This week, on a listing appointment, I spent a lot of time discussing blogging. Why do I do it? What does it mean to a seller?
We talked about the "long tail" and how continuous bloigs about benefits can attract potential buyers.
We discussed the difference between "putting a listing up on the internet" and really marketing a property.
How do you rank in search terms that matter to your client? Bring printouts and graphs to your listing presentation.
Bring copies of your statistics - the number of visitors, the number of flyer requests, the geographic demographics of your visitors.
Don't just say you're on the internet, and/or that their property will be on the internet, show them why it matters.
A few of my sellers found me through my blogs and ask specifically if their property will be here.
I was on a pre-listing presentation and in the middle of it my new client brought up that he has been reading n=my blogs and it has helped him to select me. I thought that was pretty cool. He already knew of me but he also knew of others that work his market. It takes a bit of getting used to when you hear that from a client. This is still a new concept for most of us and it can take a very long time to build that presence.
PS, I do promote my blog in all my mailings.
Sharon, I couldn't agree with you more. Explaining why it is important and what you do with it will set you apart from the crowd that is just blurting out that they are "tech-savvy" without even knowing what that is supposed to mean anymore.
Sharon, I know a lot of "tech savvy" agents who have great looking web sites and that's about it. What we're doing here is different than the usual web stuff and it's fun to explain to potential clients, many of whom are young and think it's totally cool that their agent (old as mom) blogs.
Sharon, great point. I do find myself explaining my marketing strategies using blogging. It has made a difference.
Sharon, I agree! In a post I wrote yesterday titled "Ten Questions Every Seller Should Ask" I also suggested that Sellers should not only just believe what their prospective listing agent says, but that they should test it. What better way to WOW! a Seller than to show them the stats and have them Google you and find out that what you say is TRUE! Great post!
Hi Sharon,
I also agree, are you surprised? I thought not! The more substantiation we provide the more creditable we are. Showing pictures, graphs, etc., support or claims and stated presence.
Randy - that's excellent news!
William - I'm all in favor of more educated consumers. When they know what to look for and the questions to ask, they'll have a much better chance of choosing a great agent.
Steve - if it was only throwing listings into the interNET, the sellers could do that themselves. It's adding value that matters.
Patricia - that's like judging the taste of the coffee by the shape of the cup it's in.
Frank - interesting that it's back to the old adage of explaining the benefit not just telling the features.
LaShawn - were you able to come up with a question that lets the seller know how well you interact with your peers?
Hal - yes, of course. And it's important that we provide these to our friends and steady customers, too, and not just to new clients. Never take people for granted.
Sharon~No, I haven't yet thought of a good question to share with Sellers about interacting with peers, but that's a good idea. Now I have two suggestions for Part III of the series! Thanks for reading!
LaShawn - series are always good to keep people coming back for more. Keep up the good work.
This is great Sharon. When agents go on pre-listing presentations, what sets you apart is what makes you different from other agents. That means, you can spill the same rhetoric that other agents are giving out. You have to stand out from the crowd. And that means telling exactly how you'll market those properties. In this case, explaining about blogging to market the property is a classic way to stand out from the crowd!
~Renae
Renae - yes, it's all about explaining what you do and why it makes a difference to them.