Let me guess…you are a Real Estate agent or Mortgage Lender in the Northern Virginia and you want to do more business? We all do right? What we really want are LEADS! We want people that reach out to us and say “hey I need to use your services…I got your marketing piece or found you online; can you help?” Yes you can!! But how do we get to this point? How do we change our traditional marketing into Real Estate Target Marketing?Let’s back up…
The Field of Dreams…remember that movie? The one with Kevin Costner in Iowa (where I am from) and he hears these voices that say “Build it and he will come”? Then Kevin Costner proceeds to destroy a chunk of his crops and everyone around him thinks he is crazy for doing such a thing! Well, you will have to watch the movie to find out how it ends but let’s just say that what Kevin Costner did, and the sacrifices he made worked out amidst the disapproval of those around him.
For my 1st blog post of 2016 (sorry for taking so long) I want to discuss the early year Realtor training classes and how I see many agents get exposed to “bad and inaccurate” information. I teach real estate marketing classes all over Northern Virginia, have active content on this website, write for Inman.com, and post YouTube video content that helps real estate agents and mortgage lenders. I am NOT AN EXPERT. I know several things that my clients can integrate into their business, that can help them do more transactions, but at no time do I convey myself as an expert. I am continually learning from others through books, videos on YouTube, and other websites in which I subscribe. I then take that information and use it the best I can to help my clients. On the other hand, there are people out there who take full advantage of Realtors posing as an expert. Who are these people? Be on the look out for these people…
It is without debate that video in real estate is here to stay. It is the “new kid on the block” for real estate marketing and agents are jumping on board. Some faster than others, but as I make my way around Northern Virginia/Washington DC more of the questions I’m receiving center around video. How do I set up my YouTube Channel? What camera should I use? How often should I do videos? What topics should I be discussing in my videos? The list goes on and on. Getting consumers and prospects to your YouTube channel is important, but does the amount of YouTube Subscribers you have matter? More is better right? Let’s talk about it.
Are you looking to be a more successful Title Sales Rep in 2015? The new year is here and that means new goals, new clients, expectations to bring in more business, and have better numbers than 2014. If you have spent much time on this site you know that most of my posts and videos are aimed at helping my ideal clients, whom are real estate agents and mortgage lenders. I help them to become more savvy so they can beat their competition and grow their businesses. As Title Sales people, we are all in this together, no matter where in the United States you are located. We all have similar issues and struggles in the field. Here are some tips that you can use to become a successful Title Sales Rep in 2015. These tips will help you maximize time, efforts, and make you become the “go to person” in your area.
Ever hear the expression…“Failing fast is a lot better than failing slow?” I think this applies to most businesses because the faster you fail, the faster you learn and overcome the obstacles that set you back. Many of my Realtor clients here in the Northern Virginia/Washington DC area are now starting learn and understand the many benefits of using Video in Real Estate. Having said that, many Real Estate agents are still fearful of getting in front of the camera and shooting videos. You could say that they have a fear of using Video, but of course we know you can overcome by just doing. What they don’t realize is that videos are NOT shot and filmed in 1 take. Usually it takes many times to get everything just right, even if you are reading off a teleprompter. This is how Real Estate video bloopers are born.
You know what gets really old and frustrating? Meeting someone in a business situation and having to explain to them “what” you do and “why” they should work with you (your entire value proposition). It’s kind of like dating, where you meet someone and have to tell him or her where are from, where you went to school, what you like, and don’t like. After a while it gets really old. You wish these business prospects or “dates” just knew this information in advance so when you finally meet you can just get to the good part…doing business and making money. The good news is, you can set it up so your prospects get to meet and learn all about you before you meet them. They are “website introduction videos.” If you notice these are not prominent…meaning that most Realtors or Lenders don’t have them. Let’s talk about website introduction videos and how they can help you in your Real Estate business.
Last week I saw the most amazing video. I watched it…then I watched it again…then I watched it a 3rd time. It was about a Real Estate agent in Australia (Scott Wagner) and his push to go completely digital and shift his business to online marketing and most specifically…Video. He talked over and over about the power of video and a term called Video Momentum. So…what is Video Momentum? It is using Video in your Real Estate business to propel you into the future with clients and sell for you 24/7. Let me ask you a question. Could a property video, talking head video, or any other video that has value generate business for you next week…next month…next year? YES it can! Let’s talk about Video Momentum and how it can help grow your Real Estate business today and going forward indefinitely.
Social Proof is something that we see every day in our lives. It is something that helps persuade consumers to “do this, use this person’s services, go here, or call someone.” It is extremely powerful, especially if you know HOW to use Social Proof in Real Estate. We use this every day…here are some examples: Angie’s List, Yelp, Open Table, Fandango, and your Real Estate website! Ever look up the reviews to a movie or a restaurant and you read a positive or negative review by someone you have never met but that review influenced you one way or the other? That is Social Proof. So how exactly can you use this effectively in the Real Estate space? Good question! Using Social Proof in Real Estate the right way will get you more opportunities at business.
Normally I don’t talk a lot on this website about Title Insurance or even Stewart Title…but today I am. A couple of days ago Stewart Title was named to the Forbes List of Top 50 Most Trustworthy Companies in 2014. This is a HUGE honor as a National Title Insurance Company, but even bigger because we were the ONLY Title Company on the list! I think that is important because as a Real Estate agent or Mortgage Lender you have a lot of options as to whom you choose to do business. In many instances Real Estate agents don’t realize that the company they do business with doesn’t actually underwrite or issue a Title Policy…some other company does. Stewart Title, as an underwriter and insurance company does both. So here are more reasons you should consider putting us into your next contract.
