I don't know how many times I have heard that statement. We live in interesting times and I marvel at the creative minds that continue to create new ideas and new ways of marketing products or services. I have lost count of the number of new listing sites and marketing tools that have been created and continue to be created.
One thing I have always tried to do is to put everything into perspective and to always try to "think like a consumer" and think about what is important to them in the big picture. What will get their attention and what will encourage them to contact me?
When a new marketing idea or new piece of technology is created it never ceases to amaze me at the number of Realtors that embrace it as the latest tool that is going to change their lives!
I have written a few blogs about my concern of the "Latest and greatest" websites we can post our real estate listings on. Without naming them I can tell you that one of them was hailed as the websites of all websites for Realtors earlier this year via Active Rain blogs and is now non-existent. The real estate specific sites that are still in existence are not major players in the overall competitive marketplace.
Many of you know that I embrace Craig's List and Ebay. Think about it, why does Walmart do so well? It is a one stop shop and they hurt the competition everywhere they go. The same thing is true for Craig's List and Ebay. Superstar Ralph Roberts who has sold over 10,000 homes in his career loves Craig's List and Ebay and also has sold a lot of homes through MySpace and Backpage as well. Visitors visit these sites in record setting numbers. I have sold more homes through Craig's List and Ebay than I would bet any of you have ever sold through all the "other sites" combined. The reason for this is that hundreds of thousands of people shop these sites daily. Not only do you have a better chance of having someone look at your listings on these sites but when they link to your site from one of these mega sites Google pays attention and ranks your site higher. This is one of the strongest and cheapest SEO tools we will ever have at our fingertips.
When it comes to advertising there are certain rules that have been true for the past 50 years and have never changed. There are sites that offer us the opportunity to create stunning and beautiful real estate brochures and they are breathtaking for sure. Think about it, If you write a real estate ad in the newspaper and use multiple photos with a lot of spectacular text, what reason does a buyer have to call you unless they happen to want that specific home? In advertising this is called "Giving away the farm". When we give away the farm we have broken a valuable rule in advertising. If we give readers everything in an ad there is no reason for them to contact us. Giving people limited quality information that encourages them to visit our websites is the key. We need to WOW the visitors after they get to our websites, not before. Think about this the next time you create your next website ad. Just because there is a tool out there that creates stunning and beautiful real estate brochures does not mean it is the best tool. These brochures have a place and it is up to us to decide who to best use them and when they can hurt us more than help us.
"Caveat Emptor" (Buyer Beware) is something we have all heard in our real estate classes. Remember this when you hear about the "Latest and greatest" technology or marketing tool that is announced.
Good post and point well made. I use Craig's list a lot.
George, I have read a number of your posts,.. as usual, this is another good one.. I will rate it 5
Mike Norvell Sr
George,
another good post from you. I've gotten plenty of these emails too wanting to sell another site..
having been around a little longer than last night,
cann't help but often have, an initial reaction of.... "Well, since I haven't heard of it....will any buyers know of the site either? .... as well as "it's likely new... unproven.... so spending money to try it... would be 'taking a flyer'- speculative! not making an investment in marketing with a proven track record!"
For where then are tangible results more likely to come....?
I wonder how many even try searching as a prospective buyer would- to even see how they might ever find that new "GREATEST WEBSITE EVER" and why would their be any appeal for someone to make a hit on it versus the other ones available?
And not saying- just like other new businesses or new item on a restaurant menu- it's not worthwhile to sample.....
..... but the new guy on the block... needs to offer some free samples to prove his value ... if he's really trying to build a sizable business.. away from what's already working..
Mike - Thank you so much and have a great day!
blreast therealty4u - Whoever you are remember the KISS formula. This isn't rocket science. I stick with the sites that attract hundreds of thousands of visitors a day. The rest of them do not get my attention. Good luck to you.
My delete button gets plenty of exercise too!
as like your KISS ing example - trying out toads might only lead to warts..
but those anxious & hopeful singles with time and extra money to burn.... will still likely want to go out on a limb by trying a few new date sites to see what might work out.
Ah yes, Blind Faith "Dates" can be costly- but likely long remembered.
Rob - I agree, Craig's List is an awesome site
blreast therealty4u - Are you looking for good real estate listing sites or date sites? I can't help you with the latter...LOL
George:
According to our analytics package: Craig's sent 18 refers to my site yesterday off our 2nd Ad attempt. The average visitor stayed for 14:28. 3 Internet inquiries. 2 are working with other agents (they plan to let their agent know about the home). 1 showing off of it for this weekend for me.
I can dig it. Esp. when all it cost was a little time.
Jessica - "Groovy" I can dig that! LOL
Karen - Good for you. Keep up the great work!
Hi George - I've used Craigslist off and on for about a year or a little less, and other than rentals, I've not had much luck. I'm going to have to take some lessons from somewhere to see how I can improve what I'm doing.
Thanks the reminder to give it another whirl.
Ann
Faina - Thanks and keep at it my friend
Ann - Keep at it dear and keep reposting your ads regularly
Marchel - I will contact you when I talk to my seller who posted my listing on Ebay
George - I will definitely check out Craig's List. If it works for you, I am sure it will work for me. Thanks for sharing.
Craig's list is a great place to hang out. Once you get your basic templates built for craigs list it's pretty upkeep. Great post as usual my friend. Being consistent and returning will be key for CL.
I also love Craigslist and behind Active Rain it is a really close second to where I get most of my business. You are right, leave things out, make them want to call. Or give them a call to action. "Call now and get X" If you make them want something, a price, # of rooms a free report, they will call and you have yourself a new prospect!
Chuck - Good luck to you my friend
Brian - I advertise listings and I also create creative ads advertising number of listings in certain price ranges and use titles that create a sense of urgency. Think outside the box my friend.
Todd - Right on and keep up the great work!
Hi George,
I just finished reading your blog about the latest and greatest realtor tool. I agree with you that there often is much unnecessary hype about this website or that website. If you look at most of the consumer oriented websites out there (Zillow, Terabitz, etc), I believe that they end up hurting real estate professionals like you and me.
I invite you to take a look at a site that I am a part of. It is www.amreds.com. We don't claim to be the greatest tool ever but I think the site will actually help out agents.
Thanks and keep on blogging.
Johnny Park
Sara - Thank you and all I can tell you is that this system is working fo rme hands down!
Johnny - Thank you and I will check it out
Jim - Very true my friend and it is great hearing from you