Are YOU using all of the tools you’ve invested in? Part 2!

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My last article on this subject got GREAT feedback, so I thought that I’d readdress the topic and discuss it some more! (If you missed the last one, CLICK HERE)

As agents, we face many changes in our business… the migration to the Internet, texting, declining prices, lower commissions, and sometimes working with the same client for a year before getting a paycheck! While it is frustrating (I often say we now work 3 times as hard for 1/2 of the pay!) it is also a great opportunity!

Here are some of the changes I’ve had to make to “keep up” in my business, please comment and share some of yours!

I TEXT! I am new to the texting world, in fact, like last week! I just got a new iPhone, and it’s GREAT! (once I figured out not to type my message in the first line… only the 2nd!). I had texting on my old phone, but I very rarely used it, I only saw the expense associated with it, not the benefit (maybe seeing my friend’s get 50 texts during a gator game from their spouse at home is what scared me!) In fact, one client I worked with last year I actually caught myself telling them “I don’t text… either call or email me.” Do you believe that? I might as well get out my walker and reading glasses cuz that’s what someone ‘over the hill’ would say! Here’s what you DO do in your business… WHATEVER THE CLIENT WANTS!!! So far in just the last week I’ve texted to confirm showings, I’ve texted clients after hours (too late to call, but they were up and texted back!) and texted people I know are in a meeting but needed to get a message to. COOL! (AT&T has a plan for $5 you get 200 messages a month… I think I can swing $5.)

I Build Virtual Tours! I think in this day and age if you don’t have a virtual tour you’re doing your seller a dis-service (of course unless it’s a junker property or not suitable for a virtual). Don’t fuss about the money… how’s $5 sound? I’ve been building mine at a site called www.UBuildTours.com they charge $5 for a tour and it’s up for a whole year and they give you both branded & unbranded tours AND some really great stats reports!!! (if you decide to try it, put my name in and I’ll get a free tour). Yes it takes a little effort on my part, but it pays off! You’re seller appreciates it and so do the buyers. I have a showing on one of my listings tomorrow that called and said “I watched the virtual tour… I like it… when can we see it?”

I’m now Videoing! I bought a Flip Camera (or you can use your phone, or maybe even your regular digital camera) and then you can upload videos of your houses to your website, or YouTube, or Facebook or any other site! I just uploaded a quick video about my new iPhone and the cool case I got for it (of course, there’s also a marketing lesson in there for you!) Watch the 90 second video HERE (by the way, limit your videos to under 4-5 minutes max… much longer and they won’t even watch it)

I’m building a team! Our office has associated with a new franchise and I am bringing a few agents onto my team. I’ve realized that I can only get so much accomplished in the hours that I have available, so I am restructuring to let other people help me in my business AND they’ll make more money too! Look at how many hours in a day you have. How many listing appointments can you go on? How many showings? Based on that activity, how much CAN you make? I am better off sharing my leads with another agent and then I get a little bit of the commission instead of 100% of nothing because I didn’t have time to get to it. John D. Rockefeller is quoted as saying: “I would rather earn 1% off a 100 people’s efforts than 100% of my own efforts”. I’ve also outsourced some of my work virtually and have become better at delegating. YOU CAN’T DO IT ALL (and you’ll kill yourself trying)!!! LET other people help you and you will all be happier, healthier and wealthier!

By the way… as I uploaded the YouTube video I also showed our receptionist how to do it… so next time SHE’LL upload it instead of me! See? Delegation is Cool!

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