So, today was Super Tuesday. I passed by many polling stations but sadly, I found myself not voting at all. Apparently, Barbara Bush was not on the ballot this year. Darn it. Maybe I should have voted for the other former first lady?
With so many choices, how does one narrow down who the best candidate is? Some say it’s about the issues and what they stand for while others say it’s all about the economy stupid. It’s no wonder so many Americans don’t get out and vote. They’re just overwhelmed by choices and are clearly are not motivated enough to think their vote counts. This sounds so similar to how agents feel about new real estate technology, products and services. Lots of choices with little or no clear ROI. Coincidentally, this question came up today on Twitter - Why are we here (Twitter) if it’s not paying the bills? It’s not the first time I’ve heard that…
Agents are blinded by the bling. Time is money. It has to be spent wisely. Not everyone can dedicate endless amounts of time testing new products and services. Even I get overwhelmed at times. Yet agents know that most consumers go online to conduct their search for real estate information and they want to join the conversation too. Agents just want to know where and how to start. Kris Berg passionately reminds us of this very dilemma in her recent blog post about all the new business applications that exist. You’re not alone Kris!
I wonder - What are the 3 most important things Real Estate Agents must do to improve their online presence?
P.S. Thanks to Kristal Kraft and Jeff Turner for the Super Fat Tuesday inspiration - I guess Twitter does work 
Popularity: 12% [?]
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February 5th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
“Blinded by the Bling!” is a great description of all the new razzle dazzle items that pass under my nose everyday. I must say if one more sales person says to me, “well only one transaction will pay for this for the rest of…” I will slap them!
Seriously though I do tell them are really HATE that sales pitch! After 24 years in the business it’s like finger nails on the blackboard to me.
What we need in the real estate industry is for a cease fire from the TECH PEOPLE who think they know what we need. We don’t need more toys with a monthly fee. We need to CONNECT ON A LEVEL THAT IS RELEVANT TO THE CONSUMER. All consumers aren’t ready to buy a house now.
I say the 3 most important things we can do are:
1) listen
2) be relevant
3) be trustworthy, reliable, dependable and be there.
Oops that’s 6 things. And it’s looks like I blogged on your blog!
kk
P.S. The Colorado Caucases were packed and over-flowing with people. If you NYC people did do the same somebody needs to kick your complacent butts around a very long city block!
February 6th, 2008 at 7:23 am
I think the most important thing agents need to do to improve their online presence is to upgrade their personal website from templates and pages on their broker sites to full-fledged “destination” websites.
Using different online resources can help spread your brand and get you traffic, but getting a ton of traffic to a bad site does no good.
The next thing agents can do is to have technology help them be more efficient and compliment their business efforts by helping them stay connected with their clients and improve their service.
And third, I think agents should be able to earn income from their websites through advertising so they use that money to put back into their businesses.
Coincedentally, these are three things that blueroof360 plans to sove for agents, but whether agents use our service or use other providers- I do believe these are the three things that are most important for agents to consider this year.
February 6th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Hi Kristal!
Just one transaction will pay for……….I couldn’t resist
It’s a sentiment echoed by many. Too much bling may cause your eyes to sting.
So the question is - How can a proper balance be struck? I’ve been hearing that tech people don’t know real estate for some time now and in some instances it may be true. Our team is as diverse as they come.
Those are 3 solid examples KK. Blog away….
What are your 3 favorite online applications where you have applied this strategy? I could guess but that wouldn’t be fun…..
Thanks again for the feedback KK.
Rudy
P.S. From what I saw, people were out there….
February 6th, 2008 at 7:41 am
Hi Greg!
Awesome feedback. Thanks for chiming in!
So to summarize your suggestions:
1. Have an awesome personal website e.g. Blueroof 360
A - Use other online resources to spread your brand & build traffic
2. Use technology to help them stay connected
3. Have advertising on their sites to help pay the bills
Is this a fair summary Greg?
Rudy
February 6th, 2008 at 8:02 am
Rudy - I think improving your on-line presence begins with looking around. As an architect I complain that people don’t use their eyes, same applies on-line. If you don’t look around, you will never know what you’re missing, what the consumer looks for, what your on-line presence will need.
February 6th, 2008 at 8:49 am
1. Find an experienced, tech-savvy mentor. Learn from their mistakes and benefit from their successes.
2. Know your market neighborhoods better than your competition and write about consumer interests in a way that separates you from your competition.
3. Read expert advice from sources like Mary McKnight’s RSS Pieces BEFORE you begin to create an online presence. There are many decisions that need to made initially (i.e. domain name choice) that can ultimately impede your success. Writing the most important, interesting information will get you nowhere if your SEO stinks.
February 6th, 2008 at 9:08 am
As Kristal says, it is the connectivity. This single most important thing I have done online lately (stolen from the Incomparable Kevin Boer, of course) is add the IM box to both my website and blog, compliments of Plugoo. Suddenly, readers who were invisible are chatting away.
Numbers 2 and 3: Give them the information they want, and give them honesty (in both content and delivery).
February 6th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Not being a Realtor who successfully uses the Internet as a marketing tool, I do not know that I am qualified to be heard on this one…
But, I have an online presence in the RE.net, that I too am always conscious of improving.
So my 3 cents:
1. Learn from and follow the successful in your industry (study, befriend, emulate, copy, hire, etc.).
2. Focus on as few efforts as possible, and really focus on them.
It’s better to put 100% into one avenue then 5% into 20.
3. Envision the Ideal Client, and work diligently on building a relationship with them, no matter the avenue you choose.
February 6th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Hi Ines!
I SEE your point
and agree that agents need to be visual. I’m a visual person myself. Many of my inspirations come from photos or video I take not to mention the numerous websites that I peruse on a daily basis. As they say, a picture says a thousand words.
Thanks again for the great feedback Ines!
Rudy
February 6th, 2008 at 9:36 am
Hi there Kelly!
This is really great stuff. Here is my feedback……
1. This is sometimes so overlooked by really quite necessary!
2. Agreed! Spotlighting key hyper-local conditions will certainly set you apart
3. Read and learn from other successful people before you attempt to implement anything yourself (As you mentioned, Mary offers some great advice)
I guess being a Project Blogger really paid off Kelly. You sure know your stuff!
Best,
Rudy
February 6th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Rudy!
Hey.
Content, content and content.
Without content your on-line presence will be nil. Layering info on-line is key have many things going:
Website
Blog
Slideshows
Layer upon layer of info from different sources is key.
Hey, I sent you an e-mail yesterday, did you get it?
February 6th, 2008 at 11:14 am
Hi Kris!
You’re so right. It’s all about being connected.
So you’re 3 things are:
1. Get Plugoo - Stay connected on your blog and website. Awesome suggestion!
2. Provide Information they want - Yeah, why give them anything else
3. Provide Honesty in content and delivery - Absolutely!
Thanks Kris. Your suggestions have been very helpful.
Rudy
February 6th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Hi Jim!
Tomato Tomahhhhto. Everyone’s Voice matters!
1. Learn from other successful people - Spot on!
2. Focus on the few things that work - Don’t spread yourself too thin….
3. Envision your ideal client, go find them - Now that’s deep Jim…..
Thanks so much.
Rudy
February 6th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Hi.
Regardless of the size of the brokerage you work for, you as an agent should have your own website. I don’t know if a blog works for every agent; don’t worry about that, right now. Just have a nice site put up - I recommend spending a couple thousand dollars, but no more.
Most importantly, you must have contact information on your site, and you must be responsive. This is not rocket science, obviously, but it’s been my experience that “9/10ths of life is just showing up”. Just about every client I get through my website / blog says to me, “Oh, John, thanks for calling me back so quickly; you know, you’re the only one who has … when can we get together?”
Seriously. It’s that simple.
If you are in a small market, it may take some time for your site to show up high on the search engines, or to get people to call you. Don’t be discouraged. Well, you can get discouraged, just don’t lose your focus. As someone else pointed out, one deal will pay off your investment, completely.
February 6th, 2008 at 11:27 am
Hi Kev!
Content is surely key. I like how you call it layering. Now that’s a good blog post…
So….
1. Content, Content, Content - The King is back!
2. Website, Blog, Slideshows - The Three Amigos…
3. Layering your web presence - Use many sources to build your brand and online presence
Thanks for sharing.
Rudy
P.S. Please check your inbox Kev!
February 6th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I think consumers search for real estate on the Internet because they can get more information, quickly, easily, and on their own time.
1. Unique Content/Information
2. Ease of use.
3. Entertainment
The last one is debatable, but studies show that people are spending less time watching TV and more time surfing the Internet…
February 6th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
“Yet agents know that most consumers go online to conduct their search for real estate information and they want to join the conversation too. Agents just want to know where and how to start.”
1) Blog really well (easier said than done)
2) Drop the ego while blogging
3) Participate in Trulia Voices
February 7th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Hi Rudy.
Even though it is an online world now with IDX feeds and a lot of shared listing sites, I still think that those agents who have the listings have the opportunity (some are not taking it) for more online presence. Agents with the listings are able to put a lot more online hooks into the water. Sites like Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com, Vflyer, Point2, Realbird, and their own personal website or blog are a good place to start.
If you do not have a lot of listings, then becoming active in the many social media/networking aspects of the internet is important. Providing relevant, consistent, insightful information to clients adn agents through these channels should help you get noticed more online.
Lastly, I believe you have to give the customers what they want to see online. I think sites like Redfin.com & Blueroof.com have the right idea when you look at how they present the properties and information on their website.
If you have all three of these, then I believe you are on your way to be very successful in the online world.
Thanks.
February 8th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Hi John!
Hope your doing well up in Boston.
1. Have a great website
]
2. Quick response to inquiries - Absolutely a must [Note to self - reply quicker next time
3. Don’t lose your focus - Keep you eye on the ball
Thanks again for the great tips John.
Rudy
February 8th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Hi Milan! (Portland Real Estate)
Thanks for the great feedback.
1. Unique Content/Information - That’s for sure…
…….
2. Ease of use - Very crucial to an enjoyable user experience…
3. Entertainment - It’s one of the keys to staying sane
I find myself watching virtually no TV anymore….I miss it I tell ya….
Best,
Rudy
February 8th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
Hi Ardell!
Thanks again for mentioning my move to Trulia on Rain City Guide.
1) Blog really well (easier said than done) - Now that’s an understatement….
2) Drop the ego while blogging - I’m so with you on this one it’s not even funny….
3) Participate in Trulia Voices -
Glad to see you participating….
It’s always a learning experience when chatting with you Ardell. Thanks for sharing…
Best,
Rudy
February 8th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Hi Big Bear!
I had a great time skiing at Big Bear & Summit a couple of years ago. Beautiful area.
1. Syndicate your listings - You never know where someone is going to look…
2. No Listings (Buyers Agents) - Use social networks and blogs to establish yourself as a local exepert
3. User friendly presentation of data - So true. Ease of use and navigation make for a great online experience
Thanks again for your awesome insight.
Best,
February 11th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Rudy:
Blogging, in my opinion, is the way to go, and do it well (as ARDELL said, not easy to do). But it is NOT right for everyone.
Keep an eye on your competition and watch what others are doing. Good to know but is also can generate some great ideas - just don’t copy.
Have a plan for what you are going to do, how, when, etc. And modify as you need to based on your successes and failures. Don’t keep doing things that are not yielding results.
Jeff
February 12th, 2008 at 8:10 am
A couple of things that help with the online presence:
-a blog (does wonders for traffic and presence in the search engines)
-a PDA (blackberry/treo or whatever) so you can ck messages easily and frequently and respond fast (does no good to get leads and then ignore them)
-take anything templated, whether a page on the company’s website or a website of your own, and re-write the boilerplate. Many companies introduce all agents with the idential phrase, like “so and so brings to our company a wealth of knowlege, experience and blah blah blah”. Change it.
Best regards,
Mary Pope-Handy
February 12th, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Hi Jeff!
Thanks for your insight.
1. Blogging works but it’s not for everyone - So true…
2. Watch your competition and friends - They are great sources of inspiration
3. Have a plan - Read the Dip by Seth Godin
Thanks again Jeff.
Rudy
February 12th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
Hi Mary!
Hope all is well with you.
Fantastic tips. I love your suggestion of editing anything that’s templated - it’s so crucial to have your personality and voice shine through in your marketing materials. Consumers are not robots, they are human too
Thanks again for the great feedback Mary.