- Online tools on major search portals are often not utilized by agents.
- Reviews can make or break a consumer's decision to make contact with you.
- Creative marketing content is just a few clicks away.
Many real estate agents are not utilizing the online tools that the “titans of search” are offering them.
There are many opportunities to develop your presence and improve customer service to your current and future clients.
Marci James, social media and industry outreach manager for realtor.com, helped us coordinate a few tips to make sure that you are enjoying all the tools available to you on this site.
“Consumers are paying attention — realtor.com reports more than 1 million profile page views per month from consumers looking for more information about an agent,” James said.
Fast fact: Consumers who view an agent’s full profile on realtor.com are 10 times more likely to connect with that agent.
Profile highlights
Your realtor.com profile includes:
- Your sales activity
- Bio
- Active listings
- A map of the areas in which you have sold
- Your designations
- A place to detail your specialties.
It basically creates an infographic about your sales history and your local expertise.
Highlight your talents and sales expertise. Make sure designations are present.
Fast fact: Most consumers are using mobile applications like realtor.com’s search option to look for homes. Smartphones have combined the power of GPS technology and convenience in the palm of homebuyers’ hands.
Get mobile
Have you downloaded the app on Apple or Android?
Check your listings to make sure all the data is showing up correctly. This is something that agents should review on a regular basis to watch for data errors.
Sending data to listings
Many agents fail to send regular site traffic reports to their clients. This important information can be critical to keeping your clients informed and helping them price their home to be competitive in their local market.
If you cannot access this information on your profile, your brokerage may have a suite of products to showcase your listings, and you will need to get this information from your broker.
Reviews versus recommendations
Reviews are for consumers and recommendations are for professional vendors and colleagues.
This allows you to maximize your profile on two different levels. Make it easy for your clients to review you.
Send one link, add a few simple instructions and offer a sincere “thank you” for their time.
Success tip: Invest in custom stationary that’s designated purpose is to solicit reviews. Include the link and instructions. Make this a pleasant experience for your former clients and you will sow five-star rewards for your profile in the future.
Fast fact: Ninety percent of consumers read online reviews before visiting a business. Think about how many reviews you read personally before you buy a toaster off Amazon! Don’t kid yourself and think that potential clients are not checking you out.
Lead management
Realtor.com offers a product called FiveStreet to help streamline your interaction with incoming leads.
If your broker is using this product, he or she may be using it buffet style to distribute leads.
It is critical to know how to use your lead management tools to make sure that you are reaping all the benefits they have to offer.
Knowing how to manage your database can make or break your active and incubating pipeline.
Lead tip: Online leads are not for everyone. Use social media to help research and connect with incoming leads before throwing them away. Many agents give up on leads before they have researched them, thus letting them grow cold.
Content goldmine
Realtor.com offers a plethora of content for agents to repurpose for their marketing efforts.
If you are looking for a fun way to educate your clients about the home purchase process, check out realtor.com’s consumer educational video series.
Many of these videos address hot-button topics about financing, inspections and being flexible during the sales process.
These videos could easily be dropped into a CRM email campaign to help incubate leads.
It’s a great resource and it’s totally free. Take advantage of this pro content and spice up your marketing.
Building your digital presence is like building a home. You will need to have patience, creativity and flexibility.
Many agents are frustrated with figuring out where to stop, or they overwhelm themselves by trying to do everything at once.
Take it one day, one hour, one step at a time.
By day, Rachael Hite helps agents develop their business. By night, she’s tweeting for listingdepot.com.
