Five Highly Effective Ways To Damage Your Real Estate Business
As a part of my job I meet, call and work with lots of real estate professionals
. And in the many years Ive been doing that I have come across what I believe to be a number of of the reasons a few of those real estate professionals are not doing as well in the business as they would like to.
The following is just my top five, theres a lot more, so please read them and let me know not only what you think and please feel free to know of any you think I should have included.
1.Not answering your cell phone because the number shown is blocked or unknown.
Some of the reasons given by real estate professionals for doing this are:
a)If its important theyll leave a message
b)Only telemarketers and other unwanted people block their number so I dont like wasting my time talking to them.
c)I dont like to waste my cell minutes so this way I can screen the calls and return them at my office on a land line.
The reality:
a)A lot of prospects have blocked or unknown numbers because they dont want them being displayed on yours or anyones phone
b)Not every prospect will leave a message for you to call them back. Some will call another real estate professional who will answer their phone
c)If youre really serious about being in this business then your cell bill is one of the costs of being in that business. Dont cut back on one of the main ways prospects can get a hold of you.
2.Letting all calls to their office number go to voice mail, when they are at their desk, so they can screen them before returning the call.
Some of the reasons given by real estate professionals for doing this are:
a)When Im at the office I am usually very busy and just dont have time to talk with someone on the phone so I let it go voice mail and call them back at a more convenient time.
b)I dont have the time to answer a bunch of questions about available listings or other stuff over the phone. Besides most of those types of calls are just from people too lazy to check out our website
The reality:
a)As with your cell phone, your office phone is one of your tools for sales. Every call you let go to voice mail could be a possible future client who if they cant reach you will start looking for someone who will answer their phone and talk to them
b)It takes less than two (2) minutes speaking with a prospect to determine if they are serious about buying or selling. That is not a waste of your time, doing assessments of prospects is a part of being successful real estate professional.
c)Voice mail should only be used when you are away from your desk, then all calls should be transferred to your cell, or you are in meeting, which I think is the only truly valid reason for using voice mail in the first place.
3.Not putting your email address on your business cards
Some of the reasons given by real estate professionals for doing this are:
a)I dont want to get spammed
b)I like to give my email address out to prospects or clients in person, that way I know who has it
c)I dont like to use email because its to impersonal
The reality:
a)You will get spammed no matter what you do this is why you should have a good spam filter on your email account.
b)Only giving out your email address verbally is a really dumb way to do it. Why you ask, because people can misspell it, which means their emails to you will bounce so they will most likely think your email address is no longer working therefore having it on your business card makes it unlikely that will happen. Besides why have an email address if you dont use it.
c)Email is no longer considered impersonal, most everyone in the world uses it and most expects you to use it to keep in touch with them instead of having to call all the time.
4.Having a cute or strange email address
Some of the reasons given by real estate professionals for doing this are:
a)Ive had that email address for a long time and everybody knows it
b)I think having unique email address helps me stand out from the crowd
c)The email address I wanted was taken so this one was the next best one
The reality:
a)No matter how long youve had the email address ilovemydogs@xxxx.com it doesnt sound or look professional. Remember to prospects and clients alike perception IS reality. Get a professional email address even if its just your name.
b)An email address like blondegirlrealtor@xxxx.com may be unique but again it sounds like some teenager came up with it. My apologies if your teenager did but its still looks unprofessional
c)Even if the email address you wanted was taken you should not just settle on any name find one that gives an air of professionalism, name alone can be your best email address and advertisement. John.doe@xxxx.com or johndrealtor@xxxx.com. I hope you get the idea
5.Not using your companies website
Some of the reasons given by real estate professionals for doing this are:
a)I have my own website and I want to build up myself as a brand by using it
b)I dont like the way the company website looks and they wont change it
c)I dont know anything about websites
d)I dont think there that effective in generating business.
The reality:
a)Even if you have your own website, which I believe is a great thing to have as part of your overall marketing strategy, but if your company has a website they prompt and you can have your own page(s) on it with a separate address, not taking advantage of it is like throwing away free money
b)So you dont like your companys website design, layout or whatever, if they are allowing you to have a free page with a separate address forget your own artistic feelings and use it to promote your business.
c)You dont have to know anything about websites or how they work to use them. Most companys which have websites have someone who can help you set up yours. Even if they dont you can hire a professional web designer for a reasonable cost
d)If still are under the misconception the internet is not important to business marketing you must have been born in the dark ages. The latest report as published in Inman News states that businesses using the internet for marketing have increased 42% since 2008 and in 2011 4 of 5 businesses with at least 100 employees will have a presence on the internet.
Remember please let me know what you think especially if you are a real estate professional, and even if youre not, plus tell me about any you think should have been included.
by: beasocial1
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