Offering 1% and $1 Commissions: Is This a New Trend?
Discount real estate brokerages have been around for decades. With the growing digital forefront, consumers (potential sellers) are being bombarded with different choices, 1 percent, 2 percent, flat fee, 45-day listings, etc. for their business. But no one works for free. How you set up your business model is your choice, and all commissions are negotiable. There will always be someone willing to get paid less. How can you make that work in your favor?

2. 5 Facebook Groups Realtors Should Join Today
Facebook Groups for real estate are excellent places to trade tips, speak with other pros, and catch up on the hottest trends in the real estate industry. Now it's simply a matter of finding the right Facebook Group for you, and there are loads of great options to choose from. Start your search with our guide to five Facebook groups that REALTORS should join today.

3. The Language of Sales: What to Say (and Not Say)
The way an agent delivers their messages and converses with prospects can have a dramatic effect on the outcome of a conversation. Using the wrong phrase or tactic might cast a negative shadow on your pitch, while tweaking your approach can build rapport and incite action. Here's how to achieve better follow-up, heightened engagement, and create effective conversations that still feel personal through the words you use.

4. 10 Real Estate Email Subject Lines and Why They Work
How can you ensure that your audience is opening and reading your carefully crafted emails? The answer lies in the simple, unassuming subject line. About 80 percent of readers never make it past the subject line, but you change that. Here are ten real estate email subject lines to help you master the art of the email.

5. 8 Great Gmail Tips and Tricks
Gmail has many unknown and little-used features that can be hugely helpful. But like the secret menu at the West Coast chain In-N-Out Burger, most people don't know what's available. Here's your guide to some great Gmail tips and tricks to help boost your business.

6. 5 Ways to Revive Stale Real Estate Listings
When a real estate listing has been sitting on the market for a long time, it's considered "stale." But how long is "a long time"? If you've taken a look at your market and think your real estate listing may be "stale," don't panic! Try these steps for freshening up your listing and enticing buyers.

7. How to Plan Your Next Real Estate Post on Instagram
Currently, there are 25 million business profiles on Instagram. Is yours one of them? If your business is not on Instagram yet, you are missing out on potential leads and eyes from over 500 million daily users. Fortunately, it's easy to get started. Follow our step-by-step guide to get your business profile up and ready and plan your next real estate post.

8. How to Turn Online Leads into Commissions in 3 Easy Steps
"I've already spoken to someone, thanks." *click* That's exactly how you DON'T want your first conversation with a new lead to go. And it doesn't have to if you have a system in place for attracting, following up, and nurturing home shoppers. No system? No problem. Today, we'll show you the "three Rs" that one successful agent uses to convert online leads into sales.

9. Create and Deliver a Winning Listing Presentation
Some would say that your listing presentation is your one chance to create a good first impression. However, Google tells us that your customers are searching online for up to 90 days before even contacting an agent. If that is the case, once you get to the kitchen table, it's almost too late. So what is the goal of a listing presentation, and how do you create one that makes a real impact?

10. If You Are Not Generating Massive Sales from Your Email List, Try This
Now more than ever, your ability to segment your market and deliver meaningful messages will determine the level of your success. Most people interpret this to mean that you can only serve a small segment of the market and ignore everyone else. But really, I think you can serve all the people in your database--you just need to be able to give them each what they find valuable.