How Paperless Are You?

Before there were iPads, smartphones, and laptops, agents listed and sold real estate every day without them. But today’s competitive market demands that all parties be "in the loop" for every transaction. We must utilize systems and devices that keep us connected in order to meet the real-time needs of demanding consumers.

New tools are typically a great asset to sales and business. Where would we be without some of these great tools? As an example, copiers make duplication easier. Digital phones that double as cameras allow agents to take pictures and videos that can be uploaded immediately to engage buyers and update sellers.

With all the new-fangled equipment, tools, devices and resources out there, how does a busy agent figure out what will help them make more money, more easily and efficiently?

Going paperless helps to streamline the many systems and communication channels needed to stay connected, organized and more importantly, efficient!

Whether you are interested in going green, or simply want to get control of the crazy paper challenge, you might want to make it simple by implementing one step at a time. Garry Wise started out in real estate and noticed a huge gap in keeping all the parties in a transaction up to date as the transaction progressed. What if he could come up with a better way to do just that? So he did! Garry created www.ThePaperlessAgent.com and has helped hundreds of agents harness the power of going digital!

Here are a few tips to get you going digital:

• Make your tools multitask for you. Forget faxes and start scanning! It’s not all about having multiple tools, but having your tools provide multiple solutions! Many economically priced printers offer a built-in scanner with access to your computer to send full documents quickly and efficiently from your desktop or iPad to multiple recipients simultaneously.
• Dump your file folders and scan for easy filing and simple access! Your printer/scanner combo can also help you with storage issues. Scanning paperwork from each transaction not only ensures that you can find them at a later date, it can save you should you need that one special communication that might have otherwise been lost or destroyed.
• Use an app for instant access to those forms you need most often. Adobe Reader allows you to keep those versions available at the click of a button for easy printing, no matter where you are.
• Your smartphone can be your best assistant! Scan and save contracts, earnest money checks, business cards and any other paperwork using your smartphone camera. Visit JotNot and Genius Scan if you use an iPhone. Are you an Android user? Check out Document Scanner or CamScanner to get the job done. Many apps offer a free version, so you can try it now and then opt-in to the paid version later to integrate with cloud and other services.
• Got an out of town listing prospect and can’t do an “in person” presentation? Consider converting your listing presentation to PowerPoint or Keynote to demonstrate those activities. Use Skype or platforms like www.Join.me to "share" your screen when presenting. Even if you are doing a face-to-face presentation, featuring your marketing strategy using these formats and engaging graphics will help you go from standard to exceptional!

The digital revolution is here to stay and will continue to transition into better, quicker, more useful and ubiquitous applications. It’s time to start taking those baby steps to help you stay on top of your game!

To view the original article, visit the Point2 Agent blog.