It’s Time to Build A New Virtual Model Home
What kind of an impression would you make if people searching for a new home show up at your model home and you have no furniture, a small desk in a dimly lit corner and weeds in the flower beds? When they ask for a brochure, a salesperson hands them a crinkly piece of paper with the prices scribbled on it. Needless to say, I’m sure you wouldn’t expect a return visit from them any time soon.
Sadly, this may be what’s happening on your website. How many browsers abandon their online search after visiting your homepage because of the lack of information, complicated navigation, “under construction” pages and poor or outdated design? If 90+% of new home buyers are starting their search online (have I hammered that statistic home yet?), then it is highly likely that your website will be their first impression of you as a builder.
Ask yourself: What kind of impression is my site making? Does it accurately reflect the image I have in the community? Maybe you don’t know…maybe you think you know. You must look at your site with a fresh eye and make sure that you have all of the pieces of the puzzle in their proper positions – and that they’re easy to access.
Don’t pucker up too much when it comes to attracting qualified prospects.
Do You Go The Distance with Prospects?
Do you find yourself asking, “Why doesn’t anyone respond to me?” In this video I talk about some facts that might surprise you. Like less than 10% of sales professionals follow up more than 3 times?
I also give you the formula for increased responses. It’s actually pretty simple.
View the video here
Will the iPhone 4 Help You Sell More Homes?
I think, more importantly, the question is how will these new super smart phones continue to change how we sell homes? I shot a quick video of my thoughts.
The long awaited iPhone 4 will soon be coming to a store near you. Steve Jobs revealed the new iPhone 4 last week. This new smart phone has a lot of new hardware updates and features as well as a new sleek look, all of which you can see here. One of the new features has the potential to change the landscape for sales professionals that will use it. The new Face Time video calling feature will give agents who really like to sell “face to face” (don’t we all) the ability to do so via their new iPhone 4 video. This feature gives you the ability to talk face to face to anyone else using the iPhone 4 (wi-fi only for 2010, but you know they are pushing this for 3G, and it is open so I am sure we’ll be talking to other phones too). You can show properties, talk to customers and give them updates on their home construction or whatever your selling heart desires. The ability to connect on this level is going to be a huge game changer.
Another slick new feature is the 720p HD video which eliminates the need for an additional camera like the Flip or Kodak. So if you have been jonesin’ for a HD pocket camera and debating whether or not to upgrade to an iPhone – this should help you make that decision. On top of that, it looks like the photos you can take will kick butt with the new 5 mp lens.
Along with the new 720p HD video, you now have a full featured tool to edit all that content right on the phone. Apple announced the new iMovie for iPhone, the demo was pretty cool. My mind is racing with all of the possibilities. Think about recording a quick video intro to a property, pulling in 10-15 photos of the home with a Ken Burns effect, finishing off with another video message and including a nice music overlay and titles, all while in your car outside of the home. Crazy right?
Video is one of the most underutilized tools for selling homes. The more comfortable you are with video the better off you will be. You can’t get more comfortable than having this rocket right in your pocket.
Now – if AT&T would just improve their network. It’s not too bad in my neck of the woods but I know others who complain.
So, are you thinking about a new smartphone? I am still on the fence but my “apple-fanboyness” is drawing me in to the iPhone 4. If you are comparing the latest phones, check out the helpful infographic below from Mashable.
What do you think? Will you be buying the new iPhone 4 and how do you plan to use it in your business?
Below is a video ad of the cliffnotes version of the keynote.
Batman Has an iPhone – Do You?
Lose the dumb phone! You’ve got to have the right tools to be cool. But more importantly you have to have the right tools to run your business.
Real estate is visual. What’s the best way to convey that to potential buyers? Shoot a video. Use your smart phone, or if you want to make a very minor investment in the same tool I used recently at the International Builders’ Show then for just $199 you can buy a flip mino. It’s a little tiny camera, but it packs a big punch.
Take a look at this video, (Shot with my flip mino) the third in a series from my presentation at IBS. This will give you some great tools and ideas to work with to enhance your real estate business.
Let’s talk about content ideas.
What is your secret sauce? Throw out some content ideas.
To view the 4 part series click here.
Win By Default: Do You Have A Process?
Can you build a house if you don’t have a foundation? Why would you think you can set appointments with your online leads without an online sales foundation? That foundation is your process.
Here’s another behind the scenes look at one of my presentations at the International Builders’ Show. In this second of a 4 part series I’m talking about the online sales process.
It starts with a lead, but you need both short term and long term follow up. The goal is to invoke a response. Once you do that you can qualify the prospect. The bottom line goal is to set the appointment. We do that by using a process.
Set time up front developing this process and you’ll be ahead of your competition.
What is your process?
To take a look at the entire 4 part play list click here.
