How Bout Them Internet Leads?
The internet has forever changed how real estate is done.
But, some Realtors® don’t realize that it has changed again, just when they (some?) thought they had it all figured out.
Many (most?) Realtors® think internet marketing consists of putting up a templated website, forcing visitors to register to trap their contact information, then pestering them until they buy something.
The reality of that approach is that consumers have no compelling reason to visit that site; it exists for the benefit of the Realtor®, not the consumer.
Believe it or not, that approach actually (somewhat) worked a couple of years ago.
These days, savvy website and blog visitors know how to get the information they want without revealing their identity to a (gasp!) Realtor® .
I used to require registration on my www.BoiseBlog.com before searching listings.
Interestingly, I noticed that I had an astounding number of visitors registering with the same name.
How is it that so many people are named Ben Dover, M. Mouse, and I. M. Mee these days ??
It’s also amazing that many of those same blog visitors have incredible phone numbers like (000)000-0000 and (111)111-1111.
Do they know someone at the phone company?
Obviously, requiring registration is no longer an effective website or blog tactic.
Which is why I stopped requiring registration some time ago.
The days of attracting naïve, compliant website visitors who will willingly give up their contact information are long gone.
I want to establish a more honest, open relationship with my blog visitors vs. selling them something.
The average real estate consumer these days is 35, tech-savvy, and often knows more about technology and real estate than the average Realtor®.
That consumer wants information without having to deal directly with a Realtor®, and most wait until later in the home buying process to communicate with a Realtor®.
Real estate websites and blogs are, more and more, becoming educational tools for consumers and a way to demonstrate how a Realtor® does business vs. being selling tools.
The old methods no longer work as they once did.
Those who embrace the new way the consumer wishes to do business will prosper.
Those who don’t will wish they had.
July 4th, 2009 Posted in Inside Real Estate
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One Response to “How Bout Them Internet Leads?”
By Chris and Stephanie Somers on Jul 13, 2009
Phil,
So true ! Great points. We wrote a fun blog post with a similar topic and theme:
http://activerain.com/blogsview/1140985/iamnotlookingforanyinformationfromyou-com
The bottom line is that savvy Realtors are embracing these changes and adapting with them. Those that do I believe will be well rewarded !
Chris Somers