Get Your Marketing Accent on the Right Syllable

by James Dingman on March 9, 2010

We are very focused on the Internet right now.  We should be.  We have great new websites that, if managed properly, will become major lead generators.  Every Help-U-Sell broker needs to carve out the time and energy tolearn how to maximize their web presence and to continue those management functions into the future.  That’s a given.

But let’s not forget where most of our business comes from day in and day out:

Signs

Every successful Help-U-Sell broker I’ve talked with says the same thing:  A kickin’ website is essential, but most leads come one way or another, from signs.  Even website leads sometimes happen when a consumer sees the URL on the sign and responds.

It all gets down to visibility.  Are you in a location where your office signage can be seen by residents of the area you are targeting?  Do you have a sufficient number of  listings* in your target area to make your presence known? Are you supplementing your office signage with a car wrap — which is a mobile billboard for your business?  Do each of your sellers have a number of open house and directional signs and have they been coached to use them at least once a week to promote their seller-held open houses?  Have you  put blitz signs up in the marketplace?

All of the above (and more) function to remind the public that you are here and you can save them money.   Once they get that, they call . . . or visit your website . . . or walk in.  So:  please make your new website a priority.  That’s essential.  But also constantly evaluate your visibility in the marketplace, which all boils down to signs.

By the way, Robbie tells me that all of the new office websites are up now.  Many do not have IDX yet,  but you can see them and work on them, even if you were not at the Tech Summit.  The current address for your new site will be in this configuration:  officename.helpusellbeta.com (example, ‘Help-U-Sell Acme Realty’ — acmerealty.helpusellbeta.com).   The manual — which includes complete documentation for the new sites — is up on the Download Library.  If you need help with any of this, contact Robbie, James, John, Lori, or Tami at corporate.

*What is a ’sufficient number of listings?’ That varies, but it’s certainly not 3.  Or 5.  If you’re going to be visible you’ve got to be in double digits and probably more than 20.  Our stronger offices routinely carry 40 – 100 or more.  If you are not getting enough leads, the first place to look is your listing inventory.  The second place to look is how you respond when leads come in.  It’s amazing  how many leads are trashed every day because we’re not strong on the phone or we’re quick to dismiss them as ‘not serious.’  It’s more amazing how many of these end up buying in the next 30 days.

PS:  landmarksigns.com still has Help-U-Sell Open House Directional signs in their clearance center. They are a bargain1

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Internet Marketing Help

by James Dingman on March 7, 2010

So the Tech Summits are done.  Everyone is very excited about the new sites and the ease at which they can be customized, localized and optimized.  Attendees went home with a document entitled, ‘11 Days to a Great Website’ that outlines, step-by-step, what they need to do to get the most out of their new online identity.  Still there will be some who won’t get to the task or won’t be able to maintain their focus over time.  This doesn’t make them bad, slow, or less-than in any way.  Some have their hands absolutely full maintaining their current operations.  A new set of tasks, no matter how simple, will be overwhelming.  Others are lacking in computer skills (beyond MLS), so that managing their own sites will be like learning Swahili.  For these brokers there is help.

Meet Kirk Eisele.  He was a Help-U-Sell broker and owner of two offices in the early 2000’s.  His business partner was more the real estate guy; Kirk’s focus was on systems and automation.  He’s offered to assist any member in doing the initial legwork involved in optimizing their website and in maintaining/enhancing the site over time.  Specifically, Kirk will help:

  • Analyze your website data to discover who and where your audience is and what motivates them to look for you
  • Identify keywords and phrases that will draw customers to your website
  • Help meld those words and phrases into your content so that search engines will find you
  • Work to develop quality links to your site to enhance your online credibility
  • Set you up and teach you how to easily manage your Social Networking program
  • Help you develop a leads capture and incubation process that will increase your conversion rates
  • Function as a hands-on Internet marketing consultant and coach
  • And more . . .

I know Kirk.  He’s a quality guy and he knows his stuff.  His fee is reasonable ($350 per month plus any add-ons you may choose, with a six month commitment).  If you are wrestling with how to manage your online presence, I can think of no one better able to help.  A full description of Kirk’s service and contact information is located HERE.

 

 

 

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Rumor Mill

March 6, 2010

Real estate — particularly franchised real estate — is a pretty small community.  We all know each other or at least a little about each other.  It’s kinda like living in a small New England town.  (Peyton Place?  Well, not exactly). That’s why, when one of the major players makes a move, the ripples reverberate through [...]

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Population Explosion

March 5, 2010

At the Summit in Las Vegas, on the first day, John Powell answered a question.  ’How many offices do we have?’ someone asked.  ’140,’ John answered.  There was no particular reaction at that moment and the conversation went on to the next question.  That surprised me.
After all, in 2006 we had over 800 offices.  a [...]

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Now it can be told: the Truth about the new Help-U-Sell office websites

March 4, 2010

Tech Summit 2010 is history.  Well, the event is history; the process of ushering in the new Help-U-Sell office websites and tweaking them to produce maximum results will be ongoing.
By all reviews, it was a smashing success.  Brokers are amazed at what we’ve accomplished in such a short time, fascinated by the care and planning [...]

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The Willing Suspension of Disbelief

March 3, 2010

It’s what makes movies and plays work.  It’s what enables us to follow charismatic leaders.  It’s what keeps Christmas morning fresh and new every year.  Sometimes, when hope collides with faith, we allow ourselves to believe.  It’s quite a leap across a chasm of doubt, a risky act of defiance against the power of cynicism. [...]

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News from the Tech Summit

March 2, 2010

Day one of the Sarasota Summit is history and Day 2 has just begun.  I’m breathing a sigh of relief because our attendees seem to be just as fascinated by what’s being presented as I am.  They were just as into the material yesterday afternoon at 4 as they were at noon and this morning [...]

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Equity in the Name

February 27, 2010

New Help-U-Sell brokers sometimes stew way too much about their DBA.  They want to come up with the perfect name, the one that expresses who they are;  the one that will kick their marketing effectiveness up another notch.  Is Help-U-Sell Superior Homes better than Help-U-Sell Apex Properties?
Truth is:  the consumer could not care less.
And that’s [...]

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