10 Steps to Open House Success

Seasoned real estate agents know that holding an open house is generally not the procuring cause of the sale. However, open houses can generate new leads and make a good impression on your seller. The short list below offers a few tips to make your open house memorable and generate as many leads as possible.

1. Feature all of your listings (not just the New ones) in your weekly agent Just Listed e-mail; mention any open house information under each featured listing

2. Feature all Open House information on your branded e-mail stationery

3. Bake bread or some other sweet-smelling treat

4. Compile a list of 10 nearby listings and attach your business card to distribute to open house visitors

5. Create a neighborhood fact sheet with school information, local restaurants, local map, and overview of community amenities

6. Require guest registration by signing Open House Sign-In sheet; if they don't sign-in they can't enter the property

7. Offer some kind of sign-up for your mailing list or e-mail newsletter list and provide an overview of what information they will get and how often - make the value clear!

8. Play relaxing music

9. Have takeaway articles about the neighborhood printed for visitors (these can sometimes be found in the local newspaper or magazine)

TIP: If you see an article about a neighborhood that you farm in the newspaper, save it for future uses such as this...

10. Follow-up with registered guests by sending a "thank you for coming" note or e-mail and add them to your drip campaign



For more great ideas and help preparing some of marketing materials mentioned above, give the Real Estate Geeks a call at (866) 239-2999 OR visit us on the web, click here.

10 Things You MUST do in 2008 to Put Your Marketing in High Gear!

I hope you all have heard about Real Estate 2.0 and the importance of incorporating the latest technologies into your business during a slow market - if it's slow for you ;) ... Below I have listed 10 essential to do's to put your marketing into high gear and enhance your web presence for the new year!

1) Start a Blog

2) Add an IDX Feed to your website

3) Get a drip marketing account

4) Add a lead capture form to your website

5) Sign up on Active Rain

6) Get an RSS Reader

7) Automate your showing feedback requests

8) Create a marketing plan for the year

9) Create a MySpace profile and Facebook Page for your company

10) Hire a Virtual Assistant to do non-income-producing tasks so that you can focus on SELLING!



What are your top goals?



To start implementing these goals and more ... complete our Needs Analysis and schedule your FREE consultation!

Essential Tools for Podcasting

It seems that many agents are slowly, but surely, becoming painfully aware of the rapidly-evolving technology that is at their fingertips to improve their efficiency, offer better customer service, and enhance their Internet presence. One of the new technologies that exist to keep you in-front of your prospects/customers and create more sticky content to your site is informative podcasts.

Although, the overall work required is far less than you would expect for the impressive end result, it may be more prudent to outsource such work to a professional virtual assistant or some other provider.

However, if you decide to go it alone (as I often like to do...so I can say that I gave it a try )... Here are the tools that you will need to get started. This is a 3-part series post that will include:

* Essential Tools for Podcasting
* Podcasting Production
* Advanced Postcasting - Getting Your Content to the Masses


Essential Tools for Podcasting

1. Powerful Computer

I won't delve into much technical detail about this, but most likely if your computer is less than 2 years old and free from memory-hogging software and viruses... you should be fine.

2. A/V Editing Software

PC: Windows Movie Maker for Video Editing; Audacity for Audio Editing (both are FREE)

Mac: iMovie for Video Editing; Garageband or Audacity for Audio Editing (both are FREE)

3. A/V Hardware

* Built-in Mic
* Wireless Mic (I recommend a Sennheiser Lavalier)
* Studio-Monitor Headphones (not your Bose ones for your iPOD)
* Speakers
* Interview Kit - if you plan on conducting over the phone interviews, etc. (Purchase a telephone-recording adapter from Radio Shack)
* Tripod
* Video Camera (I've listed some minimum spec requirements below that you should consider when purchasing)
o Digital DV
o Mic Input
o Handheld (not too bulky)
o Firewire/iLink port
o Manual White Balance
o Image stabilization

Most store salesmen can point you in the right direction...



Check back soon for Part 2: Podcasting Production (to include a step-by-step how to and common timelines for podcasts...)



Have a question... Ask the Real Estate Geeks and we'll e-mail you an answer in addition to featuring your question in our next blog post!

10 Extras for Listing Presentations

Several clients have asked us "What extra value-added services can we offer in our Listing/Buyer Presentations to seal the deal?"

Here are some ideas:

1. Automated Showing Feedback

Homefeedback.com offers agents automated feedback requests from showing agents and emails the responses to both you and your seller...

2. Single Property Websites

Costs anywhere between $5 and $12 each month to host plus domain registration, if you don't use a provider like Agency Logic.

A FREE way to set up a Single Property Website is to use a subdomain on your existing website such as 123MainStreet.yourdomain.com

IDEA: You could have a template designed for your Luxury properties and a separate one for your non-Luxury properties and just plug in the photos and property information.

3. Syndication of their listing on the top 10 online classified websites (like Craigslist.org)

4. Professional Property Photography and Multiple MLS Photos

The number one thing that Internet home searchers look for during their search is photos. Let your prospective client know that you will give their home an edge in the home search process/

5. FREE Home Warranty (Costs around $400 for Single Family Residences)

6. 1-800/Toll-Free Property Voicemail Ad

7. A featured spot of the listing on your weekly/monthly print and e-mail newsletters

8. Enhanced Realtor.com Listing

9. YouTube Listing Video featured on your website

This also will increase the search engine rankings for the property and be sure to have a link to your website or the property website in the video

10. Bring goodies to the listing presentation.

Leave brownies or a pie with the Sellers to ensure that they think of you while making their decision!

Creating Effective Landing Pages & Conversion Paths for Search Engine Marketing Campaigns

I know, I know... What the HELL am I talking about, right? Let's start with the basics:

Have you ever clicked on a Google Sponsored Link or AdWord ad that appears at the top of your search results? The vast majority of the time, clicking on such links will take you to a very long URL with some mention of Google and most likely a key or ID of some kind. This string of characters in the URL is a unique campaign identifier that allows for easier tracking of you online marketing leads.

In essence a landing page is the initial URL that you are directed to upon clicking the advertisement from the search engine. This is different from a conversion path - which we will touch on in a sec...

There are a few key benefits that are acheived when using landing pages in online marketing:

• it allows online marketers to create highly targeted ad messages that match the original ad copy that generated a click;


• it allows easy tracking of campaign results (E-mail, advertising, keywords);


• it allows online marketers to create customized lead forms - ensuring that you gather the necessary information to transform a lead to serious buyer;


• it allows for wasy analysis of metrics, thereby increasing the marketers ability to consistently improve the metrics.

Now for the juice... How do you create an effective landing page?

1. Identify your prospect. Understanding the demographic of your prospects and their needs will go a long way and it will shorten the amount of time that you will spend honing and revamping your landing pages. Tailor your message to the targeted visitor - that is what they will expect!

2. Keep your landing page neat and clean. Visual distractions are sure to kill your lead. The ad copy and design should match the landing page.

3. Capture their data or contact information and don't ask for too much information. Keep all information requests to a bare minimum, get just what you need to follow-up. Don't ever hand over the material that you offered in your ad copy before you capture the leads information. If the lead gets what they were after before you can identify them, you can forget about transforming the lead into a customer!

4. Be concise and to the point. Reinforce the ad or offer that got them to click in the first place, capture their data, let them get what they were after and let them out! (in that order)

5. Make your privacy policy prominent and clear. In this digital age, consumers highly value their privacy. Assure them that you will maintain their privacy and the likelihood that they will give their contact information to you greatly increases.

6. Remove irrelevant navigation. Once again, the purpose of this page is to capture your lead and assure them that they are where they want to be. Don't give them any reason to think that they should stray away from your page - especially before they give you their information.

7. Keep important conversion messages above the fold (above the bottom of the page before scrolling) and in the center of the page. Make it easy for the lead to stay with your message and convert to a buyer.

8. After the lead leaves, FOLLOW-UP! Aggressive, but curteous, follow-up is key to online conversion!


Conversion Paths


A conversion path is a multi-step, but linear, process (allowing the marketer to ask the prospect: "Are you more interested in X or Y?"). Once the marketer has segmented the visitors by determining exactly which product or service they are seeking, they can more easily target the conversion message to the prospect.

Conversion paths generally offer a much higher conversion rate, because it is a more tailored message and give the prospect a choice.

Tips for Improving Conversion Paths

1. Keep your initial page (segmentation page) top the point. Don't overwhelm your visitors with multiple choices, two or three is best.

2. Keep the path clear and visually lead your prospect to the well. Buttons or links should be prominently displayed on the page above the fold and should not be overshadowed by side bars of irrelevant information or other offers.

3. Thank the prospect for their time and conversion.

4. Track the metrics/statistics of all pages within the path!


Keep in mind that these strategies come into play once you have a somewhat sophisticated online ad marketing campaign underway.

For more information or to learn how we can help you take the first step toward maximizing you internet presence, call us today at (202) 489-2867. If you have a question about the terms or concepts in this post, MEEBO us using the widget to the right.

10 Great Content Ideas for Your Real Estate Website

 

In the age of technology when consumers are able to access information a the drop of a dime and your opportunity to grab their attention is short, it’s really important to develop and enhance your web content.

What do we mean? The average view time of a website is under 60 seconds… So, when a prospect visits your site, you must grab their attention and prove that your site has something unique and valuable to offer them in less than 60 seconds.

In addition, your content needs to be fresh and consistently updated. Otherwise, you can forget about a return visitor!

NOW, this doesn’t mean that navigational ease and attractive design combined with keyword-rich content doesn’t still weigh heavily on your site’s success. BUT, once consumers find you on the web - you want them to stay, have a cup of cocoa, and come back for more when they are ready to make a decision to buy or sell their property. Right?

Below, we have compiled a short list of some great content ideas to add to your site to enhance usability and increase the probability of returns to your site. These items can also increase the likelihood that your visitors will complete lead capture forms, join mailing lists, and (more importantly) recognize you as an expert in your industry and farming neighborhood.

So, without further adieu…

1. Calendar of EventsAdding a calendar to your website is a great way to keep your visitors informed about what you are up to in their communities. Let them know about upcoming festivals, neighborhood watch meetings, new subdivision openings. You can even add upcoming open house dates.

Many of the popular web-based calendars (like Google, Yahoo and AOL) offer widgets that you can embed into your website. These will be in real-time and always up-to-date. If your website if hosted by a real estate web suite (like Advanced Access, for example) you can add a calendar to your site as part of the package.

The best and free web-based calendars that we recommend are below and we have given you some basic direction on how to add/embed your personal calendars to your site:

Google Calendar

See instructions here

30Boxes.com This is a great service that allows you to embed public calendars into your blog or site, add links within events to Google Maps (this is wonderful for Open House event items) AND it’s got a mobile version for viewing on internet-ready cell phones/PDAs



2. MLS Listings/IDX Feed

Well, if you haven’t seen your competition’s site with the ability to search and save the regional listings…what planet have you been on?

However, many real estate agents have asked me: How do we compete with the Trulia’s and Homes.com’s? The answer: YOU DON’T COMPETE, but you must offer a well-rounded and complete user experience. Prospects want to search properties - if you don’t offer it, someone else will.

Several options exist to incorporate IDX Feeds (for more information about IDX feeds, check out the MLS Listing Feeds/IDX category under Web Design on the right-side Categories section on this blog). You can add this a la carte to your site or purchase a web design suite (Advanced Access, Agent Image, and iHomefinder offer solutions)

3. Before/After Staging Photos

Is staging an integral part of your service offering to sellers? If it isn’t, it should be…but that’s another post! For those of you on the staging bandwagon, showcasing your talent and unique selling ability by posting before/after photos is a great opportunity to add fresh content. (Tip: Add before/after photos to your Seller Guides too!)

4. Blog Link

Absolute necessity folks! All of your online marketing campaigns and components should mesh and be intertwined with one another. A link to your blog in addition to RSS feed subscription links should be prominent on your home page AND throughout your site.

5. YouTube Videos of Your Listings

This is not a difficult thing to do! Many tech-unsavvy agents think creating and syndicating YouTube video footage is a time-intensive and expensive proposition. It isn’t! A camcorder, mic, and free downloaded video editing software is the minimum you will need. Ask RealEstateGeeks for more information or send us an e-mail!

6. Expert Q&A for Common RE Questions that You Field

Do sellers/buyers ask you the same questions over and over again? If so, it may be prudent to create a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section to your site.

Now this is a somewhat technically advanced feature to add and we don’t recommend taking this project on alone. Although, several Web Hosting providers offer this feature as an addition to their services (like bravenet.com and Advanced Access sites). If your hosting provider doesn’t offer this feature, subcontract this out to a virtual assistant (RealEstateGeeks can do this for you).

7. Live Chat/Meebo Widget

In accordance with the idea of Web 2.0 design, allowing visitors to speak with you immediately is a win-win situation for all. You show them that you are always available and technologically up-to-date.

Meebo is a instant messaging website that incorporates all of the top IM clients into one site that is accessible anywhere without downloading client software. Add your Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger accountsto one central location and chat with anyone anywhere in real-time!

8. Neighborhood Information

Discuss local restaurant openings, little league games, school openings/back-to-school nights, zoning meeting minutes, photos of local events, market stats/recent solds and reinforce to prospects and clients that you are an expert of their neighborhood. (Tip: A page should be devoted to no more than one neighborhood. A listing of all of the neighborhoods that you work in is just not enough…)

9. YouTube Video Tutorials of RE Topics (how to stage, how to …)

Drodio’s site, drodio.com, has taken advantage of video social networking with tutorials such as “How to make lowball offers…” and “How to buy foreclosure homes” ensuring that visitors will bookmark the site for future visits. The site has taken FAQ to another level.

10. Investor Content, Research Articles

Include the latest and most relevant bankrate.com content (bankrate.com allows webmasters to feature their content for free) or feature a great investment property each week.

What Can a Virtual Assistant Do for Your Business?

How much time do you spend selling?

Now consider how much time you spend doing "busy work" that doesn't add to your bottom line.  We are assuming that you have become a real estate agent because you recognize that you possess that ability to "sell" real estate and build relationships...

If the majority of your workday is spent responding to e-mails, answering phones, creating marketing materials, maintaining your website, creating and submitting ads, ordering & delivering signs INSTEAD of going on listing presentations and presenting offers, THEN YOU NEED VIRTUAL ASSISTANT!

If the concept of a virtual assistant is new and untouched territory for you, then pay close attention...

A virtual assistant is independent contractor or consultant that possesses the knowledge and experience to provide administrative, marketing and technical support to real estate professionals.  Virtual assistants perform the short or long-term tasks that you assign to them at their own office and then invoice you only for the time spent on your tasks - virtually removing any overhead that you have associated with in-house support.

In a nutshell, a virtual assistant can efficiently and economically perform the tasks that you need to have completed to make your business run smoothly and generate leads while you pursue and close new business.

WHAT ARE SOME TASKS THAT I COULD ASSIGN TO A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT?

Well, different real estate virtual assistants (VAs) have different core competencies.  However,  VAs are generally experienced in the real estate field (either licensed or unlicensed) and possess general technical expertise ranging from graphic design to web design to photography.  Most can provide or identify the resources to needed to accomplish the full range of marketing and administrative tasks needed to grow your business, including (to name only a few):

1. E-mail Marketing: from audience identification to copywriting to layout design to distribution - VAs can create a new targeted campaign or transform your current one.


2. Blog Development: Whether you currently have a blog in place or don't even know what a blog is, a VA can manage new posts, handle copywriting, improve layout, embed widgets and video, syndicate your blog, market your blog on the web, or integrate your blog into your web marketing strategy.


3. Contact Management: If you have ever lost a possible sale because you forgot to add a new prospect to your MLS updates or to you contact management database - a VA can definitely help!  Virtual assistants can get your contact online for easy access anywhere and create ongoing automated campaigns to stay in touch.


4. Market & Competitive Analysis: VAs can prepare CMAs and  provide you with the stats of your competition prior to a listing presentation!


5. Web Marketing Consultation: VAs can develop and implement a targeted campaign using leading web technology and social networking sites - site optimization, MySpace/Facebook marketing, and website maintenance are just a few competencies of a VA.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? 

Working with a VA:

• You stay on track and on schedule.


• Works only when you need support. You are not obligated to pay for a certain number of hours a week.


• No time wasted on breaks or personal issues.


• No extra space is required. No loss of privacy.


• Provides ongoing, collaborative support to help you achieve your goals.


• No need to buy an extra computer, software, desk, chair, phone or supplies for her use.


• Learns and understands your business.


• Is a sounding board, if you need one.


• You and your Virtual Assistant choose to work with each other as equals. It is not a boss/employee relationship.


• A VA knows what it's like to own a business. She understands the importance of marketing and finances.

Hiring an employee:

• You must pay employer social security taxes.


• You must collect and pay FICA taxes.


• You must pay workers' compensation insurance.


• You must pay federal and state unemployment taxes.


• You must comply with OSHA.


• You must comply with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) including minimum wage and overtime payment.


• You must comply with Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)


• You may possibly have to pay medical benefits, dental benefits, vision care benefits.


• You may possibly have to pay vacation time, sick time, and holiday time.


• You may possibly have to pay for other employee benefits such as 401K, retirement plans, etc.


• You pay someone to administrate the above.


• You have legal responsibilities that include employee policies on working hours, sexual harassment, vacation time, sick time, leave of absence, holidays, benefits, performance reviews, grievances, terminations, substance abuse and training.


• If you hire someone and lay them off, your employment rate may increase for years to come.


• If you have the unpleasant experience of needing to fire an employee, make sure you have legal grounds or you may face a lawsuit.

Want to learn more, contact RealEstateGeeks NOW (301) 288-7872 or send us a text message to (202) 489-2867