Special offer
Andy Fulton (Market Leader)

Spam prevention
Rainmaker
4,572,117
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

I like to ask people their preferred method of communication.  It's not about a particular strategy but trying the best way to make a connection.

Dec 14, 2016 04:43 PM
Ambassador
5,229,945
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Hi Andy!  Working internet leads can be very trying!  I have someone that does that for me and we work together on revising her strategies on a weekly basis!  Right now, the best response (if they don't take your call right after registration) is, "Hi Andy! What's the best time to call you?" (of course followed by name and company)  That has been working very well for us to elicit some form of a respose from them.

We have found that they register on multiple sites so, they get calls and emails from many other agents.  So, persistency and being genuine matter!

Dec 14, 2016 04:09 PM
Ambassador
1,452,819
Susan Emo
Sotheby's International Realty Canada - Brokerage - Kingston, ON
Kingston and the 1000 Islands Area

I have Text Riders on my signs and I capture the numbers.  I've had the most success with "Thanks for texting for more details on ABC Street.  You probably have questions for me . . . what is your preferred method of contact; text, phone or email?"  This almost always garners a response.

Dec 14, 2016 04:52 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,575
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Andy,

We have always asked folks what their preferred form of communication was as Michael Jacobs stated.  It shows care and that you are willing to work as a team.  A

Dec 14, 2016 09:12 PM
Ambassador
6,393,179
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Texting as a marketing platform, good way to get your number blocked.

Dec 14, 2016 06:31 PM
Ambassador
3,727,873
Patricia Kennedy
RLAH@Properties - Washington, DC
Home in the Capital

I would never ever ever use texting in any kind of "drip" campaign.  Text spam is just evil!

Dec 14, 2016 05:48 PM
Ambassador
2,684,009
Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

  I prefer to call on the phone and engage them "live".  Once they are my client, then I will gladly text them, if that is their preferred means of communication.

Dec 14, 2016 05:48 PM
Rainmaker
5,583,278
Barbara Todaro
RE/MAX Executive Realty - Happily Retired - Franklin, MA
Previously Affiliated with The Todaro Team

texting??? poor method to use....

Dec 14, 2016 04:30 PM
Rainmaker
564,494
Maria Sapio
Keller Williams of Central PA - Carlisle, PA
Real Estate Agent- Carlisle, PA. Mariasapio.com

I only text people I know - I have not used text messages as a marketing strategy.

Dec 14, 2016 03:41 PM
Rainmaker
613,494
Eve Alexander
Buyers Broker of Florida - Tampa, FL
Exclusively Representing ONLY Tampa Home Buyers

None.  You have to speak like you are a genuine person and not a template.  Canned responses are fake. 

What you say depends on where the lead came from and what you already know about them.

Personally, I have never tried to convert a lead with text.  I just have a conversation with them through e-mail.  The conversation is always about their needs...not about me.

Eve

Dec 14, 2016 03:34 PM
Rainmaker
3,986,258
William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

A personal phone call

Dec 14, 2016 06:31 PM
Rainmaker
5,005,614
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

I like the strategy that Debe Maxwell is using! Nice answer Debe!

Dec 14, 2016 05:45 PM
Rainmaker
1,052,211
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Avoid text messaging for anything substantial to the greatest degree possible.
And
Be as rapidly responsive as possible when text messaging is appropriate/ necessary.

Dec 14, 2016 04:10 PM
Rainmaker
989,652
Jennifer Mackay
Counts Real Estate Group, Inc. - Panama City, FL
Your Bay County Florida Realtor 850.774.6582

I'm with Michael Jacobs - not everyone wants to be contacted by text.  In fact, many find it annoying and a turn off and end up blocking the text number

Always confirm first

Dec 15, 2016 05:28 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

In my opinion, texting to accomplish conversion is an extremely risky strategy.

If I were to go down this path there are a few pre-qualifications I would use. 

1. How was the telephone number acquired?
A previous relationship is preferred before texting.
An unknown who is on the latter end of the incubation process is the better candidate.

2. What of value to the recipient will my text message contain?

I do not see value in a 'When can I call you?" message. I would interpret such a message as 'block me now." I would consider a text message, to a qualified prospect containing any of the following:

You are invited.....

Just published.....

Just released.....

News about .....(most effective if you know the prospects physical location at that moment)

Did you know......

Eyejot and BoomBoom are your friend when these opportunities present.

Dec 15, 2016 04:51 AM
Rainmaker
5,104,931
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

I don't use texts to turn leads into clients. It is I and my services that turn them into clients.

Dec 15, 2016 04:15 AM
Rainmaker
3,071,489
Tony and Suzanne Marriott, Associate Brokers
Serving the Greater Phoenix and Scottsdale Metropolitan Area - Scottsdale, AZ
Haven Express @ Keller Williams Arizona Realty

Michael Jacobs nailed this one!

Dec 15, 2016 03:51 AM
Rainmaker
1,712,676
Joe Pryor
The Virtual Real Estate Team - Oklahoma City, OK
REALTOR® - Oklahoma Investment Properties

I don't think thext is what creates clients from leads. It is a short and quick communication device once they are clients.

Dec 14, 2016 05:27 PM
Rainmaker
1,157,785
FN LN
Toronto, ON

It depends on the target audience.

Dec 14, 2016 04:54 PM
Rainmaker
5,868,482
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Sometimes I think a phone call works better, a bit more personal.

Dec 16, 2016 09:39 AM
Rainmaker
1,502,998
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Spelling counts.  I don't do long texts, it's a short & sweet "tactical" communication medium.

Dec 15, 2016 06:47 PM
Rainmaker
4,800,082
Gabe Sanders
Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL
Stuart Florida Real Estate

Unless they prefer texting, use a combination of calls, emails and texts.

Dec 15, 2016 09:05 AM
Rainmaker
864,658
Les & Sarah Oswald
Realty One Group - Eastvale, CA
Broker, Realtor and Investor

Immediately call them back and ask what is their preferred method of communication and when it is convenient for them.

Dec 15, 2016 07:28 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

You're putting the cart before the horse using a text strategy for initial contact. It's effect would be negative if I were to implement that method.

Dec 15, 2016 07:23 AM
Rainmaker
4,936,605
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Have you hear the latest?  Give me a call if you have some time.

 

Dec 15, 2016 06:34 AM
Rainmaker
1,725,996
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

Calls to Action

Dec 15, 2016 05:58 AM
Rainmaker
5,216,398
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Asking them there preferred communication method. The suggest an initial conversation, by phone or in person to establish some parameters.

Dec 15, 2016 05:22 AM
Rainmaker
4,434,127
Gita Bantwal
RE/MAX Centre Realtors - Warwick, PA
REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI - Bucks County & Philadel

Good luck.

Dec 15, 2016 04:29 AM
Rainmaker
4,272,548
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I Just use text messages to communicate faster....

Dec 14, 2016 09:06 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

I do not use templates for text messages, only a signature if I need to add it. 

Dec 14, 2016 07:35 PM
Rainmaker
7,836,129
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Many clients do not want to receive text messages from real estate agents.

Dec 14, 2016 04:18 PM