As we begin the new year, the fight for new clients in the real estate industry is more competitive than ever. With mortgage guidelines continuing to tighten, it seems qualified home buyers are difficult to find right now. Believe it or not, qualified buyers are out there and it is up to each Realtor to find a way to stand out from the crowd.
Most agents have a few lead generation techniques that have been effective in finding clients over the years, but here are my top 4 ways that you can continue to build your customer base this year.
4.) Articles - Every home buyer or home seller is interested in working with an expert. Branding yourself as a local real estate expert can go a long way in building your business this year. It is easier than ever to present yourself as an expert now that the internet is a part of everyone’s day to day life. One way to begin is to start a blog on your town, county, or maybe even a local recreational / tourist area. It doesn’t have to be all about real estate to be effective. Just make your blog interesting and useful and prove that you know your area. If you aren’t into blogging quite yet, simple contact your local newspaper and ask them if you can write an article each week about the local housing market. If you aren’t great at writing, or don’t have the time… have your assistant to do it. With consistent efforts in this area you can let your little piece of the world know that you are the “go to” agent for your area.
3.) Networking – Networking groups have surged in popularity over the past several years as a great way to grow a business quickly. We all know about BNI, and groups such as these and they shouldn’t be overlooked. Look for a group in your area, and if there isn’t one… start one. Having trouble finding a group to join, check out Meetup for a list of groups that may interest you that meet in your area. Get out there, network and profit!
2.) Social Media – Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Yelp, LinkedIn, Digg, YouTube, Google +… the list of Social Media options these days is endless. Don’t let that scare you! Choose one or two that you enjoy and use it for prospecting in 2012. If you like Facebook, great… use it to your advantage. Build your “Friend List” and observe what others are doing. You don’t have to post your every listing, showing, or sale on your wall… you simply want to use this as another way to prove that you are an expert. Focus on helping others that are within your Social Media circle and you can pick up a few more deals in this Real Estate Season.
1.) Past Customers – So you finally made it to the closing! That shouldn’t be the end of your relationship with your client… that should be the beginning. Many agents do a great job of staying in touch with past customers, but if you haven’t been be sure to make today be the day that you start. It doesn’t matter if you mail them a newsletter, e-newsletter, personal letter, or holiday cards every month. Find a nice, helpful, consistent way of staying in touch with your past customers and don’t be afraid to let them know that you are always looking for referrals.
For More Information On How To Effectively Market Your Real Estate Business This Year Check Out www.NatesMarketing.com
{ 3 comments }
Great article on generating leads. I have been overlooking the obivious things to do
Great article! But you should also establish good rapport with existing clients so they can recommend leads for you.
We’ve always found “1.) Past Customers” to be the best source of both buyer and seller leads. Maybe it’s to do with the fact that we provide a solution to the language barrier for many foreign buyers in Portugal. However, since the global recession, our top tip for other real estate agents is using Paid Search campaigns for niche searches that have seen an increase in search volume in these austere times,; searches such as “buy-to-let investments” or “BMV” (Below Market Value) properties. Hope this helps our real estate friends out there :)