Thursday, 27 September 2012

Text to Connect in Real Estate

Using Text in the Real Estate industry is the perfect form of communication with potential buyers. Text messaging has become more popular than email, and is used more often than making phone calls. Text messages are personal - most people share them with friends and family. Considering that this is the direction communication is moving in – it only makes sense for businesses to follow suit. For a real estate professional, establishing personal relationships with buyers and sellers is the direct way to succeed. First impressions are very important. If a real estate agent isn’t genuine or excited about a sale, it shows.

Buying or selling a house is an emotional process for most people. Home is where the heart is, and sometimes there can be heartbreak, or a fall – head over heels! Either way, the agent must read into the situation, and not only assist in the sale of the home, but also listen to the needs or wants of the buyer. Being personable is the first step, the next step is to make yourself available for your business at any time. This can be accomplished with Text easily for the Real Estate professional – by use of a mobile business card. An agent can create a profile with their picture and contact information, and when interested buyers text-in, they will have all of this sent directly to their cell phone. The fun part about this, is that the agent can jazz it up a little – perhaps add a little personal information about themselves, a connection to the listing area or town goes a long way. This will make people feel like they know you, before they even meet you are speak with you in person. Establishing a familiar sense with people is a great start toward making a personal connection.

Two-way communication is another form of using Text in the Real Estate business. Encourage interested buyers to text-in for more information on a listing. Once they do, provide details, and prompt them to reply with their name. Upon receiving a name, it is easy to generate a “fill-in” space for all future text messages to this person. Social Fuse is a great company to get this started for you, it is simple and highly effective. Now, whenever you send a message to this person, your text will include their name! For example: “Hi Sally, open house on Sunday for 123 Main St, 12-3pm. See you there!” Sally will feel as if the message was meant just for her, she will feel connected with you personally and you can be sure she won’t be ignoring your message. Establishing a first-name basis via Text with clients is a really easy way to gain their trust, and their business.