Having recently read a report titled “Top 10 Reasons Agents Choose Their Brokerage”, I began to think how social media and online technologies for real estate have changed these top five “reasons” listed below:
REASON 1: Reputation and Professionalism of the Agents of the Company. This is still the key factor for any businesses success. Word-of-mouth reputation can override any paid advertising efforts,. This is especially true in a profession like real estate where the personal relationship is vital to the success of any transaction.
New Perspective: In this age of online marketing and technology in sales, the already tenuous relationship between client and vendor is made even more precarious by online blogs and business review sites where anyone can write anything about any business they choose. Moderators have the responsibility of mediating the comments on these sites, and businesses have to do their own due diligence to monitor that’s being said about them online.
Social media can be a strong tool to enhance a business’s reputation. By using tools like Twitter, businesses can enhance their online brand presence as an expert in their field and build a following of prospective clients to whom they could directly market their services, events and news. With proper use of Twitter, using the site to engage with current and prospective clients about their niche, companies can see enhanced reputation online with a new market segment that they may not have been able to reach through traditional methods.
REASON 2: Owner and Broker seem like smart business people. The key to any business transaction is that it happens not between a nameless business and a client, but between two people that represent those positions. If a client does not feel that their real estate broker or agent has full command of the information they need to find them the property and the financing they planned for, then the transaction will go no further.
New Perspective: Facebook is a personal networking site that has transcended into a business marketing site. Business Fan Pages are searchable by keyword. Potential clients can not only see an agents profile page, which has a more personal feel to it, but they can learn about the news and details of their potential real estate agent’s business from their Fan Page. Recently, Facebook has offered a full MLS list option especially for realtors so prospective homebuyers can see real-time listings on a realtors profile.
REASON 3: Geographic proximity to their home. Location, Location, Location. This long-lasting mantra has been a key factor in the success of many a real estate business. Finding a new home is arduous enough without having to scour the countryside for the “right” realtor; many homebuyers focus this first leg of their search within their own community.
New Perspective: Websites have virtually eradicated the need for the drive-in and stop by shopping for a realtor. As much as 80% of real estate client shop online for a realtor and a new home. The first impression any prospective client will get from you is your website, so be sure to take the same care you would in furnishing your office and being sure that your businesses assets are right up front, making anyone who visits aware what makes your company different than all the rest.
REASON 4: The company’s standing in the community; agents want to challenge themselves to improve and be more successful. Keeping a step ahead of the competition is necessary for every realtor. Exit Realty Talbot and Company has continued to use the Exit tradition employing the latest technology and marketing tools to service their customers and agents.
New Perspective: To build their reputation in the real estate community and keep up with the latest trends, realtors can take advantage of powerful niche social networking sites like Active Rain to network online with other real estate professionals to continually improve their knowledge-base and skills.
REASON 5: Professional office facilities; attractive space; technology. First impressions can make or break any prospective business transaction. Branding a business is vital to recognition and reputation.
New Perspective: The key to building an online brand is consistency between the look and feel of your various social media profiles, your blog and your website to make your logo, color scheme and message easily recognizable. Each of these sites plays an active role in building your business.
Be consistent with your message, your updates and you will reap the benefits of a stronger online real estate brand.
annual income in excess of $100,000, Exit Realty Talbot and Company continues their inventive approach to real estate by offering an advanced level of service to real estate agents looking to train in their offices.
HelenaTalbot 