The time of reckoning
has come, as I stand in front of the room and state, "My name is Diego
and I'm an email junkie". The 8X8 or 33 touch program unfolds as I
start to acknowledge the symptoms and the inception of my addiction.
An epiphany of sorts clears my mind as I identify the source of my
addiction...I'm a Realtor® in Houston, TX. I am spending more time
being "connected" and checking email these days. Houston real estate
has started to show signs of a healthier market coming in the near
future and it is important for me to offer listings and information via
email. Is it a sign of better times to come?
As Realtors, we see the need to
constantly be in front of someone via phone, in person or
electronically (email, text, social media, blogs). Yet email has its
place among one of the most useful means of contact with clients,
colleagues and prospects. It is amazing what a simple personalized two
line note saying "I was thinking of you" means to our sphere and
clients. Or perhaps the evite that reads, “Please come to my client
appreciation gathering.” The emails keep stacking with active
negotiations, due diligence, attachments and advice that we provide our
clients. Scanned documents alleviate the paper documentation and make
the intent of going paperless.
Agents who understand online lead
generation will be able to empathize with me. Everyone we meet goes
into a database where we can establish email campaigns related to their
specific needs. We then also place them into an email group for when
we have those great PDF's or scanned documents we feel they "must"
have. We email them market snapshots, market activity, home listings,
area demographic reports, tax reports, etc to keep them informed. We
are their Houston real estate resource
and their one stop shop. Touch systems are very important to be
followed up with phone calls but as people have busier lives, it is
easier to follow up via email or when you see them on Facebook.
Incubation normally takes 6-8 months on average for online leads as
they tend to be more educated and informed of the general areas and
criteria or want to take their time to explore Houston areas.
Remember to answer your emails and
website inquiries...they can sometimes uncover the unexpected. The
buyer who accidently asked to get information for $2 Mil homes that
closed six months later on their $250k home and referred you three
friends who you've now closed in similar price ranges. The follow
through is important and sometimes email is all you have to go by until
they are comfortable enough to give you their phone number. Until such
time, I will continue to be a Houston real estate email junkie and provide as much information to buyers and sellers looking for an agent who is just as connected as they are.
Sincerely,
Diego E. Jaramillo
Realtor, ABR, e-Pro
Keller Williams Houston Metropolitan
Tel: 713-980-5115
Online at www.HoustonHeritage.com
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