When working with agents sometimes I need to set the record straight...there is some myth that you can sit behind your keyword all day...everyday....and create an abundance of business.....enough business to support yourself throughout the year...while it can happen if you are a Zillow.com or a Trulia.com but as an individual trying to earn a good living...I'm here to tell you that real estate is a people to people business. Sometimes all you need to do to take your business to the next level is get in front of more people.
- You have to step away from your computer once in a while and get in front of more people!
- You have to talk to people even if you are shy
- You have to remind people you are in the real estate business
- Sometimes you wear your business on your shirt with a name tag
Now I am not saying blogging or Internet marketing is not effective..it is..I know..I benefit everyday from my online presence but sometimes it is necessary to do certain things to remind people you are in the real estate business and not necessarily an Internet marketer but a real estate agent who applies Internet marketing into their business.
- Sometimes you must socialize other then text message and chat
- Even the most tech savvy consumers want human interaction when it is necessary
- Remember Not all people are tech savvy or want to conduct their real estate transaction electronically.
- Social media is meant to enhance people's lives and not make it more difficult.
Many people ask me which social media outlets are the best. Truly I can't answer that and no one else can for that matter meaning I am not you. Most people have a preference, unique goals and everyones business is very different.
Consider:
- Your target audience
- Your time allocated to social media
- The number of members and visitors of a platform
- Usability, comfort and expectations
If you use your social media in the right way...more than likely....it will lead to what we all want at the end...more listings and sales but also getting in front of more people! Remember real estate is a people to people business...one last thing...whether we like it or not....
We Are In Sales!
Make it a Fabulous Day!
If you found this useful please subscribe! Midori Miller authors DaytonaRealEstateTrainer.com | The Business Center | Celebrity Truths and her Active-rain blog DaytonaRealEstateTraining.com. Feel free to contact her via email or phone.
You hit the nail on the head! I'm amazed at some of the agents I meet who are not people-oriented (and they're not the successful ones, I might add!)
It is all about "personal" and I think we forget at times. It is so easy to sit at the keyboard.
Very good thoughts & points. Thanks for the reminder
Midori, well said! Real estate is a person-to-person business. Thanks for the reminder.
Midori, I am not sure if you meant to say "sit behind your keyword" or sit behind your keyboard" but I LOVE keyword. When we blog we've been told to make use of those keywords, haven't we?
I think you may have started a new buzz phrase! =)
And you're absolutely right. At the end of the day, we need to get belly to belly with our customers.
Ahhh Maggie you caught it...I wondered if anyone would! I thought it was witty myself..then again its really easy to amuse myself! Hope all is well in Miami.
Midori--Very well said. Real Estate is a PEOPLE business so you need to work with people once you attract them via the internet, texting, etc.
Make it a great day.
Mary
You are right, you have to be infront of the people you serve, both online and in person!
Midori --- funny thing, I just did a Video blog about this same thing. Very nice post.
The one thing that I need to do is sit down and evaluate what I am doing and where I want to be by year end. Thanks for the push.
I hate to agree with you, since I really would rather be at my computer 24/7, I have to admit that you're right. I always generate more business when I get out there and get some face time with people. *sigh* ;-)
Midori,
You are so right,talking to people on everyday basis is essential to any sales business,so it is to real estate sales as well.
Zijuzijazijana
Reminding other agents that they CAN pick up the phone...we are having that conversation now....text, e-mail, voice mail...is wonderful thing...hiding behind it...oh not.
Midori, I can think of a few wonderful sites for social networking. Try PTA meetings, your neighborhood association picnics, and maybe throw a few parties. Twitter and Facebook and the rest are fun, but you have to put human contact into the mix.
Absolutely...no doubt in my mind ..that's the way I feel about it.
Midori: I think that too many forget this is a people business and that we do need to stay out there in front of folks. It's uncomfortable for shy folks, but you get over it.
I think that you summed this up perfectly. I am amazed at how many agents are afraid to get out and meet people. If someone ever figures a way to sell houses without ever meeting the clients, then computers will rule the real estate industry and we will be obsolete... uh, I think there is a movie about that.
Hi Midori,
As busy as we all it's easy to fall back on texting, emailing and blogging to communicate. Good old fashioned face to face contact is sometimes forgotten. Thank you for the reminder to get out in the sunshine and talk to people in person.
Maya
Midori, great advice! We must see the people, "belly to belly" as Tom Hopkins put it!